Grow

For 2016 I've picked one word that I'm going to focus on this year. I've personally never done this before, but have often heard of others doing it and I decided I would give it a go this year. The word I've chosen for myself is GROW.

There are several reasons why I chose the word GROW, but the biggest reason is because it easily came to me. I'm a firm believer in going with your gut, so since it almost came to me immediately when I decided I wanted to choose a word for this year I knew it had to be my word. 

This year, I want to GROW in many areas of life. 

I want to GROW as a Christian, and be more like Him. I want to be in His Word more, and I know that will bring GROWth to my life and my relationship with Him. 

I want to GROW as a wife and as a mother. I want to make sure that I'm intentional with my time, and achieving that goal will require GROWth. 

I want to GROW to be a better employee and learn more to advance in my career. 

I want to GROW my Plexus business. I want to GROW myself to become a better leader which will help me GROW my Plexus team. 

I will continue to GROW and learn to live a healthier lifestyle, and this will also help me GROW closer to my personal health, weight, fitness, etc goals. 

I will use the word GROW throughout 2016 to inspire and push me to reach the goals I've set for myself.

 

Let's Chat! Do you choose a word to focus on each year for yourself? If so, what is your word for 2016? If you're not a one word person, do you set goals or resolutions for yourself each new year? 

Hello, 2016!

Now that 2016 is here, it's time for me to set some new goals for myself. I always like sitting down at the beginning of each new year to sketch out an outline for myself of goals to achieve in the upcoming days, weeks, and months. My plans don't always work out as I'd like, but I know to trust the One whose plan always prevails.

Personal Goals

• Grow. This is the word I'm choosing for myself this year, and I'll elaborate on that in another post coming soon. I want to grow myself in several different ways and different areas. 
• Continue to become a better version of myself. This isn't because I don't think I'm not good enough, but because I believe there's always room for improvement in everyone. This isn't just a goal for my weight or my appearance, but for all areas of my life. I'm a constant work in progress. 
• To be intentional. I love the quote, "in everything you do, be all there." This next year I was to be more intentional with my time, and in all that I do. I want to be more intentional as a wife, a mom, an employee, a small business owner, a blogger, and as a friend. 

Business Goals

I started a new adventure last October as a Plexus Ambassador. I personally took the products for a month and saw great results before starting to work the business. These products have helped me with get rid of my daily chronic headaches, have regularity, energy, and more; so I now want to share them with others! 

• Grow. I want to continue to grow my business and grow my team this year. I've seen what this business has done for others and I want it to do the same for me. I also want to help others make it do the same for them! Helping other mommas is my passion because we so often put the needs of everyone else before our own. I also want to to continue to grow in my own Plexus testimony.
• Educate. I want to expand my education on the products, as well as educate others on what Plexus could do for them.

These are the goals I've set for myself in 2016. I've chosen the word Grow to be my word for this year, and I'll write a post about why I've chose that as my word and what it means for me. I wish you all a year filled with joy, peace, laughter, prosperity and all things good for 2016! 

Queenie's No Crust Quiche

This recipe came from my mom. She made it one weekend we were visiting and it was a big hit with our whole family. The little man also loves it and will eat multiple servings. It's a simple recipe, and also reheats well. I often make up a batch and reheat throughout the week for breakfast. It's an easy recipe that's low carb, high in protein, and perfect if you're trying to eat clean.

ingredients

3/4 cup egg whites

3 whole eggs

1/2 cup real bacon bits
1 cup turkey sausage crumbles

1 can rotel, drained

2 cups spinach, chopped

1/2 cup reduced fat colby-jack cheese (optional)

instructions

1. In a large mixing bowl, combine all ingredients and stir together.

2. Preheat oven to 350*

3. Spray 9x13 glass baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.

4. Pour mixture into baking dish.

5. Bake for 35-40 minutes, or until top in browned.

6. Cut in 8 squares, and serve.

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Looking Back at 2015...

I cannot believe we're about to ring in the year 2016! I feel like it was just weeks ago I was ready to pop out a baby boy and that's now been almost 2 years ago. WOAH... not only am I a mom, but I'm a mom of a toddler. Weird! I still feel like I'm 21 at times. Anyways, this past year was a good one! 2015 brought about many awesome memories, lots of laughter, some loss, and a handful of changes for our family.

In late February, we listed our first house for sale and much to our surprise it sold within 3 days! Just a few days later we went under contract on our new house, and in late April we moved in and now call it home.

April was a busy month for us! Mac turned ONE and we celebrated with a Mickey Mouse Clubhouse party. Clete and I went on an adult only vacation with friends to Mexico. It was a fun filled time and I hope we are able to do something similar next year! We celebrated Queenie's birthday, and then on Clete's birthday we closed and moved to our new house!

We celebrated 4 years of marriage in June! And in July, took our first big family vacation with Mac. Our road trip to Seaside, FL was a blast! We're already looking forward to our next beach vacation!

We attended a few weddings in the fall, one being Clete's younger brother's. It's completely bizarre to me that Thomas is now married. He was in the 7th grade when Clete and I started dating, so it makes me feel real old.

Clete received a promotion with work, and finally was the one who got treated to a new truck. I took a new business adventure with Plexus, and am loving it! Mac dressed up as a dragon for Halloween, and loved trick or treating. We spent Thanksgiving in Tulsa at my parents, and stayed home to host Christmas at our house.

Looking back, 2015 has been a great year! We are blessed in so many ways, and so grateful to the Lord above for everything he's given us. I always love New Year's because it gives me a feeling of starting over. You have a fresh year ahead starting on January 1st and can fill it with new memories and new experiences. Happy New Year, CHEERS to 2016!!

Misty's Breakfast Bars

This recipe I got from my personal trainer, Misty. I like to make these up on Sundays and have them for an easy, clean, and healthy breakfast during the week. At our house we often struggle against time in the mornings, so it's important for me to have something made up I'm able to grab and take to the office. I bake and place in plastic baggies for an easy grab and go. I like to warm and top with a little bit of natural peanut butter. It's a tasty, protein packed, balanced breakfast!

Misty's Breakfast Bars

recipe makes 6 servings

ingredients

1 cup old fashion oats

1/2 cup vanilla protein powder

1/2 cup egg whites

1 tsp baking powder

2 medium bananas, mash

1 tbls vanilla extract

1 cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk

Optional: nuts/spices/berries/chocolate chips

instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350.

2. Spray 8" square dish with nonstick spray and set aside.

3. Mash banana in a medium bowl and add all other ingredients, mixing until combined.

4. Pour mixture unto baking dish and make for 30 minutes or until cooked through.

5. Once baked, allow to cool before cutting and serving. 

Top with nut butter, eat as is, or serve however you fancy!

Family Pictures

The first weekend of November one of my fellow co-workers took our annual fall family pictures. Kate did a fabulous job capturing our family, and I was very impressed with how many great shots she got of Mac. 18 months isn't the easiest age to do pictures, but she captured his personality and different faces perfectly; I couldn't be happier with how they turned out!

All photos are copy righted Kate Kelser Photography and should not be saved or used in any way without permission.  

October + November Wrap-Up.

Oh Holy Night, I cannot believe it's already December! In just a few weeks we'll be ringing in another new year and then I will have a TWO YEAR OLD! Time please slow down! Anyways... I know it's been a little quiet here on the blog lately. I apologize, but sometimes life just gets busy and this little place that I do love gets put on the back burner. I could've sworn it was just time for me to write an October post, and then I blinked and I needed to write a November one too so this time I'm just combining the two months together! Fall is always a busy time of the year for us.

We started October off with a big celebration! Clete's younger brother got married, and we spent the weekend celebrating him and his bride. We wish Thomas & Kelsey many years of happiness together!

The following weekend we purchased a new truck for Clete, it was LONG overdue! He'd been shopping around for quite a few weeks, and he finally decided on a F-150. Mac had his first experience at the car dealership too, and we think he helped get us a good deal! ;)

The 3rd weekend in October was an eventful one. The weekend started off as a normal one, but ended on a not so fun note. Our family came for the day and we went on our annual trip to the pumpkin patch. Later that evening Mac's fever spiked and we ended up spending half the night in the ER. We are so thankful all is well, and it wasn't anything too serious.

Thankfully, Mac was all well by Halloween. Our little dragon had a ball trick or treating with friends! He got lots of candy, and was so much fun to watch this year. He didn't quite have down "trick or treat" but he always said "tank you" when he got candy in his bucket.

We kicked off November by doing our annual fall family pictures. It was very difficult getting an 18 month old to cooperate and smile for them, but Kate did an awesome job and we have some great pics! There will be a post coming on those very soon.

The following weekend we had our cousin Turner's 4th birthday party at Main Event. Mac had a blast playing games, and Daddy did too!

Mac took his first trip to Seminole Children's Museum with his Queenie & Poppie. Growing up, the children's museum was somewhere I LOVED going with my Aunt Lessa and I'm so glad Mac enjoyed it too. He played his heart out, and I loved getting all the pictures from my mom of him. I know my parents enjoyed it too. I see many more trips to be made there in the future!

Clete and I went to the OU/TCU game, and my parents came and stayed with Mac. We had a fun day date in Norman, and loved cheering the Sooners on to a victory!

We put up our Christmas tree the weekend before Thanksgiving, which has always been a tradition because we're usually out of town Thanksgiving weekend. Mac loves all of the lights and "balls" so it's been interesting trying to keep him out of the tree!

Thanksgiving weekend we spent in Tulsa at my parent's house. We had a wonderful Thanksgiving, and loved all of the Queenie and Poppie time we got! We gobbled, shopped, played, cheered on the Sooners to a bedlam and Big XII victory, and relaxed. We have so much to be thankful for!

October and November were both fun filled, crazy busy months! And that's a wrap until next time...