Days Three through Seven.

I don't always keep up with my blog posts, but I have kept up with my giving!

Day Three.
On Day Three I needed a pick-me-up, so I gifted myself with a latte. Our Starbucks closed in Nov. '08 and the nearest one is a town away; I happened to be going there to pick up my son, so I grabbed a latte on the way home and drank it while soaking in a warm bath. It was excellent.

Day Four.
Through friends, I was able to help my husband Friday morning. It made him smile and I was glad that "all of those people" I know were able to help him out. That afternoon, my husband was given free tickets to an NBA game and took my son; instead of just hanging out at the house, I decided my daughters and I would enjoy a girls' night out!

I checked movie listings and decided we'd go to see the Princess and the Frog (they're 3 and 7), but when I double-checked them an hour later I noticed the movie had disappeared from the listings! I was bummed! Instead I took them to dinner, let them choose where we'd eat (Chinese!) and let them have ice cream even if they didn't finish their dinner. It was fun!

Day Five.
A local Pearl Harbor survivor wrote a book and was holding a book signing, so after story time at one library the children and I headed to the library in my parents' town to pick up a book for both my father and I. However, he ran out of books 45 minutes into the book signing! We ordered the books, though I have to admit to being disappointed. It seems several of my gifts have not gone as planned, that I've had to change my plans, but then I realized that this mirrors life and I should keep trucking on.

Day Six.
My gift for Day Six is one that has been in the works for weeks: a Superbowl party. My husband and I cleaned the house and prepared food for our friends, who all say they had a great time. Alcohol was involved. And because of that alcohol, some truths were admitted. I think God is testing my resolve as a friend and my gift, not just on Day Six but always, is to be the friend I need to be whether I agree or not.

Day Seven.
My gift today is for my youngest brother. He has loved planes since he was a toddler, has earned his private pilot's license and works on planes in the military. He's often joked that the Wright Brothers Memorial in Kitty Hawk, NC is his Graceland. When I was there on my honeymoon in June, I shot some photos of it and today ordered an 11x14 print for him. I hope he likes it!