Our 2018 story may be over but our new 365 page book for 2019 is just in it’s beginning. This weekend we took some time to reflect on last year and forecasted some 2019 fun. If you are looking for a simple project to ring in the new year and draw a close to 2018, just print and have fun!

For the past several years we have chosen a word to focus our goals. Here are the past words we’ve used.

• 2016: Love
• 2017: Pray
• 2018: Grow
• 2019: Abundance

This year we decided to let the kids choose their own focus word. Now to find some create some project to help them develop their word for the year.

• 9 year old: Keep Going
• 7 Year old: Snuggle
• 5 Year Old: Try
• My Word: Abundance
• My Husband: Intention

2019 we are ready to write your story!

Our Weekly Menu

This weeks menu is ready! We follow the guidelines of Trim Healthy Mama developed by Pearl Barrett and Serene Allison and we encourage you to check out their website, books and various social media platforms. Happy New Year!  Our word of the year is Abundance!!

• Abundance of Kindness
• Abundance of Faith
• Abundance of Consultants whom are ready to take the leap of faith.
• Abundance of Orders
• Abundance of Positivity
• Abundance of Money that flows our way.
• Abundance of joy as a family and as a couple
• Abundance of business
• Abundance as a leader!
• Abundance of words to write.

The list could continue to be ABUNDANT!  We are using this word to build on our year and our goals. What word speaks to you in 2019?

Menu

Monday: New Year Eve!  BBQ Ribs  with Saffron Cauliflower (S)- to keep this THM, I will have to substitute the apple juice.  Instead I may go with a Zevia or Bai flavored water drink.

Tuesday: Sprouted Wheat Rolls  with  White Bean Soup (E)

Wednesday: Snatch ’em up chicken tenders (S) page 238 of the book Trim Healthy Table. 

Thursday: Creamy mushroom Chicken Casserole (S) page 141 of the book Trim Healthy Table. 

Friday: Low Carb Pizza, (c/o) crust made with Cheese bread sticks on page 252 of the book Trim Healthy Table. 

Saturday:Millionaire Spaghetti Squash (S) Lasagna flavor with a tasty twist!

Sunday: Creamy lemon chicken and quinoa soup (E) page 147 of the book Trim Healthy Table. 

For my Sweet Tooth

Life by Chocolate Cake (S) page 276 of the book Trim Healthy Table. 

Cinnamon Butter Bundt Cake (S) page 380 of the book Trim Healthy Table. 

Merry Christmas

We conclude our advent adventures with Day 25. Click here for a full copy or to print your own advent activities.   The categories we choose for 2018: Family Holiday Activity, Elf in Training  and Workout Challenge.

Day 25 Tasks:

Elf in Training

1. Pray for Someone

Today we will be intentional about our thoughts and pray for others who needs an extra boost of love.

Family Holiday Activity

Celebrate Christmas

Today is Christmas!!!  We are thankful for our faith in the Lord and the blessings He has provided our family. Many wonderful wishes to you and your family!!

Workout Challenge

25 pushups, 25 burpees, six 25 second side planks, six 25 second bridges & 25 jumping jacks

Head into overtime and blast out this short but sweet, challenge .  Today is the conclusion of the Workout Challenge!

We continue our advent adventures with Day 24. Click here for a full copy or to print your own advent activities.   The categories we choose for 2018: Family Holiday Activity, Elf in Training and Workout Challenge.

Day 24 Tasks:

Elf in Training/Family Holiday Activity

1. Put Extra money in a Strangers Parking Meter

Treat someone to some extra time on their parking meter, today add an extra quarter or two.

3. Make a New Friend

Say hello and strike up a conversation today make a new friend.  Looking for location to meet someone new, head to a local dog park, dine in a warm coffee shop,  strike up a conversation doing some last minute shopping or message someone Merry Christmas wishes on Facebook.

Holiday Family Activity

Read the Night Before Christmas

Today is Christmas Eve and what better time to read Denslow’s Night Before Christmas?  A tradition that has been in my family for as long as I can remember, this book classic tale is a favorite for our family.  With stunning pictures and a sweet story, The Night Before Christmas is sure to captive your little elves.

Workout Challenge

24 Pile Squats, 24 pushups, 24 skaters & hold 6 stretches for 24 seconds

Short but sweet, add this challenge the holiday season.  Only 1 day until Christmas and conclusion of the Workout Challenge!

We continue our advent adventures with Day 23. Click here for a full copy or to print your own advent activities.   The categories we choose for 2018: Family Holiday Activity, Elf in Training and Workout Challenge.

Day 23 Tasks:

Elf in Training

1. Thank a Service Member or First Responder

We are so thankful for all our first responders and service members so today we are giving back to our community.  A simple thank you wi help but we wish to bring some treats for them to enjoy.

2.  “Dress you Best Elf” Contest

Along with Christmas Caroling, we will have a Dress your Best Elf Contest.  Ugly Sweaters, Elf Ears, Adorable outfits are all welcome.  Awards will be given for the most creative, best dressed, craziest and silliest.

Family Holiday Activity

Sing Christmas Carols with your Family

Time for a little song and a whole lot of family fun adding music for a fun sing a long. Looking for the lyrics to Christmas songs, check out a couple of these websites.

NorthPole.com

Christmas Carols 

Workout Challenge

23 Jumping jacks, 23 butt kicks, 23 frog jumps & one 23 second plank

Short but sweet, add this challenge the holiday season.  Only 2 days until Christmas and conclusion of the Workout Challenge!

We continue our advent adventures with Day 21. Click here for a full copy or to print your own advent activities.   The categories we choose for 2018: Family Holiday Activity, Elf in Training and Workout Challenge.

Day 21 Tasks:

Elf in Training/Family Holiday Activity

1. Pack up Old Blankets and Towels for an Animal Shelter

Remember those sweet pets and animals in need this Christmas!

2. Give Flowers to a Random Stranger

Grab a couple flowers from your local florist and sprinkle some kindness by giving away a bouquet of love.

Family Holiday Activity

Start Christmas Vacation

Yesterday was the last day of school their Christmas vacation. Their excitement is evident in their smiles and their way to early morning wake up.

Workout Challenge

21 Burpees  & 21 Pushups

Today is a workout in itself cardio and strength in one fun round.  Only 4 days until Christmas and conclusion of the Workout Challenge!

We continue our advent adventures with Day 20. Click here for a full copy or to print your own advent activities.   The categories we choose for 2018: Family Holiday Activity, Elf in Training and Workout Challenge.

Day 20 Tasks:

Elf in Training/

1.  Learn to wrap a gift.

Then race to see who can wrap a gift the fastest. A fun event challenge on our first day of winter break.  A little tape, a bit of paper and a lot of laughs for this fun event.

2. Pray for someone today!

See someone in need of a love, send them a little prayer today.

Family Holiday Activity

See Christmas Lights

Track down a fun display or light show in your area and enjoy a festive ride through town checking out the holiday cheer.

Workout Challenge

Six 20- second wall sits & Six 20-second planks (any style)

Today add legs and core to your daily routine!  Only 5 days until Christmas and conclusion of the Workout Challenge!

Image from UrbanWired

Image from Thelifeinbloom.com

We continue our advent adventures with Day 19. Click here for a full copy or to print your own advent activities.   The categories we choose for 2018: Family Holiday Activity, Elf in Training and Workout Challenge.

Day 19 Tasks:

Family Holiday Activity/ Random Acts of Kindness

1. Write down what you most love about each family member

Paper, pens, stickers and notecards are ready for this fun family activity.  Today we are writing what we love most about each family member.  What better way to show you care then a handwritten note to make them smile.

2. Create a special thank you for a military member, law enforcement, teacher or a  community leader. 

We did a little shopping spree for a few goodie bags for the local police, fire, front office ladies at school and our front gate guards. Treats of coffee, water, chips, nuts, gum and jerky fill buckets for each group as a special thank you!. 

Workout Challenge

19 Skaters Bounds & 19 Squat and Press

Add a little weights and a smidgen of cardio for a quick addition to your routine today.

We continue our advent adventures with Day 18. Click here for a full copy or to print your own advent activities.   The categories we choose for 2018: Family Holiday Activity, Elf in Training and Workout Challenge.

Day 18 Tasks:

Elf in Training/Family Holiday Activity

1. Give a Random person a Christmas or Holiday Card

The kids each grabbed an extra Christmas card to fill out and leave in the neighbors mailboxes.  In addition, we wished random people a Merry Christmas on Face Book Messenger! Everyone loves a little morning cheer. 

2. Do Something Sweet for Someone

Oh what fun this adventure will be, the choices are endless! Will we treat someone to coffee, draft a fun letter or plunk extra change in the Salvation Army Bucket? Today we get to be creative with our combined family activity and Random Acts of Kindness!Looking for some ideas, check out a couple of these resources:Friendship About is filled with easy and simple Acts of kindness, this website is sure to fill your Kindness ideas bucket!This BuzzFeed Post is chalk full of 101 ideas to do something sweet for someone!

Workout Challenge

18 Pilate Roll-ups or 18 Sun Salutations

Image from http://gethealthyu.com/pilates-workout-beginners/

Image from https://healeyinstitute.org/2013/11/30/sun-salutations-in-a-nutshell/

We continue our advent adventures with Day 17. Click here for a full copy or to print your own advent activities.   The categories we choose for 2018: Family Holiday Activity, Elf in Training and Workout Challenge.

Day 17 Tasks:

Elf in Training

1. Write friendly messages on sticky notes and pass them out to friends, family or strangers.

Everyone loves to hear a friendly word or kind thought so today we will write little messages of joy on sticky notes and pass them around.

2. Volunteer to Babysit or Clean for Free

What’s better then a little help around the house or a surprise gift of babysitting. Today we challenged our little elves to clean or pick up without being asked, and sprinkling this kind and helpful act throughout the day.

Day 17 Tasks:

Family Holiday Activity

Stay up Late

Tonight our children will enjoy staying up late past their normal bedtime as we read books, play games or sing songs. This is a huge deal since Monday is a school night for our girls and wake up is at 5:45. Wish us luck for Tuesday morning!

Workout Challenge

17 Bicep Curls & 17 Tricep Extensions