Kids

  • Intentional Living: Weekly Goals

     Last week we packed in a lot of regular as well as fun activities.  As I look over my goals for last week there were a lot of items that didn’t get done or weren’t done on time.  We had a family member get sick the first half of last week and that set me back a couple of days on top of all the other little things that pop up from day to day.  Hopefully next week I will be able to tackle more items on my list!

    Last week’s goals:

    Family Goals

    1. Read to the girls and have them read to me daily – the girls read to me every day last week but after school, activities, homework, dinner, baths, etc…..there wasn’t enough time left for me to read to them every night last week.
    2. Lunch Boxes & Book Bags packed the night before
    3. Daily School Activities & Homework Completed
    4. Attend After School Activities
    5. Plan one special Activity with the Family – we did a bonfire at the house and went to the fair
    6. Go on a Date Night with my Handsome Man – YAY!  We were able to go out and celebrate our 12th anniversary together (a little delayed since it was in July, ha). We had a blast together and the girls had fun too! 🙂

    Personal Goals

    1. Exercise at least 5 days this week – had a few extra items put on my plate so didn’t get it done this week
    2. Drink 8 glasses of water each day – almost did it
    3. Finish reading Our Boys by Joe Drape – I started this one a couple years ago and never finished so starting over.  It’s about the Smith Center, Kansas football team (it has been interesting reading the book so far because I know some of the people in it since my parents live near Smith Center) – only a couple chapters remaining

    Home Management Goals

    1. All laundry for the week washed, folded, and put away in one day – I washed & folded in one day but put it away the following day
    2. Weekly Dinner Menu planned out for the week
    3. Start tackling my Fall Organizational Schedule – getting closer
    4. Pay all upcoming bills

    Business Goals

    1. Work on ideas for upcoming blog posts
    2. Keep up with the day to day items that need my attention
    3. Get caught up on blog items – not sure if I will ever get completely caught up

    Ministry Goals

    1. Meet a friend or family member for Breakfast or Lunch
    2. Write and Send Out Community Group Email

    Financial Goals

    1. Stay within Budget on Groceries $40 for 4 – went over this week
    2. Payoff the Van – working on it, sold our 200 bushels of wheat so that will help pay down the van
    3. Emergency Fund – save 3 months worth of living expenses (we are trying to build this back up because we had to take some out for unexpected expenses recently.) – working on it

    My goals for the upcoming week:

    Family Goals

    1. Read to the girls and have them read to me daily
    2. Lunch Boxes & Book Bags packed the night before
    3. Daily School Activities & Homework Completed
    4. Attend After School Activities
    5. Plan one special Activity with the Family
    6. Attend Back to School Night Event
    7. Schedule a Meet & Greet with 1 of the girls teachers

    Personal Goals

    1. Exercise at least 5 days this week
    2. Drink 8 glasses of water each day
    3. Finish reading Our Boys by Joe Drape – I started this one a couple years ago and never finished so starting over.  It’s about the Smith Center, Kansas football team (it has been interesting reading the book so far because I know some of the people in it since my parents live near Smith Center)

    Home Management Goals

    1. All laundry for the week washed, folded, and put away in one day
    2. Weekly Dinner Menu planned out for the week
    3. Start tackling my Fall Organizational Schedule
    4. Pay all upcoming bills

    Business Goals

    1. Work on ideas for upcoming blog posts
    2. Keep up with the day to day items that need my attention
    3. Get caught up on 5 blog items

    Ministry Goals

    1. Meet a friend or family member for Breakfast or Lunch
    2. Write and Send Out Community Group Email
    3. Work out the details of our Community Group Camping Adventure

    Financial Goals

    1. Stay within Budget on Groceries $40 for 4
    2. Payoff the Van
    3. Emergency Fund – save 3 months worth of living expenses (we are trying to build this back up because we had to take some out for unexpected expenses recently.)

    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.

  • Left Center Right Dice Game

    Our family loves to play games!  The problem now that school, homework, and all the extra activities have started we do not have a lot of free time to squeeze in long games.  One great game that doesn’t take a lot of time but is still fun for the whole family to play is Left Center Right Dice Game by Koplow Games.  Left Center Right is fast-paced dice game with 3 cubes, the player rolls the dice and distributes their chips based on what the dice are showing (left, right, center, or keep).  The last player with chips is the winner.   The game is designed for 3 or more players.

    Another positive is it helps teach younger kids the difference between right and left.   It is easy to play even for younger kids and is a relatively short so we can play it after dinner.   Since the game is small we have taken it with us to road trips to play as well.  Sometimes just taking a few minutes to play together helps everyone relax after a busy day.  What quick and easy games does your family like to play?

  • Travel & Vacation: Notes on Display

    Brina and Karlie hung all their notes from me on the wall outside their door.

    Earlier this year I went on a trip and left the girls several notes to read while I was away.  They had a note for about every other day that I was away from home.  When I came back from my trip they had all their notes hanging next to their bedroom door so they could see and read them often.  Writing the little notes to the girls has been a huge help as everyone transitions during our few days apart.

    Brina line of  notes

    Karlie’s notes hanging up on the wall

    One of Karlie’s sticky notes on the wall

    Brina had a line of sticky notes that I had given her up on the wall too.

    It was so cute to see that they treasured all the notes that I had written to them.  The wall by their door was covered in cards and sticky notes.  I was actually surprised at how many there were.  Thankful for the sweet girls that I have been given and I pray that they know how much they mean to me.

  • Intentional Living: Weekly Goals

    Our family is getting into the school routine schedule.  Jake had a little bit of traveling last week so I had to manage the house, kids, and animals on my own but everyone did great.  Thankfully he is back home for quite awhile now.  I had half a day last week when my phone, internet, and email decided it wasn’t going to work (which was a mixed blessing) because I was able to get some cleaning and other items tackled around the house.  I did well in some areas this week but not so hot in others.  Hopefully this week will be a little better because I am falling behind with some of my goals.

    Last week’s goals:

    Family Goals

    1. Read to the girls and have them read to me daily
    2. Lunch Boxes & Book Bags packed the night before
    3. Daily School Activities & Homework Completed
    4. Attend After School Activities
    5. Go to the Upper South Carolina State Fair
    6. Work on items around the house & yard together on Labor Day – got the yard mowed thanks to the help of my sweet brother and some of the garage cleaned out
    7. Spend quality time together on Labor Day since everyone is off work and school

    Personal Goals

    1. Exercise at least 5 days this week – didn’t happen this week
    2. Drink 8 glasses of water each day – one day I had back to back appointments and forgot to bring a water bottle with me
    3. Finish reading Our Boys by Joe Drape – I started this one a couple years ago and never finished so starting over.  It’s about the Smith Center, Kansas football team (it has been interesting reading the book so far because I know some of the people in it since my parents live near Smith Center) – working on it

    Home Management Goals

    1. All laundry for the week washed, folded, and put away in one day – had to split it up into 2 days with the Holiday weekend and spending extra time with my family
    2. Weekly Dinner Menu planned out for the week
    3. Prep for my Fall Organizational Schedule
    4. Pay all upcoming bills

    Business Goals

    1. Work on ideas for upcoming blog posts
    2. Keep up with the day to day items that need my attention
    3. Get caught up on blog items

    Ministry Goals

    1. Meet a friend or family member for Breakfast or Lunch
    2. Write and Send Out  Community Group Email

    Financial Goals

    1. Stay within Budget on Groceries $40 for 4
    2. Payoff the Van – working on it
    3. Emergency Fund – save 3 months worth of living expenses (we are trying to build this back up because we had to take some out for unexpected expenses recently.) – working on it

    My goals for the upcoming week:

    Family Goals

    1. Read to the girls and have them read to me daily
    2. Lunch Boxes & Book Bags packed the night before
    3. Daily School Activities & Homework Completed
    4. Attend After School Activities
    5. Plan one special Activity with the Family
    6. Go on a Date Night with my Handsome Man

    Personal Goals

    1. Exercise at least 5 days this week
    2. Drink 8 glasses of water each day
    3. Finish reading Our Boys by Joe Drape – I started this one a couple years ago and never finished so starting over.  It’s about the Smith Center, Kansas football team (it has been interesting reading the book so far because I know some of the people in it since my parents live near Smith Center)

    Home Management Goals

    1. All laundry for the week washed, folded, and put away in one day
    2. Weekly Dinner Menu planned out for the week
    3. Start tackling my Fall Organizational Schedule
    4. Pay all upcoming bills

    Business Goals

    1. Work on ideas for upcoming blog posts
    2. Keep up with the day to day items that need my attention
    3. Get caught up on blog items

    Ministry Goals

    1. Meet a friend or family member for Breakfast or Lunch
    2. Write and Send Out Community Group Email

    Financial Goals

    1. Stay within Budget on Groceries $40 for 4
    2. Payoff the Van
    3. Emergency Fund – save 3 months worth of living expenses (we are trying to build this back up because we had to take some out for unexpected expenses recently.)

    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.

  • Book: “The Grasshopper Trap” by Patrick McManus

    The girls love it when we have a few extra minutes in the evening to read to them.  This past year we started reading more “chapter” books to them, however, sometimes Jake reads to them and other nights I am the one reading to them.  We each picked out the book that we are currently reading to the girls.  I am reading a horse book but Jake picked out The Grasshopper Trap by Patrick McManus.  The nice part about Patrick McManus’s books is each chapter is a short story and they are hilarious.  Many times all four of us are laughing at the silliness.  It is a great way to wind down, laugh a little, and relax together after a busy day.

    This book is also perfect to read on camping trips.  A few of the stories the girls really enjoyed were “The Skunk Ladder”, “The Grasshopper Trap”, “The Human Fuel Pump”, and “Mean Tents”.  The book we have is the older version with the red cover but the contents are still the same.  If you like outdoor adventures and funny short stories this is a great book to check out.

  • Fresh & Healthy: Lunch Box Meals

    Karlie and Brina’s lunches all packed and ready to go for school.

    With the school year in full bloom we have once again started the lunch box routine.  Every evening before going to bed we put together all the lunches for the following day including school and work lunches.  After everything is all packed the lunch boxes are put into the refrigerator so in the morning all that we need to do it pull them out, stick in an ice pack, and go.   The mornings are busy enough with activity so prepping the night before saves us a lot of time.  We try to pack a protein (sandwich / meat), fruit, vegetable, diary (yogurt or cheese stick), drink, and snack in each lunch.  Everyday is a little different to add more variety to their lunches.

    Fresh plums, garden tomatoes, and other goodies

    Lunch Box Meal:

    • Peanut Butter & Strawberry Jam Sandwich
    • Fresh Red Plums
    • Blueberry or Mixed Berry Yogurt Tubes
    • Garden Red Cherry Tomatoes
    • Ritz Cheese Crackers
    • Strawberry Fruit Rollup
    • Honey Ham Stick
    • Mini M&M’s
    • Reduced Sugar Cherry or Pineapple Juice

    The cupcake sandwich container and princess baggie add a little more excitement to the lunch.

    While it may look like a lot of food the items packed in their lunch boxes have to get them through the majority of the day including school lunch and an afternoon snack.  We have activities after school every day of the week so whatever they don’t eat for lunch they will eat as a snack on the way to the activity for the day. Since we have started doing the school lunch boxes they have had more energy because they are eating a more balanced meal and snack plus we know exactly what they are eating.  Do you pack lunches everyday for your kids?  How do you keep it exciting for them?

  • Travel & Vacation: Little Notes of Love

    Hidden I love you notes on the DVD shelf

    I love my girls to pieces…..and then a little more.  It is important to me that they know how much they are loved and treasured.  One of the ways I spread the love is by writing surprise notes for them.  When I go on a trip or at random times throughout the week I put a note someplace that they will be sure to see.  It is worth investing a little extra time each week to show my family that I am thinking about them.  Several of these notes were from a trip I took earlier this year.  Here are a few other little notes of love I have shared with my kids.  Although most of the notes are simple they have a huge positive ripple effect on my kids making it worth every second I spend doing it.

    Love note to my girls.

    This particular note is posted on the hallway wall outside their bedroom door.

    Little Love Note to Karlie on the inside of her new notebook

    Brina’s Little Love Note on her new notebook

    Just in case she forgot this was on the wall next to her bed!

    Note to Brina posted right next to her bed!

    Little Love Note written on the inside of a white box and sat on the ping pong table (with a little treat for each kid.)

    There are those days when we all could use a bear hug!  When “Mom’s” not there to give a hug a sister is a great substitute!  This sign was posted on their bedroom door.

  • Pampers Gifts to Grow – 10 Free Points

    You can receive another 10 free points from Pampers with a new Gifts to Grow code!

    This code is different from the previous codes I have given.

    • Use Code:  FB9TLABDAXB3912

    (Expires 9/9/12 at midnight CST)

    You can save up the rewards to purchase gifts!

    For more information about the Pampers Gift to Grow Program and how you can start earning Pampers “Gifts to Grow” Rewards for your family go to Pampers Gifts to Grow!

  • Intentional Living: Weekly Goals

    The girls did great on their first full week of school.  Everyone is doing well but still adjusting to the school schedule (Mom included).  On top for all the school fun we had doctor appointments, after school activities, and surgery keeping us busy this past week.  The good news is we have today off of school and work to catch up on items around the house and to spend some extra time together as a family.

    Last week’s goals:

    Family Goals

    1. Read regularly to the girls and have them read to me
    2. Greenville Drive Baseball Game with Family – the girls earned their tickets from the library by reading books this summer
    3. Daily School Activities & Homework Completed – homework is more time consuming with them being in different classes but we managed it pretty well this week.
    4. Lunch Boxes & Book Bags packed the night before
    5. Doctor Appointments
    6. After School Activities
    7. ENT Surgery & Recovery

    Personal Goals

    1. Exercise at least 5 days this week – didn’t stay on top of this one
    2. Finish reading Our Boys by Joe Drape – I started this one a couple years ago and never finished so starting over.  It’s about the Smith Center, Kansas football team (it has been interesting reading the book so far because I know some of the people in it since my parents live near Smith Center) – I started it again! 🙂

    Home Management Goals

    1. All laundry for the week washed, folded, and put away in one day
    2. Weekly Dinner Menu planned out for the week
    3. Prep for my Fall Organizational Schedule – hoping to get to this next week
    4. Pay all upcoming bills

    Business Goals

    1. Work on ideas for upcoming blog posts
    2. Keep up with the day to day items that need my attention
    3. Get caught up on blog items – getting started

    Ministry Goals

    1. Meet a friend or family member for Breakfast or Lunch
    2. Write and Send Out  Alms & Legs Team Meeting Notes

    Financial Goals

    1. Stay within Budget on Groceries $40 for 4 – only got a few items this week
    2. Payoff the Van – working on it

    My goals for the upcoming week:

    Family Goals

    1. Read to the girls and have them read to me daily
    2. Lunch Boxes & Book Bags packed the night before
    3. Daily School Activities & Homework Completed
    4. Attend After School Activities
    5. Go to the Upper South Carolina State Fair
    6. Work on items around the house & yard together on Labor Day
    7. Spend quality time together on Labor Day since everyone is off work and school

    Personal Goals

    1. Exercise at least 5 days this week
    2. Drink 8 glasses of water each day
    3. Finish reading Our Boys by Joe Drape – I started this one a couple years ago and never finished so starting over.  It’s about the Smith Center, Kansas football team (it has been interesting reading the book so far because I know some of the people in it since my parents live near Smith Center)

    Home Management Goals

    1. All laundry for the week washed, folded, and put away in one day
    2. Weekly Dinner Menu planned out for the week
    3. Prep for my Fall Organizational Schedule
    4. Pay all upcoming bills

    Business Goals

    1. Work on ideas for upcoming blog posts
    2. Keep up with the day to day items that need my attention
    3. Get caught up on blog items

    Ministry Goals

    1. Meet a friend or family member for Breakfast or Lunch
    2. Write and Send Out  Community Group Email

    Financial Goals

    1. Stay within Budget on Groceries $40 for 4
    2. Payoff the Van
    3. Emergency Fund – save 3 months worth of living expenses (we are trying to build this back up because we had to take some out for unexpected expenses recently.)

    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.

  • Book – “Charleston, SC: Cool Stuff Every Kid Should Know” by Kate Boehm Jerome

     

    On our last trip to Charleston, South Carolina we picked up a fun book to read with the kids during our stay called  Charleston, SC: Cool Stuff Every Kid Should Know by Kate Boehm Jerome.  The book is short, sweet, and entertaining.  The first section of the book is on Charleston, but the rest of the book talks about the state of South Carolina.  We enjoyed it because it highlighted one of our favorite places to visit Charleston and it gave even more details about our state.  The only drawback is if you are looking for a book only on Charleston this has parts that cover other areas of South Carolina as well.  The book is only 30 pages long but it does have some neat tidbits about Charleston and South Carolina with colorful pictures.

    Another awesome book that I highly recommend on Charleston is the Very Charleston: A Celebration of History, Culture, and Lowcountry Charm by Diana Hollingsworth Gessler.