A New Song In The Queue

 Josh, Krysteah and the team created yet another song that I CANNOT wait for you to hear. We took another trip to the music magician's studio, AKA Diamond Studios with our buddy Travis and laid down the vocals and violin tracks, then came back and gathered the troops for gang vocals. I'll let you know when it drops.

November

 November was spent getting into the Christmas Spirit. Lots of baking and decorating. And we had another birthday! Alethia turned 15! We ended the month up in Maryland with my family to celebrate Thanksgiving. While we were there Deedee took us downtown Fredrick to look at the boats that were all lit up for the holidays. I felt like I was walking around in a Hallmark movie!

I also got the chance to do a concert with our new friends the McCray Brothers as they did a song release worship night. I have no pictures but I'll never forget that powerful night.

Take 5

Band: Twenty One Pilots
Album: Blurryface
Song Title: Lane Boy

Timer Set For Five Minutes: GO!

"Moooom, I just pee-peed on the floor!"

The words Jude just yelled from the bathroom.

Yet, here I am, typing away to my song of choice, ready to get some words out.

The pee will just have to wait.

I was blessed with 2.3 minute of sunshine this afternoon.  It was as if it were screaming through the windows, beckoning me.  I ran outside and just stood in it until the clouds came flooding back in and the rain began falling again.  I'm not one to pass up a good rainy day in front of the TV, throwing in the towel of motivation, but a week in and I'm done.  Ready for the sunshine of motivation that drives me forward.  I would have a really hard time living in Seattle.

I had a realization.  I really enjoy cooking healthy recipes for my family.  I just need the right atmosphere...you know, behaving children, all the ingredients, and unlimited time...one day...

It's already...

Timer OFF.

PUBLISH

Ear Candy From Over A Decade Gone By

Josh came home with an old CD player that he found.  The boys quickly claimed it for their nighttime music listening pleasures, but it has also been accompanied by hours and hours of fun.

Josh and I have always loved underground ska, punk, emo and screamo bands.  If you know anything about our story you know that we fell in love in a mosh pit and spent the majority of our dating relationship going to late-nite shows in sketchy neighborhoods:)

So when Zeke came across our rather large CD collection from college (and before) his eyes grew bigger than saucers and quickly began sampling the "ancient" tunes.




Today's hits are a compilation of:
     Josh Via's ~ "Funny Looking Cape" (limited edition;)
     Delirious
     Nathaniel The Grublet (this one got me through the hospital days when I was a little girl)
     P.O.D.
     Switchfoot
     HUM
     Andy Hunter
     Thursday (Zeke's personal favorite so far!)
     Engine Down
     the Juliana Theory

It has been so fun to hear these songs and remember the memories that are associated with them.

Shocking, I Know

Rainy and Zeke only have 3 days left until they track out for Christmas!  I can't believe it's already that time.

We are quickly starting our own family traditions.  One of them is stopping at a tree farm on the way home from my parent's house after Thanksgiving and cutting down a tree.  We all frolicked in the woods for over an hour as we looked for the perfect one.

Wide-eyed Jude

You may be wondering where I get my fashionista look.  Seriously though, I really have been asked quite often where I shop since I am so little.  The answer may surprise you, but I buy the majority of my clothes in the little girls clearance section.  Yup.  You can't beat a $6 pair of jeans (that have an adjustable waste!).  Just make sure that they aren't too bedazzled, ha!

My favorite way to cook chicken these days is on my trusty ol' George Foreman Grill.

The Colony easily goes through 5 boxes of cereal a week and about a half a bag of oatmeal and a couple dozen eggs.  Yes, our grocery budget is growing just as quickly as the kids are these days.

I spoke for a women's class a few weeks ago and the leader of the class showed THIS VIDEO.  Oh.My.Goodness.  It is a modern day reenactment of the story of Hosea.  There are 6 short video clips in all.  Go grab a box of tissues and get comfortable.  They are a must-see.

The music from the films are beautifully written by a band called Olafur Arnald.  It is now one of my favorites.

Happy December Monday ya'll!

Voice Of Hope

We just finished up an amazing series at our church called SO-LU-TION-AR-Y.

YOU have been called to be God's hands and feet on earth.

"As a follower, you are either helping people follow Jesus,

or you are being disobedient." - Pastor Jimmy Carroll

How are you going to be a SOLUTIONARY?

Josh wrote a gripping song for the church to go along with this series.

You can go download the song on iTunes TODAY!

Music To My Ears - Christmas Tunes

My husband wrote a blog post today!!!

I LOVE it when he does that:)
If you do too, go on over and tell him so.
Maybe he'll do it more often, ha!

It's a blog by my favorite human, about my favorite human activity.

Music people, MUSIC!
Geez, get your minds out of the gutter;)

Anyway, I'm gonna give you some quick links here on my blog for the Christmas tunes by some of our awesome music-writing friends, because I know you are antsy to go take a listen, then you can head over to Josh's blog and read about the back stories!

Christmas Sounds 
by: Chad Lister

On The Incarnation
by: Daniel Renstrum

Fifty-Two
by: Christopher Kincaid

and last, but certainly not least

The Sleepy Town Christmas Sessions
by: Josh Via

PS-I love what we do!

Merry Christmas!

Holding Us - By Josh Via

Music To My Ears : A little ear candy for a cause

Oh yes, I have some great ear candy for your listening enjoyment!  Our friend, Andy, tweeted about this album and the purpose behind it and man am I glad he did.  I don't personally know this family, but I feel instantly connected to them for a couple of reasons.  They are a family following the call for adoption AND they are musicians AND they have combined the two to help raise awareness (and funding) for their adoption.  Sounds very familiar:)

Here are the details you need to go get your own copy of this beautiful music:

First, I'd encourage you to read about their adoption HERE.

Then, click HERE to download their album.

Help them bring home their sweet child from Ethiopia.

Finally, stick your earbuds in, because this isn't just for those sleepy kids who still reside in your closet:)

...ahem.

Your gonna love it, I promise.

Music To My Ears - Andy Cherry

Our friend, Andy Cherry, recently got signed on with Converge Music.  Andy is an incredible musician!  He has played on almost every CD that we have released.  Not only is he an excellent musician, but an incredible song writer.

We are SO excited about this new tour that he has begun.  It is called the "Offering Love" Tour.  It is a tour that offers churches and worshipers a Night of Worship with Andy Cherry and his band for no cost except for a Love Offering taken up at the end of the night.  It is also a chance to inform people on ways to engage in social justice initiatives in Africa, specifically providing aid for at risk women and children through the organization The Mocha Club.

It gets even better.  He's coming to Raleigh to play at Journey on July 17, 2011!  Come on out and join us.

You can check out where he is going to be next HERE, as well as take a listen to his awesome tunes!  If you are on staff at a church or lead camps and/or events elsewhere, you won't want to miss this opportunity to have Andy and the guys on your calendar!  They won't disappoint.

P.S.  For all of my culinary readers, his sweet wife, Michelle, has an awesome blog too!

Music To My Ears - Silver

Here's some music candy for your ears.

They are called Silver.

The lead singer is a good friend of ours.  He actually helped us out with our "Resurrection Songs" album!

Their music is tight.

Their stage presence if energetic and fun.

So, get out there and go support your local musicians!

Resurrection Songs: "In The Highest Place"

So, this is the moment you all have been waiting for!  Well, at least we've been waiting for:)

Every week during the 7 weeks of Lent, we will release a new track. Each track is a Scripture memory song based on my 7-week devotional called "So Much Bigger Than The Bunny." Our prayer is that it will be a blessing to you and your children, as you hide God's Word in your heart together.

 Today is Ash Wednesday, which means, this is the first week of the devotional.  You still have time to get your copy.  (There is a section at the end if you just want to make it a one-week Easter devotional as well.)

Anyway, here is the first song "In The Highest Place"
Take a listen.  It's SO FUN!


Now STOP!

Go to joshvia.bandcamp.com to download it for $.99.  (or just click the "BUY" button) Not only will you have fun hiding God's Word in your heart with your kids, but when you buy these songs, you are helping our family adopt a little girl from an orphanage in Uganda, Africa.

My kids hadn't heard these yet and they immediately jumped out their lunch chairs, grabbed their guitars and began dancing and singing along!  Even Cai keeps singing "lalalalala":)

Now go download it already!

Music To My Ears - Music For The Quiet Times

Josh and I love to listen to music.  That's no surprise, I'm sure!  There is hardly ever a time in this house when we don't have music going.

We have a few albums that we listen to on a regular basis in the mornings when it is quiet and we are spending time with our Lord.  Usually something calm and quiet to help us focus on the One we are trying to get to know.

Here are a few faithful albums that we enjoy during our quiet mornings together with our Lord.

Jonsi and Alex - Riceboy Sleeps
Sigur Ros - Any of their albums
Unwed Sailor - The Marionette And The Music Box
Johann Johannsson - Fordlandia
Album Leaf - Any of their albums

Do you listen to music during your quiet times with the Lord, or any other times that quiet come in your house, and if you do, what is your favorite?  Maybe you prefer silence?  I'd love to hear about it!  Besides we're always looking for new tunes to listen to:)

Music To My Ears - Shelly Moore Band

It's really kind of crazy how Shelly and I met.  She was moving to Charlotte while we were moving from Charlotte.  We had a ton of mutual friends and we ended up connecting at Ridge Church one Sunday.  She is so down to earth and humble.  She is very creative and eager to collaborate with other musicians to make the most out of her music.  She is beautiful inside and out.

You can go HERE and see what she's all about, then take a listen HERE, and since I know you'll love her stuff, you can go get the music HERE:)

Music To My Ears - Micah Watson Band

Micah Watson Band

Honestly, I don't know Micah Watson.  I've never even met him in person before.  Josh has chatted with him some and we have many connections to them.  But I do know that the lyrics to his music are beautiful and truthful, I do know that he loves Jesus, I do know that he is a very talented musician, and that one of our bestest buds plays keys for him, and that Micah and his band are reaching many hearts and softening them toward the gospel.

Here's a cool thing: Lifewayworship.com is featuring Micah Watson's "Come On" for download!

So, go on over and support this awesome band!

Micah Watson, and band, we're so proud of ya'll:)

Music To My Ears - Josh Via (Shhh...it's a FREE Christmas Album Download

My husband is awesome.

There, I said it.  Sometimes I just can't contain myself:)

So, while he's been here taking care of me this week, and while Meme has the kids, we've had a lot of time to get little projects done, while sitting of course, that normally just wouldn't happen if the kids were around.

And one of those projects was birthed right here in our humble abode.  Josh created a little Christmas Album EP for your enjoyment!  It is called "The Sleepy Town Christmas Sessions" and...

It is ABSOLUTELY FREE!!!

BUT...

If you feel so inclined, there is a DONATE button where you can donate money for our adoption.  We thought it would be a fun way to raise money to bring our little girl home from Uganda while giving you some good Christmas music to listen all at the same time:)

So, go check it out here and make sure you download the album today!

Music To My Ears - Kyle Polk (Shhh..it's a FREE Christmas download!)

Kyle Polk is one of the most creative musicians I know.  He and Josh played music together back in our college days, where our relationship grew with him and his wife, Rita.

Kyle and Rita have a daughter named Ivelee who is just about Micaiah's age.  They had fun playing together when we took our trip to GA last spring.:)  They are friends of ours from college and are in the process of walking in faith as they pack up their lives from Monks Corner, SC to move to be a part of a Church Plant near Atlanta Georgia with some other friends of ours.

Anyway, Kyle sent us his FREE Download for his Lo-Fi Christmas album and said I could share it with the world (that's you) so you can enjoy it with your family this Christmas season!

ENJOY!

He was also part of a band called RedBirds and you can check out some more of their music HERE!

A Puddle Of Tears and Music To My Ears

I have been a puddle of tears this morning, and I'm an ugly cryer, ya'll!

I'm sitting here in my hotel room trying to have some time with the Lord and all I can do is cry.  The song that came on is Ascend The Hill's, "Take The World, But Give Me Jesus" from their album Ascend The Hills.

We sang this song last night.  I say this all the time, but if I sit here and meditate on the words, do I really believe these words?!

Is Jesus really all I need?  Or do I need the security of a paycheck, the approval of others, notoriety as a musician, "The Perfect Mom"label, the Christianized American dream, instant gratification from comments on a blog post (can I get an amen?)...

It goes on and on, really.  When does it stop?!

But if Jesus really is all that I need, like I've been telling the nations on mission trips and pouring into my children's hearts, that would be it!

Nothing else would matter.  NOTHING...

Lord, I want to be real.  I want to be passionate about you and only You!  I want you to pour out of my life, leaving room for nothing else!

So God, take the world, but give me Jesus

Music To My Ears - Sara Scott

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So many times we listen to music because of the name that is attached to it and not because of the content, lyrical depth, melody or skill.

I decided that, as an independent artist (well, at least the wife of one, ha!) I wanted to do some shout outs to some of my friends and friends' friends who write awesome music independently that you may or may not have ever heard of before.

I'm going to highlight different artists here on the blog so there are two responsibilities you have here:

1 - go get some of this awesome music and help support some independent artists with wonderful talent

and

2 - let me know of some artists that you LOVE to fill your iPod with so that I can possibly highlight them here as well

So, without further ado...

Here's the first artist I want to highlight:

Sara Scott

She is one of my favorite people.  She is young, beautiful, full of raw talent and has a heart for the Lord (yes men, she's single, but don't tell her I told you that;)

Not only do I enjoy her music, but I appreciate her heart.  She loves on my kids and goes out of her way to love on them and show them that she cares about them.  If that doesn't speak volumes to a mama, I don't know what does!

We've done several projects with her.  In fact, I had the privilege of playing on her first album.  She is a great songwriter and her voice is exquisite.  I know she is in the process of working on a new EP and I cannot wait to hear it.

You can listen to some of her music HERE.

If you like what you hear, which I'm SURE you will, go download some of her original tunes HERE and make sure you keep checking back with her to find out when she will release her new EP.