Loving Life
Teaching Our Children: How to Build a Catapult
A fun little experiment for the whole family
The girls were talking with Jake recently about catapults. He decided to make it a teachable moment for the kids. They worked on designing and building a catapult. It was a lot of fun to watch them working together. The girls were super excited to see how well their catapult experiment worked! Thankful for a husband who takes the time to do fun and educational activities with the kids. Great memories with their Daddy!
Jake & the girls catapult design
Little pieces of the catapult that the girls have sanded
Brina working hard
Karlie sanding her piece of the catapult
Teamwork!
Ready to launch the first unsuspecting acorn across the driveway! It worked really well! 🙂
Heart Reflections: Spending One-On-One With Each Kid
I cannot remember how old the girls were when we started with official Date Nights, but we always tried to make sure we had one-on-one time with each child even when they were little. That could mean taking one child to the grocery store while Daddy reads to the one at home. Now that the girls are older we give them several Date Night options that appeal to them.
We do a mix of “Home Date Nights” and “Out on the Town Date Nights” to help make it more cost effective for the family. Most months we swap, usually one of us goes out with one child and the other stays home (great chance to watch a movie or do puzzles, play a game or build a castle out of legos). The date nights with the kids give us time to have fun, make memories, and opens up a multitude of opportunities to have some heart to heart conversations with our kids.
Also, it is very important that your children see you and your spouse go on Date Nights and have fun together too. Usually when Jake and I go out the girls want to make sure that their “turn” is coming up soon! Thankful for time to spend with my family!
What’s for Dinner: Our Weekly Menu Plan
I have a lot going on this week so it is important to stick to the menu. There are a lot of extra activities and Holiday projects that need to get done this week. Hopefully, having the menu will help us stay on track and use our time efficiently. Here is our menu plan for the upcoming week:
Our Weekly Menu Plan
- Monday (Beef or Pork Entree): Spaghetti & Meatballs, Garlic Bread
- Tuesday (Kid’s Night to Cook): Hamburgers, Green Beans
- Wednesday (Chicken or Vegetarian Entree): Chicken Quesadillas, Fresh Salad
- Thursday (Pasta or Seafood Entree): Baked Tilapia, Steamed Vegetables
- Friday, Saturday, & Sunday: Leftovers, Family Preference, and Hosting
I have a general pattern I try to follow for my weekly Menu Plan (for example Monday we have a beef or seafood entree and so forth). It is my goal, at least in the beginning, to have at least the main dish and one side planned. I will put together the remaining side dishes (veggies / fruits) based on the food items that need to be used up first and compliment the main entree.
Setting a weekly menu plan helps me utilize my time better, thus freeing up extra time to spend with my family. On the days that I am working longer hours I can prep the meal in advance so it will be easier to pull together once I am home. As I go through the menu planning process I will try to share some of our favorite family recipes. If there is a specific recipe you would like please let me know and I will do my best to accommodate (some recipes are a toss together meal and I do not use any set measurements).
As a family of four our life can get busy. What’s for Dinner is our weekly menu planning series and one of the ways to help keep us organized, on schedule, and within budget. Our family typically eats 6 to 7 dinner meals at home a week. We do try to go out to eat at least once a month as a special treat. Breakfasts are eaten at home before work and school, lunches are eaten at work, school, or home, so dinner is our main meal together as a family. Dinner is our time to reconnect, share, and enjoy being together after a busy day. Our weekly menu plan covers Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday only because the weekend (Friday, Saturday, and Sunday) is our time to spend with family and friends. The weekends tend to be more spontaneous and my husband (who is the better cook) likes pitching in therefore we keep the menu open for variety. We use up the leftovers throughout the week for our lunches and on the nights that we are busy or can’t cook.
Photo by Liz
Intentional Living: Weekly Goals
Last week flew by so quickly I barely had time to blink. December is flying by too fast. Although I was able to get a lot accomplished this past week I need to put-it-in-gear and prep for the upcoming Holidays, including finish decorating and getting gifts for those on my list this year. Not to mention Christmas cards, wrapping, and more…. With everything that has been going on these past few months I feel like I am falling behind. It’s time to catch up and get some Holiday and year end activities done this week!
Last week’s goals
Family Goals
- Read the book Wonder’s First Race by Joanna Campbell to the kids – getting closer, we’ve had a lot of after school activities and homework last week
Plan one special activity with the family– we met our cousins and went through the Journey to Bethlehem which was amazing!Prepare for Upcoming Winter EventsSpend time Monday – Friday helping the kids with HomeworkAttend After School ActivitiesLunch Boxes & Book Bags packed the night beforePlay a Game with the Kids- Start Organizing the Kids Scrapbook Items – I made a little progress, but not enough to cross it off the list
Dr. Appointments for Kids
Personal Goals
Drink 8 glasses of water each dayContinue 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 – it is still taking me more than one day
Weekly Dinner Menu planned out for the week- Do at least one “Make 1 & Freeze 1″ Meal Prep (make a main dish to eat that day and one to freeze for later) – did not do it this week
Clean House (Focus – Suitcases Unpacked & Put Away from Wedding / Thanksgiving Trip)- Organize Chaos (Focus – Snack Bins Refilled) – got about half of it done before getting pulled away to other activities
- Yard Cleanup (Focus – Pool and Leaves) – it rained again so we were not able to get this done
Pet Care (Focus – Hay Feeder Filled)
Business Goals
Work on ideas for upcoming blog postsRespond to Inquiry – Business Relation EmailsKeep 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- Earn some Creative Cash – working on it
- Go grocery shopping one time to one store this week and stay within budget – had to go to more than one store due to specific dietary items that were needed and I went over budget because I haven’t went grocery shopping for a couple weeks
My goals for the upcoming week
Family Goals
- Read the book Wonder’s First Race by Joanna Campbell to the kids
- Plan one special activity with the family
- Prepare for Upcoming Winter Events
- Spend time Monday – Friday helping the kids with Homework
- Attend After School Activities
- Lunch Boxes & Book Bags packed the night before
- Play a Game with the Kids
- Start Organizing the Kids Scrapbook Items
- Dr. Appointments for Kids
- Finish Decorating for Christmas
- Send out Christmas Cards
- Complete Our Christmas Shopping
- Start Wrapping Gifts
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
- Do at least one “Make 1 & Freeze 1″ Meal Prep (make a main dish to eat that day and one to freeze for later)
- Clean House (Focus – House Decorated & Christmas Bins Back Up in the Attic)
- Organize Chaos (Focus – Clean Out the Pantry)
- Yard Cleanup (Focus – Blow Leaves Off Deck)
- Pet Care (Focus – Skipper a Bath)
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.
It’s The Most Wonderful Time…
Heart Reflections: A Moment of Silence
Do we know what “silence” sounds like anymore? Having complete silence may drive some people crazy while others are begging for just few minutes every once in awhile. Life gets busy as a Mom, Wife, Business Owner, or whatever title you carry. Your husband needs you, the kids have homework, deadlines are approaching, papers are piling, the house needs clean, laundry done, and a stack of emails are waiting for your reply.
Occasionally we need to take a Moment of Silence to get away from the demands of life. We all need down time to re-group and refresh. I am thankful for a husband that recognizes that and encourages me to take time to myself or out with a group of girlfriends. He encourages me have some time to re-group, rest, focus, pray, and relax. I love my family much, but it is nice to have some time alone and with others.
Sometimes it is during those quiet times that I can focus on what God is trying to teach me. Usually there are items weighing on my heart and mind that I need to work through. There are many times when I am driving I will turn off the radio and focus on some time of quiet. Do you allow yourself some times of quiet? Do you need it? Go ahead turn off the radio, put down your phone, put away your computer, get alone for a few minutes, spend time focusing on the quiet, pray, and allow God to speak to you. Hope you get a “moment of silence” soon!
3D Printed: Vacuum Cleaner Attachment
My new vacuum cleaner attachment!
One of the cool and very practical items Jake has printed for me using his 3D printer is a vacuum cleaner attachment! Yes, I know it is crazy to get excited about a vacuum cleaner attachment, but I do. My husband knows me very well and this was a perfect gift to print!
The vacuum attachment works well to help easily empty out my household vacuum dirt bin. The new 3D printed attachment is on the vacuum in the garage and when my regular house vacuum dirt bin is full all I have to do it put the container up to the attachment, turn on the garage vacuum, and it is completely cleaned out. No more taking apart the dirty vacuum bin to empty it into a trash can and trying to get out the carpet fuzz or random items that like to get stuck in the corners of the bin. It is a quick, easy, and less messy way to empty my vacuum dirt bin! Thankful for my husband and his thoughtfulness.
Who knew you could print the perfect vacuum cleaner attachment? Awesome!
Intentional Living: Weekly Goals
Our family had a great time in the Midwest celebrating my little brother’s wedding. It was wonderful seeing my family over the Thanksgiving Holiday. The wedding was beautiful, successful, and hopefully they are now relaxing on their honeymoon! I was happy to welcome another sister into our family, WOOHOO!!! Happy for my brother and his new wife.
Now I am back home and need to make some progress with upcoming projects. Here’s what happened this past week and what is going on this week.
Last week’s goals
Family Goals
- Read the book Wonder’s First Race by Joanna Campbell to read to the kids – about halfway through the book
Plan one special activity with the familyPrepare for Upcoming Fall EventsSpend time Monday – Tuesday helping the kids with HomeworkAttend After School ActivitiesLunch Boxes & Book Bags packed the night beforePlay a Game with the KidsWatch a movie with the KidsListen to an Audiobook with the KidsThanksgiving Holiday – So Many Reasons to be ThankfulCelebrating Josh & Megan’s Wedding & Activities
Personal Goals
- Drink 8 glasses of water each day – didn’t drink enough when traveling
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 – took 2 days
Clean House (Basic Speed Clean before the Holiday Activities)
Business Goals
Work on ideas for upcoming blog posts
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
My goals for the upcoming week
Family Goals
- Read the book Wonder’s First Race by Joanna Campbell to the kids
- Plan one special activity with the family
- Prepare for Upcoming Winter Events
- Spend time Monday – Friday helping the kids with Homework
- Attend After School Activities
- Lunch Boxes & Book Bags packed the night before
- Play a Game with the Kids
- Start Organizing the Kids Scrapbook Items
- Dr. Appointments for 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
- Do at least one “Make 1 & Freeze 1″ Meal Prep (make a main dish to eat that day and one to freeze for later)
- Clean House (Focus – Suitcases Unpacked & Put Away from Wedding / Thanksgiving Trip)
- Organize Chaos (Focus – Snack Bins Refilled)
- Yard Cleanup (Focus – Pool and Leaves)
- Pet Care (Focus – Hay Feeder Filled)
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
- Earn some Creative Cash
- 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.
- Read the book Wonder’s First Race by Joanna Campbell to read to the kids – about halfway through the book
Be Thankful
Heart Reflections: The Farmer’s Weather
I recently spent some time with my family out in Kansas. The weather out there is much different from what we see here in South Carolina. In the Midwest the past couple of years our family in Kansas, Nebraska, and Colorado area have seen some pretty dry months and a variety of severe thunderstorms (including some hail). Not only does this affect the crops, the pastures get dry, and the ponds dry up.
Every time I spend time with our farming and ranching family members I am reminded about how much they have to trust God to provide for them. No matter what they do they cannot control or manipulate the weather. They have to trust that God will provide the moisture they need for the crops, pastures, and cattle. God can protect the crops, however, if a field gets hit with hail he is in control of that too.
While God does provide the much needed rain for the crops there are times when they experience droughts, tornadoes, hail, strong winds, and a variety of other things that can happen on any given day. Many times the hail can come and go in a matter of minutes, but the damage it does can be quite big for many farming families.
Thinking about all this reminds of how good God is all the time. It also reminds me of how little control I have over certain areas of my life. Even though we cannot control everything that happens in our lives like sickness, weather, and more. He can and he is ultimately in control. And that is good!
