Day of Kindness

First off, I apologize for taking so long to write this post.  I have really been struggling over whether or not to even post about what we did for my birthday because I didn't want it to come off as me looking for a pat on the back for "all the nice things" we did.  I don't want to take away from how much that day meant to me by flaunting it.

 Because that day of kindness was truly the best birthday I have ever had.  It was so fun looking for ways to go the extra mile.  I was caught off-guard by how people's reactions affected me.  I was brought near tears many times throughout the day.  And then to think that so many of you reached out on that same day made me feel so happy.

I'd like to share my two favorite "random acts" and then also let you know what others sent to me that day via text, facebook, email, twitter and in person to let me know how the kindness was spreading.

1. I made two dinners for two families in Anna's class who have new babies at home.  These were by far my favorite reactions of the day.  I've been on the receiving end of this and know how much a pre-made meal can mean after a night of no sleep and a long day of demanding kids, housework, etc.  It made me happy to pay this one forward.

2. The kids and I took cupcakes to the fire station down the street from our house.  The fire fighters were so sweet, talking with both Anna and Henry, and invited us to come back when it's a bit warmer to look at the fire trucks.  Just made me want to cook for them even more!

Some of the acts of kindness sent to me by others (and some of the rest of mine mixed in):

• Returning shopping carts (in a snow storm, no less!)
• Buying a friend a shot of tequila
• Surprise deliveries of baked goods
• Holding doors open for people (this was Anna's - she made a point to open and hold every door for me the whole day)
• Paying for the next person in line at the drive-thru
• Sharing a parking pass with a stranger
• Offering a shopping cart to someone at Aldi so they could save their quarter
• Treating a friend (or a stranger) to lunch
• Showing a bit of extra appreciation for a server
• Surprise flowers for a friend

I'd also like to offer a very special thanks to the friend who dropped by in the afternoon, unexpectedly, and offered me the opportunity to take a nap.  A nap!!  I got to take a nap on my birthday and it was fabulous.

Did you commit a random act of kindness in November?  What did you do?

Wednesday Plans and Weekend Recap

I'm getting so excited for Wednesday!  I've spent quite a bit of time thinking, planning and baking in preparation for our day of kindness.  I've also been going the extra mile where I see the opportunity because I'm paying attention.  I'm so hopeful that I can keep some of this enthusiasm for spreading kindness throughout the year.  Because something as simple as a stranger holding the door open for me to wrangle Anna and the 1,000 lb baby carrier through really makes my day so much easier.  And it's such a simple thing.

I hope you all are having as much fun coming up with fun ways to spread kindness this week.  You don't have to go crazy with spending money (though if I were made of money, I can promise you that my "random acts" would be so much grander than they are going to be!).  Something as simple as holding a door, returning a shopping cart or picking up trash can be inspiring to another person.  And my huge hope is that people who receive kindness are inspired to pass it on!

This was a great weekend.  I ran my 2nd 5K on Sunday morning with my good friend, Joanna.  We tried to start a team and have another people sign up with us.  We even had an awesome team name - Is This Yoga?

Alas, it was a busy weekend for many and we were the only two to sign up.  And it was only 28 degrees.  But we're Midwestern girls and wouldn't let a little frost scare us off of a good ol' run through the Milwaukee County Zoo!

After our run, Hubby and I hosted a "Friendsgiving" dinner at our house for some of our friends.  It was so fun to eat a (HUGE) meal with our friends, many of whom now have kids.  Watching the kids playing together may have been the most fun part of the afternoon.

Plus today little Llama Face figured out how to roll back to front. And now the circle is complete.  He rolled all the way across the living room twice today.  Time to clean up the Barbie shoes! Oy.  I'm not quite ready for him to be mobile!

I can't wait to share our day of kindness with you after Wednesday.  Even more than that, I can't wait to share your random acts of kindness!  So don't forget to check in with me (if you're comfortable sharing the details) and let me know what you did to make someone's day!

P.S. To the friend who bought me a shot of tequila as her random act of kindness, cheers!  I'll save it for a night that we can enjoy it together.  :)

Are You Ready?

The other day, as I flopped exhausted on the kitchen floor, staring at the 200 dead bugs lodged in the kitchen light fixture, with baby toys being flung at my outstretched legs and stompy feet playing "hop over mommy's head," I was thinking how much I really have to be thankful for in my life.  There's a lot.  I'm not going to get late-night, low-on-sleep sappy on you here, but, truly, I am blessed.

I want to spread those blessings! So I want to remind you, that this coming WEDNESDAY is the day.  In this post a few weeks ago, I asked you all to join me on my birthday crusade to shower the world with random acts of kindness.  We've been talking a LOT about this in my house for the last month (so much so that if I hold a door open for someone, Anna asks if it's my birthday already).  We've already done a couple of things toward the day, and are preparing for Wednesday.

Please help me celebrate my birthday on Wednesday by bringing a smile to someone around you.  Stranger, friend, neighbor, family member - anyone could use a day-brightener!

**If you are interested, I have another opportunity related to this, but I am not currently allowed to discuss it publicly.  Please contact me ASAP privately to let me know you'd like to commit a random act of kindness in a slightly bigger way.  (The reason for the secrecy is not as exciting as it sounds - I will be able to explain later next week.)