Travel & Vacation: Character Breakfast at the Garden Grove (Orlando, FL)
Meeting Goofy at Breakfast!
We were able to go to the Saturday morning Character Breakfast at Garden Grove Cafe while we were in Orlando. It is located on the Swan and Dolphin Resort, but anyone can come and eat there if they want. They had great food and we got to meet a couple of the Disney Characters during our meal. The girls thought it was pretty neat too. If you do want to eat at a character to meal make sure you work that into your budget while in the planning stages because they are a little higher priced than some of the other options. Also, if you have a choice choose the breakfast over the dinner Character meal because it is a little less expensive. If you have older kids any kid 10 years and up is charged the adult prices (both for the meal as well as to get into the Disney parks).
The kids did amazing the entire week. We were going full throttle this entire week, they didn’t miss a beat, and had great attitudes. We were going from sun up to way past sun down every night too. They did crash as soon as the hit the pillows every night, but still popped up as soon as the first ray of sunlight hit our room!
Delicious food complete with a Mickey Mouse Waffle! The fresh fruit and fresh fruit smoothies were amazing!!!
Having fun even at breakfast!
Hanging out with Pluto!
Love spending time with my man!
Song: I Am Free by Ross Parsley
We will be set free! Hallelujah! The trials and stress of this life will not go on forever. I have several friends and family members who are going through some tough situations right now. Even through the trials of life you can be encouraged by God’s word and songs. May you be encouraged today.
Through You the blind will see
Through You the mute will sing
Through You the dead will rise
Through You all hearts will praise
Through You the darkness flees
Through You my heart screams
You are freeI am free to run
I am free to dance
I am free to live for You
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Travel & Vacation: Disney Epcot at Night (Orlando, FL)
Hanging out at Epcot
Walt Disney World’s Epcot looks beautiful during the day, however, at night with all the lights it looks amazing! Thankful for a full and fun day exploring Epcot with the family. We were there when they opened and stayed until they closed the gates. The second day we left about 30 minutes early since we were driving home that night and wanted to get ahead of the crowds and traffic. Even with leaving early it still took us almost an hour to get from the hotel parking lot to the interstate. The kids were out cold and snoozing before we even left the hotel parking lot.
Our little Minnie and Mickey at Epcot
The Epcot ball and water fountain looked super cool.
Epcot’s World Showcase lit up from across the water
Epcot’s huge globe during the fireworks. The kids loved seeing this globe and watching it move as well as open up!
It was hard to get a clear picture of the moving Earth in the dark during the fireworks, but here is the North and South America side of the globe!
IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth at Epcot!
Fireworks are always a hit with our kids!
They had a lot of different fireworks and music during their firework show!
So neat!
Counting My Blessings: Week In Review
Last week was a whirlwind of activities as we got back into the regular school and work routine! It was a busy week, but I am thankful for time together with the family too. There was so much to be thankful for last week.
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 for my Mom and the opportunity to celebrate her birthday! Wish I could be there to celebrate with her. Also, grateful for the nurses and Doctors looking after my Grandma in the hospital. We had a scare today, but thankfully everything is okay.
Tuesday – Thankful for two kids who work hard at school even when it isn’t always easy. We received their report cards today and I am very proud of them.
Wednesday – Thankful for those people who help keep me accountable.
Thursday – Thankful for Jake and he’s willingness to pitch in and help anywhere I need it from homework to meals and around the house. He is very thoughtful and considerate, I am blessed.
Friday – Thankful for an opportunity to go to the Zoo with the family and for a Date Night with my sweet Brina Bee.
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!
Travel & Vacation: Walt Disney World Epcot (Orlando, FL)
Spending the day at Epcot
Thankful for a chance to spend time with the family at Disney’s Epcot. It was so much fun. The kids kept up remarkably well and had great attitudes the entire busy day. I am grateful for kids who love to learn and explore new places. They just soaked in all the neat stuff going on at Epcot in. The second day was not as hot which was nice too.
They got me to go on Mission Space again. This time we went on the Orange ride which is more intense. Let’s just say I was looking a little green after this ride, thankfully this picture was taken before take off.
Jake and Brina cruising along
Image Works was a cool place to explore
Playing music at Image Works
Our own little Mickey Mouse. Karlie wanted the black hat and ears.
Our own little Minnie Mouse. Brina wanted the headband with a red and white Minnie Mouse bow.
Walking with Dad, so exciting!
Sweet girls.
All smiles
Pausing graciously to let me take a picture even though she’s worried about missing something!
Brina Bee
On the move
Taking in all the cool sights around her
We found a place that engraved names onto leather bracelets.
The girls have unique names which makes it impossible to find items with their names on it so we got these for them as a souvenir. They were fascinated watching the worker do the engraving and proud of their bracelets.
What’s for Dinner: Our Weekly Menu Plan
Everyone was able to get back into rhythm last week with work and school. While it was a busy week we managed to squeeze in some fun activities too. We took the girls to the Zoo for Member Night and went on Date Nights with the kids so that was fun. On the weekend we worked for several hours on their Science Fair Projects (a new step for us). This week will be another busy one so I am doing very simple and easy meals. Also, we have leftover food that needs to be eaten up at the beginning of the week so we don’t waste it so the menu won’t be too exciting. Here is our menu plan for the upcoming week:
Our Weekly Menu Plan
- Monday (Beef or Pork Entree): Leftover Buffet (which is what we call leftover night at our house)
- Tuesday (Kid’s Night to Cook): French Bread Pizza, Fresh Salad
- Wednesday (Chicken or Vegetarian Entree): Mustard Chicken, Steamed Vegetables
- Thursday (Pasta or Seafood Entree): Baked Salmon, Mixed 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 was a busy one as we unpacked from our Spring Break Atlanta trip and got back into school and work full time again. We had a lot of activities going on this week which made it fly by quickly. Thankful for the time with my family. Hoping that it is a wonderful week and that we will be able to get a lot accomplished. Here are my goals for this week:
Last week’s goals
Family Goals
- Finish reading Samantha’s Pride (Thoroughbred Series #7) by Joanna Campbell to the kids – busy week and we just got started
Plan one special activity with the family– we did a kids date night and trip to the zooPlay a Game with the KidsPrepare for Upcoming Spring EventsSpend time Monday –Friday helping the kids with HomeworkAttend After School ActivitiesLunch Boxes & Book Bags packed the night beforePrep for upcoming Family AdventureWork on the kids Science Fair Projects– we made some good progressPrep for upcoming Summer Break
Personal Goals
Drink 8 glasses of water each dayContinue my YouVersion plan(s)Keep up with my FitBit Goals– I DID it this week (over 10,000 steps a day, 5 miles, 10 sets of stairs, etc)! Thankful to be excited to be moving more again since my herniated disc!Go to my Doctor Appointments Scheduled this week- Update Counting My Blessings and Other journal entries daily – I didn’t do as well staying on top of it this week
Home (Yard & Pets) Management Goals
All laundry for the week washed, folded, and put away in one dayWeekly Dinner Menu planned out for the weekClean House (Focus – Unpack Suitcase and Items Away from Atlanta Trip this weekend)- Organize Chaos (Focus – All pictures downloaded & organized from FL, STEM, and Atlanta trips) – almost done
Yard / Garage Cleanup (Focus – Clean Out Van from Road Trips)Pet Care (Focus – Brush Goats & Dog – starting to shed with warmer weather)
Business Goals
Work on ideas for upcoming blog postsRespond to Inquiry – Business Relation EmailsKeep 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 – working on it
- Payoff Medical Bills – working on it
- Payoff Other Outstanding Debt – (replacement microwave, refrigerator, hot water heater, bed, and other debt) – working on it
Pay Bills & File PaperworkGo grocery shopping one time to one store this week and stay within budget
My goals for the upcoming week
Family Goals
- Finish reading Samantha’s Pride (Thoroughbred Series #7) by Joanna Campbell to the kids
- Plan one special activity with the family
- Play a Game with the Kids
- Prepare for Upcoming Spring Events
- Spend time Monday –Friday helping the kids with Homework
- Attend After School Activities
- Lunch Boxes & Book Bags packed the night before
- Prep for upcoming Family Adventure
- Finish the kids Science Fair Projects
- Prep for upcoming Summer Break
Personal Goals
- Drink 8 glasses of water each day
- Continue my YouVersion plan(s)
- Keep up with my FitBit Goals
- Go to my Doctor Appointments Scheduled this week
- Update Counting My Blessings and Other journal entries daily
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
- Clean House (Focus – All Winter Clothes Pulled out of Closets & Dressers and Put into the Attic)
- Organize Chaos (Focus – All pictures downloaded & organized from FL, STEM, and Atlanta trips)
- Yard / Garage Cleanup (Focus – Clean Off the Deck)
- Pet Care (Focus – Get Another Water Bucket set Out for the Goats)
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 Medical Bills
- Payoff Other Outstanding Debt – (replacement microwave, refrigerator, hot water heater, bed, and other debt)
- Pay Bills & File Paperwork
- 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.
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God Is Good…
