Organized Chaos
What’s for Breakfast: Our Weekly Menu Plan
Last week the kids celebrated their birthdays and now this week we are quickly wrapping up the month of February. It has been a whirlwind of activities around the house and March does not look any quieter (if anything it is busier). Having the breakfast menu planned out helps all of us get our days off to a good start. Here is what our breakfast menu looks like this week (the items in parenthesis are examples of the extra items we will add and change from week to week):
- Monday – English Muffins (Green Veggie & Fruit Smoothie)
- Tuesday – Toast (Cottage Cheese)
- Wednesday – Cereal (Yogurt)
- Thursday – Pancakes, Poptarts, or Oatmeal (Bacon)
- Friday –Bagels (Fresh Fruit)
- Saturday – Family Brunch (a lot of times we make Saturday breakfast together and it is whatever sounds good that morning or a new dish we want to try out. It is not always planned in advance and could be an egg or breakfast casserole, omelets, hashbrowns, waffles, pancakes, etc… this is our big family meal of the day since Saturdays are often spent with extended family, friends, or doing other afternoon and evening activities) Since we make more complicated breakfasts on Saturdays it is usually between 8 to 10 before we sit down to eat therefore they have become our Family Brunch.
- Sunday – Make Your Own Breakfast (everyone makes their own breakfast before church which is usually something easy like cereal, toast, poptarts, oatmeal, smoothie, etc….)
We are pretty consistent with our week day breakfast menu. For each day of the work and school week Monday to Friday we have the same main menu item from week to week the only thing that changes is the “extra item” we add each day such as an egg, sausage, fresh fruit, cottage cheese, bacon, smoothies, or other items that we have in the kitchen. During the school week the girls always have their main breakfast, at least one side (usually fruit, sausage, egg, etc…), vitamins, milk (one has non-dairy milk due to allergies), and small glass of juice. When I am ambitious, awake, and my creative juices are flowing I will add a little extra silliness to make breakfast more enjoyable for the kids.
We first started doing a different main breakfast item everyday a few years ago because I have one child who if she eats the same thing too many times in a row she stops eating. Adding a little variety from day to day was enough to keep her motivated to eat breakfast. It wasn’t until several months later when the girls pointed it out that I realized that we do the same main item on the same day every week. “Mom, Tuesday is Toast Day…..” So now it has become our rotating breakfast menu which helps keep us on track because we know exactly what we need to prepare for the next breakfast. Plus the girls are sometimes still waking up when they come to breakfast and the morning menu helps them figure out the day of the week as well as prepares them for the upcoming activities they have that day.
There are times I will mix it up (just for fun) or Jake will get up first and make breakfast! The girls don’t hesitate to let him know if he makes a main food item on the wrong day….ha! Our breakfasts are not fancy, but it gets us up and started for the day. What do you make for your family breakfasts?
Intentional Living: Weekly Goals
We are wrapping up February this week. How is that possible!? This past week we celebrated the girls 10th Birthday. It is hard to believe that they are already 10 years old. We had a couple of snow and ice days so the girls got out of some school this past week so I was thankful for the extra time I had with them. Unfortunately, Jake had to go on a work trip so he missed out on some of the snow and ice adventures, but made it back to celebrate the girls birthday together! I have a lot of projects that I want to get accomplished this week as we gear up for a very busy March! Here are my goals for this week:
Last week’s goals
Family Goals
Finish reading Ashleigh’s Dream (Thoroughbred Series #5) by Joanna Campbell to the kids– finished reading during the days off schoolPlan one special activity with the family– celebrated the girls BirthdayPlay a Game with the Kids– played games during the kids snow days, the girls and I played their new Destination USA game from Grandpa and GrandmaPrepare for Upcoming Winter Events– have another fun family adventure to plan- Spend time Monday – Friday helping the kids with Homework – they got out of school early on Monday, no school Tuesday and Wednesday, and started late on Thursday so our homework schedule was altered this week!
Attend After School Activities- Lunch Boxes & Book Bags packed the night before – only had to pack lunches Sunday night, Wed, & Thursday nights this week
Plan a Fun Birthday Activity for the KidsCelebrate Kid’s Birthday
Personal Goals
- Drink 8 glasses of water each day – got behind a couple days with the kids home and spending time with them
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 a little more time
Weekly Dinner Menu planned out for the week- Use up food items in our pantry and freezer – working on it
- Clean House (Focus – Laundry Room) – spent time with the kids with them being off instead of tackling the laundry room
- Organize Chaos (Focus – Linens Cabinet) – spent extra time with the kids instead
- Yard Cleanup (Focus – Pick Up Down Sticks) – we picked up sticks, but there are more with all the wind we’ve been having
Pet Care (Focus – Pick Up Hay for Goats)
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, bed, medical, and other debt) – made an extra payment again this week
Pay Bills & File PaperworkGo grocery shopping one time to one store this week and stay within budget- Sale Items no longer using or do not need on Facebook / Craigslist / Ebay – put on hold with the ice and snow this week
My goals for the upcoming week
Family Goals
- Finish reading Wonder’s Yearling (Thoroughbred Series #6) by Joanna Campbell to the kids
- Plan one special activity with the family
- Play a Game with the Kids
- 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
- Prep for upcoming Family Adventure
- Pull out our Spring / Summer Clothes
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
- Use up food items in our pantry and freezer
- Clean House (Focus – Laundry Room)
- Organize Chaos (Focus – Linens Cabinet)
- Yard Cleanup (Focus – Pick Up Down Sticks)
- Pet Care (Focus – Pick Up Sweet Hay)
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 Medical Bills
- Payoff Other Outstanding Debt – (replacement microwave, refrigerator, hot water heater, bed, and other debt)
- Pay Bills & File Paperwork
- Attend “Financial Peace University” Class & Become More Accountable with our Finances
- Go grocery shopping one time to one store this week and stay within budget
- Sale Items no longer using or do not need on Facebook / Craigslist / Ebay
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.
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Beautiful SC Sunrise
Gorgeous Sunrise!
The kids and I enjoyed this beautiful sunrise earlier this week. It’s not every day we see these great sunrises in South Carolina. Our drive to school was perfectly timed with the sunrise on this special morning.
Thankful for a chance to share this with my kids. All of us were glad that we got stopped at the stoplight that morning so we could soak in the beauty around us. It’s the little treasures throughout each day such as a beautiful sunrise that remind us of the many blessings in our lives.
What a great way to start a new day!
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Intentional Living: Weekly Goals
Thankful for a fun time with my parents and brothers family last weekend. The weekend went by quickly, but we packed in a lot of fun. We celebrated the girls birthday, played games, read books, went on adventures, ate good food, and so much more. Grateful for my parents and their willingness to come visit so they can spend time with our family. The girls were thrilled to have some time with their grandparents. Quality time together means so much to kids and memories are precious treasures during their growing up years! Here are my goals for this week:
Last week’s goals
Family Goals
- Finish reading Ashleigh’s Dream (Thoroughbred Series #5) by Joanna Campbell to the kids – didn’t read as much of the chapter book with all the extra activities this past week
Plan one special activity with the family– spent several days with Grandparents and Brother’s family, even made a trip to downtown GreenvillePlay a Game with the Kids– played a couple old and new games with the kids this week! Grandpa Russell taught them a simple version of 7 up & 7 down. Grandpa & Grandma played their new “Herd Your Houses” game with them!- Prepare for Upcoming Winter Events – some preparation items were put on hold briefly while my parents were visiting
Spend time Monday – Thursday helping the kids with HomeworkAttend After School ActivitiesLunch Boxes & Book Bags packed the night beforePlan a Fun Birthday Activity for the Kids– had a birthday party Friday night with Grandpa, Grandma, Uncle Lee, Aunt Becky, and the boys!Confirm my parents plans and activities for their upcoming visitCelebrate Valentine’s Day– glad to spend time with my parents, we packed a lot of fun into the day!Spend Extra Time with Extended Family– we split out time with our house and my brother’s house so it was nice to have some time together. The kids enjoyed a lot of extra play time together too.
Personal Goals
- Drink 8 glasses of water each day – didn’t keep up with it a couple days this past week and pretty sure I was low a couple days
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 more than 1 day
Weekly Dinner Menu planned out for the week- Use up food items in our pantry and freezer – working through some of the items that need used
Clean House (Focus – Overall House Cleaning)– it wasn’t completely done, but thankful for Jake and the girls pitching in to help. It wasn’t perfect, but nobody seemed to mind.Organize Chaos (Focus – Game Closet)– got it cleaned out!Yard Cleanup (Focus – Yard Clean Up)– we got some things cleaned up than had another wind storm over the weekend now have more branches and other items blown into the yard that need to be picked up nowPet Care (Focus – Pick Up Salt Block for Goats)– we have a mineral bucket for them
Business Goals
Work on ideas for upcoming blog postsRespond to Inquiry – Business Relation Emails- Keep up with the day to day items that need my attention – have some extra “catch-up” work to do this week
Work 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, bed, medical, and other debt) – working on it, made a small extra payment on it last week
Pay Bills & File Paperwork- Go grocery shopping one time to one store this week and stay within budget – went to more than 1 store and went over budget this week (really need to work on this one)
Sale Items no longer using or do not need on Facebook / Craigslist / Ebay– sold a couple items which we applied towards an extra payment on our debt
My goals for the upcoming week
Family Goals
- Finish reading Ashleigh’s Dream (Thoroughbred Series #5) by Joanna Campbell to the kids
- Plan one special activity with the family
- Play a Game with the Kids
- 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
- Plan a Fun Birthday Activity for the Kids
- Celebrate Kid’s Birthday
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
- Use up food items in our pantry and freezer
- Clean House (Focus – Laundry Room)
- Organize Chaos (Focus – Linens Cabinet)
- Yard Cleanup (Focus – Pick Up Down Sticks)
- Pet Care (Focus – Pick Up Hay for Goats)
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, bed, medical, and other debt)
- Pay Bills & File Paperwork
- Go grocery shopping one time to one store this week and stay within budget
- Sale Items no longer using or do not need on Facebook / Craigslist / Ebay
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.
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