Pets
Someone’s Excited for Spring Break!
We were not the only ones who were excited to see the kiddos come home for Spring Break. The old dog heard us talking about the girls coming home earlier in the week and was looking for them all week. She may be old but she does pick up on cues and knew they would be coming home soon.
She was so worked up the day they were coming home we ended up letting her sit by the front door and watch for them. As soon as the first vehicle was near the top of the driveway she was ready for them. They timed it almost perfectly and arrived home within a couple minutes of each other. The puppy dog is absolutely thrilled to have her favorite family members back home again for a few days.
We are grateful that both of their colleges have Spring Break on the same week. Definitely looking forward to spending extra family time together!
North Georgia Zoo & Farm (Cleveland, GA)
North Georgia Zoo & Farm is a great place to visit with your family, especially if your kids enjoy animals.
That turtle and zebra have familiar faces…. Thankful that the girls still occasionally “humor” me with the cheesy pictures!
Baby goats!
This porcupine has a fantastic breakfast, look at all those fruits & veggies!
The beaver is munching on his veggies too!
Beautiful animal!
Are you sure you don’t have another treat for me!?
Albino Kangaroo napping in the shade!
Singing dog, so wanted to hear it actually sing!!!
Brina loving all the animals!
Jake and Karlie waiting for the Animal Show to start
Soft….of course the girls wanted at least one when they found out that they sale them at this location
Fascinating to watch it run awhile!
A lot softer than we expected.
My Newest Friend & Pet: Meet “Bubbles the 3rd”
Bubbles 3 now comfortably at home in my kitchen!
Jake came home from doing errands one day and this little guy was there to greet me. The first pet we ever had as a married couple was a red and blue beta fish named “Bubbles”. He hung out on the counter top in the kitchen at our apartment. We have not had a beta fish for a long time because we have other tanks and they are the type of fish that really need their own space and tank.
I am a big fan of animals and little critters, however, I don’t enjoy the maintenance part of fish tanks. Thankfully Jake handles that piece for me. I make sure Bubbles is fed and entertained, but otherwise Jake does any tank cleaning. Yes, I have conversations with my fish while cleaning or cooking in the kitchen! He is hard to get a picture of because he is either hiding or won’t stop moving. He is a beautiful red and blue long fin beta. Bubble the 3rd has even learned my tap means “time to eat”! Bubbles is the only pet that I get to feed consistently, the girls all feed and care for the all the other pets in the family. Bubbles is my cooking and cleaning buddy when Jake and the girls are not home or around!
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: Petting Zoo at Animal Kingdom (Orlando, FL)
Petting Zoo at Animal Kingdom!
The girls were thrilled to find the petting zoo at Animal Kingdom! They had a section were you could brush, pet, and interact with a variety of farm animals. They had goats, sheep, pigs, and a cow that you could help groom. There were llamas too, but they were not out in the big pen, the kids could see and pet them, but they did not interact as much as the other animals. The kids loved brushing, petting, and hanging out with the animals.
We got there about 30 minutes before the workers took the animals into the barn for the night for their evening meal. The animals were very active and it was fascinating to watch them trot into their barn stalls. They knew when it was time to go into the barn and which stall contained their food.
They had an area in the shade that was roped off and contained a small jungle gym where the animals could go if they needed a break or didn’t want to be petted or brushed at that time. You would see a handful of animals in that area, but for the most part they would go in run a loop through the jungle gym and come back out with the kids. There were always plenty of animals out walking or laying around in the non-fenced off area that the kids had a blast.
You have to take the Wildlife Express Train to get to Rafiki’s Planet Watch and the Petting Zoo area.
Loved this part of Animal Kingdom!
Petting, brushing, and talking with the cow.
Brushing a pig
Giving this pig a good brushing!
Laughing at the animals being silly. Brina had a blast in the petting zoo. I think if they hadn’t taken the animals into the barn while we were there it would have been hard getting her to leave this area!
Karlie brushing a goat.
All the pets in this area were very well groomed, probably from all the kids brushing them every day. They were very tame and interactive with the kids.
You want to brush the goat Mom?!
A herd of sheep.
Walking with a new friend
Giving her a good brushing!
Finished brushing the cow now ready to find a new animal to groom!
The goat enjoying a face rub.
Waiting for the train to go back to the rest of Animal Kingdom
The train and our cargo have arrived!
Furry Critters Who are Not Fans of the Snow
Snowball and Oreo peeking out at us!
We have two furry family members who are not big fans of the snow. They don’t like coming out and getting their feet wet. It is more appealing for them to just stay inside for the most part nibbling on hay, grain, drinking water, and sleeping. They did brave it a couple times and came out for treats sometimes, but not very often. Most of the time they would look at us like we were crazy for being out hiking around in the snow.
They would rather be hanging out inside eating hay! Such a tough life for the goats!
Leaning out the door to watch us. Oreo came out more often than Snowball.
Oreo came out to say “hi” and snag a fresh vegetable. Snowball decided to stay inside.
Everything Beautifully Covered in Icicles
All the trees coated in ice!
The past couple of weeks have been busy with changes in schedules due to the weather. Our first big storm started as sleet went to snow and ended in more sleet. The result was everything covered in a sheet of ice.
The kids that it was great they got out of school. They didn’t care that it was cold or slick they loved playing outside in it! It was nice having some extra fun time with the kids. With all the fun we have been having it has taken me awhile to catch up on the things around the house and get the blog pictures posted. Hopefully, I will have you all updated on our snow and ice activities within the next couple of days! 🙂
Brina volunteering to take out our mail. So happy to have a “snow / ice” day from school!
Skipper loves snow days as much as the kids. She loves playing outside with them!
Brina sledding. The ice on top of the snow actually made the sledding a lot of fun for the kids.
Karlie getting ready to go down too!
Karlie sledding. It’s amazing how well the sled worked even going through the leaves!
Icicles on the back porch.
Icicles on the jungle gym.
My old planter is covered with ice!
Our poor trees….they looked so sad! They were not as happy about having the weight of ice on them.
Icy branches!
Skipper Being a Good Sport
Skipper claiming a new bed on the back porch!
Earlier in the day the girls were out on the back porch coloring and drawing in a couple big boxes we gave them to play with. The girls get so excited about getting large boxes to play with around the house. Every time we get a box or a group of boxes of any size they usually ask for permission to use them for their play time. Jake and I try to give them as many opportunities to explore creative play, but sometimes the boxes hang around for longer than intended or can get in the way or make a mess with all the “decorating” paraphernalia scattered around.
Sometimes when the boxes are big, taking over the house, and it is going to be a sunny day we will send the kids with their goodies outside. They have been know to play with boxes building various forts and structures for hours. Skipper loves it any time the kids are outside playing. She usually hops right in the middle of everything and at times is in the way, but the kids and the dog love it!
Skipper snacking on a treat from the kids.
Even after the girls came inside Skipper decided to hang out in their box.
Waking up from a nap in the box. She slept in the boxes for several hours in the sun that day. I am not sure who enjoyed it most the kids or Skipper.
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.
Flashback Friday – General KaDargo
Dargo sporting some Christmas wrapping paper!
Today we are flashing back to Christmas 2004! General KaDargo was the first dog Jake and I had together after getting married. We called him Dargo for short. His name was taken from a character on the Farscape show. We got Dargo a couple years after we had been married.
He was a big black lab, but a real sweetheart. In this picture Jake had wrapped him in Christmas wrapping paper. He was being good sport while silently begging me to help him get it off! The kids were pretty little when he got cancer, but we have a lot of great memories with this wonderful dog. It is amazing how quickly animals can become one of the family!
