What we are giving up for Lent

I truly love the Lenten season. I think it is my favorite holy season. This year, we are doing something a bit different. Instead of our usual "giving up" for Lent, we are adding things into our lives. We want to bring our family closer together and closer to God. Each week, we will add in something new to our lives. This week, Chris and I are starting to pray as a couple. We did this a few times during our study of In Love and War by John and Stasi Eldridge. (Excellent book for couples!!) We really could tell a different in our days and nights whenever we did this. We got out of the habit and have both missed it.
Next week, we will add in the habit of simplifying our stuff. This is an effort to make our lives easier and free up more time by getting rid of stuff. Then, we will add in a family walk every night. We also want to give more. Not of money but of ourselves to people who need help. I feel like we give a lot of ourselves at church through the things we help with but I just don't see how we are giving of ourselves to our neighbors who may need some help.
So, what are you doing for the Lenten season?

The Giggles at Bedtime

So, last night, C put K to bed. I was doing some reading for school and missed out on the going to bed routine. I went in after my reading to check on him. He was still awake - as usual! He asked me to tell him a story. A few nights ago, I got tired of reading books to him, mainly because he chooses the same ones over and over and over and over again (mind you, he has shelves full of books!!) So, I told him a story about a little boy named K who was very special because he could make his mommy, and his daddy, and his sister laugh. He was also EXTRA special since he could also fly. I now realize I have created a storytelling machine!! He only wants me to tell him stories now. These stories have to include Batman and a very ugly witch (his arch nemesis) at some point in the story. Who knew Batman loved Hawaiian Falls as much as K does! Anyways, I walked into his room and saw that he was still awake. He turned and looked at me. I started trying to sneak in quietly in a very exaggerated way. He started cracking up and asking my why did I do that. Well, he was laughing which got me to laughing. We both laughed - belly laughs - for about 5 minutes straight. It was hilarious!! His laughter just cracks me up! There are many things that make me laugh (one involves extremely small backpacks), but there are a very few things that light up my soul. K is one of them. Is there a word to describe such joy and love and blessedness and praise that he makes me feel in the very center of my being? If so, I have yet to find it. I guess it can go back to the meaning of his name: little fiery one. I always took that to mean that he would be a big ol' ball of spitfire. But, reflecting on it now, I can totally see in a different way: his fiery light warms my soul. While he does have many spitfire moments (3s are definitely worse than 2s), he truly makes me happy. I am so looking forward to the days when A becomes her own little person, and we see God's work in her. But I am quiet content to sit there and hold her and enjoy the moments.