Teaching our Children
Travel & Vacation: Ben & Jerry’s Factory Tour (Waterbury, VT)
Ben & Jerry’s Factory Tour
On our way back to the airport in Vermont we made a quick stop by the Ben & Jerry’s Factory in Waterbury, Vermont. The girls found the tour fascinating and they especially liked the ice cream sample at the end! 🙂 The factory we visited makes all the pint size ice cream for Ben & Jerry’s. They do 160,000 containers of one flavor every day. If I remember right they were making “Coffee Caramel Buzz” the day that we went through the factory. We couldn’t take pictures while we were actually in the factory but here are some of the highlights. If you are every in that area it is a pretty fun and quick tour to go on with the kids.
We parked in front of a neat “Infarmation” sign that describes the steps for making Ben & Jerry’s ice cream
Do you see what the big containers are labeled in front of Jake and Brina? From left to right – Sugar, Milk, Milk, Cream, and Cream (definitely an ice cream factory)
We all got a good laugh from this one! It is the “original Vermont fly swatter”. It is a stuffed cow tail.
Display with pint size containers of Ben & Jerry’s euphoric flavors
Karlie and Brina loved exploring and learning all the neat things about the Ben & Jerry’s factory. They especially enjoyed their “Hot Chocolate” ice cream sample! 🙂
Intentional Living: Weekly Goals
Last week was busy with Jake traveling, school, work, volunteering, and a whole bundle of other activities. Even though I didn’t make as much progress as I hoped I was able to get some things accomplished.
Last week’s goals
Family Goals
Read The Long Winter by Laura Ingalls Wilder to the girls (Book 6)– finished it and started the next book already- Read Imagination Station: Attack at the Arena by Marianne Hering and Paul McCusker (Book 2) – haven’t started it yet
Lunch Boxes & Book Bags packed the night beforeDaily School Activities & Homework CompletedAttend After School Activities- Plan one special Activity with the Family – with the busy week we decided to spend some quiet time at home
Volunteer One Day at Girls School
Personal Goals
- Exercise at least 5 days this week – wasn’t a great week with exercise
Drink 8 glasses of water each dayContinue my YouVersion plan(s)- Finish reading One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp – put on hold currently
- Finish reading Overcoming Dyslexia by M.D. Sally Shaywitz (someone gave me this to read) – working my way through it
Home Management Goals
All laundry for the week washed, folded, and put away in one dayWeekly Dinner Menu planned out for the weekPay all upcoming bills
Business Goals
Work on ideas for upcoming blog postsKeep 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 LunchWrite and Send Out Community Group Email
Financial Goals
- Groceries $40 for 4 – went over budget by $3
- Payoff the Van – working on it
- Pay medical bills in full – paying them
- Complete 2012 Taxes – working on them
My goals for the upcoming week
Family Goals
- Read Little Town on the Prairie by Laura Ingalls Wilder to the girls (Book 7)
- Read Imagination Station: Attack at the Arena by Marianne Hering and Paul McCusker (Book 2)
- Lunch Boxes & Book Bags packed the night before
- Daily School Activities & Homework Completed
- Attend After School Activities
- Plan one special Activity with the Family
- Volunteer One Day at Girls School
- Easter activity & celebration
- Get together with Family and/or Friends
Personal Goals
- Exercise at least 5 days this week
- Drink 8 glasses of water each day
- Continue my YouVersion plan(s)
- Finish reading One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp
- Finish reading Overcoming Dyslexia by M.D. Sally Shaywitz (someone gave me this to read)
Home Management Goals
- All laundry for the week washed, folded, and put away in one day
- Weekly Dinner Menu planned out for the week
- Pay all upcoming bills
Business Goals
- Work on ideas for upcoming blog posts
- 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
- Write and Send Out Community Group Email
- Send out Alms & Legs Meeting Notes
Financial Goals
- Groceries $40 for 4
- Payoff the Van
- Pay medical bills in full
- Complete 2012 Taxes
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.
Intentional Living: Weekly Goals
Last week was crazy with Jake being out of town part of the week and having a sick little one complaining of right side and shoulder pain which resulted in us going to the pediatrician followed by a visit to the hospital for an ultrasound to see if something was wrong with her appendix. The actual ultrasound itself took over an hour with two different people trying to get a good picture of her appendix. They never did get a good picture, but they didn’t see anything abnormal either. Thankfully she is starting to feel better now. I am really ready for the warmer weather and praying for healthier weeks ahead! Despite all the busyness I was able to get some items done this week.
Last week’s goals
Family Goals
- Read The Long Winter by Laura Ingalls Wilder to the girls (Book 6) – working on it
- Read Imagination Station: Attack at the Arena by Marianne Hering and Paul McCusker (Book 2) – last was so busy we didn’t get a chance to start it yet
Lunch Boxes & Book Bags packed the night beforeDaily School Activities & Homework CompletedAttend After School ActivitiesPlan one special Activity with the FamilyCelebrate at Girls Birthday PartyVolunteer One Day at Girls School
Personal Goals
- Exercise at least 5 days this week – didn’t get it done
Drink 8 glasses of water each dayContinue my YouVersion plan(s)- Finish reading One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp – its been so busy this one’s been on hold
- Finish reading Overcoming Dyslexia by M.D. Sally Shaywitz (someone gave me this to read) – got through more of it
Home Management Goals
All laundry for the week washed, folded, and put away in one dayWeekly Dinner Menu planned out for the weekPay all upcoming bills
Business Goals
Work on ideas for upcoming blog postsKeep up with the day to day items that need my attention- Work completed for clients – had to put some on hold because I had a sick little one a couple days this past week
Ministry Goals
Meet a friend or family member for Breakfast or LunchWrite and Send Out Community Group Email
Financial Goals
- Groceries $40 for 4 – honestly with the week being so busy and various visits to the doctor, hospital, pharmacy, and store I didn’t keep track, but I am pretty sure we went over this week
- Payoff the Van – working on it
- Pay medical bills in full – making payments
- Complete 2012 Taxes – making progress
My goals for the upcoming week
Family Goals
- Read The Long Winter by Laura Ingalls Wilder to the girls (Book 6)
- Read Imagination Station: Attack at the Arena by Marianne Hering and Paul McCusker (Book 2)
- Lunch Boxes & Book Bags packed the night before
- Daily School Activities & Homework Completed
- Attend After School Activities
- Plan one special Activity with the Family
- Volunteer One Day at Girls School
Personal Goals
- Exercise at least 5 days this week
- Drink 8 glasses of water each day
- Continue my YouVersion plan(s)
- Finish reading One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp
- Finish reading Overcoming Dyslexia by M.D. Sally Shaywitz (someone gave me this to read)
Home Management Goals
- All laundry for the week washed, folded, and put away in one day
- Weekly Dinner Menu planned out for the week
- Pay all upcoming bills
Business Goals
- Work on ideas for upcoming blog posts
- 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
- Write and Send Out Community Group Email
Financial Goals
- Groceries $40 for 4
- Payoff the Van
- Pay medical bills in full
- Complete 2012 Taxes
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.
By The Shores of Silver Lake by Laura Ingalls Wilder
I just finished reading By the Shores of Silver Lake by Laura Ingalls Wilder. The girls loved this book and hearing more about Laura’s adventures. By the Shores of Silver Lake is the fifth book in this series. The story continues as Laura and her family move from Plum Creek to the Dakota Territory. Through family Pa found a job working on the railroad which helps makes ends meet until they can file their claim on their homestead.
Once the girls who were sick with scarlet fever were well enough to travel they took the train to meet Pa in the new area. Their first winter in Dakota was cold but they were able to stay in the surveyors house that was stocked with supplies without anyone around for many miles. At the first sign of Spring many men started coming through so they could file a claim on their homestead. Ma and the girls cooked many meals for men traveling through while Pa was away hoping to get the piece of land he wanted to start their new homestead. The town of De Smet started popping up right before their eyes and even Pa built a building in the new town that he could rent or sell later.
The girls enjoyed listening to another story about Laura and her family. After each chapter they always want me to read another one. They thought it was neat that Laura got to spend some time with their cousins and they especially loved reading about Laura riding the horse. It was a cute book and the girls have loved these books so much that they are already planning on reading the series again after I finish reading them.
Travel & Vacation: Rock Climbing on Independence of the Seas
Lee made it to the top and rang the bell! WooHoo! He made it look so easy and went up several times that morning!
The final full day on the boat we spent at sea. We had a lot of fun climbing the rock wall, going to a movie with Nicko, ice skating, swimming, going to the show, and so much more. The only thing that we did that wasn’t exciting was pack our luggage because we were heading home the next day. I didn’t get any ice skating pictures because we were not allowed to take the cameras on the ice.
Nathan made it to the top! Yay Nathan!
The girls were proud of Grandpa Russell for ringing the bell too. Way to Go Grandpa!
Karlie ready to go rock climbing wall
Brina was content watching all the family members climb the rock wall.
Brandon, Amber, and Nathan ready to go rock climbing
Brandon heading up the rock wall
Amber heading up the rock climbing wall
Lee and Amber both climbing up the rock wall
Grandpa Russell watching the rock climbers. Brina giggling at Mommy, I had just spilled one of the drinks because the cap wasn’t screwed on all the way (Brina thought it was pretty funny)!
Karlie listening to the instructions from the worker before doing the climbing wall
Karlie heading up the rock climbing wall
Brina all smiles peeking out at me from the basketball court. Is it windy B?
Karlie going up the rock climbing wall. She didn’t make it to the very top but she did get a good ways up and tried it twice.
The “Travel and Vacation” series is an insight into our trips together as a family and ways we relax. 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!
Intentional Living: Weekly Goals
Last week I was finally feeling better so I was able to get caught up on a few items. Thankful for some time together with my family while we were all healthy and back to the normal schedule. We celebrated Valentine’s Day by flying up north to Vermont visit Jake’s Mom and grandparents. The girls were super excited to play in some snow!
Last week’s goals
Family Goals
Read On the Banks of Plum Creek by Laura Ingalls Wilder to the girls– finished the book with the girls, they are ready to start the next book of the series nowRead Tales of the Fourth Grade Nothing by Judy Blume to the girls– finished the book, the girls loved it so much they wanted to know if there were any more in this series! 🙂- Read Imagination Station: Voyage with the Vikings by Marianne Hering
Lunch Boxes & Book Bags packed the night beforeDaily School Activities & Homework CompletedAttend After School ActivitiesPlan one special Activity with the FamilyGirls Dentist CheckupPick up Brina’s GlassesCelebrate the Valentine’s Day HolidayPrepare for the Girls BirthdaySpend Extra Time with Extended Family
Personal Goals
- Exercise at least 5 days this week – didn’t get a chance to walk all 5 days, need to get back into the routine
Drink 8 glasses of water each dayStart with my new YouVersion plan(s)– staying up to date with the plan- Finish reading One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp – working on it
- Finish reading Crazy Love by Francis Chan- going through this book with a group of friends
Home Management Goals
All laundry for the week washed, folded, and put away in one dayWeekly Dinner Menu planned out for the weekPay all upcoming bills
Business Goals
Work on ideas for upcoming blog postsKeep 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
For my January Grocery Budget I am replacing my typical Groceries $40 for 4 with my Life Simplified: No Grocery Shopping in order to use up some extra items in my fridge, freezer, and pantry.- Payoff the Van – working on it
- Pay medical bills in full – started making payments
- Complete 2012 Taxes – started preparing
My goals for the upcoming week
Family Goals
- Read On the Banks of Plum Creek by Laura Ingalls Wilder to the girls
- Read Imagination Station: Voyage with the Vikings by Marianne Hering
- Lunch Boxes & Book Bags packed the night before
- Daily School Activities & Homework Completed
- Attend After School Activities
- Plan one special Activity with the Family
- Prepare for the Girls Birthday
- Spend Extra Time with Extended Family
Personal Goals
- Exercise at least 5 days this week
- Drink 8 glasses of water each day
- Start with my new YouVersion plan(s)
- Finish reading One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp
- Finish reading Crazy Love by Francis Chan- going through this book with a group of friends
Home Management Goals
- All laundry for the week washed, folded, and put away in one day
- Weekly Dinner Menu planned out for the week
- Pay all upcoming bills
Business Goals
- Work on ideas for upcoming blog posts
- 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
- Write and Send Out Community Group Email
- Email a meeting reminder for Alms & Legs Ministry Team meeting
Financial Goals
- For my January Grocery Budget I am replacing my typical Groceries $40 for 4 with my Life Simplified: No Grocery Shopping in order to use up some extra items in my fridge, freezer, and pantry.
- Payoff the Van
- Pay medical bills in full
- Complete 2012 Taxes
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.
Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing by Judy Blume
I started reading Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing by Judy Blume to the girls while we were on the cruise. The girls loved hearing about Peter, Fudge, and their adventures so much that they begged me to continue reading it. I finished reading this book to the girls earlier this week. They thought the book was hilarious and wanted to know if there were any more books.
The book is about a fourth grader Peter Hatcher and his little brother Fudge. Fudge was always getting into Peter’s things, messing up his school work, playing with his turtle, and many other things to embarrass Peter. Every chapter contains the daily interactions and adventures of the Hatcher family. The story is fun and silly which captivates the young listeners attention. We have the older version of this book from when I was a kid. The girls love that they are reading books that I read as a kid too.
Intentional Living: Weekly Goals
Well last week we were back home from our cruise vacation but the week didn’t go quite as smoothly as we were hoping it would. We ended up going through the nasty sickness crud that’s been going around. One of the girls had a double ear infection and the rest of us had sinus infections. Before the week was up all of us had made a trip to the doctor. The good news is we are all starting to feel better again, just in time for the next adventure, ha. It is hard to believe we will be celebrating the Valentine’s Holiday this week and the girls birthday next week! Time flies by when your having fun. I didn’t get everything I hoped accomplish last week so hoping this week is more productive.
Last week’s goals
Family Goals
- Read On the Banks of Plum Creek by Laura Ingalls Wilder to the girls – I started reading Tales of the Fourth Grade Nothing by Judy Blume to the girls on the trip so we have been going through that one more this week
Lunch Boxes & Book Bags packed the night beforeDaily School Activities & Homework CompletedAttend After School Activities- Plan one special Activity with the Family – we decided with all the sickness it would be better to have time for everyone to recover
Unpack & put everything away from Cruise Vacation
Personal Goals
- Exercise at least 5 days this week – with the fever, aches, and sickness this didn’t get done, hoping to get back into the swing of things this week
- Drink 8 glasses of water each day – it was more gatorade this week but I keep up with drinking fluids
Start with my new YouVersion plan(s)– I was able to catch up from being gone last week! Yay!- Finish reading One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp – got through more of this great book but didn’t have as much reading time this week
- Finish reading Crazy Love by Francis Chan- going through this book with a group of friends
Home Management Goals
- All laundry for the week washed, folded, and put away in one day – I had soooo much laundry, it was scary, it took me two days to get through everything (and yes I went over my 4 loads a week average too)
Weekly Dinner Menu planned out for the weekPay all upcoming bills
Business Goals
Work on ideas for upcoming blog postsKeep up with the day to day items that need my attention
Ministry Goals
Meet a friend or family member for Breakfast or Lunch
Financial Goals
For my January Grocery Budget I am replacing my typical Groceries $40 for 4 with my Life Simplified: No Grocery Shopping in order to use up some extra items in my fridge, freezer, and pantry.- Payoff the Van – working on it
- Pay medical bills in full – started making payment
My goals for the upcoming week
Family Goals
- Read On the Banks of Plum Creek by Laura Ingalls Wilder to the girls
- Read Tales of the Fourth Grade Nothing by Judy Blume to the girls
- Read Imagination Station: Voyage with the Vikings by Marianne Hering
- Lunch Boxes & Book Bags packed the night before
- Daily School Activities & Homework Completed
- Attend After School Activities
- Plan one special Activity with the Family
- Girls Dentist Checkup
- Pick up Brina’s Glasses
- Celebrate the Valentine’s Day Holiday
- Prepare for the Girls Birthday
- Spend Extra Time with Extended Family
Personal Goals
- Exercise at least 5 days this week
- Drink 8 glasses of water each day
- Start with my new YouVersion plan(s)
- Finish reading One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp
- Finish reading Crazy Love by Francis Chan- going through this book with a group of friends
Home Management Goals
- All laundry for the week washed, folded, and put away in one day
- Weekly Dinner Menu planned out for the week
- Pay all upcoming bills
Business Goals
- Work on ideas for upcoming blog posts
- 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
- For my January Grocery Budget I am replacing my typical Groceries $40 for 4 with my Life Simplified: No Grocery Shopping in order to use up some extra items in my fridge, freezer, and pantry.
- Payoff the Van
- Pay medical bills in full
- Complete 2012 Taxes
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.
Travel & Vacation: Giant Water Slide at Labadee, Haiti
Karlie zipping down the water slide like a pro
After we spent some time at the Aqua Park we headed over to try out the giant water slide! The slide was a lot of fun. If you laid down, put your feet together, fold your arms across, and arch your back you could really get some speed going down it. A few of times you could see an adults arm or leg come over the edge of the slide on the way down. The slide was a hit with both the kids and adults. I know several of us went down it many times. We had a blast zipping down this slide and it was right next to the beach so it was really convenient.
Daddy, Brina, and Karlie heading up the path to get in line for the giant water slide. You had to walk up stairs and a cement path to get to the top, but usually once at the top you didn’t have to wait very long before you were flying down the slide again.
Daddy and Karlie washing off their feet before going down the giant water slide again. At the top of the slide they had a spot for you to wash your feet before going down it.
Oh yeah! Let’s do that one again!
Daddy and Brina coming down the slide!
And it ended with a big splash in the pool of water at the end of the slide.
Brandon all smiles coming down the slide. I am pretty sure Brandon went down the slide the most number of times, he loved it!
Got a picture of Nathan as he was popping up at the end of the slide….he thought it was pretty neat!
Daddy flying down the slide
This was my view as I snapped a quick picture at the end of the giant water slide…the expression of Nathan’s face makes me laugh!
The “Travel and Vacation” series is an insight into our trips together as a family and ways we relax. 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!
Travel & Vacation: Aqua Park in Labadee, Haiti
Here come Daddy and Brina down the slide!
On our next stop we visited Labadee, Haiti. The place were we stopped was beautiful and relaxing. Our first stop of the day was the Aqua Park. You had to walk down a dock and they had a bunch of huge inflatables in the water from slides to trampolines and more. The inflatables were spread out so you had to swim from one item to the next and if I remember correctly the water was 30 feet deep in that area. The kids and adults had a fun time climbing, bouncing, sliding, splashing, and playing at the Aqua Park.
Karlie getting ready to come down the huge water slide into the ocean! It’s a lot harder then you think to climb up wet bouncy castles and slides!
Aqua Park fun! This one was a hard one to get onto especially for the kids, but Jeremy, Amber, Josh, and Lee had a blast on it! They managed to get it moving and spinning pretty fast.
The big kids had fun playing at the Aqua Park too! 🙂
Brina swimming past me on her way to the next Aqua Park item.
Daddy coaching Karlie has she starts to climb one of the icebergs
Swimming around at the Aqua Park
