Family Activities: Bouncing Around
Karlie having a blast! Love her expression in this picture.
One of the activities the girls find as a special treat is spending time in a bouncy castle or slides. Sometimes for birthday parties or a get together with family or friends they get to bounce and slide to their hearts content. This activity is great exercise for kids whether it is the heat of summer or a snowy winter day. When they were babies they were terrified of the bouncy castle, now the higher the bounce the better!
Brina sliding so quickly down the slide I can’t keep up with her!
Karlie bouncing out all her extra energy
Brina pausing for a split second at the end of the slide for me
Save A Lot: Deals for the week of July 11 – 17, 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!
Meats and Seafood
Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast – $1.69 lb
Fairgrounds Hotdogs (12 oz) – $0.79
Chicken Drums or Thighs – $0.99 lb
Hickory Springs Bacon (12 oz) – $1.99
Ground Beef – $1.99
Grilling Steaks, Family Pack, T Bone, Rib Eye, and New York Strip – $6.99 lb
Boneless Butt Roast – $1.69
Assorted Pork Chops – $1.69 lb
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. Here are a few of the specials they have going on with the Pick 5 for $19.99 this week (each item approximately $3.99):
Fridge and Freezer
Eggs (1 dozen) – $0.99
World’s Fair Ice Cream (56 oz) – $1.99
Mantia’s Pizza (20 – 21 oz) – $1.99
Coburn Farms Yogurt (6 oz) – $0.50
Frozen Buttermilk Pancakes (10 count) – $1.00
Bagged Ice (10 pounds) – $1.99
Sunny Delight (48 oz) – $1.00
Produce
Green Cabbage – $0.25 lb
Cucumbers – $0.29 each
Green Peppers – $0.39 each
Yellow Onions (3 pounds) – $0.99
Medium Vine Ripened Tomatoes – $0.69 lb
Lettuce $0.79 each
Potatoes (8 lbs) – $2.29
Household
Solo Red Cups (20 count) – $1.29
Wrightware Foam Plates (40 count) – $1.39
Styrofoam Coolers – $2.49
Grocery
Save A Lot Soft Drinks (12 packs) – $1.99
O’Days Mac & Cheese – $0.39
Kurtz Yellow Mustard (14 oz) – $0.69
Kurtz Ketchup (24 oz) – $0.99
McDaniel’s Classic Coffee Roast (33 oz) – $6.99
Kurtz Whole Dill or Hamburger Slices (32 oz) – $1.99
Portmann’s Salad Dressing (16 oz) – $1.69
Westcott Vegetable Oil (48 oz) – $2.99
Little Hugs Variety Juice Pack (160 oz) – $2.99
Del Monte Spaghetti Sauce (26.5 oz) – $0.99
Wylwood Canned Vegetables (14 – 15 oz) – $0.59
Granny Ella’s Vanilla Wafers (11 oz) – $1.79
Albany Bakery Sandwich Cookies – $1.99
Enhance Coffee Creamer (16 oz) – $2.29
Golden Flake Potato Chips (5 oz) – $1.50
Shelby Grove Sliced Peaches (29 oz) – $1.00
Save A Lot Today Toaster Pastries (11 oz) – $0.99
Ginger Evan Granulated Sugar (4 pounds) – $1.99
Duke’s Mayonnaise (32 oz) – $2.99
Crystal Drinking Water (24 pack) – $1.99
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.
Travel & Vacation: King Fisher Airlines
Delayed! King Fisher Airlines – our flight from Hyderabad to Bangalore, India
We had the opportunity to visit Jake’s cousin and his family while we were over in India. They were staying in Bangalore so we booked our tickets in advance to fly out to see them. We were flying from Hyderabad to Bangalore and back.
Sometimes timing just isn’t right when it comes to flying! The week before we were suppose to fly to Bangalore Jake got a phone call from KingFisher Airlines saying our flight had been changed……we would now be flying out at a different time and arriving in another city in India (nowhere even near Bangalore). Thankfully we were able to get it worked out and they got us on a plane that was actually going to Bangalore. There was less than 20 people on the entire flight. KingFisher had all their bank accounts froze by the government for not paying their bills and they had consolidated all flights to conserve costs.
We ended up making it to Bangalore safely on KingFisher after several flights changes and delays but we decided it would be better to fly another airline back to Hyderabad since KingFisher wasn’t doing hardly anymore flights! Plus when we flew back we would have to arrive on time for a connecting flight back to home to USA. Good thing we changed airlines because when we flew back to Hyderabad a few days later all the flights with KingFisher were canceled. I felt bad for the employees and anyone with tickets with the airline, but what can you do when an airline goes bankrupt! The airline staff were really nice but from the reports we had heard they hadn’t been paid for several weeks due to the financial problems the airline was having.
On the way back we flew Indigo airlines and they were really great (no cancellations, delays, or problems at all). Considering Jake and I were in 12 airports throughout our travels to and from India and this was the only major hiccup we really can’t complain. Thankfully we were able to work out all the little hiccups and everything went pretty smoothly.
The “Travel and Vacation” series is an insight into our trips together as a family and ways we relax. Life is short and we were thrilled to have the opportunity to build memories with family and explore of of the most amazing places during our time away. Explore with a good attitude, look for fun, and it will be an awesome trip jammed packed with positive memories. It is refreshing having some time away from the regular routine. Make it a once in a lifetime opportunity to meet new people and learn. You just might see or try something new that takes your breath away!
Song: “Overcome” by Jeremy Camp
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ERMzo0npg_g
I am forever grateful to Jesus for choosing to take the place on the cross and pay dearly for my sin, he truly overcame! Is there an area in your life you are trying to overcome? He loves you and wants to help you overcome too!
Seated above, enthroned in the Father’s love
Destined to die, poured out for all mankind
God’s only Son, perfect and spotless one
He never sinned but suffered as if He did All authority
Every victory is Yours
All authority
Every victory is YoursSavior, worthy of honor and glory
Worthy of all our praise, You overcame
Jesus, awesome in power forever
Awesome and great is Your name, You overcameWhat’s for Dinner: Our Weekly Menu Plan
The girls have horse camp this week and we are still in the process of locating another vehicle so the schedules have been a little more crazy. I am thankful for the amazing opportunities we have been given, for a dinner menu to keep us on track in the evenings, and awesome friends who have been a huge blessing to us this week. Summer has been a whirlwind of activity around our house this year and it doesn’t look like it will be slowing down any time soon. Here is our menu plan for the upcoming week:
Our Weekly Menu Plan
- Monday (Beef or Seafood Entree): Cheesy Beef & Bow Tie Pasta Casserole, Fresh Fruit
- Tuesday (Pasta or Pork Entree): Special Event
- Wednesday (Kid’s Night to Cook): Brina & Karlie’s Night to Cook Dinner
- Thursday (Chicken or Vegetarian Entree): Golden Chicken Curry, Roasted Garlic & Chili Jasmine Rice
- 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, Tuesday a pasta or pork 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
I was able to tackle a good bit of items on my list last week. Although this week is a little busier with activities outside of the house I still want to get a lot accomplished!
Last week’s goals:
Family Goals
Read at least one book or a chapter in a book to the girls every dayListen to the girls read at least one book to me or Jake every dayParticipate in at least 2 fun Summer Activities with the KidsGet to the 1/2 Goal Mark (1000 Hours) on the Girls “Swim Into Reading” Summer Reading Goal (total 2,000 Reading Hours)Go to the library with the kidsCelebrate July 4th with the Family- Narrow down what type of vehicle we want to get – narrowing it down
Personal Goals
- Exercise – at least 5 days this week – got in a couple
Home Management Goals
All laundry for the week washed, folded, and put away in one dayWeekly Dinner Menu & Schedule planned out for the weekWork on My Summer Organizational SchedulePay all upcoming bills
Business Goals
Work on ideas for upcoming blog postsKeep up with the day to day items that need my attention1o minutes a day Cleaning / Organizing my desk
Ministry Goals
Meet a friend or family member for Breakfast or Lunch- Email the updated schedule to our Community Group – didn’t get this done
Financial Goals
Stay within Budget on Groceries $40 for 4- Emergency Fund – save 6 months worth of living expenses – temporarily on hold
- Car Fund – save money for another vehicle to replace the one that was totaled – still saving for it
- College Fund – put cash aside for 1 year of Jake’s College Classes – on hold until we get the car
My goals for the upcoming week:
Family Goals
- Read at least one book or a chapter in a book to the girls every day
- Listen to the girls read at least one book to me or Jake every day
- Participate in at least 2 fun Summer Activities with the Kids
- Get to the 3/4 Goal Mark (1500 minutes) on the Girls “Swim Into Reading” Summer Reading Goal (total 2,000 Reading minutes)
- Go to the library with the kids
- Take the girls to Horse Camp
- Narrow down what type of vehicle we want to get
Personal Goals
- Exercise – at least 5 days 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
- Work on My Summer Organizational Schedule
- Pack for upcoming family reunion
- 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
- 1o minutes a day Cleaning / Organizing my desk
- Put in extra hours with clients while girls are at camp
Ministry Goals
- Meet a friend or family member for Breakfast or Lunch
- Prepare for the next 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
You Can’t Buy Happiness….
Book: The Saddle Club “Horse Crazy” by Bonnie Bryant
The girls picked out the first book they wanted me to read to them over the Summer Break. They choose The Saddle Club Horse Crazy by Bonnie Bryant. The girls have loved reading this book especially every part about the horses. The book is about two girls who love horses and are excited about going on their Mountain Trail Overnight campout for all the students of Pine Hollow. The only problem is Stevie’s parents won’t pay for it unless she improves her grades. It is a cute story about friendship, horses, and fun that was a real treat to read with the girls. They are so excited about the finding the Saddle Club books at the used book store. If you have a young girl that enjoys animals or horses this is a great book to read together.
Recipe: Easy Mini Pizzas
Easy mini pizzas
When you need a quick lunch or dinner for the family this is an easy one. I used English Muffins for the crust, pizza sauce, shredded cheese, and toppings (we used bacon crumbs, pepperoni, and black olives for this lunch). Baked them in the oven for a few minutes until the cheese melted and viola….mini pizzas. These are easy enough for the kids to make themselves now too! It isn’t a meal we make a lot in our house but in a quick pinch it is easy and one everyone enjoys.
Travel & Vacation: Lemon Tree Hotel Hyderabad, India
Entrance to the Lemon Tree Hotel where we stayed in Hyderabad, India. Jake stayed in this hotel for several weeks while he was working. They had four restaurants in the hotel and people to drive you to and from wherever you needed to go. We were able to meet a lot of great people and see some neat places during our stay in Hyderabad.
If your looking for a great place to stay in Hyderabad we had a wonderful experience at the Lemon Tree Hotel. The staff was awesome, the rooms were clean, and it was a wonderful place to stay.
The hotel breakfast area with a TV and tshirts hanging up as decorations. I had a lot of fun reading the sayings on the tshirts, probably one of my favorite sayings was “keep staring I might do tricks” because being an American in India you will have a lot of people watching everything you do. People were fascinated with what you ate, talked about, activities, or what you purchased at the store….really with about anything. They wanted to shake your hand, meet a person from American and ask you questions. You got used to it after while!
View from Jake’s window, the gas station was a busy place with cars, trucks, motorcycles, equipment and other traffic coming and going all day sometimes the line would be so long it was out in the street.
Sign posted in the elevator….should I be worried???? Although the power went off several times while I was there it never happened while I was in the elevator (one time it was literally a moment after I stepped off the elevator)!
Roof top pool, beautiful and relaxing. There weren’t a lot of people that went swimming so most of the time I had the pool to myself.
One of the Jokes on one of the table mats at the breakfast area. Each mat have a bunch of different jokes, stories, and sayings….it was always interesting to read them.
Gas station across the street from the hotel “Indian Oil”. You can see the person with the tractor filling up with gas. Diesel was actually less expensive because the government subsidized it.
In order for the lights and the electricity to work in the room you had to have your room key in this wall mount. It was nice unless you wanted something to charge while your away from a few minutes, although they probably save on energy.
Watching the dump truck on the construction sight out our hotel window.
Outside view of our hotel from the Ohri’s restaurant.
The “Travel and Vacation” series is an insight into our trips together as a family and ways we relax. Life is short and we were thrilled to have the opportunity to build memories with family and explore of of the most amazing places during our time away. Explore with a good attitude, look for fun, and it will be an awesome trip jammed packed with positive memories. It is refreshing having some time away from the regular routine. Make it a once in a lifetime opportunity to meet new people and learn. You just might see or try something new that takes your breath away!
