• Travel & Vacation: Last Day at Sea

    The entrance of Windjammer always had cool food carvings.  Usually there were too many people or we were trying to meet up with people so I didn’t stop to take many pictures.  The girls insisted that I take one of the motorcycle!

    It was nice to have the last full day on the cruise at sea.  Since we had to have all our suitcases packed and out in the hall after dinner we just squeezed in some packing time around all the fun activities that we wanted to do for the day.  We got to do some of the activities we hadn’t been able to do earlier in the cruise like rock climbing and ice skating.

    Nicko wanted to go to the Fisher Price Little People movie so Lee, Nicko, Grandpa Russell, Grandma Penny, Jake, Brina, Karlie and I went to the movie.  You can’t see the girls because they sat near the front and I was in the back row behind Nicko.    It was cute and the kids really liked it.

    Looking out over the Royal Promenade through the glass elevator during the day

    Curtain at the evening show on Royal Caribbean’s Independence of the Seas

    The musicians on stage

    Comedian riding a unicycle with a 6 year old kid (from the crowd) on his shoulders

    Singers and dancers at the Farewell Show.  How do they dance so well in 3 plus inch heels?!

    Farewell Song from a group of staff members.  They had servers, room attendents, musicians, and more!

    Brina and Karlie swinging for the last time.  At the end of the Farewell Show Karlie burst into tears, she was so sad the fun week had ended.  She said it went by too fast and she had such a great time she wanted to keep on cruising.  She decided she wasn’t ready to go back to school or chores.  Poor kiddos, it’s always hard when a fun vacation comes to a close.  Thankful for the opportunity and all the fun memories we created throughout the week.

    Looking down on the Royal Promenade at night through the glass elevator one last time.  The girls love all the lights on Main Street at night!

    Karlie holding back tears while Brina is ready to get moving again as they walk over the glass bridge and down the Royal Promenade one last time!

    The “Travel and Vacation” series is an insight into our trips together as a family and ways we relax.  Life is short and we were thrilled to have the opportunity to build memories with family and explore of of the most amazing places during our time away.  Explore with a good attitude, look for fun, and it will be an awesome trip jammed packed with positive memories.  It is refreshing having some time away from the regular routine.  Make it a once in a lifetime opportunity to meet new people and learn.  You just might see or try something new that takes your breath away!

  • Travel & Vacation: Rock Climbing on Independence of the Seas

    Lee made it to the top and rang the bell!  WooHoo!  He made it look so easy and went up several times that morning!

    The final full day on the boat we spent at sea.  We had a lot of fun climbing the rock wall, going to a movie with Nicko, ice skating, swimming, going to the show, and so much more.  The only thing that we did that wasn’t exciting was pack our luggage because we were heading home the next day.  I didn’t get any ice skating pictures because we were not allowed to take the cameras on the ice.

    Nathan made it to the top! Yay Nathan!

    The girls were proud of Grandpa Russell for ringing the bell too.  Way to Go Grandpa!

    Karlie ready to go rock climbing wall

    Brina was content watching all the family members climb the rock wall.

    Brandon, Amber, and Nathan ready to go rock climbing

    Brandon heading up the rock wall

    Amber heading up the rock climbing wall

    Lee and Amber both climbing up the rock wall

    Grandpa Russell watching the rock climbers.  Brina giggling at Mommy, I had just spilled one of the drinks because the cap wasn’t screwed on all the way (Brina thought it was pretty funny)!

    Karlie listening to the instructions from the worker before doing the climbing wall

    Karlie heading up the rock climbing wall

    Brina all smiles peeking out at me from the basketball court.  Is it windy B?

    Karlie going up the rock climbing wall.  She didn’t make it to the very top but she did get a good ways up and tried it twice.

    The “Travel and Vacation” series is an insight into our trips together as a family and ways we relax.  Life is short and we were thrilled to have the opportunity to build memories with family and explore of of the most amazing places during our time away.  Explore with a good attitude, look for fun, and it will be an awesome trip jammed packed with positive memories.  It is refreshing having some time away from the regular routine.  Make it a once in a lifetime opportunity to meet new people and learn.  You just might see or try something new that takes your breath away!

  • Save A Lot: Deals for the week of March 6 – 12, 2013

    The Save A Lot weekly ad deals are listed below for your convenience.  It is a great time to stock up on some Save A Lot deals.  Sign up for the Smart Shopper Club, by doing so you will get a $5.00 off of $25.00 coupon!

    Meat and Seafood

    Sugardale Shank Portion Ham – $0.99 lb

    Boneless Sirloin Chops – $1.89 lb

    Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast – $1.99 lb

    Boneless Beef Chuck Roast – $2.99 lb

    Sugardale Center Cut Bone-In Ham – $2.49 lb

    Chuck Steaks – $3.99 lb

    Shaner’s Boneless Chicken Breasts or Tenders (2.5 – 3 pounds) – $5.99

    Hillshire Farms Beef, Smoked or Polska Sausage (12 oz) – $1.99

    *Pick 5 for $19.99 promotion on going! Pick any 5 specially marked packages of your favorite cuts or types of meats, vegetables and more.

    Fridge and Freezer

    Fairgrounds Sliced Lunch Meat (14 oz) – $2.99

    Fairgrounds Hot Dogs or Bolgna (12 – 16 oz) – $1.29

    Imperial Spread Quarters (16 oz) – $0.99

    Colburn Farms Sour Cream (16 oz) – $1.49

    Produce

    Green Cabbage – $0.39 lb

    Bananas – $0.49 lb

    Vine Ripe Tomatoes (6 pack) – $1.99

    Russet Potatoes (15 pounds) – $3.99

    Grocery

    General Mills Cereals, Assorted Varieties (11 – 12 oz) – $1.99
    Use $1.00/3 coupon from insert 2/3 Smart Source (Expires 3/30/13)
    $1.66 each after coupon

    Folgers Country Roast Coffee (34.5 oz) – $6.99

    Kaskey’s Cream of Mushroom Soup (10.5 oz)  – $0.79

    Ginger Evans Granulated Sugar (4 pounds) – $2.29

    Jiffy Corn Muffin Mix – $0.49

    Payaso Vanilla Wafers (28 oz) – $1.99

    White Lilly Flour (5 pounds) – $2.69

    Crisco Oil (40 oz) – $2.99

    Ginger Evans Chocolate or Vanilla Instant Pudding – $0.55

    Libby’s Pineapple (20 oz) – $0.99

    Coburn Farms Evaporated Milk (12 oz) – $0.89

    Duke’s Mayonnaise (32 oz) – $3.49

    Sunny Delight (40 oz) – $0.99

    Portmann’s Dressing (16 oz) – $1.69

     Wylwood Canned Vegetables (14 – 15 oz) – $0.59

    So Cheesy Mac & Cheese (7.25 oz) – $0.39

    Save A Lot Today Soda (12 pack – 12 oz cans) – $2.89

    Crystal 2.0 Purified Drinking Water (24 pack, 16.9 oz each) – $2.99

    J Higgs Potato Chips (10 oz) – $1.69

    J Higgs Saltines (16 oz) – $0.99

    Kiggins Big Bag Cereals – $2.99

    Remember you can use the $5/$25 printable coupon to sweeten these deals!  Plus you can earn up to 5 additional $5 off $25 coupons for sharing the coupon with your friends.  For more information about Save A Lot’s coupon policies go here.  If you find additional deals or savings please let me know and I will add them to the list.  Please make sure to check with your local Save A Lot store, the ads do vary per region.

  • Travel & Vacation: Cruising with the Family

    Snapping a picture of Jake from across the table

    After a fun full day at Labadee, Haiti swimming in the Aqua Park,  zipping down the giant water slide, and time at the beach while some people went parasailing.  We enjoyed some evening activities on the boat after our great day at Haiti.  That night the girls ate lobster, tiger shrimp and steak for dinner.  They had a grand time hanging out with the entire family.

    Karlie was so happy!  She got her own lobster tail (and she eat it all)! 🙂

    One kiddo down during dinner….it’s been a busy day!

    Singing “Happy Birthday” to Amber!  Happy Birthday Amber!

    Singing “Happy Birthday” to Josh!  Happy Birthday Josh!  Amber and Josh got an awesome piece of cheesecake in celebration of their birthday.

    Family at evening dinner

    Zach and Nicko hanging out at the table

    Leo all smiles

    Karlie Kool Kat

     Hanging out with my sweet nephew!

    Do you see the girls in this picture? They are on up a floor higher than us.

  • Remind Me Who I Am by Jason Gray

    When I lose my way,
    And I forget my name,
    Remind me who I am.
    In the mirror all I see,
    Is who I don’t wanna be,
    Remind me who I am.
    In the loneliest places,
    When I can’t remember what grace is.

    Tell me once again who I am to You,
    Who I am to You.
    Tell me lest I forget who I am to You,
    That I belong to You.
    To You.

    I’m the one you love,
    I’m the one you love,
    That will be enough,
    I’m the one you love.

  • What’s for Dinner: Our Weekly Menu Plan

    Last week I did not get our menu planned posted because our evenings were packed full.  Jake was in Charleston part of the week, we had appointments, events, and even had some time with that we were able to spend with family and friends.  We have several busy nights this week again so the menu is going to be pretty simple.  Here is our menu plan for the upcoming week:

    Our Weekly Menu Plan

    • Monday (Beef or Seafood Entree):  Tuna Fish, Fresh Fruit
    • Tuesday (Kid’s Night to Cook):  Special Event
    • Wednesday (Chicken or Vegetarian Entree):  Chicken Salad, Fresh Vegetables
    • Thursday (Pasta or Pork Entree):  Spaghetti & Meatballs, Garlic Bread
    • Friday, Saturday, & Sunday:  Leftovers, Family Preference, and Hosting

    I have a general pattern I try to follow for my weekly Menu Plan (for example Monday we have a beef or seafood entree and so forth).  It is my goal, at least in the beginning, to have at least the main dish and one side planned.  I will put together the remaining side dishes (veggies / fruits) based on the food items that need to be used up first and compliment the main entree.

    Setting a weekly menu plan helps me utilize my time better, thus freeing up extra time to spend with my family.  On the days that I am working longer hours I can prep the meal in advance so it will be easier to pull together once I am home.  As I go through the menu planning process I will try to share some of our favorite family recipes.  If there is a specific recipe you would like please let me know and I will do my best to accommodate (some recipes are a toss together meal and I do not use any set measurements).

    As a family of four our life can get busy.  What’s for Dinner is our weekly menu planning series and one of the ways to help keep us organized, on schedule, and within budget.  Our family typically eats 6 to 7  dinner meals at home a week.  We do try to go out to eat at least once a month as a special treat.  Breakfasts are eaten at home before work and school, lunches are eaten at work, school, or home, so dinner is our main meal together as a family.  Dinner is our time to reconnect, share, and enjoy being together after a busy day.  Our weekly menu plan covers Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday only because the weekend (Friday, Saturday, and Sunday) is our time to spend with family and friends.  The weekends tend to be more spontaneous and my husband (who is the better cook) likes pitching in therefore we keep the menu open for variety.  We use up the leftovers throughout the week for our lunches and on the nights that we are busy or can’t cook.

    Photo by Liz

  • Intentional Living: Weekly Goals

    Last week was busy with Jake being out of town part of the week in Charleston and special events I think we were only home together one night the whole week.  Hoping this week is more productive for me.

    Last week’s goals

    Family Goals

    1. Read By the Shores of Silver Lake by Laura Ingalls Wilder to the girls – finished and they are ready to start the next one!
    2. Read Imagination Station: Voyage with the Vikings by Marianne Hering – read most of this book while in the doctors office with the girls and finished the rest later that evening
    3. Lunch Boxes & Book Bags packed the night before
    4. Daily School Activities & Homework Completed
    5. Attend After School Activities
    6. Plan one special Activity with the Family
    7. Prepare for the Girls Birthday

    Personal Goals

    1. Exercise at least 5 days this week – didn’t do 5 days
    2. Drink 8 glasses of water each day
    3. Start with my new YouVersion plan(s)
    4. Finish reading One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp – paused reading this book because another took priority, hoping to read more this week
    5. Finish reading Crazy Love by Francis Chan- going through this book with a group of friends

    Home Management Goals

    1. All laundry for the week washed, folded, and put away in one day
    2. Weekly Dinner Menu planned out for the week – Jake was in Charleston or had other events in most of the evenings, we had a special event with the girls one night too so the menu just didn’t get done
    3. Pay all upcoming bills

    Business Goals

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

    Ministry Goals

    1. Meet a friend or family member for Breakfast or Lunch
    2. Write and Send Out Community Group Email
    3. Email a meeting notes for Alms & Legs Ministry Team meeting

    Financial Goals

    1. For my February Grocery Budget I am replacing my typical Groceries $40 for 4 with my Life Simplified: No Grocery Shopping in order to use up some extra items in my fridge, freezer, and pantry. – I finished up over 7 weeks of No Grocery shopping, we are starting to low on a few items so I will need to make a grocery run soon
    2. Payoff the Van – made a payment this week
    3. Pay medical bills in full – paying on them
    4. Complete 2012 Taxes – working on it

    My goals for the upcoming week

    Family Goals

    1. Read The Long Winter by Laura Ingalls Wilder to the girls (Book 6)
    2. Read Imagination Station: Attack at the Arena by Marianne Hering and Paul McCusker (Book 2)
    3. Lunch Boxes & Book Bags packed the night before
    4. Daily School Activities & Homework Completed
    5. Attend After School Activities
    6. Plan one special Activity with the Family
    7. Celebrate at Girls Birthday Party
    8. Volunteer One Day at Girls School

    Personal Goals

    1. Exercise at least 5 days this week
    2. Drink 8 glasses of water each day
    3. Continue my YouVersion plan(s)
    4. Finish reading One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp
    5. Finish reading Overcoming Dyslexia by M.D. Sally Shaywitz (someone gave me this to read)

    Home Management Goals

    1. All laundry for the week washed, folded, and put away in one day
    2. Weekly Dinner Menu planned out for the week
    3. Pay all upcoming bills

    Business Goals

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

    Ministry Goals

    1. Meet a friend or family member for Breakfast or Lunch
    2. Write and Send Out Community Group Email

    Financial Goals

    1. Groceries $40 for 4
    2. Payoff the Van
    3. Pay medical bills in full
    4. Complete 2012 Taxes

    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.

  • Giveaway: $10 Target Gift Card

    I am thrilled to announce a new giveaway on Blessings Multiplied!   The winner of this giveaway will receive a $10 Target Gift Card!  The best part about this card is you can use it for almost anything from groceries, household items, clothes, birthday gifts, and much more.  Spring is just around the corner so maybe you want to get something for the yard or buy a treat for Easter or an upcoming trip.  Here’s how to enter the giveaway:

    Enter the Giveaway (up to 4 entries per person)!

    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.  Put a separate comment for each way you follow Blessings Multiplied (Email, Twitter, or Facebook) plus an extra entry for your bonus answer!   Each comment counts as an entry into the giveaway.

    All comments must be made by March 31, 2013 at 10:00 PM EST to be entered into the drawing.  Good Luck!

    The actual gift card may or may not be identical to the one pictured above.

  • CONGRATULATIONS to Our Panera Bread Gift Card Winner!

    The name has been drawn for the giveaway!

    CONGRATULATIONS to

    Elena

    for winning a

    Panera Bread Gift Card!

    Thanks for making a comment in honor of our Giveaway!

    An email has been sent to you with more information*

    Enjoy your next trip to Panera Bread!

    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.  The actual gift card may or may not be identical to the one pictured above.