Armstrong All Star tumbling team (day 41)

Yesterday was day 41, I'm a day late in this post...SORRY!!!! Anyway, back to the posting... when we woke up yesterday morning we knew what we would do for our act of kindness. Actually, we had been working on it for a couple of days.

What were we up to you are wondering?? Well, just recently we learned that Armstrong Studio's All Star tumbling team was getting ready to leave for national tumbling competition. Wow, the national competition is being held in Virginia Beach, Va. Cody & Ellie both were a part of the Armstrong All Star tumbling team in the past. We decided we wanted to make good luck bags for each of the team members and for the 2 coaches.

We spent several days shopping for the right bags, the items to go inside and the perfect card to say how proud we are of them and to wish them luck. When we collected all of them items we wanted to go into the bags we turned our ping pong table into an assembly line. Cody & Ellie made sure careful attention was given to each bag to ensure that each one of them got the exact same thing...from 5 peppermint pieces of candy, 4 tootsie rolls, etc. I was so proud of them and the All that they put into this act. They amaze me daily. I know, I know I have been saying that a lot lately but it is so true.

We dropped the bags off to one of the parents to take for us to the last practice before the team headed out to nationals. We have already heard from one of the tumblers on the team thanking us for the goody bag and saying she missed the kids on the team with her.

Thank you God for this kindness journey and for Cody and Miss Ellie. God I pray at this time for the tumblers and for them to stay calm and to do the best they can do, I pray for traveling mercies for the families and coaches. God thank you for Armstrong Studio and all the kindness you continue to show us on a daily basis.

Our God is an awesome God He reigns from Heaven above!!

Where will we be next? Stay tuned. Until then.....

On your mark, get set, be kind.

Love you to the moon & back,
Annie, Cody & Miss Ellie

River Cities Harvest day #40

I can't believe today is day 40 of our kindness journey. Wow! Where has the time gone?? Time really does fly when you are having fun!!

We knew going into the day what we wanted to do as our act of kindness. River Cities Harvest was collecting items from 11-5 for the flood victims of Pike county, KY. We knew without a shadow of a doubt this is what we wanted to do. We talked about how blessed we are that we haven't been directly touched by the flood. Ellie called this God's kindness to us. Doing this act of kindness spurred Cody into a deep conversation about Noah's Ark, God's promise to never destroy the world with the flood again. Cody really was in deep thought and conversation. He said, "is God mad at the way we are living and He wants our attention? Is that why there have been so many floods?" Wow! I can honestly say that it was this act of kindness that got us talking in a way about the floods that we hadn't before. It amazes me at just how smart they are.

Off to Kroger we go...to buy paper towels and bottled water. When we walked into Kroger we immediately saw a display for (3) 24 bottled waters for $10.00 and beside of it next end cap over was the paper towels. Cody said, "this is neat that it is here it is a God thing..we were meant to get these things."

Once we arrived at River Cities Harvest we noticed a large box truck with H.O.P.E. of Pikeville on the side of the truck. I pray that those people in that devastated are do in fact find hope. When we got there the kids jumped out and were quick to help place the items in the back of the truck.

While on today's journey, I ran into a high school friend. It had been 20 years since I had seen him last. He told me that lots of people were coming from all over to help out. Praise God!!!

thank you God for this kindness journey! Thank you for Cody & Ellie!! Thank you God for River Cities Harvest, H.O.P.E of Pikeville, the volunteers and all that came out in support of the people of Pike county. God please bless the people of Pikeville hold them in your arms and give them strength, peace and comfort that only you can provide. God thanks for allowing me to run into a high school friend.

You are an awesome God!! Thank you for your continued kindness that you show us on a daily basis!

Where will we be tomorrow? Stay tuned. Until then....

On your mark, get set, be kind.

Love you to the moon & back,
Annie, Cody & Miss Ellie

Giovanni's Pizza day 39

Today has been one of those slow going kind of days. I think the kids and I (Elliott is at Fort Knox doing Army stuff) are still recovering from all of the activities from the Christmas in July party yesterday. Well, Cody woke up not feeling well this morning, so there was no church for us today. Each time he got up he fell over saying he wasn't well. So, he slept the majority of the day...finally waking up at 3:30. When he woke up he felt like himself again. Thank goodness! I don't like it when my buddies are sick.

What was the first place on his mind to eat? Giovanni's Pizza!! YUMMY! Of course, like any good mother, I said, "yes." Alright, alright, maybe I said yes because I wanted it as well. Whatever the reason, Giovanni's was about to be dinner. I called Giovanni's, they just happened to be programmed into my phone, and placed our order. After I ordered it started raining. I felt badly that someone was going to have to bring our food to us in the rain. I actually felt guilty. So, we decided that we would hand the delivery driver a thank you card from all of us. Miss Ellie made her own thank you card and Cody & I signed one that we had here at home. He wanted to be the one that explained it to the delivery driver when they got to our door.

OKay, the time had come. The door bell sounded and the kids jumped to their feet. Cody flung open the door and asked like a little man, "how much was our order?" How cute! After Cody placed our dinner on the counter he grabbed the check and the cards to hand to the delivery person. He opened the door with such confidence, handing both the check and both cards to the driver. While he was handing them to the driver he said, "my family and I are on a kindness journey and we want you to have this as a thank you for what you do for us." It was precious! You can betcha, Miss Ellie and I were listening closely and watching out the dining room window to see the drivers reaction. The reaction of the driver was that of shock and I think he was stunned. We watched as he walked to his vehicle looking at the check and the cards.

This was simple act of kindness and it felt so good. I hope that the cards were a blessing to delivery person. Have you been tagged with kindness lately? If so, hold it in your heart and go tag someone else with kindness.

Thank you God for this kindness journey! Thank you God for my family! Thank you God for Giovanni's Pizza and for all of the workers who are a blessing to my life with the kindness they show us each and every visit.

Where will we be tomorrow? Stay tuned. Until then.....

On your mark, get set, be kind.

Love you to the moon & back,
Annie, Cody & Miss Ellie

Christmas in July?

What is Christmas in July? Well, today For Jamie's Sake along with some other fine folks held an event for children in SNAP (special needs adoption program). All of the children in this program have had their parental rights terminated due to NO fault of their own. For Jamie's Sake has worked for months in preparation of this big day. We got items together for the crafts and the beach baskets packed with goodies that Santa would give away.

Oh, my gosh we left early this morning. We needed to be in Lexington at 10:00 to start decorating...you can do the math because it is a 2 hour trip so you can guess how early we left. When we got to the Ramada Inn (the location of the party) the kids and I along with other For Jamie's Sake volunteers immediately sprung into action. We started getting boxes and bags out of the vehicles and into the hotel. While we were doing this we were also on the look out for any child who possibly would register early that we could entertain.

Decorating...done...craft set up....done.....baskets ready for Santa to give away...done.....say a pray of blessing on the day...done....party game face.....ON!!! Cody, Ellie and I worked in whatever role that was needed. Ellie worked for a long time making flip flop crafts with some children. Cody did the limbo, I did the hula hoop, and the kids and I showed them all how to cha cha slide.

I didn't have to tell Cody or Ellie one time to go help this child, go move a box, go do this or go do that. They were in full action help mode. Honest to goodness, I stood today in complete amazement of my children. I watched as Ellie listened attentively to a child tell his story. She helped this child with the shoes and made sure he was not alone all day. He became her buddy. In making this child her buddy for the day did not mean she didn't help others...negative! She was all over the place helping. Cody tossed frisbee, jumped rope and really allowed the boys to have a pal that was there all for them today. They both had the one child that pulled at their heart the most.

I found myself overly emotional at this event. I saw the children looking at the prospective parents wondering if they could be their new parents...there forever family. I saw the same look in the faces of the adoptive couples faces wondering if these children could possibly be their child in the future. I have been the hopeful adoptive mom at these types of events....the faces of the children forever touch your soul.

I pray that from today's event that children will find their forever families. Thank you God for Adoption! Thank you for adopting us into your family. God, I pray for all of the children everywhere without a loving forever family. God, thank you for this kindness journey. Thank you for Cody & Ellie!!! Thank you for the For Jamie's Sake volunteers and those individuals who support For Jamie's Sake. I will forever feel like I'm not doing enough to help find these children their own forever families. Wow, I can't imagine life without my family. Thank you God for each of them. Thank you God for my parents, my sister, my husband, my children, my niece & nephew, my cousins, my aunts & uncles, for my entire family.....God, I give you thanks for them...you showed me sooo much kindness when you gave them to me. Praise be to God!

Where will we be tomorrow? Stay tuned. Until then....

On your mark, get set, be kind.

Love you to the moon & back,
Annie, Cody & Miss Ellie

telephone book and random???

Today's activity involved all 4 of us, the telephone book, 4 blank cards (and envelopes), ink pens, stamps and the post office. What did we decide to do you ask? Well, I called the entire family together into the dining room...I think they feared I was about to declare a "family meeting" That is where we discuss family rule changes, chore details, etc. I wasn't calling a meeting...I had the kindness activity for the day on my mind and it was time to get busy with it.

I placed the phone book on the table and slid it to Ellie first. The only rule, pick someone from the white pages that you do not know. I told her when she found someone to turn down that page (place a small mark by the name so you don't forget) I gave the same instructions to the boys as well. After we each selected 1 person a piece that we didn't know from the phone book I then handed them a blank card and told them to write this person. No need to worry, I wrote out what the cards would say on a piece of paper....all they had to do was write in the card. (just in case they needed help.)

We all enjoyed writing our cards to our randomly selected people and placing the smiley face just so so above our name. The hope is that the person who receives the card will be blessed and will pass on the act of kindness to someone else. I can tell you as we were writing the cards we found ourselves envisioning what our mystery friends looked like, if they would like the cards and if they would write us back. Nonetheless, whether they write us back or not we had a blast preparing the cards.

We all finished our cards, addressed the envelope and placed the stamp just where it belongs. The next step...the U.S. Post Office. We were headed out anyway so Elliott volunteered to take the cards and drop them off at the mail box at the post office. I really hope and pray that the people who receive the cards are as blessed as I am having worked on this project with my family. When we got to the post office Elliott made sure to separate the cards into city cards and out of town...2 cards are headed to Ashland people and 2 are headed to Flatwoods.

Thank you God for the phone book, for cards, for the 4 people we selected we don't know, thank you God for this kindness journey, thank you for my family. Thank you God for your kindness you continue to pour on us daily.

Where will we be tomorrow? Stay tuned. Until then.....

On your mark, get set, be kind.

Love you to the moon & back,
Annie, Elliott, Cody & Miss Ellie

Safe Harbor & Harbor Hill

Today, the kids and I knew without a doubt, unless God changed our plans what we wanted to do. We wanted to go to Safe Harbor and take the cards and snack basket we made them. If you remember from last week the kids worked for 2 days on these cards for the residents. Safe Harbor is a place where women and children can go to escape a domestic violence situation.

Afternoon came and it was time to make our delivery to Safe Harbor. We parked in the parking lot and immediately we were met by a locked door and had to buzz an intercom to explain our business there. Once I explained why we were there we were buzzed into a living room type area. We were greeted by a lady named Pauline, who was eager to tell Cody & Ellie more about Safe Harbor & Harbor Hill. She explained where she was going to take the cards and the snack basket. She was precise and to the point, not leaving any detail out. I could see by the look on Cody & Ellie's face that they were soaking in every word that Pauline had to say. She was a wealth of information and a blessing to be with. As I stood there listening to Pauline, I just had this warm sensation that many lives have been touched because of what they are doing. They are doing great things!!They are changing lives for the better everyday for women and children.

Pauline explained to the kids and I how we can get involved in the movement to stop Domestic violence...we can be a green dot. This is a new incentive started in Frankfort...instead of looking at statistics of "red" where women have been abused. Look at areas of "green" where people are taking a stand and saying no more domestic violence. Pauline told Miss Ellie it could be simply seeing your friends Dad yelling at her and going over and asking her if she is okay. We want to be a green dot.

The kids and I thanked Pauline for her time and we headed out to the parking lot. We left the building with Pauline as she was headed out to deliver our cards and snack basket. She thanked the kids on behalf of all the women and children. We no sooner got in the car and Cody said, "this is a neat place. This is where I want to work." Ellie was moved to tears. When I asked her why she was crying she said, "it is awful that anyone gets hurt by anybody and has to be protected. She said why does anybody have to hurt others?"

This stop certainly made an impression on Cody, Ellie & I. It was nice for them to see this for themselves. Being the children of a State Trooper they have heard him tell stories of when he utilized there wonderful services for someone. Praise God that this place is here for those that need it.

I know that within this year we will be back to Safe Harbor. If you haven't helped them in the past call them and find out ways that you can. They are simply amazing!!! Pauline, you are a God send!! Thank you God for this kindness journey, thank you God for Safe Harbor and Harbor Hill, thank you for all of the workers and God please put a hedge of protection around the women that are currently residing there. Thank you God for Cody & Ellie and their fragile hearts.

God, you are an awesome God!

Where will we be tomorrow? Stay tuned. Until then....

On your mark, get set, be kind.

Love you to the moon & back,
Annie, Cody & Miss Ellie

Wednesday, day 35

Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you, happy birthday to all 5 of you....Happy birthday to you!! Whoo hooo!! Who doesn't love a birthday party? Well, at For Jamie's Sake we recognize and celebrate birthday's. So, if your birthday was in a particular month we will celebrate it with you sometime during that month.

Well, today is extra special. There were 3 For Jamie's Sake volunteers who have July birthdays and my Aunt Judy and Uncle Jack (they are my Dad's brother and sister) So, we included them on the birthday festivities. My Aunt and Uncle are really involved at For Jamie's Sake and we felt like this was the right thing to do...they needed to be at the birthday party as much, if not more, than anyone there.

I was so happy surrounded by all of my volunteers, my Aunt, her husband, my Uncle and his wife, my Mumzey (my mom) and of course, Cody & Miss Ellie. This party wasn't even mine but I couldn't stop smiling. This day and going the extra mile for someone does make a difference. You know, the people in our life need to know how special they are. Life is to short not to tell them...there isn't any guarantees.

We sang Happy birthday time and again, and yes, I sang a couple of songs that were requested. Ha!!! We had cake, candles and cards. the room was filled with happiness and joy. I wish i could have bottled the feeling that this room had. Simply it was just love! As I sat listening to stories and jokes others told the one thing that stayed consistent was the smiles on everyones face. I wish not only could I have bottled the feeling in the room...I wish for a moment, that we could have frozen time. All of us, no matter where we are in our journey of life, had a blast at this party. It didn't matter if it was your birthday or not....you were bound to have fun.

This event taught me something. The party wasn't expensive...not at all...it was the fact that people were thought about....that they are important. Oh, I can promise you that the people in that room are special and loved. You know, that's what I love about birthday's..you are giving thanks for that person and showing them how much they mean to you and your life. To be honest, I left refreshed, knowing that all had a great time. I left thinking how easy it is to make someones day but you have to be willing to do it. I am the world's worst for being to busy. I think I make people not feel special when I'm "too busy" which I truly am the majority of the time. I want to slow down and enjoy the rain as much as the sunshine. I want to see it all and enjoy it all. I want to do this with the people in my life...the ones I love.

thank you God for my family!! Thank you God for this kindness journey and all of the lessons we are learning from it. Thank you God for the 5 special people who I was able to celebrate their birthday's with them.

God is so good!

Where will we be next? Stay tuned. Until then....

on your mark, get set, be kind.

Love you to the moon & back,
Annie, Elliott, Cody & Miss Ellie

Kroger on day 34

Yesterday we knew without a doubt who we wanted to be kind to, my niece. Today we woke up without a clue. So, we decided we would, how do you say it, play it by ear? Simply put, we would be kind when we saw a need in front of us.

The vast majority of today Cody & Ellie's friends were in and out. Oh, I'm not complaining when then are all at my house I know where they are at. Well, after the last friend left for the afternoon, anyway, a trip to Kroger was in order. We jumped in our car and away we went before more company could arrive. I needed the store more at this moment than they needed social interaction with their friends.

Kroger, my dear friend, I'm back. I feel like I haven't seen you in forever. As soon as we walked in the door, a mother was trying to get her young child out of the shopping cart..however, she wasn't having any luck...the cart kept moving around on her. Ellie could tell she was struggling and very simply went over and put her hand on the cart and kept it from moving. This kind gesture allowed the mom to get her child out of the cart without any problems. You know, I didn't tell Ellie to go do this she merely saw an opportunity to be kind and she was there. When this lady was leaving she thanked Ellie again and all she could do was smile from ear to ear and say, "you are welcome."

When I haven't been to Kroger in some time I feel like I need to cruise up and down the aisle to make sure they haven't brought something in I didn't know about. As I'm typing this I'm cracking up...it is almost like I'm territorial..I don't want anything moved or new at my Kroger..I want it to always stay the same. So, when I haven't been there in awhile I waste a considerable amount of time making sure everything is "the same". Funny, I know.

Well, while I was on patrol up and down the aisle a lady was reaching for a boxed item on the top shelf. In the process of her reaching she knocked several items over. Cody, to the rescue like he was a Super Hero. He and Ellie had been walking right beside of me but when he saw this happen he went over to her and said, "I've got this for you." He bent down and picked them up and placed them on the shelf in the proper place. This lady was stunned that a young man stopped to help her. She told me I was raising a nice young man and I should be proud. She thanked Cody twice. He was smiling all over himself! Once we moved far enough away so she wouldn't hear I asked him why he was smiling. I knew but wanted to hear it from him. he said, "because it just felt good to help her when she needed it...she wasn't expecting it at all." You can guarantee, my heart was smiling big time as this was the second time in a matter of minutes at one location that my children went out of there way to be kind without me saying one word.

To round out our trip to Kroger I let someone go in front of me in the check out line. You know, as I stood in line to heck out I couldn't help but reflect on what Cody & Ellie had done. I kept thinking of our actions in the past, prior to the kindness journey. I wondered whether we would have been to busy to see the young mother struggling with the shopping cart? How about the lady who knocked over the boxes would we have seen that? Okay, maybe we would have seen it with out eyes but would we have seen it with our heart? To me, that is what kindness is you act from your heart. To be honest, I don't think we would have helped either one of them before this kindness journey.

Thank you God for opening our eyes & our heart which allows us to see opportunities where we can be kind. Thank you God for this kindness journey. Thank you God for the precious people at Kroger who have now forever touched my heart. I'm beginning to notice a pattern, some of my biggest blessings in this kindness journey hasn't been on days we planned in advance (even though they bless my heart as well) but it is the acts of kindness opportunities we happen upon that knock my socks off.

God you amaze me!! Each and every time I see the kids moved to be kind without prompting from me makes me emotional. God, thank you for such amazing children.

Where will we be next? Stay tuned. Until then....

On your mark, get set, be kind.

Love you to the moon & back,
Annie, Elliott, Cody & Miss Ellie

Monday July 19th, day 33

Today we knew going into the day what we wanted to do. Well, let's put it this way, we knew who we wanted to be kind to, not necessarily what we wanted to do. My niece, had to have a procedure on her teeth at the hospital. So, we knew we wanted to make her day bright and happy...but, what would we do?

The four of us tossed around ideas all morning and early into the afternoon. Do we take balloons? How about singing? You can betcha, that was my idea!! How about flowers? Would a 6 year old even like flowers? doubtful! Okay, we thought of it!!! It was scary, because it was almost at the same time. We all decided to go to Wal*Mart and buy her goodies that she could play with on her road to recovery. You know what this meant? Yep, a trip to Wal*Mart was in my future. Oh, my!!! Well, anything for my niece!!!

When we got to Wal*Mart we walked in single file on a mission. We were heading right to the toy section and nobody could stop us. Or could they? Okay, maybe side tracked by the people I knew, but not stopped. I had to refocus and get back on track but we were once again headed to the toy section of the store. Cody was certain she would want a nerf gun to hit her not even 2 year old brother with...sorry Cody...NOPE!!! Okay, we all headed to the Barbie aisle and we found the cutest Dentist barbie..complete with a dentist chair and everything. We thought given the circumstance, nothing was more perfect than the dentist Barbie. We got her a cute carry all Barbie bag, coloring books, bubbles and a card signed with lots of love from the entire family. You want to hear how cute the card was signed? With love, Seaweed, Annie, Cody & Ellie. Seaweed is Elliott when she was little Elliott thought she looked little like Seaweed with her dark hair just waiving around. So, for all of these years he has always called her Seaweed so she calls him Seaweed. It is sooo precious.

Well, after we got all of our goodies for the bag we headed off to see the patient. By the time we took the treat to her she was home and resting. I called in advance to make sure they were home. I instructed the kids (Elliott was working) that we would drop and go. When we got to her house and knocked on her door she answered she was so excited to see us and to tell us about her day. We didn't even come in. We told her we wanted her to get better and to have lots of fun playing as she is on the complete toad to recovery. Okay, okay, maybe I didn't use that wording with her...she is just 6 maybe I said here ya go this is for you get well soon. Who knows, the important thing is she LOVED her goody bag and it was just exactly what we were meant to do for the day.

Thank you God for this kindness journey! Thank you God for my niece and family! Thank you God for the kindness you continue to show me daily, even though I'm not worthy.

Where will we be next? Stay tuned. Until then...

On your mark, get set, be kind.

Love you to the moon & back,
Annie, Elliott, Cody & Miss Ellie

be kind where you feel led, on day #32

I arose to the sound of the phone ringing loudly. It seemed like it had never rang louder before. I didn't make it to the phone in time, so I headed downstairs to check the answering machine. Being the wife of a State Trooper, you always assume the early morning calls are for him, never for me, they are usually wanting to call him out to work. Well, this call was for all of us. Our church was cancelled for the morning, no electricity. I was so sad. I love my church and the church family. PHOOEY! No church this morning but they will call about church in the evening. We were scheduled to talk about the kindness journey with our church family. No worries, we will be rescheduled for another day to talk about this journey.

Well, I headed back to bed, turned off the alarm and let everyone sleep in. Once everyone got up we seemed to fall into our normal routines. Aunt Paula called and wanted to know if the kids wanted to go swimming at the Flatwoods Pool with her and her family (Elliott & I were invited but I had homework and he was planning on going to the YMCA) Cody was hanging out with his friends so he didn't want to go but Miss Ellie was all over this invitation. She decided she was going to do something nice for someone at the pool...she told me she just felt like she was meant to be kind there. I got her ready and her tote bag packed and gave her a little bit of extra money for her kindness act. The wild and crazy swimmers stayed until the pool closed. Do you know what Ellie did? When she was ordering at the concession stand she paid for the person behind her. She handed them money and said apply this to whatever they order. She told me that the concession stand worker looked at her funny but she didn't care. She went back later to check with the concession stand worker and she gave Miss Ellie change from that persons order. They told Ellie that person was shocked and very thankful. When Ellie was telling me she just kept saying this makes my heart smile, I knew I was going to be kind there...I just knew it.

Well, Cody and I headed out to Family Dollar to pick up some school supplies, for me, I'm not that organized to be being the kids just yet. Well, while in the parking lot Cody & I saw an elderly lady who had just finished placing all of her items in her car and she was getting ready to head to the store to return her cart. Cody without me saying anything walked over to her and said, "I will return it for you." To be honest, I was shocked. I was probably as shocked as the lady who was on the receiving end of Cody's kindness. I was shocked because without being told and without thinking he saw a way to help, to be kind and he just did it...without thought. When we were walking into the store there was a couple behind us and he held the door for them, seemingly without giving it any thought at all. All I seemed to get accomplished was smiling at everyone and making sure I made eye contact with every single person I saw. I love doing this no matter what mood I'm in (yes, some days to do this is much harder than others) you just never know what kind of day someone else is having and you simply may be the only bright smiling face that they see that day. I just felt like the people I saw needed smiles more than anything else I could do for anyone else. I kept running into one young mother and her 2 children no matter what part of the store I was in. She looked tired and worn out. She had that look of young mother. I told her how pretty she was and that her children were breathtaking. She immediately lit up like a Christmas tree at Christmas time. Wow! Simple gesture that hopefully helped brighten her day. I know on days that are difficult for me when I get a smile or an uplifting comment it carries me further than just about anything anyone could ever do for me. Be extra kind to people you never know what kind of battle that they are facing. When Cody & I were leaving Family Dollar someone (a non Family Dollar employee) held the door open for us.

Which brings me to the question I have posed many times...are people becoming nicer or am I more in touch with kindness and that is what I want to see? It is a happy world, the world of kindness. The world where we all live thinking of others before ourselves. I like to see the good in people, I like to see kindness, I like to see the glass is half full and not half empty.

Elliott's act of kindness involved him taking care of us. He mowed the grass so Cody didn't have to, He took the trash out and cleaned the gutters. He had a harder kindness job than any of us. However, that isn't what is important. What is important, is you do something kind where you feel led. Everyone can be kind...when was the last time you were kind? When was the last time someone was kind to you? If you receive kindness hold it in your heart and then go tag someone else with kindness.

Go make the world a kinder place....go, be kind!! Thank you God for this kindness journey! Thank you for opening my eyes to opportunities where to be kind and thanks for allowing me to see the kindness that is happening all around me that I was missing before. Thank you God for this kindness journey! Thank you God for Elliott, Cody & Miss Ellie. God, you are soooo good to me, thank you!!!!!!

Where will we be next? Stay tuned. Until then....

On your mark, get set, be kind.

Love you to the moon & back,
Annie, Elliott, Cody & Miss Ellie

Day 31, family kindness day

Well, I'm posting this 5 days late. I'm so sorry. Where does time go? When I got ready to blog on Saturday it was storming and then again on Sunday and then the fast paced week began. Don't be worried, I may be behind on the posting but we aren't behind on our kindness journey. Tonight I will get caught up and will try (oh, yes I will try) to stay up to date with my blogs.

On Saturday, it was declared family day. As you may recall, Elliott & the kids had been gone all week at Trooper Island and we all longed to spend good quality family time together. I couldn't hardly believe it but we had NO plans for this particular day either. The day was honestly and truthfully ours. What did we decide to do you ask? Well, we decided that it isn't going to do us any good to be nice to others if we can't be nice to each other (in the family) So, we all had to go out of our way to be nice to each other. You wouldn't believe it, it is harder than it sounds. I know it sounds easy. It is so easy to go in separate directions in the house, my doing homework, Cody on X-box, Ellie doing crafts and Elliott watching a movie. This was NOT allowed on family kindness day. We were all meshed together as one unit, the way it should be, the whole entire day.

Cody made Ellie's bed and helped her hang her clothing up, Elliott had his coffee fixed and handed to him by Miss Ellie and Miss Ellie also worked on laundry. None of these activities are normal activities for us (the person doing them on this family kindness day) and they were out of the way. I made each one of them a card telling them just how special they truly are to me. Elliott left a note on the mirror for me and he helped the kids play games and clean their rooms. We stayed home and made sandwiches for lunch and well all helped make each others from the sandwich, chips and soft drink.

This helped create a sense of unity, togetherness, teamwork....family!!! This was sooo neat to spend the day thinking outside the box to make someone you love more than anything, happy. We live in a world that it is so easy to get caught up in the fast paced world (trust me, I know) and we lose focus on what is truly important in this life, family. A family, is God's gift to us. I thank him so much for my family.

Ellie made cards and gave them to each one of us as well. Cody actually enjoyed helping his sister and I never thought I would live to see the day that they worked on their bedrooms without being told let alone to work on each others. WOW!!

Ellie wanted to work a puzzle...we all worked a puzzle with her, Cody wanted to sit on the deck and just talk so that we did, Elliott wanted to watch a movie so we all watched a movie with him and me, well, I just enjoyed having my complete family of 4 together. However, I did requested a trip to Dairy Queen and it was granted.

Thank you God for this kindness journey, for my family and for all of the blessings you continue to bestow upon us. To God be the glory, great things He has done!!! So, when was the last time you left a note taped to a mirror telling someone just how special they are to you? When was the last time you truly let them be the center of your world and the sole focus of your attention? When was the last time you helped out someone in your family with household chores? Trust me, to be kind starts from within...within a person and within their family.

The trip with Elliott & the kids was a blessing. They had a week to themselves..sharing, bonding and creating memories that will last a lifetime. The trip also gave us the desire to be home and have this family kindness day.

I couldn't be happier with my life. Thank you God!!!! I want more family kindness days....I really, really loved this special day with my family.

Where will we be next? Stay tuned. Until then....

On your mark, get set, be kind.

Love you to the moon & back,

Annie, Elliott, Cody & Miss Ellie

Kindness journey days 27-30

Wow, Wow, Wow, Wow!!!!! I'm so overwhelmed where do I even begin to put this all into words? As you know, if you have been following the journey, Elliott & the kids were gone this week to Trooper Island. No fear, the kindness journey continued. Elliott and the kids worked together and I was the lone ranger. Well, the plan was Elliott would ensure that they performed random acts of kindness and report back to me. However, being on an Island (literally, at Dale Hollow Lake) didn't allow for that to happen. He did however, make sure that the kids were being kind.

When the campers got home last night they were talking over top of each other to say what they had done this week for the kindness journey.

Here is what Cody reported that he had done Tuesday-Friday as he acts of kindness. He saw that there was going to be a counselor on a canoe by herself and nobody would ride with her. So, he got on and rode with her. He said he really felt badly because she was just sitting there and nobody wanted to go with her. He further stated that 2days he let someone go in front of him in the "chow" (food) line. This was an apparent big deal (bigger than I realized) because if you were in the back you may not get the good food if they ran out. He helped his "roomies" make their bed and straighten up their cabin. When they all ended up back to the State police post Cody helped all the boys get their luggage and take it to their cars. I asked Cody which act of kindness he felt was the biggest and he said, "it was a tie. The counselor riding alone in the canoe and the children going in front of him in the "chow" line.

Ellie was quick to tell me about the little girl she became fast friends with (the one Elliott told me about when he called on Monday) this was the child who was uncertain if she wanted to go to camp and Ellie took her under her wing. Ellie helped clean the bathroom, listen to a girl tell her story and she said it was hard to listen because it was boring but I let her tell her story. I couldn't help but chuckle, the honesty of children. She helped the girls pack their bags and let someone shower before her. The showering act of kindness she thought was the biggest act she had done during the week. I said, "why?" She said you wanted to shower early and not last or you got cold water to shower in. I want it understood, that this particular act of kindness Miss Ellie showered in cold water.

The entire week and the role Elliott was in was an act of kindness. He was in the role of uplifting and encouraging children who needed it. I know without a shadow of a doubt, he did this and he did it well. He told me stories but he asked me not to list them for the privacy of the children campers. What a Godly man.

What did I do you wonder? Well, on Tuesday, I wrote a long lost friend that I had lost touch with, Wednesday, I wrote a thank you note on a napkin to a waitress that I could tell really needed to be uplifted and encouraged, Thursday, I surprised my mom & niece with ice cream from Dairy Queen and lastly I went to enterprise rental car on Friday at 4 to get prices for vacation. WOW! they were packed. I had been waiting for 45 minutes when a lady and her husband walked in. He was covered in blood. He had been in a horrible accident and totaled their car. When it was my turn I let them take my turn. There were several people behind me. I literally traded spaces with them. The wife kept saying, "are you sure? Are you sure?" I said, "yes, I'm just getting prices you need a vehicle and your husband is hurt. Please go, take my spot." I noticed at least once each day this week where someone went out of their way to be kind to me. God, you are so wonderful. Thank you for opening my eyes and letting me see the good & kind that is right there all around me.

You know, I stand amazed. Yes, I know it doesn't take much to amaze me. I am amazed that in just 30 days how we are just doing acts of kindness without giving much thought to it. On each situation that the kids stated that they had done they kept saying I just did it, I just did it because I knew I should. They both said that they knew that it was the right thing to do each time with each situation. The same held true for me. I didn't plan the acts this week I just was led and the same fell true for Elliott.

What started with the kids and I has evolved to encompass the entire Gollihue family. This is amazing. I wish I could have taped them last night as they bounced and hopped around recalling the different acts they had performed. They both stated that they just did those kind "things" without thinking. To me, that makes me think that kindness is a part of them....deep in their soul. Well, for now anyway. I pray it stays.

This week was another perfect example of don't plan it Lea Ann, let go completely and let God. I had the kids and Elliott planned with kindness acts, ideas and how they could call or e-mail and report back to me. That didn't work out and I was growing disappointed. I know why it didn't work out. Had it worked out and they would have done my acts of kindness they would have been focused on only those acts and missed the acts they saw. Praise God that this time they didn't listen to me. yes, I was that mom that sent them with a list of kindness opportunities...needless, to say, they found their own and didn't use mine. Praise God! Furthermore, had it worked out and Elliott could have reported daily via either the means of the computer or phone I would have missed the big blessing my heart received when they were each telling me the kindness stories. Wow, thank you God for your awesomeness!!!!!

The kindness journey continues with now all 4 of the Gollihues' under one roof. Thank you God for the kindness journey, for traveling mercies for the Trooper Island campers, thanks for opening our eyes and seeing areas where someone needs to have some kindness shown to them. God, thank you for Elliott, Cody & Miss Ellie.

When will I ever learn to surrender, let go completely and let God? When He had his way this week it was a true blessing for my 3 campers and my heart was blessed beyond words when they were telling me all about it last night. I'm so thankful that I didn't get updates all week...I wouldn't have had the experience of hearing it from each one of them last night. I am so thankful as I saw each one of them tell of their kindness act you could see the sparkle of gentle soul in their eyes. Praise you Jesus. thank you, thank you, thank you!!

I'm sorry to have disappointed you and not have a posting each day.....but, I'm soooooooooo thankful that it happened this way. I got to hear it, straight from each one of my campers, telling there story time and again for me, the captive audience, mesmerized by the 3 Musketeers. They clearly didn't need me to tell them opportunities to be kind....they had it all under control. I learned to listen, let Go and trust a whole bunch this week.

Elliott, thanks for overseeing this journey this week! Thank you Heavenly Father for the many blessings you bestow upon us each and everyday. Please allow our lives to be a blessing to somebody else. Please God help me learn to let go and let you handle it all.

Where will we be next? Stay tuned. Until then....

On your mark, get set, be kind.

Love you to the moon & back,
Annie, Elliott, Cody & Miss Ellie

Day 26 leave for Trooper Island

If you have been following along in our journey yesterday was day #26. However, the kids and Elliott are at Trooper Island this week...the kindness continues...I just didn't get a kindness update until almost midnight last night.....that was too late to blog.

I miss my campers something awful. However, I praise God that the 3 of them will have this week together. Wow, what memories will be made. Elliott is going to be working with them this week ensuring that they do an act of kindness everyday and then he will report back to me. So, until Friday I will probably be posting a day behind. They will be back Friday evening...Yeah!!!

Well, before the kids left, they started the morning bright and early. Being the children of the State Trooper who is in charge of the campers from our area....you must be at the State Police post early and have all of your stuff ready to go. I woke them up extra early to make more thinking of you cards so I could take them to Safe Harbor (for the women there who are victims of domestic violence) The cards are awesome and from the heart.

(the above picture of them was taken right before they left our house....it was pouring down the rain and for some reason no one wanted to stand in the rain to have a picture taken....sorry half of your face is cut off Miss Ellie)

I left for the office in the middle of a rain storm. I got to the office and was soaked by the time I got there. When I walked into the main doors of our building there was a gentleman standing on the elevator holding the door for me. He said he saw me on the sidewalk and knew I was coming. Do you see what I mean? People are really nice!! Has it always been this way or am I in a special place to where I'm more in tune with kindness? Either way, I like it!! I love to see kind people!!

My act of kindness was I paid for the Wendy's lunch for all of my volunteers that was working with me yesterday at For Jamie's Sake. Also, my Mom and I ate dinner at Texas Roadhouse and I let 3 young ladies go in front of me when I was standing in line to tell them how many in my party. I also made the snack basket for Safe Harbor to go along with the cards the kids made for two days. (the basket didn't get dropped off as my point of contact had the day off....this means the basket is meant to be delivered on a different day.)

Elliott called me a little before midnight last night and told me I didn't need to worry at all about the kids and them being kind. He went on to explain:
He stated there was a little girl who was shy about leaving for Trooper Island...this was at the beginning of there day. He said he didn't say anything at all but he said Ellie saw the little girl (who is Ellie's age) upset and she went over and comforted her. She sat with her on the bus. Elliott said he witnessed Ellie hugging her, teaching her the secret Gollihue handshake and truly being a good friend to this child.

He said when they got to Trooper Island you have to take a boat across to the island. For some reason this same little girl got the clothing she was wearing wet..and they were in search for her luggage. In the meantime, while they were looking for her luggage, Ellie allowed her to change into one of her dry outfits.
Way to go Ellie, you ROCKED the kindness with this little girl!!! I am sooooo proud of you!! Love you to the moon & back, Miss Ellie!!

Elliott said Cody was a leader. He was helping the boys with their luggage. Helping them at the beginning place the luggage on the bus. He was leading the boys in an orderly fashion when they stopped and when they got to Trooper Island he said it was Cody who helped the boys find what cabin they were in and help them make their beds, unpack their luggage and whatever other help they may need. Cody, you ROCKED the kindness as well my little buddy!!!!! Love your guts, Codeman!!!

Praise God for this kindness journey!! Praise God for Elliott, Cody & Ellie!! God is sooo good to me!

Have you been kind to anyone lately? Has someone been kind to you? If so, hold it in your heart and then go tag someone with kindness.

Where will we be next? Stay tuned. Until then.

On your mark, get set, be kind.

Love you to the moon & back,
Annie, Elliott, Cody & Miss Ellie

Cyrus Chapel UMC & day 25

Wow, today we spoke at Cyrus Chapel UMC about the kindness journey. The Preacher of Cyrus Chapel is my cousin, Kyle Vanover. I was so excited to be surrounded by family as my mom, niece, nephew, Uncle bill (Kyle's dad), Aunt Caroline, cousin Katlyn and her children Aiden and Adeline were all there. Not to mention my cousin Kyle and his wife Amber. To have a loving family is truly one of God's greatest gift to us here on earth.


In preparation for today I re-read the blog to see if I had forgotten any special moments I wanted to mention. I asked the kids what act of kindness has been there favorite to this point in the journey. Well, below is what they told me:

Cody said his favorite is the guy we paid for his gas at Speedway. He said he was having a bad day, we bought his gas then he started smiling. Cody said what was the coolest was he knew we were Christians without us having to tell him...just from our actions.

Miss Ellie said she had a tie. She said she loved the day we went to the Boyd County Animal Shelter because she loves animals. She further stated she liked that they mentioned they were almost completely out of dog food...then we showed up. She said God knew they were almost out and sent us. She said her other favorite was Pat Ross day. She said she loved the bog smile on Pat's face when we surprised her.

I loved so many of them...from the DQ, laundry mat day, and CVS. Wow, so many in just a few amount of days. It is amazing what God can do in a short amount of time.

You know, the greatest reason to do anything kind is because God is soooooo good & kind to us. If we are to model ourselves after Him shouldn't we in turn be kind? God is the kindest being in the universe. I long for the day when people know I'm a Christian without opening my mouth....I want to be known for my good works. I don't do them for me. I want to do them out of love for my neighbor. God shows us soooo much kindness everyday and we aren't deserving at all. I want to be kind! I want my children to be kind, my husband. I want us to be the kind of family that makes God smile because we are making Him proud.

This kindness journey is one that is making the Gollihue family of four closer with each other and with our Almighty God. Thank you God for this kindness journey, thank you for Elliott, Cody & Miss Ellie.

Are you wondering what our act of kindness was for today? Well, I received a message from a friend who works at a domestic violence shelter in Morehead, KY. She mentioned that we could make cards and take them Safe Harbor, which is a domestic violence shelter in Ashland. So, today's kindness is in a 2 part series. We made 25 thinking of you, you are special, you are loved, we are praying for you and many others meant to uplift and encourage the women at Safe Harbor. Tomorrow, I will take the handmade cards and a snack basket and deliver to Safe Harbor. (Elliott, Cody, & Miss Ellie are leaving tomorrow for a week long camp) so, I will complete this act of kindness. They will be working as the 3 musketeers doing acts of kindness at Trooper Island camp.

I'm sitting at the computer minutes away from the close of day #25. I'm excited about taking the handmade cards to Safe Harbor tomorrow. I'm sad to see my campers leave for a week but know they will have a special week with Elliott. I pray that we didn't cause anyone to fall asleep at the Cyrus Chapel church this morning. It has been a wonderful day with many blessings. Praise be to God whom ALL blessings flow!

What will we all be up to tomorrow? Stay tuned. Until then....

On your mark, get set, be kind.

Love you to the moon & back,
Annie, Cody & Miss Ellie

Can we pay for your prescription?

For several days, I have had this feeling we needed to go to CVS and pay for someones medicine. Was I feeling this way because I have been thinking about this time last year? This time last year Cody was so sick and many different medicines were used to treat him. Praise God we have great insurance...medical, dental and prescription. It was so costly even after the insurance paid there part. I can't imagine not having insurance.

We decided, we would go to the CVS on Lexington Ave. (the one where we ALWAYS get our prescriptions filled) and tell them we want to pay for someones prescription.

Okay, the kids and I headed to CVS (Elliott had Army drill and couldn't join us) on a kindness mission. We walked in and straight back to the pharmacy section. Once we arrived at our destination in the back, I explained to the pharmacy worker our goal. We wanted to pay for someones prescription....we knew they would know who needed it the most. Perhaps someone without insurance, with a sick child, cancer? You know best. I further explained, we don't want to know there name...we weren't asking for that information and that the person didn't need to know our name. The worker assured me she would research who needed assistance the most and would contact me back.

So, the kids and I left without helping a soul. Wow, I felt let down...I felt certain that this was where we were meant to be...so, why didn't it work out?

After a couple of hours we headed back to CVS. I just kept feeling like this is where we needed to be today. I just knew someone needed our help there today. Please don't take this lightly, we pray for every act and when we have feelings like this we act on them. When we made the second trip, Elliott was with us, he had returned from his Army drill. We arrived at CVS and headed back to the back of the store. We were patiently waiting to speak to the worker we had spoken to early. We noticed she was still there, working hard I must add. As we waited for the worker I felt the urge to turn around in line. A lady, young mother, came up and I just felt the need to talk to her and offer to pay for her prescription. She looked at me and smiled and said, "yes, thank you." We chatted for sometime and to be honest, I think that meant more to both of us than paying for the medicine itself. She was thrilled with this act....she explained that she likes to perform random acts of kindness, when she can. She wanted to know if I needed a receipt, a copy of the prescription...anything. I said, "no, I just simply want to pay for your medicine for you."

I had an awakening....she was the reason it didn't work out on the first trip to CVS. We were supposed to be there at that particular moment and meet her. She was so thankful. The pharmacy worker told me she had left messages with some people who are ill to see if they would want us to pay for their prescriptions. It wasn't meant, at least not this trip, for us to pay for any one's medicine except for hers. The CVS worker assured me she would call if she gets any information. I know, even if she doesn't it is okay. We needed to be there, if for nobody else, for this lady.

I promise you, as I stood in line, waiting for the worker to come back with an amount we needed to pay for someones prescription. I felt like someone turned me completely around to see who was behind me in line. I knew then, why I had felt we needed to be there. Wow, I'm sometimes a little slow. I just need to let go and let God do it.....I was trying to make it work when I just needed to let Him handle it.

I knew we were meant to do the CVS act today...and was blessed having done so. God is awesome!!! I need to listen more when He talks and not try to do it my way. Have you been tagged with kindness? If so, hold it in your heart and then tag someone else with kindness. Kindness is contagious and it is sooooo easy!!

Where will we be tomorrow? Stay tuned. Until then.....

On your mark, get set, be kind.

Love you to the moon & back,
Annie, Elliott, Cody & Miss Ellie

excuse me waiter, check please

Day 23 found all four of us, setting out to make a difference. The entire Gollihue family of 4, searching ways to be over the top kind to someone...someone unsuspecting. We tossed kindness ideas back and forth until one stuck. Elliott suggested that we pay for someones dinner at the restaurant where we were going. That was it!!! We all loved this idea and couldn't wait to make it happen. We decided that we would randomly pick someone and tell the waiter we wanted to pay for their meal....we didn't want the people, who we were paying for their meal, to know it was us.

We headed to Outback Steakhouse as this was the restaurant we all decided on. The parking lot was packed on a Friday evening at 8:30. However, we were seated at Outback immediately...no waiting at all.

We sat down and the table closest to us was a precious young couple with a small baby. It immediately took me back to when we were younger and our children were too.When I looked at this young couple I remembered times of stress of work, finances, and no sleep. We agreed, as a family, that they were the chosen to be the recipients of today's act of kindness.

We ordered our soft drinks and food. When I should have been handing the menu back to our waiter I help it up and shielded my face from the table we wanted to pay for their meal. I didn't want them to suspect that it was us. I was prepared to have to explain it a couple of times and as soon as I said my family and I are on a kindness journey and we want to pay for that table's meal. He said, "my family did that too." He further stated that they did it as s family from Thanksgiving to Christmas and then talked about what act was their favorite. He told me one of the acts he chose to do was sing on someones answering machine. I had a WOW moment! Not only did he "get" it but he and his family had just recently done an act of kindness journey themselves.

I told him we didn't want them to know it was us. He said I will tell them it is being paid for by someone in the restaurant. When he took the bill to their table I heard him say you owe nothing someone else paid it for you that is here in the restaurant. I heard the young wife and mother say, "you are kidding, right?" The husband got up and walked around the restaurant to see if he recognized someone that he could thank. We all sat there with HUGE smiles on our face as they were so excited with their free dinner and the act of kindness they received.

The kids were so excited they were bouncing up and down in the seat. I was certain that one of us was going to give it away. Elliott & I were just as excited as the kids about this act of kindness.

The waiter was bubbling over with kindness and a gentle soul. He sent a text message, while we were there, to his mom about what we were doing. He found out the name of the book his mom purchased at Thanksgiving time that jump started his families kindness journey. He said the book his mom has, has lots of great kindness ideas in it.

I felt that the waiter being a Christian and saying Christians do these things, his family just recently doing the kindness journey...all was a sign that we are on the right journey.

Thank you God for this kindness journey with my family. Thank you God for my family. God please bless our waiter and his family and the kindness journey that they did. God please bless the young couple who we paid for their dinner. Praise God whom ALL blessings flow. God, you simply amaze me more and more everyday.

I have said it before, and I will say it again...there are No coincidences in life everything is a Godincident. To me, that was evident tonight with our waiter and this young couple.

Wow, God!! Thank you!!!

Where will we be tomorrow? Stay tuned. Until then.

On your mark, get set, be kind.

Love you to the moon & back,
Annie, Elliott, Cody & Miss Ellie

Pat Ross day, day 22

Miss Ellie called the act of kindness for today. As soon as she got up she declared it Pat Ross day. Pat works with me at For Jamie's Sake, but she is more than a mere employee, she is family. Pat had cataract surgery on one of her eyes this week which rendered her unable to come to the office. (let me just mention right here that Ms Pat wanted to come to the office but the Dr. didn't let her)

Ellie stayed up last night making Pat a get well soon card. It was made with so much love, care and concern. Cody was excited about the declaration of Pat Ross day. He was concerned that he would have to be "crafty" and make her a card. Once he realized I would get him one....all was good. They both talked and planned. They decided that they wanted her to have a giant cookie from the Great American cookie place at the Ashland Town center. To us, a giant cookie fixes all of your problems, right? Just kidding!! Back on track, they decided what colors to put on the cake (yes, they were that detailed) and what it would say and when we would pick it up. They talked about how we would get out of the car at Pat's house and who would be standing where.

When we pulled into Pat's driveway we all shot out of the car like we had been shot out of a cannon. Ellie had her card, Cody his and I was left to carry mine. We were so excited to be honest, I don't remember who carried the cookie. Cody insisted on knocking on the door, that was a part of the plan. Pat came to the door and was shocked to see us. Miss Ellie told her it was Pat Ross day and we were being kind to her today. Pat kept hugging all of us and thanking us over and over. It just makes your heart smile to know that you did a little something to bring joy to someone else. Pat took the picture of the kids and I on her carport. I felt like I was on the prize patrol delivering news that someone won lots of money. This was super great, this act of kindness.


Pat Ross day has now been bumped to their favorite act of kindness. Cody said it was his favorite because he loved how she smiled so big. He said our cookie made her happy. Ellie was crying when she said, "we did it because we love her and we needed to be kind." Ellie said she had to see for herself that Pat was okay. So, I guess she had a hidden motive for making Pat the recipient of today's act of kindness she wanted to make sure that she was okay and to see if she needed anything. We all, the three musketeers, pulled away from Pat's house with a huge smile on our faces. This act of kindness blessed our hearts possibly more than it did Pat.

What should you do if someone is nice to you? Hold it tight in your heart and then go tag someone else with kindness. It's that simple. Go smile at someone. hold the door open for a stranger. It's easy. Kindness isn't hard...really, it isn't.

Thank you God for this kindness journey. Thank you God for Cody, Ellie and Ms Pat Ross. God we pray that Pat heals and is doing fantastic really soon. I just keep saying that God made Cody & Ellie special. They are such good kids with hearts of gold. I pray that never changes. Praise God whom all blessings flow!!! Our God is awesome!!!

Where will we be tomorrow? Stay tuned. Until then.

On your mark, get set, be kind.

Love you to the moon & back,
Annie, Cody & Miss Ellie

a big wow!!!!!!

Today marks 3 weeks or 21 days of the kindness journey. Wow, is all I can say!! I have learned sooooo much about Elliott, Cody, & Miss Ellie in this short amount of time, that I didn't know before. This journey has already been remarkable I can't imagine what the rest of the journey will be like for all of us. You talk about making you close as a family and with your children....this will do it.

Today we were recipients of a random act of kindness. I had someone present me with a $100.00 check to go toward our acts of kindness. This person said they had heard about our acts of kindness and wanted to be kind themselves and help us be kind. They wouldn't let me give it back to them as they said that would be hypocritical of me...not allowing someone else to be kind in a way they wanted to be. WOW!!!!!

So, after thanking this person over and over and making sure they wanted us to have it....this was just sooo much money. The kids and I went to our local bank and cashed the check. We knew we wanted to do something special, unique if you will, because the kindness we received was sooo generous. We wanted to tag someone in a grand way like we received it.

We thought and thought and thought some more. We passed by a gas station and then it was clearly decided what we would do. We would go to a gas station and pay for someones gas. Praise God!! This was our act for today!!! We drove up 13th street and passed 2 gas stations with nobody....Cody said turn around and go to the Speedway close to Central Park. I did just that.

We pulled in, parked the car and then walked into the store like the 3 musketeers on a mission. Well, I guess we were in fact on a mission, a mission of kindness. I walked over to the cashier and explained the one year journey and today we wanted to pay for someones gas. I said who out there (the lot was packed) hasn't paid with a debit card. I must tell you that I had to explain this journey of kindness to him several times before he really understood. I could see other employees looking at him and me like we were odd. He said pump #2. He no sooner said that & the gentleman who owned the car on pump #2 walked in to pay for his gas. I then explained to him what Cody, Ellie & I were up to and he said, "wow, thanks so much!! I was having a bad day but not now!!!" He further stated he was going to have to be kind to someone else because we were kind to him.

The amount of the gas put into his gas tank is irrelevant. What is relevant is the fact that he was tired, down and had a back that was hurting and he left rejuvenated because of a simple act of kindness. He told Cody & Ellie to continue to be nice and kind that it truly makes someones day different. He told them that we had changed his day for the better. He thanked us over and over for the gas.

Come to find out he has just moved back here with his wife and knows some of our friends. What a small world!!!!!

We were meant to be at that gas station at that particular time to encourage him. You know, he asked what church we went to. I said, "Oak street free will in Flatwoods, how did you know we went to church?" He said, "only Christians do this." He told us he had been thinking about going to church but hadn't since they moved back. He said he knows he is supposed to go....this act of kindness he is taking as a sign to get into church. Praise God!!!

Cody & Ellie said this has been their favorite as this guy was soooo happy with the act of kindness.

Wow, you never know how your life can impact somebody else. No man is an island...our lives touch each others everyday. How is your life touching someone?

Thank you God for us being the recipient of kindness today. This allowed us to help the gentleman at the gas station. Thank you god for Cody & Ellie. Thank you God for your unfailing kindness you show us everyday.

Praise God whom ALL blessings flow. Have you been kind? Has someone been kind to you? It's simple: if you have received kindness hold it in your heart and then go tag someone else with kindness. Hold the kindness in your heart and then go give it away.

Where will we be tomorrow? Stay tuned. Until then.......

On your mark, get set, be kind.

Love you to the moon & back,
Annie, Cody & Miss Ellie

Day 20 Spaghetti benefit

day 20, found the entire Gollihue family working together. We worked at a spaghetti benefit to raise money for a friend. This friend has no medical insurance and is in need of surgery (which is scheduled for July 13th). The benefit was held at my friend's church, in the fellowship hall. Most people don't get to see in their lifetime how people truly feel about them. My friend isn't one of those people. She was surrounded by people who came out to offer support, love and encouragement to her.

I worked in the capacity of serving spaghetti and was the MC for the music portion of the evening. Cody, Ellie and Elliott poured drinks, cleared tables, washed dishes and rolled up utensils in the pretty napkins.

I stood in a church and watched as the flood gates were opened and God's people kept coming in...one right after another. There are so many good people...from those that donated the spaghetti, salads, bread, etc. Wow, today wasn't about our act of kindness it merely was ALL about God and His greatness!!!!

You know, I can honestly say that I am at a shortage for words. For my friend to be able to have her surgery $529.00 was needed (after donations from individuals, her church and a previous yard sale fundraiser) and we raised $858.50. This wasn't because of anyone or anything....it was ALL because of God almighty!!! Praise be to God whom all blessings flow.

To be a part of this event was a blessing.

Do you know what FROG means? F *fully R *rely O *on G *God....FROG is exactly what happened!!!!!

Have you been tagged by an act of kindness? Did someone compliment you? hold the door open? smile? then you need to hold the kindness in your heart and go tag someone else with kindness.

Where will we be tomorrow? Stay tuned. Until then.....

On your mark, get set, be kind.

Love you to the moon & back,
Annie, Elliott, Cody & Miss Ellie

oops, let me help you with that

Have you heard the saying, want to see God laugh then tell him your plans? Well, that was today. We were meant to serve food at the Community Kitchen today and that simply didn't work out for today. We will do this on another day. God had a different plan for today.

As I sit here typing this I am amazed. Had things worked out and we could have served meals at the Community Kitchen we wouldn't have been where we were today. We started the day with a trip to Fashion Bug...who can pass up buy one get one free sale? and no, this isn't the reason we didn't make it to the Community Kitchen. While we were at Fashion Bug a sales clerk knocked over a table and display. Before I could say anything my children moved quickly to help her pick everything up and try to position the earrings and jewelry the way it was before the accident. The sales clerk just kept saying thank you over and over again to Cody & Ellie. She even told me that I must be very proud of them. She has NO idea just how proud I am of them.

Well, I continued shopping and then checked out. Our next stop on our busy day was Kroger. Well, don't you know that while we were standing in the check out line that another sales clerk knocked over the garlic bread that was displayed on a table close to the check out lanes. again, without giving it any thought both Cody & Ellie went over to assist the sales clerk with the garlic bread mishap. We proceeded to check out and I promise you we had the nicest gentleman bag our groceries. He told us God bless, yes, God bless as we were leaving. To me, this was such a blessing! Had we been anywhere else I wouldn't have seen this wonderful soul and been able to talk to him (even if it was just for a moment)

When I tell you about the next two stops you won't believe it. We stopped by Hobby Lobby and it wasn't an employee but rather a shopper dropped items and she received assistance from Cody & Ellie. The same rang true at our last stop, Dollar General where a child was playing with a bouncy ball and knocked items off the shelf. Cody & Ellie picked up all of the items without thought. When we checked out at Dollar General they were collecting items for 'For Jamie's Sake' so we bought sidewalk chalk to be donated to this cause. (the items will be used for a Christmas in July party for children in foster care with parental rights terminated)

I have been so blessed today. My children are awesome!!! Without thought 4 different times they came to the aid of someone in need of assistance. My heart is still smiling from the gentleman who bagged our groceries at Kroger. What a gentle soul....he was a gift from God for me today. I can already tell that this kindness revolution is making a difference in my family. We are always talking about ways to be kind and to think of others before ourselves. This is day 19 of the kindness journey and it was clear to me today that Cody & Ellie didn't even give today's kindness any thought...they just did it. They saw a need and worked to help out each time.

Elliott is in on the kindness action as well and said he was extra kind to someone he worked a case for today. Trooper Gollihue, rocked the kindness today!!!!

Thank you God for this kindness journey! thank you for my family! thank you for the kindness you show us everyday!

Where will we be tomorrow? Stay tuned. Until then.......

on your mark, get set, be kind.

Love you to the moon & back,
Annie, Elliott, Cody & Miss Ellie

Thank you on Independence Day

On Day 18, Lt. Col Gollihue a.k.a. Elliott (my hubby) was in charge. He declared, early in the day, what we would do for our act of kindness. He suggested, since it is Independence Day (July 4th) that we say thank you to everyone that we know that has served in any branch of the military. (whether peacetime or during a war)

On our way to church he began by calling out the names of individuals he knew that were veterans. He suggested that we go up to them and say thank you for fighting for our freedom. He made sure that the kids fully understood the reason for thanking them today and to take this act of kindness seriously.

The first person thanked, a Vietnam veteran, was thanked by Elliott. It was clear to see by the look on his face that he was shocked. He even said that it took him a minute to figure out exactly what he meant by the thank you.

Cody thanked someone and had a similar experience. Miss Ellie thanked a Vietnam veteran as he was getting in his car getting ready to leave. He got out of the car and shook Ellie's hand and thanked her for her thank you to him.

We also thanked some family members who currently have deployed soldiers.

It was this time last year, that Elliott was deployed (on his second deployment) and we were celebrating 4th of July without him.

It really felt good to thank the soldiers and families. Elliott wanted to make sure that they each knew how much we appreciate what they gave for us to be free.

Elliott, thank you! Thank you for your willingness to answer your country's call not just once but twice. Thank you God for this kindness journey with my family. Thank you for my family. Thank you for our freedoms and liberties. Thank you for bravery of so many men and women. Cody & Ellie thank you for the bravery you showed when dad was deployed twice. You are amazing children!! I can't wait to see what God does with you in the future.

Thank a vet for your freedom. I received an e-mail today that said there are only 2 people in your life willing to die for you...one is Jesus Christ and the other is the American Soldier. Thank you God for Jesus and for our American Soldiers.

God bless the U.S.A.

Okay, you know the rules..if you were tagged with kindness hold it in your heart and then go tag someone else. Where will we be tomorrow? Stay tuned. Until then.....

On your mark, get set, be kind.

Love you to the moon & back,
Annie, Elliott, Cody & Miss Ellie

Day 17 be still and listen

Friends, I'm so sorry I didn't post day 17 yesterday. My entire day was filled with activities, in celebration of the 4th of July. When I got home, late, I was ready for bed.

Well, I'm not sure if I'm seeing things or if it is so. I'm really beginning to notice that others around me are kinder. I mentioned that the other day. I'm noticing more people holding the door for someone walking behind them, cars allowing others to merge into a lane without honking, cars allowing others to have a parking spot, people offering others to go in front of them in the grocery store line, people with smiles on their faces, care and concern for other people. Is it people are becoming nicer or am I more in tone with the kindness of others now? either way, I like it. So, I guess it is like the old saying is the glass half full or half empty? It's all perspective.

Yesterday, my act of kindness for the day was merely listening. I listened to a friend tell about her current journey and how it is impacting her life. I found myself in the same position several other times throughout the day where nobody wanted me to have answers they simply wanted me to listen. I must say this, out of all the kindness act we have done, was the hardest for me. I'm not use to sitting quietly and listen but that was clear that was what each of them needed from me. God has needed that very thing from me this week as well.(He wants it all the time but has really been wanting me to be still and listen this week) I struggle with being still and listening.

I find it so interesting that we are all on the same journey. However we all have a different path in this journey. Our lives intertwined one with another not by accident or coincidence but by the skillful hand of God the Father. He places people where they need to be to be able to lift others to their feet when they are tired, listen, to be kind, encourage and love. No man is an island, our lives touch other people. How is your life touching others? Is it like a porcupine? sticking people that get close, is it hard as a rock? not allowing anyone near you, are you sticky like cotton candy? is your life sweet and people can stick to you and count on you? Consider today, your life.

Well, enough about me. Cody & Ellie continued the smiling act of kindness today. They smiled at people that passed them by and then added I like your blouse, or I like your purse, or wow, I love your haircut. Ellie told one lady she loved her blouse and the lady smiled, oh so bright, like a firework going off in the sky. Cody complimented a gentleman on his baseball hat and again, the same reaction that Ellie received smiling from ear to ear.

It is a proven fact, kindness can make a world of difference. Elliott got in on the kindness action and was an active listener, was complimentary to others and cleaned off a table (which wasn't ours) at Mc Donalds.

So, remember if you get tagged with kindness hold it in your heart and then go tag someone else.

Where will we be today? (remember, I was too tired to post this last night)stay tuned. Until then.............

On your mark, get set, be kind.

Love you to the moon & back,

Annie, Elliott, Cody & Miss Ellie