• I Love You Too!

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    “I Love U” spelled out with their Magformers Set

    It is always a pleasant surprise when you walk into a room and find a nice saying or artwork waiting for you.   The other day I walked into the dining room and this is what was on the kitchen table.  An “I Love You” message and smiley face.

    Thankful for my kids.  Their creativeness and their little ways of reminding us that they truly do appreciate and love us as well.  They requested that I take a picture of their artwork so they could send a message to some people and let them know that they were thinking of them on this particular day.

    It’s the little things like this that make me smile.  Parenting can be tough some days, but it is also very rewarding too.  Grateful for these special moments when they demonstrate love, happiness, and the desire to brighten the days of others.

    P1360483cA Magformer smile waiting to be discovered on the table!

  • Giveaway: Book “Speaking Mom-ese” by Lisa Whelchel

    I will be doing a giveaway for the month of April!  The winner will receive the hardcover book called “Speaking Mom-ese: Moments of Peace & Inspiration in the Mother Tongue” by Lisa Whelchel!  As Moms it is difficult finding a moment of “quiet” in our days and I liked how each chapter was short so I could fit it into even a busy day. A friend gave me the book when I was pregnant with the girls and I have read through at least it twice.  Lisa shares insights and stories about her children as well as encourages you as a Mom.  I think it is important even on the busy days to have even a few moments to relax.

    All you have to do to enter this giveaway is sign up to follow my blog (if you haven’t done so already) and leave a comment below by 10 PM EST on April 30th telling us how you follow Blessings Multiplied.  You can get a BONUS entry into the drawing if you leave a separate comment below telling us one of your tips for squeezing in a few moments of peace and quiet into your already busy day!  We love our family but they have a way of keeping us running all day!  On April 30th I will randomly draw a winner from those who have entered the giveaway.

  • Ouchy Toy Box

    As our kids got bigger we began to notice a trend pop up.  Their toys began to break, batteries died, books got torn and so forth.  Almost daily (or at least it seemed) our girls were bringing “broken” toys to have us fix for them whether it was gluing a broken toy, taping a book, sewing, or replacing batteries it took time to get fix them.  The girls would often hover around during the fix up process causing more delays in getting them fixed or shedding in tears when the toy truly was broken beyond repair.

    In our effort to streamline the toy repair in our house we created an “Ouchy Toy Box”.  When a toy, book, or game broke, required repair, or was due for new batteries they would bring it to us like in the past but instead of fixing it on the spot or having it sit on our desk for days we would put the toy in the Ouchy Toy Box.  Once a month or when the box was full we would set aside time to fix the toys in the Ouchy Toy Box.  The best sight to see is an empty Ouchy Toy Box!

    To create an Ouchy Toy Box find a cardboard box, crate, or any container that will hold a dozen or so toys.  We use a small cardboard box with the words Ouchy Toy Box written on the outside.  When a toy is broken the girls ask to put it in the box.  Our box is up high on a shelf in the office so they cannot look into or dig through the box. The saying “Out of Sight Out of Mind” works well in this situation.

    Here are our steps to repairing the toys (once a month or when the box was full):

    1. The night before, after the kids are in bed, we go through the Ouchy Toy Box and clean out all the toys that were broken beyond repair and throw them away.  Many times they have been in the toy box for at least a couple weeks and the girls no longer remember them or ask about them.  This helps us clean out the broken ones without the trauma and tears over the broken toy.
    2. The next day we set aside time in the evening to fix the broken ouchy toys, usually after dinner and baths.  We begin the process while the girls are awake so they can see what we do to fix the toys.  It gives us the opportunity to talk about why the toys are broken and how to take care of the things God gives us.
    3. We lay the toys out on the table or desk with a combination of tools such as glue, batteries, screwdrivers, tape, needles, thread, scissors, and anything else that we may need so we are ready to fix the toys.  (This allows us to get all the repair tools out only once a month instead of getting them out and putting them away every day).
    4. We begin fixing the toys.  As they are fixed the girls have an opportunity to play with them and then put them away in the toy box or book shelf.  Depending how many toys you have to fix and the extent of the repairs we do several while they are watching us.  We often start on the minor repairs first in case not all of them are fixable.  (ie. taping a page in a book, sewing a button back on a stuffed animal, etc…)
    5. We tuck the girls in bed before finishing all of the toys.  Typically, it is much quicker to repair once they are in bed especially if you need a steady hand, are using a drill or other sharp tools.
    6. Once the toys have been repaired we line them up on the table or fireplace for them to enjoy in the morning.  It spreads the excitement and they have fun reunited with their toys.  It helps teach them that it takes time to repair the toys, to trust us to fix their toys, and an appreciation for what they have.
    7. They will often play with the toys for hours after being fixed  Which is another added bonus.  Rarely do we have to fix the same toy multiple times.

    One of the most interesting effects of this system, which we didn’t anticipate happening when we first started doing it, was that they have fewer and fewer toys that need to go into the Ouchy Toy Box.  It could be that they have learned to take better care of their toys (turn them off after using so the batteries don’t wear down, be gentle with their books, pick up the toys so they are not stepped on), maybe they don’t like going without them for several weeks, or it could be something entirely different.  Whatever the reason, it is has worked at extremely well with our kids.

    Doing this monthly or regularly once the box is full streamlines the process especially if you have all the tools ready to complete the task at hand.  It prevents the tear shed of toys that have to be thrown away and it allows an opportunity to teach a lesson about taking care of the toys.  You are not pressured to fix it now since you have a system in place.  Many people that have come into our home office have laughed initially at seeing a box labeled Ouchy Toy Box, however, several of them have since adopted the system for their own families.  It works, try it!

  • Investing in Quality Moments

    Quality MomentsWhen life gets busy it can become even more difficult to find quality time with those who are important in our lives. It may feel like there’s not an extra moment to spare in your day between the busyness of your personal and professional schedule.  Running a business and keeping up with the family takes a tremendous amount of energy.   Even if an allotted time is placed on the schedule we may be too distracted by phone calls, projects and everything else that needs your attention to really focus on that person.  It doesn’t have to be a large chunk of time but it does need to be valuable for all parties involved.

    Do you spend quality time with your spouse, kids, friends, clients, partners, and family members on a regular basis?  How do you make sure the time you spend with the different people in your life is valuable?

    • Clients – when is the last time you took a customer out to lunch and listened.  Their feedback is valuable to your business and they know better than anyone else what your business is doing that makes them excited about working with you as well as areas where you can improve.  Follow up with a thank you note and implement the changes immediately.  Creating a community of loyal customers takes time to gain their trust and maintain the relationship.
    • Spouse – go on a date night with your spouse.  Talk about your relationship, dreams, and memories you have together.  Hold hands, laugh, and enjoy each other like you did when you first met.  Listen to what your spouse is saying.  Take an interest in their hobbies and share the excitement.
    • Friends – go out to coffee with a friend and catch up.  Find out what is going on in their lives.  Sometimes all they need is a hug and someone to listen.  It is nice to have some time set aside to share the good memories, however, we all go through tough times as well.  Having  friends that are loyal in the good times and bad is a tremendous blessing.  Consider it a joy to come alongside a friend throughout their journey to listen, laugh, cry, share, and have fun.
    • Children – go on a date with one child at a time.  Have a blast together.  Let them speak freely, be creative, and create memories.  Pick a place that is meaningful to them or let them choose between a couple options.  It doesn’t have to be expensive to be fun.  Go to a picnic in the park, swimming, or out to eat at their favorite restaurant.  Take time everyday to read a book, play a game, color, or just share about your day with your kids.  Treasure the moments and memories your create together.

    We all have the same amount of time as the next person.  The difference is how we choose to use that time.  Take advantage of those quality moments and invest in the lives around you.    Make it a priority to have quality time for those in your personal and professional life.  One of the great advantages to having quality time outside of the house or office is you are more likely to focus on the other person.  At home or work you have a lot of distractions that are important, however,  they are not the priority at that time.

    Give us an example of the types of activities you do while enjoying quality time with  your clients, spouse, kids, and friends?  Who do you spend quality time with on a regular basis and why?