Our First Project. Operation Christmas Child

This past November we decided to participate in Operation Christmas Child. With our families we packed 37 boxes to be delivered across the world to children in need.

reborn

Life gets busy and blogging gets put on the back burner...

That's okay.

Life happens and I am not going to beat myself up over it (I know. Why in the hell would I beat myself up over that?! Yeah, well. I did.) .

For many months I would come here to post and I'd stop because I didn't know what to say or where to start. I haven't stopped being grateful nor have I stop reading quotes that inspire me. I just felt like I was leaving too much out. To me, blogging six months, 12 months, or even 24 months later was like watching your favorite book on film. It's never as good. Parts are always missing and people are never as hot or as tall as you imagined.

I digress.

Anyway, I'm back and have added a new spin the blog.

The spin off came about five months ago when I emailed some of my friends in the area (some of the most inspiring women I know, with hearts of solid gold) and asked them if they would be interested in joining a group that I wanted to create.

I invited them over, sweetened them up with red velvet cake and wine, and pitched my idea.

I wanted to create a group that did outreach projects with our families (mom, dad, brother, sister, cousin Joe, etc.). I felt like my kids didn't really see what we were doing to help others and I wanted them to participate in acts of caring.I wanted my children to see the world through honest eyes (life isn't always perfect; children are sick, people are homeless and hungry, the ocean is filed with waste, elderly are lonely, and animals have no homes). I wanted to create a community of people that would help me plant seeds of compassion in my children's, and their children's, hearts.

They agreed and the group was formed.

At first I didn't know what to call it, to call us. I tossed around a few names, but soon realized that the group had a name all along.

Thankfully Inspired was reborn.

Thankfully Inspired.
grateful hearts. helping hands.

in my head

6:50 am- A grateful heart is a full heart; however, making your heart full is not something that comes natural. Well... Maybe it does, but you still must work at it... every. single. day.

7:30 am- (Reflecting on my family, missing friends and longing for consistency). When things get rough, focusing on what I have, instead of dwelling on what I don't, gives me hope and calms my worries. There are still days that I wish I could wave a magic wand above my head and make everything easy. I wish I could transport people that I love, and miss, to me. I wish I knew where we will settle down and when (or ever if we would). 

8:15 am- To grow where you're planted you have to allow yourself to water with tears, fertilize with new friendships and grow strong with opportunities that are available. I think I'm doing a pretty good job of that here.

8:23 am- I need to cook some breakfast.

love notes

Thankful for little notes that lift the spirit, and a thoughtful husband. 

baby steps

I made this last week to encourage me to decrease my time on Facebook.

I haven't exactly stuck to my limit...

Do you need one of these?

Calm down

If I just type the title of this post a few times it might help...

calm down
calm down
calm down

It did help... a little.

I guess.

Our previous landlord is refusing to give us our deposit back...

I'm thankful for my husband. He knows how to calm me down and also allows me to scream when it's needed.

I love him...

Now, that calms me down and I am thankful for that!!

What if?

What if you woke up today with only the things you thanked God for yesterday?