Crayon Marks and Tiger Stripes

Day 4- Are you hiding?

Day 7- Turning Heads

Day 8- Getting the Idea?

Day 9- What Jesus Knew

{Sponsored Post} Peak City Publishing Children’s books Review and Giveaway!

Stephanie Farley — Fri, 10 May 2013 16:34:43 +0000

Disclosure: I was not financially compensated for this post. However, I received these products for free from Peak City Publishing for review purposes. The opinions are completely my own based on my own experience.

I absolutely love to read. There is nothing better than curling up on the couch with a good book!

Oh wait…yes there is…

Curling up with a book and your little man!

Dr. Smartypants and I both love reading and we really want to instill that love for books into our son (and future children.) It is extremely important to us! In this day and age, there are so many e-books and reading apps that are great and yes, we do have them, but there is just something about holding the actual book in your hands that can’t compare to an e-book. A real book is tangible. I love holding it. I love getting lost in it’s flip-able (is that a word?) pages. I love seeing my progress every time I open to my bookmark. I admit to being a bookworm

We started reading to E at a very early age. I’m talking like 3 months old. And we have been reading to him ever since. The kid loves books. Now that he is a toddler, he has started “reading” to us! It’s soooo cute as he tells us the story in his own words. It totally warms my heart.

2 weeks ago, we started potty training. You may be wondering how potty training and reading has anything to do with each other. Well, let me introduce you to the “Mo-mo Potty Chart.”

I explained to E that everytime he goes in the potty, he gets a piece of chocolate aka “a candybite” and he gets a sticker for his Elmo potty chart. When he gets 7 stickers (a whole row of stickers), he will get a new book! Because of his obsession with Elmo, I thought the Elmo potty chart, Elmo potty seat, and Elmo foot stool would do the trick and inspire him to use the potty. Nope. Once I explained to him about getting a new book, potty training went to the next level and he has been doing soooo good! My kid is motivated by books! How awesome is that!!

And I have Peak City Publishing Company to thank for jump starting our potty training.

Peak City Publishing is an independent publisher located in Raleigh, North Carolina. Their mission is to not only instill a love for reading into children and adults alike, but they also help new authors dreams come true. If your story fits their mission to educate, encourage, and engage readers of all types, they are an excellent place to work with to publish your first book! Not only that, this company is also very involved in their community, helping to raise awareness of things that impact our young children today, like autism, special needs and bullying. I feel honored to support a company that is doing so much good for our young children and their families!

This sweet book, How I Became Me, is a perfect example of what the company stands for, sending a positive message to our children that we will love them always and unconditionally. Just read this page! This book seriously made me cry! It is read from the child’s point of view, telling his parents what they did for him at each age and how they helped shape him into the person he became to be. It is a precious book and my favorite of the books that Peak City Publishing sent me. I just adore the message it sends!

Follow the Bouncing Ball is just a super fun book! This was actually the book E got for filling up his first row in his potty chart. It’s a great counting book as the ball bounces over various things like dirty shoes, bowls of spaghetti and even right out the door. At the end of the book, each number gets its own spotlight on a page in both English and Spanish, which is perfect as we are trying to teach E to count to 10 in both languages!

Welcome Back Sun is another sweet book that is perfect for preschool age children. The vibrant colored illustrations help with color recognition and the phrasing is short, sweet and easy for toddlers to understand. My son loves to tell the moon and stars night night so I know he will love this book. The illustrations give you and your child much to talk about from counting stars, to animals and the sounds they make, to rhyming words. This is an excellent toddler book! **And as I post this, E just got another row of stickers on his potty chart. I just gave him this book as a reward and he immediately started singing “twinkle twinkle little star!” We read it and counted the stars, made animal sounds, and pointed out colors…He loves it!**

This company is awesome, offering a great reading experience to adults and children alike ranging with books from preschool age to young adult to adult fiction, offering both in printed books and e-book form. And they offer help and guidance to new authors who are looking to publish. Authors that work with Peak City Publishing are moms, dads, teachers, students and based on the books I reviewed, awesome role models!

Peak City Publishing is sponsoring this awesome giveaway!

Enter this giveaway and have a chance to win any book of your choice from the Peak City Publishing website!!!! Winner will be announced next Friday!! They have also been so kind to give all my readers free shipping. Just enter the discount code CrayonsandMarkers at checkout!

**If you are new here, welcome! I’d love to have you join me over at my facebook page!**

a Rafflecopter giveaway

{Exploring Identity} What Jesus Knew

Stephanie Farley — Wed, 08 May 2013 20:23:06 +0000

Day 9 What Jesus Knew

Jesus says: “Thirst for me. I am the one who offers you true life. Don’t give your heart away to things that are temporary. I will give you eternity.”

What do you find your identity in? We have been talking about it for a couple weeks now. Is it your personal style? Your money? Your waistline? Your relationships? Your social status? Whatever it is, does it leave you thirsting for more?

Your answer is probably yes. And that is because there is only One who can quench that thirst.

Today’s devotional had me looking at 4 different stories in the 4 gospels and there is one in particular that spoke to my heart in a big way.

As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet, listening to what he said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!” “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better and it will not be taken away from her.”

Luke 10: 38-42

Are you a Martha or a Mary? I want to say I am a Mary. I really do, but I would be lying. I so closely relate to Martha. Martha was so concerned about her to do list that she failed to listen to Jesus. She was too worried about having a perfect house presentation for him that she failed to just be with Him. Her identity seems to be found in how productive she is as well as her home’s appearance. Oh Martha! I get it! I don’t know what I would do without my organizer and my to-do lists! I am lost without it! I would go crazy!

In truth, I am lost without my Savior. I am lost without Him and His Word. Mary gets this. That is why she clings to Him and listens. She is not worried or upset because she knows that He has her back. Mary’s got her priorities straight. I really want to be a Mary!

Jesus asks that we put our faith in Him and that we depend on Him in all things, both big and small. He wants us to place our trust in Him and find our identity in Him, just like Mary.

Are you a Martha or a Mary? Share in the comments!

This is a blog series: Exploring Identity! If you’ve missed any of the others posts, here they are!

Day 1- Known

Day 4- Are you hiding?

Day 7- Turning Heads

Day 8- Getting the Idea?

{Menu Monday} Radical Book Giveaway Winner Announced!

Stephanie Farley — Mon, 06 May 2013 23:21:30 +0000

I’m really excited to announce the winner of my very first giveaway!!

The winner is…

*Drumroll, please!*

Joy from A Journey of Joy!!

Congrats Joy!! I will be emailing you!!!

Here is the Menu for the week!

Monday- Dinner with friends

Tuesday- Crispy Cheddar Chicken

Wednesday- Oven baked chimichangas

Thursday- Family Night Out

Friday- Slow cooker Chicken and Rice

See you tomorrow !

{Giveaway!!!!} Radical by David Platt book review

Stephanie Farley — Fri, 03 May 2013 21:30:42 +0000

Welcome to my first giveaway!!! This is something new that I plan to incorporate into my blog. I hope you are as excited as I am! Sometimes it will be giveaways of products I personally have purchased (like this giveaway!) and want to pass on to you! And sometimes it will be a sponsored giveaway in which I am working with a company! I am looking forward to passing on lots of good stuff to y’all!

Instead of dependence of ourselves, we express radical desperation for the power of the spirit and we trust that Jesus stands ready to give us everything we ask for so that He might make much of our Father in the world. –David Platt

In David Platt’s book Radical, he challenges us to look beyond the American dream and to really live as Christ did, to sacrifice worldly things and truly purse a life that reflects Jesus. He shares stories of people who have done truly radical things like giving away all their income to help others and people who have moved to other countries to devote their lives to helping those in poverty. But it’s not just about doing something big. It’s about changing your heart to truly believing in a mighty and powerful life changing God.

Surrounded by the self-sufficiency of American culture, we can convince ourselves that we have what it takes to achieve something great. Instead of imagining the things we can accomplish, we need to ask God to do what only He can accomplish. –David Platt

David encourages us to TRUST in God and believe that He will lead us to become radical followers of Christ. I personally have asked Him to change my heart because I can’t do it on my own. Our culture is all about me. But as Christians, it isn’t about what I can do. It’s about what He can do.

God has created us to accomplish a radically global, supremely God exalting purpose with our lives. -David Platt

Perhaps you need a heart makeover. Perhaps you’ve been pursuing the American dream, but find that when that pursuit is momentarily met, that you still don’t feel fulfilled. I encourage you to take some time to read Radical. Not only will it mess with your mind, but David will also leave you with a challenge worth taking on.

A challenge to:
Pray for the entire world.
Read through the entire Word.
Sacrifice your money for a specific purpose.
Spend time in another context (mission work).
Commit your life to a multiplying community.

The Radical Experiment website offers some really great resources to help you in these challenges.

This book reminds us that there is a world filled with those who don’t know Christ, a world filled with those who have never heard of Him. We are called to be a servant to those people as Christ served us. And in doing so, it will change us.

When we take responsibility for helping others grow in Christ, it automatically takes our own relationship with Christ to a new level. –David Platt

Are you ready to be changed?

If Jesus is who he said he is, and if his promises are as rewarding as the Bible claims they are, then we may discover that satisfaction in our lives and success in the church are not found in what our culture deems most important, but in radical abandonment to Jesus. –David Platt

One lucky reader is going to win a copy of Radical!!! I want to pass my copy on to you!

To enter, you must leave a comment in the comments section of this post telling me if you are ready to take back your faith from the American dream! The other options will give you bonus entries.

For those of you who are new here, Welcome!!!!
I’d love if you would also stop by and check out my fb page !

a Rafflecopter giveaway

I will announce the winner on my blog and twitter on Monday, May 6th and the winner will need to email me at Crayonmarkandtigerstripes@gmail.com Good luck!!!

Linking up!

{Exploring Identity} Getting the idea?

Stephanie Farley — Wed, 01 May 2013 14:49:48 +0000

We are 8 days into this series. Are you starting to get an idea of where we really should find our identity??

Please feel free to save this art and do whatever you like with it! Download it, print it, share it, pin it!

This is a blog series: Exploring Identity! If you’ve missed any of the others posts, here they are!

Day 1- Known

Day 4- Are you hiding?

Day 7- Turning Heads

{Menu Monday} featuring Crockpot Enchiladas

Stephanie Farley — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 19:57:25 +0000

I’ve got a case of the Mondays! So this will be a short post. My eternally long to do list is calling my name, and although I don’t want to answer it, I must.

“Stephanie, come hither! You have so much to do! Get to work!!!” -To do list

“I don’t wanna!!!” -Stephanie

“But you must!” -To Do list

*sigh* Guess I better go work on that list….Here’s the Menu! Have a great Monday!

Monday-Crusted Honey Mustard Chicken

Tues- Chicken and Asparagus Penne

Wednesday-Crockpot Enchiladas

Thursday- Slow Cooker Chicken and Rice

Friday- Crock pot Chicken Taco Chili

I shall attempt to make– Homemade applesauce.

{Fitness Friday} Insanity Fit Test #3

Stephanie Farley — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 18:45:50 +0000

It’s Fitness Friday

And I promised pictures after month 1. I’m certain no one really cares to see my pictures, but I have to post them to keep myself accountable! I am really not that excited about this, mainly because I was hoping for more results in my tummy area, which happens to be my biggest problem area. Ahem. I can say that, despite my lack of much change in my appearance, that I am feeling soooo much stronger and my endurance has improved dramatically. Not only that, but I am able to recover my heart rate from the upper 180s to 130s in about 45 seconds to 1 minute, which is something that you really need to be able to do when doing Insanity, since it is ALOT of interval training.

Stephanie’s Stats (improvement compared to Fit Test #1)

switch kicks- 46 (improved by 4)
Power Jacks- 55 (improved by 8)
Power Knees- 100 (improved 20)
Power Jumps- 38 (improved by 8)
Globe Jumps- 9 (improved by 1)
Suicide Jumps- 11 (improved by 1)
Push Up Jacks- 16 (improved by 2)
Low Plank Oblique- 6

My Measurements (compared to Fit Test #1)

Weight: 126 lbs (down 1.8 lbs)
Right arm- 11″
Left arm- 11″
Chest: 35″ (down 1 inch)
Waist: 34″ (down 3 inches)
Hips: 36″ (down 1 inch)
Right upper thigh- 21.5″
Left upper thigh- 20″ (down 1.5 inches)
Right lower thigh: 17″ (down 1/2 inch)
Left lower thigh: 16.25″ (down 1/2 inch)

I can honestly say that I don’t see very much change in either of these pictures. Since my shirts are the same type/brand (just different prints) and my shorts are the same type/brand as well, I didn’t think it would be hard to compare, but obviously black is much more slimming than bright pink! I don’t see much change at all, but according to my husband: my face, neck and shoulders all look alot slimmer. All I see reflected in these post-workout pics is that month 1 of Insanity was hard, and I looked pretty nasty after a workout, but month 2 is about 10,000 times harder, which makes me sweat 10,000 times more and makes me look 10,000 times grosser, as evidenced in how crazy I look in picture #2 (if you can’t tell, I am drenched in sweat.)

Again, I’m not seeing much results here in my midsection in the side view either (which is my most bothersome area that needs work!)

According to my measurements, I have lost 7 inches total all over my body, but only lost 1.8 lbs. This is why you can’t rely soley on the scale. You gotta take measurements! Unfortunately, my inches lost aren’t really that evident yet in my tummy area, but we will see what month 2 of Insanity does for me. My friends that have done Insanity said they saw most of their changes in month 2.

Although I’m not seeing much change in my midsection, I am seeing major results in my legs. My legs are getting really really tone. That makes me happy! I am kind of bummed that my tummy is not slimming down, but I must maintain positive body image! I will not let it get me down! I will just work harder and keep on keeping on.

In other news, Cory left me for cycling, so I am now doing Insanity by myself! He started going to our friends spin class at 6:30 am on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. It works out though because I get up early those days too and have my workout done before 8 am! Ya!!

{Exploring Identity} Turning Heads

Stephanie Farley — Wed, 24 Apr 2013 17:17:17 +0000

Day 7 -Turning Heads

How often do we covet what others have? Money? A bigger house? Social status? Stylish clothes? More stuff?

Our idols may be very ordinary things- things that we think will give a flattering impression of who we are.

What makes you say the “if only?” question. I know when I get on pinterest, I have a lot of “if onlys.” I love love love pinterest, but that’s the bad thing about it. It makes me long for things I know I may never have. I’m not saying pinterest is bad. What I am saying is when we begin to covet those things deep down in our heart, that’s when it’s bad.

Shiny new things promise much, but deliver very little. How long is it before the shine fades away? A week? A month?

What is your idol? Do you have one? When I was struggling deeply with negative body image, I allowed those thoughts to consume me and thus, it became an idol. Lately, worry has been consuming me . I long for my husband to find a job (he graduates with his phd in May!) which will in turn bring us a new house, a new car, financial security and another baby (That’s the most important one!) But the timing for all these is not in my hands, but God’s. All of these things that I so desire cannot happen until my husband finds his new career. I don’t obsess about it, but I do think about it a lot. I am a planner and a list maker. I can’t help but want to plan ahead, which is hard to do when you are missing the biggest detail. Is it bad for me to want these things? Am I making an idol of it? I am not letting them totally consume me, but I must admit I worry about it. I just long for the next chapter of our life to begin! I don’t absolutely need a new house or a new car. I have a fine house and working car. Why do I want these things? Because in this world, we are never satisfied!

I am trying so hard to learn patience through this whole thing and to just TRUST in Him. I am learning to trust in Him, knowing that His timing is perfect. But sometimes its sooooooo hard to wait! When God created me, He knew I would be like this. He knew I would be a planner. It’s my job to learn from Him. It’s my job to keep those desires from becoming an idol. It’s my job to trust in Him and know He’s got plans for our future!

In the past week, I had a conversation with a friend about trusting Jesus, and her story spoke to me. I really believe God had that conversation planned because since that convo, I have had such a peace in my heart about trusting Him. Thank you friend! (You know who you are!)

I absolutely love this song. We recently sang it in our spring musical, and of all the songs we sang, I’ve got this lyric plastered all over my house. I know that my God will come through. He always does!

I’ve decided to let go of my worry. My future is in His hands.

I want others turn their heads and say “whoa, this girl trusts in her God!”

This is a blog series: Exploring Identity! If you’ve missed any of the others posts, here they are!

Day 1- Known

Day 4- Are you hiding?