Life Simplified
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
- Read the book Wonder’s First Race by Joanna Campbell to read to the kids – about halfway through the book
Plan one special activity with the familyPrepare for Upcoming Fall EventsSpend time Monday – Tuesday helping the kids with HomeworkAttend After School ActivitiesLunch Boxes & Book Bags packed the night beforePlay a Game with the KidsWatch a movie with the KidsListen to an Audiobook with the KidsThanksgiving Holiday – So Many Reasons to be ThankfulCelebrating Josh & Megan’s Wedding & Activities
Personal Goals
- Drink 8 glasses of water each day – didn’t drink enough when traveling
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 – took 2 days
Clean House (Basic Speed Clean before the Holiday Activities)
Business Goals
Work on ideas for upcoming blog posts
Ministry Goals
Meet a friend or family member for Breakfast or Lunch
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 Paperwork
My goals for the upcoming week
Family Goals
- Read the book Wonder’s First Race by Joanna Campbell to the kids
- Plan one special activity with the family
- Prepare for Upcoming Winter Events
- 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
- Dr. 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 House (Focus – Suitcases Unpacked & Put Away from Wedding / Thanksgiving Trip)
- Organize Chaos (Focus – Snack Bins Refilled)
- Yard Cleanup (Focus – Pool and Leaves)
- Pet Care (Focus – Hay Feeder Filled)
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
Financial Goals
- Payoff the Car
- Payoff Outstanding Debt – (replacement microwave, refrigerator, hot water heater, and other debt)
- Pay Bills & File Paperwork
- 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.
- Read the book Wonder’s First Race by Joanna Campbell to read to the kids – about halfway through the book
Make 1 & Freeze 1 Meal: Taco Lasagna Recipe
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
Intentional Living: Weekly Goals
Last week I was able to some items crossed off my list, but not as many as I hoped due to a painful pinched nerve. This week will be a little different because I will not be spending the week with my immediate family. I know I will miss them terribly, but I hope to be able to help out extended family and be a blessing to the people I will be spending time with this week. Hopefully I will be able to keep up with everyone and get a lot accomplished throughout the week. You will notice my weekly goals will be altered a little too since I will not be available to help with the normal activities around my immediate family.
Last week’s goals
Family Goals
Read A Horse Called Wonder by Joanna Campbell (Book #1 of the Thoroughbred Series) 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 – it didn’t get done with my pinched nerve
- Go for a Walk with the Kids – a couple of days it was all I could do to get through the day
Attend School Board MeetingGive Jake a haircut-
Make Toffee per girls requests -
Cook up Ground Hamburger and Freeze for future meals -
Make and freeze Spinach Cubes for Smoothies
Personal Goals
- Drink 8 glasses of water each day – I did not do a good job of drinking my water while traveling this past weekend
Continue my YouVersion plan(s)- Exercise at least 5 times this week – it didn’t happen
Pedicure – my toenails could use a fresh coat of polish
Home (Yard & Pets) Management Goals
All laundry for the week washed, folded, and put away in one dayWeekly Dinner Menu planned out for the weekFreezer Meals Prepped for future meal- Clean out & Organize Refrigerator / Freezer – had to let this one go with a the stuff going on this week
- Clean House including all 3 bathrooms, dusting, floors, and bedrooms – only basic cleaning was done
- Put Fall/Winter Clothes in Closets and dressers and put Spring/Summer Clothes in the Attic – put away in closets but the still haven’t gotten the clothes back in the attic
Refill kids vitamin containerRefill Baggie Drawer and Lunch Box Container- Pool taken down and put away – pools drained, but not put away
Business Goals
Work on ideas for upcoming blog postsKeep 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
Financial Goals
- Payoff the Car – working on it
- Payoff Outstanding Debt (new microwave, refrigerator, and other debt) – working on it
Pay October BillsRecent Receipts Basket Cleaned Out, Organized, & Receipts FiledFile Paperwork- Earn some Creative Cash
- Go grocery shopping one time to one store this week and stay within budget – didn’t even make it to the grocery store with my pinched nerve
My goals for the upcoming week
Family Goals
- Mail at least one note to Jake and the girls
- Speak to my husband and kids at least once a day
- Send at least one Text, Picture, Instant Message, or Email a day to let them know I am thinking about them
- Have Hangout chat with the entire family at least once this week
- Prepare for Upcoming Fall Events & Trips
- Spend time with extended family
Personal Goals
- Drink 8 glasses of water each day
- Continue my YouVersion plan(s)
- Exercise at least 5 times this week
Home (Yard & Pets) Management Goals
- Keep up with my laundry
- Update 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
- Work completed for clients
Ministry Goals
- Meet a friend or family member for Breakfast or Lunch
Financial Goals
- Payoff the Car
- Payoff Outstanding Debt (microwave and refrigerator)
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.
Order Will Be Restored in this House!
Either the girls forgot the house rules or got a little spoiled with all our traveling and busy summer! With everything going on this summer instead of waiting for them to pick up and turn their clothes right side out for laundry day I would just do it since I needed to repack the suitcase or wanted to get the house pick up. The beginning of the school year got off to a rough start in house department because they must of thought it was okay or normal to just throw their clothes on the bathroom floor before their showers, leave headbands on the sink, and other random items placed in odd spots through the house and their rooms.
After several days of being nice and reminding them to pick up after themselves I decided it was time to do something else to get their attention. On that particular night I had already wading through their piles of clothes on the bathroom floor, picked up pieces of confetti paper off the dining room floor, put away their library books, placed more items than their bar stools would hold to be put away, and more craziness. In my quest to pick of the house I found a piece of notebook paper on the kitchen floor and scribbled out my note. The deal was either you pick up your stuff or breakfast will not be served that morning (and yes it was a school morning). I let Jake read my note first just in case I was being too zealous with my request. My first comment to him was “Order will be restored in this house!” Jake thought it was hilarious!
Guess what!? IT WORKED!!! You should have seen the girls reactions when they came to breakfast and saw the note on the counter instead of their food. Too funny! The next few minutes were a whirlwind of them scurrying around the house to put all their stuff away. They got everything done and in record time too. They both even got to eat breakfast that morning! The biggest benefit though was that it reminded them of their responsibilities and while we to still have an off day once in a great while it has been MUCH better.
When everyone in the family works together to put away their items in the proper places the whole family can enjoy a much more livable house. I don’t mind cleaning, but really don’t want to be a full time personal maid when everyone is perfectly capable of helping out. No more wading through piles of clothes, tripping over shoes, washing my hands with headbands in the sink, or random items spread throughout the house!
Hopefully this will be the last time I have to remind them. It wasn’t a fancy note and it was done a little off the cuff, but hey the message got across and it served it’s purpose! I have debated back and forth whether or not to share this with you than decided that if I am going through this in my house it is probably happening in at least a couple other homes somewhere. Maybe?!
Intentional Living: Weekly Goals
I am hoping to get through a bunch of the tasks this week! There is a lot going on around here the next few weeks, but if I remain consistent I will still be able to get a lot accomplish. Looking forward to getting some items done.
Last week’s goals
Family Goals
Read The Adventures of Robinhood by Howard Pyleto the kids – finished reading it and Brina has picked out our next chapter book to read togetherPlan one special activity with the family- Play a board or card game – we did not get our game in this week due to a lot of other activities that fell on the evenings and weekend
Prepare for Upcoming Fall EventsSpend time Monday – Friday helping the girls with HomeworkPrep for a big weekend- Ride Bikes with the kids – our week filled up too quickly we didn’t get to riding bikes
Go for a Walk with the Kids– on the nice non-rainy days this past week would went outside and walked while reviewing for their upcoming Science and Social Studies tests at school
Personal Goals
Drink 8 glasses of water each dayContinue my YouVersion plan(s)
Home (Yard & Pets) Management Goals
- All laundry for the week washed, folded, and put away in one day – it was spread out over a couple days due to my husband having last minute work travel
Pay all upcoming billsWeekly Dinner Menu planned out for the week
Business Goals
Work on ideas for upcoming blog postsKeep 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 – had to reschedule due to other conflicts
Financial Goals
- Payoff the Car – working on it
- Payoff Outstanding Debt – made another payment this past week
Pay medical bills in full– finished paying off one of the big medical bills that we had been working on in awhile! WooHoo!
My goals for the upcoming week
Family Goals
- Read A Horse Called Wonder by Joanna Campbell (Book #1 of the Thoroughbred Series) 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
- Ride Bikes with the kids
- Go for a Walk with the Kids
- Attend School Board Meeting
- Give Jake a haircut
- Make Toffee per girls requests
- Cook up Ground Hamburger and Freeze for future meals
- Make and freeze Spinach Cubes for Smoothies
Personal Goals
- Drink 8 glasses of water each day
- Continue my YouVersion plan(s)
- Exercise at least 5 times this week
- Pedicure – my toenails could use a fresh coat of polish
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
- Freezer Meals Prepped for future meals
- Clean out & Organize Refrigerator / Freezer
- Clean House including all 3 bathrooms, dusting, floors, and bedrooms
- Put Fall/Winter Clothes in Closets and dressers and put Spring/Summer Clothes in the Attic
- Refill kids vitamin container
- Refill Baggie Drawer and Lunch Box Container
- Pool taken down and put away
Business Goals
- Work on ideas for upcoming blog posts
- 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
Financial Goals
- Payoff the Car
- Payoff Outstanding Debt – we recently had to buy a new microwave and refrigerator
- Pay October Bills
- Recent Receipts Basket Cleaned Out, Organized, & Receipts Filed
- File Paperwork
- 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.
Quick Tip – Recipe on the Bowl
Recipe written on a bowl with a dry erase marker!
The other day while Jake was making a meal he prepped another meal for the following day. Since he prepped the meal and I was the one who was going to make the meal the following day he wrote the directions with a dry erase marker on the outside of the stainless steel bowl holding some of the ingredients. When I opened the fridge the next day I saw the bowl with all the directions on it. It was awesome pulling out the bowl, following the directions, and enjoying a delicious meal with the family. After dinner all I had to do was wash the bowl and all the dry erase marker came right off. Thankful for a husband who is thoughtful, creative, and willing to help around the house. It was a great meal too! Thanks Babe!
Life on the Farm: Pigs, Cows, & Planting Tomatoes….Oh My!
The girls had to go check out the pigs. Thankfully they were really tame because they were pretty big!
Our girls love animals and always enjoy spending time with ANY animal they come in contact with…yup including the pigs, ha! During our recent trip to the Midwest to see family the girls spent some extra time on the farm. The guys happened to be working cattle so they got to watch some of that process as well as hand feed the pigs. The girls quickly discovered that there was only one barn cat (out of the 15) that would even let them get close enough to pet it!
My cousin Renelle was in town from Colorado so in between hand feeding the farm animals and exploring with the kids we planted tomatoes for Grandpa Verlyn and Grandma Doris to enjoy later this Summer. I am thankful that the girls got an opportunity to spend time on the farm as well as some time getting to know their grandparents and great grandparents a little better. We have a lot of great memories of our time in Kansas!
To Brina hand feeding the pigs and petting at the same time.
This pig’s got it made….lounging in the shade being hand fed grass from Karlie! What a life!
Hand feeding the pigs
Giving the cows a special snack!
They couldn’t feed the cattle fast enough as soon as they brought a handful the cows pulled it through and were munching away on it.
Fresh Apples & Caramel Dip
Fresh Apple Slices and Caramel Dip
Do you have a party where you need a quick, healthy, and easy appetizer? This one is kind of a no-brainer, but sometimes I need to be reminded that the simple easy snacks that require less prep can be just as enjoyable for everyone (and allows you to spend less time in the kitchen and more time with your family). Freshly sliced apples with caramel dip is a great one to bring and share! There’s is just something refreshing and delicious about apples and caramel. Yum!
For this event I took fresh apples sliced them, dipped them in a mix of lemon juice and water to keep them from turning brown and poured the caramel dip that we already had in the pantry onto the serving platter. You can make your own caramel sauce, but since I had some on hand it was easier just to pour it into the dish. Also, if you want to make it even easier, especially if you’re in a pinch, you can purchase both pre-sliced apples and caramel dip at the store. Sometimes it’s the simple easy stuff that is a big hit.
