a new year coming soon

as the new year draws ever closer I am resolved to write more this year.

There are two ways I find peace in my life - it's been like this since I was young.

I feel at peace when I'm writing regularly - whether it's fiction, poetry or the prattle of a three-year-old. I also feel peace through music.

The writing is something I can do on my own - and I can certainly sing in the house, shower, van, etc. One thing I've missed though is performing with the band at church.

In the darkness that has consumed my last few months I've distanced myself from my church family. My feelings were hurt and I was sulking for lack of a better explanation. It's sad, but it seemed to me that few people noticed my absence, let alone asked me why I'd gone from diligent attender to nonexistent. I think this hurt just as much as the grievances themselves.

So as the new year begins I'm going to forget about the he said and she said and concentrate rather on the real reason I go to church - which is to worship God. I'm there for God and to grow in my relationship with Him.

My hopes are that as I find my place once again in God's house I'll be singing for Him again.

I feel closest to God when I am staring at the face of a mountain and when I am glorifying him in song.

So I want to write more and sing more as the year dawns bright and new.

I have other hopes and dreams for 2010 as well, but Mike is complaining about the clicking of the keyboard while he's trying to sleep...

Musical Moments

Maddie is walking around with a drum - keeping the beat.

Wyatt is following her - singing into a microphone.

Both of my children seem to be gifted when it comes to music - something I think comes from my side of the gene pool.

Tomorrow morning I'll be helping to lead our church congregation in praise and worship - something that greatly blesses me in so many ways.

Now it's Wyatt's turn to drum - he's unhappily drumming on the wood floor whilst his sister runs away with the drum he so loves.

She brought him a buggy xylophone - or glockenspiel (which Maddie actually calls it!). I pointed it out to her just a second ago - and she said, "yeah, I know."

What a smart little girl.

I'm eagerly anticipating bedtime soon - when the house will be quiet and I can soak in the bathtub and read the new book I bought today -it's nothing fancy - just a childbirth and pregnancy book that is on my required reading list for my upcoming doula workshop.

My back has been hurting terribly today - and I'm at a loss for what to do about it. I guess I should be thankful that today is the first time in a week that I haven't been stricken with a bad headache. I got a gift certificate for a free acupuncture session at my doulas of northwest florida meeting last night - I think I'll give that a try before seeking out an allopathic doctor.

Music time seems to be over - Maddie just laid a book on my lap so it's time to read some stories and put them to bed. Morning will come extra early tomorrow as I have to get the kids up and fed and ready for church in addition to myself!

We miss daddy when he's gone - but I have to say that I'm looking forward to having the whole bed to myself and I won't have to keep telling him to stop snoring for once! I'm glad he'll be back tomorrow night - it's cold outside and I need his warm body to stick my cold feet on!

A Salute to America

Tonight we had the extreme pleasure of watching our little girl participate in her first large group concert. These kids have been working on their music since August and let me tell you that I had tears in my eyes watching her up there singing. She knew the words - almost all of them and paid attention - keeping her eyes mostly on the director. 

For years I've watched the Wee Cherubs (3 year old choir) perform at our church - dreaming of the day when my own children would be up there and tonight was the night. I was awed and moved to tears - so proud and amazed.

Here are a few "before" pictures - of Maddie and her girlfriends Samina and Becca (Bobby is in the background, too). Make sure you listen to the video and watch Maddie's facial expressions!