Relationships

  • Three Ways Your Family can Welcome in a New Year!

    With a new year comes a lot of excitement!  The feeling of a fresh start in many areas of our lives, planning for future events and adventures, new goals, and more!  Everyday is a blessing!  While we welcome in the New Year don’t forget to reflect on the many blessings that you have enjoyed over the past year(s).  I encourage you to initiate a conversation with your family (it can be during a family dinner, game night, or any good time when everyone is present).  During this family time focus on these three things as a family to start off your New Year right.  This time together will make a positive impact on the hearts and lives of each individual family member and is worth it:

    1. Reflect back the fun memories and blessings of 2016!  Often the hardest part with this stage is getting the ball rolling.  Before the family time create a list of several good family memories to get it started.  Mention one and let others input their memories tied into that event as well as start adding their own memories.  Give everyone a chance who wants to talk the opportunity.  If there is a pause bring up a different memory to keep them going.  Before long you’ll be laughing and the kids will be bringing up memories connected to the event or new ones that you forgot about.  This is a wonderful way to end a year and begin a new one.
    2. Take a moment to think about the tough times over the past year! While the harder times are not easy to deal with or will bring back sadness or emotions they still have an impact on our lives.  Sometimes during these times of discussion you realize that a family member is still struggling with something.  Whether it is grief over a lost pet or loved one, anger, frustration, or something else.  This is a good time to gauge how everyone is doing and give you an opportunity to encourage each other or help those family members heal.  The love and support you receive from those around you can make an incredible impact on your life as you continue to move forward.  Knowing you are not alone, you are loved, and you have a team of people who want to help you can help the family member heal more quickly.  (Do not use this time to point out problems with each other, but to talk about harder times and to encourage.  Some topics made need to be tabled for a later and more lengthy conversation)  It will give you a good insight into your children and some ideas of what to help encourage them with over the next few weeks as they continue to grow and heal.
    3. Look ahead! As one year wraps up and a new one begins it is a great time to set some goals both personally and as a family.  Use this time to set family goals together.  There may be some activities that the kids have been wanting to do, but you have been letting it slip not even realizing that it was very important to them.  The goals discussed during this family  time should be family related, although they most definitely have a personal impact on each family member.  Write these goals down and review them weekly or monthly or regularly throughout the year to remind the family members of what is important to the family as a whole.  This also provides a lead in for each of the members to think about their personal goals.  It allows a great opportunity to have a group of people focused on similar goals and encouraging each other along the way.  Some family goal ideas (eat healthier, regular family game night, monthly date night with spouse and each child, daily family devotions, learn a new skill together, plan a family vacation, weekly family night, quarterly family service project, etc…).  Make a point to write the ideas down and either make a decision that day or within a few days on the family goals.  Type up a list, print it or email it to each family member so that they can be reminded of the ways your family is working together to create stronger bonds, happy memories, and improving lives.

    Setting aside a time when everyone is together can be difficult, however it is important.  It can be during a family dinner, game night, or another time when the family is together.  Make sure it is a convenient time with as little distractions as possible.  A time when everyone is more relaxed (not hungry, ready for bed, or trying to multi-task while having this conversation).  The reflecting on memories helps create a happy bond, the tough times allow family members to see that they are not alone and have the support of people who love them, and looking ahead gives you the opportunity to improve and grow into a better individuals and family unit.  If you do write down the family goals please do your best to follow through as much as possible because these goals are important to the members.

    Life has a way of staying busy.  Taking the time to spending reflecting on good memories as a way has a way of bringing everyone together.  It may cause some laughter, tears, and healing.  It is good to be reminded of the many blessings in our life and to realize that we are journeying through this life together.   Yes, we make mistakes along the way, but we can can make the best of it and have a lot of fun too.  Many blessings to you and your family this 2017 New Year!!!

  • Relationships: Traits of a Good Friend

    • A friend is a person you can trust,
    • Who won’t turn away from you;
    • A friend will be there
    • When you really need someone,
    • And will come to you when they need help.
    • A friend will listen to you even
    • When they don’t understand
    • Or agree with your feelings;
    • A friend will never try to change you,
    • But appreciates you for who you are.
    • A friend doesn’t expect too much
    • Or give too little;
    • A friend is someone you can share
    • Dreams, hopes, and feelings with.
    • A friend is a person you can think of
    • And suddenly smile;
    • A friend doesn’t have to be told
    • That they are special,
    • Because you both feel that way
    • A friend will accept your attitudes,
    • Ideas, and emotions
    • Even when their own are different,
    • And will hold your hand when you’re scared
    • A friend will be honest with you
    • Even when it might hurt, and will forgive you
    • For the mistakes you make.
    • A friend can never disappoint you,
    • And will support you and share in your glory.
    • A friend shares responsibility
    • When you have doubts.
    • A friend always remembers
    • The little things you’ve done,
    • The times you’ve shared, and the talks you’ve had.
    • A friend will bend over backwards
    • To help you pick up the pieces
    • When your world falls apart.
    • A friend is one of life’s most beautiful gifts.

    – Luann Auciello

    Wow, some powerful words and wonderful reminders of the characteristic traits to look for in a friend as well as how we can be to be a real friend to others.  We will never be perfect all or even most of the time, but if we have a supportive friends we  an still enjoy the journey through life.

  • Counting My Blessings: Week In Review

    It was a fun week with the girls having Monday off from school, we got to play a little more that evening since we didn’t have a bunch of homework we had to wrap up that evening.  There were several evening activities this week which made juggling homework, dinner, baths, and everything else a little more tricky, but everyone did well and it helped a ton to have the dinner menu prepped the night before so everything was ready to go once everyone was home in the evenings.  Thankful for a husband who pitches in and helps out around the house.

    I want to be accountable to you so the following are snip-its of some of the things I am thankful for this past week.

    Counting My Blessings – Week In Review:

    Monday –Thankful that Jake was able to work from home so he could be with the girls, that the girls had a grand time playing outside on their day off (and even got some chores done around the house & yard).  We even had a few minutes relaxing – Brina & I played a game (which somehow included jumping jacks, squats, and other activities per Brina’s additions) while Jake and Karlie worked on putting together a model airplane.  It was amazing walking into the house after work to the smell of something wonderful cooking in the kitchen, grateful that Jake is willing to cook and makes amazing meals!  I am truly blessed!

    Tuesday – Thankful for a little bit of extra time at work to tackle some projects since the girls had an after school Student Council volunteer activity today, even finished up some big reports that I had been working on the past several days which felt good!

    Wednesday – Thankful for a husband who encourages, it was a tough day and I wasn’t feel well.  Grateful for a spouse that loves me even when I am not at my best.

    Thursday – Thankful that the girls enjoy their after school activities and are doing well keeping up with their schoolwork.  It has been a busy year with a lot of new items for them, but they have handled it very well.

    Friday – Thankful for a chance to spend some time away with Jake! 🙂  We got a couple massages and grabbed a bite to eat.

    Saturday – Thankful for my f,family, time spent together, and that Jake & I were able to get our annual wellness physicals done with our doctor on Saturday.

    Sunday – Thankful for my Dad and that he is celebrating his 60th birthday today.  Also, grateful that I have the opportunity to celebrate with him next weekend.  I am blessed with a great husband too – I have been fighting a cold the past few days and he went out to run an errand for me (and brought back some snack goodies for my upcoming trip)!  Thanks Babe!

    What are you thankful for today?  I encourage you to take the time to write down a few blessings that you have in your life today.  It will help cheer you up and turn your focus on the amazing blessings you encounter each day.

  • Relationships: Lifelong Friends

    A special friend is a rare find….

    • Someone who shares your joy and happiness,
    • Someone who cares enough to show love and kindness,
    • Someone who is a comfort is a comfort to spend time with,
    • Someone who is honest and thoughtful.

    A special friend is a wonderful gift….

    • Someone who offers understanding when life is difficult,
    • Someone whose smile is enough to brighten any day,
    • Someone who accepts you and is glad that you are you,
    • Someone who forgets mistakes and is gentle and trusting.

    You are this special friend to me.

    • Our times together are treasured in my heart.
    • I wish you love, laughter, and all of life’s most beautiful things.
    • I wish you health and cheer, and more of everything that makes you happy.
    • I wish that we will always be friends!

    – Donna Levine

    Thankful for Donna Levine’s words and great reminder of the importance of friendship.  It is nice to find a rare friend that sticks with you in the thick and thin.  Sharing your joy and sorrows.  One of the biggest gifts we can find is that of a friendship.

  • Intentional Living: Weekly Goals

    Last week was a whirlwind of school, work, and activities!  We got a lot done, some unexpected items that became higher priorities, but overall it was a good week.  Thankful for being able to do so much and the time we have together as a family.  Very grateful for a husband who willingly steps in to help and encourages me in areas that I need to work on and improve as well.

    This upcoming week will be another busy one with school projects to tackle, work items that need to be done, house to be maintained, relationships to be built, and a multitude of other activities that call our attention.  Praying for wisdom to remember and focus on the right priorities as I attempt to balance everything that is planned as well as the extra activities that tend to come up throughout the week.   Here are my goals for this week:

    Last week’s goals

    Family Goals

    1. Read the book The Land of Stories – The Wishing Spell by Chris Colfer to the kids – still reading it, but getting closer, if it was up to the kids I would read the book cover to cover (they love their reading time with the family – I enjoy it too!)
    2. Go through 7 more Brain Quest Flash Cards with the kids.
    3. Read through 7 more pages of History Trivia with the kids.
    4. Reflect on our blessings and prayer time with kids every night.
    5. Plan one special activity with the family – have some fun stuff in the works
    6. Play a Game with the Kids – we tried to spend more time outside when we could this week to soak up the sunshine and get fresh air
    7. Create Memories with the Family
    8. Spend Quality time with each family member
    9. Do a new, unique, or different activity with the family this week – after school & work most days this week the girls and I spent a little bit of time with the pets, picking up sticks in the yard, soaking up the sun since people at work and school have been getting sick, and enjoying the fresh air as well as exercise
    10. Coordinate and review schedules at beginning of week to confirm all obligations, appointments, and other activities

    Kid Goals

    1. Do Homework Monday – Friday
    2. Pack Lunches and Prep for the next day
    3. Spend one-on-one time with kids each day
    4. Attend Robotics Club and Other After School Activities
    5. Appointments – Pediatric Eye Doctor Re-check

    Personal Goals

    1. Drink 8 glasses of water
    2. Wear FitBit (at least 10,000 steps and 10 sets of stairs every day) – went over a couple days! 🙂
    3. Do Yoga at least 5 times this week – so close, did 4 days!
    4. Sign up for Women’s Ministry Bible Study Class
    5. Date and Couples Massage with Jake! XOXO
    6. Appointments

    Home (Yard & Pets) Management Goals

    1. Household Cleaning / Organization – Hang Up Girls Souvenir Necklaces
    2. Plan out the Menu for the Week
    3. Clean & Organize Storage Room
    4. Speed clean & pick up the house 15 minutes a night

    Business Goals

    1. Update Work Notes – have more to write and do
    2. Get caught up on blog posts – at the end of work, homework, family activities, dinner, etc….my body is tired so this unfortunately has not been done but I have made some progress in the right direction
    3. Work on a few special projects – got a start on a couple
    4. Update my LinkedIn Profile – did a little but need to wrap it up
    5. Research a couple of items in regards to the blog – wasn’t able to get to it this week
    6. Confirm the tasks my plate as I transition to a new team – working on it
    7. Pick from a couple of the “extra” activity and/or product options – some good ones coming up

    Ministry Goals

    1. Go to breakfast or lunch with a family member or friend
    2. Counting my blessings journal

    Financial Goals

    1. Schedule a meeting with the financial advisor – need to narrow done times on our schedules of when both Jake & I would be available to meet with them
    2. Get our finances and budget back on track – working on it
    3. Pay down debt we owe – made a small extra payment this week
    4. Limit amount spent on Groceries, Household, and Other Items (use what we already have at home) – did decent, but still missed the goal

    My goals for the upcoming week

    Family Goals

    1. Read the book The Land of Stories – The Wishing Spell by Chris Colfer to the kids
    2. Go through 7 more Brain Quest Flash Cards with the kids.
    3. Read through 7 more pages of History Trivia with the kids.
    4. Reflect on our blessings and prayer time with kids every night.
    5. Plan one special activity with the family
    6. Play a Game with the Kids
    7. Create Memories with the Family
    8. Spend Quality time with each family member
    9. Do a new, unique, or different activity with the family this week
    10. Coordinate and review schedules at beginning of week to confirm all obligations, appointments, and other activities

    Kid Goals

    1. Do Homework Monday – Friday
    2. Pack Lunches and Prep for the next day
    3. Spend one-on-one time with kids each day
    4. Attend Robotics Club and Other After School Activities
    5. Appointments – Orthodontist

    Personal Goals

    1. Drink 8 glasses of water
    2. Wear FitBit (at least 10,000 steps and 10 sets of stairs every day)
    3. Do Yoga at least 5 times this week
    4. Appointments

    Home (Yard & Pets) Management Goals

    1. Household Cleaning / Organization – Organize my Paperwork, Folders, and Projects Stack
    2. Plan out the Menu for the Week
    3. Clean & Organize Storage Room
    4. Speed clean & pick up the house 15 minutes a night
    5. Remove most of the Spring / Summer items from Closets

    Business Goals

    1. Update Work Notes
    2. Get caught up on blog posts
    3. Work on a few special projects
    4. Update my LinkedIn Profile
    5. Research a couple of items in regards to the blog
    6. Confirm the tasks my plate as I transition to a new team
    7. Pick from a couple of the “extra” activity and/or product options

    Ministry Goals

    1. Go to breakfast or lunch with a family member or friend
    2. Counting my blessings journal
    3. Attend Ladies Bible Study

    Financial Goals

    1. Schedule a meeting with the financial advisor
    2. Get our finances and budget back on track
    3. Pay down debt we owe
    4. Limit amount spent on Groceries, Household, and Other Items (use what we already have at home)

    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

  • Celebrating Jake’s Birthday

    I am just now getting our pictures updated from our last big adventure, so yes a little later than planned….  Our family was able to celebrate Jake’s birthday this year while on our Alaska Cruise vacation!  Thankful for an opportunity to spend time with the whole family.

    We surprised Jake and had the chef on the cruise ship make him a birthday cake!  It was big and extra rich chocolate!  The crew sang him “Happy Birthday” in Indonesian which was really cool.  He was so thrilled that we made a big spectacle of his birthday celebration.  We were so full after the delicious meal that we ended up taking the cake back to the cabin to eat later that night after all the other activities that evening.

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    SURPRISE!!!  Happy Birthday Handsome!

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     Celebrating Jake’s birthday with the whole family.

    Thankful for a wonderful time together and for this amazing man who I get to live my life with!

    Love you JACOB!!!  Happy Birthday!  Wishing you many more healthy, happy, and fun adventures!

  • Intentional Living: Weekly Goals

    We had a nice long weekend this past weekend.  It was great having Labor Day off for the whole family.  We packed in a lot of fun family events as well as tackled a few projects around home too.  The girls had off Tuesday and Wednesday too because it was Professional Work Days for their teachers so they enjoyed more time with Jake and I.  I was able to take off Tuesday from work and hung out with the girls.  We rode bikes, played games, and many other good activities together!!!

    Over the long weekend we started another fun adventure as a family.  We took a hike along the Appalachian trail and was able to get though a little chunk of it only 2,000 plus miles to go before we can say we did the whole trail, ha!  The girls (and their parents) were wondering if we would make it the first mile since it was a steep climb, but we pushed through and the trail was much easier once we got higher and could feel the breeze.  Thankful for the extra time with my family.

    Looking forward to another great week.  We have a handful of new events coming up, the girls with some more of their school clubs and activities beginning as well as more learning and growing activities for me as well.  Here are my goals for this week:

    Last week’s goals

    Family Goals

    1. Read the book The Land of Stories – The Wishing Spell by Chris Colfer to the kids –we are reading through the book together (maybe halfway now)
    2. Go through 7 more Brain Quest Flash Cards with the kids.
    3. Read through 7 more pages of History Trivia with the kids.
    4. Reflect on our blessings and prayer time with kids every night.
    5. Plan one special activity with the family – went for a family day hiking trip along the Appalachian trail
    6. Play a Game with the Kids – the longer weekend gave us more time to play  Yahtzee, Pet Detective, and Travel USA
    7. Create Memories with the Family
    8. Spend Quality time with each family member
    9. Do a new, unique, or different activity with the family this week – we went for a hike together along the the Appalachian Trial
    10. Spend extra time with the family over the Holiday Weekend

    Kid Goals

    1. Do Homework Monday – Friday
    2. Pack Lunches and Prep for the next day
    3. Spend one-on-one time with kids each day – friday night I crashed on the couch before the kids went to bed and when I woke up they were already asleep

    Personal Goals

    1. Drink 8 glasses of water
    2. Wear FitBit (at least 10,000 steps and 10 sets of stairs every day)
    3. Do Yoga at least 5 times this week – did it some, but not quite 5 times

    Home (Yard & Pets) Management Goals

    1. Household Cleaning / Organization – Hang Up Girls Souvenir Necklaces – got the necklaces and labels on the necklace holders, but need Jake’s assistance to get them hung on the girls walls
    2. Plan out the Menu for the Week
    3. Work on yard projects – Picked up sticks, b0nfire, mowed lawn, and got some work done outside this weekend
    4. Speed clean & pick up the house 15 minutes a night – a couple of nights we didn’t get a chance to do it this week

    Business Goals

    1. Update Work Notes – working on them
    2. Get caught up on blog posts – getting some of the summer trip adventures done
    3. Work on a few special projects – need to work on them more
    4. Update my LinkedIn Profile – working on getting the items together to update it
    5. Research a couple of items in regards to the blog – hoping to get more done this week
    6. Confirm the tasks my plate as I transition to a new team – work in progress
    7. Pick from a couple of the “extra” activity and/or product options – narrowing down my choices

    Ministry Goals

    1. Go to breakfast or lunch with a family member or friend
    2. Counting my blessings journal

    Financial Goals

    1. Schedule a meeting with the financial advisor – putting together a list
    2. Get our finances and budget back on track – doing better
    3. Pay down debt we owe – made an extra payment
    4. Limit amount spent on Groceries, Household, and Other Items (use what we already have at home) – went a little bit over budget

    My goals for the upcoming week

    Family Goals

    1. Read the book The Land of Stories – The Wishing Spell by Chris Colfer to the kids
    2. Go through 7 more Brain Quest Flash Cards with the kids.
    3. Read through 7 more pages of History Trivia with the kids.
    4. Reflect on our blessings and prayer time with kids every night.
    5. Plan one special activity with the family
    6. Play a Game with the Kids
    7. Create Memories with the Family
    8. Spend Quality time with each family member
    9. Do a new, unique, or different activity with the family this week
    10. Coordinate and review schedules at beginning of week to confirm all obligations, appointments, and other activities

    Kid Goals

    1. Do Homework Monday – Friday
    2. Pack Lunches and Prep for the next day
    3. Spend one-on-one time with kids each day
    4. Attend Robotics Club and Other After School Activities
    5. Appointments – Pediatric Eye Doctor Re-check

    Personal Goals

    1. Drink 8 glasses of water
    2. Wear FitBit (at least 10,000 steps and 10 sets of stairs every day)
    3. Do Yoga at least 5 times this week
    4. Sign up for Women’s Ministry Bible Study Class
    5. Date and Couples Massage with Jake! XOXO
    6. Appointments

    Home (Yard & Pets) Management Goals

    1. Household Cleaning / Organization – Hang Up Girls Souvenir Necklaces
    2. Plan out the Menu for the Week
    3. Clean & Organize Storage Room
    4. Speed clean & pick up the house 15 minutes a night

    Business Goals

    1. Update Work Notes
    2. Get caught up on blog posts
    3. Work on a few special projects
    4. Update my LinkedIn Profile
    5. Research a couple of items in regards to the blog
    6. Confirm the tasks my plate as I transition to a new team
    7. Pick from a couple of the “extra” activity and/or product options

    Ministry Goals

    1. Go to breakfast or lunch with a family member or friend
    2. Counting my blessings journal

    Financial Goals

    1. Schedule a meeting with the financial advisor
    2. Get our finances and budget back on track
    3. Pay down debt we owe
    4. Limit amount spent on Groceries, Household, and Other Items (use what we already have at home)

    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