January 2015 ~ JamericanSpice

1/28/15

Mom Rules - A Daughter's Love - WW

Wednesday, January 28, 2015 family , My kids , My Life 10 comments

My daughter loves me :)

When I came out the shower, she was so excited to hustle me into the kitchen to 'come see mommy.'

I was surprised to see this art she made for me.

She proudly read it for me, and let me know she made it for me.

She used most of the little cars that she and her brother owned.

I felt so much.

What a precious seven year old princess I have.

Thank you baby girl. I love you oh so much!

Do you remember things you did to make your mom's heart warm?

What is something your kids have done to make your heart warm?

Colette is a busy mom of 2 kids focusing solely on being a mom. She hails from the Caribbean and now balances the full life of being a SAHM and dabbling in odd jobs to help around the home. She enjoys sharing her memories, hopes, food, travel, entertainment, and product experiences on her blog. Please read my disclosure
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1/26/15

Do life - The Christmas Tree In February - Everything - #Music

Monday, January 26, 2015 Blog hop , family , music 21 comments

My Christmas tree is still up. I'm not sure how this defines my state. But I'm fighting a sort of depression. Not sure why, but it's happening. I'm sure it's from a bunch of things.

Of course if you were in my everyday life, you wouldn't think for one second I might be depressed. But it's happening. I'm just not wallowing in it at all.

I get up, love my kids, get them to where they need to be. I exercise. I do chores. I go. I don't sit and wallow, yet I can tell that my 'joy' isn't there. There's a cloud. A hanger-on that wont leave.

I realize, the last time I felt this way, was after giving birth to my son. It was post partum depression. I'm waiting for that lightness I felt when it finally lifted. It was like a physical weight lifted.

This is going to be a rough week, but I'm going to bat, because this is the day that the Lord has made and I will rejoice and be glad in it!

Until them, I'll be doing everything......

You're picking up toys on the living room floor
For the 15th time today
Matching up socks, sweeping up lost
Cheerios that got away
You put a baby on your hip and color on your lips
Head out the door
While I may not know you I bet I know you
Wonder sometimes does it matter at all
Well let me remind you it all matters just as long as you

(Chorus)
Do everything you do to the glory of the One who made you
Cause He made you to do
Every little thing that you do to bring a smile to His face
And tell the story of grace
With every move that you make
And every little thing you do

Maybe you're that guy with the suit and tie
Maybe your shirt says your name
You may be hooking up mergers, cooking up burgers
But at the end of the day

Little stuff, big stuff in-between stuff
God sees it all the same
And while I may not know you I bet I know you
Wonder sometimes does it matter at all
Well let me remind you it all matters just as long as you do

Chorus

Well maybe you're sitting in math class
Maybe you're on a mission in the Congo
Maybe you're working at the office
Singing along with the radio
Maybe you're dining at a five star
Or feeding orphans in Myanmar
Anywhere and everywhere you are
Whatever you do it all matters
So do what you do and don't ever forget
to do

Welcome to today's music. I hope Monday find you with a smile and music to begin your week with light steps.

I'm always coming to visit everyone on the linky so don't worry if I'm a bit late!

CONGRATULATIONS to this week's spotlight dancer!

Don't forget to visit the spotlight dancer in the #1 spot. Soon it might be your turn.

Thank you for visiting and I'll visit you soon!

Hosts:

Colette @JamericanSpice

Marie @XmasDolly

Stacy @Stacy Uncorked

Naila Moon / Michelle - Just The Stuff Ya Know

Cathy Kennedy Is taking a hiatus as co-host, but will still be dancing with us.

And welcoming our New Co-host Becca! Yay!

Honorary Co-host: Thank you Becca and Welcome Danielle - Royalegacy

Steps:

1. Visit YouTube (or other) and get your music for the theme of the week

2. Grab our "Monday's Music Moves Me" button (above)

3. Add your post to the linky - follow the hosts and grab our buttons. Leave a note so we can follow you back

4. Visit each other and leave a comment or whatever you want to do to let them know you were there. See if they have the same music style as you. Enjoy the music!

Aloha

Colette is a busy mom of 2 kids focusing solely on being a mom. She hails from the Caribbean and now balances the full life of being a SAHM and dabbling in odd jobs to help around the home. She enjoys sharing her memories, hopes, food, travel, entertainment, and product experiences on her blog. Please read my disclosure
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1/21/15

Running Low On Faith - #Music

Wednesday, January 21, 2015 Blog hop , music , The Dailies 30 comments

Today was warm. HOT sometimes, but it was just wonderful to feel the beautiful sun warming up my bones. I didn't even murmur when the vehicle got too hot while I was sitting in it doing my budget. Thank God for sun!

The kids played outside, oh yes indeed it was a beautiful day! And I love the slow calm weekend too.

Hope y'all had a good weekend.

And to introduce you to this really great song I found! Must I saw how much I love the voice, the instruments and the words!

Midnight
He is staring at the bills and rubbing
Red eyes
Ain't adding up to nothing
But some hard times
He's feeling like a failure at life

Head down
Part of him is tempted just to
Skip town
But deep inside he knows enough to
Cry out
God I'm tired of fighting this fight

I'm running low on faith
But I won't run away

Tonight I'm gonna fix my eyes
On the only Hope who satisfies, my heart
You are the One I'm running to
Everything that's good and right and true
Jesus, I'm coming after who
You are, You are
The One I'm running to

Late shift
She's working hard providing
For her three kids
She hasn't seen her husband cause
Their stretched thin
Nobody told her it would be this hard
There's no end in sight, but she says
No compromise

Tonight I'm gonna fix my eyes
On the only Hope who satisfies, my heart
You are the One I'm running to
Everything that's good and right and true
Jesus, I'm coming after who
You are, You are
The One I'm running to

So much I don't understand
In the middle of this circumstance
But I know my life is in Your hands

Tonight I'm gonna fix my eyes
On the only Hope that satisfies, my heart
You are, You are

Everything that's good and right and true
Jesus, I'm coming after who
You are, you are
The One I'm running to

Welcome to today's music. I hope Monday find you with a smile and music to begin your week with light steps.

I'm always coming to visit everyone on the linky so don't worry if I'm a bit late!

CONGRATULATIONS to this week's spotlight dancer!

Don't forget to visit the spotlight dancer in the #1 spot. Soon it might be your turn.

Thank you for visiting and I'll visit you soon!

Hosts:

Colette @JamericanSpice

Marie @XmasDolly

Stacy @Stacy Uncorked

Naila Moon / Michelle - Just The Stuff Ya Know

Cathy Kennedy Is taking a hiatus as co-host, but will still be dancing with us.

And welcoming our New Co-host Becca! Yay!

Honorary Co-host: Thank you Becca and Welcome Danielle - Royalegacy

Steps:

1. Visit YouTube (or other) and get your music for the theme of the week

2. Grab our "Monday's Music Moves Me" button (above)

3. Add your post to the linky - follow the hosts and grab our buttons. Leave a note so we can follow you back

4. Visit each other and leave a comment or whatever you want to do to let them know you were there. See if they have the same music style as you. Enjoy the music!

Aloha!
Colette is a busy mom of 2 kids focusing solely on being a mom. She hails from the Caribbean and now balances the full life of being a SAHM and dabbling in odd jobs to help around the home. She enjoys sharing her memories, hopes, food, travel, entertainment, and product experiences on her blog. Please read my disclosure
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Get Top Performance With The #NetGear WiFi Range Extender

Wednesday, January 21, 2015 Blog Campaign and Social Media , Entertainment , review , Technology 22 comments

If you are in our living room and kitchen, then the WiFi is great. However when you venture upstairs, the bedrooms or garage area, the signal weakens and sometimes drop out.

I didn't pay much mind to it, since I'm usually in the living room or the kitchen most of the times.

Especially during the winter months, it's cold and we are mostly inside bundled together.

But during the Spring, Summer and Fall months, it's all about being outside, getting as much sun and exercise as possible. After or before homework, I love when the kids go outside to play for a good amount of time. They don't always want to play in the backyard where I can keep an eye on them as I work, read or do my studies. So when they go out front to play I love (have to) to be out there watching them, making sure they are safe in the yard or riding their bicycles on the roadways.

Sometimes I love being able to use my laptop or phone to do my online studies or reading during these times, if I'm not out playing with them.

This is where the NetGear WiFi Range Extender comes in. When it first arrived, it was just at the holidays. I had my husband set it up and because family was coming over for visits, it was going to have to prove it's mettle.

I did go outside the garage/driveway area to test it out and it did work. Sometimes I just need to send a last minute message over WiFi before driving out, and it's perfect to be able to do this right on spot!

Now I can be lounging in my driveway and still have internet! And if I have a friend visiting, they can hook up to the guest center also!

The bedroom with the range works better than the bedrooms without. Maybe it's the walls or something else I do not understand, but we are getting good enough signal and that's what matters.

I think what I need right now is a really great modem that will bring the strength of signal up in all the rooms of our home.

But I can say that the NetGear WiFi Range Extender really does do a great job of extending my WiFi signal.
I'm really glad it works out because I was really wondering if it would do the job.

Did I really have to ask my husband to set it up? Nope. All you have to do is plug it in and go! You can also select which band you wish to use.

And now I am definitely a fan of NetGear products!

About the NetGear WiFi Range Extender:

Next Generation WiFi
Optimize your existing WiFi network and extend it to hard-to-reach places with the next generation AC WiFi technology. AC750 WiFi Range Extender delivers fast WiFi speed and connectivity for smartphones, tablets, laptops and more – allowing you to enjoy your favorite entertainment throughout your home.

NETGEAR AC750 WiFi Range Extender boosts your existing WiFi by increasing your range and speed. It works with any standard WiFi router to deliver AC750 dual band WiFi with up to 750 Mbps.
A Gigabit Ethernet port provides WiFi connectivity to a wired device like Blu-ray® players, game consoles, smart TVs or streaming players over your existing WiFi network. Just plug it into any outlet and experience the difference.

Dual band WiFi up to 750Mbps
Supports new 802.11ac and b/g/n WiFi devices
External antennas for better performance
Connect wired devices to your WiFi network with Gigabit Ethernet

About NetGear:

NETGEAR has been a worldwide provider of technologically advanced, branded networking products since 1996. Our mission is to be the preferred customer-driven provider of innovative networking solutions for small businesses and homes.

Connect:
Facebook - Twitter - You Tube

And check out their CES 2015 Awards Products! I'll have to talk to hubs about that HD security camera!

Do you own products from NetGear?
What is your best product yet from NetGear?

I received the NetGear WiFi Range Extender to facilitate this review. No other forms of compensation has been received. All other opinions are my own.

Colette is a busy mom of 2 kids focusing solely on being a mom. She hails from the Caribbean and now balances the full life of being a SAHM and dabbling in odd jobs to help around the home. She enjoys sharing her memories, hopes, food, travel, entertainment, and product experiences on her blog. Please read my disclosure
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LG G Android Smart Watch #Giveaway

Wednesday, January 21, 2015 Fashion and Beauty , giveaways 12 comments

I've been hearing about these smart watches. My sister received one for Christmas. They seem quite the thing of late. I didn't even know they could work alone. I thought they had to work with a smartphone.

Do you own one? Want to own one? Come enter in the LG G Android Smart Watch #Giveaway event!

Welcome to the LG G Smart Watch Giveaway

1/20/15

GiftCardRescue.com Winter $50 Walmart GC #Giveaway

Tuesday, January 20, 2015 giveaways 1 comment

If it was my choice, I'd choose the Walmart or Macy's gift card. From Macy's I'd want a very nice and colorful top. And from walmart, I'd probably just top up my kids school supplies.

We are very low on funds fo the rest of this month and February, so I'm hoping I can find little jobs here and there to do to help out.

Now come enter for your chance to win!

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Colette is a busy mom of 2 kids focusing solely on being a mom. She hails from the Caribbean and now balances the full life of being a SAHM and dabbling in odd jobs to help around the home. She enjoys sharing her memories, hopes, food, travel, entertainment, and product experiences on her blog. Please read my disclosure
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1/19/15

LushDecor.com $200 Gift Code #Giveaway

Monday, January 19, 2015 giveaways , Home and Garden 63 comments

I would love to redecorate my home in Caribbean style. It's been a long held dream of mine. I, however do not have such a budget.

But I love the bright and beautiful colors of the Caribbean. Maybe my curtains, which I made, will keep it going for awhile. :)

Have you redecorated your home? or just a room?
What is your favorite style?

If I could get anything from LushDecor, I"d definitely pick this quilt! It's sooo pretty!

Share with me and enter in the LushDecor.com $200 Gift Code #Giveaway Event for your chance to win! Sounds exciting doesn't it!

This post contains affiliate links.

Sponsor: Lush Decor

Host: Here We Go Again...Ready?

At Lush Decor you can find stylish home decor. Whether you are looking for a beautiful bedspread or energy-saving blackout curtains you will find everything you need in one place!

Lush Decor is giving one lucky reader a $200 Gift Code!

This giveaway is US only, 18 or older. Only one entrant per household. Giveaway ends on January 24 at 12:00 AM EST . Winner will be notified by email and has 24 hours to respond. If there is no response during that time a new winner will be chosen. Good Luck Everyone!!

Entry -Form

The bloggers (JamericanSpice) promoting this giveaway are not responsible for this prize. This giveaway is not associated with Facebook, Twitter or any other social media.

1/13/15

Crayon Rocks Valentine Gift Bag #Giveaway

Tuesday, January 13, 2015 giveaways , Holidays and Special Events 29 comments

Valentines is around the corner. I saw things in the store, just after Christmas day!!!

If I had a wish, I'd love for a marriage seminar or retreat for me and the husband. What would your Valentine wish be?

Share with me and enter to win in the Crayon Rocks Valentine Gift Bag #Giveaway.

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Disclosure: JamericanSpice did not receive compensation for this post and is not responsible for prize fulfillment.

Colette is a busy mom of 2 kids focusing solely on being a mom. She hails from the Caribbean and now balances the full life of being a SAHM and dabbling in odd jobs to help around the home. She enjoys sharing her memories, hopes, food, travel, entertainment, and product experiences on her blog. Please read my disclosure
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1/12/15

I Am Not Alone - #Music

Monday, January 12, 2015 Blog hop , family , music 10 comments

I've been having a whale of a time pushing off and out of the holidays. It's like I'm fighting depression. It's getting much better now, but my Christmas tree is still up!

I miss my mother being here. I wish I had more love and support. I know my children loves me, but sometimes you just want adult mingle.

I'm sure with continued positive hope, exercise, music and routine, I'll get back into the thick of things.

I just want to live purposefully.

Have you bounced back as yet?

When I walk through deep waters
I know that You will be with me
When I'm standing in the fire
I will not be overcome
Through the valley of the shadow
I will not fear

I am not alone
I am not alone
You will go before me
You will never leave me

In the midst of deep sorrow
I see Your light is breaking through
The dark of night will not overtake me
I am pressing into You
Lord, You fight my every battle
And I will not fear

You amaze me
Redeem me
You call me as Your own

You're my strength
You're my defender
You're my refuge in the storm
Through these trials
You've always been faithful
You bring healing to my soul

Welcome to today's music. I hope Monday find you with a smile and music to begin your week with light steps.

I'm always coming to visit everyone on the linky so don't worry if I'm a bit late!

CONGRATULATIONS to this week's spotlight dancer!

Don't forget to visit the spotlight dancer in the #1 spot. Soon it might be your turn.

Thank you for visiting and I'll visit you soon!

Hosts:

Colette @JamericanSpice

Marie @XmasDolly

Stacy @Stacy Uncorked

Naila Moon / Michelle - Just The Stuff Ya Know

Cathy Kennedy Is taking a hiatus as co-host, but will still be dancing with us.

And welcoming our New Co-host Becca! Yay!

Honorary Co-host: Thank you Becca and Welcome Danielle - Royalegacy

Steps:

1. Visit YouTube (or other) and get your music for the theme of the week

2. Grab our "Monday's Music Moves Me" button (above)

3. Add your post to the linky - follow the hosts and grab our buttons. Leave a note so we can follow you back

4. Visit each other and leave a comment or whatever you want to do to let them know you were there. See if they have the same music style as you. Enjoy the music!

1/10/15

Using Poop To Cook

Saturday, January 10, 2015 Cultural Awareness , education 6 comments

Whoever would use such a title eh. Oh well it just fell into my lap mind.

I was just reading a science article about how a Kenyan teenager helped his school but putting their waste to use in the kitchen.

I think it's fascinating and love that they are doing things like this to make their lives better. I've read so much on their lives there and it's behind the ages.

Have you ever seen or used a pit toilet?

Of course I let my 9 year old read it. He couldn't help his snickers and outright busting out of laughing. I don't mind. I want him to know what's going on in the world. I want him to not take life for granted.

It was also a chance to talk about my life as a little girl. My primary (one of) school used to have wooden toilets. I hated them. I've had history in them.

Ours looked like this:

There was a little housing of them for the students to use.

Maybe this will explain why I'm so scornful and tend to be a neat freak.

Even at my foster parents homes, we had them. At one foster parent house, we had none at all and simple went on a rock in the bush. Miraculous dog would clean up very well after we were finished.

Anyway, back to the story, I love that this youth, used his mind for good. I love hearing good news.

But can you think of all the jokes from this one?

Did you use pit toilets? Have you ever used one?

Read the story here:

Colette is a busy mom of 2 kids focusing solely on being a mom. She hails from the Caribbean and now balances the full life of being a SAHM and dabbling in odd jobs to help around the home. She enjoys sharing her memories, hopes, food, travel, entertainment, and product experiences on her blog. Please read my disclosure
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