• Song: “Cannot Say Enough” by MercyMe

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kJJsrgzkpWk

    We have much to be grateful for in our lives and we have these great blessings because of our Savior.  How often do we talk to others about his amazing goodness?  Do we give Him the glory He deserves?  Take some time today to sing His praises and share with others.  Here is a small part of the song to help you get started:

    What can we say to describe just a glimpse of Your glory
    How can our words portray but a thread of your majesty
    But still we praise our Savior
    In Spirit and in Truth
    For we cannot say enough about You

  • What’s for Dinner: Our Weekly Menu Plan

    I had a blast spending extra time with my family the last couple of weeks.  We are slowly getting  back to a more normal schedule even though we still have some time off together.  I am trying to get back into the routine menu schedule now that the Holiday Celebrations are over for a little bit.  Here is our menu plan for the upcoming week:

    Our Weekly Menu Plan

    • Monday (Beef Entree):  Vegetable Beef Stew, Bread
    • Tuesday (Seafood or Pork Entree):  Sausage & Sauerkraut, Baked Beans
    • Wednesday (Chicken Entree):  Chicken Pot Pie, Fresh Fruit
    • Thursday (Pasta or Vegetarian Entree):  Vegetarian Spaghetti Bake, Steamed Veggies
    • 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 entree, Tuesday a seafood or pork 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

  • Giveaway: “Money Saving Mom’s Budget” Book by Crystal Paine (5 WINNERS)

    I am doing another giveaway on Blessings Multiplied!   There will be 5 winners of this giveaway who will receive a copy of Money Saving Mom’s Budget by Crystal Paine!  As a Mom I am always looking for ways to save a little extra, get more organized, and stay focused on my priorities.  After reading Crystal’s book I know many of you will enjoy this book too!  It is a great time of year to re-evaluate and set our goals.  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.
    2. You can get a bonus entry into the drawing if you leave a separate comment below sharing what area you are wanting to work on first with your family budget!

    All comments must be made by January 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 The Money Saving Mom’s Budget by Crystal Paine.

    *A special thanks to Crystal Paine with Money Saving Mom for providing these books for the giveaway!

  • Intentional Living: Weekly Goals

    It was great having the girls are out of school and Jake with a few days off recently.  We were able to enjoy some extra time together relaxing, playing, and just having fun.  I am going to try to keep it short again because we have a little bit of time off together and once everyone is back on their “regular” schedule I will be working on getting caught up from our family vacation time.

    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. Spend extra time with my family while the girls are on Christmas Break!

    Personal Goals

    1. Exercise – walk at least 5 days this week – really need to get in gear on this one
    2. Listen to The Prodigal Son audiobook from Denise

    Home Management Goals

    1. All laundry for the week washed, folded, and put away in one day

    Business Goals

    1. Pay all bills that come in the mail this week
    2. Work on ideas for upcoming blog posts

    Ministry Goals

    1. Email our weekly Community Group update including upcoming events on the calendar, praises, and prayer requests – somehow this one slipped through the cracks with us taking a break for the Holidays, although I did send out a prayer request.

    Financial Goals

    1. Stay within Budget on Groceries $40 for 4
    2. Pay off remaining debt – working on it, set up the budget and plan on finishing this up

    Here are my goals for the upcoming week:

    Family Goals

    1. Spend 1-on-1 time with each child everyday
    2. Read a book to the girls everyday
    3. Spend extra time with my family while the girls are on Christmas Break!

    Personal Goals

    1. Exercise – walk at least 5 days this week
    2. Listen to Dumping Debt by Dave Ramsey

    Home Management Goals

    1. All laundry for the week washed, folded, and put away in one day

    Business Goals

    1. Pay all bills that come in the mail this week
    2. Work on ideas for upcoming blog posts

    Ministry Goals

    1. Email our weekly Community Group update including upcoming events on the calendar, praises, and prayer requests

    Financial Goals

    1. Stay within Budget on Groceries $40 for 4
    2. Pay off remaining debt

    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

  • CONGRATULATIONS to Our Toys R Us Gift Card Winner!

    The name has been drawn for the giveaway!

    CONGRATULATIONS to Maggie

    for winning a

    $10 Toys R Us 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 Toys R Us!

    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.

  • Pampers Gifts to Grow – 20 Free Points

    You can receive another 20 free points from Pampers with new Gifts to Grow codes!

    These codes are different from the previous codes I have given.

    • Use Code:  FAC1211PPXHKHND  

    (Expires 12/31/11 at midnight CST)

    • Use Code:  FB2012NYAFJRYCN

    (Expires 1/6/12 at midnight CST)

    You can save up the rewards to purchase gifts!

    For more information about the Pampers Gift to Grow Program and how you can start earning Pampers “Gifts to Grow” Rewards for your family go to Pampers Gifts to Grow!

  • Happy New Year 2012 – Start where you are….

    Happy New Year! 

    Thank you for helping make my 2011 an AWESOME year! As I think about the 2012 year getting started I am reminded of the many blessings I have in my life.  At the same time I think about the many areas that need major improvement.  Starting 2012 means we get a fresh beginning to a new year with a lot of potential for fun, memories, and adventures.   Let’s make the most of this time and set new goals for ourselves starting today.

    I think the quote above is simple yet direct because as much as I like to think everything will magically change as I start 2012 the  reality is that I am very much the same as I was yesterday.  The good news is as I continue to implement changes, reach goals, get organized and put my priorities in line I will slowly start seeing those amazing results.  When my priorities are in order it gives me clearer picture and more opportunities to make a positive impact on the lives of my family, friends, and others.

    Wishing you a FANTASTIC 2012 full of wonderful blessings!

  • Book: Oceans Atlas by John Woodward

    Oceans Atlas by John Woodward is a book that the girls have really enjoyed.  It was a great gift that was given to them a couple years ago.  The girls love learning about animals and the world so this has been a fun one for them.  The book covers information on oceans, seas, marine pioneers, explorations, and conservation.  The book includes a CD which is an extra bonus for the kids to enjoy.

  • Recipe: Strawberry Pretzel Dessert

    I received this recipe from my Aunt Tracy over ten years ago and love to make it for potlucks because it is pretty and delicious.  If you like strawberries and cream you’ll enjoy this recipe.  The top layer is strawberries and jello (see picture above), the middle layer is a cream layer, and the bottom is a pretzel crust gives it an extra crunch and adds a great flavor to the dessert.

    Strawberry Pretzel Dessert:

    • 3 tablespoons Sugar
    • 3/4 cup melted Butter
    • 2 cups crushed Pretzels
    • 2 cups Powdered Sugar
    • 1 (8 oz) package Cream Cheese
    • 1 (8 oz) container Cool Whip
    • 2 cups miniature Marshmallows
    • 2 (3 oz) packages Strawberry Jello
    • 1 (10 oz) bag frozen Strawberries

    Mix sugar, butter, and pretzels.  Press into 9×13 pan and bake at 350 degrees for 15 minutes.  Mix powdered sugar, cream cheese, cool whip, and marshmallows until smooth.  Spread over cooled crust.  Dissolve jello in 2 1/2 cups boiling water, add frozen strawberries and set in freezer until partially set.  Pour strawberry mixture over the cream cheese layer and refrigerate until firm.

    If you like strawberries and pineapple my friend has another variation of this recipe Paula Deen’s Strawberry Pretzel Salad.

    Photo Credit