4tunate $4 friends

If you're not reading Jen Murray and her adventures over at 4tunate, then you are missing out! If you think your life is crazy or out of control, just click on over and read about what it's like raising quadruplet toddlers!

Anyone who can parent 4 toddlers, raise over $2,500 to support March of Dimes, give to others when she doesn't have much to give, and still have time to skype, blog and tweet with her friends...

...IS AN AMAZING WOMAN!

Recently, she and her family have experienced some trying times.

Her family was riddled with illness. Can you imagine trying to take care of 4 toddler boys while you weren't feeling well?  Her mother-in-law was diagnosed with breast cancer, progressive breast cancer. They wait for news on what is next. And it was discovered that her father is having a relapse with prostate cancer. 

We all experience tough times. Perhaps you are going through them right now yourself. And when your friends have gathered around you with prayers, support and encouragement you know the uplifting effects it has on your life.

Some of Jen's friend want to rally around her and help make things a tad bit easier.  Click below to read more awesome posts about Jen!

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If you're interested in helping this amazing woman, we're collecting $4 donations...that's it.  FOUR DOLLARS.  ALL money raised will go directly to Jen and her family! If you can swing $4, please click on the "Donate" button below!

Guest Post

I'm so excited to be guest posting over at Impress Your Kids today!  It's part of their "2 Weeks of Summer Camp" series.  Go check it out!

Dating Diaries

Being a single, christian girl in my early 30's poses some challenges on meeting people to date.  I'm not going to meet someone at a bar...mainly because I don't go!  It's hard to meet people at work because I'm a teacher and most of the people there are women.  So, internet dating is an option.

I didn't say it worked, it is just an option.

I've tried lots and lots of dating sites.  To no avail.  I'm currently on a free dating site and let me just say that I'm getting what I pay for!

I wanted to share with you some of the emails I've gotten.  I wish I could share the pictures that go along with these, but that might be crossing some lines!

• Hi Mariah, just kidding but you look a lot like her with the difference that you look much better.

          [Mariah Carey?  Really?  Oh brother...fishing for something there for sure!]

• A good friend of mine inadvertently summed up online dating with a simple euphism "If you stick to the truth, you will never have go far to remember your story". So with that being said, I would like to tell you a little bit about me. I am a dedicated and devoted Christian that loves playing games that not only encompass board games but video games with my friends son as well. I have plenty of kids that I have kind of adopted, much to their parents relief when I show up. I love shopping (seriously) especially at the mall as well as browsing for specific items with other people. There's something about the thrill of the hunt.... But enough about me, I would like to know more about you. I must admit that I am mildly envious about the summer break but the respect I have for someone who teaches far outweighs that. 

           [Call me old fashioned but I don't think I want my man to "love shopping".  And a 38 year old playing video games?  Hmmmm....]

• awesome profile... i love the games line... unless its a real board game, awesome!! but what seems the most remarkable to me is that you have a masters degree, very set in what you want, an obvious Godly woman, very pretty and you're single!!how do you shew away all the guys in XXXX GA, lol? that is the big mystery to me, lol... anyways, would love to chat sometime..:)

          [Umm...yes, I do love to play real board games.  Way to read my profile, buddy!]

• Hi I have question. Do you bake the cake or just decorating the cake? P.S There is answer for your question about girl next door: I do not have next door on my right side or left side or front any Girl who can by the girl of next door :-( so I can not heard of the girl next door :o)

          [So is it a deal breaker if I just decorate the cake and not bake it?  And I promise I did not alter this email.  It is really that broken of english.  We would probably have a communication problem!]

•    hi there :) cam i have the honor of knowing you better if you think that things can work out :)   

           [The subject line of this email was "duddette where is my rib?"   Seriously.]          

•    What church do you go to? You look very sweet and you like to bake is a serious plus. You bake it and I will come.

           [Ok, so this one made me laugh a little.  The one liners can be kinda cheesy.]


I know, I know I can be a little cynical and picky.  But like I said, if you could see the pictures that go along with the comments that would make all the world of difference.  I'm sure there will be more of these delightful nuggets in the future.

Top Ten Tuesday - Blogs you should read

I am tired!  Between working a week of summer camp, a trip to the lake, and a week of performing arts camp...I am just too tired to come up with anything clever.

So here are the top ten blogs that I think you should be reading...in my humble opinion.

1.  It's Come to This >> I guess I am a little biased because she is my sister and because she has the absolute cutest kids ever!!  She tells it like it is.

2. Once a Month Mom >> Genius!  Freezer cooking at it's best!  Go check out her summer menu that involves NO cooking!

3. Diaper Diaries >> She has such a fun writing style.  Reading her makes you feel like you're best friends.

4. Vanderbilt Wife >> She's an everyday kinda gal!  And she's writing a book...how cool!

5. The Violet Fig >> You never know what you're going to get with the Fig.  It could be a cool recipe or her experience with baby birds!

6. i Dream of Clean >> A master of clean!  I mean, there's no one better on how to clean every inch of your house and everything in it!

7. 4tunate >> A mom of quadruplets!  It's amazing to read her adventures.

8. Impress Your Kids >> Want to really make a difference in your kids' lives?  This is the site for you!  All kinds of fun stuff!

9. Churchchickie on the Move >> Such a sweet girl with uplifting posts...except now she's back in school studying to be a nurse so she's sharing all the cool things about our bodies.

10. And because I'm selfish like that, Simply Staci Reviews >> Go win Yancy's new CD, Rockin Happy Heart.

For more Top Ten Tuesday, go visit Oh Amanda.

CD Giveaway

If you're looking for some good music for your tween, then this is the giveaway for you!  Yancy's "Rockin' Happy Heart" is a fun, upbeat, encouraging collection of songs that give glory and honor to Jesus!

 

I used to lead praise and worship in children's church and our middle school group.  It was so hard to find music that appealed to kids.  Most of the music I found was in between "The Wheels on the Bus" and "How Great Thou Art".  

But Yancy does NOT disappoint.  "Rockin' Happy Heart" will keep you movin' and groovin' all 15 songs.  There are several things I love about this CD:

• Yancy writes her own songs - There's just something encouraging knowing that the songs that the artist is singing come from an actual encounter with Jesus.  How inspiring!
• The rocking beat - Seriously, this CD will get you moving!  This is NOT your grandma's christian music.  Every time I turn it on, I find myself dancing around my room.  Thankfully, none of you can see that. Yikes!
• Encouraging and uplifting lyrics - Call me crazy, but I don't think kids should be listening to music that says "I can't be tamed...", "Got me all twisted with your lips like this so tell me, tell me are you gonna kiss..." or "And baby when its love if it's not rough, it isn't fun..." 

So, by now you're probably asking yourself, "how can I get my hands on this CD?"

[Go ahead...ask yourself!]


Well, you can order it off of Yancy's website...
...OR...
...you can WIN IT HERE!

Just leave me a comment!  Simple as that.  I'll draw a winner on Friday, June 25.  (Here's a hint on how to double your chances...go enter on my Simply Staci Review blog, too!)

I was given 2 CD's to review and give away.

Top Ten Things YOU Should Try

As a teacher, the arrival of summer brings a much needed break. But it also brings a sense of adventure...well, in an organized, safe kinda way! I guess a better way of saying it is that it makes me want to try new things.

So here are 10 things that I think you should try:

1. Patricia Wexler's Sensitive Skin Soothing & Renewing Night Cream

 A nightly moisturizer that makes your skin feel like silk!  Read a more in depth review here.

2. Cosmedix's Pure Enzymes

This exfoliating mask really works!  I could tell an immediate difference.  Read more about it here.

3. Curel's Targeted Therapy Foot Cream

Just in time for summer!  A cream targeted just for your feet.  Read more about it here.

4. Annabel Karmel's "Top 100 Finger Foods"

A great way to get your kids to expand their palate.  Also great party food!  Read more about it here.

5. Weight Watchers Apple Pie a la mode Yogurt

Yummy little summer time treat.  Read more about it here.

6. Weight Watchers Blueberry Pie yogurt

If you like blueberries, then you'll love this!  Read more about it here.

7. The Container Store's Click and Pick Up program
      Who doesn't love The Container Store?!  One thing, however, is that it can be overwhelming walking into the store.  It's like Target...you walk in for a tube of toothpaste and you walk out with a buggy full of bags.  Anybody with me? What's great about this is you place your order online and then go pick it up at the store.  You choose the store and even what time you want to pick it up.  If you call ahead, they'll even bring it out to your car!  Curb side service!  I tried it and it was great.  My order was there waiting on me.  I was in and out in 5 minutes...literally.

8. Beater Blade

I blogged about my affection for this earlier, but it bears repeating.  If you're a baker, you NEED this!

9. Healthy version of comfort food
If you live in the South, you've probably had your share of Chicken Casserole.  While it's not the most figure friendly recipe, it is some GOOOOOOOOD stuff.  Now you can have it AND maintain that figure!  My little sis has modified the recipe.  Go try it.  Seriously.  Go try it!!!

10. Umm...ok...I'm one short.  How about YOUR suggestions to me!  What is the one thing you think I should try???

For more TTT, go to Oh Amanda!

For numbers 1-6, I was sent the products to review, but the opinions are all mine. 

Camp Rocks

This pretty much sums up my week.

Last week, I served at Camp Rocks where our theme was True Story. We learned that the Bible is God's true story.

This was our 9th year of Camp Rocks and while it is the hardest, most tiring, draining and exhausting week of my summer it is also one of the most rewarding weeks of my summer. God always shows up and refills me to overflowing.


The true story is simple: He loves us. Period. The Bible is His story of a love that pursues us so passionately it's willing to go to the depths of Hell. And that's exactly what He did for me...and you.

Growing up in church all my life, it's easy to become numb to that. But this past week at camp I got a fresh reminder. The last night of camp is a time for campers to share what God has done for them that week. For a lot of them, it's practical things like helping them get to the top of the climbing wall or some other hard task that they were able to accomplish. For others, it's realizing that they have tasted a glimpse of God and want more of Him. Regardless of the testimony, it's amazing to see kids respond to God's goodness. It's a reminder to this 33 year old that I need to be more like them.