Write A Thank-You Note

Checking the mail these days is a lot different than it was growing up. With texting, email, instant messaging and video chats no one ever gets anything fun in those little boxes by the road side. Heck, you don't even get bills in there any more - the most you can hope for is solicitations and ads. Let's brighten up someone's day, and mailbox!

Keep A Gratitude Journal

It's really easy to get caught up in life, especially during the holidays. There is so much that needs to get done, places to go and people to see that there isn't much time left for anything else. Thanksgiving is the perfect time to remind yourself of all the blessings in your life. I challenge you this year to start a gratitude journal.

Banana Note

I'm a big one for leaving little notes for people to find. I hide them in bedrooms, backpacks and lunches on occasion to let them know I am thinking of them, and hopefully brighten their days a little. When I saw this idea I thought it was genius. I just used fork tong to write a little message onto a banana and by lunch time it had browned enough to read plainly - but it doesn't damage the banana in the slightest.  What an awesome way to slip a note into the lunchbox!

Go Shopping!

My mom is a widow, and so consequently lives alone. Things can get a little boring and lonely when you don't have someone to share things with. I have come up with the perfect solution to taking care of my mom, giving her the time she needs and still be able to get all of the things done that I need to.

I take her shopping with me!

Be A Kid And Play!

When my kids were young enough that going to the park to play on the toys all day was the bomb, we did that a lot. It was free, gave them good exercise and best of all it would wear them out for bed that night. We'd pack a picnic lunch and head out for the afternoon. There were a handful of parks to choose from a short distance from our house, including the local grade schools, and we utilized them all.

Valentine's Party Care Package

Jess has been having a hard time at school lately due to a few hitches in her classes. I wanted to do something to cheer her up and make her smile. What two better ways to make someone happy than getting something fun in the mail and having a party? So, that's just what I did: I sent her a party care package in the mail.

I'm A Bit Old Fashioned

I have a confession to make in my haze of fatigue this morning. I am a bit old fashioned when it comes to how I raise my kids and nurture my marriage. I do things for them that most moms have dumped to the wayside. Until my kids graduated from High School I would get up with them, make their breakfast and lunch for them, and see them off. And, yes, I still get up every morning and make Aaron's lunch for him before he goes to work.

Little Caesar's And A Big Gulp Date

Anyone who knows me knows I am somewhat of a health nut, so this is not something I do often: but when we want something spontaneous to do it usually fits the bill perfectly. Take the kids on a Little Caesar's and Big Gulp Date. It's cheap, it's fast and the kids at least love the food.

Pizza - $5.00

Two Big Gulps - $2.00

Time with your kido - priceless

Point - Aaron!

I had a very busy day yesterday. That tends to happen when you try to cram a gallons worth of activities into a pint sized day. Oh if you didn't have to eat or sleep..... think of all the time and money you would have! But, Aaron really came through for me yesterday and made it possible for everything to get done. Including the things I wanted to do and not just the things that I needed to do.

Strengthening Your Relationship Through A Journal

Earlier this week I put out a challenge to participate in the "Random Acts Of Kindness Week". Today is the day to report on that. I have done a few things this week in the spirit of random kindness (leaving notes, making beds), but I wanted to share something that Jess and I have been doing now for about 7 years for each other. Just a small act of kindness for each other that we can keep forever.

Random Acts Of Kindness Challenge

It doesn't take a lot to please me. Aaron bringing me home a bouquet of flowers and telling me  that he had been thinking about me all day. Jeff doing a load of dishes for me when I am having a really busy day. Jessi leaving a note on my bed to find telling me how much she appreciates all I do for her. All of these things have been done for me, and all of them have made me feel equally great. It really is the little things that make the biggest differences.

Reinvent The Warm Fuzzy

The warm fuzzy. Remember those from your childhood? A little token with an upbeat saying designed to make the receiver feel all warm and fuzzy. You can do this simply by leaving little "I Love You" notes for your family to find.