Family

  • Fresh & Healthy: Lunch Box Meals

    Karlie and Brina’s lunches all packed and ready to go for school.

    With the school year in full bloom we have once again started the lunch box routine.  Every evening before going to bed we put together all the lunches for the following day including school and work lunches.  After everything is all packed the lunch boxes are put into the refrigerator so in the morning all that we need to do it pull them out, stick in an ice pack, and go.   The mornings are busy enough with activity so prepping the night before saves us a lot of time.  We try to pack a protein (sandwich / meat), fruit, vegetable, diary (yogurt or cheese stick), drink, and snack in each lunch.  Everyday is a little different to add more variety to their lunches.

    Fresh plums, garden tomatoes, and other goodies

    Lunch Box Meal:

    • Peanut Butter & Strawberry Jam Sandwich
    • Fresh Red Plums
    • Blueberry or Mixed Berry Yogurt Tubes
    • Garden Red Cherry Tomatoes
    • Ritz Cheese Crackers
    • Strawberry Fruit Rollup
    • Honey Ham Stick
    • Mini M&M’s
    • Reduced Sugar Cherry or Pineapple Juice

    The cupcake sandwich container and princess baggie add a little more excitement to the lunch.

    While it may look like a lot of food the items packed in their lunch boxes have to get them through the majority of the day including school lunch and an afternoon snack.  We have activities after school every day of the week so whatever they don’t eat for lunch they will eat as a snack on the way to the activity for the day. Since we have started doing the school lunch boxes they have had more energy because they are eating a more balanced meal and snack plus we know exactly what they are eating.  Do you pack lunches everyday for your kids?  How do you keep it exciting for them?

  • Travel & Vacation: Traveling to Orange County Kabini, India

    Our fancy ride in the “Scooby Doo Mobile” arrived early to pick us up.  It only took us a few minutes to load up our bags before blasting off to Kabini!  We made a 7 hour trip from Bangalore to Orange County Kabini with Jake’s cousin Matt and his family.  It was a fun adventure traveling together.  We were able to see a lot of the countryside of India which both shocked and amazed me.  Makes me appreciate the many blessings in my life.

    Rachel all ready for the road trip, wearing her panda bear just in case she decides to sleep.

    Sweet Erica!

    The reason why we couldn’t watch a DVD was because it was the WRONG REGION!  The funny thing is we had a DVD from India and it still wouldn’t play, but the driver’s pirated version played fine.

    There’s even a McDonalds on the way to Orange County

    A lot of trucks full sand

    We listened to the drivers music on the way to Orange County

    Rickshaw full of people and a donkey pulling a cart…..always something interesting on the streets of India.

    Traveling on the roads with the livestock.

    Homes in India

    Not only are there people hanging off the bus it might be a little off balance!

    Beautiful church

    Wagon full goods going down the street

    Laundry hanging out to dry.  You see a lot of colorful laundry drying on lines as you go through small villages.

    Leading his cattle down the road

    Small village, notice the tent homes in the front.  You see these often along the sides of the roads in India.

    A home made out of tarp and various items on the side of the road.  Sad to think that this is the only home people may have.

    Traveling through the countryside of India.  Love the thatch roofs.

    I saw a lot of really amazing sights while trying through India, however, I also saw things that brought tears to my eyes.  So many people…some who are living in small tents with dirt floors.  It makes me realize how blessed I really am.  I have so much to be thankful for in my life yet often I find myself being selfish and ungrateful.  Most of the people we met along the were extremely kind, generous, and hospitable.  I don’t know if I will ever be the same after traveling through the country of India.  Most of these pictures were taken through the van window so I apologize for some of the glares.  I hope that some day I will get another opportunity to visit India, it was an experience that I will never forget.

    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: Little Notes of Love

    Hidden I love you notes on the DVD shelf

    I love my girls to pieces…..and then a little more.  It is important to me that they know how much they are loved and treasured.  One of the ways I spread the love is by writing surprise notes for them.  When I go on a trip or at random times throughout the week I put a note someplace that they will be sure to see.  It is worth investing a little extra time each week to show my family that I am thinking about them.  Several of these notes were from a trip I took earlier this year.  Here are a few other little notes of love I have shared with my kids.  Although most of the notes are simple they have a huge positive ripple effect on my kids making it worth every second I spend doing it.

    Love note to my girls.

    This particular note is posted on the hallway wall outside their bedroom door.

    Little Love Note to Karlie on the inside of her new notebook

    Brina’s Little Love Note on her new notebook

    Just in case she forgot this was on the wall next to her bed!

    Note to Brina posted right next to her bed!

    Little Love Note written on the inside of a white box and sat on the ping pong table (with a little treat for each kid.)

    There are those days when we all could use a bear hug!  When “Mom’s” not there to give a hug a sister is a great substitute!  This sign was posted on their bedroom door.

  • Intentional Living: Weekly Goals

    The girls did great on their first full week of school.  Everyone is doing well but still adjusting to the school schedule (Mom included).  On top for all the school fun we had doctor appointments, after school activities, and surgery keeping us busy this past week.  The good news is we have today off of school and work to catch up on items around the house and to spend some extra time together as a family.

    Last week’s goals:

    Family Goals

    1. Read regularly to the girls and have them read to me
    2. Greenville Drive Baseball Game with Family – the girls earned their tickets from the library by reading books this summer
    3. Daily School Activities & Homework Completed – homework is more time consuming with them being in different classes but we managed it pretty well this week.
    4. Lunch Boxes & Book Bags packed the night before
    5. Doctor Appointments
    6. After School Activities
    7. ENT Surgery & Recovery

    Personal Goals

    1. Exercise at least 5 days this week – didn’t stay on top of this one
    2. Finish reading Our Boys by Joe Drape – I started this one a couple years ago and never finished so starting over.  It’s about the Smith Center, Kansas football team (it has been interesting reading the book so far because I know some of the people in it since my parents live near Smith Center) – I started it again! 🙂

    Home Management Goals

    1. All laundry for the week washed, folded, and put away in one day
    2. Weekly Dinner Menu planned out for the week
    3. Prep for my Fall Organizational Schedule – hoping to get to this next week
    4. Pay all upcoming bills

    Business Goals

    1. Work on ideas for upcoming blog posts
    2. Keep up with the day to day items that need my attention
    3. Get caught up on blog items – getting started

    Ministry Goals

    1. Meet a friend or family member for Breakfast or Lunch
    2. Write and Send Out  Alms & Legs Team Meeting Notes

    Financial Goals

    1. Stay within Budget on Groceries $40 for 4 – only got a few items this week
    2. Payoff the Van – working on it

    My goals for the upcoming week:

    Family Goals

    1. Read to the girls and have them read to me daily
    2. Lunch Boxes & Book Bags packed the night before
    3. Daily School Activities & Homework Completed
    4. Attend After School Activities
    5. Go to the Upper South Carolina State Fair
    6. Work on items around the house & yard together on Labor Day
    7. Spend quality time together on Labor Day since everyone is off work and school

    Personal Goals

    1. Exercise at least 5 days this week
    2. Drink 8 glasses of water each day
    3. Finish reading Our Boys by Joe Drape – I started this one a couple years ago and never finished so starting over.  It’s about the Smith Center, Kansas football team (it has been interesting reading the book so far because I know some of the people in it since my parents live near Smith Center)

    Home Management Goals

    1. All laundry for the week washed, folded, and put away in one day
    2. Weekly Dinner Menu planned out for the week
    3. Prep for my Fall Organizational Schedule
    4. Pay all upcoming bills

    Business Goals

    1. Work on ideas for upcoming blog posts
    2. Keep up with the day to day items that need my attention
    3. Get caught up on blog items

    Ministry Goals

    1. Meet a friend or family member for Breakfast or Lunch
    2. Write and Send Out  Community Group Email

    Financial Goals

    1. Stay within Budget on Groceries $40 for 4
    2. Payoff the Van
    3. 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 – “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.

  • Recipe: Indoor S’mores

    During the summer months we spend as much time as possible outside playing, mowing, picking up fallen tree branches and of course one of the favorites building a bonfire and making S’mores.  Since it has been so wet and we have been traveling a lot over the last couple of months we haven’t had an opportunity to build any bonfires.  The girls are determined to have one this fall.  A couple weeks ago we were hanging out together as a family inside because it was raining and one of the girls mentioned eating S’mores around the fire.  Instead of going out in the rain we made indoor S’mores and ate them while watching a movie together.

    I have done these a variety of different ways with the S’mores maker, in the oven or toaster oven.  Since we were only making a couple at a time I choose to use the toaster oven to make our indoor S’mores on this particular night.  The girls love watching the marshmallows “grow” and turn dark!

    Indoor S’mores:

    • 1 box Grahams Crackers
    • 1 bag large Marshmallows
    • 1 package Hershey Chocolates

    Take a whole graham cracker and break it in half.  Put one half in the toaster oven (or on cookie sheet) and set aside the remaining half of graham cracker.  Stack a piece of Hershey’s chocolate and a marshmallow on top of the graham cracker.  Turn the oven or toaster oven on broil for 3 to 5 minutes or until the marshmallow has started to melt and turn dark.  The chocolate will start to melt as well.  Carefully remove the graham cracker, chocolate, and marshmallow out of the oven and transfer them to a platter or individual plates.  Put the remaining half of the graham cracker on top and press down lightly.

     Put on the top graham cracker and you’re ready to ENJOY your delicious Indoor S’mores!

  • Rubbermaid LunchBlox Sandwich Kit

    I was super excited to receive the Rubbermaid LunchBlox Sandwich Kit set in the mail.  It came at the perfect time with school beginning.  The girls take lunches to school and Jake takes a lunch to work almost every day so these are really handy.  Here’s a picture of the set we received below:

    The Rubbermaid LunchBlox Sandwich Kit includes a sandwich container sized for regular and specialty breads, two snack containers (great for yogurt or nuts) and a side container (perfect for fruits, vegetables, and chips).  I love that they have the measurements marked on the outside of the containers too!

    Product Features:

    • Modular containers snap together in multiple configurations
    • The containers stack compactly, saves space, and stay organized in lunch bags
    • Holds a wide variety of basic or specialty breads
    • Includes a Blue Ice keeps lunch cool on the go
    • Secure lid seals
    • Containers are perfectly portioned for lunch foods commonly carried away from home
    • Microwave, Dishwasher, and Freezer Safe
    • BPA-Free
    • Each Sandwich Kit includes 1 Sandwich Container (2.6 cups |615 ML), 2 Snack Containers (0.5 Cup |118 ML), 1 Side Container (1.2 cups | 283 ML), and 1 Medium Blue Ice

    I encourage you to check out more information on Rubbermaid’s LunchBlox Sandwich Kit if you are interested in finding nice containers that stack compactly, saves space, stay organized and cool in your lunch box.  Individual containers are sold separately from kits so you can configure a different way everyday.  Check out all the other great Rubbermaid LunchBlox options.   The Rubbermaid Lunch Blox can be purchased at Rubbermaid’s website or at Target, Kmart, Kroger, Safeway, Bi-Lo, Winn-Dixie, HEB, other grocery stores and select Wal-Mart stores.

    More information about Rubbermaid and the Clean & Dry Plunger can be found:

    I was given this product for free to write an informed review.  The product, specific product information, and pictures were provided by Rubbermaid, however, the opinions expressed in this post are my own.   I was not paid to write this post.  A special thanks to Rubbermaid for providing a LunchBlox Sandwich Kit to review!

  • Travel & Vacation: Little Gifts of Love (part 2)

    A package of candy buttons for each girl hanging up on the towel rack

    Two Cabbage Patch Kids Books

    I left two Cabbage Patch books standing up on our dresser for the kids to find.  The note says:

    Be good! 

    Have Fun!

    Obey Grandma!

    I love you so very much!

    Love,

    Mom

    Writing books for the kids

    On the computer desk I left two writing books so the girls could take the time to practice writing their letters neater.  The note read:

    Brina (or Karlie) – Work on your letters! Love you, Mommy

    Two surprise books waiting for the girls in the storage room

    In the storage room I left two books for the girls to read:

    Note reads:   Brina and Karlie, These books are to remind you that your Dad & I love you very much.  We look forward to seeing you soon. Love, Mom

    Heart and flower shaped marshmallows

    I left the girls a package of pink and white hearts and flower marshmallows.  They loved eating these delicious treats.

    A couple new books for the kids

    Note reads:  Brina Bee!  have fun and enjoy your time with Grandma! Look out for Karlie, Skipper, Shipwreck and OverBoard! – Mom  (Karlie had one as well but it fell off the book.)

    I Wonder Why Books little gifts for the girls

    Note reads:  Karlie & Brina, I saw these books and thought of you.  Hope you learn lots and do well in school!  Hugs and Kisses coming your way.  – Mom

    Left these books for the girls.  They love them and enjoy learning about various facts.  Books are one of the girls favorite goodies!

     

  • Travel & Vacation: Little Gifts of Love

     Our girls love horses!

    When I travel or am away from the girls for more than 24 hours I try to do something special for them.  Many times I write a note and put it on their car seat or pillow or a place I know they will see.  However, when I go on longer trips or happen to be away for several days I try to leave little gifts of love to remind them that I am thinking about them even while I am gone.

    I left this Horses! by Kathy Wilmore book for them to read while I was away on a trip earlier this year.  On the book was a bright orange flower sticky note that said:

    Brina and Karlie,  This is a book that both of you will enjoy about horses!  I love you and think about you everyday.  Looking forward to showing you pictures of our trip. Love , Mom

    I wrote the note following the circle shape of the flower so the girls thought it was fun to spin the note as they read it.  They love this book and pull it out often to look at.

    Ice cream cone bubble gum holder!

    Two little ice cream cone bubble gum holders were left hanging off the piano for the girls to find.  Another little gift of love and special treat for my sweet girls.

    Easy craft gift of love left for the girls – Pooh Paint with Water Book

    I found this Pooh Paint with book at Goodwill for 25 cents so I picked it up for the girls.  It was a great simple craft that didn’t make a huge mess for those watching the girls while we were away.  The yellow heart note reads:

    Brina and Karlie, Here’s a “fun” water painting book for you to enjoy while we are away! Love, Mom

    Each girl got a cool new cup with a note inside

    One of the little gifts of love I have done is get them a cute cup with a note inside for each girl.  This is a picture of one of the cups I gave them this year.  They both still use these cups.  The notes inside read:

    I LOVE YOU KARLIE KOOL KAT!!!

    I LOVE YOU BRINA BEE BEE!!!

    Little bucket full of goodies

    I hung one cute little bucket with a necklace, silly bands,  a popup balloon message and a note on each of the girls dressers.  The girls still have those buckets on top of their dressers full of items that mean something to them.  It was a lot of fun putting these together for girls.

    God gives us Courage book

    On Karlie’s pillow I pick a book called God Gives Us Courage.  In the note I wrote:

    Karlie, I know how you love books.  Here’s a new one for you.  Remember God is always with you and we are praying for you! Love, Mom

    Book – God Gives You Patience

    On Brina’s pillow I put a book called God Gives You Patience.  Her green heart sticky note said:

    Brina since you enjoy books here’s a new one for you!  Remember God love you and we are praying for you everyday! Love, Mom

  • 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?