Loving Life

  • I’ve got a “crush” on you!

    Sweet treat for my man

    I discovered these cute “pop” love notes from Darling Doodles and have been enjoying adding these love notes to my stash of ones to give to Jake!  He enjoys drinking Orange Crush so when it goes on sale I try to get a little for him.  This particular love note was a great one to give to my man – I’ve got a “crush” on you!

    This was a surprise I had waiting for him one day after he had been away on a work trip.  Always love having a little surprise waiting for him when he gets home after being away.  I make sure the surprises are different and are placed in random places too which gives an extra variety.  These love notes have been a great addition and been a lot of fun to use!

    I’ve got a “crush” on you!

  • Travel & Vacation: “We Love You” Folder

    Jake’s Folder of “Love” Notes

    Awhile ago the girls and I made a “We Love You” folder for Jake to take with him when he travels.  Even though we love the opportunities when we can go with him it is not always possible to go with him on every trip.  When he goes on a trip and we cannot tag along we send our “We Love You” folder with him along with notes or drawings from each of us.  Jake enjoys seeing the pictures and reading the notes while he is away.  We have a blast putting something special in the folder for him.

    Here are a few examples of items we have put into his “We Love You!” Folder:

    Love note to Jake

    Karlie’s love note to Daddy

    Brina’s love note to Daddy

    Drawing from Karlie

    Sweet note from the girls

    Note to Daddy from Karlie

    Note to Daddy from Brina

    I Love You note to my Handsome Man!

  • Fresh & Healthy: School Lunchbox Meals

    School lunch goodies

    The girls enjoy a variety of fruits, vegetables and other goodies in their school lunches.  Along with the mix of character bags and containers their lunches usually have something different in it everyday.  I have found that the tube yogurts are very nice for the girls lunches because they are easy to use (no spoon is needed, especially since somehow they manage to lose those on the way to school).

    • Roast Beef and Cheese Sandwich
    • Fresh Green Grapes
    • Fresh Cherry Tomatoes
    • Fresh Apple Peel Confetti Crisps
    • Homemade Banana Bread
    • Yogurt Tube
    • Cars Marshmallows
    • Cherry & Lemon Jello
    • Pink Lemonade

    Fresh fruits and vegetables for lunch

  • Song: “Lead Me to the Cross” by Hillsong

    This song reminds me of the things that I treasure in life and points me back to where my focus should really be, at the cross.  I tend to hold tightly onto things in my life (my husband, children, security when money is in the bank, my time, schedule, etc….) While all those things are good things to spend my time and energy on when they become my focus I am not allowing God to work through my life.  If my heart reflects the love of God then all the other “stuff” will fall into place.  When I focus on serving Him then I am a better wife, Mom, and steward of my money and time.  Sometimes I need a gentle reminder of the top priorities in my life.  Thank you Jesus for sacrificing your life on the cross so I can live and reach out to others.

  • Review & Giveaway: Rubbermaid 2-in-1 Recycler

    I am thrilled to introduce you to the new Rubbermaid 2-in-1 Recycler that I have recently received PLUS I will be giving away 1 of the Rubbermaid 2-in-1 Recycler’s to one lucky reader (details below)!!!  It includes everything you need for your waste and recycling in one container for your kitchen.  Even though we have only been using it for a short time our family has enjoyed having a specific spot to put all our recycling materials.   The recycled items are contained within the Rubbermaid 2-in-1 Recycler so we don’t even have to see them until we are ready to take them to recycle. I am very excited to be giving one of these great Rubbermaid 2-in-1 Recyclers to one of my readers!

    Here are some of the benefits of the Rubbermaid 2-in-1 Recycler:

    • Keeps recyclables off the counter by giving them a place to live in your kitchen
    • The bottom tilt out bin holds a standard 8-gallon trash bag AND features LinerLock™ bag management, so your bag stays put and does not slip
    • Both the top bin and bottom bin have convenient handles when needed to transport recyclables to wherever your recycling is stored for pick-up or transport
    • The 2-in-1 Recycler fits more recyclables while using 25% less floor space compared to typical divided containers
    • Made with recyclable materials and is recyclable

    The Rubbermaid 2-in-1 Recycler has quickly become a hit with my family.  My favorite part about this great product is that it takes up less floor space and contains all the recycled material in one spot.  The recycled items are out of sight until it is time to take them and Rubbermaid has made it easy to transport the items with the handles.

    Rubbermaid 2-in-1 Recycler details:

    • Two unit bin 2-in-1 Recycler
    • Contain trash and recyclables all in one location or sort your recyclables
    • Sleek design blends into kitchen décor
    • Features LinerLock™ bag management in lower bin
    • Removable lid
    • Fold-away handles
    • 5.8 gal sorting bin
    • 7.4 gal tilt out bin with Liner Lock™ handles
    • Total capacity = 13.2 gal
    • Perfect for multi-stream or single stream recycling
    • Suggested Retail Price is $39.99

    I encourage you to check out more information on Rubbermaid’s 2-in-1 Recycler if you are interested in finding a nice solution for your recycling needs.  These Rubbermaid 2-in-1 Recyclers would make a great birthday or wedding gifts for family or friends!  The Rubbermaid 2-in-1 Recycler can be purchased at Rubbermaid’s website or at your local Meijer store.

    Giveaway

    As a way to say thank you to my readers and to share Rubbermaid’s great 2-in-1 Recycler I am hosting a giveaway!

    The winner of this giveaway will receive:

    • 1 Rubbermaid 2-in-1 Recycler (see picture and details above)

    Here’s how to enter the giveaway:

    1. Sign up to follow my blog (if you haven’t done so already) and leave a comment below telling us how you follow Blessings Multiplied.  You can sign up to receive Blessings Multiplied via email or like on Facebook.
    2. You can get a bonus entry into the drawing if you leave a separate comment below sharing your best recycling tip!

    All comments must be made by Monday, April 30, 2012 at 10:00 PM EST to be entered into the drawing.

    More information about Rubbermaid and the 2-in-1 Recycler can be found:

    *I was given this product for free to write an informed review.  The opinions expressed in this post are my own.  I was not paid to write this post.  A special thanks to Rubbermaid for providing this 2-in-1 Recycler to review and for the giveaway for my readers!

  • Book: “Swiss Family Robinson” by Johann Wyss

    Before I headed out on my India adventure I started reading one of my favorite books as a kid to the girls, Great Illustrated Classics The Swiss Family Robinson by Johann Wyss.  My Mom finished reading the book to the girls while I was away and then watched the movie with them.  Karlie was convinced that she was ready to live on an island in a tree house after reading the book and watching the movie (although she said it would be ok if the pirates didn’t come).

    It has been a lot of fun reading the girls some of my favorite books as a kid.  They love listening and enjoy the adventures the stories take us on.  This book is about the Robinson family that gets shipwrecked on an island.  The family learns to live off the land, build a home in the trees, and their journey.  It is full of great adventures as the family explores their new home.  If you have kids that love being read to this is a fun book for the whole family.  Plus after reading the book you can watch the movie which is always something great to look forward to as well.

  • Song: “At the Cross” by Hillsong

    I am thankful for the cross and the sacrifice Jesus made on the it for me.  He paid the penalty for my sin and He overcame the grave.  After having children I know what it is to make sacrifices for the ones you love and yet the sacrifices I have made are so minor compared to the pain of the cross.  You know you are loved when someone willingly gives His life to save you.