Intentional Living

  • 3D Printed: Vacuum Cleaner Attachment

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    My new vacuum cleaner attachment!

    One of the cool and very practical items Jake has printed for me using his 3D printer is a vacuum cleaner attachment!  Yes, I know it is crazy to get excited about a vacuum cleaner attachment, but I do.  My husband knows me very well and this was a perfect gift to print!

    The vacuum attachment works well to help easily empty out my household vacuum dirt bin.   The new 3D printed attachment is on the vacuum in the garage and when my regular house vacuum dirt bin is full all I have to do it put the container up to the attachment, turn on the garage vacuum, and it is completely cleaned out.  No more taking apart the dirty vacuum bin to empty it into a trash can and trying to get out the carpet fuzz or random items that like to get stuck in the corners of the bin. It is a quick, easy, and less messy way to empty my vacuum dirt bin!  Thankful for my husband and his thoughtfulness.

    PrinterBot 3D Printer

    Who knew you could print the perfect vacuum cleaner attachment?  Awesome!

  • Intentional Living: Weekly Goals

    Our family had a great time in the Midwest celebrating my little brother’s wedding.  It was wonderful seeing my family over the Thanksgiving Holiday.  The wedding was beautiful, successful, and hopefully they are now relaxing on their honeymoon!  I was happy to welcome another sister into our family, WOOHOO!!!  Happy for my brother and his new wife.

    Now I am back home and need to make some progress with upcoming projects.  Here’s what happened this past week and what is going on this week.

    Last week’s goals

    Family Goals

    1. Read the book Wonder’s First Race by Joanna Campbell to read to the kids – about halfway through the book
    2. Plan one special activity with the family
    3. Prepare for Upcoming Fall Events
    4. Spend time Monday – Tuesday helping the kids with Homework
    5. Attend After School Activities
    6. Lunch Boxes & Book Bags packed the night before
    7. Play a Game with the Kids
    8. Watch a movie with the Kids
    9. Listen to an Audiobook with the Kids
    10. Thanksgiving Holiday – So Many Reasons to be Thankful
    11. Celebrating Josh & Megan’s Wedding & Activities

    Personal Goals

    1. Drink 8 glasses of water each day – didn’t drink enough when traveling
    2. Continue my YouVersion plan(s)
    3. Go to my  Doctor Appointments Scheduled this week

    Home (Yard & Pets) Management Goals

    1. All laundry for the week washed, folded, and put away in one day – took 2 days
    2. Clean House (Basic Speed Clean before the Holiday Activities)

    Business Goals

    1. Work on ideas for upcoming blog posts

    Ministry Goals

    1. Meet a friend or family member for Breakfast or Lunch

    Financial Goals

    1. Payoff the Car – working on it
    2. Payoff Outstanding Debt – (replacement microwave, refrigerator, hot water heater, and other debt) – working on it
    3. Pay Bills & File Paperwork

    My goals for the upcoming week

    Family Goals

    1. Read the book Wonder’s First Race by Joanna Campbell to the kids
    2. Plan one special activity with the family
    3. Prepare for Upcoming Winter Events
    4. Spend time Monday – Friday helping the kids with Homework
    5. Attend After School Activities
    6. Lunch Boxes & Book Bags packed the night before
    7. Play a Game with the Kids
    8. Start Organizing the Kids Scrapbook Items
    9. Dr. Appointments for Kids

    Personal Goals

    1. Drink 8 glasses of water each day
    2. Continue my YouVersion plan(s)
    3. Go to my  Doctor Appointments Scheduled this week

    Home (Yard & Pets) 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. Do at least one “Make 1 & Freeze 1″ Meal Prep (make a main dish to eat that day and one to freeze for later)
    4. Clean House (Focus – Suitcases Unpacked & Put Away from Wedding / Thanksgiving Trip)
    5. Organize Chaos (Focus – Snack Bins Refilled)
    6. Yard Cleanup (Focus – Pool and Leaves)
    7. Pet Care (Focus – Hay Feeder Filled)

    Business Goals

    1. Work on ideas for upcoming blog posts
    2. Respond to Inquiry – Business Relation Emails
    3. Keep up with the day to day items that need my attention
    4. Work completed for clients

    Ministry Goals

    1. Meet a friend or family member for Breakfast or Lunch

    Financial Goals

    1. Payoff the Car
    2. Payoff Outstanding Debt – (replacement microwave, refrigerator, hot water heater, and other debt)
    3. Pay Bills & File Paperwork
    4. Earn some Creative Cash
    5. 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.

  • Intentional Living: Weekly Goals

    There is so much to be thankful for in my life.  These last couple of months have been challenging for me, but my family and friends have been a huge source of encouragement with their help and prayers.  I continue to heal, but seem to be making progress slowly in the right direction which is great.

    I was able to do more activities this week as well as celebrate another birthday.  Praying that this new year is full of great fun!  There are still items I was not able to complete on my ever growing list, but at least I am moving forward.

    With this week being Thanksgiving it will be a little different for me.  I will plan on spending more quality time with my family.  It will be week of celebrating various events with my extended family, including Thanksgiving and my brother’s wedding, so I am very excited!

    Last week’s goals

    Family Goals

    1. Read the book Wonder’s Promise by Joanna Campbell to read to the kids
    2. Plan one special activity with the family
    3. Prepare for Upcoming Fall Events
    4. Spend time Monday – Friday helping the kids with Homework
    5. Attend After School Activities
    6. Lunch Boxes & Book Bags packed the night before
    7. Play a Game with the Kids – we played Sorry together on my birthday
    8. Start Organizing the Kids Scrapbook Items – other activities took priority this week
    9. Dr. Appointments for Kids

    Personal Goals

    1. Drink 8 glasses of water each day
    2. Continue my YouVersion plan(s)
    3. Go to my  Doctor Appointments Scheduled this week

    Home (Yard & Pets) Management Goals

    1. All laundry for the week washed, folded, and put away in one day – took me 2 days, but getting it done!
    2. Weekly Dinner Menu planned out for the week
    3. Do at least one “Make 1 & Freeze 1″ Meal Prep (make a main dish to eat that day and one to freeze for later) – we had appointments / activities during the days AND every night after school this week so I was not able to get it done this week
    4. Clean House (Focus – Bathrooms) – got started….
    5. Organize Chaos (Focus – Storage Room) – going to have to put this one on hold for a week
    6. Yard Cleanup (Focus – Pool taken down and put away) – it was a rainy weekend and needed my hubby’s help on this one
    7. Pet Care (Focus – Refill Dog & Goat Food Bin)

    Business Goals

    1. Work on ideas for upcoming blog posts
    2. Respond to Inquiry – Business Relation Emails – got some progress made, but need to do more soon
    3. Keep up with the day to day items that need my attention – it was a wild week with extra activities that took priority
    4. Work completed for clients – got a good bit done, but need to put in some more time

    Ministry Goals

    1. Meet a friend or family member for Breakfast or Lunch – didn’t have a free breakfast / lunch this week
    2. Prep for our Samaritan’s Purse Operation Christmas Child boxes – gathering items

    Financial Goals

    1. Payoff the Car – working on it
    2. Payoff Outstanding Debt – (replacement microwave, refrigerator, hot water heater, and other debt) – working on it
    3. Pay Bills & File Paperwork
    4. Earn some Creative Cash – working on it
    5. Go grocery shopping one time to one store this week and stay within budget

    My goals for the upcoming week

    Family Goals

    1. Read the book Wonder’s First Race by Joanna Campbell to read to the kids (The kids have been really enjoying this series.  It was Brina’s turn to pick out the book and she choose this one for me to read to them!)
    2. Plan one special activity with the family
    3. Prepare for Upcoming Fall Events
    4. Spend time Monday – Tuesday helping the kids with Homework
    5. Attend After School Activities
    6. Lunch Boxes & Book Bags packed the night before
    7. Play a Game with the Kids
    8. Watch a movie with the Kids
    9. Listen to an Audiobook with the Kids
    10. Thanksgiving Holiday – So Many Reasons to be Thankful
    11. Celebrating Josh & Megan’s Wedding & Activities

    Personal Goals

    1. Drink 8 glasses of water each day
    2. Continue my YouVersion plan(s)
    3. Go to my  Doctor Appointments Scheduled this week

    Home (Yard & Pets) Management Goals

    1. All laundry for the week washed, folded, and put away in one day
    2. Clean House (Basic Speed Clean before the Holiday Activities)

    Business Goals

    1. Work on ideas for upcoming blog posts

    Ministry Goals

    1. Meet a friend or family member for Breakfast or Lunch

    Financial Goals

    1. Payoff the Car
    2. Payoff Outstanding Debt – (replacement microwave, refrigerator, hot water heater, and other debt)
    3. Pay Bills & File Paperwork

    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.

  • A “Dove” For My Love!

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    I am blessed with an amazing husband!  When he has to travel I miss him greatly!  I am very grateful for the him and everything he does for our family.  When he travels I try to get him something special for when he comes home.  The surprise could be a treat something sweet or salty or practical or fun gift.  I usually add some cheesy note or saying, but that’s not what it’s really about, it is about making my man feel important when he comes home.

    Most of the time I leave his welcome home surprise in a place where I know he will find not long after being home (his desk, near the shelf where he puts his wallet, in the front of the fridge, etc…).  He’s seems to really appreciate the surprise gifts and gestures.  I am always thrilled have him back home and to do something special for him.  Lately, he has been traveling more for work so I have had to get creative and keep an eye out for new and different items to make or get for him.There are so many reasons why I love him….let me share a few:

    • He loves me despite my faults.
    • He takes care of me even during the rough times of sickness or injury.
    • He works hard to provide for our family.
    • He is a godly man.
    • He knows how to make me laugh.
    • He plays a key role in so many of my favorite memories. 
    • He is an amazing Dad to our kids.
    • He takes time to listen to me even on busy days or when he is away.
    • He encourages me to always do my best.
    • He helps me even when I get myself “in a pickle” which happens more than I care to admit (ahem…).
    • He is thoughtful and often knows exactly what I need, sometimes even before I do.
    • He knows how to make me smile.
    • He spontaneously surprises me with the most thoughtful and perfect practical gifts.
    • He is my best friend.
    • He cooks the most delicious food for our family.
    • He will help clean, even if it isn’t always his favorite chore around the house.
    • He knows how to bring out the best in me.
    • He is my Handsome Man.
    • He pitches in when he sees I need the extra help with the kids homework, finishing a meal, and more.
    • He is very creative. 
    • He allows me to speak freely and values my opinion, even if we don’t always agree on everything.
    • He looks for opportunities to teach his family new things (both the kids and myself included).
    • He puts up with my craziness, he deserves an award for this one.
    • He is willing to play board games with his family.
    • He is my biggest cheerleader and believes I can do anything I want to do.
    • He has an amazing amount of patience with me and the kids.
    • He knows I have a black thumb with house plants and still loves me.
    • He supports my endeavors and at times my random crazy ideas.
    • He comes up and will implement ways to make my life easier. 
    • He has so many talents and is an amazing person.
    • He knows how to calm me down when I get myself worked up.
    • He allows me to be myself around him.
    • He tells me I am “beautiful” even though I usually see all the areas I need to improve.
    • He can create the most awesome creations out of wood – bookshelves, desks, and so much more.
    • He is always learning. 
    • He spoils me…..too much at times.
    • He is generous.
    • He is giving of his time and energy.
    • I love him more and more every day!

     

    While neither of us happen to be perfect (far from it actually), however, we are perfect for each other.  Unfortunately, we don’t always agree, but we work together through those tough moments.  We’ve had our ups and we’ve had our downs.  Thankfully, we have grown closer together and learned to love each other even more through the years.

  • Intentional Living: Weekly Goals

    It was a little better this week.  Still healing, but continue to have pain, numbness, and my stomach hasn’t reset itself yet.  Had another doctors appointment and hoping to have a better report soon.  I was able to get up and move around more this week, but still haven’t been able to get to all of the items on my lists.  At least some progress is being made.

    Last week’s goals

    Family Goals

    1. Read the book Wonder’s Promise by Joanna Campbell to read to the kids – still reading to the girls (we had a week of heavy homework)
    2. Plan one special activity with the family – had another family event come up on the calendar on that day
    3. Prepare for Upcoming Fall Events & Trips – waiting on approval from my doctors
    4. Spend time Monday – Friday helping the kids with Homework
    5. Attend After School Activities
    6. Lunch Boxes & Book Bags packed the night before
    7. Play a Game with the Kids
    8. Start Organizing the Kids Scrapbook Items
    9. Dr. Appointments for Kids – had an ENT appointment for one of the girls and picked out new glasses for both

    Personal Goals

    1. Drink 8 glasses of water each day – my stomach hasn’t been happy with drinking water this week so this one has been a challenge
    2. Continue my YouVersion plan(s)
    3. Go to my  Doctor Appointments Scheduled this week

    Home (Yard & Pets) Management Goals

    1. All laundry for the week washed, folded, and put away in one day – took me 3 partial days to get it done
    2. Weekly Dinner Menu planned out for the week
    3. Do at least one “Make 1 & Freeze 1″ Meal Prep (make a main dish to eat that day and one to freeze for later)
    4. Clean out & Organize Refrigerator & Freezer
    5. Clean House (Focus – Basement Floors) – my amazing husband helped get this accomplished for me (thanks, Babe!)
    6. Organize Chaos (Focus – Storage Room) – didn’t get it done
    7. Yard Cleanup (Focus – Pool taken down and put away) – still needs done
    8. Pet Care (Focus – Refill Goat Food Bin) – still needs done

    Business Goals

    1. Work on ideas for upcoming blog posts
    2. Respond to Inquiry – Business Relation Emails
    3. Keep up with the day to day items that need my attention – making some headway
    4. Work completed for clients

    Ministry Goals

    1. Meet a friend or family member for Breakfast or Lunch – didn’t have a lot of extra curricular activities this week
    2. Prep for our Samaritan’s Purse Operation Christmas Child boxes – making preparations

    Financial Goals

    1. Payoff the Car – working on it
    2. Payoff Outstanding Debt – (replacement microwave, refrigerator, hot water heater, and other debt) – paid an little extra this week
    3. Pay Bills & File Paperwork
    4. Earn some Creative Cash – working on it
    5. Go grocery shopping one time to one store this week and stay within budget – the girls helped me at the grocery store this week and we had to go by more than one store because of the items that we needed this week

    My goals for the upcoming week

    Family Goals

    1. Read the book Wonder’s Promise by Joanna Campbell to read to the kids
    2. Plan one special activity with the family
    3. Prepare for Upcoming Fall Events & Trips
    4. Spend time Monday – Friday helping the kids with Homework
    5. Attend After School Activities
    6. Lunch Boxes & Book Bags packed the night before
    7. Play a Game with the Kids
    8. Start Organizing the Kids Scrapbook Items
    9. Dr. Appointments for Kids

    Personal Goals

    1. Drink 8 glasses of water each day
    2. Continue my YouVersion plan(s)
    3. Go to my  Doctor Appointments Scheduled this week

    Home (Yard & Pets) 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. Do at least one “Make 1 & Freeze 1″ Meal Prep (make a main dish to eat that day and one to freeze for later)
    4. Clean House (Focus – Bathrooms)
    5. Organize Chaos (Focus – Storage Room)
    6. Yard Cleanup (Focus – Pool taken down and put away)
    7. Pet Care (Focus – Refill Dog & Goat Food Bin)

    Business Goals

    1. Work on ideas for upcoming blog posts
    2. Respond to Inquiry – Business Relation Emails
    3. Keep up with the day to day items that need my attention
    4. Work completed for clients

    Ministry Goals

    1. Meet a friend or family member for Breakfast or Lunch
    2. Prep for our Samaritan’s Purse Operation Christmas Child boxes

    Financial Goals

    1. Payoff the Car
    2. Payoff Outstanding Debt – (replacement microwave, refrigerator, hot water heater, and other debt)
    3. Pay Bills & File Paperwork
    4. Earn some Creative Cash
    5. 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.

  • Life’s Little Hiccups: An Apology Letter

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    An apology letter written by Karlie and Brina

    The other day Jake went into the garage and noticed one of his boards had a letter written on it from the girls.  They also included a diagram and frowny face.  Next to the letter was a broken board.  The letter said:

    Daddy I am very sorry we broke your board.  We were trying to carry two water buckets. 

    Love Karlie and Brina

    The girls were bringing water to the goats.  Instead of carrying one bucket at a time they decided to use one of Jake’s “boards” to carry two buckets together and save time.  They were thinking creatively, however, the board they chose was not strong enough to hold two full water buckets so it broke.  They tried to fix the board by taping it together, but with no luck.  After some discussion they decided to write a letter admitting their mistake and apologize to their Dad for breaking his board.

    We Broke Your Board

    The board they broke.  They tried taping it together with painters tape!

    The good, bad, and ugly:

    Bad – they used a board without permission in the first place

    Ugly – something was broken in the process

    Good – they admitted their mistake and apologized for it

    Even though they did something wrong I was happy to see they confessed to their mistake.  Although, we teach the girls right and wrong you never know what they will do.  Thankful for those moments when they admit when they are wrong and apologize.  It makes a parents heart happy to know the kids are trying.  What they did wasn’t horrible and they were trying to find a more efficient way to take care of their animals, but they still needed to let us know about it.

  • My Little Chef: Making Blue Raspberry Cookies

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    Mixing up the cookie dough!

    When I am in the kitchen and Brina is around she is always willing to pitch in and help.  She is becoming more efficient cook as she gets older.  Recently, she decided to whip up some blue raspberry sugar cookies as  a “Welcome Home” goodie for Jake who was arriving home that day from a work trip.

    When he is away on a work trip we always try to make or pick up something special for him to have when he comes home.  It is important to us to make sure he knows how excited we are to have him back home again.  It is always so much better when the whole family is home together!

    I am so thankful for kids that enjoy helping out in the kitchen.  The girls have fun helping out in the kitchen and learning some great lessons along the way too.  Grateful for my girls!

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    A batch of blue raspberry cookies ready to go into the oven!

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    Cookie rolled is blue sprinkles!

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    She made the perfect cookies!

    Making Cookies Dove Candy Note

    Ready to eat and delicious!  Thanks B!

  • Intentional Living: Weekly Goals

    It was a challenging week and it didn’t go exactly as I planned.  Early in the week I had to go into the hospital for an epidural steroid shot for the herniated disc in my neck that has been giving me problems.  I happen to be one of those “rare” people who reacted uniquely to the epidural steroid shot with nausea and vomiting.  Thankfully, we got that under control and now just waiting for about two plus weeks to see if this shot worked.  Although, the doctor did mention that it at times takes more than one shot to get the body to repair the disc, but it is better then the more evasive solution of surgery that would remove the disc and fuse the bones together with metal plates.  Needless to say I spent more time recovering this week than I initially planned.  I did get some things accomplished and praying for a much better week coming up even if it means trying to tackle the same items that were on my list last week!

    Last week’s goals

    Family Goals

    1. Read the book Double Fudge by Judy Blume to read to the kids
    2. Plan one special activity with the family
    3. Prepare for Upcoming Fall Events & Trips
    4. Spend time Monday – Friday helping the kids with Homework
    5. Attend After School Activities
    6. Lunch Boxes & Book Bags packed the night before – the girls packed most of their lunches this week (my girls are the best)
    7. Play a Game with the Kids – the week did not go as planned
    8. Start Organizing the Kids Scrapbook Items – this did not get done
    9. ENT and Eye Appointments for Kids

    Personal Goals

    1. Drink 8 glasses of water each day – the nausea did not help with this one as I was having problems keeping water down
    2. Continue my YouVersion plan(s)
    3. Go to my  Doctor Appointments Scheduled this week

    Home (Yard & Pets) Management Goals

    1. All laundry for the week washed, folded, and put away in one day – it took more than one day
    2. Weekly Dinner Menu planned out for the week – dinner was planned but do to Doctors orders we could not eat what I had on the menu, my husband was super sweet and pitched in to make our family meals.  Plus my sister-in-law delivered a meal one night this past week too.  Thankful for family!
    3. Do at least one “Make 1 & Freeze 1″ Meal Prep (make a main dish to eat that day and one to freeze for later)
    4. Clean out & Organize Refrigerator & Freezer – still needs done
    5. Clean House (Focus – Basement Floors) – no progress with this either, ugh!
    6. Organize Chaos (Focus – Storage Room) – storage room continues to wait as well
    7. Put Spring/Summer Clothes in the Attic – my amazing husband did this for me
    8. Yard Cleanup (Focus – Pool taken down and put away) – pools still waiting for take down
    9. Pet Care (Focus – Refill Goat Food Bin) – needs to be done

    Business Goals

    1. Work on ideas for upcoming blog posts
    2. Respond to Inquiry – Business Relation Emails – made a little progress
    3. Keep up with the day to day items that need my attention – fell behind on the day to day items
    4. Work completed for clients – had to put on hold this week

    Ministry Goals

    1. Meet a friend or family member for Breakfast or Lunch – house bound this week
    2. Prep for our Samaritan’s Purse Operation Christmas Child boxes – got it started

    Financial Goals

    1. Payoff the Car – working on it
    2. Payoff Outstanding Debt – (replacement microwave, refrigerator, hot water heater, and other debt) – working on it
    3. Pay Bills & File Paperwork
    4. Make an extra payment on Outstanding Debt – working on it
    5. Earn some Creative Cash – working on it
    6. Go grocery shopping one time to one store this week and stay within budget – my husband did the grocery errands this week for me, thanks Babe!

    My goals for the upcoming week

    Family Goals

    1. Read the book Wonder’s Promise by Joanna Campbell to read to the kids
    2. Plan one special activity with the family
    3. Prepare for Upcoming Fall Events & Trips
    4. Spend time Monday – Friday helping the kids with Homework
    5. Attend After School Activities
    6. Lunch Boxes & Book Bags packed the night before
    7. Play a Game with the Kids
    8. Start Organizing the Kids Scrapbook Items
    9. Dr. Appointments for Kids

    Personal Goals

    1. Drink 8 glasses of water each day
    2. Continue my YouVersion plan(s)
    3. Go to my  Doctor Appointments Scheduled this week

    Home (Yard & Pets) 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. Do at least one “Make 1 & Freeze 1″ Meal Prep (make a main dish to eat that day and one to freeze for later)
    4. Clean out & Organize Refrigerator & Freezer
    5. Clean House (Focus – Basement Floors)
    6. Organize Chaos (Focus – Storage Room)
    7. Yard Cleanup (Focus – Pool taken down and put away)
    8. Pet Care (Focus – Refill Goat Food Bin)

    Business Goals

    1. Work on ideas for upcoming blog posts
    2. Respond to Inquiry – Business Relation Emails
    3. Keep up with the day to day items that need my attention
    4. Work completed for clients

    Ministry Goals

    1. Meet a friend or family member for Breakfast or Lunch
    2. Prep for our Samaritan’s Purse Operation Christmas Child boxes

    Financial Goals

    1. Payoff the Car
    2. Payoff Outstanding Debt – (replacement microwave, refrigerator, hot water heater, and other debt)
    3. Pay Bills & File Paperwork
    4. Earn some Creative Cash
    5. 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.

  • Make 1 & Freeze 1 Meal: Taco Lasagna Recipe

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    Make 1 & Froze 2 Taco Lasagna Meals!  Yay!

    I have been trying to do at least one Make 1 and Freeze 1 meal a week for dinner.   The idea is we can eat the one meal that night for dinner and the other one will go into the freezer to eat at a later date when we are a little more pushed for time.  I started doing this a couple months ago as I was preparing for my two weeks away on a work trip.  I wanted to make sure there was plenty in the freezer for my husband to pull out the night before and either put in the crockpot or oven after picking the kids up from school.

    This particular recipe is a favorite with our family.  I was able to Make 1 and Freeze 2 Taco Lasagnas for a later dinner!  Since I was already making up a big batch I was able to do more which will be a blessing later when we pull them out of the freezer.  I like being prepared and having a back up plan.  Whether it is a crazy week or busy weekend we have some options if we need them!

    Another solution that I had to come up with regarding our meals is how to keep some food ingredients separate because we have one family member that cannot have regular refried beans or dairy.  Once I use up the refried beans that I have in the pantry I am going to try making my own from black beans or other beans that can be eaten, but for now though I have come up with a simple solution that seems to work well for our family.  I put a barrier between the refried beans and dairy side which keeps the items separate when cooking and eating.

    Eat 1 Freeze One, Make 1 Freeze 1

    I cut one small soft flour tortilla in half to use a barrier between the two sides.  As you can see the side with refried beans is larger than the side without it because 3 of us eat from that side and only one from the non-refried bean and non-cheese side of the Taco Lasagna.  PLEASE NOTE  that the person in our family that has the food allergy will not go into shock or needs hospitalized if they encounter or happen to eat the food so while this option works for our family it may not be the perfect solution if you have someone with severe food allergies because there still is a chance of the food cross over (usually when serving).  The food allergy is real and we have seen the side effects to veering even a little off her diet, but thankfully we have come up with a solution where everyone can share the same meal with very little adjustments.  The person with the food allergy gets a lot of extra meat for protein instead of the cheese and refried beans.

    P1300348c

    Taco Lasagna still divided this time with a layer of meat and cheese.  The side without the cheese gets extra of the meat mixture!  I have shared our Taco Lasagna recipe in the past, but will post it below again so it is easier to locate.

    Taco Lasagna:

    • 1 pound ground Beef or Turkey
    • 1/2 cup chopped Green Pepper (optional)
    • 1/2 cup chopped Onions
    • 2/3 cup Water
    • 1 package of Taco Seasoning
    • 1 (15 oz) can Black Beans, rinsed and drained
    • 1 (14.5 oz ) can Mexican Tomatoes, undrained
    • 1 (16 oz) can Refried Beans
    • 6 (8 inch) Flour Tortillas
    • 3 cups shredded Mexican Cheese

    In a large skillet, cook the meat, green pepper, and onion over medium heat until done.  Add water and taco seasoning; bring to a boil.  Reduce heat and simmer uncovered 2 minutes.  Stir in black beans and tomatoes.  Simmer uncovered 10 minutes.  Place 2 flour tortillas in a greased 13 x 9 pan.  Spread half of the refried beans then half of the beef mixture.  Sprinkle with 1 cup Mexican cheese.  Repeat layers.  Top with remaining tortillas and cheese (I try to add a little extra cheese if I have it and sliced olives if we have them in the pantry or fridge).  Cover and bake at 350 degrees for 25 to 30 minutes or until heated through and the cheese is melted.  I usually take the foil off the last few minutes to let the cheese on top get a little crispy since our family likes it that way.

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    The top of our split Taco Lasagna!  Everyone’s happy (those who want cheese and those who do not) and this is now ready to be put in the freezer for us to eat at a later time!

  • 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

    1. Pick another book to read to the kids – I picked out Double Fudge by Judy Blume to read to the girls
    2. Jake finish reading Last of the Mohicans to the kids
    3. Plan one special activity with the family
    4. Prepare for Upcoming Fall Events & Trips
    5. Spend time Monday – Friday helping the kids with Homework
    6. Attend After School Activities
    7. Lunch Boxes & Book Bags packed the night before
    8. Ride Bikes with the kids – I was not able to ride bikes this week due to my neck, back, and arm issues
    9. 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
    10. Play a Game with the Kids – played Halloween Bingo
    11. Attend School Board Meeting – Jake attended for me because I was not able to go due to health issues
    12. Start Organizing the Kids Scrapbook Items – was not able to get to this one
    13. Plan Family Halloween Dinner & Celebration – enjoyed a relaxing Halloween evening and weekend with my family
    14. Orthodontic Appointment for Kids

    Personal Goals

    1. Drink 8 glasses of water each day
    2. Continue my YouVersion plan(s)
    3. Exercise at least 5 times this week – doctor did not want me doing any additional exercises at this time
    4. Go to my  Doctor Appointments Scheduled this week

    Home (Yard & Pets) Management Goals

    1. 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
    2. Weekly Dinner Menu planned out for the week
    3. Do at least one “Make 1 & Freeze 1″ Meal Prep (make a main dish to eat that day and one to freeze for later)
    4. Clean out & Organize Refrigerator & Freezer – didn’t get it done
    5. 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!
    6. Organize Chaos (Focus – Storage Room) – was not able to get this done
    7. Put Spring/Summer Clothes in the Attic – need help to get these in the attic so was unable to finish it
    8. 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
    9. 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

    1. Work on ideas for upcoming blog posts
    2. Respond to Inquiry – Business Relation Emails – still have some that need my attention and a response
    3. Keep up with the day to day items that need my attention
    4. Work completed for clients

    Ministry Goals

    1. Meet a friend or family member for Breakfast or Lunch
    2. Prep for our Samaritan’s Purse Operation Christmas Child boxes – got started on it

    Financial Goals

    1. Payoff the Car – working on it
    2. Payoff Outstanding Debt – (replacement microwave, refrigerator, hot water heater, and other debt) – working on it
    3. Pay Bills & File Paperwork
    4. Make 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!
    5. Earn some Creative Cash – I wasn’t able to get any extra creative cash completed this week
    6. 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

    1. Read the book Double Fudge by Judy Blume to read to the kids
    2. Plan one special activity with the family
    3. Prepare for Upcoming Fall Events & Trips
    4. Spend time Monday – Friday helping the kids with Homework
    5. Attend After School Activities
    6. Lunch Boxes & Book Bags packed the night before
    7. Play a Game with the Kids
    8. Start Organizing the Kids Scrapbook Items
    9. ENT and Eye Appointments for Kids

    Personal Goals

    1. Drink 8 glasses of water each day
    2. Continue my YouVersion plan(s)
    3. Go to my  Doctor Appointments Scheduled this week

    Home (Yard & Pets) 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. Do at least one “Make 1 & Freeze 1″ Meal Prep (make a main dish to eat that day and one to freeze for later)
    4. Clean out & Organize Refrigerator & Freezer
    5. Clean House (Focus – Basement Floors)
    6. Organize Chaos (Focus – Storage Room)
    7. Put Spring/Summer Clothes in the Attic
    8. Yard Cleanup (Focus – Pool taken down and put away)
    9. Pet Care (Focus – Refill Goat Food Bin)

    Business Goals

    1. Work on ideas for upcoming blog posts
    2. Respond to Inquiry – Business Relation Emails
    3. Keep up with the day to day items that need my attention
    4. Work completed for clients

    Ministry Goals

    1. Meet a friend or family member for Breakfast or Lunch
    2. Prep for our Samaritan’s Purse Operation Christmas Child boxes

    Financial Goals

    1. Payoff the Car
    2. Payoff Outstanding Debt – (replacement microwave, refrigerator, hot water heater, and other debt)
    3. Pay Bills & File Paperwork
    4. Make an extra payment on Outstanding Debt
    5. Earn some Creative Cash
    6. 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.