Celebrating 32 Years! (& Kindness Begins with ME!)

After a trip to the gym this morning, I came home to a house full of happy faces and "Happy Birthday's!" Nate had taken the kids to the store yesterday and had them each buy a gift for me with their own money. Ironically enough they all bought me treats (I think they know their mother well). Mac also included with his gift a dollar bill with a note that instructed me to "go and buy something for myself."

This year I decided that I wanted to do something different with my birthday. Instead of it being all about ME, I wanted to do something nice for others. Since my older kids are on spring break, they were able to assist me and with their help we completed 32 ACTS OF KINDNESS, one for each year of my life.
#1 -- Gift for our mailman.

#2, #3 & #4 -- Each of the boys got to choose someone to give their treat to. Mac chose to give his to a friend he doesn't get to see very often, Beck gave his to a favorite neighbor and Jax gave his to a worker at the post office.

#5, #6, #7, #8 & #9 -- "Thank You" cards

#10 -- We picked up and discarded the broken sand toys at Beckam's preschool.

#11, #12 & #13 -- We went to the outlets and taped money to the kiddie rides for an unexpected surprise.

#14, #15, #16 & #17 -- We taped money to the vending machines to help out a hungry passerby.

#18 -- We donated to Goodwill.

#19, #20, #21, #22 & #23 -- We sent Easter surprises to family members.

#24, #25, #26, #27, #28, #29, #30 & #31 -- We "EGGED" some lovely homes.

#32 -- I made an extra effort to be more cheerful and kind. I greeted everyone at the gym (even though it was 6:00am), I was a courteous driver, I was more patient with my children and I waved at anyone I passed in the neighborhood.

I do have to admit that 32 acts of kindness is A LOT of kindness and it does take a large amount of work and preparation, but in the end, I think it was worth it. It kept my kids busy all morning and maybe, just maybe they learned a little something about serving others.

For lunch I was surprised by a group of friends with lunch at the park. The women that I get to surround myself with every day never cease to amaze me. Their thoughtfulness is a gift that I will cherish forever.

We ended the day with dinner at the new Moe's, a little shopping and cake and ice cream.

I had an excellent birthday . . . so good, in fact, that it even makes me look forward to my next one.