LOVE AND WAR

SEND SOME LOVE OVER TO AFGHANISTAN BY SENDING A CHRISTMAS CARD AND A FAMILY PHOTO TO:

SGT DERRICK

HHC 1/181 IN

CAMP PHOENIX

APO AE 09320

THIS IS MY SISTER HANNAH'S BOYFRIEND

DERRICK LEFT FOR AFGHANISTAN A FEW WEEKS AGO FOR HIS FOURTH DEPLOYMENT! HE HAS BEEN IN THE NATIONAL GUARD FOR THE PAST 6 YEARS AND LOVES SERVING OUR COUNTRY AND KEEPING ALL OF US SAFE! HE LOVES HIS FAMILY,MY SISTER AND PROBABLY THINKS OUR HUGE FAMILY IS KINDA NUTS BUT LOVES  US TOO! HUNTER AND CARTER ARE HIS LITTLE BUDDIES!

WHILE WE ARE SOOO BLESSED TO SPEND TIME WITH OUR FAMILIES AT CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEARS AND PRETTY MUCH ALL THROUGH THE YEAR, HE IS OVER SEAS WITH SO MANY OTHERS SERVING OUR COUNTRY AWAY FROM HIS OWN FAMILY! I KNOW THAT THE FAMILIES THEY HAVE BACK HOME ARE MISSING THEM BUNCHES,BUT ALSO THEY ARE MISSING HOME THEMSELVES! HELP MAKE THEIR CHRISTMAS EXTRA SPECIAL BY MAILING ANYONE YOU KNOW OVERSEAS A CHRISTMAS CARD AND/OR A CARE PACHKAGE!

A LIST OF ITEMS YOU COULD SEND :

SHAVING CREME

RAZORS

CHAP STICK

SNACKS

TREATS

DECK OF CARDS

PICTURES

THIS WOULD ALSO BE A GREAT OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE YOUR KIDS WRITE A LETTER OF THANKS TO TUCK IN THE CHRISTMAS CARD OR TO DRAW A CUTE LITTLE PICTURE/ COLOR A PICTURE!

P.S. ACTUALLY DO THIS PEOPLE!!! GET UP RIGHT NOW, GO OVER TO YOUR CHRISTMAS CARD STASH AND ADDRESS THE CARD!!!

 THANKS!

SIMPLY GIVE...DAY 30

SIMPLY GIVE... SOMEONE A NOTE IN LINE BEHIND YOU AND PAY FOR THEIR COFFEE

its the last day of the "30 day live to give challenge" and we are ending it with toasty tuesday with a twist!  not only are you going to pay for the persons coffee behind you when you go through the drive thru,but leave them a little note!:) maybe just write something like :

have a good day

God bless you

pass it on

invite them to your church

or whatever you want

have a great day!!



SIMPLY GIVE.... DAY 29

SIMPLY GIVE... UP TV FOR THE EVENING

i was sitting at home tonight talking to shawn and playing with the boys and the tv was on in the background...before i knew it i was sucked in the tv show that was on and was completely ignoring my fam! then i snapped back into what was going on and decided to turn off the tv! it was so nice just to focus on shawn and the kids! i know a lot of people get in the habit of eating dinner in front of the tv too! so turn the tv off when your family is together tonight and have dinner at the table and spend some quality time!

my little guys :)

 

check back tomorrow to see what the last day is of the "30 day live to give challenge"

SIMPLY GIVE...DAY 28

SIMPLY GIVE... SOMETHING TO YOUR SPOUSE WITH NO STRINGS ATTACHED

have you ever heard the quote "happy wife,happy life"? well, its the truth! haha what makes your wife happy? maybe going shopping, taking a nice relaxing bath without the kids busting down the door,  going to starbucks, going out to eat with her friends? well, give her some time off to relax or do what she wants!!! and flowers would be a nice touch!! i read a funny quote tonight... "when a husband brings flowers to his wife for no reason, there's a reason" haha let there not be a reason!!

what makes your hubby happy? watching a football game on a sunday afternoon? why not make him some little snacks while hes watching  it!maybe make his favorite meal! or does he like a back scratch and asks you late at night when you are sooo tired and don't feel like it? scratch his back! (for more than a minute)

be a blessing to your spouse today!! and don't forget to kiss your spouse good morning and goodnight! (like you should be doing everyday)

shawn and i on our honeymoon

Shawn carved this pumpkin for me! women appreciate these little things!!!

check back tomorrow to see what day 29 is of the "30 day live to give challenge"

SIMPLY GIVE...DAY 27

SIMPLY GIVE... SOMEONE A HAND AND OPEN A DOOR FOR THEM

i don't know about you,but when i'm going into the mall with my double stroller i think it sure is nice when someone opens the door for me! regardless if you have kids or not i think everyone would agree its not too nice when the person in front of you walks in and the door practically slams in your face!

open a door for someone today while your doing your holiday shopping:)

 (hunter Christmas 08)

don't forget to open that door for someone on your way into Macy's!!!

carter on a walk this fall in our double stroller that is hard enough to maneuver even without opening doors!!!

check back tomorrow to see what day 28 is of the "30 day live to give challenge"

SIMPLY GIVE...DAY 26

SIMPLY GIVE....UP A FRONT ROW PARKING SPOT!!!

its black friday and everyone wants that coveted front row parking spot! well, you know what your going to do??? give it to someone else!!!:) i know,it will be hard to do,but just think if you were the other person, wouldn't you love it if someone let you have the spot?!?!

short and sweet because i have to head out to get some deals!!! see you out there!

check back tomorrow to see what day 27 is of the "30 day live to give challenge"



SIMPLY GIVE...DAY 25

SIMPLY GIVE....SOMEONE A VISIT AND PLATE OF FOOD

"lets not only GIVE thanks today but GIVE others a reason to be thankful!"

so many of us have places to go today,things to do,family to see, and we might even complain that we have too many places to be! but there are people out there who have no one and don't get any visitors at all! if you have a neighbor that has no kids, or a grandma that never leaves the house, or know someone that is going to be alone today,
make it a point to make them a nice plate of food and just chat for 5 minutes to let them know that someone cares about them!

p.s (thanks for that quote angelique)

HAPPY THANKSGIVING EVERYONE!!!

hunter's 1st thanksgiving

check back tomorrow to see what day 26 is of the "30 day live to give challenge"

SIMPLY GIVE...DAY24

SIMPLY GIVE...A BUM A MEAL!

todays blog was inspired by my friend lola! just yesterday she was going thru the bank when she saw a young man sitting with a sign that said "need food". she drove to McDonalds and got him breakfast and a gift card,she took it back to him and actually sat down and talked to him about his life story and she told him she would pray for him! how awesome is that!?!?

if you see a homeless person on the side of the road, go get them a meal and maybe a gift card too! don't just drive by and think "awww,that's so sad" , or " they need to get a job if they want to eat" we have all done that and its not our job to judge but it is our job to help each other out!!!

check back tomorrow to see what day 25 is of the "30 day live to give challenge"

SIMPLY GIVE...DAY 23

SIMPLY GIVE... YOU GUESSED IT...A LITTLE SURPRISE TO THE PERSON IN LINE BEHIND YOU BY PAYING FOR THEIR COFFEE!!!

IT'S TOASTY TUESDAY PEOPLE!!! (AGAIN)

"the smallest deed is better than the grandest intention"

~ duguet

i know we all have intentions to help the homeless,save the trees, buy someone in need a car,but why not just start small and buy someone a cup of coffee!?!?  it is something little but it might just make someones day!!!

i totally just cut and pasted that little paragraph from day 2...Haha but its short and sweet and to the point! we all have to start giving somewhere and why not start at the drive thru today!!!:)

p.s. i would like as many people as possible to do this..so if you can post this link on facebook or just put on your status that you are going to do this and tell other people too,that would be great! lets make sure as many people as possible have a TOASTY TUESDAY!

check back tomorrow to see what day 24 is of the "30 day live to give challenge"

SIMPLY GIVE...DAY 22

SIMPLY GIVE... SOMETHING OF YOUR CHOICE!

"the manner of giving is worth more than the gift"

~ pierre cornelle

start your day looking for a way to bless someone! it could be anything! just be on the look out for an opportunity! if you see someone raking their leaves,maybe go help them, return a cart for someone at target, have a conversation with an older lady in the grocery store when you really don't have time!

last year about this time shawn and i were at walmart around 10 pm, and the lines were extremely long as usual! i was just looking around and this little boy caught my eye! he was so cute and was so excited to see a ball sitting on top of the mini refrigerator's by the check out...i guess someone didn't want it! he didn't take his eye off that ball till i said "hi buddy! do you like basketball?" and smiled and nodded. he had a few members of his family with him and they just smiled too! it was obvious that they couldn't afford more than what they had in their hands,milk,bread,eggs and a few other items! they had dirty clothes on and holes in their shoes! my heart broke for them! then i felt like God was trying to tell me to buy this little boy the ball! i thought to myself "would God tell me to buy a ball for a little boy when they needed so much more than that?" so i said something to shawn "hey , i feel like i should buy that little boy that ball up there" shawn said "liv,you don't even know them, why would you buy it? you can if you want but what if they think its weird?" and i thought again "ok,should i buy it? what should i say when i give it to him?" i got kinda nervous! so, it was almost our turn to go to the register,my heart was beating because i was going back and forth should i,shouldn't i? then i reached up on top of the refrigerator and grabbed the ball. the little boys face went from smiling to looking like he was going to cry! so, it was the first thing i swiped through the register and i turned around, squatted down to his level and said "here buddy, this is for you!" you would of thought i gave he and his family a million dollars!!! (even though the ball was only $5.88) all he kept saying was "ball.ball.ball" i did try to be discreet about it ,but his family had been so excited that everyone that was in line (all 20 people behind us) saw what happened and their grumpy attitudes from waiting in line forever all went into smiles!!!! i couldn't stop smiling on the way out!! that made my night! shawn couldn't stop smiling either!!! we decided from then on to be on the look out to bless people in anyway we can!!!

check back tomorrow to see what day 23 is of the "30 day live to give challenge"

SIMPLY GIVE....DAY 21

SIMPLY GIVE....SOMEONE AN ANONYMOUS GESTURE

"to give without any reward or notice,has a special quality of its own"

when i was a little girl, mt dad lost his job right around Christmas time and really couldn't afford to get us gifts. he and my mom told no one (well, except for God) and one snowy night all of us kids were sitting in the living room with my parents...(well,probably not sitting,more like running around and getting into trouble,haha) when the door bell rang. my mom went to answer the door and saw a person running as fast as they could down the street and looked down and saw a beautifully wrapped box with a big bow on it! she brought it in side with all of us kids sitting around,opened it and started to cry! there was a bunch of money in it, she pulled out 100 dollar bill after another...lets just say there was enough money in there to give us kids a very nice Christmas! to this day, my parents do not know who it was! how awesome is that, that the person who did it didnt have to be recognized or have to let them know "hey, I'm the one that made this possible,now you can thank me"

im not telling you to put a box full of hundred dollar bills on someones porch ,but start small, if you go out to eat after church,pay for someones lunch, if you have a friend that loves starbucks but is having a tough time financially, put a 10 dollar starbucks gift card in her mail box, pay for someones tank of gas, buy a family in need of a thanksgiving meal a turkey and put it on there front porch, put a $5 bill on someone's windshield walking into the store, do something...anything big or small!

HAPPY GIVING!

check back tomarrow to see what day 22 is of the "30 day live to give challenge"

SIMPLY GIVE....DAY 20

SIMPLY GIVE... A LITTLE EXTRA WHEN YOU CHECK OUT AT THE REGISTER.

today alone,i was asked by 3 people if i would like to give a dollar for various things like toys for tots and for some other mission (which i forget), and i have to be honest, i didn't give, then felt guilty,like i always do! have you ever done that? you leave thinking why couldn't i give one extra buck? not that i never have,but i don't every time someone asks! so,while your out and about and your cashier asks "would you like to donate a dollar for Saint Jude's?" you should say "yes,please" :) so many organizations are helping so many people in need,esp around the holidays, so do your little part and spare a dollar! (or two,or three)

speaking of helping organizations out, my friend lola has a son who is now 4 1/2 and was diagnosed with autism at 15 months. his name is aden and he is such a little cutie-pie! she has a website that list more information about her mission to make others more aware about autism. she sells beautiful jewelry at reasonable prices and proceeds go towards educating others about her son and his story.

 check it out
autismlovehope.com

HAPPY SATURDAY!

check back tomorrow to see what day 21 is of the "30 day live to give challenge"

SIMPLY GIVE.... DAY 19

SIMPLY GIVE... A PERSON SITTING BY THEMSELF SOME COMPANY IF YOU GO OUT TO EAT TODAY!

have you ever been out to eat and see a cute little old person eating by themself? or really not just an old person but someone at any age? i always think i should ask them to sit with me....but then don't! to be honest,i get kinda nervous!!! i think what if they think im weird,or what if i think they are weird! haha

so, if you see someone sitting by themself while your out to eat today, ask them to sit with you (unless your a married man or woman and the person sitting by themself is a hottie, haha)

you're probably thinking there is no way your going to do this, but that's why this is called the "30 day live to give challenge" because this is an actually challenge,its kinda hard to do!!!

if it were up to hunter,he'd invite someone to sit with us every time :)

check back tomorrow to see what day 20 is of the "30 day live to give challenge"

SIMPLY GIVE...DAY 18

SIMPLY GIVE....YOUR SWEETIE PIE BOOSHKIE WOOSHKIE A LITTLE KISSY WISSY WHEN THEY LEAVE FOR WORK AND WHEN THEY COME HOME!

XOXOXO

who doesn't like smooching on their spouse as much as they can?!?! while i like to kiss my hubbs,i have to admit that sometimes kids and work gets in the way! when hes walking out the door in the morning i maybe changing a diaper,getting the boys breakfast or maybe even still sleeping, so i dont always get to! what a great way to start EVERYDAY with a little kiss goodbye and hello!!!!

so, go grab your lovely spouse and send them to work the right way with a big ol' smooch-a-roo!!!

we should be kissing our spouse as much as we did when we first got married!!!!!:)

love him

me and my wonderful hubby!

check back tomorrow for day 19 of the 30 day "live to give challenge"

SIMPLY GIVE...DAY 17

SIMPLY GIVE.... THE SALVATION ARMY BELL RINGERS YOUR CHANGE

(and not just your pennies)

i was walking into a store today and heard "ring,ring,ring,ring" and thought is it that time of year already for the people to be ringing their bells outside of every store? yes,it is! so, i reached into my purse and scooped out all the change on the bottom so i could drop it in and ask the lady how she was! also- if you have your kids with you,this would be a great opportunity to teach them about giving too and let them drop the money into the bucket! so, if you pass a bell ringer walking in or out of a store,don't do your usual "im not giving them anything"  and reach into your pockets or purse and pull out a little something to give them!

have a great day!

check back tomorrow to see what day 18 is of the "30 day live to give challenge"

SIMPLY GIVE...DAY 16

SIMPLY GIVE.... THE PERSON BEHIND YOU A SMILE AND BUY THEIR COFFEE!!

its toasty tuesday people...the day to buy someones coffee behind you when you go thru the drive thru or into a coffee shop.

you might be thinking...buy someones coffee again? yep, its a small thing that everyone can do!!! no excuses! with just $16 (im thinking $4 a coffee) this month you will be giving 4 different people a pleasant surprise by this nice little gesture!!!!

HAVE A GREAT TOASTY TUESDAY!!!

check back tomorrow to see what day 17 is of the "30 day live to give challenge"

SIMPLY GIVE....DAY 15

SIMPLY GIVE...YOUR BEST FRIEND A REASON TO SMILE!:)

i dont know what i would do with out my best friend! everyone needs a best friend so, do something to make your them laugh or smile! whether they are having a good or bad day!

about 2 years ago i was talking to my best friend on her lunch break and she was saying she was having a horrible day at work! so,i thought what can i do to make her day? i drove to her work and found her car and put a note on it that said "i know what you did last summer" i knew when she saw that she would crack up!!! i know it sounds really corny but i knew that would make her smile! haha of course,she knew it was me....because who else would do that?!!? haha

i have so many different stories that i could tell!!! i am laughing right now thinking about them! my bestie heather is in new zealand right now and i cant wait till she comes back in 3 weeks!!!! we have been skyping about doing our favorite thing of all time...we call it "heather and alivia night" where we go to wendys for a frosty, mickey d's for fries, get a pizza from kraus', go to burger king for whopper juniors, taco bell and sometimes arbys! i probably shouldn't of admitted that!!! haha

miss you heath!

heather and i

check back tomorrow to see what day 15 is of the "30 day live to give challenge"

SIMPLY GIVE...DAY 14

SIMPLY GIVE... SOMEONE IN NEED SOME GLOVES OR A HAT!

have you ever been driving down the street when its snowing or freezing outside and see someone walking and you feel so bad! then you get closer and realize they don't even have a hat,scarf or any gloves on! i have, and i really would like to pick them up....but don't because these days that could be dangerous! so, i wondered what i could do to help...i decided this year i am going to have some extra gloves,hats and a scarf tucked under my drivers seat so if i do see someone in need that i can just reach under my seat and toss them out to them!

if you go out to the store today,buy a few extra pairs of gloves so you can have them handy when you see someone that needs them! i know at target they have gloves and hats for a dollar!!

my babes(at the same age) staying warm with a hat (the same one)

check back tomorrow to see what day 15 is of the "30 day live to give challenge"

SIMPLY GIVE...DAY 13

SIMPLY GIVE.... YOUR NEIGHBOR A VISIT (AND MAYBE SOME MUFFINS TOO)

mosey your little self over to your neighbors house on this lovely saturday morning or afternoon to say hello! maybe a little basket full of muffins would be a nice surprise:)

i recently took my lovely neighbor some muffins and much to my surprise he cracked the door and said he wanted nothing to do with me! he is probably the grumpiest old man know to man and that's kinda why i took them to him! lets just say we have had our problems in the past....and all over where people park! it actually took alot for me to take them to him and to have the door basically shut in my face was no fun!! but,i am going to keep being nice to him and surprisingly left with a smile on my face! so today im going to go visit the nice neighbors that live beside us since my grumpy one didn't want anything to do with us! :)

so pick a neighbor....maybe the one when you see out,that you don't wave to and make an impression on them!

also- i have a really easy recipe for pat's pumpkin muffins that everyone will enjoy! you only need 3 ingredients:
1 box spice cake mix
1 small can of pumpkin
3/4 cup water
*add crushed walnuts if you like
bake at 350 for 17-20 minutes

i am started a another blog after this "challenge" is up called SIMPLY MAKE which will have super simple recipes on it like these muffins!

http://www.simplymake.blogspot.com/

check back tomorrow to see what day 14 is of the "30 day live to give challenge"



SIMPLY GIVE...DAY12

SIMPLY GIVE...YOUR POPS A CALL AND TELL HIM YOU LOVE AN APPRECIATE HIM!

i thought this quote was cute with Christmas coming up...

"there are 3 stages in a mans life: he believes in santa clause, he doesn't believe in santa clause and he IS santa clause"

my dad is a big kid at heart,a mr.fix it,fun,funny,caring,encouraging,a great papa to my boys,a wonderful spiritual leader and the most amazing man i know (besides my hubby) i know i can call him for anything at anytime! even now that im married, if something comes up with my car or a problem with the dishwasher,shawn says "call your dad" haha! he had me call my dad when hunters leg got stuck in the crib this past summer!!!

if you love your dad,tell him!:)

dad,shawn, me and my mom the night we got engaged  

my dad and carter right after he was born

*i cant find any recent pics of me and my dad :(

check back tomorrow to see what day 12 is of the "30 day live to give challenge"

SIMPLY GIVE...DAY 11

SIMPLY GIVE....YOUR SUPPORT TO SOMEONE IN THE ARMED FORCES

veterans day is about honoring the people who served our country,but lets take the opportunity to recognize the people who are presently fighting for our freedom by writing a letter of appreciation. whether you agree with the war or not,its happening, so lets show our thankfulness one serviceman or woman at a time!

meet  petty officer 3rd class-

william (bill) kirchner

he is the hubby of a beautiful lady named jenny and has two sons kodie(15) and robby(11)

he is currently on a base in kandhar, Afghanistan.  he joined the navy reserves in 2008 and this is his first deployment. he left in august and will be home sometime in July :) while he hates being away from his family, he loves being a navy seabee! (isn't that fun to say? seabee)

how many of you will actually take time to do this?!?

make time today to mail someone you know in the service a letter of gratitude 

here is bill address if you don't know anyone you can write to:

SW3 William Kirchner

CSE

NMCB 26 MAIN BODY

FPO  AA-34099-2301

keep bill and all of our servicemen and woman in your prayers! thanks

check back tomorrow to see what day 12 is of the "30 day live to give challenge"

SIMPLY GIVE....DAY 10

SIMPLY GIVE... MORE TIME TO YOUR KIDS! DO SOMETHING FUN TONIGHT!! (EVEN IF YOUR KID IS 20)

"while we try to teach our children all about life,they teach us what life is all about"

~angela schwindt

one of the best things growing up was having dinner every night at the dinner table with all my crazy brothers and sisters! (all 8 of us kids) when was the last time you sat down with your family and had a nice dinner!?!? its so rare that people do that anymore! there was always alot of conversation at our table,spilled drinks and alot of throwing going on! haha "hey dad, pass me a roll" or "hey,can i have a glass" then my mom saying "don't you dare throw that glass" haha! if its not having dinner at the table,maybe do a picnic on the living room floor,have a food fight, build a tent with your kids and have a late night snack,play in the leaves! one of my favorite things to do with hunter is to make muffins! (i'm hoping my hubby doesn't see this! he'd say "why didn't you say you play sports with him or something" which we play alot of around here anyway!)  and if you have older kids,maybe meet them out for dinner, meet at the mall and look for Christmas gifts! just do something with them!!!:)  

so leave the dishes in the sink,put your cell phone down (unless you are calling them) and HAVE FUN WITH YOUR KIDS!!!! :)

our little fam :)

 hunter helping me make muffins

 havin' fun with carter baby

spending time together as a fam at a football game!

*i am so bummed that i cant find a pic of my whole fam! i am on a computer that doesnt have all my pics!!! :(

check back tomorrow to see what day 11 is of the "30 day live to give challenge"

SIMPLY GIVE....DAY 9

SIMPLY GIVE... SOMEONE A NICE SURPRISE IN LINE BEHIND YOU AND BUY THEIR COFFEE (AGAIN) :)

"you can't have a perfect day without doing something for someone who'll never be able to repay you"

~ john wooden

i am going to be calling every tuesday "toasty tuesday" i got lots of feed back when people did this last week and thought i would continue it once a week for the next month! warm someone's cup and heart up! (so corney,but cute)

last week when i did this,i went to dunkin' donuts and waited for someone to pull in line behind me! i waited there for a minute or two then decided to go to mickey d's because there is always a line there! i glanced back in my rear view mirror and saw the lady's expression behind me when the cashier told her i paid for her breakfast.... it was so funny! she looked shocked!!! i pulled away smiling so big and started laughing thinking about what she was thinking!

check back tomorrow to see what day 10 is of the "30 day live to give challenge"

SIMPLY GIVE ....DAY 8

SIMPLY GIVE... YOUR GRANDPARENTS A LITTLE VISIT (OR PHONE CALL IF THEY LIVE FAR AWAY)

what grandparent wouldnt like a little visit from their grandkids? recently, i have started to visit my grandparents atleast once or twice a month and its been so much fun!

my one grandpa is actually at a nursing home,and im not going to deny that it is really hard going to see him there sometimes..well, all the time! he has alzhimers and doesnt even know me so its pretty tuff! but it does bring a smile to his face to see hunter and carter!! he has always loved babies! not only do they bring a smile to his face but all the little old ladies there too! we have recently took a little lady under our wing named betty and she is the cutest little thing ever!! haha

grandpa laps and hunter

on sundays my fam goes and see's him! we tend to really liven things up around there!:)

grandma and grandpa smith & hunter

(shawn's grandparents that i love like my own)

ok,so if you dont live by your grandparents,alteast give them a call to say "hi" and if your grandparents do live around here and you cant make it to see them today, make plans to see them within the next week!

check back tomorrow to see what day 9 is of the "30 day live to give challenge"

side note... im going to be taking some goodies to all the peeps at my grandpa's nursing home if anyone would like to donate!things like easy crossword puzzles,chapstick,little brushes,decks of cards and little things like that! facebook me if you would like to donate or like to come with me to pass them out!:)

SIMPLY GIVE....DAY7

SIMPLY GIVE....SOMEONE A HAND AT THE GROCERY STORE TODAY AND TAKE BACK THEIR CART!

usually sunday is the day i go get my fridge and cupboards stocked for the week...so if you go to the store today,help someone by taking back their cart,maybe give someone a coupon or help someone find what they are looking for!

hunter being a good little shopper while getting groceries

HAPPY SHOPPING!!

check back tomorrow to see what day 8 is of the "30 day live to give challenge"

SIMPLY GIVE....DAY 6

SIMPLY GIVE.... YOUR WAITRESS ATLEAST A 50% TIP IF YOU GO OUT TO EAT TODAY

"when it's a question of money, everyone is the same religion"

~voltaire

we have all been there...the bill comes and we look at another person and say how much should i tip? then you might say things like "well, our drinks were empty most of the time" or " our food took forever!" coming from a former waitress , somtimes it gets crazy busy and you can't help it! its really not the waitress' fault either for the food taking forever,so why take it out on her and not give her a good tip?!?!

i remember working at bob evans and people would come in and order something we were out of and i would say "im so sorry sir,we are out of that soup for today, can i get you something else?" and he might say " no,i came here to get that soup,what is wrong with this place? all i wanted was soup! what am i going to eat now?" and although i wanted to kinda punch him in the face (haha) and say you can kiss it, i said politely ,knowing that i was now going to get like a $1 tip " i am so sorry sir"

dont let that be you!!!

bottom line: stop being cheap (yes,i did just say that,haha) and give your waitress an awesome tip regaurdless of your service!! :)

my little hunter and i at beuhler's last year

check back tomarrow for say 7 of the "30 day live to give challenge"

SIMPLY GIVE....DAY 5

SIMPLY GIVE... SOMEONE A NOTE OR LETTER IN THE MAIL

i dont know about you,but i love getting a "thinking of you" card in the mail! what ever happened to the good ol' fashioned hand written note?!? we got too busy with life and send out a text or facebook message instead!  

if you dont have time to go to the store and get a card, make a little card of your own!

im sure you'll make the persons' day that you send it to!!

my little mail retriever
hunter last year
(this pic is kinda blurry,but so appropriate for todays post) :)

p.s if you dont have any stamps (i hardly ever have stamps on me) then atleast write the note today to have ready to mail when you get one :)HAPPY FRIDAY!!!

check back tomarrow for day 6 of the "30 day live to give challenge"

SIMPLY GIVE ....DAY 4

SIMPLY GIVE.....YOUR OLD THINGS AWAY

"one man's trash is another mans treasure"

you dont even need to leave your house for today's challenge! go through your closets,your kids rooms,your basement,your garage and every little nook and crankie in your house and make a pile of everything that you havent used in the last year (its time to get rid of that coat,or pair of pants you thought you would wear last year but still havent)

so many people are in need of things and you might just have some of it sitting in your closets getting dusty!!! donate your things to the salvation army,your church, a homeless shelter or drop it off in a drop box around town. i have seen a few around town (in canton)

p.s.

if any of you girls have maternity clothes or baby clothes to get rid of ,that live in ohio,message me bc my sister works with some girls at a pregnancy shelter and could really bless alot of the girls with them! (all sizes)

 have a wonderful day!!!!!:)

check back tomarrow for day 5 of the "30 day live to give challenge"

SIMPLY GIVE.... DAY 3

SIMPLY GIVE..... SOMEONE A SMILE AND A COMPLIMENT!:)

"there are hundreds of languages out in the world,but a smile speaks all of them"

~author unknown

"a compliment is verbal sunshine"

~robert orben

who doesnt like to be smiled at and who doesnt like to be told they look pretty? haha if your wife looks pretty tell her,if your boyfriend looks like a hottie, tell him,if you like the persons shoes in front of you standing in line at target,tell them and if you see someone that could use a compliment, why not pick out  something about them that you like and tell them! 

i have to tell you something cute hunter(my 2 yr old )did, i walked down the steps the other day and had changed out of my stay at home mommy sweatpants into jenas and a t-shirt  but my hair was still completely out of control and the only make up i had on was from the day before (i know,gross,but thats how it is sometimes) and as soon as hunter saw me he  said "mommy,pretty" :) he made my day!! that small little compliment... just those 2 little words! who would of thought a pair of jeans could make him say that! i know its just coming from a 2yr old but still it was nice!!!:)  

(i  just tried to upload a pic of hunter but my computer wouldnt let me,so heres one of my smiley carter)

this little guy's smile brightens my day,EVERYDAY!

:) and try and smile alot at people today  :)

also- i wanted to thank you for participating yesterday with buying the persons coffee behind you! i got some awesome feedback and will prob do it again soon!!

check back tomarrow for day 4 of the "30 day live to give challenge" :)

SIMPLY GIVE ....DAY 2

SIMPLY GIVE..... THE PERSON IN LINE BEHIND YOU A NICE SURPRISE WHEN YOU GO GET YOUR MORNING (AFTERNOON OR EVENING)COFFEE AND PAY FOR THEIR'S!

i read a good quote today...

"the smallest deed is better than the grandest intention"

~ duguet

i know we all have intentions to help the homeless,save the trees, buy someone in need a car,but why not just start small and buy someone a cup of coffee!?!?  it is something little but it might just make someones day!!!

hunter's 1st starbucks  :)

yummy apple cider!

check back tomarrow to see what day 3 is of the30day live to give challenge"

 "

SIMPLY GIVE..... DAY 1

day one is here of the "30 day live to give challange"  and your very first oppurtunity to be a blessing....

    SIMPLY GIVE YOUR MOM A CALL (not a text)and TELL her you LOVE HER!

why not start this challenge with blessing the woman who is the reason you are here?!?! my mom has been a huge inspiration in my life and is the most amazing woman i know! i try to tell her everyday that i love her and thought that most people expressed their love for their moms until i had a little chat with my hubby! we were talking a few months back and i asked him why he didnt say "i love you too" when his mom told him she loved him! he said "i dont know why i didnt" then i asked him when the last time was that he told her and he didnt know! so this challenge is kinda for him too! haha while he does love his mom a lot he just felt uncomfortable saying it bc he got in the habit of not doing it! (btw...he gave me permission to use him as an example!)

 me and my momma being silly

 

im guessing your thinking one of 3 things....

1- youll say this is no biggie,i tell my mom i love her all the time anyway!

2- you'll be thinking that when you call your mom and say this she'll wonder what you want! :) she'll probably say "what are you up to? do you need a babysitter? money? want to come over for dinner?" and she will be plesantly suprised when you say it just because!

or 3- you'll be feeling a tad uncomfortable like shawn (my hubby) and that just means you need to tell her more often!!!!! not just today!!! (im sure you'll even bring her to tears!!!)

             be your moms #1 fan  (my little hunter)

                                      hunter and i on my very first mothers day!

cant wait till he says "i love you" (without me telling him to)

         talk about melting my heart!!!

giving is right around the corner

"the value of a man resides in what he gives, and not what he is capable of receiving"
              ~kahlil gibran


hey! just wanted to remind you to check back EVERYDAY starting the month of november!!!

when is the last time you did something nice for someone? if you don't know,let me help you out...  in just a couple of days i will be posting one thing a day that we all can do to SIMPLY GIVE to someone else! i am going to try to pick things that pertain to everyone,but if it doesn't pertain to you,i encourage you to  do a little something of your own

lets make this next month all about giving! so many people don't give ,but if they do its with strings attatched, certain conditions or because the think they can get something out of it!! just do these things to be a blessing and not thinking about yourself! (but i do have to say most times when you do give, you will be blessed back! that's just an awesome plus! )



the "30 day live to give challenge" starts in 2 days!!! get excited to SIMPLY GIVE to others everyday!

the cheerful giver

"you make a living by what you get. you make a life by what you give"  ~winston churchill


 i stumbled across this quote tonight and thought it was awesome! i asked myself what the last part meant when he said "you make a life by what you give" ...did he mean your/my own life or others people's life that you give to? i came to the conclusion that it means both!(well,it does to me anyway) if you make a life full of giving to others,how could that not make your life happier knowing that you are blessing people! and if you have been on the recieving end of a blessing,you know that just one little blessing from someone can make (or change) your life life! with the "30 day live to give challenge" (i so need to come up with a different name than challenge...it sounds so corney) only days away i just wanted to encourage you to get excited about giving!!  SIMPLY GIVE  with a cheerful heart!

gimme a break.....

gimme a break,gimme a break, break me off a piece of that kit-kat bar! that song is stuck in my head tonight!!! haha this is for all you busy mommas about there...wether you work inside the home or out,we all need a break! the other day the only time i had to myself was sneaking upstairs for 2 mintues to eat a kit-kat bar!!! seriously! (i think thats why the song is stuck in my head,plus kit-kats are my fave!!!) i was just thinking today about the moms role...we give give give all day,everyday and sometimes you  need to give yourself a break!!! and from what i hear as the kids grow up,we are giving even more!! i cant imagine when my boys get older, taking them to baseball practice,to games,to school,packing lunches,running forgotten back packs places,being a room mom, having birthday parties,and so on! i think im crazy busy now,but it's going to get even crazier:)

i talk to so many moms about feeling guilty about going to the store without a kid on her hip,getting their hair done, going out with the girls to get coffee or being away from thier kids! i just wanted to encourage you to  take time for yourself bc we are better moms if we can do that!! plus,we deserve it!!!! ;) SIMPLY GIVE yourself a break (and dont feel guilty about it)!!!!

sometimes its hard to leave these 2 little cute faces :)

love my guys!!!

happy mother's day hot momma's!!!

now, go book yourself a mani pedi!