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.

Editing your friendships

Today my best friend came down from Dallas to have a little Christmas visit with me and Alaina. We had such a fun time catching up...for almost 6 hours! Gee, I love her.

Hanging out with friends like her makes me realize, in my wise old age of 27, almost 28, that I place a different value on my friendships that I had in years past.

I no longer feel the need to "chase" friendships, you know, those "friends" that you put so much effort into calling, emailing and reaching out to with no reciprocation. G and I have been friends for almost 14 years and, as we say, have been long distance for nearly 11 years. Despite that, we remain connected. We call each other, visit each other and play an active role in each others lives.

Friendship is not convenient. But it is what you make it.

As I near my 28th birthday, I feel like I've come to a turning point. I'm deciding which friendships I need to invest in the most. Those are the friendships I count on to be there 25 years from now. I know, as heartbreaking as it is, that not all of my friends will be around in that time.

At this point in my life, I don't need an active social calendar with mundane, inconsistent friendships. I need and want those who want to be there despite any and everything. Sure, an occasional lunch with a friend or acquaintance is great!

I am willing to do what it takes to make those friendships work. I will not continue to call friends who don't return calls. I will not continue to throw showers and attend parties for friends who cannot bother to do the same for me, or at least to show up for my life's major events.

I'm too old and I don't have the time.

But I will go above and beyond for those who love me and support me. For those who are happy for me, I will celebrate in their every happiness.

The strange thing is, I am completely ok with it. I am fine with phasing people out of my life. Not to sound callous or snarky, or like an episode of Friends, but I am set to begin the official phase out.

So, what kind of friend are you? "Sometimes we expect more from others because we would be willing to do that much for them."

Don't forget to enter my giveaway!

Houses, Haircuts and Hangovers

We got it! We got the perfect little house! I'm beyond thrilled. Last night we went over to meet the owners and it has so many great features that we weren't even aware of! The entire house and backyard is wired for surround sound (major bonus for the hubs!), they are leaving us ALL of the pool supplies so don't need to buy more, there are fans outside operated by a remote, a greenhouse (even though I'll probably kill everything in it), sprinklers set on timers, an alarm system that includes the garage...The house is ah-mazing! Both sides are super motivated to make the transition. We have an inspector going out there at 9 am. I asked if we could move in with them until they have time to move out...they didn't go for it.

I took Macee to be groomed for the first time yesterday and she doesn't even look the same! I think the second picture looks like a puppy mugshot! Haha! I didn't want to get rid of her super cute hair but I felt bad because she could hardly stand to be outside. I'm definitely going to have to keep her short during the summers.

      

Last night we went out for $2 margaritas again...Not a good idea. I think I was so excited about the house and so happy to see my friends again and I had way too much to drink...and I'm feeling it now. No more cheap tequila for me!

Will someone please just make this happen!

NEWS FLASH: Husband and I just put an offer on another house! I'm so excited but I'm really trying not to get my hopes up. I think circumstances with this one are a little different because the  house is actually built so hopefully everything will work out for us. 

We thought we were not ready to make the move out of the city but decided here recently that maybe we are more ready than I thought. There are quite a few nice suburban areas outside of Houston -- especially in West Houston -- but when it came down to it for me, I knew what area we wanted to be in. I really didn't want to move out to the west side because I want to be close to my family. Especially when we have kids! So we made an offer on a house, with a pool and jacuzzi!, in a town just a few minutes north of my family! I'm so excited -- the house is absolutely perfect! Hardwood floors, 4 bedrooms three and a half baths, two car garage and brick carport, great neighborhood, great school district (for the kids people can't see me raising), big yard for the pups. It's love...

This is me not getting my hopes up...

Bobby is working on the last few details of everything and hopefully we can close soon. 

So, say a little prayer for us that things will work out this time!