Counting My Blessings: Week In Review
It was a busy full week of school, work, activities and appointments, but a productive week as well. Thankful for some many opportunities and the ability to get things done, meet new people, and do activities that help us grow as individuals and as a family. There are so many blessings to pick from each day this week. Grateful for all that the Lord has done through me and continues to work in my heart and life.
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 Karlie was able to get into the pediatric eye Dr. today to get her eyes re-check, her prescription had changed which is why she was having more difficulty seeing the chalkboard at school
Tuesday – Thankful for a job that allows me to come in a little earlier so I can make up time missed while at Karlie’s appointment yesterday and for the people I get the privilege to work alongside. It is nice being part of a time and accomplishing task even though today was an incredibly busy day!
Wednesday – Thankful for a few minutes outside enjoying the fresh air with the kids after getting home, spending a little time with the pets, picking up sticks in the yard, and soaking in some sunshine after being inside most of the day
Thursday – Thankful that Jake was willing to watch the girls, help with homework and dinner so I could go to ladies Bible Study. It was a crazy day at work, running errands, appointments, picking up the kids, and the Bible Study was a nice end to the evening to help me refocus on truly what is important in life and spend time with other ladies who are wanting to grow their faith as well
Friday – Thankful that Jake and I were able to relax for a little bit at the end of a very busy week and have a couples massage. Love any extra time with him and the massage felt amazing too.
Saturday – Thankful for having a day with my family. Although Saturdays are a different kind of busy from the work and school day they are relaxing, enjoyable, yet productive around the home and more opportunities for special activities and fun time with the kids.
Sunday – Thankful for a day of rest and worship with other believers. Grateful that the girls enjoy church and are learning as well as interacting with kids their own age.
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.
What’s for Dinner: Our Weekly Menu Plan
Last week went by quickly and as we approach a new week it is another full schedule. Thankful for a family who works and plays together. We had a great weekend, but are preparing for another crazy week of school and work ahead. The menu will be slightly different this week with everything going on, but I will try to stay on track as much as possible.
It will be another busy week, but glad that the family is working together to get everything done. This week I have some special events going on and I need to utilize the items in my pantry. Trying to keep it healthy, yet simple since several nights we are tighter on time. Here is our menu plan for the upcoming week:
Our Weekly Menu Plan
- Monday (Beef or Pasta Entree): Sloppy Joe’s, Fresh Salad
- Tuesday (Seafood, Soup, Salad, or Sandwich Entree): Sandwiches, Salads, Fresh Veggies
- Wednesday (Chicken or Vegetarian Entree): Hotdogs, Baked Beans
- Thursday (Pork Entree or Kid‘s Night to Cook): Crockpot Pork Roast, Mash Potatoes (we switched this night around last week so it’s back on the menu)
- 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 pasta 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 whirlwind of school, work, and activities! We got a lot done, some unexpected items that became higher priorities, but overall it was a good week. Thankful for being able to do so much and the time we have together as a family. Very grateful for a husband who willingly steps in to help and encourages me in areas that I need to work on and improve as well.
This upcoming week will be another busy one with school projects to tackle, work items that need to be done, house to be maintained, relationships to be built, and a multitude of other activities that call our attention. Praying for wisdom to remember and focus on the right priorities as I attempt to balance everything that is planned as well as the extra activities that tend to come up throughout the week. 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 – still reading it, but getting closer, if it was up to the kids I would read the book cover to cover (they love their reading time with the family – I enjoy it too!)
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 – have some fun stuff in the works
- Play a Game with the Kids – we tried to spend more time outside when we could this week to soak up the sunshine and get fresh air
Create Memories with the FamilySpend Quality time with each family memberDo a new, unique, or different activity with the family this week –after school & work most days this week the girls and I spent a little bit of time with the pets, picking up sticks in the yard, soaking up the sun since people at work and school have been getting sick, and enjoying the fresh air as well as exerciseCoordinate and review schedules at beginning of week to confirm all obligations, appointments, and other activities
Kid Goals
Do Homework Monday – FridayPack Lunches and Prep for the next daySpend one-on-one time with kids each dayAttend Robotics Club and Other After School ActivitiesAppointments – Pediatric Eye Doctor Re-check
Personal Goals
Drink 8 glasses of waterWear FitBit (at least 10,000 steps and 10 sets of stairs every day)– went over a couple days! 🙂- Do Yoga at least 5 times this week – so close, did 4 days!
Sign up for Women’s Ministry Bible Study ClassDate and Couples Massage with Jake! XOXOAppointments
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 – have more to write and do
- Get caught up on blog posts – at the end of work, homework, family activities, dinner, etc….my body is tired so this unfortunately has not been done but I have made some progress in the right direction
- Work on a few special projects – got a start on a couple
- Update my LinkedIn Profile – did a little but need to wrap it up
- Research a couple of items in regards to the blog – wasn’t able to get to it this week
- Confirm the tasks my plate as I transition to a new team – working on it
- Pick from a couple of the “extra” activity and/or product options – some good ones coming up
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 – need to narrow done times on our schedules of when both Jake & I would be available to meet with them
- Get our finances and budget back on track – working on it
- Pay down debt we owe – made a small extra payment this week
- Limit amount spent on Groceries, Household, and Other Items (use what we already have at home) – did decent, but still missed the goal
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 – Orthodontist
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
- Appointments
Home (Yard & Pets) Management Goals
- Household Cleaning / Organization – Organize my Paperwork, Folders, and Projects Stack
- Plan out the Menu for the Week
- Clean & Organize Storage Room
- Speed clean & pick up the house 15 minutes a night
- Remove most of the Spring / Summer items from Closets
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
- Attend Ladies Bible Study
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
Celebrating Jake’s Birthday
I am just now getting our pictures updated from our last big adventure, so yes a little later than planned…. Our family was able to celebrate Jake’s birthday this year while on our Alaska Cruise vacation! Thankful for an opportunity to spend time with the whole family.
We surprised Jake and had the chef on the cruise ship make him a birthday cake! It was big and extra rich chocolate! The crew sang him “Happy Birthday” in Indonesian which was really cool. He was so thrilled that we made a big spectacle of his birthday celebration. We were so full after the delicious meal that we ended up taking the cake back to the cabin to eat later that night after all the other activities that evening.
SURPRISE!!! Happy Birthday Handsome!
Celebrating Jake’s birthday with the whole family.
Thankful for a wonderful time together and for this amazing man who I get to live my life with!
Love you JACOB!!! Happy Birthday! Wishing you many more healthy, happy, and fun adventures!
Alaskan Cruise – New Holland Zaandam
Once we were back on the New Holland Zaandam cruise ship after exploring the town of Seward, Alaska we were able to check out more of the ship. The girls were thrilled to see all the cool activities and places on the ship. They couldn’t wait to try out the pool deck, play a little bit, and try out the different foods as well as fun activities that were coming up that week. Thankful for the opportunity to spend this time with the family. We had a blast spending time together. It was a wonderful family vacation!
Testing out the courts…..they had fun even in the rain! 🙂
Brina enjoying her first dinner on the cruise. She found out that although the window views were nice at dinner it was a little chilly and she needed her jacket!
Our first night on-board the ship and heading to dinner!
Brina and I trying to stay warm at the evening meal. We were trying to get used to the cooler weather after coming from the 100 plus degrees we were having that week in South Carolina!
Jake and Karlie having fun at our first dinner on the cruise!
Visiting Anchorage, Alaska
First glimpse at our Home-Away-From-Home this week as we pulled into the Seward Port!
We made it to Port Seward and caught the first glimpse of our ship! The kids were super excited (and Dad & Mom too)! We arrived at a good time so were able to drop our luggage off, go through the check in process, drop items most of the backpack items off in our rooms, and head back out to tour the town of Seward. Our visit to the Alaska SeaLife Center took up the majority of the time we had in the town, but was a great activity for the whole family. It was a cloudy and misty day in Seward, however, we still had a wonderful time. It was a beautiful area, small town, and the local people we met were very nice.
Beautiful views as we roll into the town of Seward
Someone crashed on the way to the port!
Sweet girls having fun in Seward and excited about going on our Alaska cruise
Gorgeous area!
Listen Earnestly To …
Counting My Blessings: Week In Review
It was great having Labor Day off of work and school so got an extra day together. Thankful for our time to celebrate, relax, and have fun. 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 spend the extra day together on Labor Day
Tuesday – Thankful for an extra day off with the girls since they did not have school today due to Professional Teachers Work Day – the girls and I got some stuff done, but had a fun day together
Wednesday – Thankful the girls had another day off from Professional Teachers Work Day again even though I was not able to spend the day with them they had a good day
Thursday – Thankful that Jake is willing to take the girls to school so I can head into work in the mornings and only have to pick them up after school each afternoon
Friday – Thankful that Jake split the errands with me to help out – he went to one store with its list and I did the other store with its list and we got home at almost the same time
Saturday – Thankful for an opportunity to work in the yard – Jake mowed while the girls and I picked up sticks, did a bonfire, refilled Skipper’s bin, filled the goats water, and many other outside activities
Sunday – Thankful for a chance to go to church as well as spend some time Hiking on the Appalachian trail with the family.
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.
Glacier Bay National Park (Alaska)
On our Alaska cruise we were able to visit Glacier Bay National Park. It was BEAUTIFUL!!! The day started out as rainy and cool, but it cleared up as we were getting closer to the glaciers. The overcast, misty, and foggy day gave it a really neat look. Thankful for the opportunity to visit this beautiful place. We LOVED hearing the glaciers snap, crackle, pop, and watching them slide into the water.
The water was a gorgeous blue color with lots of ice chunks floating around into it. The lines and colors in the glaciers were super pretty. You could really see a lot of the dirt, rocks, and items that the glaciers brought down through the mountains and valleys with it. It was a super fascinating experience! We took a lot off pictures, but even the pictures don’t do it justice. We even saw several animals while on the boat going through Glacier Bay…a bear near a camp site with campers in a tent, otters swimming in the water, and more!
We had the privilege of visiting Glacier Bay National Park on it’s 100 anniversary! While we were cruising through Glacier Bay National Forest Rangers were giving talks and sharing information about the area. It was a very educational and fun activity for the whole family!
Overcast, but beautiful in Glacier Bay National Forest
Our family on the deck of the ship with a glacier in the background!
Big glacier!
The water, mountains, and beaches were pretty at Glacier Bay
The fog made it have an even more distinct and beautiful look to it
A private boat in Glacier Bay
You can see from the striachens on the rock where the water ran down it into the turquoise water below
You can see the waterfalls coming down the mountains
You can see all the rocks, dirt, and items that a recent glacier moved down this mountain.. Fascinating that ice can move that many items along with it!
Huge glacier coming down between two mountains and into the water!
Love the beautiful colors and lines in the glacier
Water streaming down the mountain!
Iceberg floating in the water below us
Glacier coming around the corner of the mountain
My favorite people – thankful for my family!
Massive iceberg, part of a glacier!
A little cave like area of the glacier
On the middle-right side of the picture you can see something that looks like a cloud near the water? That is actually a part of the ice breaking off and falling into the water. It was loud and super cool to watch!
Freezing cold, but gorgeous to see so close!
Brina hanging out on the deck and trying not to get too cool
I knew the glaciers were a pretty turquoise just didn’t expect it to be so vivid and beautiful in person!
Mesmerizing watching the water splashing along beside us. Peaceful and pretty at the same time!
What’s for Dinner: Our Weekly Menu Plan
This week we are back to our “new normal” schedule. Last week was a little different since the girls were out of school Monday for Labor Day and Tuesday and Wednesday for Teachers Professional Learning Days. LOVED having extra time with my sweet girls and Jake over the Labor Day weekend!!!
We are gearing up for another full week of school, work and extra activities. The girls are starting to have more club and after school activities starting this week too. Along with a handful of appointments and other fun activities so it will be a busy week for the whole crew, but looking forward to hitting a rhythm.
It will be another busy week, but glad that the family is working together to get everything done. This week I have some special events going on and I need to utilize the items in my pantry. Trying to keep it healthy, yet simple since several nights we are tighter on time. Here is our menu plan for the upcoming week:
Our Weekly Menu Plan
- Monday (Beef or Pasta Entree): Chili, Corn Bread
- Tuesday (Seafood, Soup, Salad, or Sandwich Entree): Tagliatelle & Garlic Pasta, Asparagus, Stone Ground Wheat Bread
- Wednesday (Chicken or Vegetarian Entree): Sweet & Sour Chicken, Steamed Rice
- Thursday (Pork Entree or Kid‘s Night to Cook): Crockpot Pork Roast, Mash Potatoes
- 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 pasta 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
