Celebrating a Birthday? Give creatively!

Last week our son from Ethiopia celebrated his 1st-birthday! It was a special day! Da-Da took off work and we went to the zoo, opened presents from family/friends, and of course smeared some cake!

So, what did we give Micah for his 1st birthday (other than spending the day with him...time being a most precious gift to give)?
A very inexpensive toy from Target. Yep, that's it...not because we couldn't purchase anything else, but because we chose not to purchase anything else!

Instead, we are sending a wal-mart gift card to a very dear family who is traveling to Ethiopia this week to pick-up their two children! This family has had quite a long journey on the road of adoption, but they have remained joyful and faithful! This adoption has required great sacrifice for their family and I could think of no better way to celebrate/honor Micah's 1st-birthday than to fill this family's fridge and pantry as they transition from a family of three to a family of five!!

I don't share this to toot my own horn, but to hopefully encourage a deeper consideration: what are you teaching your children/friends/family through what and how you celebrate??