Intentional Living: Weekly Goals
We had a nice long weekend this past weekend. It was great having Labor Day off for the whole family. We packed in a lot of fun family events as well as tackled a few projects around home too. The girls had off Tuesday and Wednesday too because it was Professional Work Days for their teachers so they enjoyed more time with Jake and I. I was able to take off Tuesday from work and hung out with the girls. We rode bikes, played games, and many other good activities together!!!
Over the long weekend we started another fun adventure as a family. We took a hike along the Appalachian trail and was able to get though a little chunk of it only 2,000 plus miles to go before we can say we did the whole trail, ha! The girls (and their parents) were wondering if we would make it the first mile since it was a steep climb, but we pushed through and the trail was much easier once we got higher and could feel the breeze. Thankful for the extra time with my family.
Looking forward to another great week. We have a handful of new events coming up, the girls with some more of their school clubs and activities beginning as well as more learning and growing activities for me as well. Here are my goals for this week:
Last week’s goals
Family Goals
- Read the book The Land of Stories – The Wishing Spell by Chris Colfer to the kids –we are reading through the book together (maybe halfway now)
Go through 7 more Brain Quest Flash Cards with the kids.Read through 7 more pages of History Trivia with the kids.Reflect on our blessings and prayer time with kids every night.Plan one special activity with the family– went for a family day hiking trip along the Appalachian trail- Play a Game with the Kids – the longer weekend gave us more time to play Yahtzee, Pet Detective, and Travel USA
Create Memories with the FamilySpend Quality time with each family memberDo a new, unique, or different activity with the family this week– we went for a hike together along the the Appalachian Trial
Spend extra time with the family over the Holiday Weekend
Kid Goals
Do Homework Monday – FridayPack Lunches and Prep for the next day- Spend one-on-one time with kids each day – friday night I crashed on the couch before the kids went to bed and when I woke up they were already asleep
Personal Goals
Drink 8 glasses of waterWear FitBit (at least 10,000 steps and 10 sets of stairs every day)- Do Yoga at least 5 times this week – did it some, but not quite 5 times
Home (Yard & Pets) Management Goals
- Household Cleaning / Organization – Hang Up Girls Souvenir Necklaces – got the necklaces and labels on the necklace holders, but need Jake’s assistance to get them hung on the girls walls
Plan out the Menu for the WeekWork on yard projects– Picked up sticks, b0nfire, mowed lawn, and got some work done outside this weekend- Speed clean & pick up the house 15 minutes a night – a couple of nights we didn’t get a chance to do it this week
Business Goals
- Update Work Notes – working on them
- Get caught up on blog posts – getting some of the summer trip adventures done
- Work on a few special projects – need to work on them more
- Update my LinkedIn Profile – working on getting the items together to update it
- Research a couple of items in regards to the blog – hoping to get more done this week
- Confirm the tasks my plate as I transition to a new team – work in progress
- Pick from a couple of the “extra” activity and/or product options – narrowing down my choices
Ministry Goals
Go to breakfast or lunch with a family member or friendCounting my blessings journal
Financial Goals
- Schedule a meeting with the financial advisor – putting together a list
- Get our finances and budget back on track – doing better
- Pay down debt we owe – made an extra payment
- Limit amount spent on Groceries, Household, and Other Items (use what we already have at home) – went a little bit over budget
My goals for the upcoming week
Family Goals
- Read the book The Land of Stories – The Wishing Spell by Chris Colfer to the kids
- Go through 7 more Brain Quest Flash Cards with the kids.
- Read through 7 more pages of History Trivia with the kids.
- Reflect on our blessings and prayer time with kids every night.
- Plan one special activity with the family
- Play a Game with the Kids
- Create Memories with the Family
- Spend Quality time with each family member
- Do a new, unique, or different activity with the family this week
- Coordinate and review schedules at beginning of week to confirm all obligations, appointments, and other activities
Kid Goals
- Do Homework Monday – Friday
- Pack Lunches and Prep for the next day
- Spend one-on-one time with kids each day
- Attend Robotics Club and Other After School Activities
- Appointments – Pediatric Eye Doctor Re-check
Personal Goals
- Drink 8 glasses of water
- Wear FitBit (at least 10,000 steps and 10 sets of stairs every day)
- Do Yoga at least 5 times this week
- Sign up for Women’s Ministry Bible Study Class
- Date and Couples Massage with Jake! XOXO
- Appointments
Home (Yard & Pets) Management Goals
- Household Cleaning / Organization – Hang Up Girls Souvenir Necklaces
- Plan out the Menu for the Week
- Clean & Organize Storage Room
- Speed clean & pick up the house 15 minutes a night
Business Goals
- Update Work Notes
- Get caught up on blog posts
- Work on a few special projects
- Update my LinkedIn Profile
- Research a couple of items in regards to the blog
- Confirm the tasks my plate as I transition to a new team
- Pick from a couple of the “extra” activity and/or product options
Ministry Goals
- Go to breakfast or lunch with a family member or friend
- Counting my blessings journal
Financial Goals
- Schedule a meeting with the financial advisor
- Get our finances and budget back on track
- Pay down debt we owe
- Limit amount spent on Groceries, Household, and Other Items (use what we already have at home)
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
If You Don’t Want Anyone …
Family Fun at the Alaska SeaLife Center (Seward, Alaska)
We were able to visit the Alaska SeaLife Center in Seward, Alaska before cruising out of the port. The Alaska SeaLife Center is located at 301 Railway Avenue, Seward, AK 99664. It is only a couple miles from the port terminal and the city bus comes by the terminal every 5 to 10 minutes will take you to a number of places around the city of Seward (with the Alaska SeaLife Center being one of those stops). The Alaska SeaLife Center is part of the Association of Zoos & Aquariums so if you are a member of one in your area you will be able to get into the center at a reduced rate. We are part of our local Greenville Zoo which allowed us to have 50% per persons admission ticket which was a huge blessing and savings
The Alaska SeaLife Center was a lot of fun! The kids loved seeing a variety of different marine life and the exhibits were very interactive and educational. You could get fairly close to the animals and they even had a touch tank. WARNING the touch tank water is freezing cold so you won’t be able to keep you hand in it for very long. I thought my hands were going to go numb before I had a chance to touch each of the different marine critters in the tank. They had several interactive talks with the animals. We got to watch them feed, train, and care for several of the animals. The animals were content and were showing off for the guests.
It was a cool and misty day when we arrived at Seward that day. The Alaska SeaLife Center was a great task to do on a rainy day. There are a couple of places you can go outside, but you can see the majority of the center from inside. It is a wonderful place for anyone that enjoys animals, marine animals, and the opportunity to learn more about the native critters that can be found in Alaska. Thankful for an opportunity to visit the SeaLife Center. It was a hit with our kids. There are also plenty of places for adults to sit down and relax as well. It is a great activity for the whole family. The girls loved personalities of the birds exhibits, the way the HUGE octopus spread out across the glass in front of them, the Artic Seals performed tricks for treats, that the touch tank was ice cold, that the fish and other animals were very active, and that the Sea Lion loved rubbing its belly on the glass window right in front of them. It was a wonderful place to visit while we were in Seward.
Brina and Karlie in the boat at the Alaska SeaLife Center
Beautifully colored starfish. He was waving at us! Even the starfish were active while we are the center!
Small yet beautifully colored bird
Taking a swim around the pool!
Coming by to say “HELLO”!
SeaLIfe workers checking the seals out and giving them treats.
Performing tricks
Enjoying the swim
Playing around in the pool
Doing a dance for us!
Beautiful and fast!
Watching him swim underwater from a viewing window at the bottom of his tank! Fascinating!
Showing off and diving right in front of us
He obviously was having a grand time!
Loved watching them glide so smoothly through the water
The Sea Lion rubbing his belly up against the glass in front of us. He did it several times! The kids thought it was hilarious!
Huge male octopus!
He was very active while we were there too
He decided to spread himself out across the front glass of his tank!
He was very big, pretty sure I would not be excited about running into him in the ocean! So neat to see!
Relaxing in the water with his nose out and the rest of his body just floating in the water!
Diving directly in front of us! Really loved how the animals were very interactive with their audience!
Camouflaged ray….
VERY COLD touch tank!!!
The freezing water was not stopping our kids from checking out the animals in the touch tank!
Beautiful and showing off for us!
He hung out near us, watching us move around the bird exhibit!
Karlie all smiles as Brina soaks in all the birds zooming around the exhibit
Brina loving time with these beautiful Alaskan animals!
Keeping one eye on us as he watches the other birds….just in case!
Relationships: Friends Like You
- A friend is someone who listens without judging you right or wrong, good or bad, and gently helps you define your thoughts to regain perspective.
- When you’re feeling bad about yourself, a friend is there to remind you of all those positive qualities you may have forgotten.
- When you share with a friend, decision-making becomes easier and problems seem less critical.
- A friend gives you the priceless gift of time; time to share, to try out new ideas and rethink old ones. No matter how often you’re together, you discover dimensions of yourself through the bonds and the mirror of friendship.
- A friend loves you for who you are, not what you do. Feeling so accepted, you are able to set higher goals, try harder, and achieve more.
- Through close friendship, you learn the fine art of giving. You expand, become more selfless, feel more deeply, and help more effectively. See the happiness you bring to another person gives you a greater sense of well-being and increases your capacity to love.
- Wherever you go in life, whatever stage or place you reach, a friend who has entered your soul is always with you, gently guiding, faithfully following, and ever walking beside you.
– Sandra Sturtz Hauss
Developing the deeper friendships take time energy and commitment. The first and ultimate relationship we should focus on is with our heavenly father followed by our relationship to our spouse and then trickles down to our kids, extended family members, friends, and others in our lives.
Sometimes our friends are close enough to our hearts that they are like family. We feel comfortable around them. We share laughter as well as dig deeper into the fears and struggles of life. They are the people you know pray and encourage you no matter what that day brings. Make sure you are continuing to be the kind of friend who allows your friends to celebrate and grow!
Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center (Portage, Alaska)
Our family had the opportunity to visit Alaska on our summer family vacation. We flew into Anchorage, Alaska and took a bus tour form Anchorage down to Seward, Alaska to meet our cruise ship. On the way to Seward we stopped to visit the Alaska Wildlife Conservatory Center, Mile 79 Seward Highway, Portage, Alaska 99587.
It was a cloudy and drizzly day, but that didn’t stop us and the area as well as the animals were still amazing. The landscape was beautiful even on the cool rainy day. Thankfully it was a light mist not a downpour while we were at the Wildlife Center. The kids loved seeing all the animals It was a neat place to stop and soak in some of the animals and information about Alaska. I would recommend it especially for families with kids. There is a little bit of walking, but not a lot.
Gorgeous views of the mountains and animals lounging in their pen
Deer in the headlight look…..
Life is rough…..eat and nap!
Beautiful view of the mountains (even gorgeous in the mist that day)!
The animals were very content and well cared for at the Wildlife Conservatory!
Brina attempting to run a bobsled
Little Kitty!
On the move!
Makes neck hurt just looking at those antlers this guy has to support!
Peaceful stream flowing through the pasture for the animals
I know the snow on those mountains must be cold, but the snow, mountains, and fog really were amazing!
Karlie and a very large bison hide!
Checking things out!
They had a neat bridge overlooking the bear pends which made it easier for people to see them.
Black bear relaxing for a few minutes!
Thankful for an opportunity to spend time with my family seeing this beautiful place and animals!
Counting My Blessings: Week In Review
It was a busy day especially with Jake traveling for work, but we got through it safely and thankfully are back together again. Always happy to have him back home. Other than one of the girls fighting a cold we have nothing to complain about. We are blessed, look around you and think about the good and positive blessings all around you.
I want to be accountable to you so the following are snip-its of some of the things I am thankful for this past week.
Counting My Blessings – Week In Review:
Monday –Thankful we were able to talk with Jake on the phone a few minutes on the way to school. Even though he was away on a work trip it is always great hearing his voice and chatting even if it is for a few moments.
Tuesday – Thankful for opportunity for the girls to go to an After School program that they really enjoy so I can get in a couple extra hours of work each week.
Wednesday – Thankful to have Jake back home again! 🙂
Thursday – Thankful that Jake is willing to not only pitch in around the house, cooking, but also helping the kids with their homework.
Friday – Thankful that we were able to have a Family Fun Night and a chance to relax a little bit as we head into the weekend!
Saturday – Thankful for an opportunity to catch up on some projects around the house and yard.
Sunday – Thankful for a chance to spend some time on a family adventure! Looking forward to working together and having fun “along the way”!
What are you thankful for today? I encourage you to take the time to write down a few blessings that you have in your life today. It will help cheer you up and turn your focus on the amazing blessings you encounter each day.
Intentional Living: Weekly Goals
Last week was a busy week with a lot of activities going on. Jake was traveling for part of the week with work, the girls were busy at school, and I was busy at home as well as work. Grateful for a great family at home and a good team at work, while it makes for a busy week balancing everything every day I am reminded of how many blessings are in my life. I am far from perfect, but glad for the opportunities to continuing learning and growing!
Thankful for the Labor Day weekend and extra time together with my family. We did some fun activities and also squeezed in some time to work on some projects at home too. As I gear up for another busy week I am trying to not over committed myself, but want to stay on track. Here are my goals for this week:
Last week’s goals
Family Goals
Read the book Justin Morgan Had a Horse by Marguerite Henry (I had this book, an 1954 version, when I was in 6th grade and it takes place near White River Junction, Vermont near where Jake’s grandparents and Mom live so the girls know the area fairly well)Go through 7 more Brain Quest Flash Cards with the kids.Read through 7 more pages of History Trivia with the kids.Reflect on our blessings and prayer time with kids every night.Plan one special activity with the familyPlay a Game with the KidsCreate Memories with the FamilySpend Quality time with each family memberDo a new, unique, or different activity with the family this week
Kid Goals
Do Homework Monday – FridayPack Lunches and Prep for the next daySpend one-on-one time with kids each day
Personal Goals
Drink 8 glasses of water- Wear FitBit (at least 10,000 steps and 10 sets of stairs every day) – didn’t make it to 10,000 steps everyday before crashing
- Do Yoga at least 5 times this week – the TV didn’t like working for me while Jake was traveling for work….need to get back in my routine again
Home (Yard & Pets) Management Goals
Household Cleaning / Organization – Pantry de-cluttered and organizedPlan out the Menu for the WeekGive Skipper a bath this weekSpeed clean & pick up the house 15 minutes a night
Business Goals
Update Work Notes- Get caught up on blog posts – working on it
Work on a few special projects- Update my LinkedIn Profile – started on it
- Research a couple of items in regards to the blog – figuring it out
- Confirm the tasks my plate as I transition to a new team – getting into more of a rhythm still have some details I am working out
Ministry Goals
Go to breakfast or lunch with a family member or friendCounting my blessings journal
Financial Goals
- Schedule a meeting with the financial advisor – my schedule was a little different this week so didn’t get it done
- Get our finances and budget back on track – doing better
- Pay down debt we owe – made extra payment
Limit amount spent on Groceries, Household, and Other Items (use what we already have at home)
My goals for the upcoming week
Family Goals
- Read the book The Land of Stories – The Wishing Spell by Chris Colfer to the kids
- Go through 7 more Brain Quest Flash Cards with the kids.
- Read through 7 more pages of History Trivia with the kids.
- Reflect on our blessings and prayer time with kids every night.
- Plan one special activity with the family
- Play a Game with the Kids
- Create Memories with the Family
- Spend Quality time with each family member
- Do a new, unique, or different activity with the family this week
- Spend extra time with the family over the Holiday Weekend
Kid Goals
- Do Homework Monday – Friday
- Pack Lunches and Prep for the next day
- Spend one-on-one time with kids each day
Personal Goals
- Drink 8 glasses of water
- Wear FitBit (at least 10,000 steps and 10 sets of stairs every day)
- Do Yoga at least 5 times this week
Home (Yard & Pets) Management Goals
- Household Cleaning / Organization – Hang Up Girls Souvenir Necklaces
- Plan out the Menu for the Week
- Work on yard projects
- Speed clean & pick up the house 15 minutes a night
Business Goals
- Update Work Notes
- Get caught up on blog posts
- Work on a few special projects
- Update my LinkedIn Profile
- Research a couple of items in regards to the blog
- Confirm the tasks my plate as I transition to a new team
- Pick from a couple of the “extra” activity and/or product options
Ministry Goals
- Go to breakfast or lunch with a family member or friend
- Counting my blessings journal
Financial Goals
- Schedule a meeting with the financial advisor
- Get our finances and budget back on track
- Pay down debt we owe
- Limit amount spent on Groceries, Household, and Other Items (use what we already have at home)
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
Class is Knowing What to Say …
Travel & Vacation: Touring Beautiful Anchorage, Alaska
We had a blast walking and touring Anchorage, Alaska. Since we were only in Anchorage for a day we packed in as much as we could during our time in town. They have a lot of neat places to see. It was beautiful. During some of our walks we would stop and check out the scenery. The picture above is a restaurant over looking the river. We watched people fishing for salmon and many other cool activities while in the area.
They had a neat park near downtown where a lot of kids and families seemed to like to hang out. We went to the Ulu Factory. The Ulu factory does not do tours on the weekend, but have some demonstration explaining the utensil at the store. We shopped for some neat souvenirs while in the area. Anchorage is a great place to visit with your family with plenty of neat activities to do together.
Hanging out for a few minutes in the park near downtown!
Brina Bee on a roll!
Pausing to Eat at The Glacier Brew House Restaurant (Anchorage, Alaska)
During our adventures while in Anchorage, Alaska we decided to stop for a few minutes to rest and grab a bite to eat. We had been walking and sight seeing all morning so wanted to find a place where we could sit down, relax, chat, and refuel for a little bit. There were several great restaurant options to choose from where we are currently walking, but we ended up settling on going to the Glacier Brew House at 737 West 5th Avenue, Suite 110, Anchorage, Alaska 99501.
We arrived in a little bit after lunch so the wait was short. It was a neat atmosphere and the staff was great. The hostess brought us glasses of water to drink as we waited to get our table. It had a cozy atmosphere and decor inside the restaurant. The sound carried well inside the restaurant so at times it was hard to hear the conversation at the table, but the kids were more interested in eating at first.
They bring bread to the table that you can dip in oil and seasonings as you wait for your appetizer and main entree to arrive. The food was delicious too. Jake had a steak sandwich, Brina had chicken strips, Karlie had brick oven pizza, and I had the shrimp salad. With the kids menu they serve a homemade ice cream sandwich which was HUGE and DELICIOUS!!! We were full by the end of the meal so we ended up splitting the homemade ice cream sandwich between the 4 of us.
If you are looking for a good restaurant in Anchorage, Alaska you should try out the Glacier Brew House. They carrier their signature beverages too if that is something that you would like to try.
