Monday, December 23, 2019
12 Acts of Kindness: Act 12
The drive-thru! Finally, our favorite act of kindness. We save the best for last. Tonight Amber and Jacob joined us as we drove from drive-thru to drive-thru paying for the person behind us until all the money the kids donated was gone. We made it through 6 drive-thrus before accomplishing that task. I think everyone likes this because (1) everyone gets what they want to eat without having to compromise and (2) we get to spread a little joy to not only the person receiving the act of kindness but to the drive-thru teller. I really like to see the teller's face as we explain that we want to pay for the next car. There is an initial moment of disbelief immediately followed by a smile and a hint of excitement as they know they get to inform the next car their order has been paid for. I also love the laughs we share in the car as we drive around collecting hoards of unhealthy fast food. I guess our health is worth the sacrifice to spread a little Christmas kindness.
Sunday, December 22, 2019
12 Acts of Kindness: Acts 11
If you notice in the blog title, there were multiple acts of kindness to check off our 11th act. While we have enjoyed doing our little acts of kindness, it has been challenging to find times to do these acts with all of us together. This "act" needed to be done on an individual basis leading up to our final act scheduled for tomorrow (the drive thru...everyone's absolute favorite!). This week, I had the opportunity to go to the temple as my 11th act of kindness. Recently, I have been learning a lot about my ancestors. I have enjoyed visiting places they lived (and died) and feeling a sense of connection with them. As I have done so, I have also felt a desire to know them...not just read about them. I want to get to the other side and recognize and truly come to know each and every one of them. I would feel heartbroken if I couldn't be with all my family forever. I guess that's why I feel temple work is so important. We are linking family chains that allow all families to live together forever.
For Jonas's 11th act, he was presented with an opportunity to help an anonymous student at his preschool. On his final day of school, I was handed a little paper explaining the need of this student's family. We were invited to donate gifts or money to help this family out for Christmas. As I explained what this paper said to Jonas, I simply asked if he wanted to help. He thought for a minute and said that he would be willing to donate a dollar. I was pleased with this response because in previous attempts to encourage him to give of his abundance, he hasn't been so willing. I fully expected him to return to the kitchen after retrieving his donation with only one dollar, but when he returned, he had three dollar bills. He commented that he didn't want this child to be sad so he wanted to give more than just a dollar. I started to cry a little as he laid out his three dollar bills. It wasn't much, but to him, it was. Maybe he really is learning the power of generosity and kindness.
Danny's 11th act involved giving of his talents rather than his money. On Sunday (12/22), Danny performed his cello solo, O Come O Come Emmanuel, for two incredible women. One woman, Patsy Cottam, is an elderly lady that lives in our area. She is one of the most positive, independent, determined women we know! She is also so kind and loving...and she loved Danny's performance. The next recipient of Danny's act of kindness was Grandma Thompson. We all love Gma T. She is a spunky, no-nonsense lady. She loves family and has enjoyed several visits from her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild this season. We were lucky enough to be on that list. Danny performed his cello solo and Jonas even played Jingle Bells on his bells.
So what has Jeff done? Sometimes those acts of kindness simply remain anonymous, but here are some pictures of us on the Sunday before Christmas. Jingle, our scout elf, brought the boys some new ties that matched some earrings Krystle gave me.
For Jonas's 11th act, he was presented with an opportunity to help an anonymous student at his preschool. On his final day of school, I was handed a little paper explaining the need of this student's family. We were invited to donate gifts or money to help this family out for Christmas. As I explained what this paper said to Jonas, I simply asked if he wanted to help. He thought for a minute and said that he would be willing to donate a dollar. I was pleased with this response because in previous attempts to encourage him to give of his abundance, he hasn't been so willing. I fully expected him to return to the kitchen after retrieving his donation with only one dollar, but when he returned, he had three dollar bills. He commented that he didn't want this child to be sad so he wanted to give more than just a dollar. I started to cry a little as he laid out his three dollar bills. It wasn't much, but to him, it was. Maybe he really is learning the power of generosity and kindness.
Danny's 11th act involved giving of his talents rather than his money. On Sunday (12/22), Danny performed his cello solo, O Come O Come Emmanuel, for two incredible women. One woman, Patsy Cottam, is an elderly lady that lives in our area. She is one of the most positive, independent, determined women we know! She is also so kind and loving...and she loved Danny's performance. The next recipient of Danny's act of kindness was Grandma Thompson. We all love Gma T. She is a spunky, no-nonsense lady. She loves family and has enjoyed several visits from her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild this season. We were lucky enough to be on that list. Danny performed his cello solo and Jonas even played Jingle Bells on his bells.
Saturday, December 21, 2019
Concerts and Musicals
This was the last week of school leading up to Christmas break, which means parties, concerts and more! On Monday night (12/16), Daniel had a cello recital. Danny has taken cello lessons since he first began. He loves his cello teacher! Renae has helped him discover a love of music and a desire to compose and arrange, not simply play. She teaches at an elementary school and invited some of her private lesson students to attend the concert to play a holiday solo. Danny chose to play O Come, O Come Emmanuel. This song sounds incredible on the cello; plus, Danny has worked hard to hone his technique to a point that the music becomes more than just notes on a page. We were so proud of him!
On Thursday (12/19), Danny had his Christmas orchestra concert. Can I just say how happy I am that he has moved past the original squeaky notes of the first year of an orchestra? He is currently first chair (meaning the top-performing cellist) in the top orchestra at the junior high (and this is after he took a term off to dabble in the choir before realizing he wanted to return to orchestra). They played beautifully. I have always loved Christmas concerts more than any other concert (even when I played in band and symphony orchestra). I guess it's just because I love Christmas music.
Finally, on Friday (12/20), we continued our festive musical week with a trip to St. George to see Elf the Musical at the Hafen theater at Tuacahn. Originally, Danny was scheduled to wrestle at a tournament but unfortunately suffered a concussion earlier in the week that rendered him unable to compete. We had planned to go to St. George to see him wrestle but still decided to go even without him wrestling. We left Friday morning and made a quick stop in Parowan before making it to St. George. I might have mentioned this before, but I have been on a recent quest to visit the graves of some of my ancestors (up to my third great-grandparents). I have really enjoyed delving into their histories and feeling strengthened by their stories of faith and dedication. This stop was to see the gravesite of my 3rd great-grandmother, Mary Aiken Smith. She married Silas Smith, brother to Joseph Smith Sr. (so an aunt to the prophet, Joseph Smith Jr.). We quickly found her grave then drove by the house my great-great-grandfather, Jesse N. Smith, built for her in Parowan before moving on.
We reached St. George just in time to see the musical. I thought it was hilarious! It's slightly different from the movie, but the premise is still the same. Jonas fell asleep on our way there and slept through the entire first Act. He even slept on the hard floor! I swear this kid can (and will!) sleep anywhere! Luckily, he woke up during intermission and really enjoyed the last half.
While Jonas enjoyed Elf, I think he was most looking forward to swimming at the hotel. We went directly to the hotel after the musical and directly into the pool. The boys all had fun swimming and playing with a few dive toys. Fortunately, we had the pool to ourselves because it wouldn't be a Southwick swim party without a water fight.
The rest of the evening we just relaxed in the hotel. I wished I would have known sooner about some of the light displays though. I think we missed out on some Christmas fun. Oh well! Maybe next year? The next morning (Saturday, 12/21), we started our day by visiting a couple more graves...and the Cotton Mill my 4th great-grandfather worked in! Yup, it's still there. It is a nursery now, but it was cool to go inside those 4 walls and imagine what it would have been like for him to work there. Again, it gave me a sense of connection to someone I never knew.
We quickly found the headstones in the cemetery then set off to scramble up and around some of the beautiful red rock this area is known for. This red sandstone is so fun to climb on! Danny was like a little spider monkey climbing and jumping around. Jonas did his best to keep up too.
After climbing around, we went to a fun park to ride the train and play before starting our trek back home.
Finally, we grabbed some lunch and did some final Christmas shopping (yes...even with all my preparations, there were still just a couple items we needed) before heading home. It has been another fun, festive week! I can't believe that Christmas is only a few days away. I'm excited and also a little sad because once it's over...there's 365 days until the next one.
On Thursday (12/19), Danny had his Christmas orchestra concert. Can I just say how happy I am that he has moved past the original squeaky notes of the first year of an orchestra? He is currently first chair (meaning the top-performing cellist) in the top orchestra at the junior high (and this is after he took a term off to dabble in the choir before realizing he wanted to return to orchestra). They played beautifully. I have always loved Christmas concerts more than any other concert (even when I played in band and symphony orchestra). I guess it's just because I love Christmas music.
Finally, on Friday (12/20), we continued our festive musical week with a trip to St. George to see Elf the Musical at the Hafen theater at Tuacahn. Originally, Danny was scheduled to wrestle at a tournament but unfortunately suffered a concussion earlier in the week that rendered him unable to compete. We had planned to go to St. George to see him wrestle but still decided to go even without him wrestling. We left Friday morning and made a quick stop in Parowan before making it to St. George. I might have mentioned this before, but I have been on a recent quest to visit the graves of some of my ancestors (up to my third great-grandparents). I have really enjoyed delving into their histories and feeling strengthened by their stories of faith and dedication. This stop was to see the gravesite of my 3rd great-grandmother, Mary Aiken Smith. She married Silas Smith, brother to Joseph Smith Sr. (so an aunt to the prophet, Joseph Smith Jr.). We quickly found her grave then drove by the house my great-great-grandfather, Jesse N. Smith, built for her in Parowan before moving on.
We reached St. George just in time to see the musical. I thought it was hilarious! It's slightly different from the movie, but the premise is still the same. Jonas fell asleep on our way there and slept through the entire first Act. He even slept on the hard floor! I swear this kid can (and will!) sleep anywhere! Luckily, he woke up during intermission and really enjoyed the last half.
While Jonas enjoyed Elf, I think he was most looking forward to swimming at the hotel. We went directly to the hotel after the musical and directly into the pool. The boys all had fun swimming and playing with a few dive toys. Fortunately, we had the pool to ourselves because it wouldn't be a Southwick swim party without a water fight.
The rest of the evening we just relaxed in the hotel. I wished I would have known sooner about some of the light displays though. I think we missed out on some Christmas fun. Oh well! Maybe next year? The next morning (Saturday, 12/21), we started our day by visiting a couple more graves...and the Cotton Mill my 4th great-grandfather worked in! Yup, it's still there. It is a nursery now, but it was cool to go inside those 4 walls and imagine what it would have been like for him to work there. Again, it gave me a sense of connection to someone I never knew.
We quickly found the headstones in the cemetery then set off to scramble up and around some of the beautiful red rock this area is known for. This red sandstone is so fun to climb on! Danny was like a little spider monkey climbing and jumping around. Jonas did his best to keep up too.
After climbing around, we went to a fun park to ride the train and play before starting our trek back home.
Finally, we grabbed some lunch and did some final Christmas shopping (yes...even with all my preparations, there were still just a couple items we needed) before heading home. It has been another fun, festive week! I can't believe that Christmas is only a few days away. I'm excited and also a little sad because once it's over...there's 365 days until the next one.
Sunday, December 15, 2019
12 Acts of Kindness: Act 10
Today we decided to delve into the wonderful world of sugar..and then share that sugar with some of our friends! Growing up, I remember baking with my mom and handing out goodies plates to friends and neighbors as gifts. This is something that I still enjoy today...with my boys. Yup! Danny and Jonas have become my kitchen crew in our quest for the most delicious, sugary treats to deliver. Amber even got to join us tonight since Jacob was wrestling in Reno. I think one of the favorite treats are the sugar cookies. Everyone likes to decorate those. Danny helped me make some Christmas crack (saltine crackers, toffee, and chocolate...it's one of my favorites!) and Jonas helped with some Rice Krispy treats. Earlier in the week, I also made some buckeye fudge and ginger cookies (but those cookies didn't last long so luckily my cousin, Sandy, made too many cupcakes for a wedding and gave us some leftovers to use for our plates!). I had fun just being in the kitchen, snacking on sugar, and thinking about which families should be the recipients of our caloric kindness. Once we identified a few families, we assembled then delivered the plates. I can't believe we're only 9 days away from Christmas and 10 acts of kindness completed. Why does Christmas always fly by so fast?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)