Last weekend was the celebration of life for my dad's friend. They played basketball and softball together, went on basketball scouting trips, and even on a family vacation to Sea World. But this friendship is forever cemented in my memory because of the countless summer picnics in our backyard. Every weekend, several couples gathered with their kids. To this day, I can't look at my mom's backyard without seeing a baseball diamond and the elusive home run over the barn. My dad's name is Joe, just like his friend who passed away. I imagine that makes it harder somehow. As my parents get older, I see how the death of friends and family hits them differently. This one hit me a little differently too. One generation apart. But all the same childhood memories. So, I made the trip home to celebrate his life. Closing the Gap I believe trips like this, even on sad occasions, help close the gap created by miles, months, and generations. Over the years, we celebrated a lot of picnics, …
family
A Simple and Healthy Meal Plan for Busy Moms
We value time for family dinners, together. To ensure we eat healthy and sit down as a family, I create a weekly meal plan. A meal plan saves time and money Every Sunday, I build a meal plan and prep ingredients from my arsenal of simple healthy recipes. The recipes are organized and searchable in Evernote. I like the ones that turn into several meals and create leftovers for lunch. Here's how. Grab my FREE Meal Planning Template +5 Weeknight Meals HERE. Mom! What's for dinner? Now, you have an answer. Use Existing Inventory First, check the fridge and freezer for proteins on hand. Veggies? Are there any likely to spoil soon? I clean and cut fruits and vegetables. Make muffins from overripe bananas. Defrost meat. And I also keep a stash of frozen veggies for a quick side dish. With a little prep work, veggies are ready for snacking, steaming, or sautéing. Spinach and romaine on hand for smoothies and salads. Snacks pre-portioned into …
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How to Organize Family Board Games
Board Games and Playing Cards We routinely hold a family game night. Our favorite board games come in the smallest boxes or no box at all. We travel with three decks of cards (Monopoly Deal, standard playing cards, and a Pinochle deck.) While the Fish Bowl Game requires only a pen and paper. And after many years, these games remain our favorites. To keep it organized, I designated a small cabinet for our collection. Games cycle in and out. The key to organizing board games is setting boundaries and being realistic about which games are played. How to Organize Board Games Collect all the games and cards Designate a cabinet or shelf to store them Check each box for missing pieces and instructions Fix or reinforce boxes with tape. Secure with rubber bands Donate games your family has outgrown Throw away damaged or incomplete games Confirm playing cards are complete decks Keep 1-2 high-quality decks of cards Limit your collection to what you use …
How to Prepare for Online Learning in the Fall
If you’re a parent with school-aged children, the question of the hour is about school in the fall. How will online learning be taught? When will it start? Should I homeschool? Our family weathered the storm of distance learning this spring, but I recognize that’s easier to do with an only child and a flexible work schedule. For many families, the spring was a nightmare. And now we're trying to start the year off right. I get it. But before you rush out and spend a bunch of money on new desks, homeschooling curriculum, and rearrange your house, I recommend taking a step back to “pause and plan.” You have time, I promise. Take a deep breath and read on. Step 1 - Enjoy Summer The school year will be here before you know it. For the sake of our children and their childhood that was turned upside down in March, let’s try to enjoy the last few weeks summer. Be present, in this moment, which we’ll never get back. Since I have 4 summers left before my one-and-only heads …
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Kid’s Artwork, Who Are You Saving It For?
Kid's Artwork is abundant in our house even with just one child. Households with multiple kids struggle to tackle the volume of paper clutter. And every parent finds their kid's artwork difficult to get rid of because of the memories. Artwork more appropriately falls under sentimental clutter versus paper clutter. And sentimental stuff requires its own process. Currently, I am working on a small scrapbook for my son's elementary years. I collected some photos and artwork over the years. With each passing grade, there is less and less. In the end, I asked for his help with a few large books of his first writing samples. We read them together and laughed at the funny sentences. He noted 6 or 7 pieces that he truly remembered. I snapped photos of those. Without prompting, he said, "I think I'm ready to pass these on. I don't need them." Here's 3 Reasons Why Time - Several years had passed since he wrote the stories. He's not attached to them. And he won't be more attached …
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10 Rules for Happiness
Happiness and Gratitude - Even In the Valleys The Happiness Project inspired my Rules for Happiness. These rules are 10 priorities with a posture of gratitude and contentment by living simply. My values set the foundation for these ten rules. Follow Christ My faith journey and my journey to simplify are deeply intertwined but I didn’t realize how much until I wrote My Story. Without question, God had a plan for me. Be Generous Remember the TV show ER? (Yes, I'm dating myself.) Anthony Edward’s character Dr. Greene was dying of cancer. In his final hours, he implored his daughter to “Be Generous”. I am most content when I am generous with my time, talents, possessions, money and words. Gratitude I'm grateful for what I have because it's Simply Enough. A name that so accurately describes this life I get to lead. I appreciate the peaks and the valleys. Because in the valleys, my blessings abound, even when happiness does not. Gratitude shows me the silver …