Book Review~ From Blah to Awe by Jenna Lucado Bishop

I choose this book to review because I was interested in the part of the synopsis that stated "you'll discover how to keep your faith fresh and vibrant and alive". I am a Godmother, I have been for four years. But now my sweet little Goddaughter is starting to understand a lot more about holidays. Just the other day I said to her, Easter is not just about Easter eggs, it is about Jesus and Heaven. She said "Poppy is in Heaven". At that moment I thought to myself, how am I going to stay "vibrant" when there are so many different things to teach her, and not all of them are happy. That is why I choose this book.
I really liked the layout of the book. There are places to write your responses to particular passages and or scriptures. There is also a review at the end of each chapter. What I also liked was that there is not to much scripture versus. There are a lot throughout the book, but they are small and to the point. It is the perfect amount. There were also real life accounts from people sharing their faith.
What I didn't like was that this book is for a juvenile. The book talks about going to school and being popular. The book made it seem to me that if you are popular, then you have too much pride, and therefore you are not that close to God. If you are the popular kid that picks on the other kids, then yes you are not that close to God. However I believe that God has a plan for every one of us. Some of us have to be the popular ones.
If I could sum up this book in one sentence it would be.... You need to look for faith and you need to work hard at it, because it is not just given to you, but once you find your faith you will be in complete awe.

This book was given to me for the purpose of this review. All opinions are my own.

Purex Crystals!!

I was given the opportunity to test the new Purex Crystals fabric softener. At first I was a little curious as to how they would work. I am curious how fabric softeners work at all actually, instead of getting washed out with the soap. Anyway. lol. I have to admit that the Crystals were very easy to use and had a really pretty scent. The Tropical Splash scent lasted in my bureau untill I was ready to wear my clean clothes. The softness also lasted longer then other brands I have used. My sheets were so soft, who need a hi thread count? lol. All in all I really liked the Crystals and would use them in the future. The Cost is a little high, so I am hoping that there will be good coupons in the future! The Crystals are also 92% natural, which I LOVE!

Glade House Party!!! Giveaway!

I was lucky enough to win a host spot in the Glade Design the Air House Party! I loved glade before, and I still do! I had so much fun at the party and I would gladly recommend the new scents! I really liked the fuji apple and cardamon spice, but it was a big hit at the party!!!

We made lazy lasagna, which is basically regular pasta and you put the cheeses on top afterwards!

Where we ate :)

Are these not the most gorgeous flowers you have ever seen? My sister picked them up for me (as the host YAY) and I have to say....... These flowers were unbelievably pretty. They even made a statement when I brought them home and put them on my fireplace!

This is a view of the party rooms!!

Getting ready to eat! This is the sideways view of the oil diffuser. It is really compact. I was actually lucky enough that my hubby won the lavender and juniper berry oil diffuser. We have it in our bedroom and I LOVE IT! It completely makes the room smell good. It is such a nice smell to wake up to!

This is one of the party tables! The kiddos had a lot of fun making words with the magnets! So did a lot of the adults. LOL... I liked Love makes life happy. I have it on my fridge now!

This is the game we played. Each of these "perfume bottles" were sprayed with the air fresheners, and guests made up silly names for the scents. My favorite was breakfast in bed for the cotton and Italian mandarin (reminded someone of when they spilled orange juice on their clean sheets) LOL!

This is how you take the starter kit apart. It is really cool and easy to do..... (Even with a chipped wrist bone) Unscrew the bottle and pull out the can. pop in new can and rescrew base! tada! I also like the fact that you only buy the plastic once, and keep reusing it to save on the environment. To spray the can you squeeze it, rather than the button being on the top, which is also more comfortable.

I have decided that I have a lot of readers that could not make it to my party :( So I am Giving away the Cotton and Italian mandarin starter kit as well as (5) $2 coupons! This giveaway winner will be picked on February 10, 2012. there are 4 ways to enter:

1. Follow me through google gfc, and let me know in a comment

2. Follow my mom over at http://www.3partnersinshopping.blogspot.com/ through google gfc, and leave me a comment here letting me know
3. Leave a comment that I can share at houseparty.com

4. In honor of Valentine's day leave a comment sharing your favorite romantic orange juice moment!

OMG! I can't believe it!!

My first blogger award!!!! I was given the Versatile Blogger award from http://grandmabonniescloset.blogspot.com/ This is my first and I am ever so grateful! thank you so much for thinking of me :) I am sooooooooooooo excited!!!!
These are the rules of receiving the award:
~Thank the person that nominated their blog for the award with a backlink to them. Thanks again!!!!!
~List 7 things about my self.
1. I was a vegetarian for 15 years
2. My name is published in a Stephen King Trivia book, as a contributor ;)
3. I love to crochet and sew.
4. I have run for politics, and have been very involved in local town government.
5. I have 6 cats :)
6. I am a night owl
7. My family is everything to me!

~Lastly Award 15 newly discovered blogs with the award and tell them of the award

Love lifted me by Sara Evans with Rachel Hauck book review

This is a story about a woman's love for her husband and a child. It is not her child, but the love is so strong that it does not matter. She is totally and utterly the mother of this child, in every way, but genetically. This is also a story about how a husband messed up, and changed his wife's world forever. But in messing up, he unleashed the powerful christian woman that his wife knew she was meant to be. Through love, forgiveness and mutual respect, love can overcome anything.
This book was written by Sara Evans and Rachel Hauck. They have written a few books together and seem to be a very good team. Through affairs, DNA tests, change of careers, and moving, this couple still manages to make the best of their life, for them and their child. Jade, the main character and woman in the book, is truly an amazing person. She is such a strong character. I am curious to know if she is in their other books. If anyone has started over, or needs to start over, then this book is for them. There are so many different twists and turns in this book, that you really have to read it to truly understand it. I really liked it!

This book was given to me by www.booksneeze.com for the purpose of this review. All opinions are my own.

My Christmas tree

So, this was the fist year that we had our tree upstairs in front of our window seat. Because of our 6 cats, we only put non breakable ornaments up. Yes, there were a few times that a cat climbed the tree, but luckily it never tipped over :) Those are my Islnd of Misfit Toys ornament :)

Shop Rite Can Can Sale!

I shop at Shop Rite every week (milk, etc) and I love when they start their Can Can sale. Tomorrow is the last day to get cheap can goods! I also suggest that you become a fan of Shop Rite on Facebook at this link (http://on.fb.me/SRFbook) to the official Facebook page; the more “Likes” that ShopRite receives, the more cans it will donate to those in need – it’s that simple!
You can also upload a picture of yourself on Shop Rite's website and become a can can dancer! Don't forget, even if you are short on donation funds, you can still help those in need!!!!

This information was provided to me by ShopRite through MyBlogSpark.

My family rocks!

Today my family threw me a 30th bday party! I was all smiles as My niece and nephew decorated the house with balloons and ELmo streamers! I got red roses and pink hydrangeas! My sisters chipped in and got me a Pandora with charms! My hubby got me a ninja back massager with heat.... along with some gift cards and stuff for my greenhouse, it was a wonderful day!
I was sad that my dad wasn't there.He always found me some obscure scooby doo collectors item for my bday. My mom gave me a cameo that my dad had given her, and some pearls as well. He was there, I just wish I could talk to him.
All in all,my family knows me pretty well! Thanks you guys for my 30th bday!!!!!