Events

  • Song: “A Mother’s Prayer” by Celine Dion

    In celebration of Mother’s Day this week I picked out a song about Mother’s.  This song is about the prayer of a Mother for her children as they grow up.  I am thankful for my Mom and everything that she has done in my life.  She is still an encouragement in my life.

    Being a Mom is one of the most rewarding yet challenging roles I have in my life.  The girls are an amazing blessing, however, I find that they tend to stretch my character a little bit too.  It is my prayer that I will be the best Mom I can be for my children and that they will not only see past my faults and failures but more importantly that they will learn to rely on Jesus (who never fails) for their strength and portion every day.

  • Easter Celebrations

    It has been a super busy 2012 with all the traveling and activities.  I am thankful for the opportunity to spend time with family and friends, but I have been a little behind with my blog updates.  Easter week we spent part of our time in Charleston since it was the girls Spring Break and the other part in Greenville.  Here are a few highlights from our 2012 Easter Celebrations:

    Easter Eggs being dropped by a Hot Air Balloon at Rock Springs.  It was fascinating to watch all the eggs falling from the Hot Air Balloon.

    We were in Charleston the week of Easter so we went to an Easter story time at the small “village” library in Mount Pleasant.   It was a cute little library and the people were super sweet.  The girls loved listening to the librarian read Easter stories!

    Our neighbors brought over these super cute Easter goodies for the girls when we got back from Charleston.  It was a little toy and candy combination which was a huge hit with the girls.  It had a bunny rabbit on a bicycle carrying an egg full of jellybeans. Thankful for our neighbors, it was a thoughtful gift.   The expressions on Karlie and Brina’s faces in this picture crack me up!

    Easter basket goodies!  Some fun socks, games, candy, and goodies to celebrate the Holiday.

    Trail of Easter Eggs from their bedroom door through the kitchen all the way to the table.  The girls were so excited to discover them that morning.  You know your kids are getting older when they “ask permission”  before picking up and opening the trail of Easter eggs.

    Neat craft the girls did in Sunday School.  They took a bowl added some dirt, used a twisty tie and sticks to make a cross, a rock, and half an Easter egg.  They planted grass seeds in the dirt too.  It was a wonderful Easter craft for the kids!  Both girls could explain the significance of the cross, tomb (egg), and the rock.  The girls loved this activity and I give whoever came up with this idea a double thumbs up!

    Karlie on focused on hunting Easter eggs

    Brina found a blue egg hidden in the grass

    The extra special “car” eggs had a surprise in them…..loose change!

    We had fun coloring eggs together as a family on Easter Sunday, here’s one carton full of eggs we did.  Thankful for a time to relax and enjoy some time with the family while celebrating the Easter Holiday.

  • Memories of the Blue Lobster Named “Tsunami”

    “Tsunami”

    A long time ago before children and large pets……Jake and I lived in a little apartment.  Our apartment was home but there really wasn’t a lot to it.  We had a hand-me-down love seat from one of my clients who was upgrading her furniture, a bed, and a few pieces of other miscellaneous furniture.  When a group of friends came over to our apartment the first year or so of our marriage we would sit on the floor and eat because we didn’t have enough chairs for everyone.  Gradually over time we accumulated more pieces, most items were hand-me-downs or second hand items, but neither of us were picky.

    The biggest piece of furniture I have ever bought personally was for Jake.  One year I saved for several months to buy Jake a 72 gallon bow-front fish tank for our anniversary.  He was thrilled.  Thankfully fish were pretty easy pets.   One of the most “unique” pets we owned was a blue lobster for our fresh water tank.  It was so exciting to finally get one!  On the way home from the pet store I was holding our new blue lobster in my lap when Jake went around the corner to our apartment I forgot to hold onto him and he went tumbling down my legs and to the floor thus resulting in his name “Tsumani”.

    A few days ago Jake and I were discussing pets which brought me back to the many fun memories we had picking out and finding our first few fish.  As I continued to think about the fish tanks and various fish “Tsunami” came to my mind.  He was pretty neat looking in the fish tank and for the most part did really well.  The other fish in the tank figured out that it is best to give him some extra space otherwise he might “snap his claws” at them.  In the picture above Tsumani’s tail was tucked under his body but when he was stretch out he got up to 6 inches long.

    Having a blue lobster was a great conversation starter.  We got a lot of different reactions to seeing it in the tank.  If you are looking for a unique addition to your fresh water fish tank you might enjoy one too!

  • CONGRATULATIONS to Our “Wits & Wagers Family Game” Winner!

    The name has been drawn for the giveaway!

    CONGRATULATIONS to

    Ashley Genovese

    for winning a copy of

    Wits & Wagers Family Game by North Star Games!

    Thanks for making a comment in honor of our Giveaway!

    An email has been sent to you with more information*

    Enjoy Playing Your New Game!

    Don’t forget to enter our next Giveaway (the next giveaway will be announced later this morning)!

    *Giveaway must be claimed within 5 business days of the prize being announced.  Failure to claim the prize within the allotted time frame means you forfeit the prize.

  • Intentional Living: Weekly Goals

    Last week was week of firsts for me.  I did items a little more out of my typical comfort zone, the good news is that not only did I survive but I rather enjoyed some of it.  This week I want to focus more of my attention on catching up and reconnecting with Jake since we have been half a world apart for three weeks (I hope to share more about that adventure soon).

    Here is the update on last weeks goals:

    Family Goals

    1. Connect with each family member at least once a day
    2. Distribute the girls “I Love You” Surprises
    3. Write and mail cards
    4. Put together items for Jake
    5. Print off the Family Calendar, Event List and Information
    6. Meet the girls for lunch at school
    7. Finish reading The Secret Garden and Swiss Family Robinson to the girls – I finished The Secret Garden and started Swiss Family Robinson, my Mom finished reading it with the girls (thanks Mom!)

    Personal Goals

    1. Exercise – walk at least 5 days this week – with all the travel and craziness I didn’t get this one done
    2. Finish reading When Work and Family Collide by Andy Stanley
    3. Keep an up-to-date written & photo log all the adventures this week – not quite daily but did most days!

    Home Management Goals

    1. All laundry for the week washed, folded, and put away in one day
    2. Weekly Dinner Menu planned and written by Monday
    3. House cleaned and ready for company – well company arrived & it was presentable, ha!
    4. Pay all bills that come in the mail this week

    Business Goals

    1. Work on ideas for upcoming blog posts
    2. Keep up with the day to day items that need my attention – a couple items fell through the cracks
    3. Finish 2011 Business Taxes

    Ministry Goals

    1. Email our weekly Community Group update including upcoming events on the calendar, praises, and prayer requests
    2. Meet a friend or family member for Breakfast or Lunch
    3. Take time to talk, listen, and encourage the people I encounter this week – could do a lot better at this one…..
    4. Be a blessing to a total stranger this week

    Financial Goals

    1. Stay within Budget on Groceries $40 for 4 – week was off with traveling, didn’t keep up to date records this week
    2. Emergency Fund – save 3 months worth of living expenses – working on it
    3. Complete our personal 2011 taxes – waiting on business taxes to be finished by accountant
    4. Put money aside for upcoming trips – getting closer
    5. Put cash aside for 1 year of Jake’s College Classes – have some of it done

    Here are my goals for the upcoming week:

    Family Goals

    1. Connect with each family member at least once a day
    2. Write and mail cards
    3. Spend quality time with Jake
    4. Date Night with Jake
    5. Visit extended Family

    Personal Goals

    1. Exercise – walk at least 5 days this week
    2. Finish reading 
    3. Keep an up-to-date written & photo log all the adventures this week

    Business Goals

    1. Work on ideas for upcoming blog posts
    2. Keep up with the day to day items that need my attention

    Ministry Goals

    1. Meet a friend or family member for Breakfast or Lunch
    2. Take time to talk, listen, and encourage the people I encounter this week
    3. Be a blessing to a total stranger this week

    Financial Goals

    1. Stay on track with budgeted amount for the week

    I think it is important to share and encourage each other as we seek to improve our lives and the lives of those around us.  I want to live intentionally not just hope all my dreams and goals come true.  When I focus on small steps of improvement I am able to see results as I get closer to my goals.  Some weeks I get closer to the goals I have in my life and other weeks a take a few steps back (life happens, emergencies occur, people get sick).  Once the goals are written down and shared it provides a guideline for what I aim to accomplish this week.

    Why Share My Goals?

    • To keep me accountable
    • To share a piece of my life with you as I strive to be a better Child of God, Wife, Mom, Friend, Homemaker, Entrepreneur and the many other roles I have each week
    • To have my goals consistently written down so I can gauge progress more accurately
    • Create healthy habits in my life
    • To encourage you to share your goals with me as you continue to grown and learn

    How did you do this week on your goals?  Feel free to share or link to your list of weekly goals.

    The picture above is one that I created for my own purposes, however, The “SMART” acronym was originally coined 30 years ago by Peter Drucker in his classic work, Management by Results

  • Intentional Living: Weekly Goals

    Last week was a tough one in many ways.  I felt like I was being pulled in so many different directions all at the same time.  Several unexpected things came up throughout the week and this week is going to be a big one with all the extra activities going on.  I am hoping this week will still be productive even though I need to cut it back a little with everything that is going on.

    Here is the update on last weeks goals:

    Family Goals

    1. Spend 1-on-1 time with each child everyday
    2. Read a book to the girls everyday
    3. Have each girl read 1 book to myself or Jake 5 days this week
    4. Connect with each family member at least once a day
    5. Put together a Schedule / Reference Worksheet for Mom – almost done

    Personal Goals

    1. Exercise – walk at least 5 days this week
    2. Go to bed by 10:30 pm or earlier Monday to Thursday – getting in a habit of staying up too late again
    3. Finish reading When Work and Family Collide by Andy Stanley
    4. Read and listen to the next section of  Desiring God: Finding Complete Satisfaction and Joy in God by John Piper (our church Community Group is going through this book together). – finished the entire book

    Home Management Goals

    1. All laundry for the week washed, folded, and put away in one day
    2. Weekly Dinner Menu planned and written by Monday
    3. Spend 30 minutes every day picking up / cleaning the house
    4. Spend 1 hour a day de-cluttering and organizing the house

    Business Goals

    1. Pay all bills that come in the mail this week
    2. Work on ideas for upcoming blog posts
    3. Spend 10 minutes a day cleaning and organizing my desk
    4. Finish 2011 Business Taxes – still at the accountants office

    Ministry Goals

    1. Email our weekly Community Group update including upcoming events on the calendar, praises, and prayer requests
    2. Meet a friend or family member for Breakfast or Lunch
    3. Write and Email the meeting notes for our Alms & Legs Ministry Team Meeting

    Financial Goals

    1. Stay within Budget on Groceries $40 for 4
    2. Emergency Fund – save 3 months worth of living expenses – working on it
    3. Complete our personal 2011 taxes – waiting on the business taxes to be complete
    4. Put money aside for upcoming trips – put a little aside
    5. Put cash aside for 1 year of Jake’s College Classes – have some of it done

    Here are my goals for the upcoming week:

    Family Goals

    1. Connect with each family member at least once a day
    2. Distribute the girls “I Love You” Surprises
    3. Write and mail cards
    4. Put together items for Jake
    5. Print off the Family Calendar, Event List and Information
    6. Meet the girls for lunch at school
    7. Finish reading The Secret Garden and Swiss Family Robinson to the girls

    Personal Goals

    1. Exercise – walk at least 5 days this week
    2. Finish reading When Work and Family Collide by Andy Stanley
    3. Keep an up-to-date written & photo log all the adventures this week

    Home Management Goals

    1. All laundry for the week washed, folded, and put away in one day
    2. Weekly Dinner Menu planned and written by Monday
    3. House cleaned and ready for company
    4. Pay all bills that come in the mail this week

    Business Goals

    1. Work on ideas for upcoming blog posts
    2. Keep up with the day to day items that need my attention
    3. Finish 2011 Business Taxes

    Ministry Goals

    1. Email our weekly Community Group update including upcoming events on the calendar, praises, and prayer requests
    2. Meet a friend or family member for Breakfast or Lunch
    3. Take time to talk, listen, and encourage the people I encounter this week
    4. Be a blessing to a total stranger this week

    Financial Goals

    1. Stay within Budget on Groceries $40 for 4
    2. Emergency Fund – save 3 months worth of living expenses
    3. Complete our personal 2011 taxes
    4. Put money aside for upcoming trips
    5. Put cash aside for 1 year of Jake’s College Classes

    I think it is important to share and encourage each other as we seek to improve our lives and the lives of those around us.  I want to live intentionally not just hope all my dreams and goals come true.  When I focus on small steps of improvement I am able to see results as I get closer to my goals.  Some weeks I get closer to the goals I have in my life and other weeks a take a few steps back (life happens, emergencies occur, people get sick).  Once the goals are written down and shared it provides a guideline for what I aim to accomplish this week.

    Why Share My Goals?

    • To keep me accountable
    • To share a piece of my life with you as I strive to be a better Child of God, Wife, Mom, Friend, Homemaker, Entrepreneur and the many other roles I have each week
    • To have my goals consistently written down so I can gauge progress more accurately
    • Create healthy habits in my life
    • To encourage you to share your goals with me as you continue to grown and learn

    How did you do this week on your goals?  Feel free to share or link to your list of weekly goals.

    The picture above is one that I created for my own purposes, however, The “SMART” acronym was originally coined 30 years ago by Peter Drucker in his classic work, Management by Results

  • Recipe: Apple Peel Confetti Crisps

    Making Apple Peel Confetti Crisps with a variety of different apples

    This past fall we went apple picking with the family, even though we have eaten all the apples from that day (we picked a bushel of apples which is approximately 40 pounds) whenever I pick up apples at the store the girls have several favorite recipes that we have tried and enjoy.   One of their absolute favorites to eat and take to school is their Apple Peel Confetti Crisps.

    It was one of those recipes that pop into my head at the last minute and turn out really well (not all of them turn out so well).  As I was peeling some of the apples to make applesauce I noticed we had quite the accumulation of apple skins.  I didn’t want all the skins to go to waste so I threw all of them into a big bowl, sprinkled a little bit of cinnamon and sugar on them, stirred and put them into the dehydrator for a few hours.  What came out were what the girls named Apple Peel Confetti Crisps, a delightful sweet and crunchy apple peel snack.

    • Apple Peels
    • Dash of lemon juice
    • Dash of Cinnamon & Sugar

    Put the apple peels into a bowl.  Stir in a little cinnamon and sugar for flavor.  Put the apple peels into the dehydrator and cook until crispy.  Remove from dehydrator and put into a ziplock bag.  If you do not have a dehydrator you can set your oven at 250 and stir occasionally (works great if it is a convection oven).

    We stored ours in the refrigerator but they should be fine at room temperature too since they are dried.  Several kids in the girls class at school wanted to know if I could pack extra Apple Peel Confetti Crisps in the girls lunches so they could have some too.  I was happy to hear the girls did share with their friends.  One little boy said it was the best apple skin he had ever tasted and the only thing he would do different is add a little more sugar, ha!  Loved that the rest of the first graders enjoyed the goodies as much as my girls.

    Start with fresh apples

    Peel the apple – Karlie taking a turn at peeling the granny smith apple

    Stir a little cinnamon & sugar in with the apple peels

    Put the apple peels in the dehydrator and let it run for 4 to 6 hours (or until the peels are crispy like the ones pictured above)

    Apple Peel Confetti Crisps ready to eat!

  • Giveaway: “Wits & Wagers Family” Game by North Star Games

    I am thrilled to announce a new giveaway on Blessings Multiplied!   The winner of this giveaway will receive a copy of Wits & Wagers Family by North Star Games!  As a Mom, wife and friend I am always looking for ways to entertain my family and guests.  After playing Wits & Wagers Family several times with my family (see my review) I know many of you will enjoy this game too!  This game has quickly become a favorite with our family.  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.  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 what types of game you enjoy playing.

    All comments must be made by March 31st at 10:00 PM EST to be entered into the drawing.

    You can learn more information about this great book and my review on Wits & Wagers Family by North Star Games.

    *A special thanks to North Star Games, specifically Dominic Crapuchettes and Luke Warren, for the providing this game for the giveaway!