STAND FIRM

Stand firm. It's not about what's next this season. New doors, new experiences, new people and a new self may come, but I am not seeking new and I am not seeking more. I'm keeping two feet firmly planted on the ground and standing firm - ready, waiting, and prepared. The ground may be hard, but I'm digging deep with dirt covered boots, grit between my finger tips and my hair blowing in the wind. 

This season is mastering what has already been given. I am a mother, a wife, a friend, a business owner and an artist with other roles occasionally thrown in. That's plenty. More is not what my soul needs or seeks. It's just learning how to grow taller from what has already been planted.

Patient, steadfast, strong, reliable - these are adjectives that I want people to say when they describe me, but often I am described as go-getter, strategic, goal-oriented. Those latter adjectives have one thing in common - they are always moving forward. But, I am tired of moving right now, and God knows it. So, for now, I am called to stay firmly planted, and to become a master will be more of a challenge for me than anything I have ever done.

These past couple of days I have been contemplating the commonly quoted passage of Ecclesiastes 3:

“There is a time for everything,
and a season for every activity under the heavens:
2 a time to be born and a time to die,
a time to plant and a time to uproot,
3 a time to kill and a time to heal,
a time to tear down and a time to build,
4 a time to weep and a time to laugh,
a time to mourn and a time to dance,
5 a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,
a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing,
6 a time to search and a time to give up,
a time to keep and a time to throw away,
7 a time to tear and a time to mend,
a time to be silent and a time to speak,
8 a time to love and a time to hate,
a time for war and a time for peace.”

The past three years have been a season of being uprooted, mourning, throwing away, and tearing down. But now I'm being ushered into a season of planting, building back up, gathering, searching, keeping and mending. What season are you in right now? Do any of these phrases speak to you? I'd love to hear, and I would love to hear your word or phrase for the year too. 

Photos by Rennai Hoefer

New Year's Party for Kids

It has been five years since we went out for New Year's Eve. Now that we have kids, staying up late to party and then waking up at 5:30a.m. (when our kids wake up) is just not how we like to start 2017. We would much rather start the new year with a full night of sleep, but that's not to say we don't love a good party. 

Instead, we just party at 5pm (midnight in England), and say "Happy New Year" then. We have friends over with their kids, and make it one giant pajama party. I love these organic cotton PJ's from Skylar & Luna if you're looking for some cute PJs for your kids. All of the kids are wearing them in the photos.

I serve pigs in a blanket, cinnamon rolls, fruit and other breakfast goodies. It's super easy, fun for all and a great way to ring the New Year in with friends and kids with no fuss.

For decorations, I keep it simple. I just blew up 30 balloons and a got a couple special ones from the party store. The kids spent the entire time throwing the balloons around. I also got some horns and party hats, and called it good.

For activities,  we just push the furniture back and have a big dance party (we are loving the Trolls soundtrack on Spotify right now). You can also ask the kids what their resolution (or their parent's hope is) for the new year and write it on a chalkboard. It makes for some super instagrammable moments. 

Most importantly, make sure to just have fun and not worry about getting all gussied up for a party. Stay comfortable and make amazing memories with your family and friends.

Photos by Rennai Hoefer; Pajamas provided by Skylar & Luna