At bedtime last night Jordan asked me, “Mom, what would you do to make the world a better place?”

I answered, “Teach people to treat each other with kindness.”

“Then we should zap everyone in the world to be nicer to each other,” my son told me. “I would go to outer space and zap the world to watch less television, be smarter and make little houses for hobos.”

“Why to watch less T.V.?” I asked, “What would people do instead?”

“Read and exercise,” Jordan said. “To be strong…to make your brain and body strong.”

I knew at this point in the conversation I should be taking notes. Kids always seem to be chattiest at bedtime and Jordan is no exception. He finished his list of ideas with, “I might also do a fourth thing…zap myself a little to be a little better dirt bike racer.”

Maddi wanted her turn to list off how she would zap the world and make it a better place. When asked what she’d do she said, “Be a thinker.” That seems like it would solve many problems in families and relationships if each person committed to think before speaking, think about solutions, think of others in addition to oneself. Her list didn’t stop there. She added, “Fly really fast, be invisible, be stretchy, make lots of rainbows and make people smile.”

My daughter’s desire to become a super-hero may help the world be a better place. But, even without superpowers, Madelynn makes a lot of people smile. Wouldn’t that be a great quality for us all–to make those around us smile? To replace jealousy with kindness? We could zap the world and make it better.

With a sentimental heart and intrigue, I’m drawn into the Lindey’s story through the nostalgia of a place that was started by Steven’s dad, founded on perseverance and faith. In 1994, Steven’s dad died in a tragic plane crash, leaving his sons to run his legacy.

To learn more of the story, watch Twin Cities Live tomorrow, Tuesday, April 30th on Channel 5 at 3:00 pm!

Shoveling oatmeal into her mouth this morning, Maddi pouted, “It’s not off to a good start.” The realization that there weren’t enough inches to stop the school buses from operating had changed some of my children’s joy for the snow.

My dad sent me a photo this morning that he titled, Beautiful.

It reminds me of a verse my kids and I have been memorizing, “Give thanks in everything for this is God’s will for you.” 1 Thessalonians 5:18. A verse that can often be misinterpreted with the idea that everything that happens to us is God’s will, therefore we should be thankful. Instead, I believe the verse distinctly means God’s will for us is actually in the guidance to give thanks. A heart of appreciation brings healing.

The idea to give thanks doesn’t mean we understand why bad things happen in life or that God wants or wills those bad things to happen. We live in an imperfect world where unfortunately imperfection abounds. My heart has been heavy from the loss created by the Boston Marathon bombings. I will never be convinced this evil was God’s will. Instead the instruction to be thankful reminds me to see the good in life. To be amazed by the outstretch of comfort provided by our nation’s community to help those who are suffering. To be thankful for life and another chance today to live it.  To be thankful for teachers who teach my children new things. To be thankful for the snow that helps me ever more love the sun.

“Beautiful” Snowfall April 2013 Photo by: Larry Vander Poel

For Easter this year we decorated our eggs as baby chicks. The kids were wondering why there isn’t an Easter Chicken instead of an Easter Bunny since chickens seem more likely to bring eggs. That’s one of those goofy life questions that kids trick you with, one of those questions that require Wikipedia as a handy dandy tool.

I learned in my Google search that Easter originates in Germanic folklore before Christianity came to Europe. The celebration of Spring was named after the goddess of the sun, Eoster, whose companion was a rabbit. Rabbits symbolized fertility or new life in this era of myths. When Christians started celebrating Christ’s resurrection they kept the pagan tradition of celebrating Spring with the name Easter and the rabbit. They added eggs as part of the symbol of new life.

I read yesterday that Easter isn’t just one day in our calendar year, Easter is a season. May this Spring bring you and your family new life in various ways–bunnies, chicks, eggs–enjoy the simple signs that remind us to start anew.

My hope for you this Easter week is for a weekend full of family time, friendship time, restful time, reflective time and days of abundance. I only need to look at the four little peeps in my life to be reminded of abundant love.

If you are in the midst of your own business, my hope this month is that life offers you a unique way to celebrate a moment that matters and enjoy that moment with a big smile.

On the night of his birthday, I spoke at a grief group in his honor. I told a room full of 70 other people whose hearts have been broken wide open that love doesn’t end. The loss is permanent, but the love is lasting. I ate red velvet cake and cookie dough ice cream with Shawn’s family and my kids. My second husband, who is most humble and amazing, helped me bring 40 blue balloons to Shawn’s grave for our children to release up to heaven with sweet birthday wishes.

A dear friend who I met after Shawn died, sent me this kind hearted email, “Happy birthday to Shawn. I haven’t met him yet, but his life created a ripple that reaches me and effects me everyday. I can’t wait to meet him someday.”

I discovered this week that what would have been became what was. You celebrate what you have, you miss what you have lost, you love all the same.

Today I turned 40 years old! I have celebrated 40 Valentine birthdays, each filled with much kindness and much love. I remember as a little girl having many heart-shaped birthday cakes and my favorite was always angel food!

Last night my sister came over to babysit my kids. When I came home my house was decorated like a Valentine wonderland with red and white streamers strung from ceiling to floor. It was my favorite birthday surprise.

I know I am blessed beyond measure. My birthday reminds me so. I hope Valentines also reminds you of your blessings and how each act of kindness is an expression of love.

Support from friends is invaluable in life to keep going, keep working, stay committed, stay strong. Sharing our stories whether on a platform, in a small group, over the phone or over a cup of coffee is not only a way to stay connected, but a way to embrace change. Life changes. Building in safeguards of care and friendship provides encouragement to live out one’s vow of dedication.

With Valentine’s day around the corner, my wish for all couples is to remember their promise and share their story of love with other friends as a sign of cherishing the one they love.

My devotion today read:

When you live your life with excellence, going the extra mile, nobody else may realize. It may seem as though you are not reaping any of the benefits, but know this: in the bloodline being burned in your DNA is that of fortitude, strength and excellent spirit. It will be passed down to future generations.

Have you ever thought that what you do today makes an impact on your child tomorrow? An intrinsic, ingrained, built-in influence on the traits that will serve and follow your children in life? I am talking about genetic material. Characteristics such as patience, resolve, or compassion that will be every bit a part of them as is the color of their eyes or the shape of their nose.

At night, I often pray over my kids–really more for myself than them. I pray that I will be enough. That I will be the mom they need. That they will be blessed by our relationship, not hindered. Because I know they experience first hand my mistakes, my blunders, my imperfections. This is when I must trust God most, to infuse their bloodlines with His grace. And mine too. Fill my nature with fortitude, strength and an excellent spirit so that I may pass it on.