Category Archives: inspiration

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.

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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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Turn That Thing Off

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A challenge! This year I have set out to be more proactive in my role as wife/mother/homemaker and friend. Everyday I am attempting to work on something extra so that at the end of each week I have something great to show for the time that has passed.

Not many people may admit this and some may not even struggle with this but I will ashamedly admit that my home does. We are far too in tune with our electronic devices. The television is on as back ground noise for a  portion of everyday and I was beginning to know the schedule of even the most mundane of shows during my last pregnancy. Not to mention the smartphone that I use for everything from recipes to couponing to an oven timer and the endless messaging of other mentally unstimulated homemakers.

There is no end to the reasons of cause for this. Pregnancy, injury, winter weather, depression, a physically exhausting job the list goes on and on for why one might veg during their down hours. Myself in particular had been pushed to watch or leave on the TV for more hours than I would have liked by an exhausting pregnancy as well as a few other smaller factors. So this year when I was making my list of great goals to achieve in 2013 I realized something:

-Make all gifts by hand this year

-Begin early homeschooling of my toddler

-Plan more day time activities that stimulate learning and creativity

-Support my deployed spouse by keeping a productive home and happy loved children

-Get back into great prepregnancy shape

…hmmm watching the next big thing on television was not a priority. Then why had I made it a daily occurrence?

So I have implemented some rules since the start of the year.

1. No television before 5 pm with the exception of using the Wii fit for myself during nap times.

2. Limit night time viewing by always having a task to do during those hours. Usually I fold clothes or do strength training when watching.

3. Show the children who I want them to be through actions not words. It is all well to say I want them to be healthy and productive. It is another thing to help them learn how to be those things.

So off the television has gone and in that time we have had some great fun. Exploring other ways to stay busy with a toddler during winter time is a challenge but I remember so many more great days now that our focus is where we would like it to be.

Articles like this one  from kidshealth.org have pushed me further to get back to basics with my children.

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Pipe cleaner and colander activity found on Pinterest here!

So where is the challenge? I have enjoyed so much turning off the daily glow of television that I would like to challenge myself, and anyone else interested in joining along, in taking a no television approach to the week. Friday night, Saturday and Sunday will be the only days permitted with a use limit of two hours a day. I hope to change my family for the better and reinforce learning and creative play before any television viewing in our home.

If you haven’t been motivated by my testimony already here are 5 great reasons to step away from the noise box.

1. According to this article scientists found that sitting sedentary for 3 hours a day can cut 2 years off your life expectancy. Eep that alone gets me moving.

2. Television watching is said to lower IQ scores and impede memory.

3. Family albums do not usually have pictures of everyone sitting around watching tv. That is not the activity most want to remember so get out there and do something greater.

4. Obesity and television go hand in hand but so do mild pudginess and daily viewing. As I have gotten *cough* older I noticed I have to work harder to stay fit. Replacing watching hours with do something hours have made up quite a bit of that difference.

5. The more you watch the more you want to watch. Every time we sit for viewing hours we are shown commercials for other semi appealing shows.

Just turn it off.

I would love to hear of your own personal experiences with this challenge.

Five Things

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1. This weather. Today we spent an hour outside just enjoying the rays and breeze.

2. Energy. Fellow Moms relate?

3. Craft stores! Seriously best Momtopia shopping locale that rivals even the tempting shelves of Target.

4. Over flowing ideas! I’m am very excited to dive into the next few days of projects.

5. My crockpot for helping me look culinarily chic with minimum effort and planning.

Spread a little positivity. I’d love to hear yours link to your five or share here!

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?

 

How I Love It

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The weekends when he is home are heaven. Usually they involve a break for Mommy and a long bath. Those little moments stolen away alone to just be…without noise. The moments flowing with kind words of encouragement from my spouse who finally is allowed a day to slow down.
It is in these quiet moments that I find peace in the imperfection of life.
Just as the great Creator accepts us, wholly and in light of our past sins, marriage is built. Someone to accept you and your love. Imperfect and beautiful in all its intention. Someone to pick up your spirits in the light of a utterly boring or depressing week. Grateful to my imperfectly perfect Husband for his love and kindness. When others fail to encourage a partner that is there in love. And I am grateful to God for the gentle reminder of who I should be in this union in return.
Wishing you a love filled weekend break that will encourage and recharge you as well.

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Roast Chicken Repurposed Ten Ways

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Mmm…how I craved one tonight! I bought a small five pound bird for a small price and am already considering all the things I can make with the leftovers. As I stated in my guest post on moneysavingmom.com I love cooking chicken. It can be repurposed so many ways. Here are my top ten.
1. Sliced Chicken and gravy. This was one of my Mother’s third day leftover favorites. After serving the Chicken for two days she would often whip up her favorite gravy with flour, chicken stock and butter in a skillet on the stove. She would then simmer the meat for a few minutes to repurpose it into a whole new meal!
2. Chicken salad sandwich. There are a million go to varieties of this meal. My preferred having low fat mayo, diced red grapes and celery on a whole wheat roll.
3. Chicken soup. After picking all meat off the bone you can add noodles, a variety of vegetables and the chicken to stock you easily have a kitchen go to!
4. Chicken tacos. After having made these using a variety of spices I discovered my husbands favorite using McCormick’s spicy taco packets and very small pieces of diced chicken breasts.
5. Chicken fajitas. Again these can be made simply with a pre made spice packet in you grocery aisle and a few other ingredients.
6. Chicken and dumplings. Left over roast chicken is perfect for this recipe!
7. Chicken and enchiladas. Also a great use for leftovers for here.
8. Classic chicken sandwich. I love shaved chicken breast, mayo, tomato and lettuce on wheat bread. The real reason my “eating for two” self roasted a chicken tonight. Amazing!!
9. Chopped chicken salad. Veggies get a protein kick with this addition.
10. A chicken casserole. With the meat already made you can easily whip one up in less than 30 minutes in one pan. An ideal meal.

By buying a whole chicken instead of breasts you can save up to 50% off. With a little creativity and a few on hand ingredients you can serve the cooked meat many different ways before you family tires of frugality. What are your favorite ways to repurpose a chicken?

Kid’s Cowboy Party Idea!

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My little man turned one this week and I had so much fun planning his party. We were creative with the cowboy theme and turned some old cardboard boxes into an “outlaw city” that the kids loved. We also started up the fire pit for Smores that were a huge hit. I made almost fifty packages and had only one left post party!  The men folk had a friendly apple bobbin’ competition that brought lots of laughs and our dime store mustaches were a bigger hit than I thought they would be. It just goes to show you that you do not have to spend a ton to make big memories.

Do you have any great Birthday party tips or ideas? I would love to hear them!

Some More Things…

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Last night was HARD. I was up until 3 am with My Sweets comforting him through my nauseous haze. We sat and rocked in every chair in the house and cuddled until he finally found comfort.  Through it all I remembered back to the days before he was a part of our lives. I remember the loss of our first baby. Being told we could not conceive naturally. Having my beautiful loving sister offer to one day, if we needed her to, carry our child.

So much is taken for granted in the waking hours. When sleep is few and far between I could catch my breath to curse the clock or I could soak in this little blessing. He only found comfort in me last night. No matter what we went through to reach this day it was worth it. I know everyday that passes with him in our life is a gift. I hope to smile in all the bad times for the memories I made last night. Carrying our second blessing while holding our first, I looked around and found myself so grateful for where I am in life.

Never give up in your journey towards what you want. It will come when you are ready to receive it in gratitude.

Weekly Roundout

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This was an amazing weekend. My little family and I ventured out to eat, enjoyed the backyard fire pit with some friends and rejoiced in His word. How did your week go?

The past weeks goal completion:

1. Find decorations for my sweets Birthday celebrations praise hobby lobby! I adore that I found so many of the necessities here for less than I could find them online. I am a fan!

2. Post 5 day spring cleaning guide.

3. Take a picture a day for the week.

4. Try 2 new dinner recipes.

5. Find a cupcake recipe for my sweets party! I am leaning towards classic lemon or chocolate. Decisions decisions!

6. Update Mommy tummy challenge.

7. Walk 7 miles.

Goals for this week:

1. Try one new recipe.

2. Exercise 30 minutes everyday.

3. Outline our Easter brunch menu.

4. Return to my neglected quilt.

5. Complete menu planning for the upcoming Birthday party!

6. Finish the Money Saving Mom’s Budget audiobook.

7. Update Mommy tummy challenge.

8. Begin I Dare You by Joyce Meyer

What are your goals this week? Let’s begin!