Spreading Kindess

Ready to lend our helping hands! 

I knew keeping up with this blog would be tough, but I'm only four days behind so progress, right? This last week has been nothing short of crazy and busy but we managed to get in our act of kindness and a bit of fun girl time while doing it.

Let's start off with some food for thought:

Did you know that 15.3 million children lived in food-insecure households in 2014?

The USDA defines "food insecurity" as the lack of access, at times, to enough food for all household members. In 2011, households with children reported a significantly higher food insecurity rate than households without children: 20.6% vs. 12.2%.

According to The Galveston County Food Bank's website, Feeding America estimates that roughly 53,660 Galveston County residents are in need of emergency food assistance in a single year. That is 1 in 5 of our neighbors in Galveston County, compared to the national average of 1 in 6.

Breaking apart toothbrushes for our care packages.

These are peoples babies, y'all. Yes, I get it, get a job. Do better for yourself and your family.

Ok, actually, no, I don't get it. THESE ARE PEOPLE'S BABIES! We don't know everyone's life circumstances. We don't know what people have been through. Sure people make bad decisions, but why can't we sometimes choose to look beyond those decisions...or to realize that those precious, perfect babies are victims of circumstance? Can't we choose to be the hands and feet of Jesus.

This household lives a comfortable life. We are privilege beyond measure. Maybe even a bit entitled and often in need of a reality check.

And that's why this week's project was so perfect for Lainey and I to participate in for our Summer of Kindness Act 2.

Last week, we volunteered with an organization I love and have been a member of for 6 years. The program works to provide food for children in food-insufficient homes. There so many aspects to this program, including tutoring, book distribution and more, but we participated in a one-night stuffing event. I took the mini-me down to our building to fill bags with toiletries and snacks to send home with kids to help them get through their weekend.

Can you imagine not knowing where your next meal is going to come from? Worse, can you imagine not knowing where your BABY'S next meal will come from?

Lainey and I helped stuff 65 bags to send home with kids who live in food-insufficient homes. On the way down there, she had no interest in helping. She was concerned that the kids will want to take her toys or her own food -- we are doing this project for a reason, y'all -- but once we got there, she was ready to work!

She stuffed and stuffed until she broke a sweat. I don't think she truly understood what we were doing, this act may have been above her maturity level a bit, but she did it. She worked hard and she was proud of herself. And that's a lesson, too.

Kindness is something I have to work on every second of every day. I am short-tempered and I lack patience entirely. If I want to teach my daughter to be kind, genuine, compassionate woman, it starts with me. So maybe this project is to teach me to be kind and to think of others first just so she can be witness to it.

Week 2, that's a wrap.

Catching a quick rest -- on the Pilates Reformer -- post volunteer bath.

Give Kindness, Receive Kindness

Today the babies and I went to lunch at some of the new restaurants that were part of our awesome new mall expansion. We headed out with some sweet friends to let the kids play and enjoy some mommy time. I've been thinking a lot about how our actions are contagious. I notice that when I am frantic and stressed, so are my kids. But when I am agreeable and relaxed, they are as well.

This Summer of Kindness that we are embarking on is something that I hope will become a habit more than a summer-long venture.

Today I was so aware of my reactions to people. When a lady literally ran me down with her motorized scooter at Walmart, I wanted to pounce on her with every vile word I could come up with. Instead, I simply said, excuse me and went about my business. Guess what? Lainey noticed. She even asked if it made me mad.

Of course it did, but I explained to her that we had no idea what that lady's day was like or what life was dealing her. Did she truly not see me? I don't know. But our reactions are everything.

I was reminded that some people can be mean. Some people are oblivious to others.

Then we went to lunch and I was reminded how great people are.

When I went to the restroom to change a VERY frustrated almost 2 year old, I found this little gem in the changing table. Someone who thought that another mom may need a little help.

You never know how big or little of an impact a small gesture can make. We can truly never know what others are experiencing, so why not try to be the joy in someone else's day?

Be kind, friends. Let's see where this takes us.