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The piano recital that wasn’t…

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Yesterday afternoon my oldest daughter and I went to support her BFF at her first piano recital (we thought).  It was at a local church and her piano teacher is the music director at the church (I think).  As it turned out, the recital was actually a fund raiser for the church with a variety of musical talent performing.    (my friend–mom of daughter’s BFF–was unaware as well).  Either way, after the 2nd act I realized this was a) going to be longer than the 1 hour I told Hubby and b) he was going to have to make pizza for dinner.  Getting all the dinner texting out of the way, my daughter and I settled in to the most wonderful treat of an afternoon.

In addition to her BFF playing piano, only 8 months in and did a lovely job, we were also blessed by the following acts:

A group of 8 women singing in harmony first to a traditional hymn and then led by one of the women singing an African-American gospel “Down in my Soul” that gave me goosebumps to my bones and hands that began clapping on their own.  This youtube video is a good idea of the song, you have to get past the first 2 minutes or so of talking…..

A Rock Band playing LOUD.  playing WELL.  and glorifying God in every note.  The kicker was “I can only imagine”, by MercyMe.  UGH.  That song slays me!!!  My daughter thought it was pretty cool that there were likely some kids that were able to say their grandpas were in a band—since they were about grandpa’s age.

A 93-year old Baritone singing in a lovely and heart stirring DEEP voice in memory of his late wife, supported by his two daughters and wife’s childhood friend.  I felt a tear…

After some technical difficulties and delaying his act a few times, a young man, choreographed and danced to He wants it all.  Not only was the song fantastic, but the young man’s strength, grace and God-glorifying routine was heart stirring.  He had to leave for another performance immediately after his spot, so I was unable to praise him personally (I’ll do it here).  WOW!

A singer/actor, Harry Burney, performed a song he wrote “Changed my Name” hearkening back to Christian slaves and what it means to be Christian.  Not an easy road.  But one taken trusting that Jesus will guide each step of the way.  Spectacular.  Riveting.

A trumpeting missionary, in which I had to actually get up to make sure it was truly a trumpet, it was played so softly and gently, accompanied by the piano, I swear I could hear it sing!

A legally blind pianist playing first classical, “Rhapsody in Blue” and followed up by “I love being here with you” joined in by the band….in B flat, the bridge in D.  She was a hoot!!

A mime.  At this point, my daughter moved from our seats in the last row to join her friend in the front row because her friend was a afraid of clowns.  Please.  She knew what she was doing.  Front and center.  And that guy was mind-blowing.  I thanked him after the show, to which his reply, “To God be the glory”.  And yes.  It was!  Who knew?!?!?

A group jam to “Shackles” finished up the afternoon and I felt like not only did I start my day with the Lord at Mass, I finished it up with an eclectic group of people sharing in their gifts and talents to further worshipping and glorifying God in spite of this world, it’s trials and tribulations.  His goodness and mercy reign.

I can’t think of a better way to end the day with my sweet girl.

Motivation. Encouragement. Give and take circle.

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This weekend we watched a fantastic sermon by an Evangelical preacher, Nick Vujicic.  If you’ve not heard of him, or his book Life without Limbs,  do yourself a favor and check him out.  We were introduced to him two-fold: 1)My son’s AMAZING 5th grade teacher gifted him with Nick’s book and 2) at a similar time my husband watched a video of a sermon of his.  The message was simple and true:  the “things” we think that will fill the hole in our lives to bring happiness will NEVER fill the “GOD-shaped” hole in our hearts.  One of the many examples was Nick praying repeatedly in his life for arms and legs.  “If I only had arms and legs, God, THEN I would be happy.”  And then he asked the audience, “YOU have arms and legs.  Are YOU happy?”  The grass is always greener on the other side, isn’t it?

And so, we discussed with the kids the message.  The examples.  The Truth that Christ brings into our lives and the fulfillment we receive when we live out our lives stepping out in faith that the One who brought us out of the darkness WILL bring us to an everlasting joy.  Our time here is fleeting and what awaits us is so far beyond our wildest hopes and dreams.  While we are trekking through this life though, motivating each other to take one more step, encouraging each other on through hardships and difficulty, we spread Christ’s message through our actions, examples and words.  It starts at home and we are to be content in what we are given and to use those gifts to their maximum.  Life comes full circle.  When we are in need, we receive and when we encounter misfortune we do what we can to provide comfort and aid.  If the man with no arms and no legs can overcome depression and live his life for the glory of God, surfing, getting married and bringing 500,000 people to know Jesus, can we not look within and live our own lives maximizing the gifts we have been given?

For me, my own excuses the last few days in response to whatever tasks lie in front of me, have sounded hollow, empty and weak.  Because, He has far more in mind for me than excuses.

Hebrews 3:13

But encourage one another day after day, as long as it is still called “Today,” so that none of you will be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.

**all photos pulled from the web, from Nick’s website and general Google search!

Quality time

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Yesterday was seriously packed full of STUFF!  It started out like any other Saturday with grocery shopping, exercise, etc.  Hubby’s plans to kayak with his buddy fell through and he went solo in the ocean.  When he got home we decided the girls and I would go with him back to the beach so they could kayak, too.  This would take place after lunch and AFTER our son’s haircut appointment.  Our oldest was skating/filming with friends and our youngest was headed to a friend’s house after his haircut, so off we went…the girls and Daddi-O.

Daddy's girls. Be still my heart!

We were racing the impending rain (which finally came at 3:30 a.m.  and kept me up until 4:30!!  WHATEVER!!)  and we actually WON!  The reality is, often it can rain on the mainland, but the ocean breeze will keep the beach dry far longer.  (Little FYI for ya)

Threatening rain....

Our oldest daughter went first and I played football with our youngest.

Heading back in

Then our youngest went out.  On the way in they actually capsized.  Thank heavens for lifevests.  Though for a brief moment I lost sight of our littlest, to which I am certain my heart actually stopped.  And then there they were, swimming in and our oldest daughter running down the beach until she could wrangle the kayak back to the beach.  As they came to shore, our youngest said, “It’s a good thing Dad was a lifeguard, Mom!”  Hubby said she did real well, she didn’t panic, she followed his instructions and both girls are ready to go AGAIN!!  Praise God for a calm Hubby!!

And then we went home and CLEANED!  Woo hoo!!

Purging and room to breathe!!

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No worries, I’m not referring to bulimia here.  I’ve been dragging out Spring Cleaning here over the last month or so and yesterday we finally got to the girls’ room.  Including garage since their room is the smallest there is overflow in the garage.

We started in the garage.  Donate pile.  Evaluate pile.  Keep pile.  Trash.  I prefer to tackle these things solo, I have my own method.  However, Hubby was home and SO EXCITED I was finally ready to clean it out and the girls were home, too.  Once we got through the garage stuff, we were hitting our stride and the girls were THRILLED to have their room back.

I am a nostalgic person by nature and I have to say, although I like things tidy and in their place I struggle with purging.However, I am ALWAYS thrilled in the end and that motivates me.

Nice, huh?  It’s the only way I can do it.  Just get it all in one spot and go through it piece by painful piece.  It’s amazing what you come across this way.

Until we get the time, money and EXACT idea of what we want to build in the girls’ closet, this is FAR more manageable.  If they only keep it this clean…..

And they love their reading area, complete with their personal boards.  (We made those a few months ago and as you can see ONE of my sweeties has lots to save…the other is more discerning!)

Aw, shucks! Golly gosh! Thanks!!

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Today, Off Duty Mom made my day.  She nominated me for:

Versatile-definition via the free dictionary…am I?  really?  let’s see….

ver·sa·tile http://img.tfd.com/m/sound.swf (vûrs-tl, -tl)

adj.

1. Capable of doing many things competently.  I would say yes.  I am a multi-tasker and can generally do it well….or fake it enough that you THINK I am competent.  (though my friend at work and I have a running joke on our incompetence..)
2. Having varied uses or serving many functions: “The most versatile of vegetables is the tomato” (Craig Claiborne).  Cook.  Dishwasher. Personal shopper. Secretary.  Volunteer. Laundress.  Maid.  Nurse.  Taxi driver.  Teacher.  Wife. Friend.  Mom. Photographer.  Sorta-writer.  Full-time worker bee.  Personal Trainer.  Holy cow, no wonder I’m perpetually exhausted!
3. Variable or inconstant; changeable: a versatile temperament.  Yes.  I’m completely inconstant.  Versatile temperament, check!  I’m sure my kids can attest to my head spinning abilities.  Especially when they have a project due this a.m. and forgot to print it last night. And I can love up on them like no one’s business.  My favorite is in Mass…my 14 year old hates it…
4. Biology Capable of moving freely in all directions, as the antenna of an insect, the toe of an owl, or the loosely attached anther of a flower.  This is a fail.  I’m not so loosey goosey.  I taught aerobics, but I’m more of an “Elaine” dancer for you Seinfeld fans.
Now.  Having never received any type of blogging award, I had to check it out and see what the heck this is.  Never mind that someone not only commented on my blog (LOVE comments!), but liked it enough to give me a shout out; I was blown away.
In a nutshell…. it’s a nice way to recognize some of your favorite bloggers and to let them know in a VERY public manner that they ROCK!  Wow.  Thank you, Off Duty Mom!  I enjoy your blog and look forward to your boy’s clothing store opening to broaden the fashion horizons of little dudes everywhere!!
There are some rules and such that go along with this award and I will just cut and paste from Off Duty Mom:

“if you find yourself nominated, you’ve been awarded The Versatile Blogger award.  And then, you need to pay it forward” by

  • Thanking the person who gave you this recognition
  •  Including a link to their blog
  •  Selecting 15 blogs/bloggers that you’ve recently discovered or follow regularly
  •  Nominating those 15 bloggers for the Versatile Blogger Award — you might include a link to this site.
  •  Telling  seven things about yourself

Here are my top 15 blogs that I consider versatile in one manner or another:

  1. Charlotte was both
  2. Tamára out Loud
  3. Katrina Anne Willis
  4. Faith Checks
  5. Blog it All
  6. McKMama
  7. Redefining Normal
  8. A Rosey Outlook on Life
  9. Bad Catholic
  10. PhotoBotos
  11. Among Women
  12. In the Heart of my Home
  13. Conversion Diary
  14. Driven!  For His Glory.
  15. Socially Fit

And now for the 7 things about myself that I probably haven’t already blogged about…hmmmm:

  1. I could eat cake and coffee for breakfast everyday.  Apparently so could my grandmother.  But I don’t.  It’s usually oatmeal, a smoothie or eggs.  Cake is more fun.
  2. I love Downton Abbey.  It’s our Friday night date on the couch. Only 2 episodes left until Season 2 is over.  I’ll be in mourning.  Boo hoo.
  3. I am a morning person.  But I like to be up at night when everyone is in bed.  Peace.  Quiet.  AHhhhhhh.
  4. I taught aerobics for several years (stopping with baby #4….ran out of time!)  Loved it.  Paid to work out.  Those were the days.
  5. I am easily overstimulated.  And God blessed us with 4 children.  He has a sense of humor, doesn’t He?
  6. I procrastinate.  Too much. I’m passing it onto my children.  Thank you, Jesus for a Type-A Hubby to save them from this nasty habit!
  7. I am able to help other people figure out a life plan and yet…..those glasses are fuzzy when it comes to my own life.  WHAT?!?!?
  8. I love to snuggle with my Hubby in the morning, unfortunately it’s always right when the alarm goes off and it’s time to get up.  <sigh>
  9. I ran a marathon. Once.   5 hours 40 minutes.  No land speed records, but talk about your endurance.  YOU try running that long.  OK.  I walked a little bit.  Still…..
  10. I am running late for work!  Always!  I’m always trying to do that one.  more.  thing.

Have a great day!!