A Bridal Shower Gift

My son, Curtis, and I shopped for and put together this bridal shower gift for a girl in our church.  It was fun to do and I thought it turned out cute.

Weekly Dozen Goals

Well, I did indeed have more planned than I could accomplish this past week.  We had a busy week with revival at our church on Thursday through Sunday.  Then on Saturday, Briana entered four events at the  Indianapolis Children's Music Festival.  The ensemble she played in on Saturday received a superior on their performance and were invited back to play in a concert on Sunday.  So we had a busy, but good week.

Last Week's Goals:
SPIRITUAL GROWTH GOALS
1. Chronological Bible Reading
2. Ephesians Bible Study

HEALTH and FITNESS
3.  Walk 8 miles - I got in 5 miles. 
4.  11:00 p.m. Bedtime - I must continue to work on this one.

HOME MANAGEMENT GOALS
5. Finish decluttering my recipe box.
6. Clip and File Coupons
7. Spring clean downstairs bathroom

HOMESCHOOLING
8. Input Julissa's lesson plans, for the remainder of the school year, into Edu-Track.
9. Input Briana's Math grades into spreadsheet and Edu-Track. - I ended up working on Alexander's grades and I have at least 3/4 of his grades put into the computer. :)
FAMILY GOALS
HOBBIES
LITERARY GOALS
10.  Finish reading Give Them Grace. - I read two chapters.

EXTENDED FAMILY/FRIENDS
11. Purchase Bridal Shower Gift
12.  Purchase greeting cards for March through September.


This Week's Goals:
SPIRITUAL GROWTH GOALS
1. Ephesians Bible Study 

2. Chronological Bible Reading

HEALTH and FITNESS
3.  Walk 8 miles
4.  11:30 p.m. Bedtime (Slowly but surely!)

HOME MANAGEMENT GOALS
5. Finish decluttering my recipe box.
6. Clip and File Coupons
7. Spring clean downstairs bathroom

HOMESCHOOLING
8. Input Briana's Math grades into spreadsheet and Edu-Track and finish inputting Alex's grades into spreadsheet and Edu-Track.

FAMILY GOALS
9. Family Game Night


HOBBIES
10. Finish knitting dishcloth.


LITERARY GOALS
11.  Finish reading Give Them Grace.


EXTENDED FAMILY/FRIENDS
12. Mail birthday cards

Menu Plan

SUNDAY - Baked Potatoes, Chicken Divan, Strawberry Fresca

MONDAY - Reuben Sandwiches, Cottage Cheese, Ice Box Cake

TUESDAY - A repeat of Sunday Dinner

WEDNESDAY - Spaghetti, Corn, Garlic Toast

THURSDAY - Meatloaf, Scalloped Potatoes, Broccoli

FRIDAY - Chicken Chipotle Taco Salad

SATURDAY - Chinese Food

Signs of Spring!

What a gorgeous day!

Maple Blossoms

 

Crocuses in the neighbor's yard.

 

Have a beautiful day!

Weekly Dozen goals

Last Week's Goals:
1. Chronological Bible Reading
2.  Ephesians Bible Study
3.  Walk 8 miles - 7 miles again this week.
4.  Drink 60+ ounces of water per day.
5.  10:30 bedtime - Ack!  This did not work.  It was way too early for one who is used to going to bed between midnight and 1:00 a.m.
6.  Put all winter decor away.  I hope spring is on the way!
7.  Input Alex's lessons plans for rest of year into Edu-Track.
8.  Knit scarf
9.  Read five chapters from Give Them Grace.
10. Blog photos
11.  spring clean dining room.  - I got the dining room, entry way and hallway done this week! :)
12.  Meal for a friend. - It didn't work out for this week.  Instead we had a meal with friends!


This week promises to be extremely busy.  I hope I have not bitten off more than I can chew.
This Week's Goals:
SPIRITUAL GROWTH GOALS
1. Chronological Bible Reading
2. Ephesians Bible Study

HEALTH and FITNESS
3.  Walk 8 miles
4.  11:00 p.m. Bedtime

HOME MANAGEMENT GOALS5
5. Finish decluttering my recipe box.
6. Clip and File Coupons
7. Spring clean downstairs bathroom

HOMESCHOOLING
8. Input Julissa's lesson plans, for the remainder of the school year, into Edu-Track.
9. Input Briana's Math grades into spreadsheet and Edu-Track.
FAMILY GOALS
HOBBIES
LITERARY GOALS
10.  Finish reading Give Them Grace.

EXTENDED FAMILY/FRIENDS
11. Purchase Bridal Shower Gift
12.  Purchase greeting cards for March through September.

Menu Plan

Sunday - Chicken-baked Chops, Rice, Peas, Stuffing, Applesauce, Strawberry Shortcake

Sunday Evening - French Toast

Monday - Taco Salad

Tuesday - Repeat of Sunday Dinner

Wednesday - Calico Beans and Cornbread

Thursday - Biscuits and Sausage Gravy

Friday - yet to be determined :)

Saturday - Corned Beef, Cabbage, Potatoes, Carrots, Soda Bread, Ice Box Cake

Weekly Dozen Goals

Last Week's Goals:


1. Review Ephesians Chapter 1
2. Ephesians Bible Study
3.  Walk 8 miles - I walked 7 miles this week
4.  Drink 60 oz. of water daily.
5. Declutter my recipe box.  - I am about 3/4 of the way through my box.
6. Spend 30 minutes decluttering my bedroom.
7. Input Samuel's lesson plans, for the remainder of the school year, into Edu-Track.
8.  Family Game Night on Friday -We went to a basketball tournament.
9. Finish knitting scarf using the yarn I received from Heidi! :)  - I got  few rows knitted. :)
10. Blog at least one photo this week
11.  Finish reading Eat that Frog.
12. Mail afghan and gifts to Lyndi.


This Week's Goals:

1. Chronological Bible Reading
2.  Ephesians Bible Study
3.  Walk 8 miles
4.  Drink 60+ ounces of water per day.
5.  10:30 bedtime
6.  Put all winter decor away.  I hope spring is on the way!
7.  Input Alex's lessons plans for rest of year into Edu-Track.
8.  Knit scarf
9.  Read five chapters from Give Them Grace.
10. Blog photos
11.  spring clean dining room.
12.  Meal for a friend.

Menu Plan

Sunday - Barbecue Pulled Pork, Baked Potatoes, Mixed Veggies, Cherry Fluff, Carmelitas

Monday - Breakfast Burritos

Tuesday - Pulled Pork Sandwiches, Potato Salad, Baked Beans

Wednesday - Potato Salad, Sloppy Joes, Corn

Thursday - Beef Stew, Soft Honey Wheat Rolls, Dark Chocolate Fudge Cupcakes with Marshmallow Buttercream Icing

Friday - Papa John's Pizza

Saturday - Chicken Fajitas, Mexican Rice, Quick and Easy Black Beans

My Valentine Bouquet!

My Valentine Bouquet several weeks later!

Jathniel's Afghan

The nine patch afghan I made from Bernat Baby Stretch yarn for my newest nephew, Jathniel. I used a free pattern from Lion brand yarn as my basis.  I wanted to make it a little larger than the pattern so I started with a ch. 35 instead of a ch. 29 making each square a 10" square.  I finished it off with two rows of single crochets evenly spaced around the entire afghan with three single crochets in each corner.

In Memory of Dr. Seuss

Last fall we visited the Dr. Seuss National Memorial Sculpture Garden in Massachusetts.  I thought I would share a few of the pictures today on what would have been his 108th birthday.

My mom enjoying the park!

Jeff and the kids resting on the bench while I take photos!

Horton the Elephant

Thing 1 and Thing 2

Thidwick the Big-Hearted Moose

The entire text from the book Oh, the Places You'll Go!

The Grinch and his dog Max.

Sculpture of groceries on the park bench!  I thought this was really neat!

The Lorax from my husband's favorite Dr. Seuss book.

Last but not least Dr. Seuss with The Cat in the Hat!

Weekly Dozen Goals

Last Week's Goals:
SPIRITUAL GROWTH GOALS
1. Memorize Ephesians 1:22-23 and review 1:1-21
2. Ephesians Bible Study

HEALTH and FITNESS
3.  Walk 8 miles  - I walked 7 miles this week!

HOME MANAGEMENT GOALS
4. Finish filing recipes!  I made some progress, but did not finish it.  
5. Figure out how to use the Healthy Habits app on my iPhone.

HOMESCHOOLING
6. Input Curtis's lesson plans, for the remainder of the school year, into Edu-Track.

FAMILY GOALS
7.  Julissa's Birthday! We had a great evening celebrating her seventh birthday.
8.  Friday Family Night  We spent the evening at UBC Family Fun Night.  The girls enjoyed the bounce house and visiting with a few girls their age.  The boys and Jeff enjoyed playing basketball and volleyball.  I enjoyed visiting with a couple friends and having some free time to crochet.

HOBBIES
9. Finish crocheting afghan for Jathniel  I finished it! I will try and post pictures after my sister receives it!
10. Blog at least one photo this week  Julissa's Birthday

LITERARY GOALS
11.  Finishing reading  The 10 Habits of Happy Mothers.  I really found this book quite helpful.

EXTENDED FAMILY/FRIENDS
12. Mail birthday card(s) for rest of February!
BONUS:  I enjoyed eating lunch at Panera Bread with two of my sisters and a friend.


This Week's Goals:
SPIRITUAL GROWTH GOALS
1. Review Ephesians Chapter 1
2. Ephesians Bible Study

HEALTH and FITNESS
3.  Walk 8 miles
4.  Drink 60 oz. of water daily.

HOME MANAGEMENT GOALS
5. Declutter my recipe box.
6. Spend 30 minutes decluttering my bedroom.

HOMESCHOOLING
7. Input Samuel's lesson plans, for the remainder of the school year, into Edu-Track.

FAMILY GOALS
8.  Family Game Night on Friday

HOBBIES
9. Finish knitting scarf using the yarn I received from Heidi! :)
10. Blog at least one photo this week

LITERARY GOALS
11.  Finish reading Eat that Frog.

EXTENDED FAMILY/FRIENDS
12. Mail afghan and gifts to Lyndi.

Menu Plan

Sunday - Mashed Potatoes, Noodles, Turkey Breast, Stuffing, Green Beans, Fruit Salad,

Sunday Evening - Leftovers

Monday - Stuffed Peppers

Tuesday - Hamburg Gravy, Mashed Potatoes, Green Beans, Tropical Fusion Jello Salad

Wednesday - McD's

Thursday - Turkey a la king, Peas, Salad

Friday - Meatloaf, Scalloped Potatoes, Baked Sweet Potatoes, Broccoli, Salad Chinese

Saturday - Chicken Fajitas, Mexican Rice, Quick and Easy Black Beans Taco Salad

Happy 7th Birthday, Baby Girl! (With Pictures This Time, I Hope!)

Today is  my baby girl's 7th birthday.  She is still at the age where she expresses sheer delight in the gifts she receives.  It was so great to watch her express herself in an uninhibited manner.

Julissa is patiently waiting for her gifts and cards.

The siblings gather round to check out the new Legos.

Briana and Julissa still looking over the Legos.

Julissa with all her "plunder" as Uncle Mike would say.

Julissa with her cake.  She wanted to be surprised with her cake this year, so I made her Hershey's "Perfectly Chocolate" Chocolate Cake.  It was one I had never made before, but it turned out great!

Weekly Dozen Goals

It is amazing what one day with a migraine will do to one's schedule.  So a good many of my goals for this coming week will be ones that I didn't get completed this past week.


Last Week's Goals:
SPIRITUAL GROWTH GOALS
1. Memorize Ephesians 1:19-21 and review 1:1-18

HEALTH and FITNESS
2. Walk 8 miles this week. I walked 9 miles again this week! :)

HOME MANAGEMENT GOALS
3.  Weekly Challenge - Coupons
4. Finish filing recipes!
5. Figure out how to use the Healthy Habits app on my iPhone.

HOMESCHOOLING
6. Input Curtis's lesson plans, for the remainder of the school year, into Edu-Track. - I made some progress, but didn't get it completed.

FAMILY GOALS
7. Friday Family Night  - We watched  The Secrets of Jonathan Sperry  and enjoyed Valentine Confetti.

HOBBIES
8. Finish crocheting afghan for Jathniel - I have over two-thirds of it finished.
9. Blog one photo this week - I took two pictures with my iPhone, but I don't know how to get them to my computer.  

LITERARY GOALS
10.  Read 5 chapters from The 10 Habits of Happy Mothers.

EXTENDED FAMILY/FRIENDS
11. Purchase gift for a friend's new little one.  I love shopping for baby gifts! :)
12. Send note to a friend this week.  - I am thankful for friends!




This Week's Goals:
SPIRITUAL GROWTH GOALS
1. Memorize Ephesians 1:22-23 and review 1:1-21
2. Ephesians Bible Study

HEALTH and FITNESS
3.  Walk 8 miles

HOME MANAGEMENT GOALS
4. Finish filing recipes!
5. Figure out how to use the Healthy Habits app on my iPhone.

HOMESCHOOLING
6. Input Curtis's lesson plans, for the remainder of the school year, into Edu-Track.

FAMILY GOALS
7.  Julissa's Birthday!
8.  Friday Family Night

HOBBIES
9. Finish crocheting afghan for Jathniel
10. Blog at least one photo this week

LITERARY GOALS
11.  Finishing reading  The 10 Habits of Happy Mothers.

EXTENDED FAMILY/FRIENDS
12. Mail birthday card(s) for rest of February!

Menu Plan

Sunday - Party Potatoes, Barbecue, Cheesy Corn, Best-Ever Chocolate Fudge Layer Cake,  Sugar Cookies

Sunday Evening - Whole Wheat Banana Bread Pancakes

Monday - Spaghetti, Corn, Garlic Bread


Tuesday - Baked Potatoes, Grilled Chicken, California Blend, Cherry Fluff, Chocolate Bundt Cake  Hershey's Perfectly Chocolate Chocolate Cake

Wednesday - Taco Soup

Thursday - Chef Salad using grilled chicken

Friday - Family Fun Night

Saturday - Chicken Enchilada Pasta

Weekly Dozen Goals

This Week's Goals:
SPIRITUAL GROWTH GOALS
1.  Memorize Ephesians 1:16-18 and review 1:1-15

HEALTH and FITNESS
2. Walk 6 miles this week.   I walked 9 miles this week!

HOME MANAGEMENT GOALS
3.  Create and blog weekly menu.
4.  Finish filing recipes!  (I got more recipes filed, but not all of them!)

HOMESCHOOLING
5.  Input Briana's lesson plans, for the remainder of the school year, into Edu-Track.

FAMILY GOALS
6. Have kids do Valentine's Day cards
7. Continue to pursue the possibility of piano lessons for two of the kids.

HOBBIES
8. Crochet at least one third of baby afghan for Jathniel
9. Blog one photo this week

LITERARY GOALS
10.  Finish reading  Today Matters by John C Maxwell

EXTENDED FAMILY/FRIENDS
11. I am blessed - A thank you note to be written this week.
12. Mail Valentine Cards and gift.

This Week's Goals:
SPIRITUAL GROWTH GOALS
1. Memorize Ephesians 1:19-21 and review 1:1-18

HEALTH and FITNESS
2. Walk 8 miles this week.

HOME MANAGEMENT GOALS
3.  Weekly Challenge - Coupons
4. Finish filing recipes!
5. Figure out how to use the Healthy Habits app on my iPhone.

HOMESCHOOLING
6. Input Curtis's lesson plans, for the remainder of the school year, into Edu-Track.

FAMILY GOALS
7. Friday Family Night

HOBBIES
8. Finish crocheting afghan for Jathniel
9. Blog one photo this week

LITERARY GOALS
10.  Read 5 chapters from The 10 Habits of Happy Mothers.

EXTENDED FAMILY/FRIENDS
11. Purchase gift for a friend's new little one.
12. Send note to a friend this week.

Alex the Scientist

Alex received a variety of science related items for Christmas and his birthday. Last evening he decided to put them to use.

a
Alex getting ready to do an experiment.

Menu Plan

Sunday - Golden Chicken and Noodles, Broccoli, Carrots, Peach Jello, Fruit Salad -  Blackberries, Peaches and Bananas with a 1/4 cup of sugar.

Sunday Evening - Oatmeal

Monday - Pizza

Tuesday - Potato Salad, Hamburgers, Baked Beans, Best-Ever Chocolate Fudge Layer Cake  Chocolate Peanut Torte

Wednesday -  Leftover Potato Salad, Baked Beans, and Chicken Strips.  (I ended up with a migraine and didn't feel up to fixing anything.)

Thursday - Hearty Beef Stew & Rolls   Chicken Tortilla Soup

Friday - Chicken Pot Pie and Salad (I am not sure which recipe I am going to try this time! Each highlighted word is linked to a different pot pie recipe!)  I made two different recipes.  I did the Kraft recipe with cream cheese and we did not like it.  I also did  one with cream of chicken soup which we really liked.

Saturday - Quick and Easy Mexican Pork Chops, Mexican Rice, Quick and Easy Black Beans (I add a can of green chilies and some garlic, chipotle chili pepper, and cayenne pepper to the pork chop recipe.)

Weekly Dozen Goals

SPIRITUAL GROWTH GOALS
1.  Memorize Ephesians 1:13-15 and review 1:1-12

HEALTH and FITNESS
2. Walk 3 miles this week. I walked 7 miles this week! I did 4 miles outside and I did 3 miles inside with Leslie Sansone Walk Slim.  

HOME MANAGEMENT GOALS
3.  Create and blog weekly menu.  This makes the week flow so much better!
4.  Weekly Challenge - Recipes  Briana helped me file many recipes!  We plan to complete the task next week  
5.  Fix one new recipe this week. - Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Blondies

FAMILY GOALS
6. Have each child finish writing their thank you notes this week.  All the notes are written and ready to be mailed.
7. Pursue the possibility of piano lessons for two of the kids.  I worked on this several different days this week.

HOBBIES
8. Finish crocheting soft peach baby afghan.  I finished the afghan on Saturday morning.  This is the largest baby afghan I have ever made.  It is much larger then I anticipated.  

9. Blog one photo this week

LITERARY GOALS
10.  Read five chapters from Today Matters by John C Maxwell  A great book!

EXTENDED FAMILY/FRIENDS
11. Send one handwritten note/card this week  I got the note written and mailed!
12. Purchase baby gift for my new nephew.  Shopping for babies is so much fun!


This Week's Goals:
SPIRITUAL GROWTH GOALS
1.  Memorize Ephesians 1:16-18 and review 1:1-15


HEALTH and FITNESS
2. Walk 6 miles this week.

HOME MANAGEMENT GOALS
3.  Create and blog weekly menu.
4.  Finish filing recipes!

HOMESCHOOLING
5.  Input Briana's lesson plans, for the remainder of the school year, into Edu-Track.

FAMILY GOALS
6. Have kids do Valentine's Day cards
7. Continue to pursue the possibility of piano lessons for two of the kids.

HOBBIES
8. Crochet at least one third of baby afghan for Jathniel
9. Blog one photo this week


LITERARY GOALS
10.  Finish reading  Today Matters by John C Maxwell

EXTENDED FAMILY/FRIENDS
11. I am blessed - A thank you note to be written this week.
12. Mail Valentine Cards and gift.