Raising Multiples
Colorful Table Confetti
Brina and Karlie set the table…… plates, forks, spoons, napkins AND silly bands!
The other day as I was cooking dinner I asked the girls to set the table. I heard a few whispers and giggles but really didn’t think anything of it until it was time to put the food on the table. It was when I walked over to the table to set the food down that I realized the meaning behind all the giggling…..they had added extra color to the table.
They took a bunch of colorful silly bands and spread them out over the top of the table in between the plates and called it “table top confetti”! I love it when the girls do something spontaneous and creative. They were so proud of their beautiful table. The themed silly bands would be a perfect table top confetti for birthday party table, thanks kiddos for giving me an idea! Plus the silly bands were much easier to clean up compared to the tiny pieces of confetti!
Creative Kids: Wrapping Paper Canoe
Brina and Karlie’s wrapping paper canoe
After a recent celebration at our house we had leftover wrapping paper, tissue paper, and a couple boxes. As I was cleaning up the girls asked if they could use the leftover items for a few days before we threw everything away. After a few moments of hesitation I decided it wouldn’t hurt anything to let them play with the items and get creative. They were thrilled to have such large pieces of wrapping paper and goodies to create something super special.
Once they decided what they wanted to do they took the largest piece of wrapping paper they could find and made a wrapping paper “canoe” out of it. The red tissue paper was used to create four rows of benches inside the canoe. They used some of the cardboard to make oars for their boat. I am not sure why they decided to make a canoe but they both worked together to come up with the idea and did well working together on it. I let them keep out their wrapping paper canoe for several days. I was pretty impressed with how they were able to put everything together all on their own and even made something that resembled a paddle out of cardboard.
Even though my preference would be to clean up the wrapping paper, cardboard, and tissue paper right away after the celebration I allowed myself to let go and let the girls have fun with the items. The items were trash but they had a blast creating, using the scissors and the glue to put together their wrapping paper canoe. Yes, I could have thrown all the wrapping items away as soon as the celebration was over but I would have never had the joy of watching my kids entertain themselves for hours with their handcrafted wrapping paper canoe! It is a great way to reuse the wrapping paper multiple times plus the kids have a blast too!
Cardboard paddle for their canoe
Intentional Living: Weekly Goals
We finished having our family yard sale this past weekend, it was nice getting rid of some extra items that the girls have outgrown or things we no longer use. Now I am gearing up for a busy week with work, events, and an upcoming family adventure over Memorial Day weekend (the kids are super excited)! I am looking forward to sharing with you the fun details of our adventure soon!
Last week’s goals:
Family Goals
Connect with each family member at least once a daySchedule a Date Night with Jake– got a date night on the calendar!
- Prep for upcoming Family Trip – need to finish up the final details this week
Schedule a Family Game & Fun NightRead at least one book to the girls every dayListen to the girls read at least one book to me or Jake every dayFamily Yard Sale– did this on Saturday!
Personal Goals
- Exercise – walk at least 5 days this week – not doing so well with this one
Review my upcoming goals- Finish reading How We Love Our Kids by Milan & Kay Yerkovich – still have not found this book (I think it got lost on my India or Charleston trip) so I switched and started focusing on another one this week
Home Management Goals
All laundry for the week washed, folded, and put away in one day- Work on Spring / Deep Cleaning the House – got some of it done, hope to get more next week now that the yard sale is done
Weekly Dinner Menu & Schedule planned out for the weekSpend 30 minutes every day picking up / cleaning the housePrepare for our upcoming Yard Sale
Business Goals
Work on ideas for upcoming blog postsKeep up with the day to day items that need my attention1o minutes a day Cleaning / Organizing my deskWork on upcoming speaking engagement
Ministry Goals
Meet a friend or family member for Breakfast or LunchBe a blessing to a total stranger this week- Email the updated praises, prayer requests, and schedule to our Community Group – this one slipped through the cracks this week
Financial Goals
Stay within Budget on Groceries $40 for 4Emergency Fund – save 3 months worth of living expenses– soooo excited to have this one done!- Put money aside for upcoming trips – starting setting aside a little bit
- Put cash aside for 1 year of Jake’s College Classes – started adding to the college fund
My goals for the upcoming week:
Family Goals
- Connect with each family member at least once a day
- Schedule a Date Night with Jake
- Prep for our upcoming Family Trip
- Read at least one book to the girls every day
- Listen to the girls read at least one book to me or Jake every day
- Plan & go on at least one family Adventure
- Spend some extra time catching up with family and friends
Personal Goals
- Exercise – walk at least 5 days this week
- Review my upcoming goals
- Finish reading Am I Messing Up My Kids by Lysa TerKeurst
- Finish reading No One to Call Me Home by Rev James J. Close
Home Management Goals
- All laundry for the week washed, folded, and put away in one day
- Work on Spring / Deep Cleaning the House
- Weekly Dinner Menu & Schedule planned out for the week
- Spend 30 minutes every day picking up / cleaning the house
Business Goals
- Work on ideas for upcoming blog posts
- Keep up with the day to day items that need my attention
- 1o minutes a day Cleaning / Organizing my desk
- Work on upcoming speaking engagement
Ministry Goals
- Meet a friend or family member for Breakfast or Lunch
- Be a blessing to a total stranger this week
- Email the updated praises, prayer requests, and schedule to our Community Group
Financial Goals
- Stay within Budget on Groceries $40 for 4
- Emergency Fund – save 6 months worth of living expenses (we finished saving up for a 3 month emergency fund so now we are working hard on getting our 6 month emergency fund established, the yard sale this past weekend was a good boost for us)
- Save money for upcoming trips
- Put cash aside for 1 year of Jake’s College Classes
- Save money for upcoming home projects
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
The Blessings of Motherhood!
Mother’s Day cards – can you guess who gave me which card?!
There are so many joys and rewards to being a Mom. As I reflect on the recent Mother’s Day I am once again reminded of the many blessings I have in my life. It took my husband and I several years before we had children so when I look back it on those days it reminds me of the precious gifts we have been given as well as the big responsibility of raising our girls.
Cards from Karlie and Brina with for Mother’s Day with pressed flowers
Not every day is easy nor does parenting always go perfectly for me. Somehow raising children has a way of “highlighting” the areas in my life that I need to work on. Several times over the past few months I have noticed more and more how my kids reflect my attitude, actions, and words. I have had to apologize to my kids for overreacting, saying something hurtful, or just being in a grumpy mood. Thankfully through all the successes as well as the failures my girls still love me and want to spend time with me.
Mother’s Day cards from Karlie & Brina
More than a week before Mother’s Day the girls announced that they were going to our neighbors garage sale to “shop” for a Mother’s Day gift so off they went with their little purses and money to the neighbors house. The girls and their cousin came back with bags in their hands and smiles on their faces. They were very excited to find treasures for Mother’s Day and they picked out some pretty cool stuff too. Brina got me a “Mom” necklace, pens, and lipstick and holder. Karlie got me a candle holder with candles, a mirror, and a “Mom” bracelet. The best part is that they picked it all out themselves and they put so much thought into their gifts.
Adorable note from my sweet Karlie
I was spoiled because both girls gave me 3 Mother’s Day cards too. Just reading their sweet cards brought tears to my eyes. They have grown up so much…..its hard to believe that only a few years ago they were tiny preemie babies and now they are shopping, writing their own cards, and so much more. God has richly blessed me with Brina and Karlie. I love them dearly and pray that I have wisdom from above to be the best Mom I can be for my girls.
Note and picture from my beautiful Brina
Jake is so good to me everyday but he always surprises me around Holidays. He made all the meals the entire weekend (it was a wonderful break). Jake is an amazing cook so I was really spoiled over Mother’s Day weekend. His cards always bring tears to my eyes. This year I got a brand new…..office chair from my man for Mother’s Day. Even though I don’t ever remember mentioning anything about my office chair he noticed that it was getting near its end. It has been nice having a comfy chair to work in this week! Thank you Handsome for your thoughtfulness, kindness, and love.
Mother’s Day drawing and note from my beautiful Karlie
The best part of the weekend was spending extra time with my family. It was the first weekend in a long time that it was just us hanging out together. We went on adventures, played games, read books, worked around the house, spent some time with friends, laughed, and just enjoyed our time as a family. I am thankful for the many memories and our moments together are a truly amazing gift.
Cute note in the card from my sweet Brina
Intentional Living: Weekly Goals
Now that I am back into a more normal schedule this week I realized how much catching up I have to do with all the travel and family visiting over the past couple of months. It is amazing how much stuff gets put on hold during the really busy days but I am thankful for the wonderful opportunities and memories that our family has been able to create over the past few months. The 2012 year is going by quickly and I have a lot that I want to accomplish in the remaining months so hopefully I get some items tackled this week.
Here is the update on last weeks goals
Family Goals
Connect with each family member at least once a daySpend quality time with our GuestsSpend quality time with Jake- Date Night with Jake – didn’t happen but hope to get it on the calendar soon
Participate in a fun kid activity (go to the park, play, or explore)Do a creative craft with the kids
Personal Goals
- Exercise – walk at least 5 days this week – didn’t get to this but re-started some of my regular routine
- Finish reading How We Love Our Kids by Milan & Kay Yerkovich – somehow in all my travels I lost this book (maybe on the plane from India) because I have searched everywhere and cannot find this one….hmmmmm….
Home Management Goals
- All laundry for the week washed, folded, and put away in one day – we had a lot of laundry from all the house guests, bedding, and from not doing laundry for over a week so it took me 2 days to get it tackled and I still need to remake the guest bed
Weekly Dinner Menu & Schedule planned out for the weekSpend 30 minutes every day picking up / cleaning the house –probably spent more then 30 each day and still have some work that needs to be done
Business Goals
Work on ideas for upcoming blog postsKeep up with the day to day items that need my attention1o minutes a day Cleaning / Organizing my desk
Ministry Goals
Meet a friend or family member for Breakfast or LunchTake time to talk, listen, and encourage the people I encounter this weekBe a blessing to a total stranger this week– let someone go ahead of me in line
Financial Goals
Stay on track with budgeted amount for the week
Here are my goals for the upcoming week:
Family Goals
- Connect with each family member at least once a day
- Schedule a Date Night with Jake
- Prep for upcoming Family Trip
- Schedule a Family Game & Fun Night
- Read at least one book to the girls every day
- Listen to the girls read at least one book to me or Jake every day
- Family Yard Sale
Personal Goals
- Exercise – walk at least 5 days this week
- Review my upcoming goals
- Finish reading How We Love Our Kids by Milan & Kay Yerkovich (if I cannot find this book after I finish cleaning I will start on my next one)
Home Management Goals
- All laundry for the week washed, folded, and put away in one day
- Work on Spring / Deep Cleaning the House
- Weekly Dinner Menu & Schedule planned out for the week
- Spend 30 minutes every day picking up / cleaning the house
- Prepare for our upcoming Yard Sale
Business Goals
- Work on ideas for upcoming blog posts
- Keep up with the day to day items that need my attention
- 1o minutes a day Cleaning / Organizing my desk
- Work on upcoming speaking engagement
Ministry Goals
- Meet a friend or family member for Breakfast or Lunch
- Be a blessing to a total stranger this week
- Email the updated praises, prayer requests, and schedule to our Community Group
Financial Goals
- Stay within Budget on Groceries $40 for 4
- Emergency Fund – save 3 months worth of living expenses
- Put money aside for upcoming trips
- 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
Recipe: Strawberry Chocolate Surprise Cupcakes
Strawberry cupcake with a dark chocolate center
The fun part about having kids is they inspire you to experiment. The girls and I were busy doing something in the kitchen and had to make a dessert for an upcoming event so I told them to pick out a box cake mix out of the pantry. They picked out a Strawberry Cake mix and as we were talking about all the different strawberries recipes we love it lead into can we make something super special with the strawberry cupcakes……..something that would be a surprise for those eating the cupcakes??? That’s when we came up with the Strawberry Chocolate Surprise Cupcakes!
It is super easy to make too. Take your favorite cake mix, make it according to directions, pour into cupcake liners, and bake for 5 minutes. After 5 minutes add a piece of chocolate to the center of each cupcake. The chocolate will sink to the middle of the cupcake and melt. We used dark chocolate eggs left over from our Easter candy stash. The girls were so happy to bring their strawberry cupcakes with a chocolate surprise to their friends. We did have chocolate frosting and half vanilla frosting (sorry I didn’t get a picture of a cupcake frosted).
You can see the dark chocolate pieces sinking down into the cupcakes in the picture. Can you tell which rows the girls put the chocolate into first?! 🙂 This is a great recipe to try with your kids. They love being able to help unwrap and put the chocolate pieces into the cupcakes, plus they are super excited to share the treat with family and friends.
Teaching Our Children: The Value of Learning
Jake reading to the girls
Jake and I have made it a priority to read to our girls because it is such a important skill to help them continue to learn. It is our desire to read to them or with them every day. When life gets really busy it doesn’t always happen but it is an activity all of us enjoy. Many times in the evening Jake will read to them after dinner. The girls love picking out a book to read, listening to us read, and looking at any pictures that are in the book.
On this particular day the girls picked out a book about raising and caring for goats for Daddy to read to them (yes there is more to the reason behind them picking out this particular book, I will give more information on this topic soon). It is so sweet watching Jake read to the girls and hearing all their questions. Thankful for those opportunities to slow down, sit down, and relax reading with the kids. Whether it is to spend quality time with your child or you get excited when your child asks the meaning of a new word or you want your child to develop her academic skills the time you spend reading with your child is valuable.
Here are a few benefits that I have discovered while reading to my kids:
- Develops a love for reading and a story
- Improved confidence in school
- Increased language development
- Demonstrates a variety communication skills and styles
- Opens up many new worlds and adventures for them
- Quality time with you
- Stimulates their imagination and creativity
There are many reasons why it is important to read to your children. As summer vacation quickly approaches I am reminded of the importance of reading with the girls. When the girls and I are reading a “chapter book” as they call it together they are always asking me to read the next chapter because they are so excited to hear what happens next. I think the most chapters they convinced me to read in one sitting was seven, I was having a blast following the story too! I want to encourage you to find ways to incorporate reading into your schedule everyday even over the summer break. How do you stimulate a healthy and fun reading environment for your kids over summer vacation?
Daddy reading about “goats” to the girls
I love Karlie’s intent look and Brina’s crazy listening position. They make me laugh but also reminds me of the many blessings in my life too!
Teaching Our Children: Spring Into Reading
Our filled reading tree
Last year I started a reading tree for the girls in the Spring and we continued to fill it with leaves through the Summer. I wanted to find a way to encourage the girls to read. They had blast adding leaves to the reading tree. It was a great visual way for them to see how much they were reading. Each member of the family had a different color leaf to hang up when a book was read. The girls also did a summer reading program through our local library and one online as well.
Spring into reading tree full of leaves!
As the school year ends in a few weeks and as summer vacation is getting closer it is now time for me to come up with another fun reading activity for the kids. I have a couple ideas for this summers reading adventure and will be sharing it with you soon. What ways do you encourage your children to read throughout the summer vacation?
Travel & Vacation: “We Love You” Folder
Jake’s Folder of “Love” Notes
Awhile ago the girls and I made a “We Love You” folder for Jake to take with him when he travels. Even though we love the opportunities when we can go with him it is not always possible to go with him on every trip. When he goes on a trip and we cannot tag along we send our “We Love You” folder with him along with notes or drawings from each of us. Jake enjoys seeing the pictures and reading the notes while he is away. We have a blast putting something special in the folder for him.
Here are a few examples of items we have put into his “We Love You!” Folder:
Love note to Jake
Karlie’s love note to Daddy
Brina’s love note to Daddy
Drawing from Karlie
Sweet note from the girls
Note to Daddy from Karlie
Note to Daddy from Brina
I Love You note to my Handsome Man!
Fresh & Healthy: School Lunchbox Meals
School lunch goodies
The girls enjoy a variety of fruits, vegetables and other goodies in their school lunches. Along with the mix of character bags and containers their lunches usually have something different in it everyday. I have found that the tube yogurts are very nice for the girls lunches because they are easy to use (no spoon is needed, especially since somehow they manage to lose those on the way to school).
- Roast Beef and Cheese Sandwich
- Fresh Green Grapes
- Fresh Cherry Tomatoes
- Fresh Apple Peel Confetti Crisps
- Homemade Banana Bread
- Yogurt Tube
- Cars Marshmallows
- Cherry & Lemon Jello
- Pink Lemonade
Fresh fruits and vegetables for lunch
