Foodie Friday- Banana Pudding

It's another fantastic foodie Friday post coming at ya!  

Our family loves banana pudding, and there are a million different recipes out there for it.  This particular combination is the one that hits the right note with my family!! 

It seems really rich, but that doesn't seem to effect my family in the slightest!  I like to bring this one along to potlucks or cookouts as well! Nothing like a creamy, delicious cool treat at the end of a big meal!! 

Super simple, not terribly time consuming either!  Pre-prepping your ingredients goes a long way to knocking this one out in a time efficient manner! And as always, click here or on the image for the downloadable 5x7 recipe card.  

I also love that this is in my Happy Planner Recipe Planner now as well!  My recipe planner is starting to fill up with all our family favorite recipes to refer to for years to come! 

Have a fantastic weekend and I can't wait to share more with you next time!! 

Fitness Friday- Free Rings Fitness Tracker!

Good Morning!! 

Today we have something a little different!  Typically, I share recipes and videos on Friday.  However, I shared a picture on my instagram and in a few fitness facebook groups that garnered a different post!  

I had created a sticker to put in my monthly view of my Wellness Planner (a big Happy Planner horizontal planner, that I track personal growth, fitness, as well as spiritual growth/work) with these stickers!! I color in my progress daily on my right as well as document my stats.  Along the top part I am tracking progress through a group challenge with some friends to walk 100 miles in the month of July.  

I received several requests for the file, so I thought I would share it here with you all!  My only request, as this is a free printable, is that you tag me on my planning instagram account if you use it and and use pictures!! 

You can click on the image above, or click here to download the free PDF file! I hope you enjoy your fitness journey, and tracking your progress!! These are sized for a Big Happy Planner monthly box- but not quite to the edges.  Print at 75% size to put in a classic sized planner. 

Have a blessed day! 

Dealing with The Plastics in a Christian World

Disclaimer-- The blog post was originally written in 2019, before our now adult daughter left home and began proudly serving our country in the U.S. Armed Forces.  This is the first time it is being published.  

Okay, so I have to admit it.  I have watched Mean Girls.  If you haven't watched that movie, it mainly revolves around one girl "infiltrating" a click of girls, and then slowly morphing into one of them because they are like, the coolest, and everyone wants to be them.  Like all good Hollywood dramas, in the end it all works out blah blah blah.

I guess now you are wondering why I am blithering about a Hollywood movie on a Christian perspective blog-eh?

My oldest daughter brought something to my attention about a year ago, and it's been really heavy on my heart.  From the time I got saved, and shortly there after my husband surrendered to the ministry, our goal has been to put our children in the best circles possible to nurture their spiritual growth.  We homeschool for many reasons, but one of the reasons we do is to help be their main source of information so that we are able to help them choose friendships that are better for them than others.  They are less exposed to sensuality and sexuality, less pressured to "join the crowd" because they are already not a part of the semi-in crowd trying to get to the upper level of the hierarchy.

 But I digress.

 My daughter told me about a year ago that she didn't particularly care for participation in a lot of church centered activities(more of an emphasis on inter-church activities like youth rallies and church camps)  because everyone appeared plastic to her.  They had their permagrin smiles on, had just the right answers for every question, all dressed the same, thought the same, acted the same (in public)- they seemed fake.  Especially when my daughter would hear and see the rumblings of rebellion.  She knew there was more going on behind the scenes, but everyone just had to keep that perfect appearance.  It was very hard and devastating for me. 

 I wanted the hope that she would choose from these circles a spouse to share their same views, and life with.  That she would choose someone to serve God with.  And at that moment I knew it would never happen.  

It broke my heart.

There are plastics in every circle.  And unfortunately, now I see what she sees.  I am so sad, because the fundamental Christian movement has become so regimented in their own thoughts that they have forgotten some really important and valuable tools they need to win others to the Lord (which is our goal, right?).

Life is Messy
The reality is, most kids these days don't get saved at 5 and lead a holy life, expounding upon what their parents have taught them about sin, and work towards avoiding it and helping their fellow kids to avoid it.  Most kids these days come from broken homes, and have broken spirits, and live very broken lives.  Standing over them and beating them with your Bible and judging them for who and where they are in life probably isn't going to bring them into the fold.  Should we condone the sin they are in? No.  But judgement and criticism isn't going to gain you any favor either.

Hearts are Hard to the Message
The world (unsaved Christian people here) is conditioned to think exactly how my daughter felt about what she was seeing the fundamental Christian movement- plus some.  Their hearts are preconditioned to a message we have for them- and it's not going to be a one and done message most generally.  It takes time for God to do a work in them because they don't want to believe everything they have been taught about Christianity is a lie- or perversion of the truth.  Odds are, most of us have a very messy path to salvation.  Keep that in mind when you share.

Be Honest 
It's time for those of us who didn't get saved at 5, and didn't always live a life for God to just get honest. People want to see a very real side of you.  They want to know that while you are different now, you weren't always the way you are.  The world needs to see redemption in your life.  I truly believe this with all that I am.  They need to know and hear from you that you have been where they are.  Not wallow there with them- but show them how God created a change in you through that situation and season of life. 

The fields are ripe for the harvest- but if you don't have the right tools, and aren't willing to get dirty to harvest the crop, and in some instances, actually walk out into the field-how are we ever going to see revival in our churches?   I believe it's time to put our plastic lives in the past, and roll up our sleeves, and start getting real with the world around us.  

One of the primary reasons I believe we are seeing significant men in public view fall to sin, because we are (as a collective Christian body) putting a fake face on the Christian walk.  There is no real honesty- that we all have sin to conquer.  The movement is scared to admit that its not all perfect.  My heart aches for the people who see Christianity this way.  Because that's not what a lot of us are about.  People need to see real.  They need to see our honest, messy lives to not be hard toward us as Christians, and by extension, the church.  

People  need to see that the doors are open to everyone- not just the ones who looked buttoned up, and all together.  They need to see a place where they fit.  Broken.  In Need of a Savior.  So the world can then see redemption in their story, and their lives, and their ministry to others.  

{My} Simplified Bible Study

For years, personal Bible study has been one area I severely lacked.  I would start a phenomenal study, only to fizzle out before I completed it due to one thing or another.  It's been extremely frustrating for me because I am not normally a start and stop person.  

Sitting in Sunday School (Pre-Covid19) one day while studying Psalms 119, I had a word I needed clarification on.  So I got my phone out (gasp!) and looked it up on the Webster's 1828 website.  I then wrote it in line with my text I was copying.... and a lightbulb went off for me.  

Why on earth have I not been doing this this way all along? 

All the scripture studies, and scripture copywork plans.... and Bible studies and reading plans.  Why on earth had this not dawned on me before? 

For weeks now, I have been more consistent than ever in Scripture study and reading... because I simplified the method for myself.  My goal is always 20-30 minutes- but if something happens and I need to care for Dylan- I can feel satisfied with 15 minutes- and pick right back where I left off the next day. 

Here's a video where I explain the ins and outs of what I do in the mornings! 

I hope that is helps someone out there not feel so much pressure to study a certain way... or with a certain book.  Sometimes, all you need is just The Book.  I have found this so much more rewarding that any study I have done in a long time. 

Until Next Time! 

Foodie Friday- Strawberry Banana Layered Fluff

Hey Friends!  

It's been a week or two since we shared a recipe (May was our last one!) and we have an amazing and simple dessert recipe to add to your recipe box!!   If you are looking for an amazing treat to take to your next potluck or gathering, you are in luck! And we are sharing this just in time for Fourth of July! 

As always, we have created a video to show you just how easy the recipe is to assemble! 

And last but certainly not least, the recipe card that goes along with it.  Again, this is probably the easiest dessert recipe that's not going to heat up your kitchen and will wow your friends.  And you can almost count it as healthy! I mean, it has two types of fruit in it, right?! You can click here or on the image to download your free 5x7 recipe card.  

I've added it to my personal cookbook as well!  I love my Happy Planner Recipe Planner.  Disc planners are awesome because I can rearrange my recipes however I want them, or pull them to the front to prep for my cooking week.  All the best things.  It's amazing!! 

Until Next Time Friends! I hope you enjoy this recipe and. I can't wait to share more with you! 

Foodie Friday- Poor Man's Stroganoff

Have you ever had a recipe that you make... that if you were "eating it with your eyes first" as they say, you would never have eaten it?  That is this recipe for me!!  When my mom first married my dad way back when, my dad had this boxed meal that he loved to eat, and it had been discontinued.  He and my mom worked and worked until they found what they believed was as close as they were going to get!

I have been pretty diligently working on adding recipes to my Happy Planner Recipe Planner.  I like using the recipe planner because you can pull recipes for the week and put them in the front of the book so you aren't shuffling and digging for your recipes at meal time!

We've eaten this for as long as I can remember.  It's a quick lunch when you need something filling, or a quick dinner when you are running behind.  It's one of those trust old recipes that lives in our family and hopefully will for a few more generations.

As usual, here is a printable recipe card that you can access by clicking here or the image below!

This is a super customizable alternative to hamburger helper as well! Making it a great option for switching out for home made ingredients (fresh for canned soups, etc) making it gluten free.... the possibilities are endless!! 

Next 90 Days, RisexLive, My Oh My!

Hey friends!

Recently I have felt motivated to share a little more than just small tidbits here and there- a month here.. a month there.

I have been on a journey of self discovery the last 3 years.  Unpacking who you really are, verses who you force yourself to be because of other peoples expectations is not something that happens over night.  It's not something you even realize you are doing until you are in the middle of it!  

I am so thankful for the journey to where I am now.  I have hid this journey, not because I am ashamed of it, but because I have feared other peoples opinions about what I was doing.  I had to get past that.  I answer to God first and foremost, and my husband, and in reality those are the only two opinions I should really care about.

No one really understands this place in which I live- the dynamic that I am in and creating in our family environment, but yet for so many years of my life I allowed all those things to be dictated to me by expectations of others that I couldn't sustain.

In reality, I was living a life that wasn't really mine.  It wasn't authentic.  It wasn't anything but a sham of desire of acceptance.  Having had a turn in our personal lives in the last three years has given space to take a breath.  To look deeply into myself and ask the hard questions.  It forced me to answer those questions.  Who am I?  Who is God in my life?  Does my life look the way it is supposed to look?  Does my circle of people reflect a circle that is accepting of our journey and free of judgement and criticism?  Am I reacting in a healthy way to that criticism?  Is that criticism coming from a healthy place?

Y'all.

I am glad I am on the other side of that.

I read a book about a year or so ago (I can't remember when I read it) by Rachel Hollis.  Because I had a spirit of discernment, and I was pretty well read in the word, I will be honest and say, there were some things I did not agree with.  However, I will tell you I was fairly surprised (but shouldn't have been in all honesty, I know) by the backlash from the Christian community.  They hated it.  They hated her.  And I couldn't for the life of me figure it out.  Most everything in that book screamed at me about places where I needed improvement in my life- to be a better Christian, Wife, Mother and Friend.  Were there some things in there I didn't agree with? Sure!! But in reality- I got some life changing information.

And so began my journey.

Rachel Hollis unapologetically shows that she is an imperfect human.  But she also shows that she is a person reaching for more, and understands that her creator designed her to be a better version of herself every day.

I watched her be torn apart by the the Christian community for believing that her community shouldn't be an island surrounded by people who look, think, behave and act just like you.  She dared to say that your community has to be diverse.  GASP!  I believe in order to be a city on hill, there has to be a valley around you that needs to see you.

Our Christian walk cannot be envisioned as perfect- people don't want perfect.  They want real.  And that is my pursuit. Every day.  To be real. To be honest.  To love people.  To help them find hope in a very hopeless world these days.  

So, if you made it all the way here.... I have been participating in the Hollis Co (Rachel and Dave Hollis' company) Next 90 Days Challenge.  And now that we are halfway-ish through that 12 weeks, I wanted to give you an update via video on what that journey has looked like for me.  If you are interested, here you go.  If not, that's okay too!! 

Foodie Friday- The Best Brussel Sprouts!

Well Hello There, Internet World!

I have been on hiatus on posting recipes and videos, but I haven't stopped gathering videos and content to share with you!  

This week, I am sharing one of my favorite vegetable side dishes.  Brussel Sprouts.  Yes, I said what I said. Hahaha!   Seriously, these amazingly yummy tiny green heads of goodness are a family favorite in our house!

Here is this amazing recipe in my Happy Planner Recipe Planner.  If you are interested in more planner content, you can head to my planner instagram! I share lots of photos of how I use my planners in my life! Our family uses the Happy Planner Teacher Planner for our homeschool, and  I use many of the inserts and planner styles throughout the year for keeping up with our crazy world!  Here's a snapshot of my Recipe Planner! Click Here or on the image to see more planner inspiration!

This recipe is super easy! As usual, I have shared a printable recipe card in 5x7 format for you as well as a video!! Let me know in the comments if you attempted this recipe and if you liked it! You can click on the image to go directly to the download or click here as well!

Foodie Friday-Chicken and Rice

It's Friday so that means another recipe for you!!

About a month ago, my friend Shanna posted on facebook looking for chicken and rice recipes for her to make for her family.  Her sweet mother in law posted this super simple, quick and easy Chicken and Rice recipe- and I thought I would share with you!

I love how easy this came together, and how adaptable it could be for allergies or preferences! Here is the downloadable recipe card as well! Click here or on the image to download the card! 

I am super excited to add this to our dinner line up!  It's delicious and low time investment- and I am. all about it!! 

Foodie Friday- Avocado Ranch Wraps!

We homeschool here... and I am always up for a quick and easy lunch recipe that doesn't come out of a can or package (no judging).  Some days that easier than others.  But today I am sharing one of our favorite quick and easy recipes! Every one in my family loves this recipe! If you want leftovers, double this.  Otherwise... this makes about 5 wraps, or, lunch for my family!

Click here or on the picture below to download the 5x7 recipe card! 

Friday Foodie- Best Ever Pancakes Recipe

Have you ever found a recipe on the internet, and when you look at the ingredients, you seriously consider if it really could be all it's cracked up to be?

Back when I first started staying home and homeschooling, I was on a quest to create meals cheaper than from a box.  Pancakes, I knew, were made with basic ingredients.  I was tired of buying Bisquick or pancake mix, and I knew there had to be a recipe that was better than from a box.  And then I happened upon it.  The amazing recipe I am sharing with you today (with permission, of course!).

Google can take you into crazy places!! I stumbled upon Crystal Godfrey's blog Store This, Not That! and have over the years fallen in love with several of her recipes.  Her pancakes recipe is no exception.   In the link, you can get the original recipe... as well as her amazing recipe for a shelf stable DIY pancake mix as well!!

Click here or on the image for a 5x7 recipe card of the original one bowl pancakes recipe that I love!! 

Let us know if you love these pancakes as much as our family does!! Thank you so much Store This Not That for allowing us to share this fantastic recipe with our audience! I always enjoy sharing others creations! 

Foodie Friday- Shawn Johnson's Mom's Pumpkin Bread Recipe

Oh my soul you guys!! About a month ago, I was watching Instagram stories in the car during an appointment lull, and gymnast Shawn Johnson shared her mom's pumpkin bread recipe.  I took a screen shot because I wanted to try it, but it took so long for life to calm down for me to bake again (or even be home again, because we have been living that hospital life... but that's neither here nor there)! My family LOVED this recipe.  It was pumpkin.  But not overwhelming spice pumpkin.  

This is one I will make, again and again and again and again!! Click here to print a 5x7 recipe card, or click on the image for the download as well!!

This recipe is super easy to make!! Her original recipe called for baking it in 5 small loaf pans, but I put it in two regular loaf pans and it worked great too!  Again, we loved this recipe so much and I can't wait to make it over and over this holiday season.  Thanks for sharing it on Instagram Shawn, and congratulations on your new bundle of joy!

Foodie Friday- Banana Bread

Good Morning (well it's morning while I am writing this!) and welcome to my first installment of Foodie Friday!! It's cold and totally fall-ish here in Oklahoma, and so I baked some banana bread this week.  And when I was gathering up all my ingredients, I thought, why not share this amazing recipe with the world and how easy it is to make?!

Oh... yea... and here is a printable (5x7) recipe card to help you out!

You can click on the image above, or click here to take you to the file to download.  

Oh... and here is a handy video for your viewing pleasure as well!! I am starting to share way more content over on my YouTube Channel! 

Come on over and give us a view and follow... or even a thumbs up!! 

Mini Happy Planner Monthly Box Template

So, I haven't really done this in a LONG time... but here is a free template!   If you didn't know, I am a planner girl all the way.  I love my planners (yes I said it, multiple planners) and they have helped me in so many areas of my life.

My faith planner keeps me in step with my note taking during sermons (there is a summary place at the end of every week), prayer request lists, Scripture writing and application... etc.

My big Happy Planner keeps our home life running smoothly for the most part... and my go with planner (a classic happy planner) is my brain.  It holds my daily to dos, my food journal and supplement accountability, my work stuff, and my project running list.

Y'all, I couldn't function without it.

So last year when the Trendsetter Happy Planner Girl came out, and they had those amazing monthly date sticker boxes, I knew there would never be enough for me.  And much to my shock, I went online in search of a template to buy to start making, printing and cutting my own, and there wasn't one!!

So I built a classic Happy Planner template in Silhouette Studio.... and the rest is history.  I am going to share it with y'all...

This template is a Studio file.  You will have to have it to use the file... but good news! You don't have to have a silhouette to download or use the free version of the software!!

I only ask for an occasional shout out to my Planner Girl Instagram Account, and if someone asks you where you got it, please send them through here!! It's free, so it's not like I am asking everyone to pay for it! ... Okay?! Thanks!!

For the mini template, the boxes are turned side ways!! That got more on a page.  I am so glad this is going to add to your own personal Planner Girl Experience! 

You can either click the image above, or CLICK HERE TO GO TO THE DOWNLOAD! 

Three Years' Difference

I struggle often with discouragement.

I don't see the results I want... things are not happening fast enough for me.

I don't think I am unique in that struggle at all.

I started my health journey two and half years ago.  After a ton of research... I realized I needed to focus on health, before weight loss.  My body was extremely damaged.  A life of special needs kiddos and putting everyone else's needs before my own for way too long had caught up with me.

So now, I have been working on my weight loss journey since August of 2018.  I didn't realize how far I had come until my mom shared with me a picture last week.

I seriously wept tears of joy when I created this side by side.  I have changed SO MUCH!!! This journey is really hard, and I think because personal behavior change isn't easy- and that is why so many people give up.

Don't give up!! I love visual encouragement, and this is exactly that kind of encouragement!  I will say, if you have questions about my journey personally, drop me a message, I can totally talk to you about that... or you can find me on facebook!! --->A Family For His Glory Facebook Page<---

I will be sharing more this year over on that Facebook page this year... come and join me!!

Let Go Of The Junk

Yesterday's junk.  

It was still hanging around this morning at 4:30 when I couldn't go back to sleep. It kept me awake last night way longer than it should have. 

Boy is there some of that still hanging around in my head.
Yesterday was probably one of the roughest days I have had in awhile. I got in my head. I allowed myself to question the journey I started a year ago.

I completely forgot the healing crisis I went through. I forgot how a year ago I could barely get out of bed. That I napped in the car while Cassidy did gymnastics for 2.5 hours two nights a week and still went to bed at 8:30... and woke up exhausted every morning for the next 6 months-and now I coach 4 classes a week instead of napping in the car.

I forgot how good I feel on the inside, and that what I have been doing has been working- even if no one sees an outward transformation. 

I forgot about the first time this summer I could wear my wedding rings during the day and all day because I no longer had massive inflammation in my body. 

I forgot all of that because momentarily I allowed myself to forget how far I had come, simply because I wasn't meeting expectations someone else had set for me. I forgot all of that because a number on a box that measured my gravitational pull to the earth didn't change. Even though I was making my best attempts at diet and exercising 3-5 days a week. I allowed myself to feel less than. I then allowed myself to throw a pity party all day. I probably lost 2 pounds in water weight in tears. 

Why? Why did I do it? I honestly can't answer that question. I just know I have to trust that I know my body, and that it has been through so much in nearly 16 years. and even 1 year of healing isn't probably enough. That there is still internal work going on, and I have to trust that, and fuel my body to the very best of my ability, and listen to what it's telling me it needs. And I have to trust that it's all a part of the plan. 

So sweet friends- let go of yesterday's junk. I am.

When You Struggle To Find Your Tribe

We've all seen the saying lately- "Find your tribe, and love them hard."  I think its something we all desire- a group of people you would do anything for- who will help you with your struggles, strive for better things with, and in return you do the same.  It's the way life should be, right?  We should have this band of brothers (or sisters) that would would through fire or over coals to ensure you are okay.

For some of us though, the struggle to find that group of people is, well, real. Really.  We want that group of people, we crave it.  But it seems every time we put ourselves out there, hurt ensues.  Can you tell I am speaking from the heart here?

I only speak from my perspective here- but it's a struggle that I have had for many years.  I have anguished over it, been bitter about it, been depressed about it.  It wasn't until a year ago that I truly accepted that the tribe I was trying to insert myself into wasn't receptive to me.  That one was hard.   I felt a lot of anger over it.

But God, in his infinite mercy and grace, has slowly started putting me into new positions, groups, and challenging roles in life- and I think I am finally starting to find my groove.  My tribe.  I celebrate new friendships and bonds over like mindedness, health goals, desires, attitudes- and even in the midst of those things there is a love of Christ.  I am amazed that God has graciously put new people in my path once I let go of the ones that weren't for me anyway.

But God.

How many times do I hold onto these people and relationships that are seriously toxic to my walk, but I crave acceptance so much that I still cling to hope that a group or person will bring me into the fold?  How many times have I been jealous of situations, or friendships or relationships that I see others sharing in? If I speak honestly, there is a great amount of time that I do these things.  We waste so much time- time and energy that could be used so much more positively in this world if we would just allow time and opportunity to be used.

I want to be used up for God.  I want to be in groups of people who have a like minded goal in this.  That they honor and glorify God in the day to day.  I am so excited that I am finally accomplishing this.  My heart is happy in the times I get to share in these new ways and places.  I go to bed feeling fulfilled, and appreciated.  It's been so long since I have felt that way.

Do something for me today.  Take time to let your tribe know they are appreciated.  You will lose your band of brothers and sisters slowly if you take, and never feed back in, and never let them know you are thankful they are there.

Look for others who might be a good fit for your tribe.  If you have struggled here- you know how it has felt to be left out, to be hurt, to feel like you are walking this world all alone.  Be looking for those people.  They need a tribe.  They need to hear someone cares- they need to know they aren't alone.  They need a place to let go and be themselves- not the fake selves they are being to fit in somewhere they don't belong.

And finally- if you are still looking.  Here is some advice.  Stop being someone you aren't in the hopes that some group of people are going to want you.  It's not worth it.  I promise.  You are giving up a part of your peace for nothing- because once you are yourself you will find yourself on the outside again- and hurt again.  Look for genuine people.  They are truly still out there.  I promise.  Never give up that search.  There are groups of people who are really like you- and see life in the unique way you do- and they are searching for someone to share this journey too.  Embrace the journey- find your tribe, and never stop looking and growing.  Because once you find that tribe, they will celebrate your journey and growth.

To everyone in the last year that has embraced this craziness we as a family call life- Thank You.  I hope we are a positive part of your world- I hope we inspire you to see things differently and love the life you have.  I pray that you see a little bit of God in our world.

Doing Dave Ramsey- Our Way!

Every family at some point gets to that place where their budget gets wonky... and you have to reign that bad boy back in.  I faced that place this month.  Christmas was looming... we were spending too freely- and I had to figure out what was going on with our money!

I was using The Happy Planner Budget Extension Pack.... and guys... I really really REALLY wanted to love it.  I really did.  But I couldn't implement it the way I felt that I needed to manage our money. And I wasn't finding the tools I desperately needed to make that possible.

I love Dave Ramsey. His methods are amazing.  But for me, as many places I go I don't feel safe carrying around money in envelopes for me to put down and forget to pick back up.  I hate the thought of losing my entire month's worth of money... so ...

I bought a Martha Stewart Arc cover from Staples, as well as some page protectors and pocket dividers, because lets face it, if you are going to do it, it might as well be pretty.  So after I chose a cover, I started creating the documents I needed in my binder.  First, I needed a master list of my bills with account numbers in the front.  Done.  Then, I needed to create categories of where all my bills went and their categories.  For example, the one main heading of Utilities holds the electric bill, water bill, cable bill, etc.  For our family, we have 9 categories.  Next, I created a sheet with all my categories and what fell in those- and assigned an icon stamp for each.

Still with me?  Okay... so am I the only one who hates the small check book register that comes with checks?  I hate it.  It's small.  And I had no way to include my stamp category stuff.  So, of course I created something different.  I created a check book register that includes a column for the category stamps!! Why is this what I needed? Well let me show you! 

See that budget category column?  Thats where a stamp goes from the master list shown above.  So as I am keeping track of our checkbook, I also have a visual of how much spending is going on in each category.  Once I have balanced all that and tabulated, I then check off from the register and add my expenditures to what would normally be on the outside of the cash envelopes, but I have included here in my binder.

This helps me know when I am out of money in that particular category, so I know to stop spending!! It's something I will do before I go to bed each night if I have been out and about.  

I also have this sheet in my binder.  This sheet I used a couple of years ago before I tried the MAMBI budget extension.  This sheet was amazing at keeping me in sync with how I needed to allocate our money.  Ms. Wenduh has some amazing free printable on her blog.  She also sells planner stickers.  Love her stuff! 

And that is how we plan on getting back on track.  Why wait until the first of the year? Now is the time to make your money work for you!  It is good to start saving money, or getting out of debt.  I feel driven like never before to make our money work hard for us.  

I hope this inspires you to take your money captive and do the right stuff with it!! 

Becoming A Plexus Ambassador

This week, we announced to our family and friends that we had made the decision to become plexus ambassadors.  We have been using the products for nearly a month, and the changes we were starting to see and feel were too amazing to not jump on and share.

I did an eleven minute Facebook live to announce it.  I was so stinking nervous!  I am not good at looking at myself while I talk.  I am totally okay with others looking at me... but having to look at myself is nerve racking!  I truly believe the products are changing my life, and in turn changing my family's life as well!

 

I feel incredibly blessed to have found a product that will change everything for me.  I was so hard on my body for so long, pushing through some pretty difficult circumstances and demanding a lot from my body.  Honestly, I was brutal to all my body systems by asking so much from it.  I know now why weight loss has been such a struggle for the last 6 years.  I want to be a better steward of what God has given me... and He only gives me one body to dwell on this earth in.  The best way I can honor and glorify Him is to be the best version of me I can be!  I truly believe Plexus is going to help me accomplish that goal.  

So, if you are interested, click on the black image above, and watch what I have to say about Plexus and how it is helping my body.  

Preparing for 2017-2018 School Year

Good Morning!

I have been slowly trying to prepare myself for the inevitability of the school year starting... but I can't seem to quite get prepared.  I have my fabulous Teacher Planner from Me and My Big Ideas ... but I just can't get motivated to think about school starting up!

It couldn't have anything to do with the fact that we spent all of May and June working on Beauty and the Beast Jr, or that all of July has been helping my oldest paint lockers to look like books for a paid project could it? but, I digress.

The one thing the Happy Planner Teacher Edition does not have is a monthly objectives page.  I really needed this this year because we are going more Charlotte Mason and all my kids are doing the same science and Bible.  So, in order to that, I need a place I can coordinate their chapters.  I created a printable for this!  

This now gives me a great place to have an "At A Glance" view of what I want to accomplish throughout the school year.  From the Teacher Add-On pack, I used the volunteer sheet, but on the back there was a checklist sheet, and I didn't want checklists at the beginning, so I glued it to the back of that and then used Washi Tape to keep it solidly together.  Now, all my Checklists are in the back where they belong and I don't have a random one up front.

Enjoy your free printable, and until next time...
Happy Planning & Happy Homeschooling!