35 Acts of Kindness

So, I turned 35 yesterday.  I don't know why, but I've kind of been dreading it.  It makes me in my "mid-thirties."  Maybe 33 or 34 was already mid-thirties but I could pretend like I was in my "early thirties." I seem to have stumbled upon a group of friends who are younger than me.  Not all my friends here in town are younger, but four of my five closest friends are anywhere from 1 to 4 years younger.  The only way this really affects my life is that my kids are older than theirs.  My poor son plays with 2, 4 and 6 year olds more than he plays with 8 year olds.  I hope this means that he will be a good role model and father someday :).  I digress....

Anyway, I was on pinterest one day and I saw a pin about a lady who did 35 random-ish acts of kindness for her 35th birthday.  I read her blog post and was inspired to do the same.   I think she did all of hers on her actual birthday but I knew I couldn't swing that with my birthday being on a Sunday. These acts can't really be "random" acts of kindness (well maybe one or two were) so I'm just calling them "acts of kindness." I gave myself a whole week to do my acts of kindness and still didn't get to do one I really wanted to (deliver a snack/drinks to my pediatrician's office---I'll do it soon:)).  It was a crazy week last week--I worked VBS every morning from 8:30-noon, fed the kids, gave the baby a nap, looked up and it was 4 p.m. and almost time to make dinner.  I made it work though and ended up doing some things that filled my soul.  I don't think I changed anyone's life, but I hope I made their day brighter.  I know that my day felt so much brighter yesterday with the knowledge that I gave to others without expecting a thing in return.  My kiddos helped me to, which might be the best gift of all (to me!).

I wish I had taken more photos!  Next time.....

Here is what I did:
1. I made my father in law a cake for HIS birthday (will post recipe soon on Midland Morsels)

2. We put a few dollar bills in the dollar bins at Target for unsuspecting shoppers to find

3. We took all of our plastic that had been piling up to be recycled

4. We put all of the shopping carts people had not returned into the cart return in the Toys R Us parking lot

5.  We made cookies and blueberry coffee cake for some friends who are going through a hard time

6. We took some of the cookies we made to the wonderful nursery workers at our church who watched the little ones (including Miss Gumdrop) during VBS last week.

7.  Donated $5 to childhood cancer research when checking out at Toys R Us (my random act!)

8. We put a quarter in a gumball machine (after we got a gumball of course!)

9. We held doors open for people

10. We bought a mosquito net to send to Africa to help protect people against malaria when our church's mission workers go in July

11. I drove kindly and let people in whenever I could (which I pretty much always do)

12. We gave smiles freely

13. I went to Schlotzsky's for lunch one day because My Boy really wanted to go.  It was really crowded and I really didn't want to.  But I did it anyway.

14.  Worked VBS all week (I'm giving myself a bunch of VBS props).  I worked in snacks this year. I did a lesson for the kids the first two days of VBS to demonstrate what the snack represented. And I did the following:

15.  Monday's snack was pre-made so I spent most of the day filling up water cups.Took 9 cartons of Strawberries home on Monday and cut them up into hearts for Tuesday's snack. In case you are interested, 9 cartons of strawberries cut in half equals about 220 pieces :).

16.  Made 180 jello jigglers (along with my partner in crime Jennifer--who helped with all this).  Another sweet lady mixed up the jello and poured it into commercial sized cookies sheets to chill overnight.  Jennifer and I cut out 180 hearts from the jello and topped with cool whip and a strawberry heart. Filled 180 cups up with water.

17. Made 180 root beer floats on Wednesday

18. Assembled 180 pretzel "barbells" on Wednesday for Thursday's snack

19.  On Thursday, plated 180 barbells and then made 180 servings of "marshmallow cloud dip" to complete the snack. Also filled 180 cups up with water.

20. I went to Freekibble.com and answered a question correctly to win free dog food for an animal shelter

21.  We sent mail to my grandmother and CALLED HER (not just texted---I'm so bad about that and working on it) on her birthday.

22. I give up almost every meal I eat to Miss Gumdrop. I'm not sure why my food tastes so much better than hers but it must :).

23. Went to Sonic and got treats for the kids one afternoon.  I also bought a gift card for my friend Jenny's family.  She's about to head to Africa in a week or so to go on a three week mission trip.  She's leaving her three girls and husband behind and she is VERY worried about it.  I decided that her husband, my dear sweet Lex, might like need a night out at Sonic.  This is probably the one I'm most excited about because she's going to freak out when she opens the mail and sees it.  I can see her smile from here :). If you are reading, I love you my Jenny.

24. We were extra kind to the checkers at our local grocery store.  They are in the process of a re-model and I know I might be the only kind person they get all day through their line.

25.  Went through my pantry and gave all my candy away to a co-worker of my husbands who has a major sweet tooth.  I can't decide if this was an act of kindness for him or for myself!

26.  I paid for Chick-fil-a for the person behind me one day.  My kids loved this one, they giggled and giggled about how surprised they thought the guy behind us would be when he learned his breakfast was free.

27.  I let go of something I really wanted to do to benefit someone else.

28.  I gave a big box of diapers to a friend about to have a baby.

29.  I posted 2 recipes on my blog Midland Morsels last week.  This blog was started as a little hobby because I love to cook and was always getting asked to give out recipes.  It has become a pretty time consuming undertaking and I'm not really good at doing a recipe blog.  I don't want to spend the money or the time it would take to make it really successful but I'm doing the best I can.  So, yes, I do consider the recipes I give out an act of kindness!

30.  I commented on a blog that I love to let her know I love it!

31.  I boxed up a bunch of clothes of Gumdrops to pass on to our friend Landry. Will get them to you soon baby girl!

32.  Went through bags and bags of clothes to donate to the Salvation army.

33.  I gave an extra big tip yesterday when I went to get a pedicure. Anyone who does my toes--on a Sunday-- deserves it.

34.  I patiently watched basketball playoffs all week with my husband.  I might have read a book while it was on, but I sat with him regardless :).

35.  Motherly kindness.  Stuff I do every day but don't think about-- dishes, laundry, changing dirty diapers, cooking meals, making a second meal for the people who don't like the first meal, applying sunscreen, reading books, and all the other stuff I do every day.

These 35 acts of kindness were the best birthday present I've ever given to myself!