May 22, 2013 by Allison Hendrix

10 ways to Show Respect on Memorial Day

10 Ways to say thank you on Memorial Day

I am naive to think I understand the meaning of the word sacrifice. It means “a giving up of something for something else”. I have often sacrificed my time, my money, and many a desire, but I have never risked my life for your rights or my own? I have never seen death on the battlefield nor the loss of a loved one serving our country, yet I reap the benefits on a daily basis.

Freedom is my norm and I take it for granted. I open my Bible without fear of persecution. I speak my mind with no concern for punishment. I do not fear living my life. No words can express the depth of our gratitude towards those who have risked their life or lost loved ones to protect our own, but I think it is important we try.

Teach your kids how to show respect through these simple ideas (the House of Hendrix)

Here are 10 simple ways children and adults can show respect to those who have sacrificed to protect our freedom:

Use your phone – If you know a veteran or family of a fallen soldier, call them and say thank you. Let them know you appreciate what they have done for you as an individual and for our country.
Tweet! If you use the #wearegrateful hashtag, comments are screened, printed out on postcards, and distributed to troops worldwide.
Fly a flag half-staff until noon. Memorial Day is a national day of mourning. Great way to show the United States of America some respect and pride.
If you know somebody who is actively serving, write them a letter or send an email. Younger children can draw a picture of a flag.
Attend a parade to pay tribute to those who have sacrificed their life. They are our heroes and should be treated as such.
Make patriotic cookies for a service family. Many retirement facilities have large numbers of both veterans and widows living there.
Pray for the families who have lost a child, spouse, or parents protecting our rights. The grieving doesn’t stop. The “National Moment of Remembrance” is at 3:00pm.
If you own a business, give a discount to veterans.
Visit a cemetery or grave of our fallen heroes. Leave flowers or a flag.
If you live near a family of one who is serving, take your kids over and offer to do yard work, repaint a fence, or plant some flowers.
Do something. We so often, don’t know what to do or say, the opportunity passes. Even fumbled words and messed up gifts show the gratitude of our hearts.

Have you endured the ultimate sacrifice of losing a loved one in service? I would love to read your story and honor them in the comment section below.

(picture below) In honor of my brother – and in memory of his friends who have lost their lives defending our country.

“Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.” John 15:13

Don't make Memorial Day just another long weekend. Teach your children what and who we are honoring - (the House of Hendrix) For more ideas, check out these Pinterest boards : All things Kids, Intentional Perenting, Celebrations

May 2, 2013 by Allison Hendrix

Mother’s Day

Take one picture and mail it to the grandmas, great grandmas, aunts, and special ladies in your life.

For a fresh and inexpensive way to honor the women in our life this Mother’s Day, we took one picture of my children holding a sign saying “Happy Mother’s Day”.

I had 7 copies printed at Costco for $1 (I did 8×10 size) and then mailed to the mothers, grandmothers, great-greatmothers, aunts, and special women in your life. It feels so personal and the recipient doesn’t realize it went to anybody but them. It was a huge hit! mother printable viewer

Here are a few Mother’s Day cards and labels in a cute floral pattern. My husband just walked up asked for the name of my blog so he can print a card for me. Humm.

Mother’s Day Lilly Pulitzer card –
Print on card stock, cut, and fold.

Print on cardstock to use as a tag or tape to a toothpick and stick in a muffin. Print on sticker paper to use as a label! Resize for your desired project. /blessed.jpg”> blessed

April 26, 2013 by Allison Hendrix

Teacher Gift Ideas

Thank you for not being "impatient" with us this year

Impatient Plant – Plant a simple impantien into a bright colored plastic pot. Tape a card onto a pencil and stick in dirt. Tie a ribbon. Cute and witty.

Lantern – We bought a lantern from Target and fill with chocolate covered pretzels. Attach a card with a reference to the teacher being a “light” in your life.

Personalized Starbucks treats – I bought cups from the dollar store and a package of chocolate covered shortbread from costco. I personalized these labels with each teacher’s name from this link. Printed them on sticker paper, cut and attached. Great way to start any day! Tea Jar – Fill a canister with tea and then print this label from www.lifecreated.com

Personalized Heart Poem – I asked my child what they love about their teacher, typed in his reply on this link , and it generates a heart shaped card. Print and give. You can never go wrong with a child’s sweet words.

I am Blessed

I am Grateful

Say it with socks – ” I am Blessed and Grateful for you!” – These socks from Notes to Self are my obsession at the moment. Here’s an affiliate link Hand Picked strawberries – with a cute tag “I couldn’t have picked a better teacher”(from Dixie Delights).

photo from “Hello from the Natos”

Homemade Cookie Dough – Wrapped adorably in parchment paper, a favorite cookie dough has always been a well received gift. You can write a recipe directly on the parchment or print it out. You can also print the label from Nato’s photo from this link. double-chocolate-chews-l

Munchins – Cute idea from the Happy Home Fairy to bring in Munchkins with note. Click here to print their note.

“Orange you glad it’s summer” Printable – I found the printable over at Coley’s Corner and you can attach it to pretty much anything. Thanks to them for allowing us to use it.

Gift Card – “A teacher can’t survive on apples alone…” – I saw this months ago as a Christmas gift but think it’d be just as cute for a year end gift.

cake pops

Cake Pop Stand – after packaging each cake pop in plastic bags from Michaels, we wrapped a styrofoam rectangle in wrapping paper, stuck them in, and made a sign. Great Grab and Go treat when lots of teachers are involved.

Personalized Gifts – These ideas are easiest if you have a die cutter machine. Here are some ways we personalized an inexpensive item which are just so much fun to receive.