First Day of School 2012
Karlie and Brina ready for their first day of school 2012
How is it possible that school is already starting again?! It seems like summer vacation just started and in a blink of my eye it is now gone. The girls started school this Tuesday. They were sad to say goodbye to summer and all the fun adventures that we had together but at the same time they were excited to start school again too.
They each picked out their own backpacks, school supplies, and clothes that they wanted to wear on the first day of school. This is the first year that they have separate teachers. So far they have been thrilled with having different classrooms. It has been more work for Mom and Dad because even though they are in the same grade the teacher policies, homework, and many other activities are different.
Karlie’s all ready to go!
Brina is ready for me to finish taking pictures so she can go to school!
I am praying that this school year is an amazing time of growth for both of the girls. It is hard to see my baby girls growing up so quickly. They are an amazing blessing in my life and I love them dearly. I look forward to seeing all the awesome things they will learn this year!
Sweet Surprise Gifts from My Handsome Man!
Little gift from my handsome man in the medicine cabinet!
I love it when my sweet man leaves surprise goodies for me. Here are some of the fun ones he left me when he went on a trip earlier this year. Thankful for an amazing husband who loves me and is very thoughtful. Love you Jake!
Love notes across the floor from from my man!
Some sweets from my sweetheart hidden in my closet!
Yes, he even left powdered donuts on the shower nozzles, ha!
Seed packets left in the kitchen cupboard with the coffee mugs
Yes, even seed packets on my laptop! So sweet!
Seed packet on the deep freezer too!
Save A Lot: Deals for the week of August 22 – 28, 2012
The Save A Lot weekly ad deals are listed below for your convenience. It is a great time to stock up on some Save A Lot deals. Sign up for the Smart Shopper Club, by doing so you will get a $5.00 off of $25.00 coupon!
Meat and Seafood
Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts – $1.69 lb
Ground Beef – $1.99 lb
Assorted Pork Chops – $1.69 lb
Boston Butt Roast – $1.69 lb
Grilling Steaks, Ribeye, T-Bone, NY Strip – $6.99 lb
Chicken Drums or Thighs – $0.99 lb
Fairgrounds Hotdogs (12 oz) – $0.79
Hickory Springs Bacon (12 oz) – $1.99
Pick 5 for $19.99 promo on going! Pick any 5 specially marked packages of your favorite cuts or types of meats, vegetables and more.
Fridge and Freezer
Eggs (dozen) – $0.99
World’s Fair Ice Cream (56 oz) – $1.99
Mantia’s Pizza – $1.99
Produce
Cucumbers – $0.29 each
Green Peppers – $0.39 each
Head Lettuce – $0.79 each
Cabbage – $0.25 lb
Medium Vine Ripened Tomatoes – $0.69 lb
Yellow Onions – $0.99 each
Potatoes (8 pounds) – $2.29
Assorted Apples – $0.99 lb
Whole Seedless Watermelon – $3.99
Grocery
Ginger Evans Flour (5 pounds) – $1.69
Ginger Evans Granulated Sugar (4 pounds) – $1.99
Duke’s Mayonnaise (32 oz) – $2.99
Save-A-Lot Soft Drinks (12 pack) – $1.99
O’Days Mac & Cheese – $0.39
Remember you can use the $5/$25 printable coupon to sweeten these deals! Plus you can earn up to 5 additional $5 off $25 coupons for sharing the coupon with your friends. For more information about Save A Lot’s coupon policies go here. If you find additional deals or savings please let me know and I will add them to the list.
Sharing Daily Stories with Daddy
Karlie sharing her daily stories with Daddy while he was away on a business trip.
When Jake was gone earlier this year the girls wrote their daily “stories” on a big poster board. At the end for the day each girl drew a picture or wrote a little phrase on their personal poster board about some activity they participated in during the day that they wanted to share with Daddy. With all the traveling he was doing we were not able to skype every day but this gave the girls a chance to share with him some of the things they were doing from day to day.
Brina sharing her daily stories on the poster board for Daddy.
Song: “Grace” by Laura Story
This is a great song by Laura Story. At times I find myself weak, discouraged, unfocused, and stressed. It is especially during those times that I am thankful that I have a Savior to pick me up and give me the strength I need to get through each day.
My heart is so proud. My mind is so unfocused.
I see the things You do through me as great things I have done.
And now You gently break me, then lovingly You take me.
And hold me as my father and mold me as my maker.I ask You: “How many times will You pick me up.
When I keep on letting You down.
And each time I will fall short of Your glory.
How far will forgiveness abound.
And You answer: ” My child, I love you.
And as long as you’re seeking My face.
You’ll walk in the power of My daily sufficient grace.At times I may grow weak and feel a bit discouraged.
Knowing that someone, somewhere, could do a better job.
For who am I to serve You, I know I don’t deserve You.
And that’s the part that burns in my heart and keeps me hanging on.What’s for Dinner: Our Weekly Menu Plan
It has been a really busy summer packed full of a lot of adventures and great memories; it’s hard to believe that the girls are going back to school this week…..so sad! As we adjust to a new school year I want to make sure I have the menu planned since our days will be very busy. The kids are sad to say goodbye to summer but excited to see their friends and go back to school. Here is our menu plan for the upcoming week:
Our Weekly Menu Plan
- Monday (Beef or Seafood Entree): Beef Bow Tie Pasta Bake, Fresh Garden Salad
- Tuesday (Kid’s Night to Cook): Brina & Karlie’s Night to Cook Dinner – Pizza
- Wednesday (Chicken or Vegetarian Entree): Golden Chicken Curry, Roasted Garlic & Chili Jasmine Rice
- Thursday (Pasta or Pork Entree): Loaded Scallop Potato Casserole, Fresh Vegetables
- Friday, Saturday, & Sunday: Leftovers, Family Preference, and Hosting
I have a general pattern I try to follow for my weekly Menu Plan (for example Monday we have a beef or seafood entree and so forth). It is my goal, at least in the beginning, to have at least the main dish and one side planned. I will put together the remaining side dishes (veggies / fruits) based on the food items that need to be used up first and compliment the main entree.
Setting a weekly menu plan helps me utilize my time better, thus freeing up extra time to spend with my family. On the days that I am working longer hours I can prep the meal in advance so it will be easier to pull together once I am home. As I go through the menu planning process I will try to share some of our favorite family recipes. If there is a specific recipe you would like please let me know and I will do my best to accommodate (some recipes are a toss together meal and I do not use any set measurements).
As a family of four our life can get busy. What’s for Dinner is our weekly menu planning series and one of the ways to help keep us organized, on schedule, and within budget. Our family typically eats 6 to 7 dinner meals at home a week. We do try to go out to eat at least once a month as a special treat. Breakfasts are eaten at home before work and school, lunches are eaten at work, school, or home, so dinner is our main meal together as a family. Dinner is our time to reconnect, share, and enjoy being together after a busy day. Our weekly menu plan covers Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday only because the weekend (Friday, Saturday, and Sunday) is our time to spend with family and friends. The weekends tend to be more spontaneous and my husband (who is the better cook) likes pitching in therefore we keep the menu open for variety. We use up the leftovers throughout the week for our lunches and on the nights that we are busy or can’t cook.
Photo by Liz
Intentional Living: Weekly Goals
Last week we went with Jake to Charleston. It was great spending time together! The girls had a blast in Charleston….it was their last week before school starts again. Thankful for a great summer with our girls.
Last week’s goals:
Family Goals
Read regularly to the girls and have them read to meParticipate in at least 2 fun Summer Activities with the KidsSpend time with family before the kids go back to school– went to Charleston with the familyGet the girls items packed for schoolGo to the pool / beach– went to the pool, park, and beachDoctor Appointments complete before school starts– had a lot of appointments (teeth, eyes, ears, etc…)
Personal Goals
Exercise at least 5 days this week– went to the pool, park and beach this week!
Home Management Goals
All laundry for the week washed, folded, and put away in one day- Weekly Dinner Menu & Schedule planned out for the week – didn’t get it done with all the traveling this week
- Prep for my Fall Organizational Schedule – wasn’t able to get it done
Pay all upcoming bills
Business Goals
Work on ideas for upcoming blog postsKeep up with the day to day items that need my attention
Ministry Goals
Meet a friend or family member for Breakfast or Lunch
Financial Goals
Stay within Budget on Groceries $40 for 4- Emergency Fund – save 6 months worth of living expenses – temporary on hold
- Car Fund – save money for another vehicle to replace the one that was totaled – working on it
- College Fund – put cash aside for 1 year of Jake’s College Classes – on hold momentarily
My goals for the upcoming week:
Family Goals
- Read regularly to the girls and have them read to me
- Participate in at least 2 fun Summer Activities with the Kids
- Girls Packed and Ready to Start School on Tuesday
- Get into the School Routine
Personal Goals
- Exercise at least 5 days this week
- Attend a Beth Moore Conference with friends
Home Management Goals
- All laundry for the week washed, folded, and put away in one day
- Weekly Dinner Menu & Schedule planned out for the week
- Prep for my Fall Organizational Schedule
- Pay all upcoming bills
Business Goals
- Work on ideas for upcoming blog posts
- Keep up with the day to day items that need my attention
Ministry Goals
- Meet a friend or family member for Breakfast or Lunch
- Prep for upcoming Alms & Legs Meeting
Financial Goals
- Stay within Budget on Groceries $40 for 4
- Emergency Fund – save 6 months worth of living expenses
- Car Fund – save money for another vehicle to replace the one that was totaled
- College Fund – put cash aside for 1 year of Jake’s College Classes
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.
Holding a Grudge….
Great reminder to forgive and let it go! Life’s too short for grudges, let’s choose to enjoy life!
Book: “Super Red Racer” by Dave Ramsey
This is one of Dave Ramsey’s kids books that the girls enjoy – The Super Red Racer The story is about a boy named Junior who really wanted a red bicycle. He learned that by working hard for several weeks on a local farm rather than expecting his parents to just give it to him was a rewarding way to earn enough money to purchase the bike for himself. The story carries a great lesson for children about working hard, earning money and patience.
If you are trying to teach your children more about finances, including working hard to save so they can buy something big this is an excellent book. Our girls have both read and listened to this story several times over the past few months. It has helped encourage them to save more too!
Recipe: Green Spinach Smoothie
Green Spinach Smoothie
I made this Green Spinach Smoothie recently for breakfast and it was delicious! My husband happen to see it on the table in passing and asked “what are you drinking”!? It may look a little funky but it is actually quite tasty. The girls think its great and it gives them an extra boost in vegetables and protein! With the egg, peanut butter, milk and spinach combination its not only delicious it’s a healthy smoothie too.
Green Spinach Smoothie:
- 1 hard boiled Egg
- 1 cup Vanilla Yogurt
- 1/2 cup Milk
- 2 cups fresh Spinach
- 1 Banana (optional)
- 1 tablespoon Peanut Butter (optional)
Put all ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth. You can freeze the banana for added coolness! I added Peanut Butter to the list because I tried it the other day with a tablespoon of peanut butter in it which tasted awesome!
Great way to start your day!
With the summer temperatures still high this is a great smoothie to help cool you off. Although I had the Green Spinach Smoothie for breakfast it would make a wonderful lunch or snack too!
