30 Day Kindness Challenge

         This past Monday I started the 30 day kindness challenge. In this challenge you choose someone that you will make the focus of those 30 days. Once you pick someone you make a point not to say anything negative about this person, to find something positive that you can praise them on, and to do one act of kindness for this person throughout the month.

            I personally have gotten off to a slow start, and have not done great on the second and third parts of the challenge. I have been less negative about the person I chose, and have seen an improvement in our relationship. I really enjoy spending time with this person and I look forward to it. I am even seeing this person in a more positive light. Throughout the week I have noticed that it is easier to not jump to negative things about this person.

            After doing this challenge for a week I noticed that there was one other person who came to mind. I refer to him as Mchotjerk, and have decided to aim this challenge toward him. Let me quickly mention that the name Mchotjerk stems from an inside joke with a friend!  The first thing I am making an effort to stop calling him Mchotjerk. I am looking forward to seeing how my opinions of this person will change.

            The 30 day kindness challenge is really a great thing to do. I believe it came out at a great time, a time when everyone should be showing each other a little more kindness. If any of you want the link to sign up for this challenge leave a comment or message me, and I will be glad to give it to you!

-A

The Magnolia Story

          This year I made it a goal to read more. In order to keep myself accountable I am going to do more book reviews. Today I am going to be focusing on The Magnolia Story by Chip and Joanna Gaines.

         

 The Magnolia Story is about Chip and Joanna Gaines life as a newly married couple. The book leads up to the Gaines getting their show, Fixer Upper. Not only does the book have funny stories about when they dated and their marriage, but it also talks about the struggles they went through. Not only did they put their faith in each other, but they also put their faith in God.  Throughout the book you see that they really had their struggles and they worked hard to make it to where they are today. They did not have things easy at the beginning and they went through a lot of struggles.

            I loved reading this book! Once I finished reading this I immediately started reading the book again. The Magnolia Story is definitely worth the read. It is very relatable and you will find yourself smiling and laughing through this book. You will not regret reading this book!

-A

Taking Risks

            It’s a new year, and a great time to do things you never thought you would do whether it’s talking to someone you’ve been wanting to, saying yes to more social gatherings, or trying a new outfit you’d never thought of wearing.

Recently I had an experience where I stepped out of my comfort zone, and I asked a guy out. I will say that I had been working up to this for months, and when I tried to ask all I could say was “uhh”. I finally was able to ask, and he said no. Even though he said no, I still felt really good that I was able to ask. I can honestly say that I would not have done this at the beginning of last year.

Now that I have done this and put myself out there I honestly believe that now that I know I won’t die by taking chances I will be able to do it more. This year I am going to make it a goal to take more risks. I’m going to put myself out of my comfort zone more.

What are some risks that you’ve taken? What’s something you’ve always wanted to do, but have been too nervous to do?

-A

The Box

The Box

            I was given the opportunity to participate in the blog tour for the book The Box. The Box is a children’s book written by Yvette Cragun and illustrated by Alex Smith. I was able to read the book to the little girl I babysit.

            The Box is about a boy who uses his imagination to turn a cardboard box into different things such as  a fort, a pirate ship, and race car. I thought the book was a great book and that it is a great book for young children! This book is also a good form of bribery for when the little ones in your life are not listening. I used the book ten times over as bribery, and it worked every time!

            The little girl I babysit had quite a few opinions and thoughts on the book. Once we were able to start the book she really got excited. The book rhymed which she really liked. She even brought it up multiple times. At one point the box became a fort that had a “no girls allowed” sign. When she heard that she turned to me and stated that she was offended, because she is a girl. All in all she loved the book and said, “This book is really great!” This book was very relatable to the little girl, and she definitely enjoyed that. She really enjoys turning boxes into forts, which she calls her sleeping box. About a month ago her parents ordered a bunch of new chairs and since the little girl was being super difficult that day her mom gave her the box to decorate. She spent hours coloring the box and putting stickers all over it. After she finished she begged to sleep in it. She began calling it her sleeping box. I do not want to give away the ending, but she really related to the end of the book!

            I would definitely suggest this book for the children in your life! As the little girl I watch would say, “It’s pretty awesome.”

-A