May Hostess Special and Open House!

I recently received the May Hostess Special for Thirty-One and wanted to pass it along!

If you host a party in the month of may (home party or catalog party) that reaches $500 (easy to do with these cutie bags!!) you as the hostess will received $150 free products instead of the normal $75!

Let me know if you would like to host a party! You can either leave a comment, email me at staceysbags@gmail.com or call me 574-276-4299.

I'm also hosting an open house at my house on May 15th from 2-4, all are welcome to come check out the bags, snack on some eats and fellowship with my friends and family! We will be drawing for a free large lunch tote so if you live too far to come but want your name entered, visit my Thiry-One website, find the large lunch tote (pg 38 top-right), select a pattern and leave me a comment or email. Can't wait to see who wins!

Also, thank you SOOOO much for all of your prayers and encouraging words as I start this new, fun adventure that God has brought my way. It means so much!

Hugs!

Nap escape route

On Sunday afternoon we had nap time. When Logan needs a nap I often suggest that we all lay down and Olivia USUALLY falls asleep too. So I suggested that we all lay in our room and if Olivia was still awake after Logan had fallen asleep she and I could get up and play, although in my mind I was really hoping she would sleep too.
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Well, she had other plans.
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Note the diagram below:

This is Olivia's "Nap escape route".

Olivia: "Mom, here is a diagram of my plan. We will all lay down and when Logan turns over toward dad, I will ask him to say something funny, I will sneak out the door. See me walking out the door?"
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Wow, I guess there never was a chance she would accidentally fall asleep. :)

Bear Creek Farms

Tommy had a wine tasting, this past weekend, at Bear Creek Farms and we decided to tag along and I am so glad we did! The kids had a ball! Bear Creek Farms is out in the country, which is such a treat for Olivia and Logan.


The kids really liked the cottages (or as Logan called it, the model house). It was cozy and so reminded me of the cottages on Dirty Dancing. I wanted to shout: "NOBODY puts Baby in a corner!" :)


I got a new sudoku book and parked myself on the porch and the kids ran around the cottages. Nice for everyone!


Not sure what it was about this door, but it really caught my eye. Loved it with the pots in front and the green light pole.

Had to snap a pic of Olivia's bun, my FAVORITE! She won't let me do it very often. and she took it out when she saw a mirror, UGH!

I love that Tommy's job allows us to tag-along. The kids love the outings and we have SO many teaching moments in each place. Since last summer we have had the opportunity to take them to Chicago, Cleveland, Novi, Grand Rapids, Cincinnati, back to Novi, and now Bear Creek Farms. (I think that's it, I MUST get better at keeping a travel log on this blog I really want to remember each trip)

HUGS!

"Because of the hair?"

Last night during Survivor I had a parenting-panic moment. We really don't watch real TV (TV that is not a kids show) with our kids. Usually they are in bed before we even turn it to our shows. With the exception of America's Funniest Videos (which they LOVE) and of course ESPN, Baseball or Football.

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Anywhoo, last night the kids got to stay up a little later (thanks to random naps) and Olivia and I climbed into our bed to watch Survivor.

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I silently pray there won't be bad language. I covered her eyes during the CSI previews.

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I cringed during the Victoria's Secret commercial for their new line of Bras.

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Needless to say I was pretty exhausted from my relaxing hour of Survivor. :)

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Then came a question that made me panic.

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Russell gave Parvati a hidden immunity idol (if you watch Survivor, this is a pretty bid deal). After which Parvati (wearing a tiny swimsuit) gave Russell a big, pretty flirty hug.

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Olivia: "So, they are married?"

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OH NO! What do I say? Why are TV shows so suggestive? Should I call Tommy in here so we can tackle this together? She has been asking about divorce lately, will this confuse her? Will my response make her think she can't hug the men in her life?

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I know, probably overkill in the mommy-panic moment. But I panicked because I want her to know the sanctity of marriage. I panicked because of the innocence she has that I don't want TV to ruin. I just panicked.

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Me: "Do you think they are married because they hugged?"

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Olivia: "Yes because that is what married people do"

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Me: "You're right sis." (major panic setting in, what do I say now?) "Its ok to give people hugs, but I don't think married people in their swimsuits should hug other people they aren't married to in a way that looks like they are married, do you ?"

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I think I even confused myself trying to get that statement out right.

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Silence, as she thought, that lasted FOREVER! Pretty sure I missed 3 whole minutes of Survivor during all of this.

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Olivia: "Yeah, because of all of the hair."

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Whew! I was so relieved! Trying not to laugh I rushed out to tell Tommy.

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I'm exhausted. :)

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Have a good weekend! Hugs from Indy!

"Jammies PLEEEAAASSSEEE...."

My kids were paci kids. I really preferred this to thumb-sucking, actually. I spent alot of time in prayer over the day when the pacis would be gone. Would it be a smooth transition? Would we have weeks of sleepless nights? Would they ever forgive me?

When it was time to give them up, I was the most anxious mama around.... but guess what?

They both gave them up without a fight.

No sleepless nights.

No constant asking for it back.

Logan even gave up his blanket, because apparently the blanket and paci were married.

I never imagined it would have been that easy.

Olivia never really "replaced" hers with anything. Logan, however, did.

He now LOVES his jammies. Instead of plopping in a chair with his blanket and paci, he wants to snuggle up in his jammies. When he is sick, he wants to be in them all day. He even got to wear them to Aunt Kiki's for the day once.

To him they are comfort. To him they are soothing. Much like the paci and blanket.

So when we walk in the door, I often hear "Mommy, can I have my jammies, pplllleeeaasseee?"

Love this kid.

Food for thought

Thought provoking questions from Bible Study yesterday, they really got me thinkin' so I thought I would share them with you:.

"How does my life show that I am God's possession?"

"What do I need to change that to show that I am a daughter of the King?"

Hugs from Indy! :)

It finally arrived...

Taaaa Daaaaa!!!!
I have been anxiously awaiting the arrival of my Thirty-One Consultant Kit. (These are 3 of the 10 items that come with the kit). The minute I saw these bags I FELL IN LOVE with them! and when I found out I could earn extra income by becoming a consultant, I was IN!



I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the Thirty-One company philosophy, which comes from Proverbs 31.


Thirty-One Vision:

The name Thirty-One is derived from the Old Testament, where Proverbs 31 describes a virtuous woman who exhibits hard work, wisdom, encouragement and care for others. Because of these qualities she is worthy of reward, honor and praise. It is our intention to celebrate, encourage and reward women for who they are as individuals. Through God's strength, we've built a family of individuals who are committed to providing women with a fulfilling, enjoyable and rewarding experience, whether as a Customer, a Hostess, or a Consultant.

I feel that God has literally laid this opportunity in my lap (or at my feet, literally, I would love to share the story with you sometime) and I am so excited to see where He leads me.


Feel free to visit this link to view a catalog, I'm not kidding, CUTE STUFF!

I'm curious, has anyone heard of Thirty-One? Have you been to a party? Do you own any bags? Stay tuned for some blog give-aways!!!!

A really great internet-free weekend

Tommy and I decided to turn off the laptop from Friday night to Sunday night in an effort to stop being so distracted during our weekends. It was GREAT! I wasn't sneaking off when everyone was distracted to check my email. Tommy wasn't working (although I think he checked his Palm every now and then to be sure nothing was urgent). It really was nice.

Our weekend started with date night. Tommy got 4 tickets from the Easley's for opening night for the Indians. Our initial plan was to take the kids but they have been doing this fever/sore throat thing (and by the way it has taken them both a FULL seven days to get over it if yours have it and you wonder when it will end), so we left them with Grandma and Apu and took off!





After the game we went to Clay Terrace and had a WONDERFUL dinner at the fish market, I think its Mitchell's Fish Market. YUMMMMMMYYYYY! I so enjoy our dates, when it is just the two of us. We just held hands, laughed alot and enjoyed some uninterrupted conversation.


On Sunday morning, we decided Olivia still wasn't well enough for church so we took them out for a walk to a park by our house.

I love these kids. and I love the quite times where we just enjoy each other and God's creation.

Yep, Logan had his jammies on all day. LOVE those kind of days...

I love that a simple slide and a couple of swings in this small park are enough to make their day. We haven't had alot of smiles this past week. So good to see them again.

Tommy couldn't resist... :)

Thank you God, for my beautiful family, our restored health and your creation to enjoy on a beautiful Sunday.

I've finally found it! (really, I have been looking for YEARS!)

I have a love/hate relationship with light salad dressings. I love the idea of saving the calories, but hate the taste!

UNITL NOW! I found this little gem in Target the other day and I am in love! It is delish! So far I have tried it on salads and burgers and I am excited to try it as a marinade.

If you are searching for a great tasting light dressing give this one a try!

Two things...

Two things I am so thankful for this time of year: Parks and long walks.

Two things I dislike about this time of year: Bees and lawn application days

Two things I need to do now that it is spring: Get a pedicure and a new pair of capris (Old Navy has them on sale this week for $17!)

Two things I am praying for today: A new business venture and a friend who has been on my mind lately.

Two things I am slacking on: Meal planning ( I was on such a good streak!) and saying no to the kids when they ask for ice cream on an errand trip. ugh.

Two things that I am confused about: Logan getting a random fever/cold even though he is soaking up so much vit D from the sun and how on earth Kate Gosselin is still on DWTS.

Two things I know for sure: I love and trust God COMPLETELY and His timing is always perfect.

Two things I want to say to Logan: Thank you for your hugs and "I love you's" and 1:30 am is NOT the time to recount the past weekend's trip to the farm... :)

Two things I want to say to Olivia: Thank you for being so sweet and polite, and please stay little for a little longer.

Two things I want to say to Tommy: Thank you for supporting our family and for loving our kids so much.