This year, I’m having our Elf encourage my kids to show KINDNESS. Couldn’t we all benefit from a little more Kindness?
Here are TWO WEEKS worth of ideas to use in your home.
Each of these can be written on a card beside your elf, or use a dry erase marker and leave their daily ‘kindness’ task on the mirror in the bathroom or on a window.
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Day 1: Smiling’s my Favorite. Your mission: Smile at every person you see today!
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Day 2: Make a card for your school bus driver, garbage man, or someone who serves you.
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Day 3: Hold the door for people behind you today.
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Day 4: Help your sibling do their chores today.
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Day 5: Write a note or draw a picture for your grandparents and/or for someone in a nursing home.
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Day 6: Leave a treat in the mailbox for your mail carrier.
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Day 7: Put one of your coins in the Salvation Army bucket.
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Day 8: Leave a treat or gift at your neighbors door.
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Day 9: Go through your toys and donate one to charity.
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Day 10: Write a note of thanks to your parents or teacher.
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Day 11: Make someone laugh today.
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Day 12: Do something helpful WITHOUT being asked.
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Day 13: Clean up a mess you DIDN’T make.
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Day 14: Say something kind to each of your siblings today.
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Happy Holidays! May these will bring a little more joy to your Christmas season.
We are in a season that none of us have experienced before! However, we can still find moments of joy and have FUN with our kids.
Wintertime PLUS quarantine has forced us to slow down and spend time together. So, if you are looking for some ideas of what to do with the extra time…keep reading!
Here are 30 activities that your children can do to survive this winter in quarantine.
This is PART 1 of a 3 part series of “Wintertime Activities for kids in Quarantine!”
I often find George at the kitchen counter, adding things to his Gratitude Journal.
A gratitude list or journal is EXTREMELY valuable in uncertain times. Thinking about our blessings and what we are grateful for is extremely helpful in building resiliency! I researched journals a few months ago and decided to purchase this simple one for George. I’ve loved watching him open this up (without prompting), and write what he’s grateful for!
Research suggests that keeping a gratitude journal can boost your health and happiness.
I recommend reading Little House on the Prairie out loud. I was surprised at how similar the “Little House” life is to our life in quarantine right now.
I have a four boys and find it challenging to read to all four at the same time unless they are playing with play doh, eating, or have something that can keep them from wrestling.
I like finding a book my child will love and reading with them one-on-one.
Most early readers (and pre-readers) enjoy graphic novels.
Puzzle races: 1. Time your kids and see how fast they can put a small puzzle together. 2. If you have two small puzzles, race to see who can put them together faster.
Optional Money-saving tip: Trade puzzles with your neighbors or buy some used ones!
This is a fun and simple games for all ages. Push the pig’s belly, then pass the pig around while he sings. Whoever is holding the pig when he TOOTS, is out. Prepare for lots of laughter as you play.
George just finished a Chess class through Outschool and loved it. Next, they’ll be doing a class to learn how to invest in the stock market. Paul will try a nature class. Clark is going to take a class on investing.
Has 9 months of quarantine left you with nothing else to talk about than how bored you are? Then you NEED this set of cards.
Each card asks interesting questions for your family to answer or discuss. My kids ask for us to pull the cards out whenever we sit down to eat. One time my kids were eating alone and my oldest son pulled the questions out to ask his little brothers. I LOVED listening to their conversation!
Share your ideas in the comments and I might include it in a future post.
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This post included affiliate links. That means if you choose to purchase something I’ve suggested, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you!
My son Paul was invited to spend the night at his friend Isaiah’s house. As we were getting out of the car, Paul asked everyone to get out and see a nest of baby birds they had discovered the day before in Isaish’s backyard. The mother had made a nest on a precarious branch in the lower part of a small blue spruce tree.
We went to the back and found that the baby birds and nest had fallen from the tree and were scattered in the backyard. Paul gently picked up the birds, put them back in their nest, and tucked them safely in the tree.
Paul and the baby sparrows
I noticed that Clark’s eyes were glued to the lake. Something out there had his full attention.
‘Mom, look at that TIki boat – it’s stuck and there are people on it. We should go help!’
Immediately, George, Clark, and their friend Landon, grabbed life jackets, put the canoe in the water, and paddled out.
They arrived at the Tiki Boat and discovered four ladies and the boat driver completely stuck in a bog.
They used their oars, strength and ingenuity to get the boat free … only for it to lodge itself deeper 10 yards away. This time it was REALLY stuck.
Two by two, Clark brought the ladies onto shore. George and Landon stayed on the Tiki boat until everyone was safe. They’d be the last ones to come back in.
George and Landon waiting on the Tiki Boat
Clark bringing in the ladies, two by two
Paul and his friend Isaiah, brought the boat driver safely to shore.
Two EIGHT YEAR OLDS saving the 20-something year old boat driver.
Once the women were safely on land, they couldn’t stop praising the brave young men who rescued them. These women were shocked when they saw the boys rowing toward them. They were THRILLED that help had arrived. You see, there are no motor boats on this lake. The Tiki Boat is the only boat with a motor on the entire lake. There was no one coming to help. They were sure they’d have to wade through the muck and mud, holding their Tory Burch shoes and Loius Vitton purses overhead.
The brave young men who saved the Damsels in Distress and the Tiki Boat Driver.
I gave the ladies a ride back to their restaurant. They looked happy to be off the boat – but I’m sure they had a night they’ll never forget.
The ladies gave the older boys a tip. George and Clark say they don’t want to spend the money. They want to save it for the memory. They are also on the lookout for any other damsels in distress.
Update: The Tiki Boat did eventually get free when a homeowner on the lake used a long rope and a four wheeler to pull the boat from the muck, allowing it to motor back to it’s home base – The Charthouse Restaurant.
Clark had asked me last month if he could get a ride on that Tiki boat, but you have to be 18 to ride. It’s pretty ironic that they are too young to ride, but not too young to rescue the passengers aboard!
One year ago, New Life Church was hosting an amazing children’s/family ministry conference called The Gathering. It was during this conference that my husband accepted a job with Target, which meant we’d be moving to Minnesota.
I love Colorado, and I also loved working with this team at New Life. I was struggling with the idea that this chapter would be ending soon.
On the last night of the conference (last year), each person who helped lead the conference was given a box of cereal from Dr. Michelle Anthony – my (former) boss and Family Ministry Pastor. She gave me a box of S’mores and told me that she would like S’more of me. It took everything in me not to burst into tears right then. Just a couple days later, I’d be sharing the news that we’d be moving and she’d be getting S’less, not S’more.
I went home from the conference and shared how I was feeling with Ted. He encouraged me to come back to the conference in 2019 and volunteer.
So this year, I went to Colorado for a Volunteer Vacation! I came to assist, learn, and connect with my New Life friends!
When I first arrived in Colorado Springs – tears filled my eyes. This city has such a special place in my heart, and I was so happy to be back.
The morning of the conference, I drove over to New Life Church with my friend Holly, and helped with the last minute details. All morning I was greeted with love and hugs from friendly faces. It was pure joy.
Because my kids weren’t with me, I got to focus my whole week helping wherever needed … AND catching up with SO many dear people. I loved every minute of it.
In a season of all things new, spending several days in a place that holds so much familiarity & treasured relationships, felt like a well-timed gift.
Though I didn’t sleep much, I came home from my Volunteer Vacation refreshed and full.
If you have some vacation time coming up and aren’t sure what to do – consider a “Volunteer Vacation!” Take the opportunity to go somewhere and help with something. Every non-profit organizations can use an extra set of hands. And when you make time to bless someone or something, you always get blessed in return!
Here is an (affiliate) link to a book filled with ideas on short term adventures that will benefit you and others!
Krista is a loving mom to four beautiful kids, a wife to her childhood sweetheart, and an Interior Designer in Indiana.
Krista and her husband Nate
Since arriving home after our family vacation in Hawaii, I’d been feeling a sense of longing for something I can’t put my finger on. I am sure the gray weather hasn’t helped, but it’s something more. While away, I had many awakening moments, and felt so much joy and peace. Even simple things like driving a Jeep with the rag top off, my hair blowing in the wind, the sun warming my skin and the tunes lifting my soul, felt almost supernatural; especially with the backdrop of the Hawaiian scenery unfolding before me with each twist and turn of the road! I had a few ‘once in a lifetime’ adventures like hiking 8 miles along one of the most majestic and rigorous coasts in the world, to a breathtakingly beautiful waterfall; it seriously did take my breath away for a moment. Another incredible moment was when my daughter Kate’s prayer was answered. Since the moment Kate heard we’d be visiting Hawaii, she’d been praying each night for God to let her meet one of her role models: Bethany Hamilton. God answered her prayer when we happened to be in the SAME place at the SAME time as Bethany!
Kate is SO happy to be meeting Bethany Hamilton!
Krista and the waterfall
The green church we visited on Easter Sunday
I can remember sitting in a quaint green church on Easter morning trying to hold back tears. I was feeling a sense of awakening to how I was made, how God made me, as well as what makes me feel alive and engaged with who I am and the life around me. It also was an awakening to some ways I’m conforming that aren’t really true to how I am made – conforming to my environment and people for one reason or another.
Back at home, I was cleaning up breakfast, doing laundry, and picking up toys (that were just picked up). I felt a since of sadness and frustration wash over me. I thought, “Is this all I’m ever going to do?” I turned to Nate sighing. He asked what was wrong and what was fluttering through my mind. I told him how I wanted to feel the way I did in Hawaii. In Hawaii, the mundane chores were enjoyable. I wanted to go back to the way we were in Hawaii-completely natural-with no make up and no hair brush. I loved how I could let the ocean water and air style my hair, and it was beautiful. We could walk barefoot almost everywhere, even shopping! I felt a sense of belonging and at home in a place I’d never been.
Nate reminded me of what the Hawaiian pastor taught one Sunday in a Hawaii…
Pastor Steve, in a small tent with maybe 100 people, taught from a passage in Philippians. This passage talks about praying with joy. He went on to describe how amazing it is when you think about Paul and all he went through. Paul wrote about JOY while in prison! Throughout Paul’s life, he had times where he was in need, and other times when he had plenty, he experienced the best and worst of life. Paul encourages us, as believers in Christ Jesus, to choose contentment and joy in all things, situations and places. Paul tells us to count it “all” joy. Pastor Steve paralleled this all to the deeper meaning of Aloha.
Aloha means ‘hello’ and ‘goodbye,’ but it also mean SO MUCH MORE. Aloha means joy, and more specifically, finding joy in the mundane…maybe even choosing joy in the mundane. It is being in harmony and unity with your REAL self, with God and mankind. It involves being honest, truthful, patient and humble. Aloha (joy in the mundane) isn’t just something to experience in Hawaii, it’s found…WITHIN!! Even though I experienced it in such a deep way on an island in the Pacific, it doesn’t stay there. I can experience “Aloha” wherever I am! Joy is on the inside of me and I will CHOOSE it!
There is a part of me that wants Heaven on earth and life to be easier than what it is, for me and for others. I’m beginning to see that the longing itself is beautiful. We were made to long for more. The longing actually leads us to “Aloha”. It can lead us to unity and harmony with our real self, God and humanity. I am a living example that He does satisfy, amaze, and leave us at peace like nothing else when we seek Him in what He is saying and doing in the mundane. I believe true Aloha only comes from Him and is also a journey with Him.
So I leave you with a heart full of Mahalo. Mahalo simply means “Thank you!” However, the deeper meaning involves thankfulness to God for our past, present and future. I’m hoping it touches a part of your heart and awakens you as it did me!
Krista and her 3 oldest kids – Kate, Mason, and Jack
Why does it seem like Christmas comes SO slowly when you are a child and as an adult, it comes WAY to quickly. I wish the Christmas season could last twice as long. I love the lights, the songs, the decorations, celebrations, traditions, extra time with friends and family, …and the anticipation and excitement in our children!
Our day started early … 3 AM early! Paul and Clark woke up, went into George’s room and woke him up and exclaimed: “It’s Christmas! Wake up!” Thankfully, George looked at the clock. He then came in, woke me up to let me know that his brothers were up and ready for Christmas and he thought it was too early.
Me: You are right, it’s too early! Go back to bed!
I went downstairs to bring the bad news to Paul and Clark that Christmas wouldn’t begin for 4 more hours.
CLARK: What will we do for FOUR hours?
ME: SLEEP!
CLARK AND PAUL: We are too excited to sleep!
ME: I’m sorry. (not sorry)
Thankfully, somehow, they did go back to sleep and so did I…and Christmas morning began around 7 AM.
Another year has come and gone. (They just keep coming faster and faster!)
42 trips around the sun.
I don’t love getting older. I’m trying to learn how to embrace it and even enjoy it. I do enjoy life in general; I just don’t like the idea of getting older. I used to get so excited about my birthday and would count the days until I turned 10, 15, 20, 25…
Now, I wish it wouldn’t come so fast. I don’t like the new wrinkles I see; I don’t like that my metabolism isn’t working as fast. I don’t like saying that I’m in my 40s.
I’m sure if you’re older than me, you’re rolling your eyes over my complaints. And if you are in your twenties, you may be wondering if the arthritis has set in. (No, it has not, thank you)
Though I dread getting another year older, I’m incredibly grateful to have another year of life, of health, and memories. Another year of marriage and motherhood. A year to grow wiser and kinder.
Though I may not get excited about turning another year OLDER, it is always fun to celebrate and be celebrated.
My husband’s cousin invited us to rent a condo with them in this beautiful mountain town. It was a perfect weekend! It was fun getting to explore with people who know this town so well – where to eat, where to play, and what to do/when to do it! All of us had a GREAT time!
The last time Luke played on this playground, he was ONE, now he’s FOUR. How does time pass so quickly?
George loved the water features around town!
I went to the Starbucks in Vail and ordered a super fancy birthday drink. Because I’m a Gold Card Member, I get a drink for free on my birthday. Because I knew it would be free, I ordered a super fancy, LARGE coffee. Everything costs more in Vail, so when the Barista rang me up and told me my coffee would be almost $10, I didn’t care – I would redeem my FREE BIRTHDAY DRINK. I showed her my Gold Card and she said, “Oh, we don’t accept those here.” So…not only did I not get a free drink…I had to dish out almost $10 for COFFEE on my birthday!!!! From now on, I will ASK before I ORDER!!!
Birthday #43 was even more unique than 42. I decided to make it about giving, instead of receiving. Click here to read about it.
1. Pay attention to what you are paying attention to.
Do I think more about my disappointments or my blessings? Am I focusing more on what is going WRONG than what is going right?
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Neuroplasticity – moment by moment our brain is changing based on what we consume, what we think, and what we do. What we dwell on helps us or hurts us. It’s gradual – just like weight gain!
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We are sponges!
We soak up what we see, hear, and think! (Kids are even more spongy than adults.)
Proverbs 4:23: “Be very careful what you think. Your thoughts run your life.”
It’s easier to ‘magnify the minuses’ than to ‘promote the positives.’
It’s EASIER to Notice the Negative – this is why we need to be aware of it and pay attention to our thoughts.
Those lacking joy are paying excessive attention to the negatives.
The solution — read, watch, and think on the good stuff.
Glance at problems, glare at God!
Tommy Newberry
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2. Continually remind yourself of your blessings!
Meditate on the good. It’s easy to take for granted the blessings we’ve had the longest:
Fresh water,
our marriage,
a home,
heat and air conditioning,
blankets and a bed,
enough food to eat.
Keep a gratitude list/journal and add to it each day. Review it when you are feeling down!
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3. Each moment is a new beginning
Each day, even each moment, can be a fresh start.
It is because of the Lord’s lovingkindnesses that we are not consumed, Because His [tender] compassions never fail. They are new every morning; Great and beyond measure is Your faithfulness.
Lamentations 3:22-23, Amplified Bible
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You don’t need to be mad about something or someone you were mad at yesterday. In fact, when we are thinking negatively about someone, we are actually poisoning ourselves. We can’t feel good about ourselves when we feel rotten about others.
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Hate is a boomerang. If you spew it toward others, it comes back and creates self-loathing.
Joe DeSena
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4. Spend time with people who make you better.
If you want to become better in something, hang out with people who are better than you. Spending time with people who are consistently negative will rub off on you.
Years ago, I had a good friend who regularly talked negatively about her spouse. I found myself trying to find things in my spouse that were negative just so I could relate to her. Yikes!
Hang out with people who love you but challenge you to be the best version of yourself.
As I’m trying to be a good mom, I talk to moms who I admire or who have raised good kids.
Because I want a good marriage, Ted and I spend time with those who fight for their marriage.
Proverbs 27:17: “Iron can sharpen iron.In the same way, people can help each other.”
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5. Our current Emotions are not FACTS, they are FEELINGS
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What are emotions?
Emotions are subjective indicators of objective events.
You are not your feelings – you are more than that. Life is a mixture of good and bad. Emotions may want you to feel bad when life, in general, is really good! Focus on the good that happens.
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Allocate your thoughts to the following categories:
We have approximately 50,000 thoughts a day – 90% are repeats.
What I’m thinking about today predisposes me to repeat those thoughts tomorrow. If I’m thinking mostly negative today, I’m more than likely going to do the same tomorrow.
In a previous post, I wrote about how we use our “Awesome Jar” to help us notice the GOOD that happens each day. We put notes in the jar of things that are “awesome” The jar forces us to look for what is going right and to talk about!
You will always find good if you look for it.
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Continue to think about the things that are good and worthy of praise. Think about the things that are true and honorable and right and pure and beautiful and respected.
Philippians 4:8
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Author Tommy Newbery, the inspiration behind this post!
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Do you need a daily dose of JOY!? Here are a couple of products I recommend:
An easy, daily, devotional-style book – written by women and for women! Read this for a little “joy boost” each day. NOTE: Order this book and receive 40 days worth of inspirational daily JOY builder videos! A $40+ dollar value!
This book will just make you laugh the whole way through, and sometimes, you just need a laugh! I could listen to and read Bob’s stuff all day every day! I just purchased the one for kids so I could read it with them!
Which of these tips resonates with you?
What are you reading/watching/listening to that brings you joy? Please leave a comment by clicking on the little comment box by the title of this post.
I see one lady who is incredibly fit and wish I had her body.
I see another lady who always dresses so cute and wish I had her clothes.
Another friend has the PERFECT house and I wish mine looked like that.
I read blogs and books and wish I could write as good as those writers.
I hear someone speak well and wish I was articulate as them.
But all of these comparisons leave me feeling like I’m not good enough and don’t have enough.
Comparison is a thief – it’s stealing my joy one thought at a time.
How do I conquer this? I stop myself from thinking about what I don’t have and begin to focus on all that I DO have.
I may not be as fit and strong as some ladies I know but I am healthy.
I don’t have the the world’s best wardrobe but I do have so have some incredibly cute things that I’ve found at the thrift store.
I don’t have a picture perfect home but the home we have is very nice and filled with love and happiness.
I’m not the world’s best writer but I keep writing and I’m getting better.
When I change my thoughts from what I don’t have to what I DO have…my heart fills with gratitude. When I focus on what is going well and the gifts God has given me, I begin to experience peace and JOY.
When you are looking at those posts on social media and beginning to compare your life to theirs – stop and remember your blessings. Put down the phone and pick up a good book. Call a friend for encouragement. Ask God to show you what He has put inside YOU – then develop and use those gifts! The more you use YOUR gifts, the stronger they become.
I’m grateful that this world is made up of individuals with such diverse talents who each make the world better with their gifts and contributions. Some of you are using your talent for design and making this world more beautiful – one space at a time. Others are speakers, spreading encouragement and hope, one message at a time. Some are photographers – capturing those beautiful moments one snapshot at a time. Some of you are moms – investing in young lives, one hour at a time.
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We each have blessing, gifts, and talents and those are for us to enjoy and to share with others!
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“A FLOWER DOES NOT THINK OF COMPETING WITH THE FLOWER NEXT TO IT. IT JUST BLOOMS.” – ZEN SHIN
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“For we dare not class ourselves or compare ourselves with those who commend themselves. But they, measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise.”
II Corinthians 10:12 NKJV
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If you know your gift – leave a comment and share it with me! If you aren’t sure, take some time to ask God and others to help you discover it!
