I'm With the Band

Music is a big deal in our little family. Hubby played the Sousaphone in his high school and college marching bands. I never played an instrument, and frankly can’t read music or carry a tune…but I can operate a radio with the best of them. Between Hubby and I, we've amassed quite a collection of records and compact discs.  Gradually we're building a digital collection as well.  We've tried to expose little guy to artists we think he'll enjoy.

This is a Sousaphone...not a tuba.

From a young age, he has shown an avid interest in music, and we are trying our hardest to encourage it. We won’t start him with any lessons until he’s older of course, but we’ve humored him with several musical toys (he has a little saxophone, a guitar, drums and two pianos).                                                                                                                                                                       
Lately a favorite game is “Playing Band”. Little Guy will assign each of us a toy instrument and we will play along while he plays the instrument he has selected, and also sings. Occasionally, he will shout, “stop the music” and once we’ve stopped he’ll giggle and then we start all over again. It’s fun and adorable to see him playing and singing and conducting his little family band.

Are we in tune? No.

Is he a savant who will be playing concertos before he’s in kindergarten? No.

But does he love it? Yes, and so do we.

We aren’t the Partridge Family by any means, but we sure are having a great time!



Maestro



Counting My Blessings

I’ll be spending this lovely holiday surrounded by family, eating yummy food and being thankful for the many blessings in my life. This time of year always reminds me of an old hymn which captures the mood for the day, I think. My wish for you is that you also have a wonderful day surrounded by the blessings in your life.

Count Your Blessings
When upon life’s billows you are tempest tossed,
When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost,
Count your many blessings, name them one by one,
And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.

Count your blessings, name them one by one,
Count your blessings, see what God hath done!
Count your blessings, name them one by one,
And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.

Are you ever burdened with a load of care?
Does the cross seem heavy you are called to bear?
Count your many blessings, every doubt will fly,
And you will keep singing as the days go by.

Count your blessings, name them one by one,
Count your blessings, see what God hath done!
Count your blessings, name them one by one,
And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.

When you look at others with their lands and gold,
Think that Christ has promised you His wealth untold;
Count your many blessings. Wealth can never buy
Your reward in heaven, nor your home on high.

Count your blessings, name them one by one,
Count your blessings, see what God hath done!
Count your blessings, name them one by one,
And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.

So, amid the conflict whether great or small,
Do not be disheartened, God is over all;
Count your many blessings, angels will attend,
Help and comfort give you to your journey’s end.

Count your blessings, name them one by one,
Count your blessings, see what God hath done!
Count your blessings, name them one by one,
And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.

Words by Johnson Oatman Jr. 1897
Music by Edwin O. Excell

The Sparrow

Do you ever have a flash of memory that you can’t really explain? A flash so vivid, you feel you must have remembered it for a reason – even if you can’t pinpoint what that might be? Well, today I have a song stuck in my head, and for some reason am reminded of a lady who loved singing it many years ago.

As a child I attended a very small country church. My Dad was the song leader. Often we sang a capella as a pianist was not always in attendance. On occasion, there was special music (a soloist or small choir would sing to the rest of us).

Mrs. Houston was a sweet elderly lady in our church. She always had a kind smile for a silly little girl like me. It’s been years since I even thought of her, but today suddenly there she was in my mind just as if I were six years old again, listening to her sing. She routinely sang specials, and although she may have sung others, I remember her singing one old hymn on many occasions.  She was not a perfect performer. She might have made mistakes. Sometimes her voice shook just a little.  It didn’t matter. Nobody minded because she sang that song with all her heart. You could tell she believed every word.

That old hymn that I remember her always singing (and which is on my mind today) is this one:

His Eye is on the Sparrow

Why should I feel discouraged, why should the shadows come,

Why should my heart be lonely, and long for heaven and home,

When Jesus is my portion? My constant Friend is He:

His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me;

His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.

Refrain:

I sing because I’m happy, I sing because I’m free,

For His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.

“Let not your heart be troubled,” His tender word I hear,

And resting on His goodness, I lose my doubts and fears;

Though by the path He leadeth, but one step I may see;

His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me;

His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.

Whenever I am tempted, whenever clouds arise,

When songs give place to sighing, when hope within me dies,

I draw the closer to Him, from care He sets me free;

His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me;

His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.

The sparrow isn’t usually anyone’s favorite bird. My Mom, who is an avid bird watcher, calls the sparrow a nuisance. It scares away the “prettier” birds she likes watching best. That’s the point though, right? If He cares enough to watch the sparrow ( a nuisance bird), it’s not unreasonable to believe He watches us (even when we might be nuisances ourselves).

I don’t know why this song is on my mind today. I’m not currently discouraged about anything at all. In fact, life is pretty wonderful. We are very blessed indeed. I don’t imagine there’s ever a bad time though, to be reminded that we are not alone.

And anyway, as songs go…this isn’t one I mind having stuck in my head.

I sing because I’m happy, I sing because I’m free,

For His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.

Why this Bluebird Sings

Recently I began to realize that all I’ve talked about on this blog lately is my family and some craft projects. I adore my family, which is why they are so often featured. As for those craft projects…I have several in the works, but many are Christmas presents for those who read my silly blog, therefore I can’t unveil much at the moment.

So, to fill the void – and to mix things up a bit… I’ve decided to start a weekly post where I share with you a little bit of what is making my life so darn wonderful at the moment. These are the little things in life that get me going…the books, the songs, the movies, the food, the everyday stuff that makes me happy. You know about the people I love. Now you can learn about the stuff I love as well.

In no particular order… here are the cherries on the top of this week’s wickedhappy sundae:

What I’m Listening to: Heartbeat City by The Cars. I dug this one out of the old CD collection after hearing this week that they are now recording a new album! Hurrah!! For years they’ve claimed a reunion would never happen, so this is a wonderful surprise to fans everywhere. I’ve been a huge fan myself since 9th grade when a friend first handed me a cassette tape of their iconic Greatest Hits album. Everyone has that one, right? I typically prefer British music, but these boys from Boston have always held a soft spot in my heart. Reunion projects tend to be awful or amazing. Crossing my fingers for amazing on this one. Oh by the way… my favorite Cars song ever? Just What I Needed.

What I’m Reading: Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card. Science Fiction is not my usual reading choice, but this one is quite interesting. Written in 1985, this book has become a classic of sorts. It was recommended to me by a friend maybe fifteen years ago, and I’d forgotten all about it till I saw it featured on a “Staff Picks” rack at the local library. I’m not done yet, but so far…it’s pretty great.

Teaser from Wikipedia: Set in Earth's future, the novel presents an imperiled humankind who have barely survived two conflicts with the Formics (an insectoid alien race also known as the "Buggers"). In preparation for an anticipated third invasion, an international fleet maintains a school to find and train future fleet commanders. The world's most talented children, including the novel's protagonist, Ender Wiggin, are taken at a very young age to a training center known as the Battle School. There, teachers train them in the arts of war through increasingly difficult games including ones undertaken in zero gravity in the Battle Room where Ender's tactical genius is revealed.

What I'm working on: Dan got me a box of estate jewelry on eBay (sight unseen).  Some of the pieces are really fun, some need work, some are not for me... but overall, I see several projects that I can work on using the items (primarily necklaces) in that box.  I'll show you my first project next week maybe.

What Inspires me: The Bible verse that is on my mind right now: “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging. (Psalm 46:1-3)
Over the past week or so, I felt in conflict. Two friends were at odds with one another. I treasure each of these folks and was worried and stressed. This verse reminds me that I don’t need to fear. God has it all under control.

My Weekend Plans: Relax a bit, clean a bit, play with my fellas.... Savor the loveliness of a weekend with no real agenda on the books.  I hope you also have a beautiful weekend ahead.



Full Disclosure: My opinion is not for sale. I am not being paid to say anything to you about any of the items mentioned above. Any and all wickedhappy content is written solely for my own amusement, and not for monetary gain. Rest assured, my taste in stuff is mine alone and is not subject to outside influence. If/when that changes, you will be the first to know.

Doing It All For My Baby

My Little Guy loves music. He loves to sing. He loves to dance. He loves banging on his piano or xylophone, or playing his plastic sax. He plays a pretty good air guitar for a two-year old, and he uses his little fingers to “drum” on pictures of drums. He’s really into it.

Sometimes, when I’m feeling a little low or tired – all I need is to hear his giggly voice singing along with Twinkle Twinkle Little Star…and I perk right up.

One morning this week, I was rushing around, trying to get everything lined up for a busy day ahead. I was going over lists in my mind, applying mascara and slipping into loafers when Little Guy ran over to his Dad’s clock radio, hit the “on” button and when the music started (Huey Lewis); he said “DANCE MOM!” and began to dance himself.

So what did I do?

Well, I danced of course. I couldn’t say no after all… not to my Little Sweetie-Pie. And every time he spun in a circle, or jumped up and down, or attempted to shake his tiny rump – a little of the day’s weight fell from my shoulders. By the second verse, we were both shaking it pretty hard, and laughing even harder. It was a perfect start to an otherwise typical day. That quick little dance was calming and healing and energizing. It was exactly what I needed & I think Little Guy had a great time too.

Laugher may be the best medicine, but dancing with a toddler to Huey Lewis comes in a solid second – for this Mom anyway.