Relationships
Relationships: Friends Like You
- A friend is someone who listens without judging you right or wrong, good or bad, and gently helps you define your thoughts to regain perspective.
- When you’re feeling bad about yourself, a friend is there to remind you of all those positive qualities you may have forgotten.
- When you share with a friend, decision-making becomes easier and problems seem less critical.
- A friend gives you the priceless gift of time; time to share, to try out new ideas and rethink old ones. No matter how often you’re together, you discover dimensions of yourself through the bonds and the mirror of friendship.
- A friend loves you for who you are, not what you do. Feeling so accepted, you are able to set higher goals, try harder, and achieve more.
- Through close friendship, you learn the fine art of giving. You expand, become more selfless, feel more deeply, and help more effectively. See the happiness you bring to another person gives you a greater sense of well-being and increases your capacity to love.
- Wherever you go in life, whatever stage or place you reach, a friend who has entered your soul is always with you, gently guiding, faithfully following, and ever walking beside you.
– Sandra Sturtz Hauss
Developing the deeper friendships take time energy and commitment. The first and ultimate relationship we should focus on is with our heavenly father followed by our relationship to our spouse and then trickles down to our kids, extended family members, friends, and others in our lives.
Sometimes our friends are close enough to our hearts that they are like family. We feel comfortable around them. We share laughter as well as dig deeper into the fears and struggles of life. They are the people you know pray and encourage you no matter what that day brings. Make sure you are continuing to be the kind of friend who allows your friends to celebrate and grow!
Counting My Blessings: Week In Review
It was a busy day especially with Jake traveling for work, but we got through it safely and thankfully are back together again. Always happy to have him back home. Other than one of the girls fighting a cold we have nothing to complain about. We are blessed, look around you and think about the good and positive blessings all around you.
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 we were able to talk with Jake on the phone a few minutes on the way to school. Even though he was away on a work trip it is always great hearing his voice and chatting even if it is for a few moments.
Tuesday – Thankful for opportunity for the girls to go to an After School program that they really enjoy so I can get in a couple extra hours of work each week.
Wednesday – Thankful to have Jake back home again! 🙂
Thursday – Thankful that Jake is willing to not only pitch in around the house, cooking, but also helping the kids with their homework.
Friday – Thankful that we were able to have a Family Fun Night and a chance to relax a little bit as we head into the weekend!
Saturday – Thankful for an opportunity to catch up on some projects around the house and yard.
Sunday – Thankful for a chance to spend some time on a family adventure! Looking forward to working together and having fun “along the way”!
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.
Intentional Living: Weekly Goals
Last week was a busy week with a lot of activities going on. Jake was traveling for part of the week with work, the girls were busy at school, and I was busy at home as well as work. Grateful for a great family at home and a good team at work, while it makes for a busy week balancing everything every day I am reminded of how many blessings are in my life. I am far from perfect, but glad for the opportunities to continuing learning and growing!
Thankful for the Labor Day weekend and extra time together with my family. We did some fun activities and also squeezed in some time to work on some projects at home too. As I gear up for another busy week I am trying to not over committed myself, but want to stay on track. Here are my goals for this week:
Last week’s goals
Family Goals
Read the book Justin Morgan Had a Horse by Marguerite Henry (I had this book, an 1954 version, when I was in 6th grade and it takes place near White River Junction, Vermont near where Jake’s grandparents and Mom live so the girls know the area fairly well)Go through 7 more Brain Quest Flash Cards with the kids.Read through 7 more pages of History Trivia with the kids.Reflect on our blessings and prayer time with kids every night.Plan one special activity with the familyPlay a Game with the KidsCreate Memories with the FamilySpend Quality time with each family memberDo a new, unique, or different activity with the family this week
Kid Goals
Do Homework Monday – FridayPack Lunches and Prep for the next daySpend one-on-one time with kids each day
Personal Goals
Drink 8 glasses of water- Wear FitBit (at least 10,000 steps and 10 sets of stairs every day) – didn’t make it to 10,000 steps everyday before crashing
- Do Yoga at least 5 times this week – the TV didn’t like working for me while Jake was traveling for work….need to get back in my routine again
Home (Yard & Pets) Management Goals
Household Cleaning / Organization – Pantry de-cluttered and organizedPlan out the Menu for the WeekGive Skipper a bath this weekSpeed clean & pick up the house 15 minutes a night
Business Goals
Update Work Notes- Get caught up on blog posts – working on it
Work on a few special projects- Update my LinkedIn Profile – started on it
- Research a couple of items in regards to the blog – figuring it out
- Confirm the tasks my plate as I transition to a new team – getting into more of a rhythm still have some details I am working out
Ministry Goals
Go to breakfast or lunch with a family member or friendCounting my blessings journal
Financial Goals
- Schedule a meeting with the financial advisor – my schedule was a little different this week so didn’t get it done
- Get our finances and budget back on track – doing better
- Pay down debt we owe – made extra payment
Limit amount spent on Groceries, Household, and Other Items (use what we already have at home)
My goals for the upcoming week
Family Goals
- Read the book The Land of Stories – The Wishing Spell by Chris Colfer to the kids
- Go through 7 more Brain Quest Flash Cards with the kids.
- Read through 7 more pages of History Trivia with the kids.
- Reflect on our blessings and prayer time with kids every night.
- Plan one special activity with the family
- Play a Game with the Kids
- Create Memories with the Family
- Spend Quality time with each family member
- Do a new, unique, or different activity with the family this week
- Spend extra time with the family over the Holiday Weekend
Kid Goals
- Do Homework Monday – Friday
- Pack Lunches and Prep for the next day
- Spend one-on-one time with kids each day
Personal Goals
- Drink 8 glasses of water
- Wear FitBit (at least 10,000 steps and 10 sets of stairs every day)
- Do Yoga at least 5 times this week
Home (Yard & Pets) Management Goals
- Household Cleaning / Organization – Hang Up Girls Souvenir Necklaces
- Plan out the Menu for the Week
- Work on yard projects
- Speed clean & pick up the house 15 minutes a night
Business Goals
- Update Work Notes
- Get caught up on blog posts
- Work on a few special projects
- Update my LinkedIn Profile
- Research a couple of items in regards to the blog
- Confirm the tasks my plate as I transition to a new team
- Pick from a couple of the “extra” activity and/or product options
Ministry Goals
- Go to breakfast or lunch with a family member or friend
- Counting my blessings journal
Financial Goals
- Schedule a meeting with the financial advisor
- Get our finances and budget back on track
- Pay down debt we owe
- 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
Work & Family Event at Lake Keowee
This past weekend we had the opportunity to enjoy a Lake event with Bridgette’s co-workers at Lake Keowee! We had a blast! A huge thanks to Jeff and Sonya for their hospitality. They graciously shared their home, boat, kayaks, paddle board, life jackets, floats, and many other fun items with everyone. The girls had a grand time kayaking, paddle boarding, tubing, and splashing around off the dock!
Thankful for an opportunity to relax and have fun with people at work. It was a great opportunity for Jake and the girls to meet some of the people I work alongside day to day. The weather was gorgeous, food was delicious, and the company was great too. Grateful for a chance to hang out at the Lake for a day – perfect way to spend a Saturday! The kids slept well that night after a fun day at the Lake Keowee with their friends!!!
The kids had a blast at Lake Keowee
Karlie enjoying the paddle board
Karlie and friends going for a ride on the tube!
Their expressions crack me up!
Go Faster!!!
Brina and friends going for a spin on the tube!
Cruising along!
Look out for that wake!
Karlie ready to get back in the water!
Beautiful day and gorgeous view of the lake from the house
Date Night with My Man
The girls had a church Youth Group event on Friday night so Jake and I were able to get away for a couple hours together. LOVE spending time with Jake. Always enjoy a date night when we can relax, talk as a couple, laugh, and catch up with each other for a little bit.
I dropped off the girls at church and met Jake at Los Amigos restaurant in Powdersville. He already had a table saved for us! When I arrived I found a beautiful rose laying on the table waiting for me! Love his thoughtfulness and the way he makes me feel appreciated.
We had an enjoyable dinner, other than we probably ate too much, ha! We didn’t have a whole lot of time after dinner before we had to pick the girls up from the church event so we headed over to Walmart to pick up a couple of items that we needed and to stretch our legs after a big dinner.
We picked up the girls and headed home. Once the kids were showered and tucked into bed we headed back downstairs for an at home movie night together. It was wonderful spending the evening with my Handsome Man! Always enjoy these moments together even when they are more spontaneous. It has been very busy lately so it is nice to be intentional and carve out time when we can relax together as a couple.
I love you Jacob Wesley Hayes! Thanks for everything you do for me!!! You’re the best!!! XOXO
Love my beautiful rose! Thanks Handsome!
Counting My Blessings: Week In Review
It was a crazy fun week as we spent fun time with friends visiting from Maine, the girls starting Middle School, and adjusting to the new work schedule. Thankful for the amazing blessings in my life. You don’t have to look very far or hard to find something to be grateful for in your life. It can be a simple smile from a stranger to sharing laughter with a friend or spending quality time with someone you love.
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 day off work and spend the morning with our friends from Maine. In the afternoon I was able to hang out with the girls and have fun on their last day of summer.
Tuesday – Thankful that Jake went with me to take the girls to their first day of Middle School. Glad that their first day went smoothly for them.
Wednesday – Thankful that when Jake travels he takes the time to talk with me and catch up. It’s not the same as having him at home, but it is always great hearing his voice and chatting about our days.
Thursday – Thankful picked up the girls right when school got out and went “clothes” shopping for new school shorts. Grateful they are growing, but it doesn’t take long for them to grown out of their shorts.
Friday – Thankful for safety as we traveled, it was rainy and was slowed down multiple times by car accidents, but everyone arrived back home safely.
Saturday – Thankful for a quiet and productive day at home and around town with the family (first Saturday in a long time that we were not traveling or running around with a lot of activities going on).
Sunday – Thankful for a husband who enjoys and is a great cook. Love it when he pitches in around the kitchen and house. I am one spoiled chick with him around.
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.
Tuna & Spinach Salad Made with Love
A few days ago Karlie was in charge of making the family meal. She made a super delicious meal. For my meal she put together a Tuna, Spinach & Tomato Salad. When I sat down for dinner this beauty greeted me.
I love how she displayed the tomatoes around the edges of the salad and the 1 spinach leaf on the top of the tuna fish salad mix she put together on her own. It was amazing! Thankful for a thoughtful and sweet kid who made a delicious and healthy meal.
She made tuna fish sandwiches for the rest of the family, which based on their reactions turned out really tasty as well. Thanks Karlie for a great meal! Love you kiddos!
Hotels: Hampton Inn – Anchorage, Alaska
While in Anchorage, Alaska we stayed at the Hampton Inn at 4301 Credit Union Dr, Anchorage, AK 99503. Once we arrived at the airport in Anchorage, Alaska we called the hotel shuttle which comes by every 10 to 20 minutes 24 hours a day. I think we had to wait about 10 minutes which the kids thought was “forever” in the cool drizzly mist outside the airport, but it wasn’t bad. We just were not used to the cool rainy temperatures in the summer being from South Carolina plus we were tired. It was 5:00 am our time back home. The 4 hour time change had us a little bit off schedule and even though we napped on the plane it wasn’t like a full nights sleep!
The Hampton Inn was a fairly quick drive from the airport and the driver was pleasant. There was only one other couple in the van with us. We were able to check into the hotel, settle into our room, shower, and crash for a few hours before getting up and heading out on the town. It was wonderful getting a hot shower and crashing into a comfortable bed after being up over 30 plus hours.
Why did we choose Hampton Inn? There are multiple reasons, but here is a handful that swayed our family in the direction of going with Hampton:
- We are Hilton Honors Members – a lot of time when we (mostly Jake) travels for work the nearest hotel is Hampton so we tend to stick with the Hilton line
- Quality and service at the Hilton Hotels is pretty consistent
- Clean Rooms
- Comfortable Beds – we have slept in a variety of rooms / beds over the past 16 years of our marriage and Hilton beds typically more comfortable then other hotels that we have been at while traveling. A good nights sleep can make a huge difference on the following day!
- Swimming Pool – most of the Hilton’s we have been at have either an indoor or outdoor pool which is always a hit for the kids
- Continental Breakfast – decent and predictable breakfast (which is especially convenient when traveling with a family member that has food allergies or food intolerances) Not all the Hilton hotels have continental breakfasts, but all the Hampton Inn’s we have stayed out do have breakfast which is always a benefit when you have a hungry family every morning
The Hampton Inn not only had shuttle service to/from the airport, but also to several spots around Anchorage. After some sleep and a good breakfast we were ready to hit the town and explore Anchorage. We were the only ones on the shuttle at that time. We asked the driver for recommendations on “must see” places to visit, shop, eat, and tour while we were in Anchorage (especially since we were only going to be in town 1 day, we wanted to squeeze in everything we could during our time there).
After we asked the question the driver took the time to pull over the van in a safe location, got a map of Anchorage out, started to circle and draw an outline of where we need to go that day, how to get there, and a variety of activities from sight seeing, shopping, tours, and great local places to eat or visit. We did EVERYTHING recommended that morning, except 1 of the restaurants and that was only because we got hungry earlier than we expected and stopped to eat prior to getting to the restaurant which was delicious too!
It was thoughtful and AWESOME having that 2 minute explanation and highlights of the town. It gave us a clear path to follow throughout the day without wasting time wondering around and trying to figure out what to do. We left the hotel at 9 am that morning and didn’t actually get back to our home to start getting ready for bed until almost 11 pm that night. Thankful that Hampton Inn hired good drivers who go the extra mile. It made our day in Anchorage fun, memorable, and enjoyable for the whole family. We got to see a lot more with his assistance then if we had just roamed around on our own. It made it more efficient and we got to pack more into our one day of Anchorage than we ever anticipated.
I would definitely recommend that Hampton Inn in Anchorage if you are looking for a place to stay. It is not the one downtown Anchorage but in the suburbs. It was clean, family friendly, and a great place to stay. It was the first hotel we had been in that had crayons and postcards that the kids could color in with crayons in the lobby and mail out. Which was a neat “extra” piece for families traveling with kids.
Happy First Day of School Brina & Karlie
Happy 1st Day of 6th Grade to my sweet girls! New school year, new school, new teachers, new administration, new schedules, new start to the next chapter in my baby girls lives! Jake and I both took the girls to school on their first day. It felt weird driving by their old elementary school on the way to their new middle school. They were welcomed at school by cheers. They had a great first day!
It was a lot of information and teachers to go over that first day, but they did amazing! They are in different classes, however, some of their teachers are the same and others are different. They are taking different electives too and have no classes the same. The only time they see each other during the school day is walking into school, in the hallways, at lunch, and after school. Karlie has orchestra and a STEAM elective class while Brina has physical education and Keyboarding for her two electives this 9 weeks or a semester depending on the class. Thankful for a good first day!It was a whirlwind of a first day with us dropping them off at school, heading home to get Jake’s suitcase into his car so he can travel for work, and them I was off to work as well. We didn’t snap a picture of them that first morning of school as we were moving quickly to get out the door on time. Everyone was a little sluggish and the girls were wanting to get out the door instead of snapping pictures! Kind of bummed I didn’t make them do it….oh well.
Travel & Vacation: Family Vacation…..Way Up NORTH!!!
Picture of the last Alaska Airline plane we got on!
North to ALASKA!!! We took a family vacation to Alaska this summer! We had a blast! We packed a lot in our time in Alaska. We flew Alaska Airlines. The girls did amazing on all the flights. We flew through the night both on the way to Alaska and on the way home too. They went through the airports fine, helped with the luggage, entertained themselves on the plane (and even rested). Thankful for kids who love to travel and explore new places.
Jake and the girls getting on the plane….notice they are entering the back half the plane. First time on this type of plane!
Sleeping Beauty on the plane!
Another one bites the dust….
The “Travel and Vacation” series is an insight into our trips together as a family, ways we relax, and tips on how to make trips more enjoyable. Life is short and we were thrilled to have the opportunity to build memories with family and explore of of the most amazing places during our time away. Explore with a good attitude, look for fun, and it will be an awesome trip jammed packed with positive memories. It is refreshing having some time away from the regular routine. Make it a once in a lifetime opportunity to meet new people and learn. You just might see or try something new that takes your breath away!
