Wishing You a Safe & Happy Thanksgiving
Happy Thanksgiving!
Wishing you a truly amazing and safe Thanksgiving Holiday if you will be traveling to see family and friends! I am thankful for the many wonderful blessings in my life. This year we are thrilled to spend some time with our extended family over the Thanksgiving Holiday! It is not every year we are able to get together for Thanksgiving! We also get to celebrate with my youngest brother as he marries the love of his life this Thanksgiving weekend. So many reasons to be thankful!
I love this quote because even during the difficult times we can “be kind, be thoughtful, be genuine, but most of all be thankful”. What a great reminder not just for Thanksgiving Day, but for everyday of our lives!
Fun at the Lake in Connecticut!
Brina hoping to catch something in the lake!
Our family was able to stop for a few hours in Connecticut this summer. Jake’s Dad lives in CT and we wanted to catch up since we were driving through on our way back home. The girls were excited to spend some time with Grandpa Tim and the rest of the crew at the lake. It was a beautiful sunny day and the lake was gorgeous. The perfect day to hang out at the lake! We had a wonderful time visiting, playing at the lake, eating delicious food, shooting off the cannon, and more! It was great getting a chance to hang out for a few hours!
Karlie was determined to catch a fish with her net. They were really fast though!
Splashing around in the lake while Grandpa Tim cools off!
Jake and Karlie went for a ride in the canoe
They did a great job out on the lake, but they got a little wet when trying to dock. I didn’t get a picture of them flipping out of the canoe when they were getting out because I was trying to help, but it did provide some good laughs watching them!
Grandpa Tim sitting up the cannon! Oh boy! Super excited to watch the cannon fire.
Grandpa Tim wanted to try out these cool shots that he got at a garage sale. At first we thought they were duds…..however, a few seconds after the initial shot there was a huge explosion and water came spraying up from the lake. I would say they were really well! Better make sure the lake is clear before firing another one!
Grandpa Tim was standing right next the cannon when he reached back to pull it back up the hill by the string a little bit, but instead set the cannon off making another big and loud explosion in front of us on the lake. He was surprised, but thankfully not hurt (other than the ringing in his ears from being so close to it when it went off). Once everyone knew Grandpa was okay everyone was laughing hysterically. The expression on Grandpa Tim’s face was priceless when he unexpectedly set off the cannon. Thankfully, everyone was okay and it is something we can laugh about now!
Karlie’s turn to shoot off the cannon! The girls loved the cannon! They haven’t set one off before so it was a lot of fun for them!
My Little Pony goodies, the perfect gift for the long road trip home! Thankful for a wonderful day with family in CT.
Travel & Vacation: Quick Trip to Nebraska & Kansas
Brina having a blast swimming at the pool in Nebraska
Earlier this year our family made a quick trip out to Nebraska and Kansas for a conference. During the trip we got to spend some time hanging out with family too. While Jake and I attended the conference the girls got to hang out with Grandma Penny. They had a blast swimming, going to the Children’s Museum and more.
Watch this! Karlie preparing for her next dive! Love the blue goggles and floats, she cracks me up!
Crashed after a fun day with Grandma…..can you guess whose wearing the “heart” pjs and who is wearing the “rockets”, ha?! I think it is hilarious that they have a queen bed with covers yet they are laying on top of the sheet and barely even using a pillow. You can tell from this picture which one wiggles around the most in her action packed dreams.
Slumber party in the living room at Grandpa and Grandma’s with the cousins
One of the best parts about going to Kansas is seeing family. The girls always love hanging out and playing with their cousins Nathan and Brandon. The kids have a blast together!
Grandma set up a craft for the kids. They were super excited and it kept them entertained for quite some time. It was fun listening to them chitchat while creating their cool designs.
Kids being kids….doing jumping jacks, playing Simon Says, and having fun
Early morning Kansas Sunrise (taken through the car window on our way back to the airport). Kansas has some pretty amazing sunrises and sunsets.
The girls were concerned that the girls bathroom also served as the “Tornado Shelter” for the Grand Island airport. It was a really nice and small airport, thankfully no tornadoes came while we were there.
Hanging out at the kids section burning off extra energy before our next flight out of the Dallas Airport. This picture was taken only a few moments before Karlie spit out her lose tooth. She has a thing with traveling and losing her teeth for some reason because most of the ones that have fallen out have been away from home (in the Dallas airport, at a hotel in Charleston, eating a tomato at VBS, etc…). I am thankful for the fun times and great memories with family! I am already gearing up for next fun adventure to the Midwest which will be here before we know it.
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!
Intentional Living: Weekly Goals
Last week we made a quick trip out to the midwest, Nebraska & Kansas, to attend a Pro Ag conference with my family. The girls had a blast with Grandma while Jake and I (along with other family and friends) attended the conference. We learned a lot of great information (still processing all of it) they covered a lot in a short period of time. We were also able to squeeze in some time to spend with extended family during the trip too. It was a quick and busy trip but we were able to fit in some fun along the way! 🙂 Now that I am back home I have a pretty big week planned out, praying I will be able to tackle the majority of the items on the list for the week!
Here is the update on last weeks goals:
Family Goals
- Spend 1-on-1 time with each child everyday – I was not able to do this with the conference last week
- Read a book to the girls everyday- during the conference they were with Grandma so they probably had books read to them but I didn’t read them
Spend some time with extended family
Personal Goals
- Exercise – walk at least 5 days this week – did well until all the traveling
Read and listen to the next section of Desiring God: Finding Complete Satisfaction and Joy in God by John Piper (our church Community Group is going through this book together).
Home Management Goals
All laundry for the week washed, folded, and put away in one dayWeekly Dinner Menu planned and written by Monday
Business Goals
Attend the Pro Ag ConferencePay all bills that come in the mail this week
Ministry Goals
Email our weekly Community Group update including upcoming events on the calendar, praises, and prayer requestsMeet a friend or family member for Breakfast or Lunch
Financial Goals
Stay within Budget on Groceries $40 for 4- Emergency Fund – save 3 months worth of living expenses – still working on this one
Here are my goals for the upcoming week:
Family Goals
- Spend 1-on-1 time with each child everyday
- Read a book to the girls everyday
- Have each girl read 1 book to myself or Jake 5 days this week
- Schedule a Date Night with the Girls & Re-Schedule My Date Night with Jake
- Finalize the Girls Birthday Party Items
- Set up a dentist appointment for the girls
- Pick up the girls new glasses
Personal Goals
- Exercise – walk at least 5 days this week
- Go to bed by 10:30 pm or earlier Monday to Thursday
- Finish reading Crush It by Gary Vaynerchuk
- Read and listen to the next section of Desiring God: Finding Complete Satisfaction and Joy in God by John Piper (our church Community Group is going through this book together).
- Set up an appointment to get updated on shots / vaccinations
- Finalize Upcoming Travel Plans – dates set / plane tickets purchased / visa
Home Management Goals
- All laundry for the week washed, folded, and put away in one day
- Weekly Dinner Menu planned and written by Monday
- Spend 30 minutes every day picking up / cleaning the house
- Dinner ready by 5:30 PM (Monday through Thursday)
- Spend time re-organizing and de-cluttering the Master Bedroom & Bathroom
- Get the majority of our 2011 Personal Taxes completed
Business Goals
- Pay all bills that come in the mail this week
- Work on ideas for upcoming blog posts
- Spend 10 minutes a day cleaning and organizing my desk
- Write a Guest Blog Post
- Schedule Meeting with Accountant for Business Taxes
Ministry Goals
- Email our weekly Community Group update including upcoming events on the calendar, praises, and prayer requests
- Meet a friend or family member for Breakfast or Lunch
- Email Alms & Legs Ministry Team regarding our upcoming meeting
- Put together the Alms & Legs Meeting Agenda
Financial Goals
- Stay within Budget on Groceries $40 for 4
- Emergency Fund – save 3 months worth of living expenses
- Start working on our personal 2011 taxes
- Put money aside for upcoming trips
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
Family Activities: Enjoying Time with Extended Family
I was going through some pictures (from the 2011 Fall Season) and realized I never posted anything about our visit from extended family members. My parents, little brother and grandparents were able to come out for a few days and spend some time with us. We were blessed to have some time with everyone. The girls LOVED having Grandpa Russell, Grandma Penny, Uncle Josh, Great Grandpa CE, and Great Grandma Willa staying at our house. It reminds me of how important it is that we spend time with those we love whenever we have the opportunity to get together.
Playing outside with Grandma. Brina and Karlie blowing bubbles on Skipper while Skipper looks at me as if to say “do you see what I have to put up with!”
Brina and Karlie giggling as they chase Skipper across the yard.
No sleeping in Uncle Josh, it is time to play! They don’t give him much of an option to rest with all their “Uncle Josh, let’s go…..Uncle Josh will you play with me, Uncle Josh…….” Brina’s ready to go roller blading and Karlie has a lot of fun stories to tell! Brina and Karlie have fun when Uncle Josh is over reading books and playing.
Convinced Uncle Josh to read them a few books. Here they are reading a book from the library called “Hot Fudge”
Playing a round of Wits & Wagers with Dad, Josh, Grandpa CE and Grandma Willa. We received this game as a gift and since then have gotten several other family members and friends hooked on the game. If you are looking for a great family game with a bunch of fun facts check out Wits & Wagers!
It was a fun extended weekend with family. We played games, read books, spent time outside, celebrated my nephew Nicholas’s first birthday and enjoyed great fellowship together. I am truly grateful that the girls have the opportunity to spend time with not only their grandparents, but great grandparents as well as Aunts and Uncles. It was a fun weekend full of great memories for everyone! 🙂
Creative Kids: Building a Gingerbread House
Baths are taken, pj’s on, and the Gingerbread house is built!
Fun times over the Christmas Season with the family.
Brina and Karlie love doing fun crafts and activities during the Holiday Season. When we have the opportunity (get a coupon or kit on sale) we’ll build a gingerbread house together as a family. The girls are getting old enough to do the majority of the work. We help get the base set up and they do the decorating.
If you do not want to use a gingerbread house kit or cannot find one on sale you can make individual mini Gingerbread houses by using graham crackers, white frosting and candies. The girls enjoy doing both. You can make the season enjoyable for the kids no matter what your circumstances or budget is this year.
Summer Activities – A Hammock Full of Memories
Swinging and relaxing for a few minutes in the Hammock! A few months ago for Mother’s Day Jake gave me a hammock! It wasn’t until this Summer that I realized how much the gift meant to me. As a family we have spent some wonderful time together talking, laughing, reading, and just relaxing together in the hammock. Jake hung the hammock in the shady part of our yard near the jungle gym, swimming pool, and where I can see the majority of the yard, house and driveway.
Karlie hanging out with us on the hammock! Once Karlie was done swimming she ran inside the house to change so she could have some relaxing time on the hammock with Mom and Dad. I cannot count the number of times she has fallen asleep on the hammock as we enjoy time together.
Brina loving the extra time talking and relaxing with Mom, Dad and Karlie. The girls love getting a chance to swing on the hammock with Mom and Dad. They have a blast talking about anything and everything. It is a great location to have some heart to heart as well as reminisce about all the fun memories we have together as a family.
Skipper, our faithful guard dog while the family enjoys time on the hammock. After Skipper has made a complete loop around the entire property she will settle down at a spot right next to the hammock. She occasionally will look at us but for the most part she is checking out all the activity in the woods and creek area. Although she has never been on the hammock she seems to enjoy it when the entire family is outside nearby.
A moment of rest. Every once in awhile when we are on the hammock the girls will fall asleep. It is such a great place to spend a few moments together. Life has a way of getting so busy that we need some time to stop, focus on each family member, enjoy being outside and relax.
A peaceful view of nature! This is the view looking up from the hammock. You can enjoy the beautiful trees, baby blue sky, and white puffy clouds floating by. Just looking up and watching the leaves rustle in the breeze and the clouds drifting by makes the time relaxing even better.
I have gone out many times over the last few months to relax, read, think, pray, do my devotions, write, brain storm, or hang out with Jake and / or the girls. I am thankful for a thoughtful husband who gave me a gift that not only helps me relax but to slow down and enjoy a few precious moments with him and the girls. Our hammock is so much more then just a hammock it is full of relaxing moments sharing memories together as a family. Sometimes it is the simple things in life that make the most treasured memories for our children. I am already looking forward to watching the leaves change colors as we move closer to the Fall season.
Spending Time with Grandma!
We were so thankful that my Mom was able to come visit us for several days. She went with us to Savannah for my cousins graduation and time at the beach. The girls love spending time with Grandma and were thrilled to hang out together.
Grandma Penny helping the girls do their workbooks! I think Grandma Penny was much more patient then Mommy doing the workbooks!
Grandma Penny reading books to the girls! The girls love it when Grandma reads them books. Today they relaxed for a few minutes on the front porch with a stack of books to read together. Thank you Mom for reading to our girls, they LOVE their time with you! I am thankful for a Mom who takes the time to be with our family. The girls have many wonderful family memories because of moments like these!
