Raising Multiples

  • I Love You Sweet Girls!

    I love you Brina & Karlie

    Before I traveled to India earlier this year I left a few goodies for the girls including this sign.  They were so excited to see this sign hanging up when they came home from school that day.  They treasured it so much that the sign is still in their room!

    This is a great reminder of how doing something simple like a spray painting a poster board can mean the world to our kids.  It is important to tell our kids that we love them in various ways including writing it down for them to read and showing them by our actions.  How have you shown your kids love today?

  • First Day of School “Love Notes” for the Kids

    Brina and Karlie’s first day of school love notes

    Every year on the first day of school we write a “love note” to the girls.  They always look forward to receiving and reading their notes.  It is something simple to do on the first day of school but it helps remind them of how much we love them especially on a busy day every year.

    Love notes for the girls on their breakfast bar stools

    In our family we try to do as much prep work (make lunches, lay out clothes, set out plates / bowls for breakfast, vitamins) the night before.  The girls know exactly where to find any breakfast notes or surprises.  I have found that by having items laid out the night before the mornings go much more smoothly.  The kids get a great start to each school day and it is less stressful for me.

    The girls always like to read their notes on the first day of school

  • Intentional Living: Weekly Goals

     This past week the girls started school again and yes Mommy shed a few tears.  I had a blast with the girls this summer, it went by too fast (my babies are growing up).  They both were excited about starting school and had a great first week.  I was able to go on a “big” girls weekend away trip to hear Beth Moore speak in Charleston.  Thankful for the opportunity to get away with friends and be refreshed spiritually.  Thank you Jake for watching the girls while I was away this weekend, your the best.

    Last week’s goals:

    Family Goals

    1. Read regularly to the girls and have them read to me
    2. Participate in at least 2 fun Summer Activities with the Kids – we squeezed in a couple more before school began
    3. Girls Packed and Ready to Start School on Tuesday
    4. Get into the School Routine – its started but not sure if we are completely adjusted yet, ha

    Personal Goals

    1. Exercise at least 5 days this week
    2. Attend a Beth Moore Conference with friends – great weekend trip!

    Home Management Goals

    1. All laundry for the week washed, folded, and put away in one day
    2. Weekly Dinner Menu & Schedule planned out for the week – got it planned out but had a make a couple alterations during the week
    3. Prep for my Fall Organizational Schedule – it was a crazy busy week didn’t get it done
    4. Pay all upcoming bills

    Business Goals

    1. Work on ideas for upcoming blog posts
    2. Keep up with the day to day items that need my attention

    Ministry Goals

    1. Meet a friend or family member for Breakfast or Lunch
    2. Prep for upcoming Alms & Legs Meeting

    Financial Goals

    1. Stay within Budget on Groceries $40 for 4 – went over budget as I stocked up on school lunch food
    2. Emergency Fund – save 6 months worth of living expenses – on hold
    3. Car Fund – save money for another vehicle to replace the one that was totaled – we found a car! WooHoo!!!!
    4. College Fund – put cash aside for 1 year of Jake’s College Classes – on hold temporarily

    My goals for the upcoming week:

    Family Goals

    1. Read regularly to the girls and have them read to me
    2. Greenville Drive Baseball Game with Family
    3. Daily School Activities & Homework Completed
    4. Lunch Boxes & Book Bags packed the night before
    5. Doctor Appointments
    6. After School Activities
    7. ENT Surgery & Recovery

    Personal Goals

    1. Exercise at least 5 days this week
    2. Finish reading Our Boys by Joe Drape – I started this one a couple years ago and never finished so starting over.  It’s about the Smith Center, Kansas football team (it has been interesting reading the book so far because I know some of the people in it since my parents live near Smith Center)

    Home Management Goals

    1. All laundry for the week washed, folded, and put away in one day
    2. Weekly Dinner Menu planned out for the week
    3. Prep for my Fall Organizational Schedule
    4. Pay all upcoming bills

    Business Goals

    1. Work on ideas for upcoming blog posts
    2. Keep up with the day to day items that need my attention
    3. Get caught up on blog items

    Ministry Goals

    1. Meet a friend or family member for Breakfast or Lunch
    2. Write and Send Out  Alms & Legs Team Meeting Notes

    Financial Goals

    1. Stay within Budget on Groceries $40 for 4
    2. Payoff the Van

    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.

  • Fresh & Healthy: First Day of School Lunch Box Meals

    Karlie and Brina’s lunch for the first day of school

    Another school year has started…..we had a blast this summer.  Their school lunch boxes are metal with a chalkboard on the inside so I can write them a message.  For the first day I wrote “Happy First Day of School Brina & Karlie. We love you!”  The girls pack a lunch Monday through Thursday on Friday they eat their lunch at school as a special treat.  Most days the girls pack their own lunches but with the first week being so busy I got them started until they adjust to the new schedule.  Each day they get a protein, fruit, vegetable, dairy, drink, and snack (sometimes I will through in an extra snack or treat if I know we have activities after school).

    Karlie’s lunch box has a shiny red race car with her name on the car and tracks

    Brina’s lunch box is covered in hearts and her favorite colors (orange and pink)!

    Each lunch box has their design and names on both the font and back as well as the sides (see picture at bottom for the side view).  The lunch boxes were a “surprise” for the girls.  They were thrilled to get these to use for school.  I was pleased with how they turned out too.

    Ready to be packed

    Lunch Goodies:

    • Sausage and Pepperoni Pizza
    • Berry Blast Fruit Mashups
    • Peach Yogurt
    • Fresh Carrots
    • Cherry Fruit Twist
    • Peanut Butter Crackers
    • Cinnamon Teddy Grahams
    • CapriSun Sunrise Juice
    • Million Dollar Mint

    Lunches all packed, in the fridge, and ready to go for tomorrow’s big day!

  • First Day of School 2012

    Karlie and Brina ready for their first day of school 2012

    How is it possible that school is already starting again?!  It seems like summer vacation just started and in a blink of my eye it is now gone.  The girls started school this Tuesday.  They were sad to say goodbye to summer and all the fun adventures that we had together but at the same time they were excited to start school again too.

    They each picked out their own backpacks, school supplies, and clothes that they wanted to wear on the first day of school.  This is the first year that they have separate teachers.  So far they have been thrilled with having different classrooms.  It has been more work for Mom and Dad because even though they are in the same grade the teacher policies, homework, and many other activities are different.

     

    Karlie’s all ready to go!

    Brina is ready for me to finish taking pictures so she can go to school!

    I am praying that this school year is an amazing time of growth for both of the girls.  It is hard to see my baby girls growing up so quickly.  They are an amazing blessing in my life and I love them dearly.   I look forward to seeing all the awesome things they will learn this year!

  • Intentional Living: Weekly Goals

    Last week we went with Jake to Charleston.  It was great spending time together!  The girls had a blast in Charleston….it was their last week before school starts again.  Thankful for a great summer with our girls.

    Last week’s goals:

    Family Goals

    1. Read regularly to the girls and have them read to me
    2. Participate in at least 2 fun Summer Activities with the Kids
    3. Spend time with family before the kids go back to school – went to Charleston with the family
    4. Get the girls items packed for school
    5. Go to the pool / beach – went to the pool, park, and beach
    6. Doctor Appointments complete before school starts – had a lot of appointments (teeth, eyes, ears, etc…)

    Personal Goals

    1. Exercise at least 5 days this week – went to the pool, park and beach this week!

    Home Management Goals

    1. All laundry for the week washed, folded, and put away in one day
    2. Weekly Dinner Menu & Schedule planned out for the week – didn’t get it done with all the traveling this week
    3. Prep for my Fall Organizational Schedule – wasn’t able to get it done
    4. Pay all upcoming bills

    Business Goals

    1. Work on ideas for upcoming blog posts
    2. Keep up with the day to day items that need my attention

    Ministry Goals

    1. Meet a friend or family member for Breakfast or Lunch

    Financial Goals

    1. Stay within Budget on Groceries $40 for 4
    2. Emergency Fund – save 6 months worth of living expenses – temporary on hold
    3. Car Fund – save money for another vehicle to replace the one that was totaled – working on it
    4. College Fund – put cash aside for 1 year of Jake’s College Classes – on hold momentarily

     

    My goals for the upcoming week:

    Family Goals

    1. Read regularly to the girls and have them read to me
    2. Participate in at least 2 fun Summer Activities with the Kids
    3. Girls Packed and Ready to Start School on Tuesday
    4. Get into the School Routine

    Personal Goals

    1. Exercise at least 5 days this week
    2. Attend a Beth Moore Conference with friends

    Home Management Goals

    1. All laundry for the week washed, folded, and put away in one day
    2. Weekly Dinner Menu & Schedule planned out for the week
    3. Prep for my Fall Organizational Schedule
    4. Pay all upcoming bills

    Business Goals

    1. Work on ideas for upcoming blog posts
    2. Keep up with the day to day items that need my attention

    Ministry Goals

    1. Meet a friend or family member for Breakfast or Lunch
    2. Prep for upcoming Alms & Legs Meeting

    Financial Goals

    1. Stay within Budget on Groceries $40 for 4
    2. Emergency Fund – save 6 months worth of living expenses
    3. Car Fund – save money for another vehicle to replace the one that was totaled
    4. College Fund – put cash aside for 1 year of Jake’s College Classes

    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.

  • Hug in the Mail

    Karlie sending a hug in the mail to Daddy!

    When Jake was away on a trip the girls wanted to send him a hug since they couldn’t hug him in person.  If you cannot read the card it says:

    Since we cannot be there to “hug” you in person we are sending you a “mail hug”. I love you Babycake! Spread out the hands in the card and that is the biggest hug the person who did it can give you. XOXO

    Laying down with her arms spread out as wide so she can give Daddy the biggest hug possible!  I traced her hands on the paper and cut a string of thread the length of her arms and taped it to the back of the hands after she decorated it.

    Karlie showing off her giant hug!

    Karlie’s Message – “I love you Daddy. You are the best. Good is fun. I love you.”

    Brina decorating her mail hug for Daddy!

    Brina showing off her hug that she is sending to Daddy!

    Sending my Handsome Man a hug in the mail!

  • Intentional Living: Weekly Goals

    It was great to have some time back home last week catching up with the pets, housework, appointments, and more!  The girls had fun playing with the animals and hanging out at home. While waiting at the doctors offices the girls and I read a bunch of  books together too.  This is the girls last week at home before going back to school so are spending some time having fun and creating memories this week.

    Last week’s goals:at

    Family Goals

    1. Read regularly to the girls and have them read to me
    2. Participate in at least 2 fun Summer Activities with the Kids
    3. Plan out the Girls “Swim Into Reading” Summer Reading Goal (total 2,000 Reading minutes) Grand Prize for Completion
    4. Spend time with extended family

    Personal Goals

    1. Exercise at least 5 days this week – didn’t get it all in this week
    2. Pick out my next book to read

    Home Management Goals

    1. All laundry for the week washed, folded, and put away in one day
    2. Weekly Dinner Menu & Schedule planned out for the week – didn’t get it done
    3. Work on My Summer Organizational Schedule
    4. Pack for upcoming trip
    5. Pay all upcoming bills

    Business Goals

    1. Work on ideas for upcoming blog posts
    2. Keep up with the day to day items that need my attention
    3. Work on projects with the family business

    Ministry Goals

    1. Meet a friend or family member for Breakfast or Lunch

    Financial Goals

    1. Stay within Budget on Groceries $40 for 4
    2. Emergency Fund – save 6 months worth of living expenses – temporarily on hold
    3. Car Fund – save money for another vehicle to replace the one that was totaled – working on it
    4. College Fund – put cash aside for 1 year of Jake’s College Classes – temporarily on hold with the car

    My goals for the upcoming week:

    Family Goals

    1. Read regularly to the girls and have them read to me
    2. Participate in at least 2 fun Summer Activities with the Kids
    3. Spend time with family before the kids go back to school
    4. Get the girls items packed for school
    5. Go to the pool / beach
    6. Doctor Appointments complete before school starts

    Personal Goals

    1. Exercise at least 5 days this week

    Home Management Goals

    1. All laundry for the week washed, folded, and put away in one day
    2. Weekly Dinner Menu & Schedule planned out for the week
    3. Prep for my Fall Organizational Schedule
    4. Pay all upcoming bills

    Business Goals

    1. Work on ideas for upcoming blog posts
    2. Keep up with the day to day items that need my attention

    Ministry Goals

    1. Meet a friend or family member for Breakfast or Lunch

    Financial Goals

    1. Stay within Budget on Groceries $40 for 4
    2. Emergency Fund – save 6 months worth of living expenses
    3. Car Fund – save money for another vehicle to replace the one that was totaled
    4. College Fund – put cash aside for 1 year of Jake’s College Classes

    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.

  • Kids in the Kitchen: Fruit Cars

    Apple Cars

    The kids loved these fruit treats.  It was a fun snack and craft to do at the girls birthday party too.  At their party we set out a bowl of apples, oranges, grapefruits, and grapes so the kids could put together their own cars.  The cars we’re a lot of fun and you could even drive them (so cute with their wobbly wheels).

    Orange Car

    Cute little fruit cars made by the kids.  All it takes is some fruit and toothpicks (broken in half for the wheels).  If you have smaller kids you may want to help them put them together and take out the toothpicks for them before they eat their fruit car.

  • Creative Kids: Random Notes of Love

    Cute little surprise note!

    On one of our trips this year the girls hid a note in my backpack.  I love finding fun notes from my girls.  So who do you think put this note in my bag?  If you guessed Brina you are correct!  Jake got one in his backpack from Karlie.  It’s the little stuff like this that makes me so thankful for my sweet girls!

    Sweet note hidden in Daddy’s backpack!