#9

Our friend, her husband and 3 daughters spent the weekend puking. FUN! So, Monday, KAMI took dinner to them (including Mom's Potato Cheese Soup. Yum.)

#8

Our Bishop spent 9 hours last week trying to install a storm door on his house. Unable to complete the job, JACOB went over Saturday and finished it in two hours - in the FREEZING COLD (I mean, seriously, seriously COLD)!!! The Bishop posted this on facebook that night:

 I spent the whole day last Saturday trying to put on a storm door. I couldn't do it. Jacob Matthews came over today and in a couple of hours, it works better than any storm door I've seen!

#7

Yesterday, we got 13.5 inches of snow in Philly! Yeah! Without being prompted, LUKE went outside and started shoveling the neighbors walk.

#6

Both LUKE and MILES have been making a huge effort to open doors for people wherever we go! A lady at church noticed Luke holding the door for a woman in a wheelchair and was so impressed at his kindness at such a young age.

#5

As was mentioned in the last post, KAMI drove down to D.C. with the boys Friday after school got out. She watched the 6 Spigarelli kids - as well as her own 3 - all day Saturday and Monday while Jake, Rachel and David worked at the new house. Needless to say, she doesn't plan on having 9 children of her own! ;)

(especially since two of these kids were both around 8 months!)

All the cousins had a blast together!

#4

Jacob's sister, Rachel, and hubby, David - bought an old house and have been remodeling it almost entirely by themselves. While they have been working, they have been living in a small townhome with their 6 kids . . . and they are desperate to get out! They have been feeling overwhelmed and exhausted from months and months of work, so JACOB offered to go down to Washington D.C. to help them out for a second time (the first was in early December). He took the bus down to D.C. this past Thursday night, took off work on Friday and worked ALL DAY Fri, Sat and Mon with David and Rachel. He installed many, many doors (around 17, I think . . .), helped with electrical work, trim, painting, yard work, etc. About this effort, Rachel wrote this email to the extended Matthews family:

You know that feeling when you didn't even realize how thirsty you were until you enjoyed a big drink of water?  That is how I feel today.  Jacob is here at my house this weekend, helping, again.  He is full of praise and kind words.  It helps me realize just how discouraged we have been to see how we pluck up at his compliments.  I am so grateful for his hard work on our behalf and his cheerful attitude.  Kami is coming tonight with all the boys, planning to babysit my children while I go over and help with the last details.  I can see the finish line!

 Jake and his apprentice, Luke!

(Who was NOT with him most of the time he was working . . .)

#3

Upon seeing the trash men working their way up our block, MILES asked me if he could take them water bottles! I said, "Sure!" He and his friend ran out with two - one for each of them - they smiled and waved and even honked as they drove away.

#2

When I was getting my lunch in the school cafeteria I was 30cents short in my account. The cashier offered to take it out of her own personal lunch account . When I paid her back, I included extra.
Kalenn

#1

I sent a message to a friend to let her know I was thinking of her on the day of a loved ones funeral.  Kalenn

How this blog came about...

When I (Kalenn), arrived home from Ohio after my wonderful mother's passing, and reality began to sink in a bit...it was the second week of January.  I began to think I should set a few goals for the new year as I always do.  As I contemplated this, all I could think about was my mom.  I then decided...why not make some goals to honor mom in some way?  That is when I thought of doing 86, since she died at age 86, kind acts for others.  I started to wonder if I could be creative enough to do that many on my own, and would I lose steam if I did them over a period of a whole year?  So I decided to invite my husband, my great kids and their awesome spouses, as well as my grandkids, to join me.  I also decided to make it happen by her 87th birthday! I am so excited to make some small differences in peoples lives over the next 5 months!  This would make Mom happy, I believe.  I love her so much and love my family for their desire to join me on this quest!