Loving Life
Heart Reflections: How do they do it?
How do kids wear their clothes on backwards and not even notice it? As an adult I would be so uncomfortable…..if I accidentally put my shirt on backwards it drives me nuts until was fixed. When the girls were younger they would go an entire day at school with their shirt or pants on backwards and it didn’t bother them (even after several requests from me to correct the clothing). They didn’t have the extra motivation to switch it around because they really didn’t mind it being backwards. It was rather hilarious seeing slipper slide marks and grass stains when they were going through the wash since they had worn them backwards all day.
Recently I re-read a book that I had read many years ago. When I read it years ago I loved the book. I still enjoyed the book but there were pieces that stood out to me much more this time around, not necessarily because I missed it the first time around but because of the journey my life has taken the emotions the people in the book feel more real.
I noticed those one or two sentences in the book where someone expressed sadness because they could not have children. Read my Loosening My Grip: Why Can’t I Get Pregnant series if you want to learn about our story. I was disappointed and even sad when the characters in the book faced other hardships similar to those trials that I have gone through. Many years ago when I first read this book it didn’t bother me because I didn’t have such a personal connection to what the people were going through.
Now after all these years and many trials later it is more emotional to read the story. Much like the girls when they were younger wearing their clothes inside out, it really didn’t bother them too much because they really didn’t know what it was suppose to feel like. Over time they learned that wearing clothes backwards was uncomfortable much like those trials we go through that much us uncomfortable.
Maybe….just….maybe God has us go through certain situations that make us uncomfortable so later when we encounter another person going through a similar trial we can be an encouragement to them. We can cheer them on, share our story, and be a blessing to them during a hard time. Isn’t that what life’s about anyway? Using our gifts, talents, and what we have learned to make a positive impact on the lives of people around us. Is there someone in your life that you can be an encouragement to today?
Travel & Vacation: Snow Days (part 2)
Karlie hanging out in the snow fort
The girls were so happy to have time every day to play in the snow while we were in Vermont. We went sledding, on walks, built a snow fort, started a little fire, had a snowball fight, made snow angels and more! We were thankful to have some time with family up in Vermont this winter. It was a relaxing time full of great memories!
Brina getting ready to do a snow angel
Karlie working on her snow angel
Brina sliding down this hill without a sled just on her bottom
Karlie collecting sticks
Travel & Vacation: Snow Days
Jake walking through the woods with his girls. This area had changed a lot since we had been there last (besides the snow) there was a clearing were the loggers had been.
The girls had a grand time exploring the area. We took several walks that let to the river or other places nearby. A couple times we stopped to take a break or they got pulled on the sled but for the most part they kept up. We even built a snowman this year which was a lot of fun. Little pieces of the snowman (mouth, nose, etc…) started falling off throughout the weekend but he remained standing even as we were getting ready to leave.
Grandma Kay and Irish leading the way
The river looks a little chilly! The last time we were in Vermont we were swimming and splashing around in it.
Daddy and Karlie chatting
Daddy and Karlie working on a snowman
Brina decided she was too cold so she went inside with Grandma and watched from the window
Karlie being silly!
Daddy and Karlie by the snowman
Travel & Vacation: Sledding in Vermont (part 2)
Karlie sledding right past me, giggling the whole time
The girls had a BLAST sledding in Vermont. They tried out several spots for sledding. The snow was beautiful and the weather was perfect. They didn’t even complain about carrying their sleds back up the hills.
Brina zooming past me on the steep slope
Daddy’s coming down now!
Mommy is having a blast sledding too!
Brina all bundled up and sledding down the hill again
Karlie came to an abrubt stop when she hit a tree. Somehow she was the only one all weekend that hit a tree and she managed to get snagged on more than one!
There goes Brina Bee again!
Travel & Vacation: Sledding in Vermont
Brina got some air on that ride down!
The girls were excited to make up a trip North to Vermont this winter. They have been waiting to go sledding all winter and with us being in South Carolina we haven’t had any good sledding weather. The girls spent hours outside over the long weekend playing in the snow and sledding. We found some great places to go sledding!
Karlie kicking up some extra snow on her trip down the hill
Brina is ready for sledding
Karlie had some interesting stops on the sled
Going for a sled ride, the girls are really excited! Oh my, I think Karlie is getting ready to throw a snow ball right at me.
Here comes Brina! Look Out!
Here comes Karlie!
Intentional Living: Weekly Goals
Last week was busy with Jake traveling, school, work, volunteering, and a whole bundle of other activities. Even though I didn’t make as much progress as I hoped I was able to get some things accomplished.
Last week’s goals
Family Goals
Read The Long Winter by Laura Ingalls Wilder to the girls (Book 6)– finished it and started the next book already- Read Imagination Station: Attack at the Arena by Marianne Hering and Paul McCusker (Book 2) – haven’t started it yet
Lunch Boxes & Book Bags packed the night beforeDaily School Activities & Homework CompletedAttend After School Activities- Plan one special Activity with the Family – with the busy week we decided to spend some quiet time at home
Volunteer One Day at Girls School
Personal Goals
- Exercise at least 5 days this week – wasn’t a great week with exercise
Drink 8 glasses of water each dayContinue my YouVersion plan(s)- Finish reading One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp – put on hold currently
- Finish reading Overcoming Dyslexia by M.D. Sally Shaywitz (someone gave me this to read) – working my way through it
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 attentionWork completed for clients
Ministry Goals
Meet a friend or family member for Breakfast or LunchWrite and Send Out Community Group Email
Financial Goals
- Groceries $40 for 4 – went over budget by $3
- Payoff the Van – working on it
- Pay medical bills in full – paying them
- Complete 2012 Taxes – working on them
My goals for the upcoming week
Family Goals
- Read Little Town on the Prairie by Laura Ingalls Wilder to the girls (Book 7)
- Read Imagination Station: Attack at the Arena by Marianne Hering and Paul McCusker (Book 2)
- Lunch Boxes & Book Bags packed the night before
- Daily School Activities & Homework Completed
- Attend After School Activities
- Plan one special Activity with the Family
- Volunteer One Day at Girls School
- Easter activity & celebration
- Get together with Family and/or Friends
Personal Goals
- Exercise at least 5 days this week
- Drink 8 glasses of water each day
- Continue my YouVersion plan(s)
- Finish reading One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp
- Finish reading Overcoming Dyslexia by M.D. Sally Shaywitz (someone gave me this to read)
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
- Work completed for clients
Ministry Goals
- Meet a friend or family member for Breakfast or Lunch
- Write and Send Out Community Group Email
- Send out Alms & Legs Meeting Notes
Financial Goals
- Groceries $40 for 4
- Payoff the Van
- Pay medical bills in full
- Complete 2012 Taxes
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.
Be Kind…
Living on a Budget: Groceries $40 for 4
Groceries from Save A Lot | RiteAid
It has a whirlwind of weeks this year from traveling, school, work, volunteering weekly, and so much more. The first few weeks of the year I did the No Grocery Shopping Challenge in order to use up some of the items we had in stock in both our refrigerator, freezers, and pantry. It really well and we made it a little over 7 weeks which I was thankful for since it was my goal to make it at least a month. Now that we are starting to get lower on some items I decided it was time to start our regular weekly $40 for 4 grocery budget again. I even remembered to take pictures this week so I could do the post for you! 🙂
Jake has been in Charleston for some work meetings, so we are looking forward to spending time with him this weekend. I did manage to get a lot of projects done (just not necessarily things that I planned to do). Do you ever have weeks like that? Here is my weekly update on our Groceries $40 for 4.
Save A Lot | RiteAid Groceries:
- $18.45 at Save A Lot | RiteAid for 3 containers Fresh Strawberries (marked down), 1 container Fresh Mushrooms (marked down), 3 Mountain Dew 2 liters, 1 gallon of Milk, 1 box Pillsbury Fudge Brownie Mix, 1 can Canola Cooking Spray, 1 container Cool Whip, 1 bag Sandwich Bread, 1 bag Kiggins Cereal, 2 cans Sliced Pineapple. (Everything I purchased at Save A Lot | RiteAid was either on sale or marked down. All the produce was marked down as low as 99 cents as you can see from the bright green and orange stickers.)
Groceries from Ingles
Ingles Groceries:
- $24.66 at Ingles for 1 bag English Muffins, 1 container Yogurt (marked down), 1 container Chip Dip (marked down), 1 package Ground Beef (marked down), 1 package Pork (marked down), 1 bag Red Delicious Apples, 1 container Blue Cheese Crumbles, 1 bag Bananas (marked down), 27 packs Wylers Red Koolaide, and 1 bottle Pepsi Next 2 liter (free after coupon). (Most items were either marked down or on sale with an exception of the blue cheese. I got the Blue Cheese as a special treat for my man since he was away working all week, couldn’t help spoiling him a little bit! 🙂 )
This week I spent $43.11 on groceries. I went over on the budget this week, but thankfully it was over by only $3 dollars. I was happy to get some produce deals and stock back up on a few items we were needing to replenish in our fridge and pantry. Hopefully next week we can come under budget and March will be a good month for us!
It is my goal to give you regular updates on this budget section so you can celebrate the good weeks with me and thump me on the bad weeks! As always you are welcomed to join the journey with me. I would love to hear your story and how you are doing too. The purpose of our family doing this it to watch our grocery spending while allowing us to feed our family, enjoy life, share with others, and yet stay on track with our budget.
Living on a Budget is a series of ways our family uses a budget to help keep us accountable with our finances. Life doesn’t always go as planned. We have used some of the ideas I will be sharing for years while others are ones we are just starting to implement as we continue finding ways to be creative and have fun with what we have been given. Having a plan in place allows us the freedom to be smart with what we have been given, get more creative when it is a tight (week, month, year or a season) and when necessary live a much more simplified life. A budget helps us stay on track so we have more opportunities to enjoy the many blessings we have been given as well as share what we have with others. There is so much more to life than having all the stuff. We may not have the newest or greatest items in our house, we drive used cars, and wear hand-me-down clothing…..however, if our family is taken care of and have love for each other and others we have more than all the riches in the world.
Fresh Apples & Caramel Dip
Fresh Apple Slices and Caramel Dip
Do you have a party where you need a quick, healthy, and easy appetizer? This one is kind of a no-brainer, but sometimes I need to be reminded that the simple easy snacks that require less prep can be just as enjoyable for everyone (and allows you to spend less time in the kitchen and more time with your family). Freshly sliced apples with caramel dip is a great one to bring and share! There’s is just something refreshing and delicious about apples and caramel. Yum!
For this event I took fresh apples sliced them, dipped them in a mix of lemon juice and water to keep them from turning brown and poured the caramel dip that we already had in the pantry onto the serving platter. You can make your own caramel sauce, but since I had some on hand it was easier just to pour it into the dish. Also, if you want to make it even easier, especially if you’re in a pinch, you can purchase both pre-sliced apples and caramel dip at the store. Sometimes it’s the simple easy stuff that is a big hit.
Heart Reflections: Finding Contentment
Linda Dillow in her book Calm My Anxious Heart speaks of a missionary woman that lives in a mud hut in Africa. When she asked the missionary how she was so content this is what she said:
- Never allow yourself to complain about anything (not even the weather).
- Never picture yourself in a different circumstance or someplace else.
- Never compare your lot with the lot of another.
- Never allow yourself to wish this or that had been otherwise.
- Never dwell on tomorrow. Remember it is God’s and not ours.
A few months ago I had the opportunity to travel to India. It was an amazing trip and I had a great time exploring several different areas. I saw things while traveling that just broke my heart…people living on the street or under tarps, children who didn’t have their basic needs met, poverty, and much more. On the flip side while in India I experienced the wonderful hospitality and generosity from the people we encountered (many who didn’t have a lot yet graciously shared).
Traveling to India revealed a lot of things in my heart – one of them being how selfish and discontent I am even though I have been abundantly blessed. I have food, family, clothes, shelter and even more yet some days I still complain. I plan to use this list as a reminder to focus on the many blessings in my life so my heart will rejoice and break the shackles of discontent that sometimes holds my heart captive.
At times it can be difficult to be thankful for the many blessings we have in life. Life doesn’t always go the way we expect. I have a tendency to not only be discontent but to worry about the future or things out of my control.
I could fill my house and heart with all kinds of stuff, worry, fear, or anything else yet by doing this it only grabs hold of my heart and hampers my effectiveness in ministering to the people around me. Besides life here on earth is temporary and I cannot take stuff with me when its my time to go. Let’s take some time today to think, pray, and count our blessings in our lives and find contentment in what really matters.
