What better way to bring me out of a blogging (non-blogging!-sorry) slump than a new Sara Groves album?
We really enjoyed our first evening of Advent, even though there were a few tears when the littlest discovered he didn't know the words to the song we decided to teach the kids this year. He settled on humming along and we were able to console him by explaining that we have many more days ahead to learn it.
Come, Thou long expected Jesus
Born to set Thy people free;
From our fears and sins release us,
Let us find our rest in Thee.
Israel’s Strength and Consolation,
Hope of all the earth Thou art;
Dear Desire of every nation,
Joy of every longing heart.
Born Thy people to deliver,
Born a child and yet a King,
Born to reign in us forever,
Now Thy gracious kingdom bring.
By Thine own eternal Spirit
Rule in all our hearts alone;
By Thine all sufficient merit,
Raise us to Thy glorious throne.
by Charles Wesley
A Christmas album from one of my favorite artists! Available October 21st, 2008.
Who, you ask? Myself and Noisetrade.com.
Why, you ask? Because it's good music for free!
Be sure to check out Katie Herzig's album called Appletree, (if you listen to the sample of 'Forevermore', you'll get my title a little better) Enjoy browsing the rest. May you find an artist you love, become a fan and support their art!
I wish you well...
I can taste the fruit of Eve.
I'm aware of sickness, death and disease.
The results of her choices were vast.
Eve was the first, but she wasn't the last.
If I were honest with myself,
had I been standing at that tree,
my mouth and my hands would be covered with fruit.
Things I shouldn't know and things I shouldn't see.
For Father's Day I came up with a T-shirt idea for the daddy in our lives, inspired once again by art from my eldest. I intended it to be something he would wear around the house, with some comfy (but very manly) pants to go with it, but it is now his favorite shirt. It's already seen the light of day a time or two. Can you see the faces? They are, from left to right, frustrated, happy, mad, sad, surprised and silly. 
It's been a full week, with many reasons to celebrate. After a lazy Father's Day at home (give the man what he wants!) We had a fabulous night out a few days later, celebrating our eight years. (thanks to some great friends who took charge of the kiddies for an evening.)
On our actual anniversary day, we were taking care of a sick little one. In the middle of the night, midst washing sheets and various other midnight tasks, he was the first one to realize it, and said, "Happy anniversary, honey."
Upon my return from a jaunt to the park with the child who wasn't ill, I came upon a little surprise: some candlelight, a mini rose bush and a compilation of some of our favorite tunes to summarize our story. Sweet. You can see in the corner a little note that says, "that is correct, it's a mix tape!" Does that speak to children of the eighties and nineties or what? Ah...nostalgia.
I love this silly, sweet song by Sara Groves. It's called All I Need, from the album 'The Other Side of Something.' Isn't this how we start to think when we get carried away with life?
Newly married, new apartment
All our furniture was saved from the dump
Yes dear maybe we can afford a trashcan next monthAll I need is my love for you and a seat for two
New baby new life
We will teach him to speak French
We’ve got no money so we’ll make it all ourselves
I’ll make the curtains and you make the shelvesAll I need is a power saw and a new sewing machine
Honey, this house needs a little something
That bare mantle doesn’t look so good
Someone told me of a man
Who makes animals from driftwoodAll I need is your monthly bonus for a wooden walrus
Honey, the Colbaughs are coming over
This house needs some renovations
Just a wall or two, just a little room
And a few new decorationsAll I need is a sectional and a satellite TV
and dark-wood cabinets that were custom built for me
and a painting by that guy that paints with his feet...That’s all I need
For now
Today, it has been eight years since we were married. What an adventure, what a joy, what a great experience...sure, it's had its ups and downs, but he's still playing our song...
You can find the album here. So good. This video doesn't do it justice.
Who knew when we picked up this charming little book about the joys that one finds in a house that it would be so "close to home?" The pictures are also very sweet and detailed. My little ones have been sitting and looking at the illustrations for long periods of time.
We've been on a Cynthia Rylant kick lately, only to find out this week from one of my favorite librarians that she is from our part of West Virginia. Small world. And one more reason for us to support her art. Other titles we have enjoyed by this author are, Thimbleberry Stories, Poppleton, This Year's Garden and Little Whistle, just to name a few. Like I said, we are on a kick, so we plan to explore many more titles in the weeks to come. You should do the same.
Do your kids love throwing rocks into water as much as mine?
I am so glad to be back in my home. I have been running for a week, and although there seem to be endless tasks that need doing around here in order to catch up, I am happy to be here to do them. My kids have desperately needed the rest that we have had since we've been back. Home sweet home. I am anxious to slow down and settle back into our routines, where there is always a measure of comfort. And look at the beautiful surprise I had blooming for me when I got here...
Also, there are some welcome improvements coming to our neck of the woods, which I am very excited about. I am starting to measure and take lots of 'before' pictures so that when the time comes, I can show you what has been in the works. Stay tuned.
Now, allow me to introduce you to my cousin by marriage and some of his music. This is one of my favorites. It makes me want to go lounge on the front porch with my sweetie, sipping iced tea and listening to summer sounds. And the kiddies liked to dancing to Sweeney Among the Nightingales on this album.
One more thing...yum. Thanks sis.
Listening to some great music today and hoping to see some weeding in my immediate future. After some major wind last weekend, there is also some cleanup that needs to happen. I just hope the rain holds off long enough...
Excited about this book that just came yesterday...the kids are already looking for treasures outside. This is what they've come up with so far.
Listening to this guy (love it) and this guy (you're right, honey...it's growing on me.)
Drinking coffee again for the first time since our illness. Okay, it's only been a week and a half, but I just couldn't "stomach" it. (Lame joke, and gross too. Just ignore me)
On the menu for lunch, along with some tomato soup (and grilled cheese sandwiches with butternut squash hidden in them for the kiddos)
Reading this again, because of this song. It makes me teary eyed every time I hear it.
Admiring the hard work that went into A5's newest clothing designs. Notice the flair.
Also, can anyone tell what this is? It's one of my earliest attempts with this whole embroidery thing. I really need some decent designs. Just noticed that my book is no longer available on Amazon.
Speak to me until I understand
O Love that will not let me go,
I rest my weary soul in Thee,
I give Thee back the life I owe,
That in Thine ocean depths its flow
May richer, fuller be.
O Light that followest all my way,
I yield my flickering torch to Thee,
My heart restores its borrowed ray,
That in Thy sunshine’s blaze its day
May brighter, fairer be.
O Joy that seekest me through pain,
I cannot close my heart to Thee,
I trace the rainbow through the rain,
And feel the promise is not vain,
That morn shall tearless be.
O Cross that liftest up my head,
I dare not ask to fly from Thee,
I lay in dust life’s glory dead,
And from the ground there blossoms red
Life that shall endless be.
