Quick reality check

I stopped by the "Christmas wish" tree at my church this morning. I thought I'd pick out a few fun things, buy them, pat myself on the back, get this "holiday giving" business over with right quick, and then sit back and congratulate my generous-ass self. However, the requested "gifts" were breathtakingly depressing--soap, shampoo, laundry detergent, socks... What kind of life do you live if you ask for laundry detergent for Christmas? It made me feel somber and incredibly lucky, in a time of my life in which I am already feeling richly blessed. It's interesting how in that way, the gift-giving project is benefiting the giver as well as the recipients.

Here are some totally irrelevant photos of the girls lounging on the couch:




Linden sez, "I sure like dese pillows."