Memories
Flashback Friday: First Father’s Day Celebration
Brina and Karlie laying in their on a sheet in the shape of a heart. Happy Father’s Day Dad!
Today we are flashing back to about 10 years ago for Jake’s first Father’s Day with the girls. It was wonderful to celebrate this special day with Jake and the girls. He is an awesome Dad to the girls. They love their Daddy very much. He took great care of me throughout the rough pregnancy,12 weeks of bedrest, followed by NICU, and sleepless nights helping with the kids.
Thankful for this amazing man to live life and raise our kids with. He is loving, kind, patient, generous, and so much more. Jake has always taken good care of us. He knows how to keep life exciting. Jake is always ready to give a hug, encouragement, or smile.
Brina gift. She wasn’t sure about the blue tissue paper stuffed into her pjs.
Brina in a gift bag with tissue paper. One of Daddy’s greatest gifts!
Karlie is a little concerned about being in a bag with tissue paper. Another one of Daddy’s sweet gifts!
Jake playing and talking with Brina.
Happy Father’s Day Daddy! We LOVE YOU!!!
Such a fun day everyone needed a little nap! Jake and his sweet little girls!
3D Printed: EcoSphere Closed Aquatic Ecosystem Aquarium Stand
My EcoSphere Closed Aquatic Ecosystem Aquarium & New Stand
My handsome man made me a 3D printed stand for the EcoSphere Closed Aquatic Ecosystem Aquarium. The aquarium has been sitting on the dresser downstairs which has a glass top so it can easily slide. The stand helps it stay in place on the dresser. When you look through the aquarium at the stand the blue look like waves. Thankful for a thoughtful husband who uses his 3D printer to make items that can be used around the house.
3D Printed Stand for my Aquarium!
The aquarium looks pretty cool with its new blue 3D printed stand!
Travel & Vacation: Beautiful Charleston Sunsets (Charleston, SC)
Beautiful sunset
There is something peaceful about sitting on a swing next to the ocean watching the sunset. A light breeze and the sound of the ocean waves hitting the shore. Some of the parks in Charleston have swings or benches you can sit on and watch the sun set in the sky. Our family has enjoyed several of the Charleston sunsets. If you are in Charleston and have the time to relax for a few minutes you may be blessed by a beautiful sunset too.
Watching the sunset over the dock area where they bring the huge cargo barges.
This one was taken from under the big Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge. Our family decided to take a walk after dinner around the park and were able to catch the sunset.
The sun has set and the moon is out over Charleston. You can see the small sliver of the moon between the Palm Trees against the dark blue sky. This picture was taken at Battery Park.
The “Travel and Vacation” series is an insight into our trips together as a family and ways we relax. Life is short and we were thrilled to have the opportunity to build memories with family and explore of of the most amazing places during our time away. Explore with a good attitude, look for fun, and it will be an awesome trip jammed packed with positive memories. It is refreshing having some time away from the regular routine. Make it a once in a lifetime opportunity to meet new people and learn. You just might see or try something new that takes your breath away!
Counting My Blessings: Week In Review
It was the kids first full week of summer break. We packed in a lot of fun activities and projects. It has been fun spending the extra time with them. Thankful for the opportunity to spend time hanging out with my girls. Jake has busy working on building them a tree-house fort in the woods with some leftover wood we had around. The kids are VERY EXCITED and have been helping haul wood, tools, and other items back and forth. I am blessed. There was so much to be thankful for last week.
I want to be accountable to you so the following are snip-its of some of the things I am thankful for this past week. Counting My Blessings – Week In Review:
Monday – Thankful for the opportunity to go for a bike ride, play a game, and hike through the woods with the girls today.
Tuesday – Thankful that we were able to get into the dentist this morning to fix Brina’s braces. Grateful that the girls and I were able to go to the Free Movie, a park, and run some errands. The girls were a huge help in sorting and carrying a pile of wood down to the area next to their treehouse fort so Jake can have it the next time he gets a chance to work on it. Jake was sweet today and picked up an organizer for the girls robotic project this summer so we were able to get it off the table.
Wednesday – Thankful for kids who enjoy spending time with me. We spent the day at home, but the activities they choose to do included reading, building items with legos, games, and more fun! Tonight we had our Kid Date Night. Jake went with Brina to Frozen Disney on Ice and had a wonderful time. I went with Karlie to Frankie’s Fun Park and out to dinner, she loved trying out laser tag for the first time.
Thursday – Thankful for a chance to run errands with the kids today. It was nice having them with me to talk to and help carry in and put away the groceries. We even squeezed an activity at the library and got drenched running to the car afterward. It poured at home too, but after Jake got home we all spent some time working on the treehouse fort.
Friday – Thankful Jake’s thoughtfulness. My computer was slowing down so he ordered and installed additional ram for me. He did this without mentioning anything it to me until he was putting it into my laptop. Love how thoughtful he is. He always takes such good care of me.
What are you thankful for today? I encourage you to take the time to write down a few blessings that you have in your life today. It will help cheer you up and turn your focus on the amazing blessings you encounter each day!
Intentional Living: Weekly Goals
Last week was super fun with the girls home now on summer break. We packed in a lot of neat activities and got some projects done this week too. The girls have been consistent on working on their summer workbooks and reading. Thankful for extra time with the kids and a chance to do some exciting events together. Jake has been busy with work and working on a big project for the girls in his free time at home. He is such a great Daddy to his girls and comes up with neat activities for them from robotics to building items together and more! This week Jake’s sister and her family are visiting us in South Carolina so the week will be a little different as we focus on spending time with them. Here are my goals for this week:
Last week’s goals
Family Goals
Finish reading School’s Out by Ken Brynildsen book to the kids(it’s an older book & couldn’t find it on Amazon) –
finished it (the girls enjoyed the adventures in the book) and started on the next one that Karlie picked out- Plan one special activity with the family
Play a Game with the Family– taught the girls Hand & Foot, played Golf, and morePrepare for Upcoming Spring EventsSpend time working on Summer WorkbooksAttend Evening Activities & EventsLunch Bags Packed for Work & Errand / Outside Activities– packed Jake’s work lunch and we had 2 days with picnic lunches when we were out and aboutPrep for upcoming Family Adventure(s)Prep & Figure out Schedule for Summer BreakRide Bikes with the KidsWork on special projects with the kidsHang out at a park with KidsGo to the LibraryFind a new local place to visit or new activity to do with the Kids– went to Frankie’s Fun Park and went to the Candy Land Game Activity at the libraryAttend an extra-curricular activity or event– went to the Free Movies with the KidsDate Night with the Kids– I went with Karlie and Jake went with Brina
Personal Goals
Drink 8 glasses of water each day- Continue my YouVersion plan(s) – need to catch up
Keep up with my FitBit GoalsGo to my Doctor Appointments Scheduled this weekUpdate Counting My Blessings and Other journal entries daily
Home (Yard & Pets) Management Goals
All laundry for the week washed, folded, and put away in one day– the girls are getting fasterWeekly Dinner Menu planned out for the weekClean House (Focus – 3 Bathrooms)Organize Chaos (Focus – Kids Rooms)- Yard / Garage Cleanup (Focus – Mow)
- Pet Care (Focus – Mix Extra Vitamins in Goat Food)
- Repairs – (Focus – Girls Necklace Hangers)
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 clientsPrep, plan, and organize content for upcoming summer months while the kids are out of school
Ministry Goals
Meet a friend or family member for Breakfast or Lunch
Financial Goals
- Payoff the Car – working on it
- Payoff Medical Bills – working on it
- Payoff Other Outstanding Debt – (replacement microwave, refrigerator, hot water heater, bed, HVAC unit, and other debt) – working on it
Pay Bills & File PaperworkGo grocery shopping one time to one store this week and stay within budget
My goals for the upcoming week
Family Goals
- Finish reading Romona and Her Mother by Beverly Cleary book to the kids
- Plan one special activity with the family
- Play a Game with the Family
- Prepare for Upcoming Spring Events
- Spend time working on Summer Workbooks
- Attend Evening Activities & Events
- Spend Extra Time with Extended Family
- Lunch Bags Packed for Work & Errand / Outside Activities
- Prep for upcoming Family Adventure(s)
- Prep & Figure out Schedule for Summer Break
- Ride Bikes with the Kids
- Work on special projects with the kids
- Hang out at a park with Kids
- Go to the Library
- Find a new local place to visit or new activity to do with the Kids
- Attend an extra-curricular activity or event
- Get kids packed and sent off to Church Camp
- Celebrate Father’s Day
Personal Goals
- Drink 8 glasses of water each day
- Continue my YouVersion plan(s)
- Keep up with my FitBit Goals
- Go to my Doctor Appointments Scheduled this week
- Update Counting My Blessings and Other journal entries daily
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
- Clean House (Focus – Vacuum & Dust)
- Organize Chaos (Focus – Refrigerator)
- Yard / Garage Cleanup (Focus – Treehouse Fort)
- Pet Care (Focus – Treat Yard for Mosquitoes / Flies)
- Repairs – (Focus – Girls Necklace Hangers)
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
- Research and pursue career goals
- Prep, plan, and organize content for upcoming summer months while the kids are out of school
Ministry Goals
- Meet a friend or family member for Breakfast or Lunch
Financial Goals
- Payoff the Car
- Payoff Medical Bills
- Payoff Other Outstanding Debt – (replacement microwave, refrigerator, hot water heater, bed, HVAC unit, 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.
Flashback Friday: 4 Months Old
Brina and Karlie at 4 months old
Today were are flashing back to when the girls were only 4 months old. They were starting to move a lot more and explore at this age. It was amazing how much they changed from month to month. Looking back it is neat to see that their individual personalities were starting to come through even at four months old! Although, they have changed a little since this stage!
Travel & Vacation: Major General William Moultrie’s Statue in White Point Garden (Charleston, SC)
Major General William Moultrie Statue in White Point Garden
Our family enjoys going to Charleston, South Carolina. One of the places the girls always love to go is to Battery Park and White Point Garden. They love looking at all the cool cannons and other items at Battery Park. One of the people that they studied in Social Studies was Major General William Moultrie so it was neat seeing this statue in White Point Gardens.
If you enjoy history White Point Gardens and Battery Park is a great place to visit if you are in downtown Charleston. Major General William Moultrie is most well known for fighting off a British attack when they tried to take over Charles Town Harbor during the American Revolution. Moultrie and his men at Fort Sullivan, which was made out of Palmetto logs, held back the British attack. It was one of the first big victories for the United States during the American Revolution. Later they renamed Fort Sullivan to Fort Moultrie.
Later in the American Revolution Moultrie was captured by British soliders. He was released later during a prisoner exchange. Moultrie also served twice as a governor of South Carolina. While Moultrie was governor South Carolina’s state capital was moved from Charleston to it’s present day location of Columbia.
The statue has a 7 foot pedestal and the statue of Moultrie is 8 feet high. It portrays Moultrie in his uniform with his sword in his sheath, holding his hat at his side, and looking out over the Charleston Harbor.
Moultrie Statue
The “Travel and Vacation” series is an insight into our trips together as a family and ways we relax. Life is short and we were thrilled to have the opportunity to build memories with family and explore of of the most amazing places during our time away. Explore with a good attitude, look for fun, and it will be an awesome trip jammed packed with positive memories. It is refreshing having some time away from the regular routine. Make it a once in a lifetime opportunity to meet new people and learn. You just might see or try something new that takes your breath away!
Counting My Blessings: Week In Review
The kids wrapped up their last week of school. We got to attend their awards ceremony where both received a bunch of awards. They finished 4th grade very well. I am super excited to have more time with them over their summer break. We have so much fun planned for this week. I am blessed. There was so much to be thankful for last week.
I want to be accountable to you so the following are snip-its of some of the things I am thankful for this past week. Counting My Blessings – Week In Review:
Monday – Thankful for the opportunity to teach the girls about various household chores. One of the chores they are mastering this summer is laundry. While they may be slower or have things folded differently they are making progress and getting better already.
Tuesday – Thankful for all the hard work the girls put into their 4th grade school year. We got to attend their 4th Grade Awards Ceremony and they blew us away with all the awards they received this year!
Wednesday – Thankful for Jake and the little surprises he brings home to me whether it is a flower, treat, or something that needs to be fixed around the house. This week he brought home outlets for the kitchen and changed out the outlet and light switch near the sink. Glad he is able to do so much around the house and yard. He is working on a big, but fun project for the girls right now too which I will share with you soon! Love him so much!
Thursday – Thankful that the girls only had a half day of school today. They were a big help doing grocery errands and putting away all the groceries once we were home.
Friday – Thankful that today was the girls last day of 4th grade and they are now on SUMMER BREAK!!!! So excited to spend extra time with my kids. They did fantastic in 4th grade and both are now officially 5th graders! Wow, time flies by quickly!
What are you thankful for today? I encourage you to take the time to write down a few blessings that you have in your life today. It will help cheer you up and turn your focus on the amazing blessings you encounter each day!
Intentional Living: Weekly Goals
The kids are out of school and we are already enjoying summer break with them. Thankful for extra time with the kids this summer. We have some projects and other items that we need to get accomplished this week, but we also have some fun activities planned. Hopefully, we get some of the items on our list completed while having fun together. Here are my goals for this week:
Last week’s goals
Family Goals
Finish reading The Pet Patrol #1 – Puppy Love by Betsy Duffey book to the kidsPlan one special activity with the familyPlay a Game with the Family– Herd Your Horses and a couple other games with the kidsPrepare for Upcoming Spring EventsSpend time Monday –Friday helping the kids with School ItemsAttend After School Activities & EventsLunch Boxes & Book Bags packed the night beforePrep for upcoming Family Adventure(s)Prep & Figure out Schedule for upcoming Summer BreakRide Bikes with the KidsWork on special projects with the kidsGet kids Summer Workbooks Ready and StartedAttend Kids Awards Ceremony for School– so proud of our girls
Personal Goals
Drink 8 glasses of water each dayContinue my YouVersion plan(s)Keep up with my FitBit GoalsGo to my Doctor Appointments Scheduled this week- Update Counting My Blessings and Other journal entries daily – a little behind on this one
Home (Yard & Pets) Management Goals
- All laundry for the week washed, folded, and put away in one day – the kids did it and it took a little longerI
Weekly Dinner Menu planned out for the weekClean House (Focus – Laundry Room)Organize Chaos (Focus – Storage Room Cleaned & Organized)- Yard / Garage Cleanup (Focus – Mow) – it rained this weekend
- Pet Care (Focus – Mix Extra Vitamins in Goat Food) – adding it soon
- Repairs – (Focus – Girls Necklace Hangers) – need Jake’s help with this one
Business Goals
Work on ideas for upcoming blog postsRespond to Inquiry – Business Relation EmailsKeep up with the day to day items that need my attention- Work completed for clients – 1 more project to complete soon
Prep, plan, and organize content for upcoming summer months while the kids are out of school
Ministry Goals
Meet a friend or family member for Breakfast or Lunch
Financial Goals
- Payoff the Car – made another payment
- Payoff Medical Bills – made another payment
- Payoff Other Outstanding Debt – (replacement microwave, refrigerator, hot water heater, bed, HVAC unit, and other debt) – made another payment
Pay Bills & File PaperworkGo grocery shopping one time to one store this week and stay within budget
My goals for the upcoming week
Family Goals
- Finish reading School’s Out by Ken Brynildsen book to the kids (it’s an older book & couldn’t find it on Amazon)
- Plan one special activity with the family
- Play a Game with the Family
- Prepare for Upcoming Spring Events
- Spend time working on Summer Workbooks
- Attend Eventing Activities & Events
- Lunch Bags Packed for Work & Errand / Outside Activities
- Prep for upcoming Family Adventure(s)
- Prep & Figure out Schedule for Summer Break
- Ride Bikes with the Kids
- Work on special projects with the kids
- Hang out at a park with Kids
- Go to the Library
- Find a new local place to sight-see or visit with the Kids
- Attend an extra-curricular activity or event
- Date Night with the Kids
Personal Goals
- Drink 8 glasses of water each day
- Continue my YouVersion plan(s)
- Keep up with my FitBit Goals
- Go to my Doctor Appointments Scheduled this week
- Update Counting My Blessings and Other journal entries daily
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
- Clean House (Focus – 3 Bathrooms)
- Organize Chaos (Focus – Kids Rooms)
- Yard / Garage Cleanup (Focus – Mow)
- Pet Care (Focus – Mix Extra Vitamins in Goat Food)
- Repairs – (Focus – Girls Necklace Hangers)
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
- Prep, plan, and organize content for upcoming summer months while the kids are out of school
Ministry Goals
- Meet a friend or family member for Breakfast or Lunch
Financial Goals
- Payoff the Car
- Payoff Medical Bills
- Payoff Other Outstanding Debt – (replacement microwave, refrigerator, hot water heater, bed, HVAC unit, 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.
School: Brina & Karlie’s 4th Grade Awards Ceremony!
Proud of my girls!
Brina and Karlie had their 4th grade Awards Ceremony on Tuesday, June 2nd. Jake and I knew the girls did really well this year and worked very hard, but we were still blown away by the amount of awards they received. I honestly don’t think Jake was in his chair for more than 5 minutes throughout the entire Awards Ceremony (seriously). Every time he sat down one or both of the girls names would be announced to receive another award. The grandpa sitting next to me said “Wow, you most be doing something right with those kids. They are very talented!” Both girls did worked hard all year even when it wasn’t always easy so it is something exciting to celebrate with them!
They both had great teachers this school year. The teachers encouraged them to learn a lot! Their Homeroom Teachers, Gifted & Talented Teacher, Reading Teacher, and STEM Club Coaches were all good about communicating with the parents which is always key in helping the kids be successful. Thankful for all the teachers and all energy they put into our kids this school year.
We are VERY PROUD of the hard work these girls did and the amount they were able to accomplish throughout the 4th grade year! The girls have the biggest class in the school so it is a huge honor to get these awards. Their classes are large and it takes a lot of work to get these honors. Way to go girls!!!
Karlie and Brina received 13 Award Certificates + 10 Award Medals + 2 Award Pins:
- 2 – Highest Math Achievement Awards (Both girls were the highest in their classes)! (Received 2 Award Certificates & 2 Award Medals)
- 1 – Highest Social Studies Achievement Award (Received 1 Award Certificate & 1 Award Medal)
- 1 – Highest Reading Achievement Award (Received 1 Award Certificate & 1 Award Medal)
- 1 – Highest Science Achievement Award (Received 1 Award Certificate & 1 Award Medal)
- 1 – Highest Language Arts Achievement Award (Received 1 Award Certificate & 1 Award Medal)
- 1 – “A” Honor Roll Award (Received 1 Award Certificate & 1 Award Medal)
- 1 – “A/B” Honor Roll Award (Received 1 Award Certificate & 1 Award Medal)
- 1 – 1st Place Accelerated Reading Award (Received 1 Award Certificate & 1 Award Medal)
- 1 – Pickens County Youth Arts Award (Received 1 Award Certificate)
- 1 – Children’s Book Award (Received 1 Award Certificate & 1 Award Medal)
- 2 – STEM Club Awards (their STEM Club Team – Solar SySTEM went to state) (Received 2 Award Certificates & 2 Award Pins)
Here are some of the pictures from their big Awards Night! Very proud of our girls!
Way to go Brina and Karlie
Brina’s Honor Roll
Karlie’s Honor Roll
Highest Reading Achievement Award
Highest Language Arts Achievement Award
Highest Math Achievement Awards – Brina and Karlie!
Highest Science Achievement Award
STEM Club Awards
Highest Social Studies Achievement Award
Children’s Book Award
Pickens County Youth Arts Award
Talking with friends after the Awards Ceremony!
Brina showing us her cool projects in the hallway!
Brina and Karlie’s certificates, medals, and pins literally filled our kitchen table!
STEM Club, Highest Achievement in Math (for their class), and Honor Roll Awards & Medals for both girls!
Below are some of the pictures of their medals from their 4th Grade Awards Night (I didn’t take pictures of all of them or they didn’t turn out plus some were similar, but this will give you the idea of what they brought home on their 4th Grade Awards Night)!
2 of these Medals for Highest Math Achievement Medal (1 for Brina and 1 for Karlie)
All “A” Honor Roll for the Entire School Year
Highest Social Studies Achievement Medal
Highest Reading Achievement Medal
Highest Language Arts Achievement Medal
Multiple ones of this medal – 1st Place Accelerated Reading & Children’s Book Award
Highest Science Achievement Medal
All “A-B” Honor Roll for the Entire School Year
We are super excited to see all that the girls have accomplished this year. We are thankful for all their effort and hard work. It is evident that they can do a lot and learned a great deal this school year. They finished strong. It is still hard to believe that this is their last day of 4th grade, they are growing up too quickly.
We are looking forward to a fun summer full of learning, memories, and catching up with family and friends! It is our hope that they continue to enjoy learning and growing as they get older. Thankful for our girls. We are very blessed! LOVE YOU BRINA AND KARLIE!!!
