Snow Day


 Our kids we're so excited to have a Snow Day today! It was complete with sledding, hot chocolate, movies, homemade cookies, creating class Valentine's and a little office party to celebrate my 7 year anniversary of working from home!

When I first started working from home I never imagined how many blessings both financially and time freedom we would have. Makes me grateful on day's like today that I'm able to set my schedule to accommodate my kids. 

FREE printable Valentine's:
We found both of these SUPER cute printables on the same site! I was so excited. We added card stock and the girls got to be a bit creative :)
http://www.thirtyhandmadedays.com/2014/01/loom-valentines-idea-printable-card/
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Re-Purposed Valentine's Decor

Valentine's Day is a little over 15 day's away! 
I decided to do a little re-purposing today... I had this cute heart that I bought at a craft fair several years ago. It's a bit faded from hanging on the front door and one of the pieces had fallen off.
 I paint the heart pink...
I then used  my silhouette and created a little word art.

 I then cut out my words and put my contact paper on top. With this step it's really important that you rub and rub over the top of your letters to make the process of peeling them off of the backing easier.
 I then placed them on my heart where I wanted them (I used a level and ruler to make sure they we're sitting correctly). Then rub and rub some more. Once you have rubbed to your hearts content you can peel the contact paper off.
 PERFECTION!
 I also added a little ribbon just for a little flair.
 Have a great day!
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5 Tools to Help You Get Out of Debt

I have been reading an amazing devotional that was recommended through our MOPS group. Yesterday I read about Psalm 37:4...
Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart.

After each devotional there is a simple prayer or response in this book. Here's what it said:
God, thank you for inviting me into your presence, welcoming me to turn to you with my dreams and desires. Please show me how to use these desires of my heart in this world for your glory.

So  I got to thinking... what desires and dreams do I have? And how can I use them to glorify God? One deep desire we have had for your family is to live a debt free life. Here are 5 tools that can help you to either A. Gain Financial Freedom or B. Use in your monthly financial planning for your family.

1. Let's Get Organized!
We've all had those moments of utter frustration when we can't find a bill that we know is do or needing record if we have paid a bill. Being organized is essential in getting out of debt.

There is the cutest Organizing Planner that is free to print out and even better it's CUSTOMIZABLE with your family's name and details. 

Remember if you print it you need to punch holes and put it in a 3 ring binder. I did this a few years ago and it's amazing how much easier it is to stay organized. Click HERE for the Organizing Planner.

2. Know What You Owe!
I found this really cute Expense Detail log HERE. There is an entire set that is free to print including a binder cover and Monthly budget worksheet.

Knowing what all of your outgoing expenses are each month is the first step in getting out of debt. Taking it a step further, knowing how much your revolving debt is and what it will take for you to become totally debt free.



3. Know What You Spend (And do it in Cash)!

Your less likely to make large, unwise or un-necessary purchases if you commit to paying in cash for the things your family needs.

You can find many envelop printables on pinterest or click HERE for this version. A simple white envelop with lines drawn on will do the trick as well. 

The main purpose is to help make you more aware of what your outgoing expenses are and what your spending.


4. Know What You Make and Start Budgeting!

Isn't this a cute Printable (Click HERE to print)! I'm much more likely to use worksheets if they are eye appealing personally. 

If you have never created a budget it can be a bit overwhelming - but it's crucial in getting out of debt.

First you must be honest with yourself as to how much money you bring in each month and then how much is going out. This will help you to see where you might need to make a few cuts.

5. Calendar in Payments!
After you have created your budget you can now decide when to pay each outgoing expense. If you get paid weekly for example, I find that it's best to break down your expenses throughout each week. 

If all of your bills are due at the beginnning of the month contact your debtors and see if you can change the due date. You will most likely find they will work with you. 




http://4mykiddos.Blogspot.com
Here's to getting out of debt and being in control of your finances!
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A Lighter version of the Traditional Apple Cobbler


Let me say I love sweets and deserts and all things that taste yummy! 
With that being said I've been trying to find healthier alternatives for my family rather than being packed full of sugar and boxed cake mixes. 

I came across a Apple Cobbler recipe (love some Apple Cobbler with Ice Cream on top!). SO I played with it a bit and made a lighter version. 
Filling:
4 Apples, cored and sliced to 1/4 inch slices.
1/4 Cup firmly packed brown sugar
1 Tablespoons Lemon juice
2 Tablespoons  whole-wheat flour
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Mix all of the above ingredients and transfer into a greased  9x13 baking dish.

 Topping:
1 Cup whole wheat flour
1/ 1/4 Cup baking oats
1/4 Cup brown sugar
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 Cup margarine
Mix all of the above and then use a pastry whisk to crumble up the margarine into the dry ingredients. You'll want the margarine to be pea sized and mixed throughout all of the dry ingredients.
 You'll then transfer your topping onto the apple filling. Place into a 350*F oven. I baked mine for about 40-45 minutes similar to a traditional Apple Cobbler.
 Take it out of the oven once it's golden brown and crispy on the top.
 I tried it first and couldn't help but put a little ice cream on top! It's so delicious! Imagine a really sweet granola bar on top of warm apples. YUMM!
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Mandy and Jan

 Talk about true love! This is Mandy's cow Jan. If you have followed our blog you might remember when Jan looked like this:
This cow truly loves Mandy and Mandy LOVES Jan! It's so fun to watch the two of them together. Jan will let Mandy walk up to her in the wide open and stands for Mandy to love on her.

Here's to a Great week filled with Love!
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Not Just a Post - Engage

http://www.4MyKiddos.com


We've all seen folks on Facebook or other social media sites that do nothing but promote their website.

I totally get the excitement of their new business but it does get old seeing the same thing over and over just in a different format.

Here are 3 steps that you can make to avoid getting unfriended, unliked or hidden from others news feed.

Keep the 1/3 Rule in Mind
  1. 1/3 Personal Content. Your audience want's to know you and see you as a relatable influence on the social media outlets.
  2. 1/3 Value Driven Content. How is your post going to provide value to those seeing it? A great quote, a fact, a helpful blog post or website link. All things that will help those who are following you.
  3. 1/3 Business Related Content. With this being said, remember, social media is social. Engage and interact with your following. A link to your website along with a way that you can help your audience through it is what others are looking for. 
Here's to growing your following!

 

Valentine Printabels


Valentine's Day seems to sneak up on me. And last year I was in the hospital with our little guy who had RSV. Not a fun way to celebrate! But this year I'm looking forward to it and planning ahead. Here are some SUPER cute printables that I'm decorating with.
FREE VALENTINES PRINTABLES
http://lollyjane.com/keep-calm-kiss-on/
http://www.entirelyeventfulday.com/2013/01/bee-mine-valentine-printable.html 
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Another Cameo Silhouette Project

 I love my Cameo Silhouette! Here's my most recent project I made with it. I stained an old piece of wood from the garage. Created the above design on some vinyl (I have tried other brands of vinyl in my machine but I have found that the actual Silhouette brand works the best not only at cutting but transferring it to a project), and TA-DA! I actually made this one for a Christmas gift but I'm in love with it and think I'll make one for our home too.

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Yoga for Kids



Cadence and I have been doing this super easy but fun yoga for kids video at nights. It's been
helping her growing pains that she has at nights to stretch before bed a bit.
It cracks me up watching her do EXACTLY what the instructor does, including getting up
and correcting how my hands should be. Love that girl!

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