Today I took all my kids to Barfield Crescent Park to play on the playground. With all the rain this week, they, and by extension, I, have gotten extremely stir crazy! My daughter AbiLyn and her friend, Lilla are 4 and 6 respectively.
During the last week, they have been watching the movie The Wilderness Family. It was a favorite of mine when I was a kid, so I recently found it on DVD (thanks Amazon) and bought it for my kids to watch.
In this movie, they learned this very old song:
Alouette, gentille Alouette
Alouette je te plumerai
Alouette, gentille Alouette
Alouette je te plumerai
Je te plumerai la tête
Je te plumerai la tête
Et la tête, et la tête
Alouette, Alouette
Considering it is French, it made no sense to them, even though Lilla, in particular, has an amazing vocabulary and has been speaking in clear, full sentences practically since birth! The song does, however, have a catchy tune. So today on the way to the park, I hear this at full, adorable volume coming from the back row of my van:
Alouette, gentille Alouette
Alouette jumping in the rain
Alouette, gentille Alouette
Alouette, je te boomerang
It's funny how a child conforms what they hear into something that makes some kind of sense to them... even if it's just a few words out of the whole. It's so entertaining to watch a child, in sweet ignorance, as they try to interpret the huge amount of information coming at them every day. I wish I-and all other adults- could handle new information in such good humor!
Friday, July 31, 2009
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Moody and Musical
Have you ever noticed how different music affects your moods? Or how our mood will make different genres more or less appealing.
Ladies, why, when we are about to be visited by Aunt Flo, do we choose to listen to Cinderella by Stephen Curtis Chapman, Best Day by Taylor Swift or that song that Sis. So-n-so sang at dear Granny's funeral? We know good and well that it will incapacitate us to the point that the only thing we could possibly do is put on pajamas, lock the kids in their room, pull out an economy sized tub of our favorite ice cream, and/or a family sized pan of brownies and/or jar of Peter Pan and/or ridiculously huge cup of milk and peruse old photo albums and/or greeting cards from our wedding and/or illness and/or birthdays and/or children's births.
What about when we are mad? I go straight to the loud angry girl bands like Letters to Cleo or any kind of music my parents would have frowned on while I lived at home. That'll show them... whoever "them" is at that moment, right? Do we really think that will help us calm down and be rational?
Every Spring I find myself wanting to listen to bouncy happy music like Michael Buble or Colbie Caillat. Listening to happy, feel good music seems to make the new blossoms prettier and the new grass greener. It seems to compliment the smell of newly mowed grass and blooming fruit trees in the air.
Then, of course, every Fall... the time of bonfires and falling leaves... I just HAVE to pull out the Dixie Chicks album - Wide Open Spaces and Tim McGraws Greatest Hits. I don't know why, but country music just goes hand in hand with Fall in my brain!
God is so amazing how he created music, despite the ugly turn the chief musician took. Then He programmed humans, particularly us ladies, as emotional beings that can respond in such a strong way to music. Because the thing He knew was how that when we are feeling like we might lose our faith or feeling like giving up on [insert problematic relationship here] we can put in some Desperation Band or Hillsong. Or if you're old school (or feeling old school) you select some Wash Me by John P. Kee, Glory to Glory by Fred Hammond, -again- Hold My Mule by Shirley Caesar, God is Here by Martha Munizzi or He's Been Faithful by Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir and the lyrics can speak calm into your internal struggle. God's presence is ushered in and embraces you and your emotions are calmed. God knows how real and overwhelming things can feel when our emotions and/or hormones get all riled up and has provided such a simple tool for us to be able to feel comfort. I'll be honest, things have occurred in my life and the promises in the Bible feel empty and provide little/no comfort; my prayers feel like they are bouncing back down to me... oh... but when I put in some old choir that speaks to me, the Comforter wraps around me in a way that defies reason. It's like I'm being told, "I'm right here," the same way I tell my 4 year old when she wakes up, afraid, in the night.
Time and again, I'm smacked in the face with the realization that my Creator truly knows me, His creation... like it's a surprise. -lol- It may sound silly, but I'm so thankful today for the many facets of music and the way it enriches my life!
Ladies, why, when we are about to be visited by Aunt Flo, do we choose to listen to Cinderella by Stephen Curtis Chapman, Best Day by Taylor Swift or that song that Sis. So-n-so sang at dear Granny's funeral? We know good and well that it will incapacitate us to the point that the only thing we could possibly do is put on pajamas, lock the kids in their room, pull out an economy sized tub of our favorite ice cream, and/or a family sized pan of brownies and/or jar of Peter Pan and/or ridiculously huge cup of milk and peruse old photo albums and/or greeting cards from our wedding and/or illness and/or birthdays and/or children's births.
What about when we are mad? I go straight to the loud angry girl bands like Letters to Cleo or any kind of music my parents would have frowned on while I lived at home. That'll show them... whoever "them" is at that moment, right? Do we really think that will help us calm down and be rational?
Every Spring I find myself wanting to listen to bouncy happy music like Michael Buble or Colbie Caillat. Listening to happy, feel good music seems to make the new blossoms prettier and the new grass greener. It seems to compliment the smell of newly mowed grass and blooming fruit trees in the air.
Then, of course, every Fall... the time of bonfires and falling leaves... I just HAVE to pull out the Dixie Chicks album - Wide Open Spaces and Tim McGraws Greatest Hits. I don't know why, but country music just goes hand in hand with Fall in my brain!
God is so amazing how he created music, despite the ugly turn the chief musician took. Then He programmed humans, particularly us ladies, as emotional beings that can respond in such a strong way to music. Because the thing He knew was how that when we are feeling like we might lose our faith or feeling like giving up on [insert problematic relationship here] we can put in some Desperation Band or Hillsong. Or if you're old school (or feeling old school) you select some Wash Me by John P. Kee, Glory to Glory by Fred Hammond, -again- Hold My Mule by Shirley Caesar, God is Here by Martha Munizzi or He's Been Faithful by Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir and the lyrics can speak calm into your internal struggle. God's presence is ushered in and embraces you and your emotions are calmed. God knows how real and overwhelming things can feel when our emotions and/or hormones get all riled up and has provided such a simple tool for us to be able to feel comfort. I'll be honest, things have occurred in my life and the promises in the Bible feel empty and provide little/no comfort; my prayers feel like they are bouncing back down to me... oh... but when I put in some old choir that speaks to me, the Comforter wraps around me in a way that defies reason. It's like I'm being told, "I'm right here," the same way I tell my 4 year old when she wakes up, afraid, in the night.
Time and again, I'm smacked in the face with the realization that my Creator truly knows me, His creation... like it's a surprise. -lol- It may sound silly, but I'm so thankful today for the many facets of music and the way it enriches my life!
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
A Passion
Growing up, my 2 lovely sisters and I had a wonderful long concrete driveway with a large turn-around area. Naturally, that turn-around area served us by being our lay out arena during the summer, basketball court during the winter, and general hang out... when mom and dad weren't parked there. One of the things we used it for all year round was roller skating. We'd put on our awesome skates with the bells and/or powder puffs tied into the laces and skate to the super cool Dirty Dancing Soundtrack for hours. The Christmas when I was 8 years old (wow... almost 20 years ago) we received our first pairs of Rollerblades. I loved mine! I still felt an attachment and loyalty to my regular roller skates because I could twist and flip around in them as easily as running or riding my bike. But my Rollerblades... They were rugged and tough, almost indestructible. I could run over sticks and not get tripped up. It was wonderful!
In 1997, I was 16 years old, and THE GREENWAY opened here in Murfreesboro. It's a paved trail that follows Stones River all over town. There are several trail heads throughout town. On the Greenway, you would share company with avid joggers or bikers, couples walking hand in hand, elderly couples walking little "Yap" dogs (yap yap yap yap yap), parent's pulling their small kids behind their bikes on little carts, single people reading or fishing by the Stones River and any other race, relationship status and demographic that comes to mind. As soon as I got my drivers' license, I began driving to my favorite trail head and rollerblading on the Greenway. It was FANTASTIC! I could go almost 3 miles without having to turn around. It was where I went when I needed to think or unwind. It was something I could do during my volatile teen years when I felt my head would explode. Something that was much better for me than, say, chopping my own pony tail off in a fit of hormonal rage. (unfortunately that really did happen when I was 13) I realized last month that I've been skating my favorite 3 mile stretch of Greenway for over 10 years! It has carried me through part of high school, college, a wedding, a new marriage, 2 pregnancies (at which point I took a sabbatical), more marriage and a couple of career changes. I very nearly REVERE this activity. It helped me maintain my weight in my younger days and lose weight (a year or so) after both children. It is easy on my joints. I can listen to my ipod. I can even pray... if you don't believe me, put some Shirley Caesar: Hold My Mule on your work out play list and see if you don't start speaking in tongues the next time you work out. This is an all around good-for-me activity that I LOVE. The liberation and endorphin rush I feel after a 10 or 12 mile roller blade is nearly unparalelled. Plus, as a stay at home mom, it is something that remains MINE!
If you don't have a stress relieving work out option that you love and can stick to, shop around. I strongly encourage you to find something you enjoy doing that will give your heart the workout it needs a few times per week. After all, are we not instructed by God to take care of "our temple?"
In 1997, I was 16 years old, and THE GREENWAY opened here in Murfreesboro. It's a paved trail that follows Stones River all over town. There are several trail heads throughout town. On the Greenway, you would share company with avid joggers or bikers, couples walking hand in hand, elderly couples walking little "Yap" dogs (yap yap yap yap yap), parent's pulling their small kids behind their bikes on little carts, single people reading or fishing by the Stones River and any other race, relationship status and demographic that comes to mind. As soon as I got my drivers' license, I began driving to my favorite trail head and rollerblading on the Greenway. It was FANTASTIC! I could go almost 3 miles without having to turn around. It was where I went when I needed to think or unwind. It was something I could do during my volatile teen years when I felt my head would explode. Something that was much better for me than, say, chopping my own pony tail off in a fit of hormonal rage. (unfortunately that really did happen when I was 13) I realized last month that I've been skating my favorite 3 mile stretch of Greenway for over 10 years! It has carried me through part of high school, college, a wedding, a new marriage, 2 pregnancies (at which point I took a sabbatical), more marriage and a couple of career changes. I very nearly REVERE this activity. It helped me maintain my weight in my younger days and lose weight (a year or so) after both children. It is easy on my joints. I can listen to my ipod. I can even pray... if you don't believe me, put some Shirley Caesar: Hold My Mule on your work out play list and see if you don't start speaking in tongues the next time you work out. This is an all around good-for-me activity that I LOVE. The liberation and endorphin rush I feel after a 10 or 12 mile roller blade is nearly unparalelled. Plus, as a stay at home mom, it is something that remains MINE!
If you don't have a stress relieving work out option that you love and can stick to, shop around. I strongly encourage you to find something you enjoy doing that will give your heart the workout it needs a few times per week. After all, are we not instructed by God to take care of "our temple?"
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Spitting Elmos
Today for lunch I was really creative (and healthy) and served shells & cheese with saltine crackers and strawberry Koo-laid. What can I say? I need to go to the grocery store...
Well, I fixed up plates and drinks (lids included) for my kids and, I'll be honest, snuck off to watch a few minutes of Smallville, uninterrupted. Well, the 2 older kids finished and got up, so I knew I needed to get back to my 1 year old son, Lex, who is still in a high chair. A high chair that he has no problem standing in or climbing out of, despite the seatbelt being buckled to an uncomfortable tightness.
My son... ah.... my son... He has a weird aversion to plates, that I stubbornly refuse to acknowledge. Almost every meal, he will empty his plate onto his high chair tray. As soon as my back is turned, he will throw the partially emptied plate (you can imagine how thorough a 22 month old is) into the floor. So now, I will have food to clean up from both the high chair tray and the floor... and my son. By the way, no punishment seems to dissuade him from this particular ritual.
Well, I went back into the dining room expecting a mess to clean up. Today, however, he was covered in the red Koo-laid and was hap
pily pointing at the large red drops he had spit onto his tray. I asked him what he was doing, because it didn't seem like his usual random chaos. Today he seemed to be playing a specific game. He answered, "Spitting Elmos." (elmos is pronounced to rhyme with 'gross.') The red Koo-laid apparently reminded him of Elmo, therefore he was thrilled to have created a bunch of tiny, liquid Elmos to befriend.
Well, I fixed up plates and drinks (lids included) for my kids and, I'll be honest, snuck off to watch a few minutes of Smallville, uninterrupted. Well, the 2 older kids finished and got up, so I knew I needed to get back to my 1 year old son, Lex, who is still in a high chair. A high chair that he has no problem standing in or climbing out of, despite the seatbelt being buckled to an uncomfortable tightness.
My son... ah.... my son... He has a weird aversion to plates, that I stubbornly refuse to acknowledge. Almost every meal, he will empty his plate onto his high chair tray. As soon as my back is turned, he will throw the partially emptied plate (you can imagine how thorough a 22 month old is) into the floor. So now, I will have food to clean up from both the high chair tray and the floor... and my son. By the way, no punishment seems to dissuade him from this particular ritual.
Well, I went back into the dining room expecting a mess to clean up. Today, however, he was covered in the red Koo-laid and was hap
pily pointing at the large red drops he had spit onto his tray. I asked him what he was doing, because it didn't seem like his usual random chaos. Today he seemed to be playing a specific game. He answered, "Spitting Elmos." (elmos is pronounced to rhyme with 'gross.') The red Koo-laid apparently reminded him of Elmo, therefore he was thrilled to have created a bunch of tiny, liquid Elmos to befriend.
Hello There!
Well, this is my first blog. It seems that almost daily, lately, I see things or hear things that are funny or unusual and don't really have an outlet for them... without driving my husband crazy... So, thanks for reading and hopefully this will be something we can all enjoy.
**Disclaimer: Be prepared for "kid" stories. I spend the majority of my day with my 2 kids and a friends' daughter that I'm keeping during summer break.
**Disclaimer: Be prepared for "kid" stories. I spend the majority of my day with my 2 kids and a friends' daughter that I'm keeping during summer break.
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