Category Archives: accomplished

Weekly Goals

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This week I did really well on somethings but somethings fell by the wayside as both myself and my older child came down with a cold. It wasn’t too bad to handle but the cold, rainy weather added to our lazier behavior this week. Even so we still managed to keep the TV OFF for the majority of the day and did some wonderful activities that I will share a bit later. And on the bright side the new baby steered clear of our sickness. With writing that I realized she is no longer a new baby as she has passed into the 3 month threshold.

Valentine’s Day was joyful even with out my sweet love since he managed to send me goodies even through the deployment. Now he can not ever say he was too busy any holiday for romance ( not that he would) since he still managed romance while fighting a war! Hope everyone’s week was as enjoyable.vday

Week of February 11th

Family/Motherhood goals

1. Take Valentine’s pictures of kids. The little ones came down with a cold this week so we are postponing this, again.

2. Attend weekly music class.

3. Take them to the park 2x.

Marriage goals

1. Finish reading The Power of the Praying Wife.

feb 001

2. Mail quilt to hubby. I love how this turned out and was very simple. I am not the best sewer but I worked on it from an idea in my head and it turned out great.

Household goals

1. Work on baby’s name sign and bow holder

2. Drop off donations.

3. Work on quilt.

Self Improvement goals

1. Attend FRG training.

2. Finish reading How to Potty Train a Toddler the Loving Way.

3. Attend FRG meeting. The date was changed.

Personal goals

1. Continue exercising 5x a week. I was side lined two days this week but will be back on the fitness track tomorrow am.

2. Continue no TV before 5 pm. ( This has been one of my greatest achievements for living with purpose goals. Not having the glare on during day as background noise has increased focus and organization so much. I will be writing more on this soon.)

Goals for February 18th

Family/Motherhood goals:

1. Attend weekly play group. ( The holiday canceled music class this week.)

2. Concentrate on number games this week.

3. Do two creative indoor play activities.

Marriage goals:

1. Mail Quilt.

2. Read The Power of the Praying Wife

Household goals:

1. Finish baby’s room bow holder and name sign.

2. Finish one March present ( I have 8 individual items to complete for upcoming special days)

Self Improvement goals:

1. Attend FRG meeting.

2. Continue Proverbs study.

3. Try one new recipe.

Personnel goals:

1. Exercise 5x a week.

2. No TV weekdays.

3. Start fitness progress journal.

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Weekly Roundout

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This week was very full. I bustled to many new baby appointments in this burgeoning heat and was so grateful for the creation of ice cream! I carried a fuller work load with the husband gone and was reminded what a blessing a good nap can be. After every tantrum or sore fit from teething there is a moment of pure baby cuddling bliss that is a reminder from God as to why all this is worth the struggle. Right now I laugh as I watch little one on the monitor sleep with feet out the crib rails cross ways. You would think it would be more comfortable to sleep the other way but then again it is a little present from God to see the daily humor of children. I am so grateful for the week that has passed and looking toward greater goals this week. One day at a time…

Goals for week beginning 7-9

Family Goals:

1. Take my sweets to a play group every week.  He did so much better this week at group play!

2.Read out loud to him for an hour a day. Lunch time is turning out to be the perfect story time. He chews intently while his eyes focus on the pages. He may be too young yet but I have an urge to buy his first chapter book. Maybe Charlotte’s Web…

Personal Goals:

3. Finish Life on Planet Mom. I have almost finished this review to follow shortly!

4. Work 30 minutes daily on quilt. My progress is coming along nicely and the pride wells at having almost completed something that was a real toil for me.

Pregnancy Goals:

5. Do Yoga 30 minutes daily. I feel more “alive” this pregnancy than the first. I was a bit of a bump on a log last time and exercising daily has truly helped my energy levels.

6. Start piecing together baby’s room. I didn’t get far on this. I feel lost moving things without the other half.

Marriage Goals:

7. Create separation and welcome home traditions. (We don’t have our own yet!)

Household Goals:

8. Continue to cut down on clutter!

9. Red Velvet Cake recipe perfection.

 

Week Goals for week 7/16

Family Goals:

1. Take little one to weekly play date.

2. Continue to read aloud an hour a day.

Personal Goals:

3. Work on quilt daily.

4. Finish Life on Planet Mom.

Pregnancy Goals:

5. Continue to work out 30 minutes a day.

6. Add nightly walks with the little one.

Marriage Goals:

7. Write him a love letter.

8. Mail off care package.

Household Goals:

9. Organize hall closets.

10. Find baskets for deep freezer.

 

What are your goals this week?

 

Weekly Roundout!

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Last week’s goals were a breeze! I didn’t have a chance to get my Red Velvet perfected but I must say it was a wonderful week wishing hubby bye for another departure. Being a military wife can, at times, be so romantic! Distance makes the heart grow fonder.

Onto goals. I had an easy list this past week. I am going to rev it up this week.

1. QUILT!  The challenge of continuing to work on my first quilt is huge. I take it out whenever the mood strikes so I am dedicating 30 minutes a day to sewing to teach myself greater discipline!

2. Red velvet cake.

3. Hand print art. Pictures to follow soon!

(there catching up to take priority)

4.  Purchase new crock pot  I adore this invention! I made crockpot BBQ chicken in it for shredded BBQ sandwiches that were a huge hit. The hubs devoured three!

Crock pot BBQ Chicken recipe:

chicken pieces, I used 3 boneless, skinless breasts

bottle of any flavor BBQ sauce

10 oz coke

Place ingredients in pot on low setting until chicken is cooked through. I did 6 hours. Then shred chicken in pot with forks. Continue to cook about 45 minutes. Serve on buns. This would be delicious on potato bread but I used Hawaiian buns and it was wonderful.

I think I might add pineapple and Hawaiian BBQ sauce next time to make a Hawaiian BBQ.  Mmmmm…

5. finish purging the house for new baby  We made it really far in this realm. Still much to do!

6. go on a date with hubby! We had a wonderful Japanese dinner outing. New baby loves Mochi!

Goals for week beginning 7-9

Family Goals:

1. Take my sweets to a play group every week.

2.Read out loud to him for an hour a day.

Personal Goals:

3. Finish Life on Planet Mom

4. Work 30 minutes daily on quilt.

Pregnancy Goals:

5. Do Yoga 30 minutes daily.

6. Start piecing together baby’s room.

Marriage Goals:

7. Create separation and welcome home traditions. (We don’t have our own yet!)

Household Goals:

8. Continue to cut down on clutter!

9. Red Velvet Cake recipe perfection.

What are your goals this week?

Weekly Roundout

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Last week was full of family fun and as such I let a few goals slide. You know what? I was happy to be a little behind in the end for the memories we gained.

Last’s week to do list.

1. Perfect a dessert. I have no idea how I have managed to skim through life this far without having a go to up my sleeve. Leaning towards Red Velvet Cake mmmmm… Moving this to this week and cannot wait.

2. Have a yard sale. This is quite the underground activity I must say. I never knew! 

3. Find a used book store. I very much miss such a place. I found a bookstore nearby that sold used books but it was not what I had hoped for. I looks like rural living does have some down sides!

4. Start up my quilt again. It is nagging me from the hall closet. Time I answered.

5. Make hand print art with the little one for family.

 

Oh man. I did pretty poorly on these! Today I was planning on pulling out the quilt and taking pictures to begin my progress report.

1. QUILT!

2. Red velvet cake.

3. Hand print art.

(there catching up to take priority)

4.  Purchase new crock pot

5. finish purging the house for new baby

6. go on a date with hubby!

Hope you week starts wonderfully!

One Lovely Blog Award

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First I have to thank Bestintentionsmom for nominating me. I am very honored to have been nominated. Also a bit humbled by her cooking abilities!

I have to now share seven things about myself:

1. My favorite television series growing up was Anne of Green Gables. I still look forward to when my husband takes our little one out for a bit and I can sit down and enjoy a little uninterrupted.

2. I cannot think of one food I will not eat. I have preferences but will try almost anything.

3. I’m a little intimidated by baby girl clothes. So many bows, flowers and pinks where to start? More importantly where to stop?

4. My husband is extremely funny and everyone enjoys his jokes. He is the only person that gets mine. So I married him. :)

5. My favorite snack foods are green olives, rice cakes and snow cones. Now I am hungry.

6. The Fourth of July is my favorite holiday to decorate the house.

7. I have been told several times in my life that I am reliable. I used to think that was boring. A reliable person. It now is something I pride myself on.

Now the others I nominate:

Longings End

Baker Lady

Get Carey’d Away

Wendy Strohm

Have A Dream

“Why it’s an Award!”

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Pardon the A Christmas Story reference I just couldn’t help myself! A very big thank you to Laura at cooktolove.com for nominating me! Hopefully I can remain humble in the face of all this praise. ;) Seriously though I do adore her blog and the kind words she said about mine. Thank you again Laura!

So this is similar to the questions I had passed on to fellow bloggers before. As per the instructions here are the rules…

  1. Thank the blogger who gave me the award and provide a link.
  2. List 7 interesting things about myself that my readers might find interesting.
  3. Nominate 7 other bloggers, provide links, and let them know.

Seven Facts You Might Not Know About Me:

1. I am slightly OCD about door locks and stove knobs. I check them several times before bed.

2. I am from a state that is known for its lobster, my husband from one know for its wine. I think we are the perfect pairing.

3. I have moved 12 times because of the military throughout the course of my life. Four in High School alone. That much travel that early on does two things to a person 1. makes them secure in themselves and their own abilities 2. makes them value the true friendships they have gained more than anything.

4. My best friend is active duty and moving to some place very far away once again later this year. I still dream of the day she will be stationed next door.

5. I want a large family of 4-5 kids.When all My Sweets cousins are together and the house is full of noise I feel my most comfortable.

6. Every man in my family this generation has been to war. My Brother, Brother in law and my dear Husband. I support the troops.

7. I received my degree in Sociology with a concentration in Anthropology and minor in Geography. I adore History and the Earth Sciences so much so that Museum Curation has always intrigued me.

My seven:

sweetartdiva.wordpress.com- for her beautiful felt crafts.

marisakquijano.com- for the Monday morning inspiration.

heatherbleier.wordpress.com- for her exploration of the pages.

wendystrohm.wordpress.com- for her poetry.

longingsend.com-for her beautiful faith.

shambolicliving.wordpress.com- for her relate-able writing.

nancycreative.com-for the yummy treats.

My (very late) Weekly Roundout

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1. Start job training this week. I will still be a stay at home Mom transitioning to a working at home Mom. Wish me luck.  I dove into the opportunities available to me at the base this week. And explored some options but after some prayerful talks with the hubby we decided it would not be for us. I am beyond joyful that we are financially able for me to continue being a stay at home Mom. But I feel compelled to stay open!

2. Try one new recipe this week. success! I made miniature meatloaf this week and they were delish.

Ingredients:

Ground Beef-1/2 lb

Herb Stuffing -I eyeballed it but I used about a 1 1/2 cups

Water- 1/2 Cup

salsa and mozzarella to top

Mix together all ingredients but the cheese and salsa.

Fill 12 count muffin pan 3/4 of the way. Make an indention in the meatloaf and spoon salsa. Bake in a preheated oven at 375 for 30 mins add cheese topping and bake 5 additional minutes.

The ultimate in comfort food.

3. Start my Mommy tummy makeover challenge. Done and done. I will be posting my progress every Friday. So far I feel really great so next week will be more intense.

4. Finish “Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child”  The irony in not reading this book is when does a parent facing sleep challenges have a chance to read? Though we have finally been able to get my Sweets on an earlier bedtime. *Happy Dance* He is a true night owl but here is to hoping he is reformed.

5. Work on Quilt. I am going to finish this! I promise.–I lied–well maybe just delayed not lied.

This Week’s Goals:

1. Spring cleaning!!! Yay rejoice. I will be sharing my cleaning -totally do able plan- to help anyone else in need of motivation.

2. Try 2 new recipes!

3. Make hand print keep sakes for Grandparents.

4. Start party planning for my sweets one year!

5. Relax. It is soon my Birthday and my dearest husband booked my a 4.5 hour spa retreat. I am very excited and so looking forward to some pampering.

A Week of Fun Crafts.

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Well this week was awesome for family memories. We had some friends visit our new duty station and spent some time relaxing and enjoying company. I finished out most of my goals as well so I feel accomplished!

Last Week

1. Try two (getting daring now) new recipes. Major let down. I didn’t spend much time honing my cooking skills this week but did spend some time baking.
2. Write my husband a love card for Valentine’s day.
3. Make mountains of brownies for Valentine’s day. Brownie mix I scored with a great coupon of course ;)
4. Make flash cards for My Sweets to start his home education.

5. Read “Healthy Sleep habits, Happy Child” ( I am almost half way through but have already picked up some great tips on healthy sleep training. If anyone is struggling with sleep training I would recommend this book…this far.)

6. Work on quilt.

7. Do craft with family from last week. Went overboard in this area and loved it!
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We spent the weekend making salt dough foot prints. I still have to paint mine and tie a ribbon through it to hang on the wall. This was such a fun activity. I found the instructions here at the imagination tree blog. Awesome idea and couldn’t help but feel sentimental that my Sweets foot was almost to long for the dough. Next we used acrylic paints ( don’t recommend this medium but we have very limited craft store options here) to paint some dollar general wine glasses. I really enjoyed this activity and now whenever I use them I will think of my best friend who of course did a patriotic theme glass.

Finally we did our family tree with hand prints. This is my friend’s tree since my Sweets fell asleep and we were only as far as my husband and mine prints for the night. We also choose a lighter paper after seeing the green and yellow paint did not dry well on the green paper. The wording and tree were drawn with acrylic markers and this will be framed for the nursery.We found the idea for this here.
Every time we meet with the children in tow we will craft to remember the trip. I plan to visit her next in May and she will be hosting the crafting. I can not wait to see what we create. I hope you made some memories with the ones you love this week. I would love to hear of any crafts you might have done in the comments!

Happy Weekend

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So it begins. The period of rest that we all so dearly need. Well no rest intended for us! We are so excited that our home is finally coming together. My furniture finally arrived! After weeks of waiting and our bland lodgings are starting to look whole.

I spent so many hours putting it together but it was worth it. Hubby is still not feeling well and put in some hours so I broke out the drill and got to business. I actually enjoy it more I think because I invested so much in it.

Similar to cooking a loving meal. Happy to report I was able to try one new recipe last night and was told “delicious”. What a joy to hear.

New recipe for the week: Oven Baked Chicken
-How ever many chicken breasts you desire, we always stick with 2 for just us since hubs doesn’t do leftovers
-enough butter to dip breasts in, melted
-choice of crackers, I love Club crackers but Ritz would work as well
-seasoning of your choice, used paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt and pepper
1. Preheat oven to 325
2. crush crackers to a fine crumb texture. You can put them in a Ziploc bag to make a quick job of smashing them.
3. Season breasts liberally on both sides.
4. Dip in melted butter and roll in crumbs.
5. Cook for about an hour until done on a foil lined baking sheet.
Glad we tried this one. We are usually hesitant of oven baked chicken since it can be dry but these were so moist and tender. Adding this to my chicken rotation.
Amended from allrecipes.com recipe.

Settling down and finding rythmn

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I love it here. Calm and natural landscape surrounding us. It snowed yesterday evening and we woke to a beautiful blanketed backyard. Melted fairly quickly but for a person that hasn’t seen snow in some time it was heaven. Also speaking as a person that was able to stay indoors all day yesterday.
Most of our boxes are unpacked and a few potential friends have been made. Hoping to make the most of this station!

Things I have learned over the years as a military dependent:

1. Embrace your new area. Explore it and enjoy what it has to offer while you can. You never know how long you will be there.

2. Make friends. It is so tempting to stay at home and miss those you already love but it will not make you any happier..

3. Don’t talk about where you came from all the time. ” Back in… we used to enjoy…our friends at…” No one cares. They live in the now so you should too.

4. Be nice to everybody. This should be a general life expectation. That cashier at the grocery store might be a fellow military wife, that waitress, you get the idea.

5. Kiss your spouse every chance you get!