Family

  • Family Outings: A Walk in the Park

    Brina and Karlie pausing “briefly” on our walk so I can snap a picture!

    Every once in awhile when the girls are off school and it is a beautiful day we get to meet Daddy for a quick picnic and walk in the park.  Legacy Park is pretty close to Jake’s work so he can pop over and meet us over his lunch hour.  I think the girls get more excited about going for a walk around the park then eating, ha!

    Legacy Park has paved paths for walking, biking or jogging plus a playground for the kids, beach volleyball, and a big open field perfect for flying kites or playing soccer.  On those hot days they have plenty of shade and restrooms (which are very nice for little kids).  I treasure these moments when we get get together over the lunch hour to grab a bite to eat, walk, talk, and play together as a family.  I think it is important to have some relaxing times built into our schedules.  Not only do we get a few extra minutes together as a family we get fresh air and some exercise which is beneficial for all of us!

    Do you have a park you enjoy going to for a picnic or to play?

  • Intentional Living: Weekly Goals

    Last week was busy with  Jake having a couple travel days with work and everyone fully back into the regular schedule with work and school.  As we move into the middle of the first month of 2012 I am reminded of all the goals that I want to accomplish this year.  The best part about staying on top of the goals (weekly check ins) is it points me back to my true priorities and provides stepping stones to where I want to be in the next year, 5 years, and more.

    Here is the update on last weeks goals:

    Family Goals

    1. Spend 1-on-1 time with each child everyday
    2. Read a book to the girls everyday
    3. Have each girl read 1 book to myself or Jake 5 days this week – we did four nights so not quite 5 this week
    4. Set up a Date Night for Jake & I and a Date Night for the Kids – got Jake’s set up but need to get a date on the calendar for the girls
    5. Thank You notes written and sent for the Christmas Gifts – written, stamped, and addressed will go in the mail Tuesday 1/17

    Personal Goals

    1. Exercise – walk at least 5 days this week YAY! I stuck with it this week and did it!!! 🙂
    2. Go to bed by 10:30 pm or earlier Monday to Thursday – need to work on getting better on this one
    3. Finish reading The 60-Minute Money Workout by Ellie Kay
    4. Read and listen to the next section of  Desiring God: Finding Complete Satisfaction and Joy in God by John Piper (our church Community Group is going through this book together).

    Home Management Goals

    1. All laundry for the week washed, folded, and put away in one day
    2. Weekly Dinner Menu planned and written by Monday
    3. Spend 30 minutes every day picking up / cleaning the house
    4. Dinner ready by 5:30 PM (Monday through Thursday)
    5. Spend time re-organizing and de-cluttering the office

    Business Goals

    1. Pay all bills that come in the mail this week
    2. Work on ideas for upcoming blog posts
    3. Spend 10 minutes a day cleaning and organizing my desk
    4. Plan new implementations for blog – just didn’t get to it this week with all the other activities
    5. Schedule client meetings at least 2 weeks in advance

    Ministry Goals

    1. Email our weekly Community Group update including upcoming events on the calendar, praises, and prayer requests
    2. Meet a friend or family member for Breakfast or Lunch
    3. Write and send out Meeting Notes from our January Alms & Legs Team Ministry meeting

    Financial Goals

    1. Stay within Budget on Groceries $40 for 4 – went over $40 budget but had enough cash to cover the groceries
    2. Emergency Fund – start saving 3 months worth of living expenses – started working on it this week but not completed yet

    Here are my goals for the upcoming week:

    Family Goals

    1. Spend 1-on-1 time with each child everyday
    2. Read a book to the girls everyday
    3. Have each girl read 1 book to myself or Jake 5 days this week
    4. Go on my Date Night with Jake (we got free movie tickets so excited to enjoy some time away together)
    5. Get the girls Birthday Party Details Started

    Personal Goals

    1. Exercise – walk at least 5 days this week
    2. Go to bed by 10:30 pm or earlier Monday to Thursday
    3. Finish reading Crush It by Gary Vaynerchuk
    4. Read and listen to the next section of  Desiring God: Finding Complete Satisfaction and Joy in God by John Piper (our church Community Group is going through this book together).
    5. Get my Travel Visa Application Sent

    Home Management Goals

    1. All laundry for the week washed, folded, and put away in one day
    2. Weekly Dinner Menu planned and written by Monday
    3. Spend 30 minutes every day picking up / cleaning the house
    4. Dinner ready by 5:30 PM (Monday through Thursday)
    5. Spend time re-organizing and de-cluttering the office
    6. Update Family & Friends Contact Information

    Business Goals

    1. Pay all bills that come in the mail this week
    2. Work on ideas for upcoming blog posts
    3. Spend 10 minutes a day cleaning and organizing my desk
    4. Plan new implementations for blog
    5. Work on 2011 business taxes

    Ministry Goals

    1. Email our weekly Community Group update including upcoming events on the calendar, praises, and prayer requests
    2. Meet a friend or family member for Breakfast or Lunch

    Financial Goals

    1. Stay within Budget on Groceries $40 for 4
    2. Emergency Fund – save 3 months worth of living expenses
    3. Start working on our personal 2011 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

  • Book: “The 60 Minute Money Workout” by Ellie Kay

    I recently finished reading The 60-Minute Money Workout by Ellie Kay.  Each chapter was designed for a 60 minute personal finance workout once a week.  You can work through the chapters on your own or with your spouse.  The author uses the personal finance steps like an exercise workout but for your finances.

    The five “workout” steps are covered in each chapter:

    1. Warm Up – prep for your money workout (5 minutes)
    2. Strength Training – set financial goals (10 minutes)
    3. Cardio Burn – put goals into action (20 minutes)
    4. Heart Rate – measure financial performance (20 minutes)
    5. Cool Down – Reward Yourself (5 minutes)

    The book includes nuggets of personal finance information as well as worksheets that you can use or you can go to her website for additional worksheets and tools.  Several of the financial principles she goes over are great for someone or a couple just starting to get their finances in order.  I do agree with Ellie Kay on the importance of paying off debt, saving for emergencies and paying cash whenever possible.   I think her “10/10/80 Rule” is a good starting point too:

    • 10% – Share with nonprofit organization (church or other worthy organization)
    • 10% – Save through an allotment or designation to a savings account and for investments
    • 80% – Spend wisely

    Making it a habit to give, save, as well as where you spend your money is valuable with the intention that you would eventually get better with your finances and you will be able to both give and save even more then the initial 10%.  The author gives several quizzes throughout the book to help you identify were you are at on certain area of personal finance, such as personalities, spending, saving, debt, and more. I do like that she dips into the entrepreneurial side especially for the kids and small businesses.

    Overall I think Ellie Kay provides a good basis for personal finance with nuggets of valuable information to get you started on the right track.  At times I felt the five workout steps distracted from the content of the chapters and there were a couple areas I felt could have been more detailed such as outlining how to set up your first basic budget.   Even if you have already been following the majority of the principles she outlines in her book it is good to be reminded of some areas that may need continual improvement.

    Rate my review & be entered into a giveaway: I reviewed this book for “Blogging for Books.”   By rating my review, it allows me to choose another book and enters you in a GIVEAWAY60!   The rating is a two step process.

    Step 1:  Rate my review below (select the number of stars, enter your email, and hit submit).

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    Once you rated my review AND confirmed your email, you will automatically entered in a giveaway for this book by WaterBrook Multnomah!!!  They will pick one person to receive a copy of the book for themselves!  WaterBrook Multnomah will contact the winner directly.

    Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of this book for review purposes from the publisher through the Waterhouse Multnomah.  The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

  • Recipe: Lasagna

    Growing up Lasagna was one of my favorite meals. I didn’t realize that there was so many varieties of Lasagna recipes until I was cooking more on my own! This recipe is an adapted version from the one that my Grandma and Mom use.  The main difference is that I use uncooked noodles which helps save me time and extra clean up.  I will often make this meal to deliver to someone who has had surgery or a new baby or to put the extra casserole in the freezer for a later date since it is an easy one to double! 🙂

    Lasagna:

    • 1 pound lean Ground Beef
    • 1/2 chopped Onion
    • 1 (28 ounces) jar Spaghetti Sauce
    • 1 (16 ounces) container Cottage Cheese
    • 1 cup shredded Parmesan Cheese
    • 1 Egg
    • 1 (16 ounces) box Lasagna Noodles
    • 1 (8 ounces) shredded Mozzarella Cheese

    In a large pan cook the ground beef, drain the excess oil.  Add the onions and cook until the onions are transparent.  Stir in the pasta sauce and heat until bubbly.  In large bowl combine Cottage Cheese, Parmesan Cheese, and Egg.  Spread a thin layer of meat sauce in the bottom of a 13 x 9 pyrex dish.  Place a layer of uncooked lasagna noodles, a layer of cheese mixture, 1/3 cup shredded mozzarella cheese, and meat sauce.  Continue layering until all ingredients are used (reserve 1 cup shredded cheese).  Bake covered at 350 degrees for 1 hour.  Uncover and put the remaining mozzarella cheese over the top and bake for an additional 10 minutes or until the cheese begins to darken.

    Photo Credit

  • Family Fun: Rocket Sprinkler

    One of the benefits to living in South Carolina is you still have warm days even in the Fall and Winter. Yes, last week it got down to 14 degrees at night but the by the end of the week we were enjoying 60 to 70 degree weather.  To help everyone think “warm” thoughts this cool winter I decided to post a fun warm weather activity that you can look forward to doing with your kids before long.

    Rocket Sprinkler blasting off!  Jake had a sprinkler similar to this one growing up (his was a clown).  At the end of summer we bought this rocket.  Since we have a girl that LOVES rockets when this sprinkler went on clearance for a couple dollars I decided it was worth trying it out!

    The rocket sailing through the air!  The girls love spending time outside playing.  The sprinkler provides a great source of entertainment (when it is warm enough).  It might be a few more weeks….

    Brina and Karlie running around in the sprinkler and getting ready to shoot the rocket off again.

    The girls have a fun time playing in the yard splashing around in the water, climbing on the jungle gym, running around with Skipper (our black lab), drawing with chalk, riding bikes or many of the other fun outside activities.  I am thankful to have a yard were they can run and play.  I am looking forward to even more fun activities as we move closer to Spring and the weather continues to warm up, maybe even a couple “snow” days too. 

  • Family Activities: Enjoying Time with Extended Family (Part 2)

    There are so many things I have to be thankful for in my life with family being one of the top on the list. As a child I had the privilege of knowing and having wonderful memories with all four of my Great Grandma’s.  All four of my Grandparents are still healthy and are now able to be a part of my girls lives.  It is exciting to see my girls spend time and with their Grandparents and Great Grandparents because I know these precious times together are memories they will cherish.  I posted a few other pictures in an earlier post.  Here are a few pictures from our most recent visit with our Grandparents, Great Grandparents, Aunts, and Uncles in South Carolina.

    Great Grandpa CE reading books to Karlie and Brina.  The girls were super excited about all the fun playing and book reading while everyone was visiting us. 

    Uncle Josh helped the girls put together a huge marble mazes!  They were quite impressed with his building skills and loved racing the marbles through the maze.  Karlie is racing her marbles while Uncle Josh helps Brina put hers together.

    Grandma Penny coloring with Brina.  Thankful for a time to relax and enjoy spending time with family.  Brina’s was thrilled to have some time coloring with Grandma Penny.

    Karlie is quite pleased with the lego, marble maze, and horse farm that Uncle Josh helped her put together.

    We had a blast with everyone visiting for several days.  The time flew by quickly and before we knew it everyone was leaving.  The girls did pretty well with saying goodbye to everybody but as they watched the car drive away they started crying…..  When asked why they were crying Brina said “I had so much fun I wasn’t ready for them to go yet.” and Karlie said “It went by too fast…I don’t think it was really 4 days…”  I am thankful for the opportunity to spend time with family; these moments spent together become treasured memories for the entire family.

  • Family Activities: Enjoying Time with Extended Family

    I was going through some pictures (from the 2011 Fall Season) and realized I never posted anything about our visit from extended family members. My parents, little brother and grandparents were able to come out for a few days and spend some time with us. We were blessed to have some time with everyone. The girls LOVED having Grandpa Russell, Grandma Penny, Uncle Josh, Great Grandpa CE, and Great Grandma Willa staying at our house.  It reminds me of how important it is that we spend time with those we love whenever we have the opportunity to get together.

    Playing outside with Grandma.  Brina and Karlie blowing bubbles on Skipper while Skipper looks at me as if to say “do you see what I have to put up with!”

    Brina and Karlie giggling as they chase Skipper across the yard.

    No sleeping in Uncle Josh, it is time to play!  They don’t give him much of an option to rest with all their “Uncle Josh, let’s go…..Uncle Josh will you play with me, Uncle Josh…….”  Brina’s ready to go roller blading and Karlie has a lot of fun stories to tell!  Brina and Karlie have fun when Uncle Josh is over reading books and playing. 

    Convinced Uncle Josh to read them a few books.  Here they are reading a book from the library called “Hot Fudge”

    Playing a round of Wits & Wagers with Dad, Josh, Grandpa CE and Grandma Willa.  We received this game as a gift and since then have gotten several other family members and friends hooked on the game.  If you are looking for a great family game with a bunch of fun facts check out Wits & Wagers!

    It was a fun extended weekend with family.  We played games, read books, spent time outside, celebrated my nephew Nicholas’s first birthday and enjoyed great fellowship together.  I am truly grateful that the girls have the opportunity to spend time with not only their grandparents, but great grandparents as well as Aunts and Uncles.  It was a fun weekend full of great memories for everyone! 🙂


  • Intentional Living: Weekly Goals

    The week started off with some one-on-one time with Jake and I as the girls returned to school followed by some fun family time together.  It is rare to have several hours at home alone with Jake so we spent some quiet time talking, relaxing, playing games and working on projects together.  Having those few hours together was refreshing which helped jump start our 2012 year.  I am ready to pick back up on speed with setting and following my goals, thanks for your encouragement and keeping me accountable.

    Here is the update on last weeks goals:

    Family Goals

    1. Spend 1-on-1 time with each child everyday
    2. Read a book to the girls everyday
    3. Spend extra time with my family while the girls are on Christmas Break!

    Personal Goals

    1. Exercise – walk at least 5 days this week – didn’t quite make it this week
    2. Listen to Dumping Debt by Dave Ramsey

    Home Management Goals

    1. All laundry for the week washed, folded, and put away in one day

    Business Goals

    1. Pay all bills that come in the mail this week
    2. Work on ideas for upcoming blog posts

    Ministry Goals

    1. Email our weekly Community Group update including upcoming events on the calendar, praises, and prayer requests

    Financial Goals

    1. Stay within Budget on Groceries $40 for 4
    2. Pay off remaining debt – We made it, the final payments are being made on the last two items!  Now we can start working on saving for  our 3 month Emergency Fund

    Here are my goals for the upcoming week:

    Family Goals

    1. Spend 1-on-1 time with each child everyday
    2. Read a book to the girls everyday
    3. Have each girl read 1 book to myself or Jake 5 days this week
    4. Set up a Date Night for Jake & I and a Date Night for the Kids
    5. Thank You notes written and sent for the Christmas Gifts

    Personal Goals

    1. Exercise – walk at least 5 days this week
    2. Go to bed by 10:30 pm or earlier Monday to Thursday
    3. Finish reading The 60-Minute Money Workout by Ellie Kay
    4. Read and listen to the next section of  Desiring God: Finding Complete Satisfaction and Joy in God by John Piper (our church Community Group is going through this book together).

    Home Management Goals

    1. All laundry for the week washed, folded, and put away in one day
    2. Weekly Dinner Menu planned and written by Monday
    3. Spend 30 minutes every day picking up / cleaning the house
    4. Dinner ready by 5:30 PM (Monday through Thursday)
    5. Spend time re-organizing and de-cluttering the office

    Business Goals

    1. Pay all bills that come in the mail this week
    2. Work on ideas for upcoming blog posts
    3. Spend 10 minutes a day cleaning and organizing my desk
    4. Plan new implementations for blog
    5. Schedule client meetings at least 2 weeks in advance

    Ministry Goals

    1. Email our weekly Community Group update including upcoming events on the calendar, praises, and prayer requests
    2. Meet a friend or family member for Breakfast or Lunch
    3. Write and send out Meeting Notes from our January Alms & Legs Team Ministry meeting

    Financial Goals

    1. Stay within Budget on Groceries $40 for 4
    2. Emergency Fund – start saving 3 months worth of living expenses

    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