Random Acts of Kindness

Watched this and was very touched. It is the random acts of kindness that touch our hearts. Sometimes in the world we live in today, we forget to do these things. Our Father in Heaven counts on us to take care of each other, just as these young boys did. I have been blessed often by random acts of kindness. It warms my heart all over again, each and every time I hear of them.

I try very hard to be insightful, to listen to the holy ghost. I know that if I will listen, that I too, will be given the opportunity to provide those random acts of kindness, to bless someone else, and to warm their hearts. God Bless all of you out there that perform these acts of kindness...for you are truly sons and daughters of God.

Update

I have been absolutely horrible at keeping up on my blog. Read this quote today by Charles Dickens.."No one is useless in this world who lightens the burden of it to anyone else." For some reason today this struck a chord. We often get wrapped up in the worldly things going on around us, and honestly, when I am serving others, I am happiest. So this quote helped me a lot today. I don't often feel useless, but sometimes helpless when trying to help someone else. When a dear friend is going through bitter times, when your child has a boo boo, or when you are just feeling "off" But, seriously, this quote is true. There are many times that a smile from me to the grocery clerk, could change their day. There are times when you just feel someone could use a visit....you visit them, and make their day. So, I found it necessary to share this quote with others.

I hope this silly picture of me helps to bring smiles to your faces. I was suppose to be posing for a Vogue-type shot, instead I look like I should be in the video of "Walk like an Egyptian!"

Life is so short. We should definitely focus on happy times. Life has ups and downs, but ultimately we choose which way we want our life to end up. I choose to be happy. No matter what curve ball life decides to throw at me....I will live a happy life!

The picture above is of my daughter, Jenna and my two nieces. Ah, to be young and carefree! They truly do look like Vogue Models. Do you think they could give me some pointers!

Anyhow, to update on the goings-on in the Headley household. Jenna turned 12 on April 2nd. I know, horrible mom...I didn't put anything on the blog about that. Well, she is now preparing for her first girls' camp this summer. She is extremely excited for this. My dad's birthday was on May 9th. He just turned 57. My grandma (his mom) came to town to celebrate. And of course, as always, we celebrated Mother's Day the same time.

I had a wonderful Mother's Day. Zoie and Baylee woke me up at 9:00AM, and I started their movie up, and thought I'd just go lay down for a little bit, they didn't make a peep! I slept until 11AM!!!!! I was so shocked when I saw the clock that I shot out of bed like a young tyke! While I was in the shower, the hubby got home from his early church meetings. We have a journal that I started in December. It was a gift I gave to him for Christmas. It's our "Love You" journal. We started keeping it so that when our children are older, they will have something from us to remember how much we loved each other, and how much we love them. So, he wrote in this journal for mother's day. It was a wonderful passage. He and Jenna then made our Brunch. We went to church. Then came home and popped our dinner in the oven (which I had prepared on Saturday to try to do better at keeping the Sabbath Day for rest!) Had a nice dinner with a delicious Strawberry Shortcake dessert! It was a wonderful start for this week.

Church is always a great way to gain perspective for the week to come. It rejuvenates the spirit and refreshes the soul. I'm so grateful to have the ability to be reminded of my worth! And, church always has a really nice Mother's Day meeting. It always makes me feel really good, and also points out areas where I could maybe work a little harder.

Basically that's all that's been going on (aside from dr's appointments and dental appointments for the kids--I won't bore you with details!)

God Bless all those Mother's that I look up to so much! I have learned much from many! Again, I will try to do better and come up with new pictures to post.

Don't Judge a Book by Its Cover

Saw this, and it really made me think! I'm sure many of you have seen it already. It's been on some news programs. But, I just really had to put myself in check! How many times do we look someone over when we first meet them and think..."gee, I just don't know if I could be friends with that person!" And how many times do we really end up being the greatest of friends with them? We are so quick to judge in this day and age. I feel especially for our children. The children at school can be so hurtful. They don't even realize what the ramifications of what they're doing may be. Anyway, I also happen to really like the song she sings in the video and just hope that it can bring you joy!

The kind of parent I hope to be

I saw this and could not help but think of many things! First, when seeing it, I cried. I thought, "Wow!" This man is truly amazing. But most of all, I thought, "This is the kind of parent I hope I can be!" This had to be very challenging for Dick Hoyt to modify his course to allow his son to have the experiences shown in the video. It moved me. I want to be able to do that for all my children, but especially for Zoie and Baylee. They need people to help them to have those brilliant experiences, and I want to help them do that! Jenna can do many things for herself, but I want her to grow up to be compassionate and love serving her fellow man. This video clip will stay with me for a very long time. Very inspirational! I hope you feel as touched by it as I was.

Happy Birthday to Me!!!

Well, Friday last week was my birthday! However, I got to celebrate all weekend long! Andy was gone out of town on a Scout Campout. (crazy to be planned on MY birthday---right?) Just kidding...I support him in this activity. Besides, when he's gone, I get to eat spaghetti ( a meal that is never fixed while he is in town!) and watch chick flicks. The chick flick of my choosing this time was Gone With the Wind! Classic! Old films are so funny....but you gotta love them!

Since Andy was gone, we didn't celebrate my birthday until Saturday. We went to my parents' house to have dinner. It was great! My mom fixed fried chicken, mashed potatoes, and corn. And, of course, they made my favorite Strawberry Cake. I got these beautiful flowers to put in my flower beds!

You can't really tell by the pictures, but I got daffodils and tulips. Now, I just have to figure out where to put them, that will be the perfect place!

But, my birthday was not over at that! Sunday, we went to church, then came home and had a birthday dinner with my in-laws! It was great! The weather was perfect. So, we grilled burgers and hot dogs. Had potato salad and baked beans (store bought). We went the easy way! And, we made a chocolate cake with cream cheese icing. And my in-laws brought homemade ice cream! There is just nothing like getting your birthday for a whole weekend!! I was spoiled this year. Serves Andy right for being gone on my actual birthday, right?! HA!!

It was a lovely birthday, and I got many birthday wishes on Facebook! It's so nice to share your birthday with so many great friends! Thanks everyone! Love and miss you all!

Spring Break

Yes, this week was Spring Break for the kiddos! We have had a busy week, it seems. Monday, we went to the zoo. Here's a picture of the girls in the stroller we rented from the zoo.

They really enjoyed the day. The weather was PERFECT! Jenna went with a friend and her family. But we met up with her to give her a lunch. So, naturally, I had to snap a pic.

Aren't they cute?! They are such great buds! And, boy do they get SUPER SILLY together!

They all had so much fun! Zoie and Baylee love the outdoors! After two hours of walking, though, I was feeling VERY old! My girls were worn out too. Zoie fell asleep in the stroller, and Baylee almost did--she just didn't want to miss anything. Kinda reminded me of this guy!

He sat up on this pole, and looked back and forth. He did not want to miss a thing. He was very funny!

Tuesday, we went and got the girls' hair cut. I don't have pictures. But, they look so sweet! And for the first time, they held the lady's hand and hopped right up in the chair. I only had to hold them still a little bit. And, I didn't have to hold them in my lap this time! Yeah!! My little girls are learning more and more everyday! While there, the battery in my van died. Bummer, so hubby was out of town working (3 hours away) he couldn't jump it. So, I called on a good friend. He came after us, but couldn't jump it! So, he just gave us all a ride home in his itty bitty car. But, we made it! Andy went to get it later, he jumped it no problem! Hmmm.....guess our friend was not a mechanic! he he! Luckily, no new battery needed! Hooray!

The rest of the week was spent at home. We were having a shed built in the back yard, so we stuck around home. But had a good friend come for lunch on Thursday. Hadn't seen her in a few months, and she has a daughter Jenna's age. It was so nice to catch up, and eat some good grub! That day, we also spent the afternoon and evening getting ready for Andy's campout on Friday! The weather has been so perfect, then last night while they're out camping---RAIN, THUNDER, and LIGHTENING!! Also cooler temperatures. Andy didn't pack warm clothing and texted me that it was cold. Thank goodness they could build a fire. I bet he didn't sleep great though! We'll see when he gets home today!

Had a good week with the kids, but am ready for school to start back up. I just don't seem to get much done when the kids are home. My floors desperately need mopped! Any volunteers?!

Catching Up

Okay, so I'm not so GREAT at this blogging thing! But, here goes the catch-up! I got this new toy for Valentine's Day from the hubby:

Isn't it beautiful? So, I've been trying to learn how to use it! It's just a bit more complicated than my old camera! But, it takes nice pictures! My hubby thought since I was going to be doing more blogging that I might like a nice camera. How thoughtful! Totally just about blew me away! He usually doesn't do this good! I'm usually having to go out and buy my own gift--shhh don't let him know that I told you that!

Life's been crazy here lately. With tax season, and having a small construction business on the side, it gets a little hectic. But, we got everything taken care of. We finally took the steps to homeownership. We've lived in our house for 5 years, but decided we should enter into adulthood, and bite the bullet, and buy the house! What a great feeling--I still refuse to grow up, but that will come with time. My body ages, but my heart does not! This is even more apparent the closer I get to my birthday (which is only a week away!) I will be 35! Yikes!! I still feel so young. I'm guessing that's because I get to have engaging conversations with children all day!

Aren't they cute?! This is how they are found, many mornings! Zoie would be the one laying on top of Baylee. She just can't sleep comfortably unless she is smashing sister underneath her!

Went to Jenna's choir concert last week. It was really good! It was about music that has come about during the different wars. They had this one song that was really moving. During it they showed a slide show about the holocaust. My heart weeped for those people and what they endured. Here's a few photos of Jenna before the concert and during.

She looks so angelic in this one--I love that the teacher made her tuck her shirt in, but I'm looking and she obviously forgot to tell anyone else.

Andy and I decided we deserved a weekend away. We took a drive to Kansas City. It was wonderful!!! We got a nice hotel that had a hot tub. We went and sat in it both nights we were there. We went to Cabela's and to the Bass Pro Shop. (these are Andy's big things--I enjoy them too!) And, we enjoyed a visit with a college friend of mine that I hadn't seen in 13 years (tell me that doesn't make me feel even older) Anyhow, here's a photo (albeit, not a very good one) of me that Andy took while we were in the hotel room.

Not a great photo--I don't think he got my best side (if there is a best side) But, at least I had already gotten ready for the day. Except my hair, ugh--it needed some help. Anyhow, we had a great time. The weekend made me feel completely recharged. It was wonderful!

The following weekend, my whole family ended up with the stomach flu. So needless to say, I didn't sleep much. I did tons of laundry--blankets, towels, and so forth! And needed another weekend to get recharged. Oh, woe is me!

Here is a picture of our Big Boy! His name is Blue, and he is the only one that helps balance out the manhood in our home.

He is such a good addition to our family. We rescued him. Someone had abandoned him. He was so skinny when we got him. Now, he's fat and sassy! He's Daddy's Boy! Loves to go with him everywhere. But, when he wants food, he begs me! What does that tell ya!

Anyhow, I think I've about got you up to speed. Will try to do better, I promise. And, I will leave you with a picture of my precious hubby. He works so hard for me to be home with my kiddos, and he spoils me whenever he can.