My Word For the Year and Heartfelt Acts

"Okay that is all we need; let's go pay." I said to Ryder as we walked to the checkout.

I loaded my items on the conveyor belt.  I made small talk with the cashier and Ryder pointed out the balloons hanging on the wall.  My items were almost done being scanned.  I was caught up in watching the order and talking to Ryder.   Out of the corner of my eye I saw movement behind me.

There bending me was a man with a long shaggy beard, torn and tattered clothes, and who very obviously hadn't showered in long time.  I turned back to the cashier and continued our small talk.   Out of the corner of my eye I couldn't help but notice the man's purchase, some beef sticks, a bottle of water and a few other items.

I swiped my card, my purchase complete.  Then I paused.
"I would like to pay for his purchase too." I told the cashier.
"Are you sure?" she questioned.
"Yes. I am." I simply stated.

She scanned his items and I swept my card again.  I gathered the bag of his simple possessions.
"Here you go Sir, Merry Christmas" I said really looking at him for the first time.  At that moment time seemed to pause.  For just a brief moment he looked back at me, looking me directly in the eyes and in that moment I saw so much more.

I saw past the dirt, past the beard and clothes, for that moment I saw him as our Heavenly Father sees him, as a child of God.   He simply took his bag, not saying a thing and walked away.

At that moment I knew what my word for 2014 was going to be, aware.

Aware of those around me, aware of how my kids and family are really doing and what they may need, aware of my own needs and that I am taking care of myself too.

Too often I speed through life, just trying to get the next thing done, how many things, how many people do I miss.  No longer, I am going to be aware.

This moment is also my final Heartfelt Act of 2013.

  

I have had some great experiences in hosting Heartfelt Acts with Janette; times where I have made the extra effort to go out and spread a little more goodness, a little more kindness in the world.

As I left the dollar store that day; a lady near the exit said "that was really nice of you."

"Thank you, this world needs a little more kindness." I replied.

Spreading goodness and kindness one heartfelt act at a time... one moment where I was aware.

What is your word for 2014?

If you have done any heartfelt acts, you can link up below.

Life Vest Inside - Kindness Boomerang - "One Day"

I can blame it on sickness, I literally was sick for half of the month. I can blame it on being busy. I am sure I could find a million thing to blame it on but I totally dropped the ball on Heartfelt Acts in September.

This month's goals were:

1.  Buy some Cat and Dog treats that can be donated to a local Animal Shelter.

2.  Leave a generous tip to a server. 

So to help me get more motivation and to just inspire your day, watch this video. 

You never know how one little thing can change someone's day.  So here is to me hoping that something kind I did this last month made an impact that I will never realize.  Here are October's goals, please join us in spreading a little more good. 

1.  Buy a gift card with a value of your choice and choose a random person to give it to.
2.  Send a letter to a friend to let them know you were thinking about them.

Also- get to announce the winner for The Smartest Kids in the World

a Rafflecopter giveaway


Congrats Amy!  I will e-mail you.  

Also-- in case you missed yesterday's post, you will want to go see why I am going to let me kids fail.

There is also still time to Link up with 10 Things to Smile About this Month. 

Heartfelt Acts: Spreading Good in the World

Another month, another month for a chance to spread a little extra love and kindness with Heartfelt Acts.  Join Janette of the Johanson Journey and I every month to try and share a little more goodness.


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Here were this month's goals

1. Pay it forward in a drive thru, you can pay for 1 or 2 cars back.  If you have a plan to do this, you could even write a little Pay it Forward note to wish them a great day.
2. Cook a meal or dessert for someone.

I am actually doing my pay it forward today, but going to give a random person a Starbucks gift card that has been burning a hole in my purse all month waiting to be handed out, so instead I am going to tell you about a time someone brought dinner to me.

In my church we have a program called Visiting Teaching where the ladies in the congregation are assigned to visit teach or look over a few other sisters.  I and another sister are responsible once a month  to visit with and share a message with two other ladies from our church.  By doing this not only can we develop friendships but we can know if someone is in need and can help serve them or get the help they need.

I also have two visiting teachers assigned to me.  Last April, one evening Alex said she wasn't feeling good, she didn't each much dinner and was ready for bed.  Shortly after she was in bed I had a feeling I should check on her, I got there just in time to help catch her throw up in a bowl.  For the next few hours she threw up every half hour.   Eric and I would race upstairs to take care of her again and again. All the while I was starting to feel a little worse, assuming it was from watching Alex get sick one too many times...

Then it hit me and I barely made it to the bathroom and well not to get too descriptive but it was every half hour, from both ends almost all night long.  It was awful.  Poor Eric had to deal with Alex, who also kept getting sick all night on his own.

Finally about 3:00 AM it stopped and I got about 3 hours of sleep before the morning began.  Eric was already off to work.  I went downstairs to try and get the kids ready for school. I got out the bread to make Lucas lunch and then literally just had to sit on the floor, I had zero strength. I would put together one more part of his lunch then sit on the floor again, fighting tears and praying for strength to just get the kids to school.

I finally got the kids to school and then I texted my visiting teacher.  I asked if should could possibly bring me some 7-up and crackers as I was sick.

She quickly replied asking if I would also like some Popsicles and soup too.

Here is what she brought me.
When she dropped it by she told me not to worry about dinner as she was making a big batch of homemade chicken noodle soup and would bring some over for my family for dinner.

Her soup was amazing and was the first thing I ate that day that actually tasted good.  She was such an amazing example to me, not only did she serve in a moment when I really needed help but she went above and beyond.

This is what Heartfelt Acts are all about.  At times it might be a need we know is there, other times we may have no idea what good our actions will bring, but we do it anyway because adding a little more good to the world will always be the right thing to do.

Have you ever had someone bring dinner to you or pay for your meal?

Here are September's goals:

1.  Buy some Cat and Dog treats that can be donated to a local Animal Shelter.
2.  Leave a generous tip to a server

Link up your Heartfelt Acts post below.

P.S. Don't forget there is still time to link up with 10 Things to Smile About This Month- also don't miss my post from yesterday where I shared about a teacher who changed my life by a service she did.

Heartfelt Acts: July

I must be honest, as I realized it was the end of the month I felt a sense of dread as I had not done a Heartfelt Act. (#HeartfeltAct)  I knew the deadline was fast approaching, even knew what I wanted to do but just really felt pretty bitter about doing it.


<br /><center> <a href="http://emmymom2.com/"><img src="http://i1160.photobucket.com/albums/q491/Emmymom3/Heartfelt-Acts-EmmyJanetteButton200pix_zpsf9075a97.jpg" /></a></center> <br /> Since I am a co-host (along with Janette of the Johanson Journey) of this monthly meme I figured I had better just suck it up and do it.   July's goals were:

1.  Leave a sweet message or gift to Thank your mail carrier.
2.  Gather up some books that can be donated to a library or Goodwill/Salvation Army.

So last night, yep told you last minute, I got out some cards and wrote a note to our mail carrier, ours is a lady so not a mailman.  As I begun thinking about what to write, I immediately felt my heart soften.  As I started writing it not only softened but I began to feel really good inside.

I don't know what is going on in her life.  Maybe her life is great and good, but maybe just maybe she needs a little extra boost right now.  It is not my job to judge of even to know but just to serve and to lift.

It was such a simple thing, only took me a few minutes and tomorrow morning I will put it in our mailbox for her to retrieve.   Maybe I will never know if it made a difference, except I will.  It has already made a difference, a difference in me and my heart and helping me once again remember that this world is so much bigger than me and my family.

So please, come join us next month, or even this month for HearfeltActs, as you never know the difference you may make.

(P.S. Tomorrow- I get to spread a little more happiness when I announce the winner of the e-book giveaway, last day to enter!)

1.  Pay it forward in a drive thru; you can pay for 1 or 2 cars back. If you have a plan to do this, you could even write a little Pay it Forward note to wish them a great day.
2.  Cook a meal or a dessert for someone. - 

Heartfelt Acts: June-Being a Little Kinder

Another month is coming to an end, so time to recap this month's Heartfelt Acts.  Join Janette of the Johanson Journey and I every month for Heartfelt Acts.  We give two ideas or ways you can help serve and give a little more, though you are welcome to change it up.  The idea is just to help us all stop and notice those around us and help us give a little more.


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1.  Start a piggy bank for a cause- maybe even have kids help by doing extra jobs around house/neighborhood to earn money.

2.  Give Affirmation: Offer encouragement freely to your friends, co-workers, and family.  You can always find something positive to say in any situation!


I am naturally a positive person. I try to look for the good in life and the good in those around me.  I have learned that you never really know what is going on in someone's life and so hopefully am less quick to judge or assume things because of this.

 Just yesterday Lucas attended a friends birthday party.  He was nervous about going, it was at one of those bounce places and he has had some bad experiences at other parties and his normal anxiety of course.  Throughout the week I talked with him about the growth I have seen in him, in his ability to try new things even when he is scared.   He decided that he did want to go and I am happy to report he did go and he had so much fun.

I am part of a page on facebook where you can share pictures you have taken, ask for advice and just help others too.  On that site I showed a then and now picture-- i.e. a picture from when I first started taking pictures (a newborn shot of Ryder actually) and one of the newborn pictures from my recent shoot.  It felt wonderful to get compliments and praise for how far I have come.  Now I am taking the time to make sure I take the time to comment back, compliment and give advice when it is asked for as I truly believe that by sharing we can make the whole industry (photographer and consumers) better as they will know what good pictures are.

 Oh and speaking of which- a little selfish plug here; I just rebuilt from ground up and launched my Emily Kathryn Photography website; I would love for you to check it out, there is even a blog section that you can comment if you would like.

The little good things we do in life really do make a difference and really can completely turn around someone's day.

I hope you join us next month and this month too and help spread a little more good in the world.

Here are July's Goals:

1.  Leave a sweet message or gift to Thank your mail carrier.

2.  Gather up some books that can be donated to a library or Goodwill/Salvation Army. 

When you share your Heartfelt Acts, share your blog post link below.

Heartfelt Acts: May-The Unplanned Moments

Want some help doing a little more, giving a little more?  Then join Janette and I every month for Heartfelt Acts.  We give two ideas or ways you can help serve and give a little more, though you are welcome to change it up.  The idea is just to help us all stop and notice those around us and help us give a little more.


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Here were May's goals:

1.  Host a cookie exchange.  Examples of how to do this can be found HERE & HERE.
2.  Write a letter to a family member telling them why you love them. (Great for Mother’s Day!)

And now it is time for a confession, I failed.  Definitely did not host a cookie exchange and also never did write any letters; but I did have some unexpected chances to give.

First a good friend was in the hospital for a surgery and when she came out of surgery she could not feel anything from the chest down.  It was a very scary time, but thankfully she seems to be making a full recovery.  It was amazing to see how quickly everyone from church banded around her, taking meals in and watching her kids during the day.  The meal calendar filled up in a manner of minutes.  I was lucky enough to be able to take dinner to her family one night.   It was a little easy thing for me but I know it meant so much for her family who is dealing with a lot right now.

The second was even more unexpected.   I was the team mom for both Lucas and Alex's soccer teams this season.  As part of my team mom duties I was responsible for planning the team parties.  Being the genius that I am (okay during one of my rare moments of genius) I scheduled both team parties for the same time at the same place; killing two birds with one stone.

It ended up working out beautifully.  Pizza, games, trophies and even cupcakes I made for everyone. We had some extra cupcakes and they were sitting at my table.  A lady came over eyeing the cupcakes.

"Are these for sale? She asked eyeing the cupcakes, "or could I buy one from you?"

"You can just have one." I sad happily handing her one.

"Really!" she squealed genuinely surprised.  "Oh thank you! I was supposed to get a dessert for his birthday," she said pointing to a little boy, "and the restaurant doesn't have any dessert and we want to sing him happy birthday!"

"Here you can take the rest, I do not want to bring them home; I will just eat them all myself."

"Really? Thank you thank you!!  Can I give you a hug?"

And we hugged right then and there in the restaurant.    

It felt good, it felt good to be able to help with something that seemed so simple to me but meant so much to her.  It felt good to realize and remember we are all just people with out families, our own problems, our own joys just trying to do our best.  Yet we are all connected and can all be an impact for good.

This is what Heartfelt Acts is all about. 

Come join Janette and I in this process of giving and being a little more.  Here are June's goals

1.  Start a piggy bank for a cause- maybe even have kids help by doing extra jobs around house/neighborhood to earn money.
2.  Give Affirmation: Offer encouragement freely to your friends, co-workers, and family.  You can always find something positive to say in any situation!

Heartfelt Acts: Surprise Cards

Another month has come and gone.  Have you joined Janette of the Johanson Journey and me for Heartfelt Acts yet?  You can read more about Heartfelt Acts by clicking here.


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This month the goals were:

1.  Forgive Someone.
2.  Send a care package (ex.  military, friend or family member in college, for any friend just because).

The first one is one I have definitely had to do in the past, but well isn't something I would publicly share; but the second I can definitely share.

I have to be honest, I did not actually send care packages but am just starting to send cards to various people in my life.

I was lucky enough at the beginning of this month to receive an opportunity from Hallmark to receive several free cards and postage with the intent of sending 7 cards to 7 people in 7 days- for some of the very same reasons we started Heartfelt Acts so I knew this would be perfect.

A couple of the cards I got from Hallmark

I sent (yes it is still coming if you are reading this) a congratulations card to my little sister who just got accepted into grad school.  I don't think I have ever sent my little sister a card.  It isn't that we don't get along, growing up we were best friends but then I went off to college (I am 4 years older) and we just sort of went on our separate ways.

It felt good to send this to her, to do something a little extra a little more.  It made me think I really should call and visit with her at least once a month- so okay Ross (my BIL who often does read my blog) if you are reading this hold me to it!

I am excited to send off the rest of the cards over the next several days as I know I love getting mail so I  am hoping those who receive them love it too.

Obviously, I was a bit of a slacker with this month and am still finishing it up, so you can still join in April's goals too!

You could even send cards just like me.  If you blog you can go apply at the Get Carded Hallmark Challenge.   They will send you the cards, envelopes and even the stamps so you can send a personalized card to someone in your life that may need it.  ((Also you can use code BLOG30 to get 30% off any cards at Hallmark.com)

I am looking forward to May's challenges as I want to work on getting my kids more involved again next month as it really was a lot more powerful for me when they were helping serve too.  Here are May's Goals; remember you can do one ore both and even modify it a bit.

1.  Host a cookie exchange.  Examples of how to do this can be found HERE & HERE.
2.  Write a letter to a family member telling them why you love them. (Great for Mother’s Day!)

If you participated in April's challenge, or when you do, then you can add your link below.

Disclaimer: I received the cards from Hallmark as part of Get Carded challenge in exchange for blogging about their event; all thoughts and opinions are my own and truthful.

Heart-felt Acts: Cookies for Firemen

“You can give without loving, but you can never love without giving.” 

― Robert Louis Stevenson

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Some days I feel very selfish.  Sure I am a mom and so by nature am giving all day to my kids, but too often it is easy for it to end right there.  So at the end of last year when Janette of the Johanson Journey and I were trying to come up with something more we could do-- Heartfelt Acts was born.

You can read more about Heartfelt Acts and see the entire years goals by clicking here.

1.  Thank you police or fire department- take them a baked item.
2.  Leave 5 random notes of love or affirmation in different public places.

This month I just completed one of the goals- thanking our local fire department by taking them a baked item.

I decided spring break would be a perfect time to do this.  While I made dozens of No Bake Cookies, Lucas and Alex each drew a picture for our firefighters.   I talked with them about the sacrifices, the hard work and how important fire fighters are to the community.

Alex drew a picture of beautiful flowers on a hill and wrote "Thank you", Lucas drew a picture of a firetruck.

The kids asked what we should say, I said we would just tell them we were there to thank them for all they do.

Holding the cookies and their pictures before going in the firehouse

We showed up at the firehouse and I tried the front door only to find it locked.  My heart raced wondering what I should do when I noticed a doorbell.  I rang it and one of the firefighters immediately came and opened the door.

The kids gave him their pictures and said thank you and he immediately invited us in.  One of the other firefighters got some hats and stickers for the kids and they asked us if we would like to see the truck, of course we said yes.

They asked us why we were there; I told them I was trying to help teach my kids to show thanks and appreciation for those around us and for those who help serve.  "What a good mom!" they complimented many times and I have to be honest, it felt good to hear.

One of the firefighters showed Lucas the mechanics of the truck, right up Lucas' alley and they posed for pictures.

The firefighters loved Ryder's shirt (thanks Mom!) and kept saying they should get a shirt just like that for themselves, only bigger.

As we left Lucas said "that was so cool and it was so nice to do"  Alex said, "I feel really happy and good inside".  Even a week later the thing that Ryder kept bringing up and saying was "we gave firefighters cookies".   He didn't talk about seeing the truck and sitting in it but talked about the cookies we gave the firefighters.

I am so grateful for Heartfelt Acts and even if it is such a little simple thing-- it is a little simple thing that I might not have done without it.

Please feel free to join us anytime and when you blog about it you can add your link anytime.  Here are April's goals

1.  Forgive Someone.
2.  Send a care package (ex: military, friend or family member in college, or any friend just because).

 Also make sure to go read Janette's post today-- she visited her local firehouse with her kids too.

Heartfelt Acts: February The Month of Love

February is often considered the month of love, though many can't stand what they call a Hallmark Holiday; but for me the month of the love was a great month for Heartfelt Acts.

Jannette and I teamed up to try and figure out a way we could give more, do more and hopefully inspire others to do the same along the way.  You can read more about it here.

The February Goals were:

1.  Bring Flowers to someone
2.  Tell your Child/spouse that you love them every single day for the month.  You can change it up daily to fit your family.

I once again did both goals-- well kind of- as obviously the month is not over.

I decided rather than just pick a person to tell them I love them I was going to tell each of my family members I loved them and something I loved about them everyday by making a little heart for each.

The first day while the oldest two were at school and Eric was at work, I cut out a simple paper heart for each and wrote "I love you" and than something I love about them.

I put the hearts on each of their pillows, except for Ryder.  He saw me making them so I gave him his right then.

"What say?"  he asked me.
"I love you Ryder.  I love your hugs"

And that moment- it was like time froze and sped forward all in the same moment as I literally saw wisdom and an understanding beyond his age radiate from his eyes and then the smile that came on his face-- it was truly a moment I will never forget.

"Oh" he said while giving me a hug.  That moment right there made everything I do as a mom and feel like I "sacrifice" all worth it.  And his first heart, well he carried it with him all day, even bringing it to library story time.

Carrying his heart as we leave story time

When the others got home Ryder was more than happy to show off his heart so I prompted Lucas and Alex to go look on their pillows, they were all very grateful.  The second day when they found new hearts they were totally surprised as they figured it was a one time thing.  After several days Lucas told me that he loved the hearts so much but that I didn't have to make one everyday, but truly he would have been sad if I stopped.

Lucas' hearts that he saved on his project board in his room

It was so good for me too, as I would try and stop and notice some extra things that were specific to that day that I noticed and loved about them.  It made me realize the tremendous power of something so simple. 

The second idea was to give flowers to someone.  I was totally inspired by Janette's Heartfelt Acts from last month when she gave our gift cards to random people in Target- so decided to do the same with flowers.

I wanted to add a little note to each flower and made a little paper that said "Someone noticed you today" Heartfelt Acts.  As truly don't we all just want to be noticed.

Sorry for the dark picture- took this in the dark car before we went into the store

I told Eric what I wanted to do and he was rather skeptical; but this last Monday we gathered as a family and I shared a lesson, talking about how we are often asked to be God's angels and while we may not always know what is happening in someone's life He does.  We went to the store and picked up a bouquet of flowers.  I then took each flower and stapled the slip of paper I had made around each flower.  We then said a prayer that we would be guided to those who may need some extra love that day.

We went into Target flowers in hand, asking the kids to let us know who they wanted to give the flowers too.  

Getting the flowers ready to head into the store

Alex went first, picking a mom and a daughter in the makeup isles.  "I hope you have a good day." she said while handing the flower to the lady.   "What?" the lady asked. "Oh my goodness, thank you so much, that is so sweet."

"She was so happy"  Alex said after we walked away.

The other recipients reactions were very similar-- my kids often had to say excuse me a couple of times get the persons attentions, as don't we all rush through life a bit too much.  It was then Ryder's turn- he pointed to someone all the way across the store and so we walked over and gave her the flower and then he had one left.  He once again saw someone almost across the store.  This last lady, as Ryder handed her the flower, her countenance totally changed, her face completely lighting up as she thanked him and said that we had made her day.  I think she was the one-- while the others were all grateful and it made them happy, I believe she was the one who for reasons unknown to us truly needed this that day.

As we walked to pick out treats to end our family night Eric commented saying, "this was actually really awesome I liked it much more than I thought I would" and I noticed Lucas give Alex a hug and tell her that he loved her.

I am hooked- I am so hooked on giving if for no other reason than purely selfish as to see how happy my whole family was in this moment.   So thank you again Janette for brainstorming this idea with me, it is amazing so far.

Remember you can join in anytime; the linky is open for the entire year so anytime you blog about it you can add your link.

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For future planning: here are March's goals- you can do one or both.

1.  Thank you police or fire department- take them a baked item.
2.  Leave 5 random notes of love or affirmation in different public places.