• November 30-30-30 Challenge: Saying Thanks 30 Ways to 30 People for 30 Days (Day 3)

    As I was reflecting back on the many amazing blessings in my life I realized that don’t let those around me know how much I truly appreciate them enough.  The idea of participating in a “thankfulness” challenge for the month of November was started a few months ago when I purchased cards for my family to send out for the Thanksgiving Holiday (see the picture of the front of the card below).

    It is my wish to show my gratitude to the people I interact with day to day.  For the month of November I am planning a 30-30-30 Challenge.  It is my goal to say thanks in 30 ways to 30 people for 30 days.  Each day I plan to do at least one activity expressing my thanks to one person every day for thirty days.

    Day 1

    Who:  Hair Stylist

    I needed a hair cut after putting it off for several weeks so I headed to the salon.  My hair has a pretty simple and easy cut so it usually only takes a few minutes for a hair stylist.   I had never met the person who cut my hair before, but took the time to learn a little bit about her.  She has two small kids, ages 2 and 6.  For my expression of thanks today I made it a point to give her a generous tip and tell her “thank you”.

    Day 2

    Who: My Spouse – Jake

     I am so thankful for everything Jake does for our family.  He works really hard, is an awesome Dad to our girls, and loves me.  Jake is my best friend and I am very grateful for him.  He takes good care of all of us and I don’t tell him “thanks” enough.  Today I gave him a hand written thank you card and a bag of chocolate truffles. 

    Day 3

    Who:  Daughters – Brina & Karlie

    I am very thankful for my two girls!  They light up my world, make me laugh, and help build extra character in my life.  It took many prayers and a few tears before God gave these two precious blessings in my life.  You can read more about my journey with my  Loosening My Grip: Why Can’t I Get Pregnant? series.   As a way of saying thank you to the girls I gave them thank you notes and spent time reading some of our current book Little House in the Big Woods together.

    People appreciate sincere thanks.  I want to make a positive impact on the lives of others.  As I share my 30-30-30 challenge with you I hope it will spark your imagination and encourage you to share your story too.

    In everything give thanks!

    – 1 Thessalonians 5:18

  • November 30-30-30 Challenge: Saying Thanks 30 Ways to 30 People for 30 Days (Day 2)

    As I was reflecting back on the many amazing blessings in my life I realized that don’t let those around me know how much I truly appreciate them enough.  The idea of participating in a “thankfulness” challenge for the month of November was started a few months ago when I purchased cards for my family to send out for the Thanksgiving Holiday (see the picture of the front of the card below).

    It is my wish to show my gratitude to the people I interact with day to day.  For the month of November I am planning a 30-30-30 Challenge.  It is my goal to say thanks in 30 ways to 30 people for 30 days.  Each day I plan to do at least one activity expressing my thanks to one person every day for thirty days.

    Day 1

    Who:  Hair Stylist

    I needed a hair cut after putting it off for several weeks so I headed to the salon.  My hair has a pretty simple and easy cut so it usually only takes a few minutes for a hair stylist.   I had never met the person who cut my hair before, but took the time to learn a little bit about her.  She has two small kids, ages 2 and 6.  For my expression of thanks today I made it a point to give her a generous tip and tell her “thank you”.

    Day 2

    Who: My Spouse – Jake

     I am so thankful for everything Jake does for our family.  He works really hard, is an awesome Dad to our girls, and loves me.  Jake is my best friend and I am very grateful for him.  He takes good care of all of us and I don’t tell him “thanks” enough.  Today I gave him a hand written thank you card and a bag of chocolate truffles. 

    People appreciate sincere thanks.  I want to make a positive impact on the lives of others.  As I share my 30-30-30 challenge with you I hope it will spark your imagination and encourage you to share your story too.

    In everything give thanks!

    – 1 Thessalonians 5:18

  • November 30-30-30 Challenge: Saying Thanks 30 Ways to 30 People for 30 Days (Day 1)

    As I was reflecting back on the many amazing blessings in my life I realized that don’t let those around me know how much I truly appreciate them enough.  The idea of participating in a “thankfulness” challenge for the month of November was started a few months ago when I purchased cards for my family to send out for the Thanksgiving Holiday (see the picture of the front of the card below).

    It is my wish to show my gratitude to the people I interact with day to day.  For the month of November I am planning a 30-30-30 Challenge.  It is my goal to say thanks in 30 ways to 30 people for 30 days.  Each day I plan to do at least one activity expressing my thanks to one person every day for thirty days.

    Day 1

    Who:  Hair Stylist

    I needed a hair cut after putting it off for several weeks so I headed to the salon.  My hair has a pretty simple and easy cut so it usually only takes a few minutes for a hair stylist.   I had never met the person who cut my hair before, but took the time to learn a little bit about her.  She has two small kids, ages 2 and 6.  For my expression of thanks today I made it a point to give her a generous tip and tell her “thank you”.

    People appreciate sincere thanks.  I want to make a positive impact on the lives of others.  As I share my 30-30-30 challenge with you I hope it will spark your imagination and encourage you to share your story too.

    In everything give thanks!

    – 1 Thessalonians 5:18

  • Blessing Lives Everyday with Special Surprises (B.L.E.S.S.): 25 Days of Christmas Blessings (Week 2)

    Box of Candy Canes the girls shared with their class at gymnastics 

    We have entered our second week of our 25 Days of Christmas B.L.E.S.S. (Blessing Lives Everyday with Special Surprises).  It has been a real joy doing these fun events everyday.  In some cases we get to see who receives our B.L.E.S.S. gift and in other cases we will never know who is on the receiving end.  We pray that whoever receives or finds these gifts will experience joy during this Holiday Season.  Each night we take down the B.L.E.S.S. activity for the next day and read the verse and the activity then pray for those who have and will receive our little BLESS’ings.

    Colored paper ornaments to hang on the Christmas Tree in the children’s wing at the local library

    Here is what we have done so far and a couple pictures to share of our adventures:

    Gathered and donated 105 magazines to a local public library and school library

    • Day 5– Picked out and donated gifts to Country Santa which gives Christmas presents to local children who would otherwise have none at Christmas.  The girls each picked out two gifts to give to Country Santa for another child’s Christmas then we prayed for the kids that would receive these gifts for Christmas.
    • Day 6 – Gave out Silly Bandz to kids coming in and out of several local stores.  I was surprised at the different reactions we noticed while passing out silly bandz from sheer delight to total disinterest.  The girls still had fun doing the activity and sharing with kids.
    • Day 7 – Gathered and donated magazines and a stack of books to a local library and school library.   Both the school library and local library staff were excited to get some new books and magazines.  Our family loves reading so this was a fun activity for us.  We spent about 30 minutes in the local library donating items, picking out books to read, and coloring Christmas ornaments to hang on their Christmas tree.  The lady at the children’s desk was so sweet when the girls showed her the ornaments that had colored for the tree.
    • Day 8 – Bought and gave Candy Canes to all the kids in the girls gymnastics class.  We just started taking the girls to gymnastics about a month ago (we got Groupon deal from a local gymnastics school) and it has been a lot of fun watching them learn not only new skills but seeing them start new friendships.  It has been great getting to know kids (and their parents) outside of school and church that we can be a blessing to as well.
    • Day 9 – Handed out candy canes as we were running errands around town and at local stores.  It was cute seeing the excited looks on kids faces as the girls handed them a candy cane.  The girls loved doing this activity so much I had to remind them not to “rush” to the kids with a candy cane because it could startle the younger kids or their parents if they saw another child charging towards their little one. 🙂
    • Day 10 – We had a blast making and delivering Christmas goodies to our neighbors.  It was nice to spend a few minutes and catch up with the people on our street.  Taking the extra time to reach out to our neighbors has made a tremendous impact over the last few years even on our small street.  One of our neighbors lost their only child right before Christmas a few years ago so this is a tough Holiday for them.
    • Day 11 – Picked out, wrapped, and donated gifts to the Heart of Christmas for kids in our local schools who would not have gifts otherwise this Holiday Season.  Our church coordinates with the school guidance counselor to get information on these kids who are in need (naturally the names of the kids are not given just their sizes, styles, needs, etc…).

    Delivering more goodies to kiddos at another local store!

    One of Brina’s ornaments hanging on the Christmas Tree at our local library

    One of Karlie’s ornaments hanging on the Christmas Tree at the local library.

    A stack of books we donated to the school library.

    A basket full of goodies ready to be delivered to our neighbors!

    One of our favorite verses this week went along with our Day  10 activity. 

     This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. – John 15:12

    Something as simple a sharing a little gift to say “Merry Christmas” to our neighbors has opened many opportunities to interact with them.  I think this verse really stood out to all of us this week because we don’t take the time to invest in the lives around us as often as we should.  This activity was a little longer because we made it a point to spend time socializing with each of our neighbors for a few minutes but we all walked home feeling even more blessed because of it.

    Heart of Christmas

    I am super excited to see how great this B.L.E.S.S. activity is going already.  It has been a true joy sharing with others (many of whom we’ll never meet).  It has been a great experience and I look forward to seeing what will happen with our fun adventures this week.

    Helping local kids by giving fun and practical gifts.

    The main purpose of this activity is to teach our family the joy of giving and sharing to those around us.  I plan to do another update on our fun B.L.E.S.S. adventures next week.  Sometimes it’s the little stuff that can make the most positive impact.  I would love to hear how you are spreading the Christmas cheer this Holiday Season.

    To learn more about our 25 Days of Christmas B.L.E.S.S. activity and what we have done far check out the links below:

    I have been asked by a number of people for a printable version of the 25 Days of Christmas B.L.E.S.S. activities, verses, and sheets to handout so here they are for your family to enjoy as well:

  • Happy Thanksgiving!

    Happy Thanksgiving!

    May you have a truly amazing day with your family and friends.  I am thankful for the many wonderful blessings in my life.  I love this quote because even during the difficult times there is “always something to be thankful for”.  What a great reminder not just for Thanksgiving Day but for everyday of our lives!

    photo credit

  • Thoughtfulness Goes Both Ways in Relationships!

    I am proud of my husband and thankful for all he does for our family.  A few days ago I had a little extra time carved out in my day so I decided as a special surprise to make Jake some Cinnamon Rolls.

    Making Cinnamon Rolls!

    I used a box mix that was in the pantry.  The mix was a starter kit that included the flour and yeast so you could make bread, rolls, crescents or a variety of other breads, I chose to make Cinnamon Rolls that day.  After mixing, letting it rise then kneading the dough it was now ready with melted butter, cinnamon and sugar (pictured above).  Next I sprinkled some dried cherries and raisins over it, rolled it up, cut into cinnamon rolls and placed it into the pyrex to rise for another 30 minutes.  Just as Jake was leaving work I put the cinnamon rolls in the oven to bake.

    Hot Cinnamon Rolls with Raisins & Cherries rolled inside!

    I made frosting by mixing 1 cup powder sugar, 1 teaspoon vanilla, and 1 tablespoon of milk together.  The cinnamon rolls came out of the oven within a couple minutes of Jake arriving at home.  I poured the frosting over the cinnamon rolls and we enjoyed them as a dessert at the end of the meal.  We typically do not have dessert for an evening meal, however, this was a special treat.  Jake was able to enjoy the remaining cinnamon rolls for his breakfasts and/or snacks over the next few days.

    I was not aware that at the same time I was making secret cinnamon roll treats for Jake he was picking up a bench for me.  The girls and I spend a lot of time outside during the summer months when they are out of school.  He picked up a bench that was on sale for us to use outside.  It will be a terrific having a place to put items for the swimming pool and outside equipment.  I am thankful for his thoughtfulness and help with the upcoming busy months of summer activities!

    My New Bench was Quickly Adopted by the Girls for their Crafts!

    Within in a few minutes of getting my bench the girls had their chairs pulled up to it and were working on crafts.  They were excited about the new “desk” for them to work on.  The bench will be a tremendous help for outside storage this summer!

    One of the amazing parts about being a family is the joy it comes from being generous to those within your family.  It was one of those days when Jake and I happened to be thinking of each other at the same time.  I am thankful for a husband who loves me and is thoughtful.  Making those cinnamon rolls were an easy way for me to show how him my love and care for him.  It is human nature to be selfish, only when you make the choice give to others starting with your spouse and family you will see even greater blessings and love.

    Thoughtfulness goes both ways in a marriage relationship. It was neat to have the special surprises timed on the same day even though neither one of us knew what the other spouse was doing.  Not every day goes so smoothly in our home, but I am thankful that we love each other despite the tough moments and we continue to have many wonderful memories together.  What are some thoughtful activities that you do to make your spouse and family feel loved?

     

  • The Best Stuff in Life is FREE!

    I have come to learn that most treasured things in life really are “free”!  You cannot purchase these items and they come spontaneously and sincerely from the giver.  They are little wonderful gifts to those on the receiving end.  It is easy to get wrapped up in the day to day life and not realize that some of the best stuff that we can get in our lifetime is free.  These simple acts of kindness can be a huge blessing to us on a tough day.  As a Mom I am thankful for girls who freely and generously shower me with these blessings quite frequently.

    Here are some of the BEST things in my life that are free:

    • A hug from a child
    • Word of encouragement from a friend
    • Smile from a stranger
    • A handful of freshly picked dandelions, weeds, or flowers picked from the yard
    • Simple act of kindness
    • A handwritten note in the mail
    • And Many More Special Blessings

    I can think of so many more amazing blessings in my life that a free yet have a positive impact on my life as well as on the lives of others.  Another thought to consider is……how often do I give these gifts to others?  Often times it is when you demonstrate to your children, family and friends these blessing that you’ll see the ripple effect and eventually the other side of it.

    What are some ways you are a blessing to others?  Does it take much time or cost you too much to make a positive impact on the lives of the people around you?

  • Love It – Purple Heart Necklace

    My Purple Heart Necklace, beautiful reminder of the blessings in my life! Thanks Handsome!

    My husband has known for years the impact the Little Purple Flower had on my life.  We were dating at the time the incident occurred and he was delighted to see God use such a beautiful reminder to encourage me.  Since that time Jake has on numerous occasions surprised me with a gift that had a purple flower or something similar on it as a reminder of how much He loves me.  The gift is also a visual reminder that God daily gives me the many blessings I have in my life.

    On Valentine’s Day my husband and I celebrated together at Winter Jam 2011.  When I got up to go to the restroom before the concert started I came back to a small package on my chair.  He gave me a beautiful purple heart necklace (totally surprised me) as a way to remind me of His love and the many blessings in our lives as a couple.  I had no idea that he was even saving his money to get me such a sweet surprise.

    He had been looking for the perfect necklace for awhile until he found the purple heart which he thought it would be a perfect fit for me.  For those of you who know me personally I am not a glamour and glittery type of person.  I grew up with three brothers on a farm and was more of a tomboy than a princess. I can count on one hand the pieces of jewelry I wear regularly.  Every single piece I wear daily Jake picked out on his own for me (most of them were surprises too).  I wear my watch, engagement & wedding rings, and my heart necklace he gave me for our 7th anniversary every day.  The only other time I wear different or more jewelry is for a special event or Date Night when I an extra necklace, ring, or bracelet.  So needless to say I was shocked to receive a necklace on Valentine’s Day and my heart about burst with love for him when I realized it was a purple heart meant to remind me of the little purple flowers in my life.

    I am surrounded by many blessings in my life.  Some days I have to look harder to find those blessings but they exist no matter how big or small.  I am thankful for a God who extends love and grace to me every day.  A husband whom I adore and kids that bring so much joy and laughter into my life.  The best part is they all love me despite my imperfections and crazy days.  Thank you babe for reminding me of the MANY blessing in my life.  I am thankful for the amazing gifts God has given me!

    “Love It” is a series of posts on items that I use regularly in my household that I love!  There are some items in our daily lives that make life more enjoyable, efficient, or just plain fun.  I will be sharing with you some of the products that have been given to us (or to me) that have made it to the top of my list.  It’s my way of giving a huge thumbs up!

  • Book: “The Millionaire Mind” by Thomas Stanley

    As I was thinking about the various books I have read over the past few years “The Millionaire Mind” by Thomas Stanley came to mind.  In this book Stanley explains the research he did on how America’s wealthy got there.  You don’t need to make a substantial amount to be smart with your money.  Living a flashy and fancy lifestyle isn’t what it takes to be wise with your finances.  I found it fascinating learning more regarding the millionaire “mindset” and the questions he asked in his research.

    Our family has been trying to stick to our budget and be more responsible with the blessings we have been given.  We are by no means millionaires but we feel it is important to always continue to learn and grow.  My husband and I listened to the audiobook version of this book together.  If you are trying to wrap your mind around finances this is fun book to read or listen to as you work through the process as a family.  I encourage you to communicate and pray as a family as you go on this journey together.  When we were first married it became very clear that Jake and I had different patterns and views on finances.  Taking the time to listen or read these types of books together helps encourage and strengthen your relationship while providing a positive outlook on finances.  What works for one family may not be doable for the next family, however, we all have been giving many blessings in life.  We still continue to make mistakes, pick ourselves back up, and learn from the lessons God continues to teach us.  We want to purposely chose to be wise with what we have been given so we have more opportunities to share with those around us.

  • A Little Purple Flower

    Those who know me have heard this story many times.  The other day as I was reflecting on my life and the many blessings in it my thoughts drifted back to this moment several years ago that so deeply stirred my heart.  I want to share this story with you to provide encouragement for those tough days.

    When I was in college I had an experience that left a lasting imprint on my heart and life.  Sometimes God uses the “tiniest” blessings to uplift and encourage us.  It had been a rough week at college with a lot of projects, tests, work, and activities.  I was a little more stressed than normal and homesick.  I had just checked my mailbox and once again it was empty.  As I quietly walked back to my dorm room I noticed a group of preschool children from the daycare nearby coming my direction walking in a single file line with their teachers.  The kids were talking, laughing and full of life.  Right as I was walking past them one little boy yelled “STOP!”  The whole line of kids, teachers, and myself stopped as he bent over at the edge of the sidewalk, looked at the ground, then started jumping up and down while yelling excitedly  “LOOK I FOUND A PURPLE FLOWER!”  What he had found was the tiniest little purple flower attached to a weed on the edge of the sidewalk.

    Everyday that week I had walked by those purple flowers but yet I was so focused on my own life, problems, and thoughts that I had failed to stop and notice the little purple flowers in my life.  Those purple flowers represent a multitude of blessings God sends my way to remind me (even in the tough times) that He loves me.  Often he uses the beauty of His creation to capture my attention but it could be many other blessings in my life that I didn’t stop to appreciate.  I never walked down that sidewalk again without looking for a purple flower and this moment has been etched in my mind as a reminder for me to continue looking for those purple flowers.

    There have been seasons in my life since that time when I had to look closely at the weeds (metaphorically speaking) to find a beautiful purple flower in the midst of the trial.  It was a simple illustration of God’s love shining through that little boy to remind me how truly blessed I am.  This moment made a priceless impact on my life and even though life isn’t always easy I know God cares enough to send even a tiny purple flower across my path.

    I want to encourage you if you are going through a rough season.  It’s okay to have tough days, God still loves you, cares about you, and is reaching out to show you blessings (no matter how big or tiny) everyday.  Although, you may have to look harder for those little purple flowers on the side of the walkway in the middle of the weeds you can rejoice in those little miracles of encouragement.  Take a moment today to reflect on the purple flowers in your life.

    Photo by donjd2