I swore I would never ever do any kind of Elf on the Shelf thing.  I thought it was ridiculous that we had to add another “store-created” Christmas tradition just because it was trendy.  My Baby Girl began to wonder why she was the only kid who wasn’t visited by a skinny elf during the holidays.  I told her it’s because she was already trying to be a good girl (she really does try hard), and I didn’t like how the elf came to check on you and remind you to be good, and then did naughty things himself.  BUT this year I found on The Imagination Tree that there is an alternative.  They are Kindness Elves and I decided to try it.

Kindness Elves are an alternative to the regular Elf on the Shelf.  They encourage kind acts of service and love.  The bring in the Christmas spirit.  In many ways they are like the Elf on the Shelf.  They still sneak around your house while you sleep and each morning you find them in a different place.  They also suggest a way for our family to be kind or help someone that day.

This is our letter from the Kindness Elves.  The letter reminds my kids that Santa knows they are trying their best to be good. 

Update!  This year our kindness elf came with these cute cards attached to her!  You can print them for free below!

Other resources:
The Best Types of Flowers to Gift on a Birthday
How to Surprise Someone with Birthday Flowers at Work

I’m a Mormon . . . please let me explain

I realized recently that with as much that I share on this blog, I often do not share the most important part of my life.  It’s the part that makes up who I am to the very core of my soul.  It’s a very special part of me.  So today I’ve decided to share this part of me, realizing I may risk losing some of you.  Though I hope I don’t.  I hope you’ll accept me for who I am, as I accept you.  Will you be open to what I have to say and appreciate my honesty?  As a blogger, I am vulnerable to my reader.  I share and put myself out there, not usually knowing if anyone cares or even likes what I have to say.  I open myself up to praise or ridicule–sometimes never knowing which I receive.  But I hope you’ll at least listen for a moment. Click here to read about Easy Halloween Minute-to-Win-It Party (plus printables)

I am a Mormon.  Have you heard of Mormons?  It means I am a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  Another name for us is LDS or Latter-day Saint.  But Mormon is a common nickname, even though it’s not the name of our church.  Being a Mormon, or being LDS, means that I believe in Jesus Christ.  I believe He is my Savior.  I believe in God also.  I think of Him as my Heavenly Father.  I believe they created this earth–the stars, the sunsets, the flowers, the oceans and all the beautiful things upon it, including people.  I believe God watches over me and that Jesus died for me.  I believe God put us here on earth for a purpose.  We are children of God and He is always watching over us.

Being Mormon means I also believe that families are eternal.  Our families can be forever.  When someone dies, it is not the end, and we will see that person again.  Our Heavenly Father has a plan for each of us  and we are never alone.  God wants us to be happy.  He wants us to learn and make choices.  He wants us to do good, keep His commandments, and help other people.

Being a Mormon means I believe the true gospel of Jesus Christ has been restored to the earth again. I believe Joseph Smith helped bring about this restoration and that he was a prophet, like the prophets of old in the Bible.  Many think that God does not speak to us on earth.  But He does.  There is a modern day prophet who helps guide us through all these hard, confusing times.  And each person can know these things for themselves.  Heavenly Father helps those who seek truth.  He loves each one of us.  Each soul is precious in the eyes of God.

As a Mormon I read the scriptures.  I love the Bible and also The Book of Mormon.  I read the scriptures every morning with my husband and children.  I read them on my own too, as often as possible.  The scriptures help me learn, they also bring me peace and understanding to problems in my life.  I pray often as well–actually everyday.  I pray alone.  I pray with my husband.  I pray with my children.  Everyday.  I know God listens to our sincere prayers.  I know He answers too.

I believe in goodness.  I believe in pure happiness.  My life is not perfect.  I’m a freckle-faced girl and dumb things happen to me everyday–sometimes even hard or painful things.  But I think I can truly say that for the most part I am happy.  I have found peace by living as I do.