The Gift Of Time

Our family really tried to strip down Christmas this year.  We really thought through the gifting process and were intentional to give gifts that promoted creativity, thoughtfulness and family togetherness.  One of the things we put together for the kids was a "Colony Coupon" book.  I tried to think of things they are always asking me to do toward the end of the night when I am exhausted and tired, or a time when I seem to be more distracted than others.  More often than not I dismiss their request because, for some reason, when 8pm hits this evil witch comes out and eats this sweet mommy and takes over...ahem...

I thought they would think it was a great idea and then lose the books after a couple of days, but wouldn't you know, they each have a special place they put those coupons (even Jude!) and they plan days in advance as to when to use each one.

Now, sometimes we get home super late or life just happens throughout the day so I have to communicate that it is a no-coupon day/evening and they are totally fine with it.

Josh and I have noticed their love tanks filling up way quicker and they are more eager to obey and stay in bed at night because they have had a few minutes of individual time with mommy or daddy.

They each got 3 coupons of each of these:

1. 1 five-minute back scratch
2. 1 five-minute one-on-one cuddle time
3. Pick out a book to read
4. Run an errand with mommy or daddy
5. Help out in the kitchen with dinner

It may not have been the latest and greatest toy on the market, and it certainly wasn't a gift of monetary sacrifice, but to them, this was a gift of undivided attention from a mommy and daddy who love them very much and sometimes need a reminder that their tanks can begin to fill up, one coupon at a time:)

Take 5

Band:  Radiohead

Song Title: Separator

Timer set on five minutes.

Go!

Yes, we started school again this week, but it has been anything but the routine and structure that school usually brings.  We've been out and about getting a lot of necessary things done that we haven't had much of home time, but today...today has been nice and relaxing.  I am still in my jammies and Jude is decorating me with stickers as I type.  All is well in the Colony home.

Josh had his week intensive in school this week so that has added to the un-structured week, but he is done with the class today.  Even though I know papers and more reading are always to follow it'll be nice to have his class time over.

I got the Young Living essential oils starter kit as a Christmas gift a few weeks ago and I am now able to sell it.  Crazy.  I don't even know how to do it yet, but just FYI, if you need YL oils I can be your go-to girl:)

I am about to be knee deep in a 50-item order for the ColonyShop.  It is my largest order to date!  Pretty excited to see the finished product!

I also just wrote a promo for KITW about my book because Holy Week is right around the corner.  How in the world?!

I wouldn't mind if time just decided to stand still for a few minutes today...

Timer off.

PUBLISH

Alright God, Send The Rain ~ waiting in expectancy

While riding in the car last night with a couple of my girlfriends I half-way overheard one of them talking about a story they read to their kids during family devotions.  I was in-and-out of their conversation, but caught just enough to catch my attention as it pulled me back into my own little world in the back seat as I contemplated life and this story.

She said it was the story of "Noah and the ark" from the perspective of Noah's wife.  The Bible doesn't specifically give this account, but you can read all about what God told Noah and the events that took place and just put yourself in her shoes.

I physically sat in the back seat waiting for our stop, but mentally I stood on the deck of a huge boat.

Half proud of my husband, half wondering what my girlfriends down the street were saying about me and that "crazy husband" of mine behind my back.

100% confident in the man God had placed me with, but wondering how in the world it would all play out.

Being given the job to mama a ship full of smelly animals that continued to pour into my new home.  I guess there were no hopes of being the new Martha Stewart for at LEAST another year!

There were no Pinterest boards to help wade through the problems that were sure to arise; like getting giraffe poop stains out of bamboo rugs or appropriate essential oil substitutes to keep the germs and sickness at bay.

Just a handful of people that believed God and took Him at His word.
Just a wife relying on her husbands walk with the Lord as she totally submits to this crazy idea.
Just a boat full of animals and the faithful few waiting in expectancy for God to do what He said He would do.

I'm sure the fear and feelings of doubt came in waves as they all waited in complete confidence that the rain would begin to fall at any moment.

But can those two even co-exist?  I believe they can!
I have felt completely confident that God is in control and still had those waves of doubt and fear as I wait and wonder how in the world God was going to "pull it off this time".  But He always does.  Because He is God.  And He always does what He says He is going to do.

What about the doubt and the fear?  It doesn't mean we are fearing that God isn't who He said He was or that we doubt His ability. Oh no, it just means that we are humans, with a finite capacity to comprehend our awesome God and His ways.

It's just the natural waves of our mind as we are sitting and waiting on the rain.

We know it's coming.
God promised it would.
So hold fast to His promises and don't lose hope.

7 Meals for 7 Weeks ~ from our Gratitude Experiment

Novemeber 15th is when it all began.  The day we took our kids toys away and limited our clothing and meal options.  I'm am proud to say, we finished strong!  In fact, everybody's stuff is still in the attic with the exception of the Barbie accessories and baby doll clothes for the girls.

Sorting through all that stuff will be on the to-do list soon as we make the choice to hang on to the stuff we use and get rid of the things we don't, but today, since several people asked, I wanted to share the 7 meals we chose to eat during those 7 weeks, rotating them around depending on the week's activities.  It's a rarity to eat out as a family and we hardly ever order in so the fact that I had to cook every night didn't throw me off because that's just how we roll.  

1 - Grilled chicken and rice

2 - Pizza - EVERY Friday night is homemade pizza night!

3 - Grilled (ham and) cheese and tomato soup with a veggie

4 - Chocolate Chip Pancakes (and usually some other breakfast side's') - this is a Sunday evening tradition

5 - Nachos - it's basically taco bake that sounds yummier and gets eaten way quicker

6 - Chicken and spinach tortellini and a veggie

7 - Baked chicken spaghetti with a veggie

Nothing fancy, but full of healthy ingredients (except for the pancakes, ahem).

We had little to no complaining about the meal repeats, but I was pretty excited to cook a new recipe last night for dinner...and MAN was it good!

Even The Best Intentions Need A Battle Plan

I've been without my kids for almost 4 days now.  Actually, they are on their way home now!  I can't wait to squeeze those cheeks and hear the stories of their adventures at Meme and Poppie's.  But as much as I love my kids it was so nice to take a mental break from the pressures of being in charge of 5 littles.

My brain gets tired and my emotions get raw and my energy gets drained.  It's just the normal wear and tear of life as a Colony mom, but sometimes it's good to get a break, even from the best of things, like our kids.  It helps us renew ourselves in order to love them better.

The entire way home on Tuesday I was making mental notes of all the projects I wanted to dive into and all the rearranging i wanted to do.  My mental list was beginning to get pretty lengthy.  But one thing I know from experience is that if I do not write down all that I want to do and detail out exactly what I need and how I am going to execute the plan I will wander around the home for 3 days with a bunch of half-completed projects and nothing much to show for my growing list of good intentions.

It's the same with the new resolutions we have made for 2015.

You should certainly make a list of all the things you want to change and do this year, but take that extra time to really flesh out the HOW.

HOW are you going to get back into shape?  Have you chosen a workout plan? A gym? A specific space in your home that needs to be prepared to make it exercise friendly?

HOW are you going to eat better?  Are you going to eliminate certain foods?  Eat by the parameters of a specific diet?  Do you need to go through your pantry and throw out the junk?

HOW are you going to spend more intentional time with your kids?  Do you have specific boundaries for electronics that distract you from your family?  Are you going to take your kids on dates every two weeks?  Are you mentally preparing yourself for the messiness of the projects they are going to want to dive into or the extra cuddle time at night?

HOW are you going to spend more time with God?  Are you going to read through the Bible this year?  If so, what plan are you going to use?  Are you going to pray more?  If so, what does it look like?  Are you going to memorize more scripture?  If so, how are you going to choose those scriptures?  Are you going to do a verse a week or a chapter a month?  What exactly does it look like?

Even the best intentions need a battle plan.  Let's do more than say we are going to change.  Let's do more than write a long list of things that need to be different this year.

Make a plan.
Get as specific as you can.
And then follow that plan to its completion.

Let's be children of the light, with a purpose, a plan, and a Savior who has given us everything we need to live a life, full of joy in Him.

The Colony's Rockin' New Years Eve 2014

The older I get the more I realize just how quickly time goes by.  Every year seems to set itself on a faster track than the year before and then I blink and another year has come and gone.

Josh and I arrived home late on Tuesday evening after our 2nd "fake Christmas" (1) family celebration in VA, minus 5 little human beings we call Colony Children.  It took some time, but Meme and Poppie persuaded us (2) to leave the sweet little blessings behind so we could have a few days of marital bliss to ourselves (3).

Being the little social butterfly that I am (4), I was devastated to have the house to myself (5).  But I made the best of it, seeing as it WAS New Year's Eve, and when will I ever get the chance to sit and reflect like this again without the kids around.  I decided that I wanted to spend the day reminiscing on all that 2014 offered and begin seeing what needed to change and be bettered for the upcoming 2015 year (6).

Josh and I did a quick work-out before he headed out the door (7).  Then I got a shower and prepared for the day (8).  I  set Spotify to a nice relaxing ambient station (9) and found a place where I could sit and reflect on the past year (10).  After several hours of non-stop reflecting and meditating (11) my heart was so joyful and satisfied (12), ready to bring on another year (13).

Since we were kidless we did decided that a date was a no-brainer.  Josh told me he would be home around 5 so we could go out.  No curfew, no expectations, just BE together...my husband and me and our multitude of Christmas gift cards {THANK YOU!!!!}

At 3pm I began to get ready.  It may have taken Queen Esther an entire year to get prepared for her man, but this queen only requires 2 hours to choose the best oils and make-up for my man (14).

Of course we had the whole night planned out since it was New Year's Eve (15) and we are very well aware that places are PACKED on New Year's Eve (16).  The restaurant we chose was perfect (17) and the food was great!

And then it was on!

We wanted to see what all the hype was about so we went downtown and just let loose (18).  I mean, when were we EVER going to be able to enjoy another New Year's Eve like this?!  We were certainly not going to do the same thing we always do by watching Ryan Seacrest's Rockin' New Years Eve (19), getting our yearly fix of culture in one night (20).  Please!  I already know how to "Shake it off" and we ALL know "I'm all about that base".

After watching the ball drop and making out in the midst of the multitudes downtown (21) we spent the rest of the evening party hopping until the sun began to rise (22).

But regardless of what really went down last night (23), it was a night to remember!

Happy New Year, ya'll!

********************

1 - It's just easier to explain to our kids that we are having our own "fake Christmas" at home before we head to Nonnie and G-daddy, where we will spend the "real Christmas" and then head up to Meme and Poppie's for our last "fake Christmas".

2 - It took less than 1.5 seconds for us to exclaim "YES!!!"

3 - Josh had to get back to work at Journey and has also been working hard to get all his pre-assignment work in for his January intensive next week. Super sexy, I tell ya;)

4 - oh.my.gosh.  have you not learned ANYTHING about me?!

5 - Are you kidding me?!  This is like the best present EVER!  All alone, in my own home, and not having to converse with another soul for HOURS...ahhhhh

6 - I did spend the morning off right, and then the much anticipated "me time" began.

7 - Yes this is true, but my body hurts so badly today that I may not be able to get my butt out of this chair after typing this, ha!

8 - Prepared for the day, yup.  Showered, nope.

9 - Justin Timberlake, Coldplay, HipHop stations, some R&B...anything with a "fun" beat to practice my Zumba moves to while getting to work

10 - I literally worked my way from the back of the house to the front, deep cleaning, organizing and rearranging EVERY area until my little heart was satisfied.

11 - purging and de-cluttering (some might say that I have a problem, haha:)

12 - I was truly in my happy place.  Josh told me I hadn't stopped smiling since we got home:)

13 - and the 5 littles with their bundles of Christmas aftermath they will have loaded in their arms when they return.

14 - at 3pm I was literally in the middle of de-ornamenting the tree and making a mental note that I had 1 hour before I needed to get in the shower so I'd be ready when Josh got home.  An hour and a half later I told myself "CRAP, I've got 30 minutes!"  So I reluctantly stopped the project that I was in the middle of and hopped in the shower...and after scrubbing it down with my wonderful new Norwex rag (don't judge, cleaning my shower was on my to-do list!) I washed myself really quickly before getting out.

15 - we were so excited to go on a date that we didn't even know where we were going until we were in the car.  There's just something about not having to get back to relieve a babysitter.

16 - being out and about on New Year's Eve hasn't happened in like a decade ya'll!  People forget, ok!

17 - well, the first place we went had a 3 hour wait and the second place we went was 1 hr. and 45 minutes.  By that time we were just hungry and would have gone anywhere, so we walked through North Hills and found this really eclectic Mexican joint.  Strange atmosphere, but really yummy food.

18 - It was cold and we ARE getting old.  We opted to stop at the store to get ingredients to make a yummy dessert and build a nice fire so we could cuddle up together and watch the ball drop from the warmth of our own quiet living room.

19 - actually, yeah, yeah we did

20 - We just THINK we know about our culture and this generation until New Year's Eve hits, where we are always left asking "who is that" and "what did he just say" and "what the ^3$% is she wearing?!"

21 - I already told you we weren't downtown and I don't need to give you any more details about the make-out session that followed

22 - Josh found a flick to watch while I finished mopping the kitchen floor before joining him where we fell asleep on the couch in front of the fire.

23 - Hey, I never said it didn't ever get romantic;)

How To Determine the BEST consequences for your kids ~ KITW

I am the worst at spurting off a consequence for a particular offense before thinking all the way through it.

For example, yesterday my highly emotional 8-year-old was having a very anxious morning. I mean a R-E-A-L-L-Y tough morning.

At some point during the morning he had gained full control over the step-stool from the kitchen and was carrying it around so nobody else could use it. Not that anybody else truly NEEDED to use it, but seeing as it was deemed “untouchable” by all but said 8-year-old, the war was on!

Enter mom...[Read More...]

Peace In The Chaos

It's not easy to find peace during this time of year.

parties

baking

traveling

outings

gifting

traditions

wrapping

visiting family

making memories

and all of these are just some of the funner ones!

But what about when you are surrounded by the constant reminder that Christmas is just another day.  A day with a bitter reminder of the sinful world we live in, except today its just wrapped up in shiny paper and tinsel.

Nothing is really different during this time of year, unless we can stop and remember that God sent his one and only son.  

For you.

For me.

for the hurting

for the couple whose marriage is crumbling

for the family who lost their sweet baby

for the woman struggling to find peace in the chaos of her world

for the diseased and the sick

for the financially unstable

for the family missing loved ones far away

for the one who just lost his job

for those battling depression and anxiety at a heightened rate

This season can be so much more than frenzied parties and activities.

It  is a reminder that there is ONE who gives us a reason to stop, in the middle of the chaos called "life" and remember who He is.

The only ONE who brings peace and hope, and even JOY, in the midst of it all.

"May the God of hope fill you with all joy

and peace in believing, so that by the power

of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope."

Romans 15:13

A Recipe For Family Togetherness ~ Wassail

His love for wassail began the first year he spent Thanksgiving with my family.  My soon-to-be husband grabbed his coffee mug and poured his first cup. It was love at first sip.  

Now we bring in every fall season (and keep it going all winter long) with a pot of this juice blend that warms the heart, soothes the soul and makes you just want to sit on the couch with loved ones (and magically makes the people you don't really want to be sitting next to not seem all that bad) and watch the embers in the fire glow...okay, okay, maybe that's going a little too far (I was just kidding people), but it really does taste good!  And it really is the perfect drink to snuggle up next to loved ones with.

Here is my recipe:

64 oz. of apple juice (or cider)

3/4 of a large can of pineapple juice

2 cups orange juice

1 cup lemon juice

2-4 sticks of cinnamon

1/2 Tbsp of whole cloves

bring to a quick boil on the stove

reduce heat to low and sip on it the rest of the day!