I'm on this gig where I want to celebrate the little things. I've always made a big deal of taking pictures on the first day of school. The kids pretend that they don't like it. Some are really good actors. Yet I sense that deep down, they enjoy being fussed over a little. They don't even protest when I post the pictures on Facebook while they are still in their first hours of the school year. I know that they know that I love them with a crazy love and want everyone else to realize that. What a great sensation..for them and for me. I am celebrating my children.

Julia is now two days into sixth grade. Through God's miraculous provision, all five of our children are attending Faith Christian School, a classical Christian school in Roanoke. Julia is well-accustomed to hand-me-downs and never complains. However, we did not have enough shelves to customize five high school lockers. Julia did not ask for a shelf. She only quietly reported, "My friend said they have locker shelves in cool colors at Staples."

Now, I can't stand Staples. Everything there seems is four times more expensive than at WalMart. However, we were near Staples. The shelf might be pricey, but it would be the first one we'd ever purchased. All the other locker shelves we own were given to the kids. Would it be such a big deal to buy just one cool-colored locker shelf? She choose pink. Wanting to make a moment of it, I said, "Julia, that's your special present for starting middle school." (Keep your fingers crossed, I hope her friends don't tell her when they get laptops and iPods for their gifts!) She was thrilled. Absolutely thrilled.

When Dave got home from work, Julia animatedly told him all about the trip to Staples, the choice of the pink shelf and the fact that it was a gift for sixth grade. It was told with flair, anticipation and much celebration. It was the best $5.99 I ever spent.

I want to live that way. Flair. Anticipation. And much celebration. My goal for this season? Celebrate. Celebrate little things. Put notes in lunch boxes and under pillows. Stop for ice cream and a heart-to-heart with whichever family member is closest. Snuggle. Laugh. Love. Thank you, Lord, for Staples. Help me to remember what I learned there.