Kids
Travel & Vacation: Visiting Grand Cayman Island
Look Out Grand Cayman…..ready or not here we come!!! All 15 of us riding the ferry boat over to Grand Cayman Island!
Our first stop on the cruise was Grand Cayman Island! The kids were so excited to visit Grand Cayman and were really looking forward to exploring and swimming. Our ship did not dock on the island so we had to take a ferry boat over to the island. We arrived at Grand Cayman a little early so everyone had some time to shop, relax, and explore before we headed out on our tour.
Karlie and Brina are ready to go swimming!
Zach’s ready to go too! Relaxing on the boat ride over!
We made it to Grand Cayman Island! Where should we go first?
Hey Brina and Karlie, have you seen any pirates on the island yet? 🙂
Brina and Karlie hanging out on Grand Cayman Island! Their favorite store was the candy store! They had giant sized gummy teddy bears, a huge box of nerds, and more (we didn’t buy anything but it was cool to see some of the neat stuff they had in the store).
Hanging out with my favorite chickies!
Busy Grand Cayman street. Did you know that there are over 600 banks on the little Grand Cayman Island? Guess it is a popular place to have an “off-shore” bank account!
We found a great spot on a balcony to hang out for a few minutes together before going on the tour. You can see our ship from Grand Cayman Island, it is the one in the middle.
Dad and Jojo talking on the balcony. That huge boat on the left….yup that’s the one we went cruising on for a week!
Water Bottle Treats
The girls love it when I put something special in their lunches! One of their favorite surprises in their lunch box is when I make a water bottle container full goodies. The one pictured above was done on their last day of school last year as a way to celebrate the special day with them. Since they were in the same class last year I just sent one to share. This one is full of chocolate and vanilla oreos, but you could put anything in the water bottle container (fruit, veggies, crackers, etc…). I was super excited to hear they ended up sharing the cookies with their friends sitting next to them at lunch! 🙂
It is super easy to do and the kids will love it! Take two empty water bottles and cut the bottles in half (I pinched the bottle together and used scissors to cut the bottle in half). Wash out the bottles and make sure they are dry before filling with the treat. After putting the food into both halves of the bottle, push the two bottles together, and place a piece of decorative tape around the middle to hold the two bottles together. Write a note to your little one, put a hole punch in the middle, and tie it on with a ribbon. Stick it in their lunch box and wait to hear how excited they were when they opened up their lunch box!
Intentional Living: Weekly Goals
Our family had a BLAST last week with extended family! We went on a cruise with Royal Caribbean’s Independence of the Seas. We started at Fort Lauderdale, Florida and went to Grand Cayman, Jamaica, and Haiti. It was an amazing week full of awesome memories. The kids were really wanting to keep on cruising…..somehow the appeal of chores and schools didn’t sound like as much fun!
Last week’s goals
Family Goals
- Read On the Banks of Plum Creek by Laura Ingalls Wilder to the girls – still reading it to the girls
- Read the first book of the Imagination Station set Voyage with the Vikings by Marianne Hering and Paul McCusker to the girls – decided to read a Flat Stanley book first
Spend quality time with my family and extended family– spent a lot of time with family and extended family on the cruise! YAY!
Take extra pictures so we can remember our time togetherPlan a special activityPlay at least one game
Personal Goals
Exercise at least 5 days this week- Drink 8 glasses of water each day – didn’t keep track of how much I was drinking with all the activities
- Continue reading my YouVersion plan(s) – I did not have phone access while on the boat so catching up this week
- Finish reading One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp – got some reading done on the plane, but still not completed (stayed pretty busy with the family and kids)
- Finish reading Crazy Love by Francis Chan – got through more of the book
Home Management Goals
- All laundry for the week washed, folded, and put away in one day – was on a cruise so there was more laundry (swimsuits, formals, summer clothes, etc…) so it took more than one day since I was not able to start until the weekend
- Pay all upcoming bills – a weeks worth of mail was delivered on Saturday so have everything ready to be paid this week
Business Goals
Work on ideas for upcoming blog posts
Ministry Goals
Meet a friend or family member for Breakfast or Lunch
Financial Goals
For my January Grocery Budget I am replacing my typical Groceries $40 for 4 with my Life Simplified: No Grocery Shopping in order to use up some extra items in my fridge, freezer, and pantry.– this week was easy since we weren’t home- Payoff the Van – working on it
- Emergency Fund – save 3 months worth of living expenses – was on hold this past week
My goals for the upcoming week
Family Goals
- Read On the Banks of Plum Creek by Laura Ingalls Wilder to the girls
- Lunch Boxes & Book Bags packed the night before
- Daily School Activities & Homework Completed
- Attend After School Activities
- Plan one special Activity with the Family
- Unpack & put everything away from the Cruise Vacation
Personal Goals
- Exercise at least 5 days this week
- Drink 8 glasses of water each day
- Start with my new YouVersion plan(s)
- Finish reading One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp
- Finish reading Crazy Love by Francis Chan- going through this book with a group of friends
Home Management Goals
- All laundry for the week washed, folded, and put away in one day
- Weekly Dinner Menu planned out for the week
- Pay all upcoming bills
Business Goals
- Work on ideas for upcoming blog posts
- Keep up with the day to day items that need my attention
Ministry Goals
- Meet a friend or family member for Breakfast or Lunch
Financial Goals
- For my January Grocery Budget I am replacing my typical Groceries $40 for 4 with my Life Simplified: No Grocery Shopping in order to use up some extra items in my fridge, freezer, and pantry.
- Payoff the Van
- Pay medical bills in full
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.
Space by Twin Sisters
The girls really love to listen to music whether we are in the car, at home, or even sometimes outside! One of their favorite groups to listen to is Twin Sisters. The music CD listed above is on Space by Twin Sisters and is part of their Science Series. Every night as the girls are going to sleep they get to listen to one CD.
Before doing this they would keep each other up talking. With the music it helps give them some quiet time as they go to sleep and typically one or both are asleep before the music ends. The CD goes through a variety of fun songs about the space including astronauts, jobs, satellites, and more.
I love the fact that the girls are not only listening to music in the car or at home but that the music teaches them about specific topics like space. It says that the music is for ages 4 to 9 years old, but even younger or older kids will enjoy the cheerful music on the CD. Here are the songs on the CD:
- When I Grow Up
- Many Jobs To Choose From
- It’s Called Cooperation
- I’m Feeling Light As A Feather
- Can We Live In Space?
- You’re An Astronaut
- Famous Astronauts
- Stepping Out In Space With The MMU
- What Is A Satellite
- Heroes Of Our Time
- Space Colonies
- I’ll Be An Astronaut Medley
Fresh & Healthy: Lunch Box Meals
The girls bento boxes we picked up for them in India are now packed and ready for lunch
The girls always love taking school lunches. Jake and I picked up these cute little bento boxes while we were visiting India. The girls love taking them in their lunches to school.
A few weeks ago Karlie told me that she loves it when I pack her lunch. Last week Brina told me she would rather take a lunch to school everyday because she likes what I put into her bag, especially when I stick in a special surprise. Taking the time to pack lunches for the kids really does mean a lot to them.
Lunch Box Meal
- Sliced Pork Roast with sauteed Apple Slices
- Cinnamon Applesauce
- Wild Rice
- Fresh Green Beans (steamed)
- Water Bottle
Bento box goodies – pork with sauteed apples, applesauce, wild rice, and fresh steamed green beans
Heart Reflections: His Will or Ours?
I shared this quote awhile back with some friends and thought it may be something that would encourage you as well.
God doesn’t reveal His will for our consideration. He reveals it for our participation. – Andy Stanley
Often I find myself praying or asking God for what I “think” would be the best for my life instead of letting Him reveal it to me and being joyful in what He wants for me. Or worse when He reveals His will and I don’t like some of the stipulations because I want the ability to negotiate the terms instead of just doing what He asks of me.
I am grateful when He does make His will clear for us even if that means it will not always be smooth sailing. Thankfully we serve a merciful, gracious, forgiving, and loving God because I feel like I stumble and make mistakes more often then I should.
Hope everyone is having a great week. Praying for you, I know it is difficult doing everything that is set out before us each day. Before long the kids will be grown. I pray that we will be able to look back on these days rejoicing in the time we spent investing in their hearts and lives.
Sidewalk Chalk Drawings
The best part of warm weather is outdoor activities, like drawing rainbows with chalk!
Brina’s chalk person
Colorful sun
Brina’s rainbow name
Karlie’s rocket ship taking off
Intentional Living: Weekly Goals
Last week was crazy busy with doctor appointments, activities, and everything else. Jake was out of town again for a couple days so packing and unpacking for him done as well. Thankfully this week we’ll be spending extra time together since he doesn’t need to travel for work. Hopefully, we’ll get in some extra quality family time too! This week will be different than normal because our schedule is switched up a little bit, but I still plan to set some goals and have fun with it! We’ll be spending some extra time with extended family members too this week! 🙂
Last week’s goals
Family Goals
- Read On the Banks of Plum Creek by Laura Ingalls Wilder to the girls – we got started but were not able to finish it this week, it may take us a little longer because it is a bigger book. The girls are loving it!
Lunch Boxes & Book Bags packed the night beforeDaily School Activities & Homework CompletedAttend After School ActivitiesPlan one special Activity with the FamilyFinish going over our 2013 goalsDoctor Appointments
Personal Goals
Exercise at least 5 days this weekDrink 8 glasses of water each dayStart with my new YouVersion plan(s)- Finish reading One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp – made a little progress
- Finish reading Crazy Love by Francis Chan- going through this book with a group of friends so not quite down yet
Home Management Goals
All laundry for the week washed, folded, and put away in one dayWeekly Dinner Menu planned out for the weekPay all upcoming bills
Business Goals
Work on ideas for upcoming blog postsKeep up with the day to day items that need my attention
Ministry Goals
Meet a friend or family member for Breakfast or LunchWrite and Send Out Community Group EmailEmail a meeting notes from Alms & Legs Ministry Team meeting
Financial Goals
For my January Grocery Budget I am replacing my typical Groceries $40 for 4 with my Life Simplified: No Grocery Shopping in order to use up some extra items in my fridge, freezer, and pantry. – wrapped up week 3 of this goal (WooHoo!!!) 🙂- Payoff the Van – made another payment
- Emergency Fund – save 3 months worth of living expenses – didn’t make any headway this week but at least we’re holding steady
My goals for the upcoming week
Family Goals
- Read On the Banks of Plum Creek by Laura Ingalls Wilder to the girls
- Read the first book of the Imagination Station set Voyage with the Vikings by Marianne Hering and Paul McCusker to the girls
- Spend quality time with my family and extended family
- Take extra pictures so we can remember our time together
- Plan a special activity
- Play at least one game
Personal Goals
- Exercise at least 5 days this week
- Drink 8 glasses of water each day
- Continue reading my YouVersion plan(s)
- Finish reading One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp
- Finish reading Crazy Love by Francis Chan
Home Management Goals
- All laundry for the week washed, folded, and put away in one day
- Pay all upcoming bills
Business Goals
- Work on ideas for upcoming blog posts
Ministry Goals
- Meet a friend or family member for Breakfast or Lunch
Financial Goals
- For my January Grocery Budget I am replacing my typical Groceries $40 for 4 with my Life Simplified: No Grocery Shopping in order to use up some extra items in my fridge, freezer, and pantry.
- Payoff the Van
- Emergency Fund – save 3 months worth of living expenses
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.
Travel & Vacation: Kennedy Space Center (part 2)
We got to hear, Bob Springer, an astronaut that has been in space more than once speak and take a picture with him afterward! The girls were very excited to meet someone who has actually gone into space!
I shared a little bit about our trip to Kennedy Space Center earlier today. Here is a little bit more about what we did during our adventure. Thankful for the opportunity to spend some time in Florida, tour Kennedy Space Center, and spend some time catching up with our friends too.
Live feed of them docking! So neat to watch it before it is posted to the public.
After talking with an astronaut for a few minutes the girls wanted a picture in front of the live feed so they took a seat on the edge of the stage.
Two little chickies are ready in their 3D glasses for the NASA show!
Pausing for a moment to relax while waiting for our food. Karlie is processing it all and so THRILLED to be finally exploring Kennedy Space Center!
Having a BLAST at Kennedy Space Center!
Brina having fun and enjoying her Icee treat!
Travel & Vacation: Kennedy Space Center
Karlie has had a fascination with anything space related for several years now. She loves to talk about rockets, planets, astronauts, and more! Back when the girls were in preschool (more than 3 years ago) she received a Chic-Fil-A Kids Meal from school and inside it was a coupon for Kennedy Space Center. She asked if she could hang the coupon up on the refrigerator so maybe sometime when we go to Kennedy Space Center we can use it. The coupon was on the refrigerator for a long time (even after it expired). We did get a great deal online for a food package while at Kennedy Space Center (buy one get one free coupon) which covered all our food and snacks for the day.
A few months ago we made it to Kennedy Space Center. I still remember the day we told her we got tickets and were going to Florida. I think she jumped up and down, clapping, and giggling for several minutes. She was over joyed and immediately counting down the days until we would leave for Florida.
Our whole family had a blast exploring Kennedy Space Center. It was really neat to see all the history and learn so much about space, rockets, and everything else we could soak in that day. We arrived at Kennedy Space Center a few minutes before it opened and left as they were closing the gates. It was a neat experience!
We are getting closer!
Starting to see some cool stuff – United States Astronaut Hall of Fame
Karlie is on-the- edge-of-her-seat excited her dream to visit Kennedy Space Center is coming true!
We made it!
Daddy and girls strolling on into Kennedy Space Center, so cute seeing the girls excited and holding hands.
They look so tiny next to the base of this rocket!
Daddy and the girls trying it out!
Karlie is soooo excited and has looked forward to going to Kennedy Space Center for YEARS!
Sweet Brina had a grand time. Even though rockets are more of Karlie’s love she had a lot of fun exploring the area with us.
