Thirty Days of Kindness

I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving break.

I recently found this beautiful idea called "Thirty Days of Kindness" on [dandee].

This gorgeous (and talented) woman is counting down the 30 days before her 30th birthday with Thirty Days of Kindness. The ideas are simple, sweet and could easily be integrated into any of your holiday plans.

Her countdown is already almost half way over, but be sure to look back at some of her past posts and the simple ways to show kindness. She invites any and all to participate.

Today's Act of Kindness:
Read to a child as long as they want

[image via dandee -- original source]

Be sure to join her. Her blog is beautiful. Her ideas are simple.

You are sure to be inspired by her to create your own acts of kindness.

This is such a great idea and a great way to spend time leading up to your own celebration either for the holidays or any special event. 

Be sure to check it out here.

Thankful Trees

Thanksgiving is just a week away! (Can you believe it?!)

But, there is still plenty of time to put all of that gratitude to good use.

Thanks to some of my very clever and creative friends, I thought I'd share a simple idea that I really like. The whole family can even get involved.

Have you heard of a thankful tree?

My good friend Heidi does this activity with her family.

She gathers branches and cuts leaves out of cardstock.

(Of course, she also arranges the branches in a cute container and makes everything look charming.)

Then everyone takes turns writing on the leaves the different things they are thankful for.

I love this idea!

And I love that one of the things is cookie dough ice cream. So funny!

This could be a one time activity that you then display until the holiday or something the family members can add to whenever they feel like it.

Love it!

Here is another version of a thankful tree from my sweet friend Carrie.

(Again, she is very clever, very creative and everything always looks so beautiful.)

This is a similar idea with branches and paper leaves, but she also adds an activity onto each leaf that they can do to help show their gratitude.

They can then add onto the leaves the things they are thankful for.

I love this tradition. I love this idea.

I would show you pictures of one of my own thankful trees, but I haven't ever made one.

I definitely need to.

I love this idea.

Thanks Heidi and Carrie for being willing to share! You are the best!

How does your family show their gratitude?

What traditions do you have?

I'd love to hear from you.

Time to give Thanks

I think most people understand the importance of feeling and offering gratitude, but sometimes taking the time to do it becomes the tricky part.

One Thanksgiving tradition to adopt is to take the time to say "Thank you" to anyone. To everyone.

Take the time to have your family sit down and write out thank you cards.

image via susy*jack

Make it easier with this free printable (and delightfully beautiful) card from Susy Connor of Hey Susy.

You can find it here.

I love it.

Saying thanks just got easier and more beautiful.

P.S. This would even make a great print. OR they would make a great gift if you printed out a set.
Oh and heads up -- she also has a few other gorgeous free downloads -- a birthday card, a just because card. I love them all!

Hearts of Haiti

Did you see this post on DesignMom today? (One of my favorite blogs!)



It's all about an organization that is trying to help orphans in Haiti.

Check out her post about it here.

If you want to see the Hearts of Haiti blog keeping you up to date on their progress with pictures and a direct link to donate, go here.

**There will be a LIVE CHAT today that you can find here.**

They are currently trying to raise $1000 to install a basic playing field for the children.

Check it out.

P.S. They are trying to raise $50,000 to establish the orphanage. This would be a great fundraiser for a small group or family to participate in during the holiday season!

Local 5K for a good cause

and a good family.

for this lovely family...the Teemants.

It will take place this Saturday, November 13th
9:30 a.m. at Kiwanis Park here in Provo

Just one week after graduating from BYU, Leo was diagnosed with Stage IV Melanoma. Leo is a husband, a father of three small children (including a four-month-old baby), a giving community member, and a friend to many. 



All proceeds from this race benefit the Teemant family.


Go here for more info


or here to register.


If you can't be at the race, you can still donate to the family by going here or you can donate directly t the Teemant family at any Wells Fargo bank.


Our love and prayers to this sweet family.

Leftover Halloween Candy

Do you still have leftover Halloween Candy and need an idea of what to do with it besides eat a piece every 5 minutes while the kids are at school?

Send it to Operation Gratitude. 

They ship it off to the soldiers. Great idea. There you have it. Easy.

Thank you to those who love me!

I came across this quote today and thought it would be an appropriate way to kick off one of my favorite seasons/holidays -- fall and Thanksgiving.

"Keep away from people who try to belittle your ambitions. Small people always do that, but the really great make you feel that you too, can become great.When you are seeking to bring big plans to fruition, it is important with whom you regularly associate. Hang out with friends who are likeminded and who are also designing purpose-filled lives. Similarly, be that kind of friend for your friends."
Mark Twain

Thank you to all of you who have been that kind of friend. Thank you for loving me despite my many flaws and weaknesses. Thank you for encouraging me. Thank you for lifting me. Thank you for being the type of people that inspire me on a regular basis. I'm truly grateful for all of the really 'great' people in my life who have done and continue to do so much for me, my family, and so many people around us. This quote reminded me of all of the great examples that around me and the type of person I want to be.

Thank you!