Making People Smile

I was pleasantly surprised tonight when Kathy Moore came to my house with a gift.  She told me that a client of theirs came in with a cute shirt on that she wanted for me.  The lady wasn't willing to give hers up but she was willing to tell Kathy where she got it.  Kathy immediately went and bought it for me. She smiled as she gave it to me telling me that as soon as she saw it she thought of me.  Well let me just say....that makes me smile! ☺  I like being thought of this way and will continue living my life as I am so that it stays.

I couldn't help but think of this scripture I learned as a child..."Do unto others as you would have them do unto you!" Luke 6:31  I do want to be treated kindly of course but when I am doing for others it never crosses my mind that they owe me.  I don't ever think that!  I always feel good when I surprise someone with kindness....receiving this kindness reminds me how good it feels to be on this side as well.  I want to do more to help others feel this way. 

A Fun Day Making Christmas Cards

Shelli (my niece) is such a thoughtful gal.  She purchased a card making kit for my mom.  It had all the paper, cards, envelopes, patterns, bling and directions to make three different designs and five cards of each design.  She even planned a day to help my mom make them.  They were nice and invited me to come help.  It was so much fun.  I mostly stamped but each of us helped in one way or another.  We had a little lunch and mom had cookies and m&m treats.  It took us a few hours to complete the cards.

 

It was so much fun.  I love spending time with my mom, sis and niece (and great niece).  It doesn't happen a lot but that today was one of the good things about the Government shutting down. (Crazy that it did)  My mom and niece had a unpaid vacation and made the best of it.  My mom has Christmas Cards and I got family time.  So all in all it was a fun and successful day.

On my way home I drove past this cute little guy.  He waved as I drove by.  I drove past a few streets and turned around.  I thought if he was going to sit out in the cold after making a cute sign he deserved some business.  I only had $3 with me and that was even taking it from my bowling bag.  He was especially cute when I asked him if I could take his picture.  I think I made his day a little brighter and it sure made me feel good too.

Bonneville Buds....Together Again

I love getting together with the people from my past.  Something about knowing someone for a long time makes me happy and getting together with them makes me even happier.  It's so much fun!

Five out of the eight of us went to elementary school together.  I think that is pretty cool.  The other three I met in High School.  I feel like I spent more time with the ones in elementary and I guess you really do.  There are less of you and you really are together for seven years.  Even though I might not have been close to these gals I feel close to them now. (there were times I was close to a few)  It's funny...it doesn't matter that we all took different paths.  Each path is good and with all our different experiences we can still appreciate each other.  I don't feel like anyone judges anyone else.  We all accept each other the way we are and how we got here.

I look at these ladies and think they are all beautiful. Not just on the outside but on the inside as well.  It makes me happy to spent an hour or so reconnecting.  I feel their love and know that these outings are just as important to them.  There is excitement in the air!

There is a certain bond between people that you have known for a long time.  I honestly care about the well being of those I grew up with even if I wasn't close to them.  I absolutely love our little get togethers with a few of my Bonneville Buds....So Fun!

My Mom

Carol Babbit was going through some old pictures and found some of my mom and some of the other neighbors.  She shared them on Face Book and so I was able to share them with her.  This was so fun for me to see my mom as a young girl.  I haven't seen many pictures of her at all.  It's also fun to see the neighbors as young mom's.  I loved spending time over at the neighbors and thought all the moms were wonderful.  My mom's neighborhood has changed over the years but not much.  It was a fun place to grow up. My mom has always been such a hard worker. (still is) She also wasn't afraid to play and fun.  Sometimes I will do something and it makes me think of my mom....(I have a lot of her qualities)

What a blessing the internet is so that I could share in some wonderful memories with a few other neighbors.

The One's I LOVE the Most!!!

When I first started making "Sunshine" Bags I really did think I should give them to my family first since I love them most.  I didn't feel like the time was right though and felt impressed to give to them to others. (not going to lie....I felt a bit guilty about that)  About a week or so ago I knew the time was right.  I planned on giving them out the next Sunday we would all be together which is today.  The interesting thing is that some things have happened that have made me realize the perfect time is now.

God knew this little gift of love and sunshine would be needed and appreciate more now!  I love my family and I hope that they realize that God loves them Most!  That He is very aware of each of us and will guide us through our trials and struggles.  He has our back, knows our hearts, over looks are errors, loves us unconditionally! We our His!

Good Deeding...

We are surrounded by good people.  There have been a few times lately that we have needed assistance from someone else.  A while back Brian Buck came over and helped clean up our computer and upgrade my ipad for me because I wasn't able to when I tried.  We knew Brian would be able to help us out.  To Brian it was no big deal at all.  We talked about how each of us have different talents and are able to help in one way or another.  I was glad that Brian knew what he was doing and that he didn't mind sharing his talents with us.  He wouldn't accept any $$$ so I sent him home with Chocolate and made another treat for him and his family and took it to them the next day.

Last week a friend of mine gave me a picture frame to put our family picture in.  She told me it was because I was always helping others. (funny I don't feel like I help others)

Today our good neighbor Durk is replacing our Hot Water Heater.  I noticed the carpet by the front door was wet the other day and then Larry noticed it the night after.  (glad he finally noticed cuz he didn't react when I had told him...he's tired)  Yesterday I mentioned it to Robin on our walk not even thinking that Durk's specialty is exactly this kind of thing. (I was just saying)  Durk came over to check things out and noticed it was the hot water heater. He immediately called the Plumbing Store and got things ordered. Bright and early this morning he came over and started doing what he needed to replace it.  He knew Larry had to work but did it anyway having Jared and Jaydan help him.  Durk is a patient man and had the boys do a few things so they could learn.  I appreciate my good neighbors for teaching my kids. (Robin has taught a few of my kids to tie their shoes and other things) So how's that?  Durk took care of everything and installed a new Hot Water Heater for us.  I'm not sure how we will repay him and Robin....they don't eat treats. (my specialty) Hopefully they will need something from Larry's shop and he can repay them.

Durk had a big smile on his face after going to pick up everything he needed.  He said he got revenge on Braxton and charged everything to his account.  Larry doesn't want to tell Braxton until he see's his bill. ☺

Good deeds are a wonderful thing.  They affect the person serving as much as the one recieving. Because of the good deeds shown to us I want to look for ways to help others...a pay it forward kind of thing.  I am so thankful for my neighbors for helping us out!!!

We are on board.....choo choo

I had a meeting with the counselor at the Jr High today along with Jared's teachers and the VP.  I was a little emotional before going in for different reasons and so tears were just barely under the surface and didn't take long to spill out.  I was impressed with Mary, the counselor, for stepping right in and having my back and taking over.  When I talked to Mary a week ago I didn't cry.

We have a plan for Jared.  We may not need to use the plan but we have it if needed.  All the teachers expressed how well Jared is doing this year.  He is participating in class and asking questions and getting help when he needs it.  I am thrilled to hear that and I'm not surprised since we have really tried everything we know to help heal this cute boy from the inside.  His grades aren't wonderful still but I don't care so much about the grade....I care about how he feels about himself.  He's aware of his issues and knows that he needs to accept how he is and just do his best.  One of Jared's biggest problems was being too hard on himself.  He saw his weaknesses much bigger than they were.

I want Jared to be challenged in school but I don't want him pushed over the edge.  We talked about overwhelming him and we don't want that to happen.  If Jared gets overwhelmed he shuts down and doesn't even try.  At this point the only things the teachers will probably do for Jared is acknowledge him and make sure he does understand what he is expected to do and that he understands how to do it. I know that seems like nothing but I saw Jared's grade change from an F to a B because I emailed the teachers last year and one of them responded by letting Jared know he wanted to help him.  Everyone likes to be acknowledged.  Some of us make it obvious and others don't.  Jared doesn't and so I think he gets looked over.

The teachers asked if I was okay with Jared receiving a  "C" and I told them yes. (heck at this point I am okay with any grade that will pass him)  I'm not sure what they thought about that but like I said earlier a grade is just a letter.....my kid is much, much more than that.  I know Jared's desire to do well has increased....his whole countenance and attitude are better this year.  I also know that Jared will do well in life.  He is smarter than the report card shows.  He is a harder worker than those teachers will ever realize.  School is his challenge but we are on board and have the teachers and staff behind us....choo choo!