Raising Multiples
Celebrating Christmas Eve With My Family
Brina requested homemade Monkey Bread!
Thankful for a quiet and fun Christmas Eve with my family. It was a great day! We ate read books, played games, ate great food, made gingerbread houses, watched classic Christmas movies, and more wonderful fun with the family. It is nice to have a day to spend making memories together.
We got to open a family gift a day early! Jake got us the game “Forbidden Desert – Thirst For Survival“! we had a blast playing it together TWICE today!
Making gingerbread houses out of graham crackers! We had a great time making a mess and putting them together!
They turned out pretty well!
My sweet, thoughtful, and handsome man! He drove all the way across town early this morning to get me sushi, love him!
Sushi anyone!?
Starting reading this classic Old Yeller by Fred Gipson book to the girls today…so far they are enjoying it!
My parents got us some sweet hot cashews! DELICIOUS!!!
Watched the classic Christmas movie – Rudolf the Red Nosed Reindeer!
Another Christmas classic – Frosty the Snowman
STEM Robotics Club Co-Opertition Event
The kids robot performing its first tasks!
Recently the kids STEM Robotics team had their Co-Opertition Event to test their robot. They had two practice rounds to see how their robot performed on the new map for the upcoming competition. The first tasks went smoothly, but they had a hang-up on one of the targets towards the end. It was a good trial run to see what areas they need to work on for their robot. The team did really well and had a good turn out. They have learned a lot through their STEM Club.
In between sessions the leaders of the group brought a bunch of cool activities for the kids to do to pass the time (crossword puzzles, photos to cut out, poster boards to make, coloring books, puzzles, crafts, blocks, and more fun stuff). The kids had a blast and the time between sessions flew by quickly with them doing the various fun activities! Good Job Teachers for thinking ahead! The teachers also brought fresh fruit, nuts, and bottled water as a snack for the kids.
Thankful for the teachers and volunteers who invest so much time and energy into the kids and STEM Club. They really are outstanding and foster a true love of learning. STEM Club has been a truly amazing learning, team building, and educational experience for both of our kids. The first thing the leaders said when joining the team is “It will be the hardest fun you will ever have!” They expect all the team members to work hard, but they have fun learning together!
Intentional Living: Weekly Goals
I was able to accomplish a good bit of items the first half of the week! On Wednesday I got my second epidural steriod shot for my herniated disc so I was not able to do as much after that day. Thankfully, this time around I bounced back much quicker and did better. By the end of the week I was up and going again with some extra soreness and stiffness, but otherwise doing better. Hoping that this week with be even better. I am looking forward to spending extra time with the kids now that they are out of school for the Christmas Holidays.
Last week’s goals
Family Goals
Read the book The Cat Who Came For Christmas by Cleveland Amory to the kids– decided to switch to a different Christmas bookPlan one special activity with the familyPrepare for Upcoming Holiday EventsSpend time Monday – Friday helping the kids with HomeworkAttend After School ActivitiesLunch Boxes & Book Bags packed the night before- Play a Game with the Kids – we weren’t not able to do this one due to the extra time of healing
Take the Kids to the Library to pick out books to read over the Holidays- Send out Christmas Cards – this is the first year in a LONG time I did not send out Christmas Cards, at first I felt really guilty about it (and still do some days), but Jake told me that with everything that has been going on these past couple of months I need to just let some things go because I cannot do it all, unfortunately this was one item I did not get done (my apologies to family and friends), hopefully next year we will be able to get back in the Christmas card groove again.
- Complete Our Christmas Shopping – still working on it, hoping to be done before Christmas if not I guess we’ll just spread it out a little bit more
- Finish Wrapping Gifts – working on it, Jake has pitched in and helped too (thanks Handsome)
Ship Out Grandparents GiftsDeliver Neighbor Gifts– the girls helped make the gifts and delivered them all to each of the neighbors, thankful for all their help this year! Even though we live on a small street we still have 7 neighbors (all who are related except us) plus our mailman!
Personal Goals
Drink 8 glasses of water each dayContinue my YouVersion plan(s)– almost done with my 2014 bible reading plans!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 – still haven’t been able to complete everything in one day, but I am getting closer!
Weekly Dinner Menu planned out for the weekClean House (Focus – At least 15 minute daily “pick up” to keep the house clean as we prepped for the Holidays)- Organize Chaos (Focus – Get Gifts Wrapped, Mailed, or Ready to put under Christmas Tree) – getting closer
- Yard Cleanup (Focus – Leaves) – my handsome man worked on this for us! Isn’t he AWESOME! There are still some on the side yard, but at least the front and back are done now!
- Pet Care (Focus – Skipper a Bath) – she has managed to escape a bath with the cooler weather!
Business Goals
Work on ideas for upcoming blog posts- Respond to Inquiry – Business Relation Emails – need to focus more on this specific task
Keep 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, and other debt) – working on it
Pay Bills & File Paperwork- Go grocery shopping one time to one store this week and stay within budget – went only 1 day, but went to 2 stores and went over the budget
My goals for the upcoming week
Family Goals
- Read a variety of Christmas and Library Books my Kids Picked Out from Home and the local Library
- Plan one special activity with the family
- Prepare for Upcoming Holiday Events
- Play a Game with the Kids
- Spend Extra Time with the Kids
- Complete Our Christmas Shopping
- Finish Wrapping Gifts
- Celebrate our Family Christmas
- Make Cookies and Goodies with the Kids
- Do a craft with the kids
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
- Clean House (Focus – At least 15 minute daily “pick up” to keep the house clean as we prepped for the Holidays)
- Organize Chaos (Focus – Get Gifts Wrapped, Mailed, or Ready to put under Christmas Tree)
- Yard Cleanup (Focus – Finish Leaves)
- Pet Care (Focus – Skipper Dog Food Bought & Bin Refilled / Snowball’s Collar Battery Changed)
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, 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.
Greenville: Journey to Bethlehem Event
Roman Solider on the outside of the gate to Bethlehem
We went to the Journey to Bethlehem Event with Jake’s cousins family a couple weeks ago. It was a really neat event by the Greenville Nazarene church. When you arrived you signed in and received a token to pay your taxes to the Roman soldiers once you arrived at the city of Bethlehem. Before going into the city you watched a short video sharing the history behind the event and preparing you for what will happen once inside the city. The event is free and well worth going through with your family. They do it every year.
They had about 12 booths that you could go to each one doing something different. At each booth you got a treat (like bread that would be eaten during that time) or bead to put onto your necklace or you made something (like a toy from that era). There were animals you could pet, hot chocolate, a manger scene, and so much more. We have wanted to attend this event for the past few years, but always had a conflict on the weekend they did it. Thanks Luke and Kristen for inviting us to come with you. We had a great time and it was a wonderful learning experience for the kids too! It was really nice to attend an event that reflected on the original meaning of Christmas. This event had to take a lot of time and energy from many people to make happen. Thank You!
Eating a homemade cookie and listening to the lady tell a story!
Making a toy out of wood and string – fascinating!
As always the animals were a hit with the girls!
Angels making the announcement to the shepherds.
A live camel, the girls really wanted to go for a ride or at least pet it!
Josh & Megan’s Wedding Reception (New Harmony, IN)
Josh and Megan at the reception in New Harmony, IN
After the wedding we headed over to New Harmony, Indiana to celebrate more at the reception. As the bridal party was getting some outside pictures taking the wedding guests made their way to the reception hall. They had a photo booth, kids coloring station, and other fun things to do as we waited for the bride, groom, and wedding party to wrap up the last few pictures. The food and cake at the reception was delicious!
Reception table sign! Neat idea!
All the adult guests got a jar of jam made by Megan (YUM) and the kids got crayons – super fun!
Mouth full of cake! They were nice and didn’t make a big mess during this exchanging of cake tradition!
Our family with the good looking groom and lovely bride at the reception. Thankful that we were able to be a part of their special day!
The kids chatting around the coloring table!
Busy kiddos coloring their pictures! Great idea having a kids coloring table at the reception!
Brina and my adorable nephew Nicko coloring!
Time for some sparkler fun to send off the happy couple!
There they go! Congratulations! Hope you have a fun and relaxing honeymoon!
Watching the rest of the sparkler burn down.
Important sparkler lesson learned via Karlie…once the sparklers are done, the wire is still very hot. After the reception clean up we headed to Walgreens for some burn ointment this picture was a couple days later after it started healing. Poor kiddo, glad it wasn’t any worse. Although she will probably be more careful the next time around sparklers!
A quick picture at the photo booth after a busy day of wedding celebrations.
You can see they are getting tired, but they were troopers through all the activities. They were a big help with cleaning up after the wedding and reception too!
The “Hendrich” banner behind the bride and groom!
Rehearsal Dinner Decorating & Rehearsal Event (Mt Vernon, IN)
Josh and Megan’s table at the Rehearsal Dinner
Thankfully my Mom and Dad had all the prep work done prior to the rehearsal dinner. All we had to do on Thursday evening is help set up and put out all the decorations. With the help of family and friends it didn’t take long and it turned out well. Glad we were able to celebrate with Josh and Megan on their special weekend. The “Congratulations” sign was made out of corrugated tin and looked pretty cool hanging above their table.
A big “H” for Hayes, nope not this time it is for “Hendrich”!
One of Josh’s old toy combines on the table full of freshly cut corn. Made the perfect table decorations plus the kids loved having toys to play with at the rehearsal dinner!
The table decorations were perfect for Josh and Megan’s rehearsal dinner!
My Mom put together these beautiful vases of Sunflowers, Roses, Wheat, Milo, and Baby’s Breath! They were bright and gorgeous!
Great Grandpa CE playing a game with the girls. I never had a chance to play but it was set up on a huge table and had several balls involved. They seemed to enjoy it!
Great scripture quote hanging on the wall for the rehearsal dinner – “And the greatest of these is LOVE!” Corinthians 13:13
The mason jar bases of the flower and crop arrangements were filled with fresh corn, brilliant idea!
Josh’s John Deere cap
It turned out well, now just waiting for the rehearsal practice to finish so we can have the rehearsal “party”!
Rehearsal practice!
Rehearsal went smoothly now to party!
The highlight of the rehearsal dinner for the girls was the roasted pig! They were FASCINATED!!! It was delicious too!
Table full of fun kids!
Megan and Josh handing out bridal party and parent gifts!
Karlie was super excited the caterer let her have the apple straight from the pig’s mouth! Crunchy…Munchy!
Hanging out with my girls!
Jake and his girls! Thankful for my family and the opportunity to celebrate with my brother and his new wife (AKA my new sister! Yay!)
Pre-Wedding Activites – Family Fun, Bridal Brunch, & Reception Decorating (Evansville & New Harmony, IN)
Wedding Welcome Basket!
We arrived for the super fun Wedding Celebrations! When we arrived at the hotel for my brother Josh’s wedding there was an amazing Welcome Basket waiting for us. My Mom put together the welcome baskets complete with a sweet letter, schedule of events, maps with directions, drinks, snacks, games, post it notes, gum, kleenexs, and more great items!
Since we arrived the afternoon before all the official wedding festivities began we got in on helping set up, prep, decorate, and enjoy some time with family. All of us were staying at the same hotel in Evansville, Indiana, so almost any time you were on the elevator or lobby area you could almost be certain to run into someone you know. It was a lot of fun spending time with extended family and friends. We super excited to be celebrating Josh and Megan’s big day!
Swimming in the indoor hotel pool, a hit with the kids!
Brina and Karlie hanging out on Grandma Penny’s lap and chatting away!
I am sure Pastor Jim is getting an ear full from the girls….who knows what they are talking about! Thankful for my parents and brothers Pastor and his family pitching in to help with various set up, decorating, clean up and so much more over the wedding weekend. They were a huge help!
Karlie hanging out with Great Grandma Willa! Thankful that Grandpa CE and Grandma Willa were able to join in all the wedding fun, it was wonderful spending extra time with them.
Brina and Nathan….waiting patiently!
Karlie sharing a fascinating story to Grandpa CE
Amber and Grandma Willa
Heading into the Bridal Brunch for Megan. Great Grandma Willa and Karlie talking on the way up the walk!
Bridal Brunch at the Red Geranium Restaurant in New Harmony, Indiana! They had delicious food on the Bridal Menu – Chicken Salad Croissant, Red Geranium Club Sandwich, Soup & Salad!
Brina hanging out at the Bridal Lunch!
Karlie sitting next to me at the Bridal Brunch!
Megan and Mom at the Bridal Brunch
Megan with the Moms! Teresa Petty (Megan’s Mom), Megan, and my Mom Penny Hendrich
Grandma Willa and Mom helping fluff flowers for reception decorations for Josh & Megan. The flowers went on the photo booth, cute idea!
Josh and Megan’s “photo booth” for the guest to use at the wedding. Our crew did the flower fluffing and decorating of this booth, it turned out really well!
Travel & Vacation: Aquarium Underwater Dining Adventure (Nashville, TN)
We were able to go to the Aquarium An Underwater Dining Adventure Restaurant with the kids while we were in Nashville, TN. They thought it was the best place to eat. I am not entirely sure they even tasted their food because they were so fascinated by all the fish and the aquariums all around us. It was a unique experience and a lot of fun especially if you have kids. The kids were so excited about the fish I forgot to take a picture of our delicious food!
One of the huge circular aquariums! We planned to go there for dinner as a surprise for the kids. They were hooked and excited as soon as they stepped foot inside the door.
Karlie wanted to take a picture at one of the sharks1
The last time we saw sting rays we were swimming with them at Grand Cayman Island. These were on the other side of the glass.
I see you hiding…a sprinkle of sand doesn’t make you invisible!
Colorful fish!
In the middle of the restaurant was a giant aquarium you could see from any where in the restaurant. Fascinating!
So many fish!
The girls decided they would enjoy one of these huge aquariums at our house! 🙂
Travel & Vacation: Adventure Science Center (Nashville, TN)
During our recent visit to Nashville we went to the Adventure Science Center. The kids LOVED it! It was a lot of fun hanging out, playing, and learning with the kids for several hours. We were there when it opened that morning and left when it was closing 7 hours later, I would say it was a hit with the kids! Even better is our whole family got in free (WOOHOO) because we are members of our local Roper Mountain Science Center in Greenville and the museums are part of the same affiliation.
Brina and Karlie discovered that they CAN lift a car off the ground, using the right tools!
Activity that simulates walking on the moon, they had a blast!
Karlie especially liked the Space Chase room. Standing near her favorite planet….Saturn!
The space room was two stories high, this is looking up from the ground level. Pretty neat!
Chatting with Brina, the old fashion way!
Brave Karlie putting her hand into the mouth of a fish and pulling it out of the log.
The water table was a popular spot for the kids!
Brina checking things out!
Karlie using the wind from the Jungle Gym to blow the sails on the sailboat!
Karlie in the bubble under the dinosaur as Brina points out that the dinosaur is moving.
Karlie generating energy on the bicycle! Pedal faster!
Parachute race! Whose going to win! You raise the parachutes on the pulley system, when it clicks they release and see who lands first!
Locating our house!
Found Grandpa and Grandma’s house too!
Exploring particles and magnets….
Feeding the giant mouth!
Trying to master the digestive track maze!
At the top of the 3 story jungle gym you can look out over downtown Nashville. Great view!
Jake and the girls waiting for me to come down from the top. They obviously move faster, ha! Fun times with the family.
It’s probably been awhile since Jake’s been on a 3 story jungle gym. He was a good sport and allow the girls to “show him around!”
This was a laser game that we played several times. The good activities compete against the germs / sickness to see who will win.
Jake playing checkers with Karlie.
Brina maneuvering the wheelchair around the ramps and basketball court. Takes some skill getting around places in a wheelchair.
Teaching Our Children: How to Build a Catapult
A fun little experiment for the whole family
The girls were talking with Jake recently about catapults. He decided to make it a teachable moment for the kids. They worked on designing and building a catapult. It was a lot of fun to watch them working together. The girls were super excited to see how well their catapult experiment worked! Thankful for a husband who takes the time to do fun and educational activities with the kids. Great memories with their Daddy!
Jake & the girls catapult design
Little pieces of the catapult that the girls have sanded
Brina working hard
Karlie sanding her piece of the catapult
Teamwork!
Ready to launch the first unsuspecting acorn across the driveway! It worked really well! 🙂
