It's the little things that count.

A couple of evenings ago our doorbell rang. There was silence for a minute as the kids and I were shocked that someone might be at our door this late in the evening. (It was only 6:45 but it was dark and felt late.) After about two seconds the kids started screaming Is it Colton and Cheyanne? Are they here to play? and I started screaming Don't open the door! Remember, no one opens the door unless Mommy is standing there!

We all raced to the door. My heart started to pound a little because no one ever comes to our door in the evening. There has been a string of burglaries in our area and the perp's MO is that they ring the doorbell and if you are home they ask for directions and move on to the next house. If you aren't home, they proceed to break in and take all of your valuables. (Can you tell I like to watch CSI, Without a Trace and Cold Case? Where else would I learn terms such as perp and MO? O.k. maybe I picked those up on the Andy Griffith show and maybe they aren't as cool as I think.)

Anyway, I headed to the door with my heart pounding. I just knew I was going to find a big burly stranger there who wanted to know how to get to the highway. But what a sweet surprise I got. Standing on my front porch was "Miss Virginia".

Miss Virginia is a sweet little lady who attends the church I went to as a child. She is probably about 85 now, maybe older. She was dressed to the nines wearing tasteful earrings, lipstick, a dress and sensible heels. She was with her daughter who I could tell did not want to be standing there. Her daughter, I think, felt uncomfortable because they arrived unannounced.

I invited them in but they only came a few steps in the door. The house was a mess but I didn't care. I was just glad we all had our clothes on! Many times at this point in the evening, one or both of the kids are running around in various states of undress.

Miss Virginia wanted to thank me in person for sending her a Christmas card. The Christmas card we sent had our family photo on it and she wanted to let me know that she thought the card was lovely and that she truly appreciated the card. She even came bearing gifts! She brought four of the cutest cupcakes I've ever seen and a box of delicious oatmeal cookies.

What a sweet treat! And what a true southern belle, Miss Virginia is. The whole thing made me wonder about the little things we do. I sent her a Christmas card without thinking twice about it. She was on a long list of people we send cards to every year. But for Miss Virginia, receiving the card was special. Maybe it even made her day. I know her visit certainly made mine. She went to the store and purchased treats for my family to thank us for sending her a Christmas card.

I am going to try to be more mindful in the new year of doing more little things for people. I think that will be a better resolution than trying to loose those same old 5 pounds...that I never seem to loose anyway. And after all, don't they say It's the little things that count?

Here are my kids getting ready to enjoy one of the little things...