I knew this year I wanted to do something different for my birthday, I mean 35 already felt different enough, holy half way to 40...so it started with a Pinterest idea that was floating around that led to a blog post of a woman who celebrated her 35th birthday with a day of 35 Acts of Kindness. I thought how cool is that...take a day to bless others and make it about everything else. I really liked that idea and thought it would make for the perfect celebration. We had just gotten back from NYC and Tim was out of town and wouldn't get back until that night.
The first thing I did was tell Tim that I didn't want anything except to be able to spend a few bucks on others throughout the day. I told the kids the only thing I wanted for my birthday was for them to help the day before by preparing everything (happy cards below) and baking goodies that would be given out. I wanted the kids to be involved as much as possible and see how it all worked. It was a perfect day because Kennedy had a half day at school so she was able to be with us for a lot
longer than normal.
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| These were the cards we put together - all smiley faces courtesy of Brooklyn. These cards are super fun to make! |
I had made my list of 35 things but stopped after seeing it all written down - knowing my personality and seeing it all I had to give my self a little pep talk and also talk to the Big Guy about not getting caught up in just getting it done/checked off the list but truly being present and seeing everything through His eyes and ALSO not to get frustrated if I didn't get to everything on the list. It wasn't the completed list it was the act of doing it. It was really to just stop and be aware of what a day looks like doing for others and thanking others for their blessings!
Even though Tim was out of town I have to say having TWO sweet little girls is the best gift ever. This one below told me that she was going to wake up at midnight to make me a homeade breakfast and be working all the rest of the night. I was thankful it wasn't the middle of the night but she did get up super early! What did she do?? She gave me my card, made me a special breakfast, started the coffee and then stood RIGHT in front of the coffee pot and proceeded to watch it brew from beginning to end. It was the best cup of coffee this 35 year old had ever had! Kennedy rushed up and gave me the sweetest card she had made at school too - perfect start to my day!
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| Started off the morning making mini birthday pancakes for all - they all got candles and we sang too - priceless! |
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| This was my gourmet breakfast and it was the best breakfast ever courtesy of Brooklyn |
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| First stop - Panera. Yum Cinnamon Crunch Bagel and this card to a random person who walked in next |
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| Leaving a random Happy Card on the gas station pump - this was one of the most fun things to do. I loved driving away and wondering who would pull up to that pump and oh how it would have been awesome to see his/her face when they opened it. |
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| Taking treats to the Children's librarians at our library |
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| The library happened to have Santa that morning and we didn't even realize that. Blessing others and than we end up getting blessed. |
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| My little sidekick who was such a trooper |
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| Treats to our local fire station |
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| So nice there - they let the kids sit up in the truck |
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| Oh swing back by for another gas station pump surprise - we did this 4 times throughout the day and the kids took turns taping it up there. |
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| A little goody and thank you for our mail carrier today and everyday! |
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| This was probably the most special and most emotional one for me - this was the breastfeeding store who was a huge help with both Brooklyn and Carter (especially Carter). I know it made a difference in my life with nursing the kids. BUT it is a little more expensive so I went in an purchased an initial consult and asked them to give it to either the next new mom who came in or to use their judgement on someone who could have used it but didn't have the financial ability to pay for the first appointment. I drove away from there with the fullest heart and lump in my throat because of how much it made a difference to me and knowing that someone else was going to get some initial help who wouldn't necessarily be able to afford it otherwise. |
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| Mailed a family friend who had surgery a get well card. |
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| Had to stop and get my little buddy lunch but that's ok because we paid for the person behind us in line... |
35 Acts of Kindness Birthday
1. bagel breakfast to K's elementary office staff
2. bagel breakfast to B's school office staff
3. $1 gas station Happy Card drop off
4. coffee and muffins to a friend who lost her mom this past fall
5. small gift card to Panera to a random person-Brooklyn did this as we were leaving with the bagels for the schools. It was funny because no one was coming by as we were standing outside and Brooklyn was like, mom what are we going to do?? So I told her this day was about God's timing and so we got to pray that whoever needed that card would be able to receive it. And sure enough a few seconds after that a lady and her son got out of their car and I stopped them and gave it to them and told them to have a great day. They kinda looked at me strange but for the first random drop it was fun to surprise someone.
6. $1 gas station Happy Card drop off
7. paid for person behind us in line at McDonalds
8. smoothies to K's teachers (her homeroom and math teacher)- they had a half day so it was a good little snack for them
9. starbucks gift card to the drive thru Bank Teller (the blessing of this was that a few days after my birthday I got a call from a local number on my cell. I normally don't answer if I don't know the # but this time I did. It was the teller at the bank and she told me she just wanted to say thank you because she was having the worst morning and that the little gift totally brightened her day and turned it around - full heart)!
10. a cup of hot tea to Brooklyn's teacher (her favorite drink)
11. a favorite drink for B's assistant teacher - 7up
12. a few pairs of shoes to the collection at Carter's Little Gym where they were collecting for kids who were in need of new shoes this season
13. mr. Brian homeade baked treats (this was what the kids helped me do the afternoon before)
14. goodies to Ms. Angela who cuts all of the girls hair in our family
15. $1 gas station Happy Card drop off - can you tell we LOVED the gas station one
16. texted a friend who was recovering from foot surgery that I was thinking about her and praying for her.
17. called Nana to tell her we loved her and made her laugh
18. called Mimi to catch up and hear about what was going on with her
19. donation to lactation consultant services
20. small starbucks card on the windshield of a random car
21. bought a box of JOY tea for my hubby and wrapped it and put it on his bathroom sink
22. another small starbucks card on a mom's car in the school parking lot
23. mailed off a get well card to a family friend who just had surgery on his foot
24. held the door at places
25. let someone go in front of us at the grocery store
26. took treats to the firestation
27. donated to our local charity here that Tim and I love to watch and see all the good work they are doing for families around here
28. texted an aunt of Tim's that we hadn't talked to in awhile
29. took treats to the children's librarians
30. left a bag of m&m's with a thank you card in our mailbox for our mail carrier
31. made a candle pancake breakfast for the kids
32. didn't nag Brooklyn one time about her messes, creations and to pick up her stuff
33. bought and donated a Elf on the Shelf to B's Kindergarten class - the kids had told their teacher they wished they had one and Brooklyn my little giver wanted to give her money to get it for her class. I told her mommy would buy it as a birthday present for them.
34. paid for the person behind us in line at starbucks
35. wrote K's soccer coaches a note of thanks for the time, gifts and talent in teaching her
36. didn't get mad/frustrated with kids one time that day - this is truly an act of kindness as ALL moms know.
A few things that stuck out to me with this...I didn't tell anyone what I was doing or why when we were going through the act of kindness. And I also was very conscious about not acting like my kids were in the way while doing these acts and being on the go that day. I knew if I tried to make it all about the accomplishing and doing and got frustrated with them because they were slow or complaining that it would totally defeat the purpose of what and why I was doing this
in the first place.
I was laughing sharing our day with Tim...it was a full and blessed day and I can see why people would choose to spend their birthdays this way. I had a husband that had been out of town and didn't get home until 6pm that night. He and K left for baskteball practice shortly after and the two younger kids and I joined to watch for a little while. I made dinner for the kids, helped with homework, did laundry, carpooled, put kids to bed, so as all mom's know work doesn't stop even for your birthday but I also didn't get annoyed or frustrated that it was my day and I was still doing all the above. My expectations in the past have gotten me annoyed that things were going a certain way or why was I having to do so and so on my birthday. I was laughing when my aunt finally caught up with me that night and asked if we had had special dinner plans. I happened to look down at the table as Tim and I were sharing pita chips and hummus and he was eating a bowl of cereal - I almost asked what she defined as special :-)...yet that day incorporated everything special I just had to look at it differently and definitely not the way the world says to look at it or what to make it about.
And last thing - I went about this to bless others in these small acts of kindness but what happened along the way (and I know this is cliche) is that we were totally blessed by things and saw those blessings for what they were - instead of not seeing them. True Joy!
