33 for my 33rd

Today I turned 33 years old and I have to say 33 feels pretty good.  I have been married for almost 10 years to my best friend and have four healthy, growing children who give me constant entertainment and love.  My Farmer and I continue to grow our farming operation and have even been recognized for some of our accomplishments.  I feel comfortable where I am in life and at the same time am inspired to do more, do better and help others.

And that is how come, to celebrate my 33rd birthday, I'm vowing to help others and give back through 33 random (and not so random) acts of kindness.  I already have ideas written down and am going to put my plan in action tonight when I run to town to go on a parts run (because when it's your birthday during harvest, you take any excuse to run to town to treat yourself for supper. 😉)

So now this is where you come in to help:  First, please comment below with any random (or not so random) acts of kindness ideas.  If you know someone in particular that could use some encouragement, feel free to reach out to me, as I would love to help that person through you or anonymously.  Secondly, reach out to someone and perform a random act of kindness yourself.  When we help others we not only uplift them, but make our own hearts full too.

I can't wait to hear your suggestions, as well as learn how you paid it forward!  Remember to Comment for a Cause!

Thanksgiving Week To Do List

It is the Monday before Thanksgiving and I've held off long enough, it is time to get ready for the holidays.  Now don't get me wrong, I love Thanksgiving and Christmas, but with Harvest ending just a week ago today, I feel like I needed and heck, deserved, a week off  to relax and get back into routine.  So with just 3 days till Thanksgiving, it is time to get busy!  Normally I would have started doing probably 2/3 of these items last week, but I guess this year I'll just have a busy Thanksgiving week.  Here is what is on my to do list this week to get ready for the Holiday Season:

• Finalize Thanksgiving Menu (I am bringing Overnight Salad, Pecan Pie and Shrimp Dip and/or Pickle Wrap Dip to my Grandparent's house and my Mom's house.  And if I have time I also will make puppy chow...)
• Buy Thanksgiving Groceries  (I did that today.  Usually I like to stay away from the grocery store as much as possible the week of Thanksgiving but due to my week of rest I did this earlier today.  I also made sure to buy the start of my Christmas goodie groceries - aka egg nog and peanut butter ball ingredients!)
• Finalize Travel During the Holidays  (This is almost figured out, but by the end of the week I should have this all figured out.)
• Gift Lists  (This includes not only figuring out my family's wish list, but also deciding what gifts I'm giving others for Christmas.  I've got the first half of this pretty well done; I've sent out starter lists to all of our family.  As for the second half, I have asked for wish lists from the rest of our family members that I haven't received a list from yet.)
• Peek at Black Friday Sales  (I'm a Black Friday shopper.  I have gone with my Mom and sisters for the last 10 years.  We have so much fun doing this, plus it helps me get probably 75% of my shopping done without kids!  I still need to peek at the sales ads...)
• Make and Bake Ahead for Thanksgiving Dinner  (This will happen on Wednesday.  I will prep and bake as much as possible that way Thanksgiving morning can be centered on packing the vehicle and watching the parade.)
• Give the House a Good Clean Sweep  (Oh does my house need this!  It is good to do a good clean-up of your house the week of any holiday.  Even if you aren't hosting, there is a good chance that family and friends can and will stop by during their holiday travels.)
• Shop Black Friday  (Can't wait!  We'll make our plan of attack Thanksgiving afternoon.)
• Remember to Give Thanks!  (I try to remember to do this everyday.)

What is on your to-do list this week?

Remember Our Fallen Heroes On Memorial Day

As you enjoy your Memorial Day today, please remember those that have died in battle so we can celebrate today and all year long, because of the freedom our military have given us.  Also, pay respect to those that have served or are serving in our armed services.  I am especially giving thanks for my sister Rachel and brother-in-law Brandon who both are currently serving in the Army National Guard and Marine Reserves respectively.

In honor of Memorial Day I'd like to share a photo and a moment that My Farmer and I experienced earlier this year.  In March, My Farmer and I travel to Washington DC on a legislative trip with the Iowa Farm Bureau.  While on the trip we had some time to do some sight seeing, so one night we went on a bus tour.  One of the stops was at the Vietnam Memorial.  The travel guide said that there was a book near the memorial that listed every name on the Vietnam Memorial wall but that it would be hard to find a person's name at night, because they don't have very much light on the memorial in the evening.  My Farmer and I decided that we'd try anyway.  My Farmer's Mom's brother died in Vietnam.  He was my Mother-in-law's only sibling.  So we looked up Roger's name in the book, and it must have been meant to be that we find his name, because we counted to which section of the wall he was on and as soon as we got there we immediately found his name.

I'd like to end today's post with the litany from our church service out at the cemetery yesterday:

Let us give thanks to God for the land of our birth with all its chartered liberties.  For all the wonder of our country's story:

We give you thanks, O God.

For leaders in nation and state, and for those who in days past and in these present times have labored for the commonwealth:

We give you thanks, O God.

For those who in all times and places have been true and brave, and in the world's common ways have lived upright lives and ministered to their fellows:

We give you thanks, O God.

For those who served their country in its hour of need, and especially for those who gave even their lives in that service:

We give you thanks, O God.

Almighty God and most merciful Father, as we remember these your servants, remembering with gratitude their courage and strength, we hold before you those who mourn them.  Look upon your bereaved servants with your mercy.  As this day brings them memories of those they have lost awhile, may it also bring your consolation and the assurance that their loved ones are alive now and forever in your living presence.

Amen.