LITTLE GESTURE-BIG WORLD

How about a blog 'homework' assignment?

Awesome, I knew you would be up for.

Let's review the saying;

It's the thought that counts

Thoughts are FREE

Sometimes they are good,

sometimes not so good.

My thoughts,

probably like yours turn into ideas.

Ideas turn into projects.

Sometimes big, sometimes small.

You know what I'm saying

I should make this for so-in-so

I should mail this to so-in-so

I should do that for so-in-so

I should give this to so-in-so

BUT

This big ole messy world causes us to shove those nice little gestures for others into the back of our mind.

WHY?

Cause it takes a little extra effort.

Cause it makes us think outside of SELF.

Cause we are busy.

Well that's really lame.

We can do better than that.

Being on the recieving end of a BEAUTIFUL

little gesture can be huge!

It can totally make your day, week, month......

Or maybe you will always remember the thoughtfulness and continue to pass on the LOVE.

So.....class....are you still there?

Are you still listening?

Ok, great.

TODAY: Practice A Random Act of Kindness

MONEY TO SPEND: Up to you.

TIME TO SPEND: Up to you.

LOVE TO SHARE: A huge amount.

Below are some A plus examples.

A personalized Starbuck giftcard recieved via SNAIL MAIL

(love getting letters the Pony Express way)

Thank you Jessica for treating me to a...

VENTI

SKIM

QUAD SHOT

TWO PUMP

EXTRA HOT

NO WHIP

MOCHA
Was so excited about the gesture, I framed it.

The cutest coffee mug ever, it even matches the paint color in my dining room.

Thank you Heather, a fellow DANCING QUEEN herself.

(drinking out of it as I type this post)

A dedicated McLeod member surprised me one day

with a personalized CD of songs we could use in Zumba Class.

Thank You Janine

(she also made me a chocolate pound cake, I ate it too fast to get a good picture)

The perfect sized journal to put in my MOM magic bag.

Coffee cups with fun sayings.

(I'm sensing a theme)

Thank you BFF Jennie, the latest verse jotted down in it.

ROMANS 15:13

A lively fun loving dancing lady in her 60's greeted me at the gym

with a fabulous smelling rose and sweet note.

(what girl doesn't like to get flowers?)

Thank you Molly!

A padded envelope filled with new highlighter sharpies. NO NOTE!

Real friends don't need to explain anything.

The gesture spoke a million written words.

Thank you Cristina, my oldest friendship ever!

Found this note one groggy morning by my coffee maker.

Written on a ripped up piece of scrap paper.

My 8 year old mimicking LOVE notes found in her lunch box.

Thank you Delaney, love the sharpie color picked.

BIG OR LITTLE

EXSPENSIVE OR NOT

YOU DECIDE

EITHER WAY

IT'S THE THOUGHT THAT COUNTS!

A quiet moment miraculously fell into my lap the other day. Kids were fed and entertaining themselves nicely. I scoot to the empty computer that around these parts is seldom open.

Hhhhmmmm what should I blog about? Haiti......yes, I would love to but those stories are heavy hearted. I need some serious time for those posts, to sort through my ripped up messy journal and deep thoughts, to make sure I get it just right. No time for that. The kids "good behavior" will surely run out soon. I decide instead to browse and stroll down memory lane. I head directly to my picture folders from the last six months. How could I have so many pictures? I have trouble remembering yesterday afternoon yet quiz me about a particular picture and I will tell you a detailed story. What the weather was like, who was misbehaving, what time of day it was, what we ate for lunch........oh yeah, I even remember I was wearing my end of the month wedgie underwear when I took that one. I'm just saying......

Picking out only a few of my favorites seems futile. Ask someone to name their favorite song of ALL time? They immediately shout out a title, certain they have picked the right one. No, no, no wait not that one. They stutter, look around thinking hard and shout out another, no, no, no wait. Can I pick a few? We all know it's too hard to choose. Replayed songs jump start memories and stories almost forgotten. Good times, bad times and maybe even sad times. The people that were in your life at the time it hit the charts

I'm so thankful pictures do the same for me.

(Like a Rolling Stone, Brown Eyed Girl and Hotel California. Just in case you are wondering)

ONLY JESUS

Matthew

Mark

Luke

John

HANDS OF HAITI 2010

DILLY BAR
CRAZY EYES

REMINDS ME OF LONG DAYS
I'm thankful for the start and end of each day

SHARPIE + HAITI = A NEW BLOG

SEE YOU AT THE POLE; WFHS

FUN TRAIL DAYS OF FALL

DADDY IS FAMOUS FOR HIS "GREAT" PICTURES

PICNIC PLAYDATES

RUNNING TOO FAST FOR MOMMA

FAMOUS FB PICTURE, OVER 200 COMMENTS

SOCCER PRINCESS

ANNUAL PIE FIGHT

FORCED CHRISTMAS CARD POSE

TUNA TOWER JUMP

DRESSED UP DREX

SWEET DELILAH

HALLOWEEN ZUMBA ON THE LAWN

NO BREAD FOR PICNIC, NO PROBLEM

UPSIDE DOWN 3 YEAR OLD FUN

LALA LOOKS SCARED BUT EV STILL HOLDING ONTO STICK

BRYSON MAN

NO TITLE NECESSARY

SUNSCREEN CHECK

FLOATY CHECK
REFRESHING POOL CHECK

BATHING SUIT?????

BIG SHOES TO FILL

MUDRUN 2010

WISH I KNEW WHAT I WAS SAYING

IT MUST HAVE BEEN GOOD

ALL SMILES

ALWAYS DANCE DAY FOR DELILAH

WE DID GET THE RIGHT BABIES, THAT'S FOR SURE

TUG OF WAR WITH THE BOAT

STEPHANIE MARIE AND CRAZY FACE COREY

BUDDIES

DIRTY FEET = A GOOD DAY!

65 degrees
+
Sunshine
+
no time limits
+
snacks
+
Mac Daddy Stroller
+
Bikes=

AN AWESOME ADVENTURE



Something I have learned over the years, some kids can NOT be rushed. Drexel is one of them. Before even setting out on the rail trail he finds a spot with rocks, glass, dirt and sticks to play with. Which is fine for Delaney, she pulls out a snack and enjoys the "rest".



I love my stroller! I know deep in my heart you shouldn't love "things" but allow me just this ONE......please. My sister gave it to us for Delilah. It will be many years before we out- grow it. It has rolled across too many soccer fields to count. Cruised through more than a couple 5k races and a half marathon. Leisure walks in the neighborhood and bumpy walks in the woods.

These are an example of Drex items I find in my purse, dryer, night side table and car. I have also learned not to "chuck" them the same day of the outing. Inevitable he will ask what I thought about the so and so berry or beautiful huge acorn. Mom? Really? You didn't keep it?

Some of these I took while riding my own bike. I know honey not a good idea, considering what a spaz I am at times. I just couldn't help it. It was the kinda day I didn't want to leave anything to memory.

If you haven't checked out the rail trail in Florence, make plans, set aside a few hours, you won't be disappointed. I promise.

Trees with "swingy" branches hanging down like George of the Jungle seemed to have been strategically put in our path. I am HUGE fan of anything made by LITTLE TIKES but really, GODS playground is so much better for sure.

Sun shined through the trees, leading our way.

Whoa......Dylan....tha's too high!

As his MOM I can say......Sweet Drexel does make his appearances daily. In between the rough boy play, dirt, drool,bathroom humor and power wrestling. I usually just make a mental note and enjoy the quiet moment but today I was lucky enough to have had my pocket camera ready.

Crunchy leaves make the month of October

More swinging

Oh, and the perfect blue skies too!

We finally make it to the Veteran's Memorial to eat our picnic lunch....well, whats left of it.

Can't keep the kids on the pavement today. Off roading was more their style. We venture to the big dirt mound right next to the Memorial.

The 3 year leads the way while the 16 year old skids out and wheelies down the path.

While playing KING OF THE HILL we spot Daddy driving by. We call. He turns around and joins us for a few minutes. This was better than the swingy tree, lunch and crunchy leaves all put together. Better yet for me, Drexel unloads a pocket full of nature into Daddy's big open hand.

A NEW King of The Hill is crowned!

Delilah was super content making mud pies, I was just as content letting her get dirty.

It was all fun and games until the "mountain lion" takes a tumble down the hill.

I have to admit "Momma Lion" freaked out a bit and screamed "MY BABY, MY BABY"

The sun was starting to set, leaving us a bit chilled. We all hated to wrap up our day. We were out of snacks and seriously needed a bath. Ya know the "leave a ring around the tub" old school bath.

Until next time..........