Before I write out this post I wanted to ask that you not miss the post prior to this one.  I am SO excited about this and the response I have received is SO inspiring!  I have already sent out an email to those of you who have joined and am looking SO forward to the encouragement we will all receive through this!  It is also a great inspiration for me to keep working on that book!

Okay, now for the Christmas shopping experience.....

This year my children have spoken more of what they would like to do for eachother than any of their own personal wishes for Christmas.  Our children do not get an allowance, however, do get a reward of money every once in a while when my husband has felt led to do so.  They kept asking me if I could take them to town so they could shop for eachother.  I was trying to figure out how to work this out, as the younger children definitely didn't have enough money to go on an actual shopping trip.....still, they had the heart to do something special for those they love.

I LOVE it when the Lord gives me ideas in instances like this and one morning, as I was still laying in my bed, I thought of an idea!  I got up, and while my husband was still home I went in to town to do a little shopping myself.  I went to the Dollar Tree and to a special little Thrift Shop that we have in town and purchased some special little things.

I then came home and priced everything.  I, of course, priced things way low so the littler ones could purchase them.  Then I went about setting up store in the dining room.  The children stayed in the living room and made a list of who they needed to buy for.  When they were finished they were waiting in line eagerly for the store to open!  I told them they were allowed to buy ONE gift per person and then shop was OPEN!

They were so cute looking around, checking prices.  My 6 and 5 year old came to the "checkout" desk with baskets overflowing and learned the lesson of having to put some things back.  Each child was given a complimentary coloring book and candy cane for shopping at "Mama's Store".  It was such a delightful time and I am sure we will all be remembering if for years to come!