Geoffrey has many wonderful qualities, to be sure. But I think one of the nicest is the kind of brother he is. Geoffrey really has a heart for his little sister!
Of all the presents, this was the "Score" gift for sure. A combination of both of Geoffrey's interests obsessions. Lego and Minecraft together in one building kit. I have been trying to get this for Geoffrey for months! I was as happy to give it to him as he was to get it.
Geoffrey, I'm so proud of the son that you are and the young man that you are becoming. You are a great example to me of what it looks like to be strong and courageous. You are also my example of how to live a fun and playful life. Keep your spark my boy! I can't wait to see all of the places you go in this life!
Last week, my son brought home a very special school supplies list. I know... it's March, so why is he bringing home a list of school supplies now? Well, the supplies are to support a special organization called Operation International Children, which was co-founded by actor Gary Sinise and author Laura Hillenbrand. According to the OIC website, the organization was created "to give concerned citizens of the world a way to reach out to children in war-stricken countries and support American troops in their efforts to assist them."
Here's some more information from the OIC website:
"Working directly with troops, OIC has delivered well over a quarter of a million school supply kits, along with more than half a million toys and thousands of blankets, backpacks, pairs of shoes, Arabic-language books, and sets of sports equipment, all of which have been distributed to children. While we remain committed to our work in Iraq, OIC has expanded its mission, sending school supplies to Afghanistan and other nations, where American troops are distributing them to children in need. In the future, we will continue to broaden our efforts across the world."
Here's what was on the list:
OIC SCHOOL SUPPLY KIT:
One pair of blunt-end scissors
One 12-inch ruler with metric markings
12 new pencils with erasers
One small pencil sharpener
One large eraser
One box of colored pencils (Crayons melt in the Iraqi summer heat!)
One package of notebook paper
One composition book
Three folders with inside pockets
One zippered pencil bag
Pack only the listed supplies in a 2-gallon sized zipper seal plastic bag.
So, last week we headed out to the store to purchase the items on the list. This evening the kids each assembled a bag to donate.
In case you want to see more about Operation International Children, I found this clip:
Last November, I wrote about my son Geoffrey's struggles with bullies and I also shared a special video testimony from an inspirational young man who had also struggled with bullies. Bullying is an issue that weighs on my heart in a very personal way.
I am pleased to share that I was recently invited to serve on a Task Force at my son's school to address bullying. In the words of our vice principal, who is heading up this committee, we are striving to make our school "a more welcoming environment" for everyone. I feel hopeful that we are already taking important action to make these necessary and important changes, and that we will actually make an effective change and make it SOON!
Tonight, I received this video in my email inbox from the vice principal. Check it out!
My dad keeps lots of bird feeders fully stocked in his yard year-round. He is what you would call a "friend to the birds." This afternoon, he sent me this photo of a chickadee eating from his hand! Must be that Native American heritage, huh Dad?
