Skipper Being a Good Sport
Skipper being a good sport after getting chased by the kids with the water bucket. Good thing she loves water!
Our guard dog…..although she has more bark than bite. She is great at hunting squirrels, protecting the house & yard, and playing with the kids. Skipper is always happy to see you and willing to nibble on a treat. It is nice having a dog around the yard. She has been known to chew a few papers, garden hoses, flipflops, and other random things, but otherwise she is on her best behavior.
Lounging on the driveway watching all the activity outside and ready to pounce on a squirrel in a moments notice.
Family Fun: Adventures With Our Cousins
Cousins hanging out at the park together!
We had an opportunity a few months ago to spend some time with Jake’s sister and her family. The girls were in school during their stay with us but we still found plenty of time to have fun. It was great having an opportunity to hang out with them and create new memories, especially since it will be quite awhile before we can get together again.
Oh MY…..your lips look different today…..Silly girls with silly mouths!
My cute little kitchen helper!
Noah helping with the “science” experiment! Loading up the ingredients into a Ziploc bag.
It’s going to blow!!!! We did an experiment with baking soda, water, and vinegar inside Ziploc bags. When we sealed the bags they bubbled up and they popped! The kids really enjoyed doing this one.
Life Simplified: No Grocery Shopping
Every new year we set goals, challenge ourselves to reach new heights, and to focus on what’s really important in life. The picture above is a handful of receipts where I bought grocery items over the last few weeks. Back in 2011 I made it a goal to simplify my life more by enjoying the blessings and not wasting what God has given me. One of the ways I did this was by going through several No Grocery Shopping weeks, picking up only necessities while trying to use the items we already had in our fridge, freezer, and pantry.
When I did it in 2011 it was my intention to go 1 month, but I made it 8 weeks (with only a few hiccups). It is my plan to do this again with the hope of making it at least through the month of January. I will be sharing with you the successes and challenges on those specific areas in my life as I go through them.
Life Simplified Goal:
- No Grocery Shopping (except for necessities) in the month of January.
Explanation of the Goal: My goal during the month of January is to not shop for groceries other than necessities (milk, eggs, bread). Our freezer is full and our pantry is overflowing with all the great deals that we have picked up over the past few months. One of the reason for the goal is that I want to use the items I have and not waste them. Stockpiling is wonderful but there may come a point when we need to eat through that stockpile before it expires, save the extra money to work on a financial goal, and be creative with what we have at home. I have been thinking about this challenge for several weeks over the Holidays. Over the past few months (including our experience traveling to India) it has really hit me that we have been really blessed yet there are children and families that content with a lot less. Menu planning may take a little extra creative thinking on my part but I think I can do it. If I do purchase something it needs to meet one of the following criteria:
- FREE – I don’t want to waste free grocery coupons that my family will use while doing this goal
- Necessity – Milk, Eggs, Bread, etc…
- For Someone Else outside of my household. For example I make meals for new Moms in our church and if I need to pick up an item for them on the way to deliver a meal that will be an exception.
I have already started this goal. The only things I purchased this first week has been a loaf of bread and 1 gallon of milk. Last week we ate a bunch of leftovers for several days since our fridge was full and we don’t want to waste the food we have. Plus a sweet friend brought us a meal after my daughters surgery which was amazing and got us through more than two meals. It takes a little more time and focus to come up with a menu but everyone seems to be doing pretty well. The real challenge will come at the end of the month when we are getting low in the pantry and when we host guests!
I will share with you the challenges, successes and what I had to purchase so you can keep me accountable or even go through the journey with me by participating and sharing your story. I would love to extend this goal into February if I can make our pantry stretch!
Life Simplified is a series on getting rid of the extras in our life while learning how to enjoy what God has given us so we can continue to be a blessing to others. Our homes can quickly start are bursting with “stuff” and if you are like us we just have too much. I am doing a series on ways we are learning to simplifying our food, homes, and lives. When our hearts, lives, and homes get too cluttered we may start missing out on opportunities to serve and bless the people around us.
Stronger by Mandisa
Hey, heard you were up all night
Thinking about how your world ain’t right
And you wonder if things will ever get better
And you’re asking why is it always raining on you
When all you want is just a little good news
Instead of standing there stuck out in the weatherOh, don’t hang your head
It’s gonna end
God’s right there
Even if it’s hard to see Him
I promise you that He still caresWhen the waves are taking you under
Hold on just a little bit longer
He knows that this is gonna make you stronger, stronger
The pain ain’t gonna last forever
And things can only get better
Believe me
This is gonna make you stronger
Gonna make you stronger, stronger, stronger
Try and do the best you can
Hold on and let Him hold your hand
And go on and fall into the arms of Jesus
Oh, lift your head it’s gonna end
God’s right there
Even when you just can’t feel Him
I promise you that He still caresWhat’s for Dinner: Our Weekly Menu Plan
We are starting to return to our more normal schedule with half the family at school and work while one little one continues recovering from surgery. So thankful for the Holidays and an opportunity to spend some extra time with my family. I enjoyed time celebrating, playing, and relaxing. Now I am ready to get back into the swing of things. Here is our menu plan for the upcoming week:
Our Weekly Menu Plan
- Monday (Beef or Seafood Entree): Roast, Mash Potatoes
- Tuesday (Kid’s Night to Cook): Grilled Cheese, Fresh Fruit
- Wednesday (Chicken or Vegetarian Entree): Lime & Parmesan Chicken, Steamed Vegetables
- Thursday (Pasta or Pork Entree): Lasagna Roll Ups, 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
I am getting back in the swing of things now that schedule is returning to the somewhat normal. One kid is in school and the other one is home recovering from surgery. Last week my goals were pretty basic. I did get a lot of items done and I am hoping to make some big headway this week (fingers-crossed).
Last week’s goals
Bring in the 2013 New Year – Celebrating with Family and FriendsSpend some one-on-one time with my manSpend Quality time with the girlsDaughter’s Surgery- Go over our goals for 2013 – started, but with a little one recovering from surgery and Jake having to work extra this weekend we were not able to get it completely done
There were a few more noteworthy ones on the list that I didn’t write out that I was able to do as well:
Finish reading Significant Work by Paul Rude– AWESOME book, you can see my review and enter to win a copy of it (you won’t be disappointed)!Spent time reading, playing games, crafts, riding bikes, and fun activities with my girls (and hubby)!
My goals for the upcoming week
Family Goals
- Read Farmer Boy by Laura Ingalls Wilder to the girls
- Lunch Boxes & Book Bags packed the night before
- Daily School Activities & Homework Completed
- Attend After School Activities
- Plan one special Activity with the Family
- Take care of the little one recovering from surgery
- Write Thank You Notes
- Finish going over our 2013 goals
Personal Goals
- Exercise at least 5 days this week
- Drink 8 glasses of water each day
- Start with my new YouVersion plan(s)
- Finish reading One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp
Home Management Goals
- All laundry for the week washed, folded, and put away in one day
- Weekly Dinner Menu planned out for the week
- Finish Wrapping & Prepping for the Christmas Events
- Pay all upcoming bills
Business Goals
- Work on ideas for upcoming blog posts
- Keep up with the day to day items that need my attention
- Complete a current client work project
Ministry Goals
- Meet a friend or family member for Breakfast or Lunch
- Write and Send Out Community Group Email
- Email a meeting reminder to the Alms & Legs Ministry Team
Financial Goals
- For my January 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.
- Payoff the Van
- Emergency Fund – save 3 months worth of living expenses
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.
We Often Take For Granted…
Save A Lot: Deals for the week of January 2 – 8, 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
New York Strip Steaks – $5.99 lb
Assorted Pork Chops – $1.79 lb
Pork Boneless Chops – $2.49 lb
Boston Butt Roast – $1.79 lb
Hillshire Farms Sausage (12 oz) – $1.99
Fairgrounds Sliced Bologna (16 oz) – $0.99
Fairgrounds Sliced Lunchmeat (14 oz) – $2.99
Sugardale Smoked or Polish Sausage Links (40 oz) – $3.99
Sugardale Jumbo Hotdogs (3 pounds) – $2.99
*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
Pure Grove Premium Orange Juice (59 oz) – $2.49
Country Crock Spread (45 oz) – $2.99
Produce
California Navel Oranges (8 pounds) – $4.99
Carrots (2 pounds) – $0.99
Green Cabbage – $0.33 lb
Biggins Roast Potatoes (10 pounds) – $1.99
Grocery
McDaniel’s Classic Roast Ground Coffee (32 oz) – $4.99
General Mills Cereals, Trix, Cinnamon Toast Crunch, Cookie Crisp – $1.69
Use $1.00/2 coupon from insert 12/9 Smart Source (Expires 1/19/13)
$1.19 each after couponWylwood Canned Vegetables – $0.59
Save A Lot Today Soda (12 pack) – $2.89
Crystal 20 Purified Drinking Water (24 pack) – $2.99
So Cheesy Mac & Cheese Dinner – $1.69
Del Pino’s Canned Pasta with Meat – $0.85
J Higgs Saltines – $0.99
Panner Peanut Butter (18 oz) – $1.79
Bramley’s Grape Jelly (12 oz) – $1.69
Maruchan Ramen Noodles (6 pack) – $1.19
Kiggins Big Bag Cereal (24 oz) – $2.99
McDaniel’s Coffee Creamer (16 oz) – $1.99
Kaskey’s Soup, Chicken Noodle or Tomato (26 oz) – $1.29
Kraft Velveeta Cheesy Skillets Dinner Kits – $1.99
Chef Boyardee Pizza Kits – $2.99
Dinty Moore Beef Stew (20 oz) – $1.99
Yoo-Hoo Chocolate Drink (4 pack) – $3.19
Sunny D (45 oz) – $1.00
Herr’s Chips (3.75 oz) – $1.00
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.
Giveaway & Review: “Significant Work” by Paul Rude (5 WINNERS)
Deep down inside all of us we want to know what we are doing is significant. How do we know if our lives are making an positive impact on others? An eternal impact. As we go from day to day – working, doing laundry, household chores, and a myriad of other daily activities-living our regular everyday lives how do we know even these daily routines are significant in the whole scheme of life?
I am excited to introduce you to Paul Rude’s new book Significant Work! Paul has worked the full spectrum from Fortune 500 companies to mission fields of Alaska and is struck with the conviction that everyday of the Christian life is significant. This led him to to launch Everyday Significance, an organization dedicated to helping people connect Christ-centered faith to everyday life. Paul along with his wife, Misty, and his five kids live in beautiful rural Alaska. When he is not speaking, consulting, or writing, you might find Paul rafting whitewater rivers or climbing mountains.
My husband and I met Paul and Misty many years ago at our church. Paul was the head of our church’s Awana Outreach program in South Carolina. It has been really neat seeing God call his family to Alaska and the amazing journey he has led them on over the past few years. His book was refreshing to read and I know it will be a blessing to many people.
5 lucky readers will win a FREE copy of the Significant Work book by Paul Rude! ENTER NOW for a chance to win a copy of this great book (it only takes a couple seconds to leave a comment and be entered into the giveaway, please see all the giveaway details below)!
Why I love this book:
Paul’s book hit home in many areas. As a child of a loving God, wife, Mom, homemaker, blogger and all the many other roles the days can seem a little crazy. Some days it’s all I can do to find the floor when I am standing in front of a pile of dirty laundry and have trail of toys and books scattered throughout the house it is hard not to wonder……is it worth it? How does all the day-to-day picking up, meal planning, cleaning, working, and everything else leave an eternal imprint? Does it really matter?
So often we believe the lie…..the lie that those directly in ministry fields are the ones who have a direct connection with God, that they are the ones making the biggest impact on the lives of others for eternity. As I look around me I see many people that I interact with regularly – my husband, kids, family, friends, neighbors, and strangers. While all the little never-ending activities can seem mundane with little significance when my heart is all-in I will slowly see pieces of eternity shaping not only in my heart and life but in the lives of those who I interact with regularly.
Many of us work in the everyday marketplace from truck drivers, waitresses, pilots, accountants, and more. Our work is a gift from God. We want to do work that matters to God, but the everyday demands of life constantly pull us in the opposite direction.* Life is a balancing act. Each of us wants to know that what we do every day counts. We’re busy measuring externals, but all the while, God is looking directly at our hearts.
We burn more time and energy at work than anything else we do in life by far. Our jobs, along with the daily grind of errands and household chores, will consume the majority of the waking hours in our adult lives. The hours consumed are not our second rate hours-our highest energy, peak creativity, and sharpest intellect. Once all the necessary activities are done for the day there isn’t much time or energy left for doing work for eternity. Sure we may have an opportunity to volunteer at church, go on a mission trip, or some other great activity but the majority of our days are filled with work and other obligations. Can the normal everyday tasks be my way of making an impact on eternity?
…..God usually chooses not to tell us the specific game plan for our lives. He doesn’t swoop down in a fiery cloud and explicitly tell us what to do in life’s pivotal decisions. How do we know we are doing God’s will for our lives? Some people seem to know exactly what they are suppose to be doing while others struggle with knowing what they should be doing. God does not play cruel little games, taunting us with his plan while holding it just out of reach….If he wants us to know something we will know it – absolutely and without any doubt.
While many people work outside of the home some people have the opportunity to stay home with their children. Many moms feel guilty, because they don’t have the time or energy to volunteer more hours at church-hours that impact souls and make a lasting difference……How does washing a load of laundry change eternity? …….The truth, however, is stunning. God uses our regular, daily, earthly work to forge the very shape of eternity. I am so thankful that the time and energy we invest in our family really does have an eternal significance. God can work in our hearts whether we are folding clothes at home or overseas on a mission trip. Isn’t it awesome how he can use even the simple stuff to help shape eternity!
No matter how obscure our lives may seem today, we will one day radiate the glory of God before redeemed humankind and all the mighty hosts of heaven. No one will be forgotten, ignored, or belittled as insignificant to God. The work you do today matters!
God is forging his masterpiece with our random-arrow lives. He’s given each of us an unique life to live – a particular place to strike the white-hot ingot of eternity. We each have our very own place in his story. Like master to apprentice, he entrusts the hammer to our hands. He says, “Strike it. Strike it right here. This is your place. This is where I want you to shape eternity. Live the life I gave you to live.” In stammering awe, we take up the hammer. We live our regular, everyday lives. The hammer falls. Sparks fly, and the Master, our Father, is delighted.
*Information that is in bold and italics are quotes from Paul Rude’s book.
After reading Significant Work I think it will help inspire and encourage you as well. I really like how Paul is upfront and honest with his readers. I know many of you will enjoy this book!
Giveaway Details
As a way to say thank you to my readers and to share Paul Rude’s book I am hosting a giveaway! 5 WINNERS will receive a free copy of Significant Work book by Paul Rude!
Enter the Giveaway (up to 4 entries per person)!
- 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.
- Sign up to receive Blessings Multiplied via email
- Follow on Twitter – @BlessMultiplied
- Like us on Facebook – BlessingsMultiplied
- BONUS – you can get a bonus entry into the drawing if you leave a separate comment below sharing an activity that you do that makes a positive impact on the lives of others.
All comments must be made by January 31, 2013 at 10:00 PM EST to be entered into the drawing. Good Luck!
I encourage you to check out more information about Significant Work by Paul Rude if you are interested in reading it. This book book may give you the just right dose of motivation to get you on the road more eternal significance! What are you waiting for…….get a copy and start reading today!
More information about Significant Work by Paul Rude can be found:
- Significant Work by Paul Rude
- Blog – Everyday Significance
- Facebook – Everyday Significance
Welcome 2013!!!
Happy New Year!!!! I am thankful for a great 2012 and looking forward to an awesome 2013 packed full of fun, memories, and adventure! Wishing you and your family the very best during this new year! 🙂
