Gift Giving
Date Night With My Sweet Girl
Eating dinner at Ryan’s Steakhouse
Recently, I was able to spend the evening with my Karlie Kool Kat. It was fun hanging out with her for the evening. We had a great time chatting over dinner, in the car, and on our adventures.
She had some specific requests of activities that she wanted to do that evening. While other activities were more spontaneous. Thankful for some time with my girl. We had a blast together.
She was excited to use her 2nd & Charles Gift Card from Christmas to buy some new books to read!
Gift Giving: Amazon Baby Registry
We have several family and friends who are expecting little ones in the near future! YAY!!! So happy for these dear people and the newest additions to their families. Some of them are having their very first babies while others they are expanding their families even more.
There is a lot of excitement and planning that goes into having a baby. One of the fun events is picking out the various items for the new baby and creating a baby registry. When I was pregnant with the twins I was unable to do the traditional Baby Registry due to 12 weeks of permanent bedrest. I had to rely on family and friends to be my eyes and ears at the store and the rest of the items I had to pick out online. Thankfully there are so many great options for expectant Moms now such as Amazon’s Baby Registry.
If you are looking for an easy and convenient way to set up your Baby Registry try out Amazon’s Baby Registry. It doesn’t matter where your family and friends are located they can easily purchase an item specific for your little one and have it sent directly to you (which can save on the shipping cost).
Here are some great benefits to having an Amazon Baby Registry:
- 10% Discount on Select Items Remaining on you Baby Registry
- 15% Discount if you are an Amazon Mom member
- Universal – anyone that is anywhere with internet connection to access the Baby Registry (convenient when you have family and friends spread out all over the world)!
- Returns are FREE for 90 days
- Add anything from any Online Store to the Baby Registry
- Easily Find & Track Items You Need for Your New Baby
- Browse the most popular baby registry gifts
- Find lists of top-rated baby products
- Gifts can be shipped to your designated Amazon Baby Registry Address
- Automatically generated Thank You list provides everything you need to send your gift-giver a thank-you note
- FREE Super Saver Shipping
- Created and Updated from the convenience of your own home (which is great perk for those who experience bedrest during pregnancy)!
It only takes a few minutes to set up an Amazon’s Baby Registry and you can add items as you need to throughout your pregnancy. Congratulations!!! Wishing you many wonderful blessings as you prepare for your sweet precious one!
Celebrating Christmas Eve With My Family
Brina requested homemade Monkey Bread!
Thankful for a quiet and fun Christmas Eve with my family. It was a great day! We ate read books, played games, ate great food, made gingerbread houses, watched classic Christmas movies, and more wonderful fun with the family. It is nice to have a day to spend making memories together.
We got to open a family gift a day early! Jake got us the game “Forbidden Desert – Thirst For Survival“! we had a blast playing it together TWICE today!
Making gingerbread houses out of graham crackers! We had a great time making a mess and putting them together!
They turned out pretty well!
My sweet, thoughtful, and handsome man! He drove all the way across town early this morning to get me sushi, love him!
Sushi anyone!?
Starting reading this classic Old Yeller by Fred Gipson book to the girls today…so far they are enjoying it!
My parents got us some sweet hot cashews! DELICIOUS!!!
Watched the classic Christmas movie – Rudolf the Red Nosed Reindeer!
Another Christmas classic – Frosty the Snowman
Last Minute Holiday Gift Idea – Amazon Prime Gift Certificate
It’s beginning to look A LOT like Christmas….. If you are still looking for the perfect or last minute gift for someone on your list you can give the gift of Amazon Prime. It is quick, easy, and will be a blessing to the person on the receiving end! An Amazon Prime Gift is perfect for anyone (men, women, kids, college students, couples, and more) on your gift list! You can now give the gift of Amazon Prime Membership.
Gift of Amazon Prime includes:
- FREE Two-Day Shipping on millions of items (no minimum order size)
- Unlimited, ad-free access to over a million songs and hundreds of playlists
- Instant streaming of thousands of movies and TV shows with Prime Instant Video
- Free unlimited photo storage in Amazon Cloud Drive
- Read free books each month through Kindle First and the Kindle Owners’ Lending Library
Amazon will send your recipient their gift on the day you choose along with the redemption instructions. The gift recipient can begin their Prime Membership immediately. If the recipient currently has a Prime Membership they can exchange their gift for an Amazon.com Gift Card.
The Amazon Prime Membership is perfect for any family and friends that enjoy online shopping. They will get FREE Shipping and many other perks with their membership. It is a great gift that could be used for as a Holiday, wedding, birthday, anniversary gifts, and more!
Intentional Living: Weekly Goals
I was able to accomplish a good bit of items the first half of the week! On Wednesday I got my second epidural steriod shot for my herniated disc so I was not able to do as much after that day. Thankfully, this time around I bounced back much quicker and did better. By the end of the week I was up and going again with some extra soreness and stiffness, but otherwise doing better. Hoping that this week with be even better. I am looking forward to spending extra time with the kids now that they are out of school for the Christmas Holidays.
Last week’s goals
Family Goals
Read the book The Cat Who Came For Christmas by Cleveland Amory to the kids– decided to switch to a different Christmas bookPlan one special activity with the familyPrepare for Upcoming Holiday EventsSpend time Monday – Friday helping the kids with HomeworkAttend After School ActivitiesLunch Boxes & Book Bags packed the night before- Play a Game with the Kids – we weren’t not able to do this one due to the extra time of healing
Take the Kids to the Library to pick out books to read over the Holidays- Send out Christmas Cards – this is the first year in a LONG time I did not send out Christmas Cards, at first I felt really guilty about it (and still do some days), but Jake told me that with everything that has been going on these past couple of months I need to just let some things go because I cannot do it all, unfortunately this was one item I did not get done (my apologies to family and friends), hopefully next year we will be able to get back in the Christmas card groove again.
- Complete Our Christmas Shopping – still working on it, hoping to be done before Christmas if not I guess we’ll just spread it out a little bit more
- Finish Wrapping Gifts – working on it, Jake has pitched in and helped too (thanks Handsome)
Ship Out Grandparents GiftsDeliver Neighbor Gifts– the girls helped make the gifts and delivered them all to each of the neighbors, thankful for all their help this year! Even though we live on a small street we still have 7 neighbors (all who are related except us) plus our mailman!
Personal Goals
Drink 8 glasses of water each dayContinue my YouVersion plan(s)– almost done with my 2014 bible reading plans!Go to my Doctor Appointments Scheduled this week
Home (Yard & Pets) Management Goals
- All laundry for the week washed, folded, and put away in one day – still haven’t been able to complete everything in one day, but I am getting closer!
Weekly Dinner Menu planned out for the weekClean House (Focus – At least 15 minute daily “pick up” to keep the house clean as we prepped for the Holidays)- Organize Chaos (Focus – Get Gifts Wrapped, Mailed, or Ready to put under Christmas Tree) – getting closer
- Yard Cleanup (Focus – Leaves) – my handsome man worked on this for us! Isn’t he AWESOME! There are still some on the side yard, but at least the front and back are done now!
- Pet Care (Focus – Skipper a Bath) – she has managed to escape a bath with the cooler weather!
Business Goals
Work on ideas for upcoming blog posts- Respond to Inquiry – Business Relation Emails – need to focus more on this specific task
Keep up with the day to day items that need my attentionWork completed for clients
Ministry Goals
Meet a friend or family member for Breakfast or Lunch
Financial Goals
- Payoff the Car – working on it
- Payoff Outstanding Debt – (replacement microwave, refrigerator, hot water heater, and other debt) – working on it
Pay Bills & File Paperwork- Go grocery shopping one time to one store this week and stay within budget – went only 1 day, but went to 2 stores and went over the budget
My goals for the upcoming week
Family Goals
- Read a variety of Christmas and Library Books my Kids Picked Out from Home and the local Library
- Plan one special activity with the family
- Prepare for Upcoming Holiday Events
- Play a Game with the Kids
- Spend Extra Time with the Kids
- Complete Our Christmas Shopping
- Finish Wrapping Gifts
- Celebrate our Family Christmas
- Make Cookies and Goodies with the Kids
- Do a craft with the kids
Personal Goals
- Drink 8 glasses of water each day
- Continue my YouVersion plan(s)
- Go to my Doctor Appointments Scheduled this week
Home (Yard & Pets) Management Goals
- All laundry for the week washed, folded, and put away in one day
- Weekly Dinner Menu planned out for the week
- Clean House (Focus – At least 15 minute daily “pick up” to keep the house clean as we prepped for the Holidays)
- Organize Chaos (Focus – Get Gifts Wrapped, Mailed, or Ready to put under Christmas Tree)
- Yard Cleanup (Focus – Finish Leaves)
- Pet Care (Focus – Skipper Dog Food Bought & Bin Refilled / Snowball’s Collar Battery Changed)
Business Goals
- Work on ideas for upcoming blog posts
- Respond to Inquiry – Business Relation Emails
- Keep up with the day to day items that need my attention
- Work completed for clients
Ministry Goals
- Meet a friend or family member for Breakfast or Lunch
Financial Goals
- Payoff the Car
- Payoff Outstanding Debt – (replacement microwave, refrigerator, hot water heater, and other debt)
- Pay Bills & File Paperwork
- Go grocery shopping one time to one store this week and stay within budget
I think it is important to share and encourage each other as we seek to improve our lives and the lives of those around us. I want to live intentionally not just hope all my dreams and goals come true. When I focus on small steps of improvement I am able to see results as I get closer to my goals. Some weeks I get closer to the goals I have in my life and other weeks a take a few steps back (life happens, emergencies occur, people get sick). Once the goals are written down and shared it provides a guideline for what I aim to accomplish this week.
Why Share My Goals?
- To keep me accountable
- To share a piece of my life with you as I strive to be a better Child of God, Wife, Mom, Friend, Homemaker, Entrepreneur and the many other roles I have each week
- To have my goals consistently written down so I can gauge progress more accurately
- Create healthy habits in my life
- To encourage you to share your goals with me as you continue to grown and learn
How did you do this week on your goals? Feel free to share or link to your list of weekly goals.
The picture above is one that I created for my own purposes, however, The “SMART” acronym was originally coined 30 years ago by Peter Drucker in his classic work, Management by Results.
Free Ebooks: 40+ Cupcake Recipes, Green Cleaning, Barrier Reef Animals, Top 50 Salad Dressing Recipes, Homemade Mixes, Solar System, Homemade Body Scrubs, Granola Recipes, Raising Backyard Chickens, and more!
The price to download these books is currently $0.00 (although the price may change at any time, please confirm prior to downloading). The ebooks are specifically for Kindles, however, you can click here and download the free application that allows you to read Kindle ebooks on your PC.
Download a free copy of 40 Cupcake Recipes by Cheryl King
Download a free copy of Green Cleaning – Nontoxic Homemade Cleaning Recipes by Family Traditions Publishing
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Download a free copy of Homemade Mixes – Make It Yourself and Save by Hillbilly Housewife
Download a free copy of Homemade Body Scrubs – Body Scrub Recipes You Can Make and Give by Family Traditions Publishing
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My Sweet Family Bringing Surprise “Get Well” Wishes!
Balloon and poinsettia plant from my husband and daughters!
It has been a little more challenging these last few months with the herniated disc in my neck. It gives me a whole new appreciation on many things in my life. I am very blessed to have a loving husband and caring kids that have pitched in numerous times on items I usually take care of these past couple of months (cooking, cleaning, laundry, grocery shopping, wrapping Christmas gifts, and so much more)!
Earlier this week I had my second epidural steroid shot in my neck. The last shot had two weeks of side effects and I had a tough time bouncing back from it so I was really nervous about getting another one a week before Christmas. Thankfully with the help of the doctors this second shot has been much better! I was able to take nausea medicine as soon as the nausea hit me so I didn’t get as sick from the shot. Also, we figured out after the procedure that I had an allergic reaction to the adhesive from the tape they used during the shot. Thankfully, we now know what caused the reaction so we can treat it accordingly. Jake and the girls surprised me with a balloon, plant, tasty treats, and Dunkin Donuts this week after my shot. So sweet and thoughtful of them! Love my family!
Even though I am more tired, stiff, and sore after the shot I can already tell it will not be as long of a recovery this time around (thankfully). I am praying that this will be the last epidural shot I will need to completely heal my neck. I am ready to get off the pain medicine and start living life normally again. I have come along way since October and hopefully I will be back to normal soon. I am truly grateful for all the family and friends who have prayed and encouraged me throughout this journey, you mean more to me than you will ever know!
The girls brought home a “Get Well Soon” balloon for me. Thankful for their thoughtfulness!
The red poinsettia plant is beautiful and festive this time of year!
Since I wasn’t as nauseous this time around Jake surprised me with Dunkin Donuts for breakfast the morning after my shot! Thanks Babe! You’re the BEST!
Dunkin Donuts to share with the family! Can you tell I like chocolate from his selection!?
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The price to download these books is currently $0.00 (although the price may change at any time, please confirm prior to downloading). The ebooks are specifically for Kindles, however, you can click here and download the free application that allows you to read Kindle ebooks on your PC.
Download a free copy of Homemade Christmas by Tawra J. Kellam and Jill Cooper
Download a free copy of Beautify Your D.I.Y. – A Guide to Gorgeous Natural Gifts by April Anderton
Download a free copy of Evernote – How to Use Evernote to Organize & Simplify Your Life by Andy Williams PhD (Side note regarding the Evernote program itself – Our family has been using Evernote for several years now to share our grocery list as well as gift ideas and lists of books we are looking for so everyone in the family can see it. That way if my husband is already at the store he can see what we need and pick up items from that store without me making an extra trip, it’s really nice and convenient to use! It also comes in handy at the used book store to check to see if there are any books available that you have been looking for. So if you are looking for this type of program to help you get organized and save time this may be a great book to read!)
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Download a free copy of The Practice of Practice by Jonahton Harnum
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Download a free copy of My Dad is a Superhero by Lily Lexington
Download a free copy of Herbal Medicine – 100 Key Herbs with All Their Uses as Herbal Remedies for Health and Healing by Christine Adams M.D. PhD
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Download a free copy of Meet Amazing Americans Workbook 40 by Like Test Prep Meet Amazing Americans
Download a free copy of Homemade Jelly and Jam Recipes – 35 Recipes to Make Delicious James and Jellies from Scratch by Hillbilly Housewife
Download a free copy of Janie and the Magic Box Christmas by Julia Dweck
Holiday Gift Giving: FoxMind Presents the Gift No One Else Can Give – Time In A Box
What does every child want? An I Pad? Xbox? Maybe, but what is the one thing that every child wants, needs and deserves? At FoxMind Games they believe they know the answer and today announced the international availability of its new Time in a Box.
The new product, the brainchild of child psychologist and writer Rute Moreira, is more than its contents. It’s a gift of dedicated time; an opportunity to try new things; a way to explore art and science; a chance to plan for the future and to consider the past; and a way to tell a child in your life that they matter to you – more than anything!
David Capon, President of FoxMind, explained, “The benefits of Time in a Box extend beyond the product itself because it creates uninterrupted quality moments with the family and reinforces social-emotional connections. It also aims to reinforce the child’s feeling of connection to a larger community such as the neighborhood or the town where he or she lives.”
When you give Time in a Box, (MSRP $17.95 for 2 players ages 6 and up) you are offering a child you care about the gift no one else in the world can give them: your time. Inside the box you’ll find 96 activity cards that allow a child to momentarily shift your priorities and focus on doing a special activity together, such as playing a board game; solving a puzzle; starting a family tree; making a blanket fort; or carrying out an act of kindness that will bring a smile to a stranger’s face. Time in a Box includes a simple written agreement between you and the child that sets the ground rules by which you’ll both abide. Adults should switch off their smart phones and get ready for some quality time!
“Season-by-season, Time in a Box is a gift that inspires activities that provide a wealth of ways to make memories together and the unique and beautiful box can serve as a memory chest where pictures and notes can be collected and treasured,” Capon said.
Order your Time in a Box Game today on the FoxMind website today. While you are there check out FoxMind‘s many other great games too!
Love It – Hand Warmer Mug
For my birthday my Mother-in-Law gave me a Hand Warmer Mug along with Huckleberry Taffy. The mug is handmade and a beautiful blend of purple, blue, and green (three of my favorite colors)! The first time I saw a hand warmer mug was a few months ago on a date with my man! I thought it was super neat, but never had the opportunity to get or use one!
Since I got one for my birthday I have been really enjoying it. The mug holds a good amount of liquid and keeps my hands warm while sipping on my coffee, hot chocolate, apple cider, or tea. I love it!
She got my hand warmer mug from Made in Washington, but there are a lot of places you can probably find them locally or on Amazon. They have mugs specific made for both right-handed people as well as left-handed, make sure to pick the one that works best for you. Also, they come in a variety of color combinations so you can pick you favorite colors too!
The birthday box containing my Hand Warmer Mug and the delicious Huckleberry Taffy!
Enjoying my coffee!
“Love It” is a series of posts on items that I use regularly in my household that I love! There are some items in our daily lives that make life more enjoyable, efficient, or just plain fun. I will be sharing with you some of the products that have been given to us (or to me) that have made it to the top of my list. It’s my way of giving a huge thumbs up!
