Kindness Days 9&10

Day 9: Helping each other.
On Saturday we worked on various projects around the house. While sometimes this can be boring for the kiddos they were extra helpful this weekend. Steve spent most of the day Saturday building a fire pit. The kids helped pound in the nails (until Kate hit her finger then it was all up to Jordan). And Jordan spent extra time holding the top on while Steve secured it into place.
During this time our dog Fenway also decided to run away. Something she has never done before so I was a little concerned. Jordan hopped right in the car to help me find her. We just went up the street a little and she was easy to find. Silly dog!
So while we didn't do any thing for others on Saturday we stressed the importance of helping each other out as a family and accomplishing things together.

The kids helping with the fire pit

Day 10: Car ride conversations.
The kids are always very concerned with who's birthday is coming up next. I think that multiple times a week we talk about who's birthday is coming up next. Grandpa Bill just had his birthday this past week so now we don't have any birthday's until January. So today when the kids asked who's birthday is next I told them that it would be Jesus. This of course brought on lots of questions (mostly by Kate) of what we get Jesus for his birthday and how we give him any presents. I wanted to share a little of the conversation that went on after this question.

Kate "What do we give Jesus for his birthday and how do we give it to him?"
Jordan "You can give him your heart. That's what I did!"
Kate "How do I give him my heart?"
Jordan "You just have to pray and tell him that you give him your heart."
Kate "OK I will for his birthday. Then what do you do?"
Me "Then you try to be good and do the right thing like Jesus wants you to. Like be kind, listen and share."
Both kids "OK! Then who's birthday is after that?"

I love these two beautiful children so much and love that they are always wanting to give of themselves and to help others. And I of course love their sweet conversations. Thank you for reading. Happy November!!

Kindness Days 7&8

Sorry that I haven't done a posting in the last few days. We have been super busy with life but have still made sure to do our kind acts for the day. I'm hoping that the kids learned that no matter how busy life gets doing something kind for others often only takes a few minutes.

Day 7: Cleaned up a park.
 On the way home from picking Jordan up from school I decided to stop at the park . Since we have lived in Arkansas we haven't done much exploring of the local parks so I decided that it was time. The kids were excited to stop and play for a few minutes. They also thought that while we were there it would be nice to pick up the garbage that others had left behind. I'm so proud that my kiddos are starting to notice things like this and take care of the problem themselves instead of leaving it for others.

Of course they also played at the park.

 

Day 8: Cards for their great grandparents.
My kids are so fortunate to have 7 great grandparents that are still alive and in fairly good health. They love getting to see and play with their great grandparents. Although they don't get to see them too often due to the distance between us all the kids talk about them constantly. So for their kind act on this day they decided that it would be nice to make their great grandparents cards that tell them that they love them. They worked so hard making sure that they each got their very own card. I love that my kids are so thankful for these wonderful people in their lives and that they can show them their love and gratitude.

I have one more thing that I wanted to share from the other day that touched my heart. Kate and I were watching t.v. when a commercial came on for a children's hospital. It was showing little children suffering from cancer that had no hair. Kate wanted to know why those little girls didn't have any hair. I told her that they were very sick and that the medicine they take to make them feel better makes all of their hair fall out. So my sweet little girl who for as long as I remember has wanted to grow her hair out like Disney's Tangeled decided right then and there that when her hair gets long enough she would like to cut it off and give it to those little girls that don't have hair. I am so proud of this little girl with a heart of gold.

Thank you all for reading. Enjoy your weekend and Happy November!!

Kindness Day 6: Mailman

Today for our act of kindness we decided to do something nice for our mailman.

 He is the nicest guy. Twice just this week he has seen Kate going to check the mail when he turns onto our street and has skipped the other houses before ours (about 6 of them) just so he can give her the mail and then he goes back and does his route. He is always very friendly and chats with us if we are outside. Sometimes if we are not home the first time that he comes by and he has a package for us he will stop back by later to drop it off just so I don't have to make a trip to the post office. So in order to thank him for his kindness and hardwork we decided to bake him some chocolate chip cookies. We left them in the mailbox with a handwritten note telling him thank you for being such a nice mailman. Hopefully it brightened his day :o)

This one is short and sweet but thank you for taking the time to read it. Happy November!!



Tin of cookies and note



Kate making the cookies

Kindness Day 5

Last night while we were snug in our house there was a big hail storm outside. While it resulted in Jordan's football game (semi-finals) to get cancelled it was a great teaching tool for me. I explained to the kids how we are fortunate to have a nice warm house to cuddle up in when it is cold outside and that some people aren't so lucky. They both decided that they were very thankful to have a house to keep them warm while it stormed.

That brings us to day 5 and being thankful for our home and beds :o) Today when we got up we went through our closets and gathered extra blankets. Kate helped me to wash them and then we dropped them off at a local homeless shelter for the people that don't have houses and beds to cuddle in when it storms outside. It is so important to me that the kids learn that they are very fortunate for all that they have and that others are going without. I want them to learn that it is important for us to help others less fortunate when we can.

 I keep thinking about the devastation that Hurricane Sandy left over on the east coast and praying for those people. I can not imagine losing everything and how devastating that would be. So while I can't go there to help hopefully we helped some people here in our town to be a little warmer tonight.

Happy November!!




Kate helping wash the blankets

Really mom stop taking my picture and let me load this

Kindness Day 4: Teachers

Today the kids (and me) are thankful for their teachers. My kids have the BEST teachers this year. We recently moved half way across the country from Oregon to Arkansas and both of their teachers have been beyond helpful in making this transition.

Mrs. Feimster is Jordan's first grade teacher. She has been so kind and patient with him and helping him to get caught up to where he needs to be. Last year he only attended half day kindergarten where as all of his other classmates attended full day. He has struggled with reading and writing but with the help of Mrs. Feimster he has already come leaps and bounds in those departments. I am so thankful that he was placed in her class. He absolutely loves going to school each day and seeing Mrs. Feimster and all of his classmates. To show his appreciation he took her a bouquet of flowers. Hopefully he was also extra kind and helpful but I will find out when I pick him up :o)



Jordan and his bouquet plus a handwritten note

Mrs. Kie is Kate's preschool teacher. She is so wonderful and I really feel like God purposely put Kate in her class. She has been so helpful with things non school related. She has recommended churches, dry cleaners, stores, doctors, etc. She has gone above and beyond to make us feel welcome and to help navigate this new town.
Of course she is also a fantastic teacher. Kate has learned so much and is always excited to tell me all about her day and the new things she has learned. Mrs. Kie does so many fun activities with the kids and is just one of the sweetest, most patient people I have ever met. I definitely would not have the patience to be a preschool teacher and I think that it takes a special person to be one. Kate also took Mrs. Kie flowers with a handwritten note to show her thankfulness.




Kate and her bouquet along with a handwritten note

Kate and her teacher Mrs. Kie

Thank you again for taking the time to read my blog and experience the journey that the kids and I are taking this month in learning to be thankful for the things and people we have in our lives and to show extra kindness to them as well as strangers. Happy November!!

Kindness Days 2 & 3

Well we had a busy weekend but throughout it the kids came up with things (people) they were thankful for and showed them kindness.

Day 2: Each other. I am so blessed to be able to say that my kids are best friends. Sometimes they drive each other crazy and fight but ultimately they have an unconditional love for one another. I was so pleased as their momma when Saturday morning I went into Jordan's room while they were playing and asked them what they were thankful for that day and without hesitation they each said the other one.We talked about them doing nice things throughout the day and they explained to me that they had already went through all of their markers and crayons and traded for the other ones favorite colors. Throughout the day they played so well with not even one argument. They helped each other clean up their rooms, spent time playing what each one likes together and finished the night with a movie and a sleep over in Jordan's room. I hope that throughout the rest of their lives that they always remain thankful for each other and continue to let their bond grow stronger and stronger.

Day 3: Us. This morning when I went to find them playing in Kate's room and asked them what they were thankful they said "Mom and Steve". Let me tell you when your small children say that they are thankful for you it just melts your heart. While the kids are helpful every day today was no different. They are always eager to help with their baby brother, whether it's feed him a bottle, play with him or give him his pacifier they always help without complaint.

Kate and I went for a nice walk/ bike ride today. I walked with Will in the stroller and she rode her bike. I love these little moments when we just get to visit and talk about whatever her little heart desires. Today is was everyone's fall decorations on their front porches. To see the world through her eyes is always humorous.

While we walked Steve and Jordan played catch. While I wasn't around to watch most of this activity when I walked up I could see the joy in their eyes and getting to spend some "man time" together.

We ended the evening with baths/ showers for the kids and the nicest thing of all... They ASKED to go to bed and went without a complaint. Jordan had the t.v. on in his room for awhile and turned it off without us asking and went to bed.

I for one am so incredibly thankful to have such wonderful, loving children. But I might be even more thankful that they are thankful for me. Their love makes my life complete :o) Thank you for taking the time to read my blog... Happy November!!

Month of Kindness

The month of November for many people brings on a month of reflection on all that we are thankful for. I for one have a lot to be thankful for. I have a loving husband, wonderful, healthy children, a warm house to sleep in and plenty of food to eat.

 I have been trying to think of ways to teach my kids thankfulness. They have never had to worry about having a bed to sleep in, having supper or getting a warm bath before bed. So I found that they were taking these things for granted and not being thankful for what they had but instead wanting something different for dinner or more toys, not wanting to wear certain clothes, etc.

So for November I am going to be teaching them some "Character Education". Everyday this month we will be talking about what they have to be thankful for and then giving back to those that don't have the same things. Or doing kind things to the people that look out for them and help them such as teachers, firefighters, mailman, etc.

So today is day one. Day one we are all thankful for closets full of warm clothes so we will be donating a bag of clothes to a local shelter so they can hand them out to those who do not have much.

I am excited to see what this month will bring and the lessons that my children will come away with. Please follow my blog throughout the month and let me know what acts of kindess you perform. Happy November!!