Sarah's new violin!

I am blogging even though I SHOULD be cleaning up the kitchen and ironing the clothes for the morning.  Procrastinating is such a lovely option, though, isn't it?

Just thought you might like to see Sarah's violin skills lately..

 See?  This can be a guitar, a cello, AND a violin!  And did you know markers can be a bow?

It is a bit awkward to use, however.

 Here is her newer model.  Much more compact.

 She made sure to include a shoulder rest just like Josh's.  Makes it much more comfortable to use.

And it stores so nicely.  I told you it was compact!

Sarah loves her special instruments, but she does realize that a real, live violin would sound better.  She finds pictures of real ones around, and brings them to me, asking me if she can have "one of these tiny violins."  I always tell her, yes, someday.  (Josh's teacher says it's fine if we wait a year or two for her, although I would like to get her started if we had the extra cash doing Suzuki, or something.  Anyone want to donate or discount some lessons for this poor, desperate girl?!  Or have a "tiny" violin laying around you don't need anymore??)  Okay, I'm kidding.  Kind of.

And don't worry.  She has not given up her dreams of playing piano and cello as well.  Just tonight I was letting her watch some Youtube videos.  I typed in Itsy Bitsy Spider, per her request.  She scanned all the thumbnails, trying to select the perfect Itsy Bitsy Spider video to view, and decided on a piano tutorial on how to PLAY Itsy Bitsy Spider.  She watched it intently, and then watched several more tutorials featuring various other favorite tunes.  Of course, her little fingers were poised just perfectly on the desk, playing along.

Oh.  And just so you know, she is unique, but not THAT crazy.  After that, she did get to business watching some good old water spout fun cartoons.  I wonder when she will ever tire of that song?

Have a great week, everyone! 



Dre-e-e-e-eam...Dream, Dream, Dream!

The other day my hubby took the kids up to spend half the day with his parents.  I decided to stay home and try to get stuff done, and uninterrupted, to boot.  Before they left, my hubby said to me,

"Make sure you do something you enjoy while we're gone.  Don't spend the whole time cleaning."


Oooohhh...did you catch that?  A direct order to do something I enjoyed while I had some time.  A "no-guilt," free pass to do something fun and luxurious!!!  Well, I don't know about the luxurious part.  But still... 

Problem was, I really, really needed to do a lot of work around the house.  Drat.  And, I had plans for the evening, so I really didn't have all that much time to take advantage of this awesome offer.

But what if I did?.......

What if I had a whole, entire DAY to do whatever I wanted?  WHATEVER I wanted??  A day to spend on myself.  What would I do?  What would you do?

Feel free to dream with me for a moment.

First, of course, I would sleep in.  If I did not need to get up and start school or go anywhere pressing, I would most definitely sleep in.  And when I woke up, I would stay in bed for a while, just enjoying my warm, comfy covers. I would spend an extra long time enjoying my time with God that day.  Nothing sweeter! 

If it was warm outside, (and since I am dreaming, I am ordering a warm day) I would go for a nice, long walk, just enjoying the sunshine and birds singing.  Back at home, I would sit outside with my breakfast.  My children could only join me if they promised not to say MOM a hundred times.  I would watch them playing and enjoy their sweet laughter.  (What?  It happens like that occasionally!)

Next, I would get ready and head out the door, all by myself.  I'd start by meeting a friend for a yummy iced coffee somewhere.  Then, I would go to some garage sales or thrift stores, or shop some clearance racks.   Nothing makes me happier than finding  the best deal!  (And that is what I did with my little bit of time the other day.  I got some fantastic deals.  So much stuff for the store price of just one of the items I  bought.  The joy!)

I would go to the library, or maybe a book store.  I could spend as much time as I wanted!  Mmmmm....the smell of books.  The feel of the pages.  None of those new-fangled Kindle-type devices for me. 

Then....I would go to a museum!  I would go by myself.  Alone is best so that I could take as much time as I wanted reading EVERYTHING with no one to hurry me along.  I have never been able to do that before!

By now, it might be growing late in the day.  I would call my hubby and invite him to go out to eat with me.  Some romantic music playing in the car, my choice of restaurant.....something Italian.  Maybe a little place downtown I've never been to.  Perhaps after dinner we could take a stroll together enjoying the twilight time.  We could end the evening with a movie...  In my dream I am imagining there is something great playing that is rated G and is not a cartoon.  It's a DREAM, remember? 

Finally, at home, the kids are already snuggled in their beds, the kitchen has been cleaned, the dishwasher is sweetly humming.  I check on my sleeping angels, retrieve one of the books I picked up today, get my soft blanket and a warm cup of tea, and curl up on my couch, reading to my heart's content.  It's probably historical fiction, by the way.  Or maybe a biography.  My favorites.  Oh, and how could I forget?  I bought some chocolate that day too.  I will not worry about indulging in some decadent, creamy goodness while I lose myself in those pages.  And isn't it very late by now?  Of course!  Just the way I like it. 

Ah...yes.

What do you think?   I'll let you know if it actually ever happens.  ; )

It's time for class!

Okay, so I decided I would venture out of my comfort zone a bit today and whine a bit.  Here on my blog. Instead of just keeping my thoughts to myself.  Here goes... 

Do you ever feel like so many women these days in this old world we live in are losing every last bit of classiness by the day?

Do you ever look around and wonder why it is that these lovely women...on TV, movies, singing on the stage...what have you...feel the need to show off large portions of their bodies to every man in the country who happens to be watching?  And not only famous people, but as the weather gets warmer and I am minding my own business at my local supermarket, I have no choice but to view skin all the way up to these lovely girls' tiny little shorts, barely covering their bottoms.  And my hubby and boys don't have much choice either. 

Honestly.  Honestly, I really do not know why this has become the norm in our country. 

And I know I am really showing my old-fashionedness now, but why has it become the norm for lovely girls and women (and men too, but I am mostly just shocked by the girls,) to think nothing of cussing like drunken sailors in normal, everyday conversation?  So many things about the culture we live in amaze me, but this one just gets my goat for some reason.  Such vulgar, ugly words come spewing out of girls' mouths.  And it's all considered perfectly normal.  They spend so much time trying to make themselves beautiful on the outside, but let this trashy talk ruin it all when they speak.

Forgive me, but I just don't get it.

In case any of these ladies might be reading this post who may have gotten swept away by this crazy world we live in, and are thinking, "Hey, that's me..."

Could I ask you for a minute, do you really think that this way of dressing and acting is classy?  When you picture the kind of woman who would be your role model, do you picture someone who is baring half of what God's blessed her with for all to see and letting those 4-letter words rip? 

Let's bring some beauty and class back to our nation. What do you say? 

Thank you. 

My little venting session is over.  You may go back to what you were doing. 

Have a great day!

Easter Day!

Yes, this post is a bit late...

but we had such a joyful Easter!  My heart was so full all day long.  I listened to "Amazing Love" by Graham Kendrick so many times.  I just couldn't get enough of that song.  Had a wonderful time worshiping at church. 

And we had fun celebrating with the kids.

 The shoes Sarah picked for the day...(Nope, sorry, I didn't let her wear them.)

I hope you had a very blessed Easter, too.  And if you would like to know more about how to have a relationship with Jesus, please visit this site. 

Have a great weekend!  I'm so glad it's Friday!!!

Good Friday. What do you think?

Today is Good Friday.  The day we recognize as the one when Jesus was crucified.

I took this picture this past fall at our city's local artists' competition.  This amazing mosaic won the top prize.  And I think with good reason.  It is truly magnificent--especially in real life, although I think you can get a good idea from the photo. 

I took the picture of the artwork, of course.   But later when I looked at it, I found it moving for a different reason than just the sheer talent or the powerful focus of the piece. 

I noticed the people in the crowd.  Some of them are looking intently up at the cross.  Most are chatting, milling around, focused instead on this over here or that over there, seemingly oblivious to the Man on the cross above their heads. 

And I was struck by the comparison to real life. 

All of us here on the earth, milling around, going about our business...running here and there...some of us believing in this Jesus and what He did on that cross.  Some focused on Him, living for Him, and ready to even die for Him.

Some believing, but mostly just living for themselves while they take their ride around the sun all these years.

And some completely oblivious--not caring or even hostile to Him.  Many believing different things, in other gods, or only in themselves. 

And Jesus on that cross.  Pure Love. Arms outstretched, bleeding and dying, and three days later, resurrecting--  for everyone.  For all of us.  No matter what we think of Him. 

We are all of us--the whole lot of us--desperate sinners, in need of a Savior. In need of Him.

I don't know which group you are in.  Those devoted to Him, those who hate Him or think He is a fairy tale, or somewhere in between.  But I wonder if you don't know Him, if you might be curious?  Have you ever wondered if there might be any truth in this Christianity thing?  Eternity is something we all should at least think about, and I'm sure we all have at some point or other. 

I am reading a book right now called "The Case For Christ" by Lee Strobel.  Mr. Strobel was an agnostic journalist who went on a search to find out if there might be any evidence behind this man called Jesus.  He wanted to know if the Bible really might be able to be trusted, and if there is any evidence outside of the Bible that points to Jesus and the accuracy of the manuscripts that make up this Book. 

If you have ever wondered these same things, you might like to read it!  His research was extensive, and what he found was amazing!  I hope you will check it out.

I am spending time today reflecting on the amazing love of our Savior.  This song by Graham Kendrick comes to my mind:

Amazing love--oh what sacrifice... the Son of God given for me...

My debt He paid, and my death He died

That I might live!

That I might live!

Have a blessed Easter weekend, friends!