Random Acts of Kindness

With Christmas quickly approaching I decided to do random acts of kindness each day to teach the kids that it's better to give than to receive. I want to take each day to focus on using our gifts to bless others. In 1 Corinthians 7:7 Paul says, "But each has his own gift from God, one person in this way and another in that way."

We are all blessed with unique gifts but just like anything, you have to use it or lose it. My pastor once said, "Use your gift or lose your impact. Are you going to use your gifts to change the world or let the world change you?"

I'm choosing to change the world, even if it is my small little piece of the world in Belton, TX through small little gestures of kindness. The message is the same. Grace feels best IN us when it flows THROUGH us. Follow our daily journeys and join! Post pics and comments to share in the joy!

This is your brain on drugs...

Do you remember the PSA commercial that aired in the 90s where the lady takes an egg and cracks it in the frying pan and says, "This is your brain on drugs...any questions?" Well...they're baaaack. And the new commercial shows kids asking their parents all sorts of questions: Is marijuana not that bad because it's legalized? What is cocaine? And my favorite...Have you tried drugs? The commercial ends with that question.

The person who made this commercial must be a wet behind the ears ad exec with no kids of their own because the rest of us parents would dread the day that our kids ask us that question! I get it that the point was to prompt parents to talk to their kids and be ready for questions about drugs. I'll answer those all day. I think those are healthy questions. But why do my kids have to know if I did drugs or not!. I'm so mad at the stupid tv, telling me how to raise/talk to my kids. I really wish they wouldn't have seen that dang commercial but they did and now we have to have that conversation because my kids asked me point blank.

So Thank you PSA commercial for inspiring my kids to ask me if I ever tried drugs. Yeah...preciate that.

I'm all about transparency but how much is too much? I don't want them to think I'm naive or "not hip to the game" Lol. I want them to know they can't pull the wool over my eyes. But I don't want them to take it as an invitation or a get outta jail free card either. I was a wild child. Crap it's catching up to me :(

We value honesty in this house so I'm honest with my kids, the same way I expect them to be honest in their lives. So when they asked I quickly weighed my options and chose to face this head on with honesty, transparency, and as much integrity as I could muster.

My answer..."yes." When they asked what I did I didn't answer, just kept decorating the tree. When they asked again and asked if I was avoiding the question I said "well it's not something I'm proud of. And it doesn't matter WHAT I did anyway. The fact is I did it when I was young, I paid for it because I stayed in trouble all the time, I  regret it, and I'm embarrassed by it. It's not a good choice."

I don't want to lie and then they find out eventually, either in random conversation or old pics or mom spilling the beans or whatever. I'd rather they heard from me but I just hope I handled it the right way.

Afterwards my son hugged me and gave me a kiss on the cheek and said, "it's okay mom we forgive you. You're not like that anymore. You're a good mom." Thank God for grace and forgiveness. I just hope it doesn't backfire.

Day 24: My Parents

I'm thankful for my mom and dad. Mom shows me what a mom is...someone who moves mountains for her kids. Growing up she worked full time, cooked, cleaned, took me to practices, went to all my performances with buttons on, made sure I did my homework, and watched over me like a private investigator. She was like supermom.

And my dad...he lectured and pushed and knew what I was capable of and didn't accept anything less. I could've gone down the wrong road but I didn't want to disappoint my dad. He modeled what it meant to have dreams and goals and work hard to achieve them. I often saw him working from home, working on articles for publication, traveling to present at conferences, and I admired that.

Even though I took the long route and the hard way, I always pushed through to achieve my goals, due in large part to my daddy. And I'm the amazing mom I am today because of my mom. So I'm thankful for them. For the way they raised me and the way they love my kids. Love yall mom and dad!

Day 23: What I Love Most About Me

Hmmm... I'm self-aware and encouraging, but I don't sugar coat either. I'm helpful but I tell you what you need to hear if you need to hear it. I'm warm and loving but don't think I won't set you straight either. It takes me a long time to be truly genuine with you but once you're in, you're in for life. I'm extremely loyal and those are the people I'm most honest with. That's a blessing and a curse I suppose. Isn't it that way for us all? So I'm thankful that I know my strengths and my shortcomings and I'm thankful for God's grace and forgiveness on days when I blow it. Even when my intentions are good.

Day 22: A Book

I've read a lot of books but there are a few that I keep coming back to because they've helped so much.

Obviously the Bible is number 1 for me. After that would have to be
Grace Based Parenting by Dr. Tim Kimmel

Five Love Languages by Gary Chapman

The Love Dare

Applied Behavior Analysis textbook (:-P) AKA the Cooper book AKA the ABA bible

Parenting with Science by Leanne Page

And Growing Kids God's Way (I don't remember the author)

And I've always loved Angel Falls by Kristen Hannah

Day 4: A Teacher/Mentor

I'm thankful for the many teachers I've had thought the years. Mrs. Morris, my 4th grade teacher...my high school English teacher...my college professors who allowed me to take Bub to class when I didn't have a sitter...they were all so helpful in one way or another.

And my mentors, I owe them the world. Suzee Scott for introducing me to the world of ABA. My principals, Sped coordinators, Jennifer Ramirez, and Kristi Tindell. Yall are amazing to say the least. Thank yall for everything.

Day 21: Creation, nature

I'll tell you what I'm NOT thankful for! Cockroaches! And WaterBugs! Ugh!!!!! We live next to a drainage pond and it's been raining so guess what decided to walk across my path as I was walking into the house through the garage?! Yup....To say I had a minor freak out was an understatement. Gross. Gross. Gross. Mark is spraying for pests TOMORROW!

What in nature AM I thankful for...beautiful sunrises, rainbows after the storm, the smell of rain, flowers growing where they shouldn't (in cracks of a sidewalk, off the innerstate, etc), water/peaceful waves, ocean animals (I would've been a marine biologist in another life), butterflies, baby animals, babies, and clear nights with tons of stars that I can see.