MUSTACHES FOR MADDIE by Chad Morris and Shelly Brown

MUSTACHES FOR MADDIE by Chad Morris and Shelly Brown. Wow. This book is amazing. It touches on things that are personal for the authors yet shares a very strong message on how to help kids deal with scary things. The humor had me laughing throughout and getting teary at the same time. Life has lots of scary things, though not everyone deals with a brain tumor, most kids deal with bullying of some type. There are many powerful lessons throughout. This is a must read to anyone who has children, associates with children, has influence with children, really everyone. I highly suggest this book for everyone of all ages. It is a great read for book clubs and to read with little ones. I cannot say enough good about this book. Please check it out.

:) :) :) :) :) :)

Twelve-year-old Maddie has a quirky sense of humor and loves making her classmates laugh by slapping on fake mustaches every chance she gets. Being funny gets her noticed by class queen Cassie, and things are looking up when Maddie is cast as Juliet in the school play. Maybe Juliet could wear a mustache?

When Maddie starts tripping when she walks and her hand starts curling up at her side, her mom takes her to the doctor, who confirms Maddie has a brain tumor. In an instant, her world is turned upside down.

Maddie doesn't want anyone else to know. Especially Cassie, whose jealousy has turned to bullying. What about Maddie's chance to play Juliet opposite the cutest boy in the sixth grade? What if the doctors can't get the ugly tumor monster out of her brain?

As Maddie's surgery approaches, she wonders if her illness is giving her super powers because her imagination is bigger than ever, her courage is stronger than ever, and her compassion is about to be felt by more people than she ever imagined.

CONFESSIONS OF A MOM — #choosekindness #kindness

My heart has hurt the last couple of weeks. I watched my Facebook newsfeed turn ugly, mean, and hateful as the new legislation passed. The things that were said made me so sad. I wanted to post, "Can't we agree to disagree and still be friends?" but knew that my comment wouldn't be received well.

I truly feel that way though. I may not agree with you, and you may not agree with me, but does that mean we can't still be friends? Does that mean that hurtful, hateful things need to be said? I would hope not, but I was proven wrong.

It makes me think of what we are teaching our children. My thoughts turned to my boys and the world they will grow up in. Are we teaching our children that because we have differences we can't and shouldn't associate with each other? I sure hope not.

Part of me is wondering why it seems so hard to be kind to someone who thinks differently than we do. As a musician I've associated with all types of people. I have many, many colleagues who live a different life style than I have chosen. That doesn't mean that I can't have a relationship with them. I have family members who live a different life style, but I love them dearly and pray they still want to keep up our relationship.

I hope and pray that this post doesn't offend people. It's not meant to at all. I'm just hoping that we can see that we agree to disagree and still be friends. That's all.

Here's to spreading a bit of kindness all around, not matter if we agree with each other or not.

CONFESSIONS OF A MOM #choosekindness #51actsofkindness

What? It's Friday night again? I just cleared my phone of all pictures because the nasty message that my storage was almost full and I couldn't take pictures anymore kept popping up. So I have no pictures to share.

I'm feeling very out of sorts at the moment and I tend to blame that on no sleep. However, I had a great time at a writing conference last weekend and should have insights to share from that, but do you think I can even remember that far back? Nope.

All I can think of right now is noticing all the little acts of kindness that have happened to me. We had a flat tire that needed to be repaired. I had an appointment but there were still five people in front of me. So as I got my kids settled and I stood in line, the gentleman in front of me offered to let me go first. It was so kind of him.

Several people held the door for me as Tigger pushed Bear through in the stroller a couple of times. Rather than get irritated with the curiousity of Tigger, I found smiles on people's faces. It made our wait much more pleasant.

It doesn't take much to brighten someone's day. Look for those opportunities to be kind, and also, look for those acts of kindness that have been given to you.

CONFESSIONS OF A MOM — #choosekindness #51actsofkindness

"Love the world in groups of one." Martine Leavitt

Be kind to others.

CONFESSIONS OF A MOM #choosekindness #51actsofkindness

Be kind.

It's amazing what can happen we are civil to each other, even if we disagree. 

Just be kind.

Most often that kindess will be reciprecated.

It may not be immediate, but people remember.

Speak kindly of others, people remember the words we say.

I have found myself looking for ways to do little acts of kindness.

It has changed my view of my day.

Be kind.

CONFESSIONS OF A MOM #choosekindness #51actsofkindness

This week I decided to read several articles and pay a little more attention to what's going on in the adult world. I have to admit that part of me wants to just get lots in the little kid world again. My heart aches for all the tragedy and horrible things that are happening. It solidified in my mind the need to be kind to others. We just don't know . . . We don't know what they are struggling with. We don't know if they hardly ever hear kind words. We don't know the real reason behind the hard exterior. We just don't know.

Make the choice this week to be kinder. Encourage those around you to be kind. Do a small act of kindness for someone. Not only will it help them, but it will help you as well. #choosekindness

*pick flowers for someone

*smile

*say hi

*call when you think of it

*text when you think of it

*invite someone to join you in an activity you're going to do

*keep it simple

CONFESSIONS OF A MOM #choosekindness #51actsofkindness

We just got back from a family overnighter and I'm not thinking very clearly at the moment. I planned on having this really cute picture with a saying about kindness but the picture is currently on a different computer. Of course. So that will happen next week.

For now, this will have to do . . .

Kindness is no "laughing" matter. #choosekindness

Some examples of kindness I've witnessed this week:

*flowers picked for someone

*a smile

*sharing an old picture with a friend

*dropping off something anonymously

*picking up some trash

*knocking on someones door to say hi

*sending a text

How were you kind this week?

CONFESSIONS OF A MOM #choosekindness

I have seen many acts of unkindness this week and it makes me very sad. There's a phrase I posted on Instragram this week that I think if we all keep in mind will help everyone around us.

You never know what the person next to you is going through. Choose Kindness.

How do we know if the driver on the road who is getting under our skin isn't a new driver? Or someone grieving? Or someone under extreme stress?

How do we know if the person living next who us you rushes inside and completely ignores you (in your opinion) isn't upset because of a medical dignosis? Or received bad news from work or a family member? Or is just having a horrible day?

How do we know what is the real reason behind the tears we see in someone's eyes?

The truth of the matter is we don't. Would it hurt us to look outside of ourselves and be kind to someone else? You can tell I'm on this kindness campaign. There are so many people around me who are suffering for many, many different reasons and I feel helpless. The only thing I can do in a lot of cases is be kind. Whether that be listening, providing a meal, holding a door, smiling, calling, sympathizing. Sometimes it really is the simple things that are needed. I really believe if we all looked around and did something simple it would make the world a better place.

So for now, choose to be kind. You just never know . . .

CONFESSIONS OF A MOM— #51actsofkindness

Do you ever have that moment when you realize you've totally overbooked yourself, your house looks like a tornado went off, and you're so tired you fall asleep after sitting for only a couple of minutes? Yeah, well, that was my week. Bear actually slept a little bit better thanks to some tender mercies from The Lord and a biocranial doctor visit. (If you want me to go into more details on that, I will another time.) I don't think my body was use to getting more than two hours of sleep because I've almost been more tired than I should be. :)

Anyway, I've thought of several other things I will eventually post about (when I can keep my eyes open for a little longer) but I've also been feeling like I haven't been able to be completely honest here lately because I haven't wanted anyone to get offended or feel bad. You know I don't use names but those who are involved in different situations obviously know who I'm talking about. It's made me have very mixed feelings about this series of posts.

The whole reason I began these was to be honest and to possible, hopefully help others who are going through similar situations know they aren't alone. I feel that in order to do that I need to be completely honest, but I don't ever want anyone to feel bad or get offended by what I say. That is not my intention at all.

So, this is my disclaimer I guess you can say. I'm going to go back (not that I have ever lied or been dishonest with what I've said, I've just not posted about some things) to sharing what I'm feeling and going through at the moment.

If you happen to figure out that I'm talking about a situation you're involved in, Please, Please, Please, don't feel bad or take offense to the things I say. That is the farther thing from my heart. I'm just trying to share the emotional ups and downs that go with life, in particular the loss of a loved one—in my case a child.

I hope this post is finding everyone a bit happier than before. I hope you're brainstorming ideas of ways to spread little acts of kindness. I know I've been more aware and tried to help those that I can. It has truly made my day a little lighter. :)

CONFESSIONS OF A MOM

Over the past several weeks it feels like I've been surrounded by the news of death and sickness. Someone's sister, a father-in-law, a husband, a son, a baby, someone starting the fight with cancer, someone with an illness that has dragged on for awhile, and the list goes on. It's been a bit of a downer. That, in combination with getting very little sleep has really made me depressed.

I want to do something to help everyone who is suffering right now. It breaks my heart to know somewhat of what they are feeling. Then the other day when I had my cello with me, someone held the door open for me. I can get through doors with him myself, but it was sure nice to have someone help me out.

As I was walking to my car feeling a little bit lighter with a smile on my face the thought "51 Acts of Kindness" popped into my head. Why 51? I have no idea. That's the number that came with the phrase. So here's my idea. Starting on April 1st (or you can start now) and running for as long as we can, I want to start a Random Acts of Kindness Campaign. I'm going to have a list of ideas for random acts of kindness. Nothing to big, but things that will hopefully make people smile. Then together we'll get the campaign going.

Each day, pick an act of kindness and do it. If you feel like it, post about it with the hashtag #51ActsofKindness. Don't mention names. Just post that you participated if you want.

So from now until April 1st I need help promoting the idea. Share this post. Talk about the campaign. Get the word out. Let's see how many smiles we can put on people's faces. We don't know what someone is going through and what a little act of kindness will mean to them. Let's lift someone's spirits. And feel free to add to the list in the comments. I'll update the list with any additions that come in.

51 Acts of Kindness (someone can be a stranger, a neighbor, friend, family member, really anyone)

• smile at someone
• hold the door open for someone
• pay someone a sincere compliment someone
• take a picture of a flower and share it
• call/text/message the first person that comes to mind
• tell someone you love them
• pull a weed or two
• pick up a piece of garbage
• read a story to a child
• help someone with their groceries
• return a shopping cart to its proper place
• take out the garbage
• empty the dishwasher
• give someone a hug
• call someone by name (read a workers name tag and call them by name)
• write a note
• make the bed
• drop a plate of cookies off to someone
• share a picture of something you love
• sweep the sidewalk
• sweep rocks back into yards
• pull in someone's garbage can
• look for someone who needs help and help them
• share an inspirational quote
• watch someone's kids
• wave at someone
• mail a card/letter to someone
• say thank you

I know there are not 51 suggestions on here, but I'm drawing a blank at the moment. Hopefully you'll help me add to the list. Happy Kindness Going! :)