52nd Sunday.

Project 365 * 4
Day 727

52 Kind Things

     This is the 52nd Sunday. Once a week for the past year, I have done something kind. When I started this year long project, I had intended to do kind things to bring joy and happiness to others. And I hope that I have. But I've discovered that doing kind things brings me joy and happiness. It makes my heart feel warm to be intentionally kind. And I've discovered that I am more aware of when other people do kind things for me. Like hold a door. Smile. Say hello. Even these small acts of kindness matter. In fact, I think they matter more than the grand ones. The small acts of kindness become a way of life. The grand ones are just that. They are grand. But they can't really be repeated day after day.

     I think it is totally fitting that my last act of kindness for this project is a small one. This week, whenever I took Roxy on a walk, I didn't hurry her. I let her lead me. I let her sniff every single blade of grass that she wanted to. And I didn't complain. I didn't get annoyed. I watched her explore every bit of grassy area. Every tree. Cars. Christmas decorations. Invisible spots on the sidewalk. If she wanted to sniff it, I let her. Our walks were quite long this week. But I found that I didn't mind at all. It gave me time to explore every bit of grassy area. Every tree. Cars. Christmas decorations. Invisible spots on the sidewalk. I once read that if you hurry a dog along on their walk and you don't let them sniff everything that they want to, you are essentially robbing them. Dogs, literally, like to stop and smell the roses. And I had been hurrying her along all these years. Robbing her. I was very glad to do something kind for my Roxy girl this week. My girl who is always present, always loyal, always loving.

     To me, it seemed like a very small act of kindness. But maybe, to Roxy, it was the grandest act of kindness she's ever known. Maybe letting Roxy stop to smell all the roses and the sidewalk and the grass and the trees and the cars changed her life. Maybe she feels so much better now. Being able to use her nose and take her time. What seems small to one individual may be very grand to another. That's the beauty of being deliberately kind.


52 People I Love

     This is the 52nd Sunday. Once a week for the past year, I have written about someone that I love. On some Sundays, I wrote about more than one person. The thing I loved most about this year long project is that I realized how incredibly blessed I am to have so many truly amazing people in my life. I never had any trouble coming up with a person to write about.

     On this 52nd Sunday, I just want to say that I am forever thankful for each person that I call family. I am forever thankful for each person that I call friend. I feel undeserving, and at the same time privileged, to know all the wonderful people I know. How is it that on this big planet, I got stuck with the most awesome bunch of all?

     My dear, sweet friends and family, I love you. My life is better because of you.



     This was a very good Sunday. It was the 52nd Sunday. The last day of my two year long projects. And the day we went to celebrate Christmas with my grandparents. We had a delicious brunch. I love my grandmother's cooking. Some of my most fond memories include sitting at her kitchen table and eating good food. Thankful for a day done well. And for time spent well with those I love and cherish.

Cortney. The winter of Christen.

Project 365 * 4
Day 720

52 People I Love

     Ever come across a person that is entirely good? Always sweet? Always kind? I have. Her name is Cortney. When I was growing up, she was one of my very good friends. She is one of those rare people you come across who is beautiful in every way. She is beautiful to look at. She has a beautiful heart. She has a beautiful soul. She is full of grace and love. I don't think I ever heard her utter one unkind word. I am so blessed to count her as a friend. She's that kind of special. It doesn't go like this: "we're friends." It goes like this: "I'm lucky to know her. And my life is better because I know her and she's been a part of it." Thankful for Cortney.

52 Kind Things

     I made two trays of cookie bars this week. One for all my fellow teachers at work, and one for the firefighters. I know I'm always making trays of cookie bars, and it seems like an insignificant thing to count as a kindness...but I'm counting it. I didn't have to make them. But I wanted to. I'd say that counts as something kind.



     This day was so wonderful. We spent the day at my parents house. We played outside. We talked. We played with puppies. We laughed. We had a lovely dinner prepared by my mom. It tasted like home. I love eating dinner at home with my parents. We watched a Christmas show on the couch surrounded by beautiful Christmas lights. It was a cozy day. It was a lovely day. And I'm glad for every minute of it. Matt sent this text to me earlier, "Is it still the winter of Christen?" (For those who don't know, this is a Seinfeld reference. There is an episode where George has plans for a grand summer which he refers to as, "the summer of George.") My reply to Matt's text? Yes. Yes, it is the winter of Christen. I'm off. I'm with my babes. Spending time with my family. It's Christmas time. And it's cold out. It is most definitely the winter of Christen. And I'm thankful for it.

Tobin was afraid of the leaf vacuum. He ran to his Omi for protection. :)

Sasha. Small gestures. The best weekend.

Project 365 * 4
Day 689

52 People I Love

     Been thinking about my friend, Sasha, this week. Sasha is one of those friends who will always be a friend. No matter how much time and distance is between us. We grew up together. Did silly things together. We dreamed together as little girls about what our lives would look like when we grew up. We shared more than secrets. We shared experiences. We made memories together. Even though at the time we didn't we were. I am so blessed to have had such a wonderful person to call one of my best childhood friends. I love Sasha. I always have. I always will. She is an amazing person, and I am honored to call her my friend.

52 Kind Things

     I've been there. Juggling crying kids and the shopping cart. Just trying to make it out of the store in one piece. I was grocery shopping recently, and a mom with two crying children was struggling out of the store with her over-flowing shopping cart. She was juggling car keys, a diaper bag, and two very upset children. I offered to help her to her car. She said, "no thanks, I got it." To which I replied, "don't worry, I've been there...many times." And she smiled. Even though I didn't help her to her car, I think sometimes even the smallest gesture can be counted as a kindness. Small gestures like offering to help. Or letting someone know that they aren't alone. Sometimes moms desperately need to know that they aren't alone. It can certainly feel that way when every single person in the store is staring at you and your crying child.



     Thankful for just the very best weekend. Thankful for the sunlight this afternoon. Thankful for big rocks to climb on. Thankful for walks to the playground. Thankful for a very decorated neighborhood. It makes walks in the evening so very pretty. Thankful for lots of laughter and cuddles and naps this weekend. One more work week, and then it's Christmas break. I am so excited I can hardly wait. All I want for Christmas is Christmas break!

   

Emma, Matthew, and Hunter. A very good Sunday.

Project 365 * 4
Day 682

52 Kind Things

     This past week was insanely busy, so the only kind things I had time to do were kind things for my family. But correct me if I'm wrong here...isn't washing dishes multiple times a day, cooking multiple times a day, doing laundry, picking up toys...all that stuff that a mom has to do...those are kind things. We have to do them. But they're still kind.

52 People I Love

     I've been thinking about three special friends of mine. Emma, Matthew, and Hunter. The daughter and sons of my friend, Mary-Pat. They are three of the sweetest people. I loved going to family dinners at Mary-Pat's house when I was younger because it meant spending time with them. I love Emma because she is the sweetest, kindest, most thoughtful girl. She's a beautiful girl with a beautiful heart. I love Matthew because he likes to act like he's a tough guy, but really, he's a teddy bear. He likes to make people laugh, and he has the best smile. I love Hunter because he's always happy. He's always smiling. And he also likes to make people laugh. He's a chef now, and I cannot wait to visit him one day and try some of his delicious looking food. I miss them. I think of them often. And I cannot wait until we see each other again one day.



     Thankful for dinner dates. Thankful for time to celebrate Steph's birthday. Thankful for the time I got to spend with my cousin's two sweet boys, Jake and Christopher. Jake and Christopher have the most beautiful eyes and eyelashes. I could not stop staring at them. Thankful for time spent with my husband tonight. Thankful for a trip to the grocery store with my girl this afternoon. Thankful for more kisses than I can count from Tobin today. He just kept giving them out. I'll never say no to a kiss from my boy. Thankful for a very busy, but very good weekend.

Decorating. Cousins. Counting down the days until Christmas.

Project 365 * 4
Day 675

52 Kind Things

     It has been a very relaxing, yet somehow, at the same time, a very busy week. The only kind things that I had time to do were for my family. Mainly, helping clean up dishes after Thanksgiving. Helping to pick up all the toys that the kids dumped out the day after Thanksgiving. Matt and I were Santa's little elves tonight, and decorated the house for Christmas. We set aside a big pile of decorations for the kids to put up tomorrow after school. Decorating the house for Christmas seems about the kindest thing one can do for their family.

52 People I Love

     I always think about my cousins around the holidays. Probably because for most of my childhood, we celebrated as one big family. On both sides. I always loved getting together with my cousins. The thing I remember the most about our Christmas celebrations was the laughter. My family laughs non-stop. It is non-stop talking, laughing, and eating. So tonight, I am forever thankful for my cousins. The people I call family and friends. I'm thankful that whenever a cousin got married, the spouse became a new cousin. And whenever a cousin had kids, we gained even more cousins.

     Thankful for Phil, Megan, Enzo, Elsie, Liz, Steinar, Ryan, Olivia, Jason, Cheryl, Angie, John Henry, Eric, Paula, Douglas, Carmen, Mason, Jen, Matt, Christopher, Jake, Jen, Ryan, Ryleigh, John, Bryan, Amanda, Steven, Kat, Lauren, Michael, Ethan, Olivia, David, Britney, Aubrey, Caiden, Danielle, Kelley, Christy, Liz, Bill, Sammy, and Patrick. And would you believe it...this list isn't complete. There are cousins that I haven't even met yet. Thankful for so many amazing people in my life.



     Tonight, I'm thankful for just the very, very best Thanksgiving break. It rocked. Thankful for winter fruit like clementines and pomegranate. Thankful for walks at night to admire the Christmas lights. Thankful for Christmas movies. And Christmas cookies. And all things Christmas. There are only 15 days of school until Christmas break. I am counting down those days. I cannot wait to be off with all my loves.

Cookie bars. Teachers that made a difference in my life. Lazy Sunday.

Project 365 * 4
Day 688

52 Kind Things

     Matt was gone this past week for Hazmat training in Arizona. I knew I had to have a fresh tray of cookie bars waiting for him when he came home. I was super tired when I made them, but I knew it would make him smile to see them sitting on the counter when he walked in.

52 People I Love

     Now that I am teaching again, I've been thinking a lot lately about the teachers who made a difference in my life. Teachers that I loved and learned from.

     Mr. Hale was my 7th grade history teacher. He was awesome. Middle school is the absolute worst. The hardest years of school in my opinion. Going to his class was like getting away from it all. I loved to listen to him teach. He taught me that history is important. He taught me how to study. He taught me that I could make straight A's. I think he would be proud to know that I majored in history in college. And I loved it. I have him to thank for my love of history.

     Mr. Bowen was my high school chemistry teacher. I loved chemistry. It made sense to me. I loved it so much I even asked my parents for a chemistry set for Christmas that year. He was such a sweet and loving teacher. He loved to make us laugh. My friend, Carmella, and I called him Granddaddy Bowen. We made him a tie for Christmas. We were so proud to give it to him. And even more proud when he wore it. I have him to thank for my love of chemistry.

     Coach C was my track coach in high school. He was the greatest. I loved track. I loved running. I loved the high jump. There were days when I couldn't wait for school to be over so I could go run and jump at practice. He taught me everything I know about running. And jumping. He taught me that I was good at something. He believed in me. He worked incredibly hard for our team. When I run or lift weights today, I remember the things he taught me. I have him to thank for my love of running, jumping, and lifting weights.

     Mr. Parsons was my high school photography teacher. I absolutely loved his classes. I loved making pinhole cameras. Developing my own negatives. Developing my own pictures. Mr. Parsons was awesome because he would really examine each picture we turned into him. He would tell us the things he liked about them. And show us ways to improve them. He also taught me all about Pink Floyd. Whenever I hear, "Wish you were here," I think of him. I have him to thank for my love of photography.

     Professor Hardy was my humanities professor at NOVA. He was incredible. I could sit and listen to him lecture for hours. He taught me about art, architecture, literature, and life. He challenged us to explore. To travel. To think. He inspired me to write. I was dealing with depression when I started his class, and by the end, I was completely well. His lectures were like therapy for me. I have him to thank for my love of art and literature.

     I am so thankful for these, my favorite teachers. The ones who inspired me, taught me, challenged me. They made such a difference in my life. It is my hope that I might be able to make a difference in a child's life the way these teachers made a difference in mine.



     Thankful for lazy Sundays. Thankful for quiet rain falling outside. Thankful for a clean home. Thankful that I only have two days of school until Thanksgiving break. I am so ready for a couple of days to sleep in and be home with my babes. Thankful for family. And kids wrestling and playing and being silly. Thankful for that feeling of, today was a good day. Thankful for so many things and people to be thankful for.