Top Ten Tuesday - Shower Hostess Gifts

A friend of mine messaged me the other day asking for some advice on what to get for some girls that are throwing her a shower.  She needed something cheap because she has 8 to get.  As I was thinking of some ideas, I realized my message back to her was turning into a blog post!
So now, I wanted to share those ideas with you!
 *PINS: I LOVE the Posie Pins from The Pleated Poppy.

 

*MIRRORS: These little mirrors would be cute paired with a lip gloss.

 

*COFFEE CUP KOOZIE: (not as trashy as it sounds!!) These are cute and would be fun paired with a $5 Starbucks gift card. There's lots of different patterns, too.

*ORNAMENT: Depending on when your showers are, a Christmas ornament (not a Santa head or anything!) would be nice because then when they hang it up every year, they'll think of you :)

*FRAME: I know frames can be overrated sometimes, but a cute frame with a handwritten note from you would be so sweet.

*When I did my sister's baby shower, she got me and the other girls a magazine subscription. There are some websites that have cheap magazine subscriptions. She gave us a list beforehand to let us pick which one we wanted. Every month when that magazine came, it reminded me of who gave it to me.

*Anything from Crate & Barrell!! I love how they have a lot of plain, white stuff because it's so easy to dress it up...plus it's cheap!
       -containers: These would be cute with a little ribbon around it and maybe some matching colored candy inside.

      -or these little bowls. they come in different colors.

*VERA BRADLEY - They're sale stuff is pretty cheap. Here's some cute things under $10. (None of the pictures would copy...sorry!)
    -Zip ID Case  -Clip Zip ID  -Charmed Pouch   -Coin Purse

*CHARMING CHARLIE - Please tell me you have a Charming Charlie!  It's an accessory store on overload.  I have to admit that it's overstimulating the first time you walk in, but after that...it's just plain addicting!  The bonus is that most of their stuff is very reasonably priced.


*And...well...I could only think of 9.  What would YOU suggest??



For more Top Ten Tuesdays, go visit Oh Amanda.

Once A Month Mom Tweet Up

Back in February, I got to attend the Blissdom blogging conference.  Not only did I learn TONS about blogging (although you can't really tell by the content of my blog!) but my favorite part was meeting all these cool people!





One of them was Tricia from Once a Month Mom.   She is the expert (in my humble opinion) on freezer cooking.  If you haven't checked out her October menu, there's some good stuff there!  And there's no better feeling at the end of a long day than knowing you've got dinner already made!



You can read about my freezer cooking experiences.



Ok, so back to the point of this post.  Tricia is coming to Atlanta this month for a Once a Month Mom Tweet Up!




So if you live in the Atlanta, Georgia area (or anywhere within driving distance) please consider joining us on October 23, from 6-9 pm. (No worries to those of you who can't get to the actual location, more information about how to participate online will come out later). Also in attendance will be a majority of the lovely and talented #sisterchicks. Most of these girls I also met at Blissdom as well while some are lifelong friends.  Perhaps you know and want to meet one of them as well. Here is the list of confirmed #sisterchicks traveling in for the party!

• Mandi of It's Come 2 This (Atlanta, Georgia)
• Amanda of Oh Amanda and Impress Your Kids (Atlanta, Georgia)
• Becky of The Violet Fig (Atlanta, Georgia)
• Jessica of Vanderbilt Wife (Chattanooga, Tennessee)
• Christine Satterfield of I Dream of Clean (Nashville, Tennessee)
• Jill of The Diaper Diaries (Grand Rapids, Michigan) - YES! She is flying in for this! Woot!
• (and prayerfully) Jen of 4tunate (Indianapolis, Indiana)

Tickets go on "sale" (it is a FREE event but space is limited) on Thursday, October 6th at 7 pm EST - don't miss out, they may go fast! Her last event sold out in 1 hour!

Here are a few of the great sponsors of this years event:

The Bread Beckers is more than a Kitchen Store. It is everything you need to make fresh bread at home grinding your own fresh wheat flour and more! They sell grain mills, mixers, grains, beans, baking supplies and ingredients, bake ware, bulk food co-ops/buying clubs, and cooking classes. What is more perfect for an OAMM function than a store that sells in BULK!!! They also have a BEAUTIFUL kitchen/classroom that we will be using for the event. You are going to be so excited when you see this venue! They are located in Woodstock, Georgia.




CUTCO
Cutlery is the largest manufacturer and marketer of high-quality kitchen cutlery and accessories in the United States and Canada. Vector Marketing is the exclusive marketer of CUTCO products, which are sold throughout the U.S. and Canada by authorized sales representatives. Both CUTCO Cutlery and Vector Marketing are subsidiaries of CUTCO Corporation.

God's Design

This post is mature in nature. Fair warning!
About 6 months ago, we wrapped up a series at church called Lovers. It was virtually a series on sex...got your attention now? I strongly encourage you to go check it out here.

The series really gripped me. While I'm not married or dating anyone, it spoke to me so deeply.

[I'm going to get pretty transparent here]

I am a 33 year old virgin. (Yes, we do exist). However, my thoughts and actions haven't always been as pure as I would have liked for them to be and I justified things because I wasn't having sex. That's the important thing right? [cough, cough]

Of course there are some things I regret, but I know I serve a God who has long forgiven me for those things the moment I confessed them.

But then I heard something that put it all into perspective.

[Get ready...here comes the "mature" stuff!]

When God created us, he hardwired our brains (literally) to be physically matched with one person. Meaning when we experience sexual release (the big "O"...can you believe we talked about this in church?!) our brains are hardwired, linked, connected to that person.  However, when we experience that with someone (or something) other than our spouse, our brain does the exact same thing but it connects to the act...not a person. This is why affairs, pornography, etc are so addicting because you begin chasing the act, not a person. The experience, not your spouse, is imprinted in your brain.

God's way is so much better than the short term, temporary pleasures.  Thank you God for your design.  Your good and perfect design!

Friends

Just a little laughter to brighten up your Monday. Some of my all time favorite scenes from my all time favorite show, Friends.











Did your favorite make the list?

Fractured Fairy Tales

We just finished up a series at church called Fractured Fairy Tales.  It has been a godsend.  Such a timely message for me.  Here's a little teaser for you:

Fractured Fairy Tales: Coming August 8 2010 from Mountain Lake Church on Vimeo.

My fairy tale is definitely not how I had pictured it would be.   While my life has been nothing short of blessings after blessings, I can tell you right now that I didn't expect to still be single at 33 (almost 34...gulp).  That's not the way the fairy tale works, right?  I'm supposed to be married by now.  I'm supposed to be serving in ministry with my husband.  And I'm pretty sure I should have a couple of kids by now.

But I'm not the only one with fractures.

During this series, we looked at different Bible characters who had some major fractures in their fairy tale.  

But the characters who stood out to me the most were 3 guys who had a fracture in their fairy tale.  And in comparison, my fractures seem like a tiny crack.

Shadrach, Meshach & Abednego were 3 friends who faced the biggest fracture of their lifetime.  When they were forced to choose between obeying the king or honoring God, they chose God.  But this came at a price...their life.

The king ordered them to be thrown into the furnace.  The furnace was so hot, that the guards transporting them to the furnace were burned alive in the process.

Imagine walking to your death.  Knowing you're going to be burned alive...all for the cause of Christ.  That must have been the longest walk ever.  Ever.   

Now, we all know that fairy tales end with "happily ever after".  Right?  So how wonderful would it have been if God came down during that long walk to the furnace and rescued Shadrach, Meshach, & Abednego?  Talk about a "happily ever after"!  

But then comes the fracture.

No rescue.  No knight on a white horse.  These three were thrown into the furnace.  

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were thrown INTO the fire, then God showed up.   

He showed up!  IN the fire.  He met them where they were.  He walked around with them.  He was present with them.

Sometimes God delivers us FROM the furnace, but sometimes He delivers us IN the furnace.

Those three boys walked out of that furnace with no physical reminders of where they had been.  No burns, no smell of smoke, not a hair was singed.  The only thing they left with was an amazing testimony of God's faithfulness.

And that's what I take away.   In the midst of my "furnace" of loneliness, HE is with me.  HE is walking with me.  HE is present with me.

If I just take my eyes off of the flames, then I'll see Jesus! 

If you have fractures in your fairy tale, I highly recommend watching the Fractured Fairy Tales series here.

Saturday Stumbles

It always seems that most of the posts I stumble tend to be food! And this week is no different....although there is a random party idea post at the end!

Wingless Buffalo Chicken Pizza -- Eaten to rave reviews!
Cream Cheese Chicken Enchiladas -- I'm a sucker for any kind of mexican food!
 Chipotle Chicken Pasta -- Can't wait to try this one.
Chicken & White Bean Stuffed Peppers -- Yum!
{apparently there's a chicken theme going on here!}
Twirly Lemon Cookies -- Because there's always room for dessert!
Cupcake in a Cup -- SUPER cute (and cheap) gift idea that looks more elaborate than it really is!
Gender Reveal Party -- This is just the cutest (yes, I realize I over use that word) thing yet.  Take note that I WILL be doing this...one day ;)
For more Saturday Stumbles, visit It's Come 2 This.

Top Ten Tuesday - Worship Songs

Music is such a powerful tool of worship for me. My commute to work is an hour round trip, so I spend that time in worship...inside my CRV! I've had some powerful times in that 4 wheeled sanctuary and lately it's been my life line!

So I wanted to share with you the top 10 worship songs that are playing on my ipod right now:

1. How He Loves by Kim Walker
2. The Stand by Hillsong United
3. Everything Falls by Fee
4. Jesus Paid it All by Kristian Stanfill
5. You Never Let Go by Matt Redman
6. Your Great Name by The People's Church

7. Revelation Song by Kari Jobe
8. Our God by Chris Tomlin

9. You Alone Can Rescue by Matt Redman

10. Beautiful Mystery by Telecast


For more Top Ten Tuesdays, visit Oh Amanda!

Dating Diaries

Dating is not easy.  Ok, that's an understatement.  My experiences with online dating have been less than desirable.

Today I had one of those less than desirable experiences.  A guy asked me out.  Sounds exciting, right?  Let me back up...

I'm a science teacher and today was one of our professional learning days where all the science teachers from the county come together for workshops.  I was a presenter for one of the workshops.  My workshop was an activity I do with my kids called Survivor Science.  It's a lot of fun and for my workshop we did a mock version of what I do with my kids.

There was this one guy who kept giving me grief on everything.  Questioning everything I did, rolling his eyes, and just being an overall smart aleck.  His team didn't win the activity so he wanted to see which ones he had missed and why he missed them.  He emphatically pointed out that I had made some mistakes in grading his team's paper.
Are you kidding?  Do you understand that's not *really* the point of this workshop??  Geesh!

So imagine my surprise when he came up to me at the end of the workshop. The conversation goes like this:
Baldy (yes, he looked like Mr. Clean): How old are you?
Me: 33
Baldy: Ok, please don't take this as sexual harrassment or anything [what the heck is about to come out of your mouth?!?!] but are you dating anyone?
[I wish you could see my jaw drop to the floor.]
Me: uh...kinda  [I wasn't quite sure how to answer that...that's another blog post!!]
Baldy: Well, I'd love to take you out for coffee or to a ball game or something.  Here let me give you my email.  [My face probably said it all because then he said...] You can throw it away after I leave, but I'd love to hear from you.

ARE YOU KIDDING ME?  You spent the whole workshop complaining about everything I did and now you want to take me out?!

Am I in the twilight zone?

Needless to say the paper he wrote his email on never made it out of the room with me.

Winner of the Imprint Mat

Head on over to Simply Staci Reviews to see who the lucky winner is!

Imprint Mat Giveaway

Wouldn't it be great to have one of these Imprint Mats in your house? Go to Simply Staci Reviews to find out how you can win one for free!

Saturday Stumbles

Here's what I stumbled this week: (and most of them are food!)

Smores Bars

 Pina Colada cupcakes

 White Chocolate Kit Kat blondies 

Zucchini Bites

 White Chocolate Blueberry blondies

 For more Saturday Stumbles, go visit Its Come To This.

Top Ten Tuesday - What's Kept Me Busy This Summer

This time of year is definitely one of the biggest perks of being a teacher!  My summer's are usually pretty busy.  I'm half way through my summer and things have finally started settling down.  So my top ten list is all the things that have kept me busy so far:

1. Camp Rocks

2. Brown-Looney-Thornton Reunion
     We haven't all been together in years.  They are very dear friends and we had so much fun spending time together.

3. Performing Arts Camp
   This is kind of like a vacation bible school but cooler!  The kids take performing arts type classes (drama, dancing, singing, acting, set design, etc) and work all week putting on a full length play that they perform at the end of the week.  Amanda and I taught several classes.  They were...uh...interesting.

This was our clowning class.  We loved it and the kids in it.  They cracked us up!

This class was a choreography class to one of the songs in the play.  This picture is crazy (kind of like the kids in it!).  The kids did really good with their choreography, but Amanda and I turned our backs for literally 5 seconds to discuss something and we turn around and they are literally climbing the walls.

4. Making my own deodarant
   After reading this post, I decided to try it out for myself.  I have to say that I'm happy with the outcome.  I left out the sea salt that she added, though because I don't sweat that much.

5. Movies
    I don't get out to see many movies unfortunately, but my old roommate and I (with her husband) went to see Date Night.  We loved it!  We laughed the whole time. 

6. Blueberry picking
   This was definitely a first for me!  My sister and I decided to go pick blueberries at Mercier Orchards and we loved it!  What we didn't love was the scorching temperatures.  Oh my gosh, it was so stinkin' hot!  The blueberries were delicious and they were huge!!  My little niece ate more than we picked.

7. Beach trip!
   It's not summer to me without a trip to the beach.  Our family goes to the beach every summer and we have been for over 20 years.  We always go with another family who I considered to be my extended family. 

8. Lots of pool time at my parent's house

So that brings me up to today.  I've got about another month left of my summer and still more stuff to do:
9. Two baby shower cakes and birthday cupcakes for my niece and nephew.
10.  Another possible mini vaca with one of my old college roommates!

For more Top Ten Tuesday, go visit OhAmanda.

Flashback Week

Today is the final day of Flashback Week here at Simply Staci.  For the rest of the Flashbacks, scroll back through the last 7 posts.  You're in for a real treat.

So this last picture is another birthday party picture that I actually threw myself!  I wanted to enter into my 30's with a bang!  And what better way than to do it disco style!

It was so much fun and guests were encouraged to dress up in their best 70's attire.  These are 3 guys that are all practically like little brothers to me.  In fact, the guy to my right, Wes, was in the first Flashback photo probably like 6 or 8 years old!

At my party, I had a photo op station, a kids area, and on the table were retro games like Connect 4, Etch-a-Sketches, Slinkies and Silly Putty.

Thanks for hanging out with me this week.  I hope you've enjoyed seeing some crazy pictures as much as I've enjoyed reminiscing.

Flashback Week

We're winding down Flashback Week here at Simply Staci.  Today we're gonna go back in time to the days of pirates and go-go dancers.  When was that?  Well, that was Halloween a few years ago!

This is myself and Amanda at our old church's annual Pumpkin Patch Party.  Don't really need any more description than that!  I will say, though, that I have gotten so much use out of those boots!  No lie!

Flashback Week

Today's Flashback takes us back to the college years.  To see earlier Flashbacks, scroll down below.

This picture was taken after a long, grueling, intense initiation for my sorority, Sigma Nu Sigma.

I didn't know these girls before that weekend, but going through everything we went through really bonded us in a way that I won't forget.  I absolutely loved being involved in a greek club at college.  I went to a small christian school, Lee University, so I know our initiation must have been a walk in the park compared to some of them out there.  We had so much fun, though!  Well, I can say that now that it's been almost 10 years!  Believe it or not, I actually still keep up with almost all of them.

Can you spot me?  I'm on the back row with the dark hair.

More Flashbacks headed your way!

Flashback Week

Moving on through the portals of time...

Today's flashback is a doozie!

This was my best friend's 16th birthday party.  We got all dressed (in dresses we found in the attic of our church...no lie) and went downtown to eat.

Sooooo many things worth commenting on in this picture.  We'll start left to right...

• This is yours truly.  Oh to be that skinny again!  The sleeves are so big and puffy I'm surprised I didn't take flight!  The hair...really?  I couldn't have done something with it?
• In the middle is Amanda.  Please notice her hemline...the Leaning Tower of Pisa.  The white hose that perfectly match the white complexion of ALL of us!  But I think the wide rimmed glasses top it all off!
• Finally there's Mandi.  The hairstyle is out of this world.  I need to get the name of that hairdresser!  Her and Amanda must have gone eye glass shopping together.  But the classiness is the brown hose with cream shoes!  

Ahh...we were stylin'!  Scroll down to see more Flashbacks and don't worry...there's still more to come!

Flashback Week

We are half-way through Flashback Week here at Simply Staci.  Scroll down to see the other days you've missed.  You'll be glad you did!

This picture is very sentimental to me.  We were at our youth group's Back-to-School retreat.  From left to right the girls are Mandi, Amanda, and me.  The man is Matt Willetts.  He was our church's associate pastor. 

Matt was not at our church very long, but in the short time he was, he took the 3 of us under his wing.  He was probably the funniest man I've ever met, and had us laughing all the time!  Matt passed away about 4 months later from cancer.  I think about him often and miss him deeply.

But I remember him every year on his birthday, March 4, because he said it was the one day soldiers hated..."march forth!"

More Flashbacks to come!

Flashback Week

This week I'll be taking a trip down memory lane in old pictures.  Scroll down to see yesterday's.

Today's picture is truly a blast from the past!  I remember this like it was yesterday.  It was my 16th birthday and my parents had thrown me a surprise party.  To this day it was one of my most favorite birthdays of all! 

Introductions:  From left to right we have Mandy, Kristen, Mandi, Amanda, Me, Bethany, and Becky.  We have all been lifelong friends.  That is so rare and that's why I truly love these girls!  With the exception of Bethany, the rest of us stay in regular touch with each other.  We go on trips, girls nights out, and have an all around good time!

Ok, now on to the picture.  There are several things to point out here:

• The hair - apparently dark hair was in.  Or maybe it was just au natural.
• The biggness of the clothes - The bigger, the better.  Nothing that showed you actually had shape!
• How high are my jeans??
• We all just look like we're having a good time! (except for Mandi's poor hand being crumpled up).

Stay tune for tomorrow's Flashback!

Flashback Week

If there's one thing I love, it's sharing old stories!  Songs, smells, sayings...all can take me back in a second and I have such great memories of growing up.

So this week, I want to share some of those with you.  Each day will be be a different picture...and you just might see yourself in it!

This is probably the oldest one.  It's Easter Sunday at my old church.  This picture wasn't actually taken at the church because we were in the middle of building a new church and in the mean time held services at a local high school.  Every Sunday morning, my dad and several other men of the church would have to roll out huge carpet rolls, set up chairs, sound equipment, choir risers, sunday school rooms...an entire church!

In this picture is me (pink dress with enormous pilgrim collar), my sister (in country blue with enormous ruffles) and my 2 younger brothers in front of us.  Clint is covering his eyes from the sun and Matt is looking off into space.  The other 2 boys are some dear family friends of ours.  They are practically like brothers to me.  Paul (in the back) and Wes (struttin' his stuff in the front).

Stay tuned for more flashbacks tomorrow!

Photo Meme Game

My friend Jenn from {delightfully.cliche.} tagged me in this fun photo meme game.

 This is me and my old roommate, Amber.  We were at Screen on the Green at Centennial Park.  It's where they play movies in the park during the summer.

Go to the 8th folder where you store your photos, select the 8th photo, post it to your blog and tell the story, then tag 8 other people to do the same!

So, I tag...


~Lauren from Walk with me on this journey called life
~Aishlea from Excursions of the Spurgins
~Kristin from Deeply in Love 
~Leigh from HopefulLeigh
~Josie
~Rebekah from Rebekah's Bits & Pieces
~Sarah from The Stephens Family
~Jayme from Stripes, Dots, & What Nots!

Saturday Stumbles

Here's what I stumbled this week:

Make Some Tracks: Next time your kids say they're bored, this will be the perfect cure!

Flag Cake: Easy trick to design any cake.

Birthday Book: Love this birthday book idea for your kids each year.

Memory book: Cute book to chronicle the year.

Survivor Party: How fun is this Survivor party for you and your friends?!

Linked to Its Come To This.

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!

Powered by Linky Tools

Click here to enter your link and view the entire list of entered links...

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.