From a Distance

OK, so I thought I would pull out the camera and give it a go today . . . I also decided to do a little singing. This video is the perfect example of why I haven't made it big with my singing career. :-) Most of the time I am trying not to laugh (singing and laughing are NOT a good combination) if you only knew what was going on behind me! ;-) Oh, and sorry for the sound quality. My camera was picking up the sound in a strange way? I could not figure out how to adjust it? Anyhow, it is far from perfect, but it was the best I could get with the boys around "helping" me (Daniel was home sick.) Great song . . . I was not able to finish it due to "technical difficulties" (hungry children) and the ending is abrupt because of "events" going on behind me. Enjoy! :-)

P.S. The part where it goes: No guns, no bombs, and no disease, no hungry mouths to feed . . . it means something different with children. :-) Lately, around here, it has been all about "bombs" and disease! And it is ALWAYS about mouths to feed!

This and That

I have not been very consistent with blog-writing lately. I have been even worse at taking pictures! I will try and do better! It should be more exciting soon, as Spring approaches, and the pictures will be worth taking! :-) We have been doing well, except that we have all been sick, on and off, lately. I have had the worst (OK, almost worst) bout of the flu this season. It lasted quite awhile, for me. The kids have had stomach issues off and on, and now coughs, and blah, blah, blah. It is pre-Spring and apparently it means illness around here. I am ready for everyone to be whole again!

So, as Spring approaches I am getting super excited to see all the beautiful flowers and trees, and colors! Spring is so exciting for me, I just love it! I especially love the storms that we get around here. I cannot wait for some good thunder and lightning! It is my favorite! A cheap thrill!

My tulips started coming up on February 1st! They have grown a bunch, and they are all over! (I did not plant them, so it is exciting to see where they grow!) Just a few more weeks, and they will blossom!

Here is Charles showing the kids a good time. You have to be creative in the winter. Good thing he has been working out, a lot!

On my birthday, the kids "decorated" for me . . . I love the decor stuck on the wall with packing- tape. :-) They were so excited for me.
They made cute little cards . . .

The kids have been losing teeth like crazy. The other night Sammi wrote this note for the Tooth Fairy . . . it cracked me up. :-)
I will start taking more pictures, and hopefully, posting more exciting things! :-)

To the Daddies of Daughters . . .

Today, in my Young Women's class, I asked the girls (and the leaders) to tell me how they felt about their families. I was, of course, hoping to hear about the great love they had for their brothers and sisters, and their parents. Instead, to my surprise, I witnessed something very different, very eye-opening, and very concerning . . .

Each of the girls expressed great sadness, and disappointment -- in their relationships with their fathers. They all wished they were closer with their dads, but their dads were not easy to be close to. There were lots of tears, concerns, and anxiety. It was heart-breaking.

In that moment I wished I could transport their fathers into the room -- so they could hear the desires of their daughter's hearts. What they wanted, more than anything, was for their fathers to love them, and to show them that they loved them -- to tell them that they loved them. They wanted a good, loving relationship with them. Those girls need their daddies. The teenage-girls even WANT their daddies!

So, to the fathers (more likely to the mothers, who might mention it to the fathers) . . . LOVE YOUR DAUGHTERS. They need you. They need your affection -- even if it is hard to give. A hug, a compliment, a note of praise . . . would mean the world to them. They are your "princesses" when they are small, and even when they are teenagers -- especially when they are teenagers! They need your love SO much! Daddies, do not forget your daughters . . .

Time

I find, lately, that I have been very emotional, and reflective. Perhaps it is because that magical age of 30 -- the age that when I was a child seemed so "old" -- has finally come to me. I have been allowed 30 years on this beautiful earth. They have been good years, happy years, and I am grateful for them, and for the kindness that God has shown to me throughout my life, this far.

I find that I am a girl of deep feeling, and intense emotions. I do not consider myself "emotional" in a bad way, rather emotional in a very good way. I feel deeply . . . even from the very simple things in life. (I think I get this from my Dad.) A song, an image, the right breeze sweeping across my face -- they can all take me to a place of pondering, peace, and especially gratitude. It is often a place which involves tears streaming down my face. I had one such "emotional moment" just last night. . .

Charles chose to watch Fiddler on the Roof -- it is one of his favorites. (Mine, too.) This film meant little to me when I was younger, I would get bored and walk away -- much like my children did. But now, now that I "get" it -- it is powerful. Very powerful.

One such emotional, tear-jerking moment is (of course) the song Sunrise, Sunset (I know I have blogged about this before, but it has been awhile). Last night as I watched, I felt it, all of it. I considered my life, my parents, my children . . . I realized how quickly my babies are growing, and how quickly time is slipping by . . .

Sammi will be 9 this year. If she gets married when I did (at 19) that is (obviously) only 10 more years from now . . . . I have been married for 10 years, and it seems like nothing, no time at all. Time is beginning to disappear as I blink. So, yes, this song, it got to me, again . . . along with all the other wonderful, powerful music.

I thought I would post a few of the songs that made me cry. I could not find good video of some of the others. It obviously does not mean as much if you do not know the story, or have not seen the movie. If you have not seen this movie in awhile, or if you have never seen it at all -- I encourage you to watch it, and bring the tissues!