Twins
Intentional Living: Weekly Goals
One of the best parts about writing down my goals is it gives me a chance to review them weekly, however, it can be quite convicting if it is a rough week. I was able to get some of the items on my list done this week. Hopefully this week I will be able to tackle more items on my list!
Last week’s goals:
Family Goals
- Read to the girls and have them read to me daily – there were a couple nights late nights that I didn’t have a chance to read to the girls
Lunch Boxes & Book Bags packed the night beforeDaily School Activities & Homework CompletedAttend After School ActivitiesPlan one special Activity with the FamilyGo on a Field Trip with the Girls Classes– went with Karlie’s class to the Fire Station
Personal Goals
- Exercise at least 5 days this week – almost made it, did 4 days out of the 5
Drink 8 glasses of water each day- Finish reading Impact Equation by Chris Brogan and Julien Smith (I got a pre-release copy to read) – working on it
- Finish reading The Christian’s Secret of a Happy Life by Hannah Whitall Smith – reading through it
Home Management Goals
All laundry for the week washed, folded, and put away in one dayWeekly Dinner Menu planned out for the weekStart tackling my Fall Organizational Schedule– making some progress on itPay all upcoming bills
Business Goals
Work on ideas for upcoming blog postsKeep up with the day to day items that need my attention- Get caught up on 5 blog items – got caught up some items
Complete the Website Blog Update
Ministry Goals
Meet a friend or family member for Breakfast or LunchWrite and Send Out Community Group Email- Work out the details of our Community Group Camping Adventure – need to work out the last few details
- A Friend Challenged me to read through my Bible – since I am already through the majority of the year I am working on a plan where you can read through the Bible in 90 days by YouVersion – working faithfully through it
Financial Goals
- Stay within Budget on Groceries $40 for 4 – went over this week
- Payoff the Van – working on it
- Emergency Fund – save 3 months worth of living expenses (we are trying to build this back up because we had to take some out for unexpected expenses recently.) – moving forward slowly
My goals for the upcoming week:
Family Goals
- Read to the girls and have them read to me daily
- Lunch Boxes & Book Bags packed the night before
- Daily School Activities & Homework Completed
- Attend After School Activities
- Plan one special Activity with the Family
- Spend extra time with Grandma, Great Grandma, and extended family
Personal Goals
- Exercise at least 5 days this week
- Drink 8 glasses of water each day
- Finish reading Impact Equation by Chris Brogan and Julien Smith (I got a pre-release copy to read)
- Finish reading The Christian’s Secret of a Happy Life by Hannah Whitall Smith
Home Management Goals
- All laundry for the week washed, folded, and put away in one day
- Weekly Dinner Menu planned out for the week
- Start tackling my Fall Organizational Schedule
- 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
- Get caught up on 5 blog items
Ministry Goals
- Meet a friend or family member for Breakfast or Lunch
- Write and Send Out Community Group Email
- Write and Send Out Alms & Legs Ministry Team Email
- Work out the details of our Community Group Camping Adventure
- A Friend Challenged me to read through my Bible – since I am already through the majority of the year I am working on a plan where you can read through the Bible in 90 days by YouVersion
Financial Goals
- Stay within Budget on Groceries $40 for 4
- Payoff the Van
- Emergency Fund – save 3 months worth of living expenses (we are trying to build this back up because we had to take some out for unexpected expenses recently.)
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.
Book: “VeggieTales Family Devotional” by Cindy Kenney and Doug Peterson
Our family has recently finished the Veggie Tales Family Devotional by Cindy Kenney and Doug Peterson. The subtitle to this book is “connecting to a powerful relationship with God.” The book has several familiar Veggie Tale characters in it that you kids will recognize if they have ever seen any of the Veggie Tale videos. The book is divided up into 7 parts.
- Part One – Faith
- Part Two – Communication
- Part Three – Love
- Part Four – Trust
- Part Five – Time
- Part Six – Joy
- Part Seven – Holidays
The devotional is for ages 4 to 10. There are 52 devotionals in the book. The book has colorful pictures for the kids to look at while listening. Each devotional has the following:
- Story
- God Connection
- What Does the Bible Say?
- Family Fun Connection
- Cucumber Connection
- Bible Verse
- Think – Link – Act
Our girls loved this devotional book. There were several lessons that inspired more conversations about God, prayer, salvation and more. I know that it is tough with life’s busy schedule to take the extra time to have devotions with our children, but it is my hope and prayer that these lessons and time together will have a lasting impact on the hearts and lives of my children. I can’t say that we do devotions every single night (we are FAR from perfect parents), however, it is something we really try to do with our girls as often as possible because we believe it is important. If you are looking for a new devotional book this is one you might want to check out.
Exploring Roper Mountain Science Center
Getting ready to watch the show at the Roper Mountain Science Center
The first time I took a tour of Roper Mountain Science Center was with the girls class earlier this year. It was a blast watching a space presentation, going on a nature trail, seeing the wildlife, having a picnic and more. The girls had so much fun. I always knew that Roper Mountain Science Center had some activities for the kids but until I went with the girls I had no idea how much!
Karlie entertained by the show, anything to do with space is always a hit with her!
Brina having a fun time! I got to sit next to Brina for the show.
What are they looking at? Don’t fall in the water!
Red Eared Slider Turtles (of course)! The girls were super excited to see the turtles, these are the same kind as Shipwreck and Overboard!
Beautiful flower garden and butterflies near the butterfly crossing.
The girls had a lot of fun exploring Roper Mountain Science Center and learning a lot of great stuff. Roper Mountain has since become one of the girls favorite places to visit. We try to go every month or two. It is a great learning environment if you have kids.
Travel & Vacation: Charleston Food, Lodging, & Fun (Part 2)
Jake, Karlie, and Brina shivering in front of the pineapple fountain downtown Charleston.
The girls REALLY wanted to see the fountain that we had been reading about in our book Very Charleston, however, the day we choose to check it out it was freezing. This was by far our coldest day in Charleston, earlier in the week it was in the 90’s and now it is 40 degrees outside. The kids were freezing because I didn’t bring jackets but thankfully it was our last day in town.
Brina snacking on Green Apple Rock Candy as we head to our next stop
Karlie munching on her Root Beer Rock candy
Next to the Chic-Fil-A in Mt Pleasant is a little pond with a fountain and……..
TURTLES!!!! The girls love watching turtles!
The girls were so excited when we parked next to the Charleston Creamery “Herby” that they insisted I take a picture! Oh how they love their ice cream and this store!
Charleston Creamery – a place the girls always request to visit when we are in the area!
Ice cream made by a robot is always more fun to eat!
Are you getting full yet Brina?!
The girls had their own bedroom and TV. It was pouring outside so we gave the kids a bath and let them watch TV for 30 minutes before going to bed.
Another great trip to Charleston with the family! The girls had a blast. It was very warm the first half of the week but by the time we left it was in the 40s. Thankfully we did a bunch of our outdoor activities and swimming the first part of the week so when it got cold we found other things to occupy our time. Jake got a lot of work done while we were in Charleston as well as created more great memories with the family.
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: Charleston Food, Lodging, & Fun
Spending some time in the hotel room. Karlie is lounging as she listens to me read.
The girls are always excited when we go to Charleston! They have a blast spending time relaxing and exploring. We typically go to many of the same places but always try to squeeze in a few new adventures as well. The kids make the trips more fun. These pictures are from a trip earlier this year. We stayed at the Marriott Hotel in Mount Pleasant. It was a little further from Jake’s work so we had to drop him off in the mornings but it was located near a lot of fun activities. We tried out some new restaurants this time too.
Brina’s turn to read a book to us
We ate downtown Charleston so we would have plenty of time to walk through the market and go to Battery Park. Brina and Karlie enjoying their BBQ wings
Messy….messy…..messy….BB (I think she’ll need a bath tonight)
Karlie licking her lips after finishing my homemade & delicious she crap soup
Karlie and Brina sitting next to the moon in the “Moon Pie” store in downtown Charleston.
Jake & I had our own bedroom in the hotel room. It was the last available room in the hotel and it was a huge 2 bedroom suite (with a doorbell). This was our first time staying at the Marriott in Mount Pleasant and it was awesome!
Our kitchen in the hotel room, loved having all the counter top space.
Goofy Karlie…..she must be the “cream” in the chair!
Wonder where Brina could be? Oh yes, in between the cushions!
Dress Code sign outside a store in downtown Charleston. Made me laugh! 🙂 Some are listed twice. My three favorite ones are:
“Bottom of Shirt Can’t Be Past Wrist”
“No Gold Teeth”
“Doorman has final say”
Jake picked up ice cream sandwiches for the girls. We had a fridge but no freezer so they were a little softer than normal. Karlie eating the one of the last melting ice cream sandwiches
Brina getting the last little bit from her wrapper
I am thankful for the many opportunities to create special memories with my family. The girls are wonderful travelers and love to explore new areas so it is always fun having a few days to relax and check out an area. When we go to Charleston we typically stay either on Daniel’s Island or in Mount Pleasant so we have found a few fun things to do.
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!
Pampers Gifts to Grow – 10 Free Points
You can receive another 10 free points from Pampers with a new Gifts to Grow code!This code is different from the previous codes I have given.
- Use Code: FB9TLABDAXB3912
(Expires 9/9/12 at midnight CST)
You can save up the rewards to purchase gifts!
For more information about the Pampers Gift to Grow Program and how you can start earning Pampers “Gifts to Grow” Rewards for your family go to Pampers Gifts to Grow!
Book – “Charleston, SC: Cool Stuff Every Kid Should Know” by Kate Boehm Jerome
On our last trip to Charleston, South Carolina we picked up a fun book to read with the kids during our stay called Charleston, SC: Cool Stuff Every Kid Should Know by Kate Boehm Jerome. The book is short, sweet, and entertaining. The first section of the book is on Charleston, but the rest of the book talks about the state of South Carolina. We enjoyed it because it highlighted one of our favorite places to visit Charleston and it gave even more details about our state. The only drawback is if you are looking for a book only on Charleston this has parts that cover other areas of South Carolina as well. The book is only 30 pages long but it does have some neat tidbits about Charleston and South Carolina with colorful pictures.
Another awesome book that I highly recommend on Charleston is the Very Charleston: A Celebration of History, Culture, and Lowcountry Charm by Diana Hollingsworth Gessler.
I Love You Sweet Girls!
I love you Brina & Karlie
Before I traveled to India earlier this year I left a few goodies for the girls including this sign. They were so excited to see this sign hanging up when they came home from school that day. They treasured it so much that the sign is still in their room!
This is a great reminder of how doing something simple like a spray painting a poster board can mean the world to our kids. It is important to tell our kids that we love them in various ways including writing it down for them to read and showing them by our actions. How have you shown your kids love today?
First Day of School “Love Notes” for the Kids
Brina and Karlie’s first day of school love notes
Every year on the first day of school we write a “love note” to the girls. They always look forward to receiving and reading their notes. It is something simple to do on the first day of school but it helps remind them of how much we love them especially on a busy day every year.
Love notes for the girls on their breakfast bar stools
In our family we try to do as much prep work (make lunches, lay out clothes, set out plates / bowls for breakfast, vitamins) the night before. The girls know exactly where to find any breakfast notes or surprises. I have found that by having items laid out the night before the mornings go much more smoothly. The kids get a great start to each school day and it is less stressful for me.
The girls always like to read their notes on the first day of school
Fresh & Healthy: First Day of School Lunch Box Meals
Karlie and Brina’s lunch for the first day of school
Another school year has started…..we had a blast this summer. Their school lunch boxes are metal with a chalkboard on the inside so I can write them a message. For the first day I wrote “Happy First Day of School Brina & Karlie. We love you!” The girls pack a lunch Monday through Thursday on Friday they eat their lunch at school as a special treat. Most days the girls pack their own lunches but with the first week being so busy I got them started until they adjust to the new schedule. Each day they get a protein, fruit, vegetable, dairy, drink, and snack (sometimes I will through in an extra snack or treat if I know we have activities after school).
Karlie’s lunch box has a shiny red race car with her name on the car and tracks
Brina’s lunch box is covered in hearts and her favorite colors (orange and pink)!
Each lunch box has their design and names on both the font and back as well as the sides (see picture at bottom for the side view). The lunch boxes were a “surprise” for the girls. They were thrilled to get these to use for school. I was pleased with how they turned out too.
Ready to be packed
Lunch Goodies:
- Sausage and Pepperoni Pizza
- Berry Blast Fruit Mashups
- Peach Yogurt
- Fresh Carrots
- Cherry Fruit Twist
- Peanut Butter Crackers
- Cinnamon Teddy Grahams
- CapriSun Sunrise Juice
- Million Dollar Mint
Lunches all packed, in the fridge, and ready to go for tomorrow’s big day!
