2012 To-Do’s 4/13 UPDATE!!!

I’m committed to keep up with my To-Do’s, but had to take a couple weeks off because life got crazy.  I’m back on track and very thankful for a little bit of peace!  Sorry for not keeping you up-to-date the last few weeks.  Gabe’s family and friends B-day parties went GREAT and he told me, “Mom, I don’t know how you are going to top this.  This was the best birthday anyone could ever have!”   Oh, I LOVED hearing that!  The ipod touch was a HUGE success and he is having a ball with it.  Hopefully he’s not texting people too much…  Let me know, K?  🙂  I AM WAY behind in my Bible reading so next week that’ll be a focus.  I’m hoping to get caught up before next Friday.  We are leaving Thursday night after kickboxing (of course)  for a long weekend in Boston to visit my sister!  I’m praying for good weather and good kids!  🙂

1. Read the Bible the entire Bible this year.  Check out www.youversion.com and start a Bible Reading Plan.  I’m 3 weeks behind.  BOO HOO!  But lets see where I am by next week…   
2. Get $200 in Amazon gift cards from Swagbucks next Christmas.  This is about 347 Swagbucks a week.  See my sheet on how I’m going to do that.  How to Earn $200 with Swagbucks.  It’s been 16 weeks so I should be up to 5552 Swagbucks and I’m at  6259 and have cashed out 2700 for amazon gift cards.  I’m WAY AHEAD… SWEET!!!
3. Make a new recipe each week.  Last week I made http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/emeril-lagasse/emerils-mulligatawny-soup-recipe/index.html.  It was VERY good, very healthy and made a ton though it was a ton of work!  I’ve got leftovers though so it was worth the effort.  Next week I don’t have a new recipe planned.  I’m trying to maintain sanity.  🙂   
4. Do something each week as a family.  We had such a GREAT weekend!  Easter…  need I say more?  It was AWESOME!!! 
5. Go to the gym or do an equivalent workout at least 3 days a week.  I went Tuesday – Thursday.  And ran on the wii Monday! 

2012 To-Do’s 3/23 UPDATE!!!

I’m committed to keep up with my To-Do’s so I’ll try to keep you up-to-date each week.  Gabe’s Family B-day party is this Sunday.  It’s Maine Maple Syrup Sunday so we are doing a panCAKE birthday and having everyone over for a HUGE pancake breakfast.  I get to see my sis and BIL from Boston and I’m SO EXCITED!!!  We are also giving my son a gift that he is going to FREAK-OUT about.  I’ll tell you next week.  I don’t want anyone to accidentally spoil the surprise.  Oh I LOVE giving presents!!!

1. Read the Bible the entire Bible this year.  Check out www.youversion.com and start a Bible Reading Plan.  I’m all caught up.  Woot, Woot! 
2. Get $200 in Amazon gift cards from Swagbucks next Christmas.  This is about 347 Swagbucks a week.  See my sheet on how I’m going to do that.  How to Earn $200 with Swagbucks.  It’s been 12 weeks so I should be up to 4511 Swagbucks and I’m at  5530 and have cashed out 2250 for amazon gift cards.  March Madness is going on with daily goals.  If you hit your daily goal you get a bonus 10% worth of swagbucks.  So my goal was 100 today.  I hit it and got an extra 10 Swagbucks as a Bonus.  SWEET!!!
3. Make a new recipe each week.  I made Jillian Michael’s Veggie Pad Thai from her Master Your Metabolism book.  OMG.  I LOVED THIS SO MUCH!!!  Also I tried Boco burgers and love them when they are grilled.  I found another use for my Cuisinart Griddler!   
4. Do something each week as a family.  We had such a GREAT weekend!  Where do I begin?  Friday night we ate at the Franklin’s house and had an amazing visit with great friends to discuss our financial class, Saturday we went out for $.99 Blizzards and then to Boy Scout Cross-over ceremony at Camp Hinds.  Sunday we went to church and had the Nutter’s over for dinner to catch-up and chat about the metabolism diet.  We felt so GREAT after the awesome weekend and the weeks weather has been a blessing as well! 
5. Go to the gym or do an equivalent workout at least 3 days a week.  I went Monday – Thursday.  I LOVE IT! 

2012 To-Do’s 3/16 UPDATE!!!

I’m committed to keep up with my To-Do’s so I’ll try to keep you up-to-date each week.  I am going into this week with so much joy!  Gabe has had a couple of AMAZING weeks and I’ve stopped his psychologist appts for now.  Praise God!  3 months ago I wasn’t sure what we were going to do.  We have decided to go to Disney hopefully with my 2 cousins who are also dear close friends.  I love them dearly and the cousins are going to have moments that will last a lifetime.  This will be the first trip for all the kiddos so it’ll be super special.  SO I”m couponing with a purpose now!!!  I’ve also caught up on my Bible reading which brings we comfort and peace!  We’ve also made a point to get together with people.  Last weekend we went to dinner with our friends the Triances and had a great time talking.  Then Sunday with my Mom and in-laws.  This weekend we are spending time with the Franklin’s , the Nutters, and Boy Scouts families. 

1. Read the Bible the entire Bible this year.  Check out www.youversion.com and start a Bible Reading Plan.  I’m all caught up.  Woot, Woot! 
2. Get $200 in Amazon gift cards from Swagbucks next Christmas.  This is about 347 Swagbucks a week.  See my sheet on how I’m going to do that.  How to Earn $200 with Swagbucks.  It’s been 11 weeks so I should be up to 4164 Swagbucks and I’m at  5026 plus I cashed in 2250 for amazon gift cards.  I had a good week!  I found out that you can only do 5 redemptions in a month so I’ve started cashing in 5 $5 amazon gift cards so I can get my $ for Christmas.    
3. Make a new recipe each week.  This week I did 2: Stuffed Pork loin and Baked Pomegranate Chicken.  The Pork was SO AMAZING.  Poor Jay had a head cold and couldn’t taste it but I sure did…  YUM!!!  The Baked Pom Chicken was OK, nothing I want to make again because it was a little complicated. 
4. Do something each week as a family.  We went out again to whole foods to get CHEAP  pizza and free soda and has a GREAT dinner again.  We also had a baked bean dinner at my Mom’s house with my step dad and in-laws.  It was so relaxing and nice to have fun with the grandparents! 
5. Go to the gym or do an equivalent workout at least 3 days a week.  I went Tues  – Thur.  There was a in-tern that led Wed night’s class and he KICKED my butt. 

2012 To-Do’s 3/10 UPDATE!!!

I’m committed to keep up with my To-Do’s so I’ll try to keep you up-to-date each week.  This past week has been a little TO MUCH for me.  I can’t put my finger on it but I feel a little defeated and a little depressed going into the weekend.  The family has been going in different directions this week.  I’m starting a new position at work (which is amazing, but still a little overwhelming at times), Jay started biking outside and got a new tri watch he has to figure out.  Abby has been studying for 4 tests this week and Gabe has had 2 appts this week but going really well.  So I’m behind on my Bible reading.  Why is it always my bible reading I get behind on…  I know God will forgive me, but I should be putting him and spending time with him as a top priority.  I’m going to try that this next week and see if it helps me get back on track with feeling complete peace and a joy-filled life!!!

1. Read the Bible the entire Bible this year.  Check out www.youversion.com and start a Bible Reading Plan.  Ugh!  I’m a whole week behind.  I haven’t read anything all week…  Why do I do this to myself???? 
2. Get $200 in Amazon gift cards from Swagbucks next Christmas.  This is about 347 Swagbucks a week.  See my sheet on how I’m going to do that.  How to Earn $200 with Swagbucks.  It’s been 11 weeks so I should be up to 3817 Swagbucks and I’m at  6370.  
3. Make a new recipe each week.  This week I did 2: Braised beef stew with orange and anise and Pulled Pork.  Both were really good and made with pretty much all natural ingredients.  My fam LOVES pulled pork so I was very excited to find a natural BBQ sauce recipe that was FANTASTIC.  I’m a hearty dinner girl so I wanted to try the beef stew.  It has GREAT flavor, but I didn’t care for the turnips…   Check out next weeks Meal Plan 3-10-12 to check what I’m doing next week!
4. Do something each week as a family.  Something that will make all of us feel loved!  Last Saturday we went to see The Lorax and then spent the day in Portland doing some shopping and had just a GREAT family day!  Even though the movie wasn’t GREAT our time together was!  We had dinner at Whole Foods and the kids really loved their pizza.  It’s nice to know there is a healthy option to dinning out.
5. Go to the gym or do an equivalent workout at least 3 days a week.  I went Mon  – Thur.  Both Mon and Wed we had SO MANY  people in the circuit that there was over 20 stations.  Bill did a WONDERFUL job creating a tough workout that allowed for so many people.  I’ll be seeing Dawn Saturday am.  Bright and Early!  I’m hoping to start the weekend on a good note! 

2012 To-Do’s 3/3 UPDATE!!!

I’m committed to keep up with my To-Do’s so I’ll try to keep you up-to-date each week.  I had another amazing week this week.  Life though not perfect is so amazingly peaceful and joyful and that is really all we can ask for… right?  Our meal edits are going GREAT, I”m getting to the gym, spending time with the kiddos, and Swagbucks has been AMAZING with the surveys lately.  Woo Hoo!!!

1. Read the Bible the entire Bible this year.  Check out www.youversion.com and start a Bible Reading Plan.   All caught up still.
2. Get $200 in Amazon gift cards from Swagbucks next Christmas.  This is about 347 Swagbucks a week.  See my sheet on how I’m going to do that.  How to Earn $200 with Swagbucks.  It’s been 10 weeks so I should be up to 3470 Swagbucks and I’m at  5823.  I was at 4813 last week so I’ve gotten 1000 points in 1 week that is awesome! 
3. Make a new recipe each week.  This week it was: Chicken Satay with Almond Sauce from Jillian Michael’s Master Your Metabolism Cookbook.  I don’t even know where to start.  It was so YUMMY.  It was a little time-consuming, but well worth it.  I also get these floured packs of chicken for free because the facility that gets them can’t use them all.  I KNOW they aren’t organic, but I do know what manufacturer makes them and they are pretty reputable.  I figured out that I can thaw the packets, and rinse all the flouring off the chicken and pick out any fat and they make DELICIOUS chicken bits.  So I can use up my free chicken and save a bunch on my meal plans for all the other fresh/organic stuff!  Yippee!  Check out next weeks Meal Plan 3-3-12 to check what I’m doing next week!
4. Do something each week as a family.  Something that will make all of us feel loved!  Last Saturday was pick-up the kids day.  We went Auburn to pick up Gabe who’d spent several days with his friend Zack and we got filled in on all the fun including SNOW TUBING!  Then we went to my in-law’s to pick up Abby who’d spent several days there.  We had dinner with them and had just a GREAT family day!
5. Go to the gym or do an equivalent workout at least 3 days a week.  I went Mon and Wed to the gym but did 2 classes on Wed.  I had my hair appt Tues and Thur I ACTUALLY went to my hubby’s speed lab and ran 2.5 miles and did some core and weight stuff!  🙂  I HATE running, but I hate driving in snow even more so it was nice to tag along with Jay. 

2012 To-Do’s 2/24 UPDATE!!!

I’m committed to keep up with my To-Do’s so I’ll try to keep you up-to-date each week. It is vacation week and I”m kidless for 2 days.  🙂  Gabe is with his good friend Zack and Abby is with my in-laws.  I’m hoping the bad weather is not so bad so Jay and I can go out tonight.   I’m STILL caught up on my Bible reading.  Praise God!!!  Swagbucks is still a little slow, I’m going to try and do more surveys next week. 

1. Read the Bible the entire Bible this year.  Check out www.youversion.com and start a Bible Reading Plan.   I’m still caught up.  Woot! Woot! 
2. Get $200 in Amazon gift cards from Swagbucks next Christmas.  This is about 347 Swagbucks a week.  See my sheet on how I’m going to do that.  How to Earn $200 with Swagbucks.  It’s been 9 weeks so I should be up to 3123 Swagbucks and I’m already up to 4813.  I only did about 200 pts last week so I’m hoping this week will be better.   I’m way ahead and I want to stay that way!
3. Make a new recipe each week.  We actually went off meal plan.  Shaw’s had Cod on sale and we did Panko fried fish.  We used a thin layer of olive oil and it actually wasn’t too bad calorie wise and boy oh boy…  It was the BEST fried fish I’ve EVER had.  Jay used the fried shrimp recipe off the Kikkoman’s Panko box.  Next weeks Meal Plan 2-25-12 has some new stuff on there.   
4. Do something each week as a family.  Something that will make all of us feel loved!  We did a family dinner last Saturday night.  It was so relaxing and nice.  Just awesome.
5. Go to the gym or do an equivalent workout at least 3 days a week.  I did doubles on Tues, Wed, and Thur and if the weather holds out, I may run before dinner tonight!  🙂  I like how the diet is making me feel, but I don’t notice my metabolism changing.  It is working GREAT for Jay but not so much for me.  I”m going to give it a few more weeks and I’ll see how it goes. 

2012 To-Do’s 2/20 UPDATE!!!

I’m committed to keep up with my To-Do’s so I’ll try to keep you up-to-date each week.  I am another GREAT week.  Gabe is doing GREAT, work is good, everyone is healthy and Jay and I are just clicking.  Life feels so full-filling!  I’m all caught up on my Bible reading.  Praise God!!!  Swagbucks have been a little slow, but I’m hoping next week will be my week for surveys.  My new recipe was AWESOME…  last week was

1. Read the Bible the entire Bible this year.  Check out www.youversion.com and start a Bible Reading Plan.   I’m all caught up.  Woot! Woot! 
2. Get $200 in Amazon gift cards from Swagbucks next Christmas.  This is about 347 Swagbucks a week.  See my sheet on how I’m going to do that.  How to Earn $200 with Swagbucks.  It’s been 8 weeks so I should be up to 2776 Swagbucks and I’m already up to 4559.  I only did about 200 pts last week so I’m hoping this week will be better.   I’m way ahead and I want to stay that way!
3. Make a new recipe each week.  This week it was: Chicken & Spinach Enchiladas and it was awesome!!!  Next weeks Meal Plan 2-18-12 is the same as last week.  Jay has committed to doing the 2013 Ironman at Lake Placid and we are on a metabolism changing diet.  So I’ve got to get some info and figure out recipes and the best places and coupon matchups for some of the ingredients. 
4. Do something each week as a family.  Something that will make all of us feel loved!  Last Wednesday we all went to my daughter Jazz band competition.  My mom, step dad and my in-laws all came out.  We went to Friendly’s afterwards and had a GREAT time.  I’m blessed with an amazing family.  It’s work, to spend time together and spread the love around, but it is SO WORTH IT!!!
5. Go to the gym or do an equivalent workout at least 3 days a week.  I went Mon, Tues, Thur and I even ran Friday!  🙂   I just love the way I feel!  The time away from home is multiplied by the extra energy I have!  It is totally worth it to me. 

2012 To-Do’s 2/10 UPDATE!!!

I’m committed to keep up with my To-Do’s so I’ll try to keep you up-to-date each week.  I had an amazing week this week.  Life feels like it’s getting back to normal!  I can’t wait to see what to see how God will use me next!  I only have 1 week left to catch up on my Bible reading which is awesome…   I’m so excited to get back doing that.  It sets the tone for the whole day.  I didn’t have luck with many surveys for Swagbucks this week.  I think I only got one.  But my daughter has been wanting to try ProActive and there was a 1000 swagbuck bonus so I did it.  Now I’m SUPER ahead.  🙂  My new recipe was AWESOME…  Herbed Pork Chops  It involves coffee liquor so you can’t go wrong, right???

1. Read the Bible the entire Bible this year.  Check out www.youversion.com and start a Bible Reading Plan.   I’ve got one weeks to catch up on.  😦 
2. Get $200 in Amazon gift cards from Swagbucks next Christmas.  This is about 347 Swagbucks a week.  See my sheet on how I’m going to do that.  How to Earn $200 with Swagbucks.  It’s been 7 weeks so I should be up to 2429 Swagbucks and I’m already up to 4240.  Woo Hoo! 
3. Make a new recipe each week.  This week it was: Herbed Pork Chops and it was awesome!!!  Check out next weeks Meal Plan 2-11-12 to check what I’m doing next week!
4. Do something each week as a family.  Something that will make all of us feel loved!  Last Saturday we all went to my daughter cheering competition and had lunch with the grandparents and Auntie M.  It was such a treat to see her and have lunch with everyone!
5. Go to the gym or do an equivalent workout at least 3 days a week.  I went Mon, Tues, Wed and Thur!  🙂   I just love the way I feel!  The time away from home is multiplied by the extra energy I have!  It is totally worth it to me. 

2012 To-Do’s 2/4 UPDATE!!!

I’m committed to keep up with my To-Do’s so I’ll try to keep you up-to-date each week.   I had a busy week putting a lot of things in place so my son can succeed.  But my laptop is FIXED!!!!  I STILL haven’t caught up on my Bible reading.  PLEASE help me keep motivated with this…  I NEED to read my Bible and have time with God.  I had a hard time getting surveys for Swagbucks this week.  Thank goodness I am still WAY ahead.  🙂  My new recipe was not very good but next week involved coffee liquer so you can’t go wrong, right???

1. Read the Bible the entire Bible this year.  Check out www.youversion.com and start a Bible Reading Plan.   I’ve got two weeks to catch up on.  😦 
2. Get $200 in Amazon gift cards from Swagbucks next Christmas.  This is about 347 Swagbucks a week.  See my sheet on how I’m going to do that.  How to Earn $200 with Swagbucks.  It’s been 6 weeks so I should be up to 2082 Swagbucks and I’m already up to 3057.  Woo Hoo! 
3. Make a new recipe each week.  This week it was: Rum Tum Ditty…  Not good….  Check out next weeks Meal Plan 2-04-12 to check what I’m doing next week!
4. Do something each week as a family.  Something that will make all of us feel loved!  Last Saturday we had a lasagna dinner at my in-laws after church.  It was so nice and yummy.  My  niece was also there which made it extra special!!!  There is a saying you can pick your friends but you can’t pick your family.  Many think that gives them an automatic “out” when family times get tough.  But what they don’t think about is the REASON you can’t pick your family…  Because God did it…  So it’s going to be work to make the relationships fruitful.  I’m so thankful in the last year or so I’ve gotten this and made all my immediate family relationships STRONG!!!
5. Go to the gym or do an equivalent workout at least 3 days a week.  I went Tues, Wed and Thur!  🙂   We had a new Zumba instructor…  I’ve done Zumba with 10 different instructors..  I’ve like all but 1 and loved 4 of them.  Well Stacy B is going into the LOVED pile.  So excited My-Fit-24 has added her on!!! 

2012 To-Do’s 1/27 UPDATE!!!

I’m committed to keep up with my To-Do’s so I’ll try to keep you up-to-date each week.   I had a hard week on the technology front.  So I’ve got a pieced together laptop with a seperate monitor…  It works though!  I had to drive into the office most of the week so I could work so I haven’t caught up on my Bible reading.  PLEASE help me keep motivated with this…  I NEED to read my Bible and have time with God.  I also had little time for Swagbucks.  Thank goodness I was WAY ahead.  🙂 

1. Read the Bible the entire Bible this year.  Check out www.youversion.com and start a Bible Reading Plan.   I’ve got a week to catch up with.  😦 
2. Get $200 in Amazon gift cards from Swagbucks next Christmas.  This is about 347 Swagbucks a week.  See my sheet on how I’m going to do that.  How to Earn $200 with Swagbucks.  It’s been 5 weeks so I should be up to 1735 Swagbucks and I’m already up to 2674.  Woo Hoo! 
3. Make a new recipe each week.  This week it was: Baked Beef Stew!  It’s cooking now…  Can’t wait to try it.  Check out next weeks Meal Plan 1-28-12 to see what I’m doing next week!
4. Do something each week as a family.  Something that will make all of us feel loved!  Sunday was the first night of this series of LifeGroups we had over 30 people in our home and it was GREAT… Great people, great kids, and great food!!!
5. Go to the gym or do an equivalent workout at least 3 days a week.  I went Tues, Wed and Thur!  🙂