Loving Life
Travel & Vacation: Spending Time with Family in Kansas
The plane was delayed due to rain, but now we are ready to go. Two little chickies all buckled in….one snacking and the other one with her nose already in a book. Thankful that the girls travel well.
The girls and I recently flew out to Kansas to spend some time with my family. We stayed at my parents house, but thankfully we were able to catch up with quite a few people while we were out there visiting. While we were in Kansas Jake was traveling with work so he was managing to stay busy too.
The girls even got in on the last part of my parents church’s VBS, which included getting wet with water balloons. I think the highest temperature I saw during out week and half in Kansas was 113 while it was hot the wind helped make it more tolerable.
A cooler full of mammoth water balloons for VBS game time the next day!
Lots of little water balloons too! I think by the end the count was somewhere around 300 water balloons. The kids loved it!
Karlie picked a variety of flowers from Grandma Penny’s gardens and displayed the flowers in a pie dish. They actually lasted almost the entire time we were out there!
Brina made a blue cat while Brandon is working on some blueberry cookies!
Karlie is busy socializing and creating play dough goodies too! Grandma Penny made some homemade play dough for the kids. They loved it (and were asking me to make some a couple days ago)!
Beautiful purple flower along the road in Harlan, Kansas
Some of my Great Grandma Viola’s rose bushes were blooming near the Kelly’s Store and the Post Office in Harlan, Kansas where she used work. She planted the roses many years ago and yet they continue to bloom every year! Grandma Vi had an amazing green thumb (something I did not inherit, by the way)! She loved flowers and I thought it would be appropriate to stop to snap a quick picture of one of her pretty roses while I was in the area!
Brina and Brandon hanging out in their giant tent they built downstairs in Grandpa Russell and Grandma Penny’s basement!
Three silly kiddos hanging out in their fort tent while chomping on some “spicy” candy Aunt Renelle brought for them to try!
One of the girls favorite places to visit when in Kansas! A view of my parents house from the top of Windy Point.
Intentional Living: Weekly Goals
The girls and I were able to spend some extra time with my extended family in Kansas last week. The time went by too fast and now that we are back home (and mostly unpacked). I hit the ground running this past weekend when we landed in South Carolina and don’t think I’ll be stopping any time soon. There are many fun activities as well as long list of projects on the agenda this week, so I am hoping to get through a bunch of them while having fun along the way!
Last week’s goals
Family Goals
Read Imagination Station: Problems in Plymouthby Marianne Hering and Paul McCusker (Book 6)
Plan one special Activity with the FamilyPlay a board gamePrepare for Upcoming Summer Events- Spend some time Monday – Friday having the girls read & do workbooks – we had a travel day in there but otherwise we did pretty well (and we even did some while traveling too)
Spend time with extended familyGo to nephews baseball game
Personal Goals
Drink 8 glasses of water each dayContinue my YouVersion plan(s)Finish reading One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp– thankful for some down time on the airplane so I could finish this book!
Home (Yard & Pets) Management Goals
All laundry for the week washed, folded, and put away in one dayPay all upcoming bills– had a stack of them when we got home
Business Goals
Work on ideas for upcoming blog postsKeep up with the day to day items that need my attention- Work completed for clients – took time off last week since I was visiting family
Ministry Goals
Meet a friend or family member for Breakfast or Lunch
Financial Goals
- Payoff the Vehicles – working on it
- Pay medical bills in full – making payments
My goals for the upcoming week
Family Goals
- Read Imagination Station: Secret of the Prince’s Tomb by Marianne Hering and Paul McCusker (Book 7)
- Plan one special activity with the family
- Play a board game
- Prepare for Upcoming Summer Events
- Spend some time Monday – Friday having the girls read & do workbooks
- Go to Science Camp
- Prepare for a big weekend
- Ride bikes with the kids
Personal Goals
- Drink 8 glasses of water each day
- Continue my YouVersion plan(s)
Home (Yard & Pets) Management Goals
- All laundry for the week washed, folded, and put away in one day
- Pay all upcoming bills
- Weekly Dinner Menu planned out for the week
Business Goals
- Work on ideas for upcoming blog posts
- 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 Vehicles
- 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.
Heart Reflections: Oops I Did It Again!
Is it just me or do you seem to repeat the same mistakes too? Sometimes I feel like take two steps forward and one step back in the process (possibly at times is it more like 2 steps forward and 3 steps back).
It is hard to be find joy and contentment in every moment of every day, especially when it seems like no matter what there’s always little ripples that happen throughout the days, weeks, months, and years. How do we find joy in the moments when we want to just go back to bed or go somewhere quiet or escape the stress of life?
- Find joy in the little things. Everything may not be going well, but there is always something to be thankful for in your life. It could be your health, family, friends, a job, home, food on the table, a vehicle to drive, sunshine, or a whole bunch of other things we tend to take for granted. Taking a few moments to count your blessings can really change your outlook on life. A thankful heart is a positive heart.
- Point your focus upward. When we look to Christ for our guidance we tend to see a bigger picture and we realize that it really isn’t that bad after all. Yes, we make choices that can make life easier or more challenging for us, but we can also put our lives into the hands of the one who created the universe and trust that He really knows what is the best for us. Just knowing that He holds my life in his hand can take some of the pressure off my tendency to micro-manage all aspects of my life.
- Spend time helping others. We are by nature selfish people. When we take a few moments to focus our energy on someone else it can also lift our spirit too. Take time to do something nice for someone else today and don’t expect any reward (or favor returned). Not only will you help another person in the process your heart isn’t stuck on yourself and your issues.
If you find yourself repeating the same mistakes over and over again. Ask God for help, he can help you overcome even the little things that pop up in your life. Find people that you trust to be an accountability partners for you. You want people in your life that are not afraid to confront you if they see something in your life that isn’t wholesome for you and your family. Take time to pray and spend time with people who will encourage you to live a life that reflects goodness instead of repeating the same mistakes.
Look for the blessings in your life throughout each day. Turn your focus upward and outward. Every one of us has the opportunity to make a positive impact on the lives around us.
Intentional Living: Weekly Goals
Last week was better even if I am running a couple days late with my weekly goal updates. The girls and I traveled a little last week so we could spend time with extended family. It has been nice catching up with Great Grandparents, Grandparents, Aunts, Uncles, Nieces, Nephews, Cousins and more! This week I have a lot I want to do, but the schedule will be a little different from the normal routine.
Last week’s goals
Family Goals
- Read Imagination Station: Problems in Plymouthby Marianne Hering and Paul McCusker (Book 6) – we’ve been busy and a little off schedule with the traveling last week
Plan one special Activity with the FamilyPlay a board gamePrepare for Upcoming Summer EventsCelebrate the Girls Last Day of SchoolSpend time with extended family
Personal Goals
- Exercise at least 5 days this week – didn’t get any official exercise done, but I was really active
- Drink 8 glasses of water each day – on the day the girls & I traveled I did not stay up on my water
Continue my YouVersion plan(s)Finish reading Overcoming Dyslexia by M.D. Sally Shaywitz– finished and returned it, now need to type out all my notes!
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 – traveled part of the week so didn’t plan out those days
Pay all upcoming bills
Business Goals
Work on ideas for upcoming blog postsKeep 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 Vehicles – made another payment
- Pay medical bills in full – making payments
My goals for the upcoming week
Family Goals
- Read Imagination Station: Problems in Plymouthby Marianne Hering and Paul McCusker (Book 6)
- Plan one special Activity with the Family
- Play a board game
- Prepare for Upcoming Summer Events
- Spend some time Monday – Friday having the girls read & do workbooks
- Spend time with extended family
- Go to nephews baseball game
Personal Goals
- Drink 8 glasses of water each day
- Continue my YouVersion plan(s)
- Finish reading One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp
Home (Yard & Pets) 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
- 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 Vehicles
- 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.
- Read Imagination Station: Problems in Plymouthby Marianne Hering and Paul McCusker (Book 6) – we’ve been busy and a little off schedule with the traveling last week
Multiplication CD by Twin Sisters
This past year in school the girls started learning their Multiplication facts. They actually had a good start with multiplication because they had been listening to the Multiplication CD by Twin Sisters for awhile now. Karlie was actually given an award (and medal) this year for having the Highest Math Achievement in her class.
While listening to a CD about Multiplication does not teach you everything you need to know it definitely can help give you a head start or help you pick up speed in a certain subject. One of our girls learns very well through audio processing so any educational CD’s like this one from Twin Sisters is a big positive for her. Both of our kids love listening to CD and audio books and this one is a bonus because they are learning something important too!
You can get this CD online at Amazon or in several bookstores. We actually found it for $2 at Garden Ridge in their CD clearance section. It has definitely been with the couple dollars we invested in it!
Heart Reflections: You Are My Glue
God, you are the glue that holds my life together. When schedules get interrupted, things don’t go as planned, and life seems to be coming at me from all directions You are what keeps me from coming apart at the seams. On those days when I am exhausted and it takes everything in me to keep moving forward. You give me the strength and energy to face what lies ahead of me. When it feels like I am spinning my wheels and getting no where fast. You give me a new perspective. God thank you for being my glue. For loving me especially when I don’t deserve it. For bringing a song to my heart for encouragement when I need it most. For reminding me of your word and promises. For revealing your truth in unique and amazing ways. For the countless ways you shower me with your mercy and grace over and over again. Thank you God for holding my heart and life gently in your hands. May I continue to trust as you mold and make me into the person you want me to be.Intentional Living: Weekly Goals
It has been an emotional and exhausting week. There was one day I was running on an hour of sleep and other days I felt like I was running on fumes. I was able to tackle some items on my list and hoping to get a little more done before the schedule switches again soon.
Last week’s goals
Family Goals
- Read Imagination Station: Problems in Plymouthby Marianne Hering and Paul McCusker (Book 6)
Plan one special Activity with the FamilyPlay a board gameLunch Boxes & Book Bags packed the night beforeDaily School Activities & Homework CompletedAttend After School ActivitiesPrepare for Upcoming Summer EventsField Day at the girls school
Personal Goals
- Exercise at least 5 days this week – didn’t get this one done but it was busy!
Drink 8 glasses of water each dayContinue my YouVersion plan(s)- Finish reading Overcoming Dyslexia by M.D. Sally Shaywitz – almost done!
Home (Yard & Pets) 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- Reseal Jungle Gym & Swing – put on hold
- Give Skipper a bath – she escaped bath time due to the rain this weekend
Business Goals
Work on ideas for upcoming blog postsKeep 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 Vehicles – made another payment on the van
- Pay medical bills in full – making payments
My goals for the upcoming week
Family Goals
- Read Imagination Station: Problems in Plymouthby Marianne Hering and Paul McCusker (Book 6)
- Plan one special Activity with the Family
- Play a board game
- Prepare for Upcoming Summer Events
- Celebrate’s the Girls Last Day of School
Personal Goals
- Exercise at least 5 days this week
- Drink 8 glasses of water each day
- Continue my YouVersion plan(s)
- Finish reading Overcoming Dyslexia by M.D. Sally Shaywitz
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
- 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
- Work completed for clients
Ministry Goals
- Meet a friend or family member for Breakfast or Lunch
Financial Goals
- Payoff the Vehicles
- 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.
- Read Imagination Station: Problems in Plymouthby Marianne Hering and Paul McCusker (Book 6)
Teaching Our Children: The Number Crunch Game
A few years ago I came up with a fun game for the girls to learn their numbers. It was a super simple, easy, and fun way to teach them the written words for the numbers they had already learned. I came across it the other day when I was re-organizing their educational cabinet and thought I would share it since there may be other parents looking for a fun and simple way to get their kids to learn the written numbers. Even though our kids have pretty much out grown the game since they now know their numerical words it is still fun to pull out every once in awhile for a fun reminder. Here’s how I put it together:
- Wrote out the Numerical Words in a Word Document (1 to 20 then 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 1000, 1000000)
- Made the words big and bold
- Printed the words onto colorful paper (can find for a couple dollars at Walmart)
- Laminated the words
I used these for a variety of different games!
Number Crunch Games (a few options):
- Line up all the numbers from least to greatest while being timed
- Line up all the numbers from greatest to least while being timed
- Pick out all the odd number while being timed
- Pick out all the even numbers
- Sort out all the numbers before 10
- Sort out numbers in the “teens”
- Find all the numbers above 100
- Locate any number ending in “O”
There just a few ideas to get you started. You can get creative and come up with so many more variations on ways to make learning the written numerical number learning process fun for your little ones. The reason why I laminated the cards is because I wanted to make sure I could use them for many activities over several years (and they have have held up really nicely of the past couple of years).
Fresh & Healthy: Lunch Box Meals
The girls always love taking school lunches. It is hard to believe that before long the girls will be done with school and summer break will be started. We are looking forward to a lot of fun activities over the summer together.
Lunch Box Meal
- PB&J Sandwich for Karlie & Soy & Jelly Sandwich for Brina
- Homemade Cinnamon Applesauce
- Yellow Pear Tomatoes
- Apple Slices
- Strawberry Yogurt
- Chips
- Water Bottle
Thankful the girls enjoy taking lunch to school. It is nice knowing exactly what the girls are eating for lunch. Over the next few weeks we’ll have a few field trips and other activities over lunch so not too many more days and they’ll have a break from packing their lunch boxes everyday. We’ll have to make sure to go on a few picnics this Summer to keep up the fun.
Intentional Living: Weekly Goals
We are thankful for our time together this week. It has been a busy week. Seems like there is always more to do than time allows. I made some progress this week, but hoping to make even more with all that I have on my list.
Last week’s goals
Family Goals
- Read Imagination Station: Showdown with the Shepherd by Marianne Hering and Paul McCusker (Book 5)
Plan one special Activity with the Family- Play a board game – didn’t get to it this week with everything going on
Lunch Boxes & Book Bags packed the night beforeDaily School Activities & Homework CompletedAttend After School ActivitiesBridgette’s dentist appointment- Schedule eye appointment for Bridgette – didn’t get it scheduled
Personal Goals
Exercise at least 5 days this weekDrink 8 glasses of water each dayContinue my YouVersion plan(s)- Finish reading Overcoming Dyslexia by M.D. Sally Shaywitz – been reading & taking notes
Home (Yard & Pets) Management Goals
All laundry for the week washed, folded, and put away in one dayWeekly Dinner Menu planned out for the weekPay all upcoming billsGet paperwork signed for new Home & Auto Insurance Policies- Remove remaining leaves from the lawn – with the rain the leaves were too wet to move
- Clean up the sticks and trees that have fallen & had been cut down – got through a good chunk, but still have more to do
- Reseal Jungle Gym & Swing – it rained so we are waiting
- Give Skipper a bath – didn’t want to wash her in the rain
- Work on the deck – it was put on hold this week
Business Goals
Work on ideas for upcoming blog postsKeep 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 LunchWrite and Send Out Community Group Email
Financial Goals
- Payoff the Vehicles – working on it
- Pay medical bills in full – paid one off, now working on paying down the next one
My goals for the upcoming week
Family Goals
- Read Imagination Station: Showdown with the Shepherd by Marianne Hering and Paul McCusker (Book 5)
- Plan one special Activity with the Family
- Play a board game
- Lunch Boxes & Book Bags packed the night before
- Daily School Activities & Homework Completed
- Attend After School Activities
- Schedule eye appointment for Bridgette
- Prepare for Upcoming Summer Events
- Date Night with Karlie
- Date Night with Brina
- Extra time spent with the family over the Holiday Weekend
- Field Trip with the girls school
Personal Goals
- Exercise at least 5 days this week
- Drink 8 glasses of water each day
- Continue my YouVersion plan(s)
- Finish reading Overcoming Dyslexia by M.D. Sally Shaywitz
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
- Pay all upcoming bills
- Get paperwork signed for new Home & Auto Insurance Policies
- Remove remaining leaves from the lawn
- Clean up the sticks and trees that have fallen & had been cut down
- Reseal Jungle Gym & Swing
- Give Skipper a bath
- Work on the deck
Business Goals
- Work on ideas for upcoming blog posts
- 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
- Write and Send Out Community Group Email
Financial Goals
- Payoff the Vehicles
- 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.
- Read Imagination Station: Showdown with the Shepherd by Marianne Hering and Paul McCusker (Book 5)
