RAOK #15

My little firecracker, her friend and me went on a  mission to dress up the neighborhood in patriotic fashion.  After flying Old Glory outside our front door, we donated 50 flags to various friends and neighbors.  It was a fun, quick adventure and we had fun doing it!

RAOK #14

Today we joined the members of Asbury United Methodist Church in a community service project. The first step was to check in and pick out which activity we wanted to do as a family

We chose #10, Walt Whittman Elementary School where we hosted a Christmas party for the students and their families.

At our post, we helped the kids make birthday cards for orphans in Uganda.

Other posts had crafts, games, cookie decorating, etc.

And finally, we wrapped up our morning of service by helping label books in the school library.

A great way to spend a Saturday morning as a family and share a little RAOK.

RAOK #12 & #13

My friend Tracy Thompson forwarded me a link to a blog recently. She said that she knew I would just love it. And I do.

The specific post that inspired me was regarding Random Acts of Christmas Kindness. The blog post was from 2010 and yet timeless. More recently, the blogger posted blank templates for the cards that she used for the project. I've since borrowed the idea and am currently doing what I can to implement my own RAOK this Christmas season.

Yesterday I paid for the coffee of the guy behind me in the drive thru. Today I taped $1.25 to the pop machine and attached one of the cards. I am having a ball!

Family, Holidays and a Child's Innocence

Not unlike what most people experience, the end of the year bring about a time for reflection. I find myself doing more and more of that every single day and not necessarily when something momentous occurs and here lately, my mind has been very active.

Thanksgiving was wonderful. I had 4.5 days with family. I was productive, I shared time with my husband, my kids, my parents, my in-laws, etc. I spent time on the ranch and watched my kids climb on hay bales, marvel over baby calves and watched wild cats climb pieces of wood with the freedom and grace of a gazelle. I spent time at my parents home and watched my husband fish in the pond. I spent time with friends, shopped, drank wine and ate good food. I prayed. I'm grateful, my cup runneth over.

And today my son turned 10 years old. I don't normally get emotional about such celebrations. My mom always taught me that we parents spend our lives preparing our children so we can bless and release them. And yet this one is hard for me for whatever reason. It's double digits. It means that he has fewer years remaining in my household than he's had with me thus far. It means he's approaching the teenage years. And even at his birthday party I was amazed at the transition he and his friends are going through. They all came with their iPods, iPhones, etc. and yet they weren't too cool to play hide-n-seek, Army men, or go to a PG rated Christmas film. I am so incredibly proud of my little man and I cannot wait to share the next decade watching him grow into a man. I am so proud. My cup runneth over.

RAOK #11 - One Pint Down

I've been busy brainstorming on things I can do in rememberance of the 9/11 attack that happened almost 10 years ago. I had come up with an idea or two on RAOK activities that would involve my children and I still want to do more. Although I cannot do all that I'd like to do, I can do some.

My friend Tracy Thompson mentioned that she'd read some suggestions about how to remember that tragic day, one of which was the giving of blood. What a fabulous idea and why hadn't I thought of that?!

So today I took my lunch hour at the local chapter of the American Red Cross. It has been a very long time since I last donated. In fact, they had my maiden name on file and I've been happily married for 13.5 years. I was admittedly afraid that I might pass out or hurl on the tile but I ventured forth.

I gave my pint, drank my Diet Coke and ate some complimentary popcorn (it's a snack vending paradise in there!). I asked oodles of questions about my blood, platelets, plasma, etc. and what would happen to it. I was told that single pint would go towards saving up to two lives. Not a bad way to spend the lunch hour if I may say so.

When was the last time you donated?

RAOK #10

Clearly I'm not reaching my goal of doing one RAOK per week but I'm making an effort regardless. Today I left $20 for the dry cleaners clerk to apply to the next patron's bill. She was a little uneasy about holding the cash, wondering if she'd get in trouble with the boss for doing such a thing. Of course I figure as long as they're making their money, it doesn't matter who it comes from. And ultimately she decided to participate because she felt like it was "a good thing". Her only other concern was that it go to someone worthy. I told her it didn't matter. It's random. And while whomever the recipient is may not need the financial help, they may be in need of an emotional lift today. Hopefully $20 will improve someones spirits today, or maybe restore a little bit of faith in mankind and all the while, save them some money on a much overpriced service.

ROAK #9

Today I ordered a bouquet of fresh spring flowers to be delivered to a dear friend who lives 300 miles away...just because she deserves it!