Family
Intentional Living: Weekly Goals
Last week was busy week full of many extra appointments that were added into the schedule, some of them last minute, like doctor’s appointments. The hot water heater decided to pick this week to stop working too. Thankfully, it stopped on an evening when Jake was home, not traveling for work. Jake and my brother Lee were able to get a new one back up and working in one evening!
I was finally able to get an MRI and figure out specifically what is going on to cause all the pain and numbness. It has been over three weeks since I have been able to sleep in my own bed, the recliner has been the only comfortable spot to sleep lately! The doctors have found out that I have a severely herniated disc in my neck which is also clamping down on nerves causing the shooting pains down my neck, back, arm, and causing numbness in my fingers. The doctors are going to try and do a steroid shot directly into that specific disc this week and if that does not work than they want to do surgery. Praying that the shot will work because the surgery is much more evasive and permanent. Surgery would require a hospital stay not to mention recovery and effects on my future with mobility, movement, and other issues (obviously not my first choice).
It is getting old not sleeping well, taking medicines that me feel foggy and not myself, the pain is at times very intense and has limited me in a lot of areas, and numbness in my fingers can eventually lead to permanent damage if we don’t get that fixed as well. It hurts getting older! I am ready to be back to my normal self soon. Praying that they can fix it with the simple solution and without surgery. There are some areas I did okay with this week on my goals and others not so well. Either way I plan on proceeding forward with all my goals, activities, and tasks as much as possible!
Last week’s goals
Family Goals
Pick another book to read to the kids– I picked out Double Fudge by Judy Blume to read to the girlsJake finish reading Last of the Mohicans to the kidsPlan one special activity with the familyPrepare for Upcoming Fall Events & TripsSpend time Monday – Friday helping the kids with HomeworkAttend After School ActivitiesLunch Boxes & Book Bags packed the night before- Ride Bikes with the kids – I was not able to ride bikes this week due to my neck, back, and arm issues
- Go for a Walk with the Kids – we did not go on walks this week because I was limited in extra moving around on top of my normal activities
Play a Game with the Kids– played Halloween BingoAttend School Board Meeting– Jake attended for me because I was not able to go due to health issues- Start Organizing the Kids Scrapbook Items – was not able to get to this one
Plan Family Halloween Dinner & Celebration– enjoyed a relaxing Halloween evening and weekend with my familyOrthodontic Appointment for Kids
Personal Goals
Drink 8 glasses of water each dayContinue my YouVersion plan(s)- Exercise at least 5 times this week – doctor did not want me doing any additional exercises at this time
Go to my Doctor Appointments Scheduled this week
Home (Yard & Pets) Management Goals
- All laundry for the week washed, folded, and put away in one day – I got it done, but it took more than one day due to me moving slower and needing help carrying items
Weekly Dinner Menu planned out for the weekDo at least one “Make 1 & Freeze 1″ Meal Prep (make a main dish to eat that day and one to freeze for later)- Clean out & Organize Refrigerator & Freezer – didn’t get it done
- Clean House (Focus – Basement Floors) – didn’t get the basement floors clean, but I did a more “deep” clean of the laundry room due to hot water heater dying on us this week!
- Organize Chaos (Focus – Storage Room) – was not able to get this done
- Put Spring/Summer Clothes in the Attic – need help to get these in the attic so was unable to finish it
- Yard Cleanup (Focus – Pool taken down and put away) – thanks to my brother letting us borrow his mower Jake was able to get the yard mowed, but we still need to get the pool put away
- Pet Care (Focus – Refill Goat Food Bin & Make Homemade Treats with the kids for Skipper) – we made homemade treats for the dog, but still need to refill the goat food bin
Business Goals
Work on ideas for upcoming blog posts- Respond to Inquiry – Business Relation Emails – still have some that need my attention and a response
Keep 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- Prep for our Samaritan’s Purse Operation Christmas Child boxes – got started on it
Financial Goals
- Payoff the Car – working on it
- Payoff Outstanding Debt – (replacement microwave, refrigerator, hot water heater, and other debt) – working on it
Pay Bills & File PaperworkMake an extra payment on Outstanding Debt– we were able to make an extra payment this week which helps us inch forward in the right direction!- Earn some Creative Cash – I wasn’t able to get any extra creative cash completed this week
- Go grocery shopping one time to one store this week and stay within budget – I did go grocery shopping for the first time in THREE weeks, but I did go to more than one store and I went a little over our budget
My goals for the upcoming week
Family Goals
- Read the book Double Fudge by Judy Blume to read to the kids
- Plan one special activity with the family
- Prepare for Upcoming Fall Events & Trips
- Spend time Monday – Friday helping the kids with Homework
- Attend After School Activities
- Lunch Boxes & Book Bags packed the night before
- Play a Game with the Kids
- Start Organizing the Kids Scrapbook Items
- ENT and Eye Appointments for Kids
Personal Goals
- Drink 8 glasses of water each day
- Continue my YouVersion plan(s)
- Go to my Doctor Appointments Scheduled this week
Home (Yard & Pets) Management Goals
- All laundry for the week washed, folded, and put away in one day
- Weekly Dinner Menu planned out for the week
- Do at least one “Make 1 & Freeze 1″ Meal Prep (make a main dish to eat that day and one to freeze for later)
- Clean out & Organize Refrigerator & Freezer
- Clean House (Focus – Basement Floors)
- Organize Chaos (Focus – Storage Room)
- Put Spring/Summer Clothes in the Attic
- Yard Cleanup (Focus – Pool taken down and put away)
- Pet Care (Focus – Refill Goat Food Bin)
Business Goals
- Work on ideas for upcoming blog posts
- Respond to Inquiry – Business Relation Emails
- 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
- Prep for our Samaritan’s Purse Operation Christmas Child boxes
Financial Goals
- Payoff the Car
- Payoff Outstanding Debt – (replacement microwave, refrigerator, hot water heater, and other debt)
- Pay Bills & File Paperwork
- Make an extra payment on Outstanding Debt
- Earn some Creative Cash
- Go grocery shopping one time to one store this week and stay within budget
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.
Relaxing and Reading
Relaxing and reading!
One of the best parts of having a relaxing Saturday morning is having extra time to read. This is what I saw recently when walked into Brina’s room! Brina was catching up on a pile of Berestain Bears books. Jake and Karlie were checking something out in the World Book Encyclopedia. The girls love books. It makes my heart happy to walk into the room and see the kids reading.
Brina enjoying her book!
Sweet Treats for a Spooktacular Halloween!
3 Easy Seasoned Pumpkin Seed Recipes
Wishing your family a Happy Halloween! I have been away for work the past couple of weeks so we decided to celebrate this Halloween by staying home and enjoying a family night. It is great to be back home and to see my handsome man and sweet kids! The only thing that the girls specifically requested for the our family Halloween celebration was some pumpkins for carving and something good to eat. I also picked up some caramel for making caramel apples!
Here are some of our favorite Halloween and delicious pumpkin recipes!
Pumpkin Cheesecake Muffins (4 Ingredients)
Carmel Apple Dip
Pumpkin Dip
Halloween Rice Krispie Treats
Super Easy Halloween Punch
Fresh & Healthy: Halloween School Lunch
Every year for Halloween I try to spruce up the girls lunch. I try to put little goodies in their box that are fun for celebrating the Holiday. The girls always enjoy their special school lunch too. I typically use items that they would normally have for lunch and wrap them in special bags, boxes, or use Halloween duct tape.
Lunch Goodies:
- 1 container Taco Lasagna
- 1 “Trick or Treat” box with Pretzels
- 1 “Caution” Fruit Punch Juice Box
- 1 “Spider” Applesauce
- 1 Halloween bag of Baby Carrots
- 1 “Candy Corn” box Craisins
- 1 Water Bottle
They enjoyed their special Halloween school lunch. Love being able to give them something different for their lunch on Halloween.
Celebrate with Febreze Home for the Holidays Collection #FebrezeHoliday
The Holiday Season will be here before we know it! Already the stores are stocking their shelves full of Holiday items. Recently, we received this cute Febreze Home for the Holidays Collection box in the mail from Febreze, Walmart, and SheSpeaks! The kids were thrilled to see the Holiday House and I was excited about getting all the amazing Holiday Febreze scents and goodies!
Have ever used Febreze to add an extra festive touch or to enhance the decor in your home? Febreze truly eliminates odors so your guests will only notice the fresh holiday scents when in your home. If you haven’t tried any of the Febreze Home for the Holidays Collection you should get some soon to help you get into the holiday spirit! The scents and the designs on the packaging helped inspire the ideas in the scentspiration box!
One of my favorite parts about the Holidays all the amazing smells! A wonderful way to ramp up for the Holidays is by using Febreze’s holiday scents including Frosted Pine, Apple Tart, Toasted Almond, Vanilla Latte, and Sugared Cranberry. Do you like having a different holiday scent for each room or one for the entire house? Febreze’s Home for the Holidays Collection is a great way to get your home ready for the holiday season!
We received the Frosted Pine, Apple Tart, and Vanilla Latte NOTICEables NOTABLES scents! My favorite is the Apple Tart!
Our Home for the Holidays house came complete with scents and a scentspiration box full of amazing recipes, activities, and home decor!
Febreze Home for the Holidays Recipe – Cocoa-Dusted Almonds
What you need: 1 pound raw almonds, 1 tablespoon coconut oil, 2 teaspoons cornstarch, 1/4 cup cocoa powder, 8 packets sugar-free sweetner, and a pinch of salt
Directions:
1. Melt the coconut oil to a liquid, and then pour it over the almonds in a large bowl. Make sure each almond is covered.
2. In a separate bowl, mix together the cornstarch, cocoa powder, sugar-free sweetener, and salt.
3. Pour the dry ingredients onto the almonds. Toss the almonds in the mixture until they are well coated.
4. Pour onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake at 250 degrees for about 25 minutes, stirring occasionally. Let them completely cool then ENJOY!
These were DELICIOUS! The Cocoa-Dusted Almonds would make a great item to take to the neighbors for the Holidays or to have at a Holiday Party! Our family enjoyed these toasted almonds this past weekend. This recipe is easy to make and tastes awesome! Have you ever made toasted almonds, if so what’s your favorite recipe?
Febreze Home for the Holidays Activities – Coffee Scrub
What you need: 1/ cup ground coffee, 1/2 cup white sugar, 1/4 cup melted coconut oil, 1/2 tablespoon nutmeg, 1/2 tablespoon cinnamon, and 3 to 4 drops of vanilla extract.
Directions:
1. Combine all of the dry ingredients in a bowl.
2. Use a fork to mix in the oil and vanilla.
3. Spoon into a small mason jar or other airtight container.
Loved the refreshing coffee smell of the scrub! The Coffee Scrub would make a great gift for a coffee enthusiast this Holiday Season!
What is your favorite coffee flavor and when is the last time you made a cup of it at home? I really loved the refreshing coffee smell of the scrub! The Coffee Scrub would make a great gift for a coffee enthusiast this Holiday Season! What unique addition would you add to this scentspiration activity?
What are some fun Holiday activities or recipes you use to get you ready for the Holiday Season? I would love to see any pictures of the scentspiration activities you tried at your house.
More information about Febreze:
- Like Febreze’s Facebook Page
- Follow Febreze’s Twitter Feed
- Pick up your favorite Febreze Fall Home Harvest Scent at your local Walmart
A special thanks to SheSpeaks, Febreze, and Walmart for sponsoring this post! Any specific product information was provided by Febreze, Walmart, and SheSpeaks, however, the opinions expressed in this post are our own. We received a complimentary products for sharing information and our family’s experience.
Sweet & Simple Expressions
Sometimes the sweet, simple, and thoughtful messages mean a lot to your family. This is a message I recently put on the my husband sandwich container. It wasn’t anything fancy, but when he opened his lunch he had a special surprise. I am thankful for a loving husband. Leaving a simple note is just one small way to show him I care and remind him that I am thinking about him throughout the day.
Family Brunch: Easy Breakfast Casserole Recipe
This Easy Breakfast Casserole contains – Ham, Eggs, Broccoli, Potatoes, & Cheese
A couple weeks ago I had a few potatoes, ham, and broccoli that needed to be used up so I came up with an Easy Breakfast Casserole that was a big hit with the family. This casserole was a created as a way to utilize items in our fridge and pantry, but received big thumbs up. Hope you enjoy it too. It is one that would be good for a family brunch or you could even prep it the night before and stick it in the oven in the morning. Or better yet put it in the crockpot and cook on low before going to bed. When you wake up breakfast is ready!
Easy Breakfast Casserole Recipe:
- 4 medium Potatoes (peeled and cubed)
- 2 cups Milk
- 2 cups Ham (cubed)
- 2 cups shredded Cheddar Cheese
- 2 cups Broccoli
- 8 Eggs
- 1 teaspoon Pepper
- 1/2 Onion (diced)
- 2 tablespoons Butter
Melt 1 tablespoon of butter in a frying pan and add diced onions stirring occasionally. Saute on low for several minutes until the onions appear clear. Grease a 9×13 pan. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. While the onions are sauteing, peel and cube the potatoes and put them into the grease pan. Add the saute onions over the potatoes. Beat the eggs in a bowl, add pepper, milk, remaining tablespoon of melted butter, and stir until mixed well. Pour the liquid mixture over the potatoes. Sprinkle 1 1/2 cups of cheese over the potatoes and egg layers followed by the layer of broccoli and ham. Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup of cheese on top. Bake covered at 350 degrees for 30 minutes and 15 minutes uncovered.
Options: You could add peppers, tomatoes, mushrooms or any number of other vegetables to this dish. Use what your family has on hand and what you enjoy eating.
We do have a family member that doesn’t eat eggs or dairy so I made another version for her with everything the same except I made substitutions on the eggs and dairy (I plan on sharing that version with you in a later post). Bon Appetite!
Intentional Living: Weekly Goals
It was a crazy week. I spent some time in Kansas with my family helping Fall Harvest last week, however, I continued to have difficulties and pain with my back, neck, arm, and numbness in my hand so I came back home earlier than expected. Jake picked me up from the airport and took me directly to the doctor. After a couple more doctors visits they “think” it is a bulging, dislocated, or chipped disc in my neck along with strained/pulled muscles in my shoulder, and a pinched nerve. They are hoping I will feel better with the current treatment soon otherwise the next step is a MRI and possible surgery.
While away I did learn a lot. My time in the Midwest made me appreciate my parents and many of my extended family members who are in the farming industry even more for all the hard work they do on the farm. During Fall Harvest the days are long, very busy, and a lot of activities are going on simultaneously (harvest, drilling, hauling, prepping fields and meals, and so much more). It takes a lot of coordination, communication, and skill to keep everything and everybody moving forward smoothly. Plus, you have the weather that effects your days and activities too.
I am thankful that I was able to pitch in a small way and learn a few new things as well. I did manage to drive the tractor and grain cart a little bit and the track tractor for a few hours which is something I have never done before. Thankfully, I managed to make some progress forward and didn’t break anything (when operating such big equipment like the tractors, trucks, combines, vehicles, and equipment during harvest it is one of my fears that I will break something which could be costly in time and finances). I was super excited about helping my family with Fall Harvest, my biggest disappointment was that I had to come home early due to my health. For some reason God wants me home during this time, but I continue to pray for safety for all my family members still working the long hours out in the fields, prepping meals, and traveling to deliver the crops during this very busy time. I love my family dearly and truly wanted to be a blessing to them during this time.
Praying that I heal quickly because after over two weeks of sleeping restlessly in a recliner, being in pain, and having the side effects from the medicines I am ready to be myself again (I think my family would really like that too). With all that being said I have made adjustments with my schedule and hope to still accomplish many of my goals this week, but I want to be realistic as well with everything that is going on right now.
Last week’s goals
Family Goals
- Mail at least one note to Jake and the girls – I took cards and stamps, but with the busy days, pain, and coming home early it didn’t get done
Speak to my husband and kids at least once a daySend at least one Text, Picture, Instant Message, or Email a day to let them know I am thinking about them– my phone was not cooperating in KS, but I managed to IM at least once or twice a dayHave Hangout chat with the entire family at least once this week– I did do one short video hangout chat with Jake and the girls one eveningPrepare for Upcoming Fall Events & TripsSpend time with extended family– worked with them and went to the Country Harvest Pumpkin Patch with my parents, brother, and nephews on Sunday near Hastings, Nebraska
Personal Goals
- Drink 8 glasses of water each day – didn’t do so well keeping up with my water (one day I left my water in the pickup while I was in the tractor for several hours)
Continue my YouVersion plan(s)– I was ahead with my plan before heading to KS so I remained caught up- Exercise at least 5 times this week – ummmmm….no this one didn’t get done, I was moving around, but really only out of necessity not for exercise because moving was at times pretty painful
Home (Yard & Pets) Management Goals
Keep up with my laundryUpdate Evernote with any home / yard / pets activities for Jake and the girls
Business Goals
Work on ideas for upcoming blog posts- Keep up with the day to day items that need my attention – there were some activities I let slide this past week, hoping to get caught back up soon
- Work completed for clients – still have a couple items that need my attention
Ministry Goals
Meet a friend or family member for Breakfast or Lunch
Financial Goals
- Payoff the Car – working on it
- Payoff Outstanding Debt (microwave and refrigerator) – working on it
My goals for the upcoming week
Family Goals
- Pick another book to read to the kids (Jake is currently reading Last of the Mohicans to them)
- Plan one special activity with the family
- Prepare for Upcoming Fall Events & Trips
- Spend time Monday – Friday helping the kids with Homework
- Attend After School Activities
- Lunch Boxes & Book Bags packed the night before
- Ride Bikes with the kids
- Go for a Walk with the Kids
- Play a Game with the Kids
- Attend School Board Meeting
- Start Organizing the Kids Scrapbook Items
- Plan Family Halloween Dinner & Celebration
- Orthodontic Appointment for Kids
Personal Goals
- Drink 8 glasses of water each day
- Continue my YouVersion plan(s)
- Exercise at least 5 times this week
- Go to my Doctor Appointments Scheduled this week
Home (Yard & Pets) Management Goals
- All laundry for the week washed, folded, and put away in one day
- Weekly Dinner Menu planned out for the week
- Do at least one “Make 1 & Freeze 1” Meal Prep (make a main dish to eat that day and one to freeze for later)
- Clean out & Organize Refrigerator & Freezer
- Clean House (Focus – Basement Floors)
- Organize Chaos (Focus – Storage Room)
- Put Spring/Summer Clothes in the Attic
- Yard Cleanup (Focus – Pool taken down and put away)
- Pet Care (Focus – Refill Goat Food Bin & Make Homemade Treats with the kids for Skipper)
- Make 1 – Freeze 1 Meal Prep (make a main dish to eat and one to freeze for later)
Business Goals
- Work on ideas for upcoming blog posts
- Respond to Inquiry – Business Relation Emails
- 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
- Prep for our Samaritan’s Purse Operation Christmas Child boxes
Financial Goals
- Payoff the Car
- Payoff Outstanding Debt – (replacement microwave, refrigerator, and other debt)
- Pay Bills & File Paperwork
- Make an extra payment on Outstanding Debt
- Earn some Creative Cash
- Go grocery shopping one time to one store this week and stay within budget
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.
Fresh & Healthy: Fun Fall Lunch Box Meals
It is always fun to add a little extra touch to the kids lunch box for school. In the Fall I put these crazy items in the girls lunches. The Holiday bags help brighten their days. Thankful for the opportunity to pack the girls lunches and that they enjoy the little surprises.
Lunch Goodies:
- PB&J Sandwich (one was an Almond Butter & Jelly Sandwich)
- Bag of Popcorn
- Cutie Citrus Fruit with a pumpkin face drawn on it
- Bag of Mini Sweet Peppers
- Homemade Halloween Sugar Cookie
- Capri Sun
- Water Bottle
Do you have special items you add to your kids lunches?
Barnes & Noble Kids Event: Click, Clack, Boo! Halloween Storytime on Saturday, October 25th
Barnes & Noble Storytime Children’s Event Details and Participating Locations:
Barnes and Noble locations will be hosting a Kids Storytime Special Event featuring the new title Click, Clack, Boo!: A Tricky Treat by Doreen Cronin on Saturday, October 25, 2014.
Head over to your local Barnes & Noble for this Halloween Storytime with fun giveaways and activities. Trick-or-treat? Be sure to wear your costume for trick-or-treating throughout the store. Check for times and locations near you.
