As this Christmas approaches, I’m finding there are many new things this year.

Our tree is now decorated with shatterproof ornaments. After LJ experimented with putting one of our old, small, glass ornaments in his mouth….it was time for new ones!

The stockings are hung by the TV with care….cause we don’t have a mantel and the TV is the only place low enough that if the holders fall on LJ, they won’t hurt too bad.

The “family” nativity is less on display and more of toy. But hey, it works.

But the one thing that is sticking out the most to me is how blessed we are.

BSB has a job. Though it often keeps him away more than we would like, we are so grateful, that in this economy, he has a great job with great people.

We have a roof over our head.
Food on our table.
Clothes on our back.
Presents under our tree.

That’s where this little guy comes in.

This year, the most important new thing for LJ is paying it forward. As we all know, Elmo is a mainstay in our house. So I thought he would be the perfect present to give to a little friend who may not get a present this year.

It may not be much. It may not be the hot toy of the year. But it is a toy that means so much to us and we hope it will be a toy that means so much to another child.

So the next time we pass a Toys for Tots collection, this year, the best new thing will be LJ learning about paying it forward.