just add music : (mini challenge #4)

Thursday my sis came to town. She brought 3 of her kids and it was a party. I loved having her here. Thursday morning I was trying to get the house straightened up and I started to feel stressed. My to-do list was running through my head. I thought I was managing it pretty well until Dave called and wanted to switch up the day a bit. Suddenly my stress level started rising. Until I remembered my mini-challenge #4 : Turn on some good tunes and sing and dance.  So that's what I did. Pretty soon the stress began to dissipate.  True, the house didn't get nearly as clean as I would have liked, but it is my sister, after all, and she still loves me. Heck, she even helped me clean it up a bit, which I really appreciated. Nothing like uplifting music to clear the cobwebs our our souls.

soundtrack to my life : track 1 : how do you solve a problem

A few months ago I purchased the soundtrack to The Sound of Music.  I love that music and listening to it again made me love it all the more.  Several of the songs spoke to me and I felt like it could be the soundtrack to my life now.

Track 1: "Maria"

I was sitting in bed, headphones in, when the song "Maria" came on.

She climbs a tree and scrapes her knee. Her dress has got a tear.
 She waltzes on her way to mass and whistles on the stair.

  ...Instantly, I saw my little Ana Marie.

 
 When I'm with her I'm confused, out of focus and bemused,
 and I never know exactly where I am.
 Unpredictable as weather, she's as flightly as a feather
 She's a darling, she's a demon, she's a lamb.

Unpredictable is right. I am never quite sure how she is going to react to anything. Somethings that I think will elate her or motivate her, she shrugs off. Somethings I think she'll shrug off she takes to personally. 

She'd out pester any pest. Drive a hornet from it's nest.
 She could throw a whirling dervish out of whirl.

 She is gentle, she is mild, she's a riddle, she's a child.
 She's a headache. She's an angel. She's a girl.

There are so many times I have explained something to her several times, just to have to ask and beg and plead some more. But oh, man. She can be so gentle. She loves snuggles and she is a sweet little "mother" to Katie and other little babies around. 

 How do you solve a problem like Maria?
 How do you catch a cloud and pin it down?
 How do you find a word that means Maria?
 A flibbertigibbet, a will-o-the wisp, a clown.

Many a thing you know you'd like to tell her.
 Many a thing she ought to understand.
 But how do you make her stay and listen to all you say?
 How do you catch a wave upon the sand?

Oh, how do you solve a problem like Maria?
 How do you hold a moonbeam in your hand?

When I'm with her I'm confused, out of focus and bemused And I never know exactly where I am Unpredictable as weather, she's as flighty as a feather She's a darling, she's a demon, she's a lamb
She'll out pester any pest, drive a hornet from it's nest She could throw a whirling dervish out of whirl She is gentle, she is wild, she's a riddle, she's a child She's a headache, she's an angel, she's a girl

Read more: THE SOUND OF MUSIC - MARIA (THE NUNS) LYRICS

When I'm with her I'm confused, out of focus and bemused And I never know exactly where I am Unpredictable as weather, she's as flighty as a feather She's a darling, she's a demon, she's a lamb
She'll out pester any pest, drive a hornet from it's nest She could throw a whirling dervish out of whirl She is gentle, she is wild, she's a riddle, she's a child She's a headache, she's an angel, she's a girl

Read more: THE SOUND OF MUSIC - MARIA (THE NUNS) LYRICS

 Just to be clear, I don't consider Ana a "problem." I absolutely adore my daughter. She is so fun-loving. She is happy and energetic and passionate and determined and so many wonderful things. I love her. She has also stretched me as a parent, and as a person. I have put more thought and prayer into my relationship with that little girl than I ever thought I would. I have worried and wondered about how to teach her the right things. There are so many things I think she ought to understand and I feel like the message rolls away like a wave upon the sand.

The last few weeks have been a turning point for me, and I find myself loving her more than I ever thought. She is having some struggles right now, and I am on my knees asking for guidance in solving the little problems we are encountering. I have uttered similar prayers before, and I suspect it will not be the last.

re-discovery

All through high school music - specifically, singing - was a part of me. I sang. A lot.

Then I nannied for a year and kinda stopped the constant stream of song and dance that was typical for me beforehand.

When I went to college I auditioned for the Women's Choir and didn't make it.

For the 5 years that followed, I didn't sing much. At least not AS much as I did before. Even after Dave and I got married, not many people knew I liked to sing.

For the last 2 years I've been on a slow path of re-discovering that little piece of my soul.

My Road to Re-discovery
in 5 parts

1. In our first ward in Rupert I was called as ward music chairman/choir director. At some point when a musical number I had arranged fell through, I decided to sing my favorite arrangement of the hymn "Sweet Hour of Prayer" in Sacrament Meeting. That musical number led to being asked to sing that same song in every ward in the stake, which was cool. And I realized again that I liked singing.

2. Growing up my sisters and I would do "concerts" in the living room (usually standing on the piano bench) with wire whisks as microphones. Our signature song was Trisha Yearwood's "She's in Love with a Boy." We did it often enough that we even performed at my sister's wedding reception. A few months ago I purchased this song on iTunes and now Ana loves to sing along, with, of course, a wire whisk as a microphone. This may be one of my proudest mommy moments.

3. Seeing as how my house is all hard wood, it has awesome acoustics. I've been singing a lot more lately.

4. The other night when I was upset/annoyed/frustrated about something ridiculous that I can't remember now, I turned on my iPod to the Dixie Chicks and sang my heart out while I folded laundry alone in my bedroom. It was very therapeutic.

5. Tonight I feel happy. While I was doing the dishes, I walked into the other room to see Ana dancing to "Good day Sunshine" and I joined her. Then we moved on to Taylor Swift. It was a blast. Jack joined in too. We danced around our sun room/"dancing room" for a good 20 minutes.

I feel like I have just uncovered a piece of me that was lying dormant. It didn't come all at once, but tonight I realized that it was missing. I've been turning music on around the house more just because. That was something that was always present in my home and somehow I just forgot. And now I remembered. Its a wonderful memory.

I want music to fill our house until its bursting at the seams and slinking out of the cracks in the doorways. All kinds of music. And I want dancing. They just should go together. I love that somehow when music is playing, the kids aren't begging to watch another Blues Clues, but they are standing next to the player wiggling their little bodies.

Its awesome.

I hope I don't forget this ever again.

merry christmas

anticipation

a few things we are looking forward to around here:

*Dave's 3 interviews that he has at the end of the month. We just bought a new suit for Dave today that looks really sharp. He's gonna knock 'em dead.

*Ana starts dancing class next week. She is so excited. She loves to put on her dancing clothes and listen to music. Her most requested songs: "fast ones" by Ben Folds, and Good Day Sunshine by the Beatles.

*And this.

here is a preview:

April Mix - Solar Power!!

I had a good time putting this together. This mix is kind of like a continuation of my last mix - Rainy Day. It's all about the sun breaking through the clouds. I am pretty sure it breaks out completely with the Beatles. I decided to post a tracklist this time. Some of the songs have a little ... and then the sun quote from the song. Some don't - their sun relation is a little more obvious. Also, there are two songs here with an explicit lyrics label. They are not explicit, but some other song from their CD was. Really. Don't be worried. It's all kid friendly.

Here it is - as always, let me know if you download it:
Click on the picture or HERE to download.

Why Does the Sun Shine? - They Might Be Giants
A wonderful intro about the sun and all its power.

All Apologies - Nirvana
...in the sun

Santa Monica - Everclear
... I just want to feel some sunshine

Don't Make Me a Target - Spoon
...with nothing left in the sun

Megan - Smoking Popes
...Where the air was clean and the sun never goes down

Who Feels Love? - Oasis
...thank you for the sun

Still Fighting It - Ben Folds
...sunny days and rain

Alpha Beta Parking Lot - Cake
...watching the sun set

Mariposa Traicionera - Maná
...y vuela cerca del sol,pa' que sientas lo que es dolor
It was a little harder to find a place for this one to fit because it was so different. But that's part of why I wanted it to be here.

Longtime Sunshine - Rivers Cuomo

Good day Sunshine - The Beatles
Ana has asked me a few times to play this song. She sings it all day. It's fun.

Sunshine - The Presidents of the United States of America

Island in the Sun - Weezer

It Must be Summer - Fountains of Wayne
...the sun is beating me senseless

In the Sun - The Special Goodness

It's my first day...

So, this is my first time posting all together with Erin over here. In honor of my first day I will share with you a small bit of THIS Simpsons episode.

Smithers: Uh, sir, we found the problem. Some idiot threw this in the
reactor core.
Homer: [sees charred doughnut] Success!
Burns: You did this? How could you be so irresponsible?
Homer: Eh... it's my first day!
Burns: Since I've never seen you before, maybe it is your first day.
Very well, carry on!
[Mr. Burns begins to walk off, when Smithers catches up with him.]
Smithers: Sir, that's Homer Simpson. He's been working here for ten years!
Burns: Ohh, really? Why did you think you could lie to me?
Homer: It's my first day!
Burns: Well, why didn't you say that be...[realizes] Yawoo! You're fired!

It's funnier when you watch it but oh well.

Also, I bought a song from iTunes today from The Special Goodness. I have been wanting this song for a long time. This video is goofy, as is Pat - the main man of the band.

a smile and a song

Music has always been a very integral part of my life. I know I've mentioned this before. I've been singing since I was little, and I can play the piano (not exceptionally well, but well enough.) At one point, I tried teaching myself the flute, but I got too busy in other things. (My sister picked it up after me and is quite good now.) I played the drums occasionally for my high school choir, and at one point could claim that I could play the guitar. (I don't claim that anymore, really.)

I really believe that music is such a powerful force. The melodies, the words, and the feeling of a song stays with us longer than anything else. The other day I started listening to a song that I hadn't heard in years and I remembered every word.

Dave also is very musical, but in a very different way. His taste in music is very different from mine, and he likes music for very different reasons. (I like the sentimentality of country music. He doesn't really like country.) He has a naturally nice tenor voice, but has very little vocal training. He has very natural rhythm. He plays the guitar quite well, and played the drums a lot in high school. He is a natural at strumming and picking difficult rhythms on the guitar, and he can hear and keep up with difficult drum beats.

I guess its only natural that Ana would take to music so much. A few months back, I made her a guitar. It still sits in our music corner and gets played with, and it is trashed. A month or so later, I made her a violin. She loves it. It is definitely her best used toy. She plays with it for hours every day (not at once, but cumulatively). She can recognize the sound of a violin (and a piano and a guitar) when she hears one. About a week ago, we were downstairs visiting at the house, and Dave's SIL was practicing a musical number with a violinist. Ana insisted on getting her violin and she stood right by her and pretended to play through the whole song. Everyday she wants to listen to the Suzuki violin music. When she "plays," she sings the rhythm to the violin part on that CD. I think we will be getting her a real violin, and start her in lessons, close to her birthday.

Tribute

I like this video.



I think my favorite part is when the blinding light of their rock is melting the demon. I guess I have a few favorite parts.

What do you think?

If it weren't for the zamboni...

I have been thinking of this song since I submitted my A-Z list over on the BRR. My Z was for Zamboni, just like the zamboni from this song.



And while I am on this topic again (TMBG), here is another video I really like from the DVD.

I'm gonna miss this

I've been a little more emotional than usual the last few days. There are a lot of things that go into it, I'm sure. Dave's been super busy with school the last week, and I always get anxious/stressed when he is. And with the move coming up, and the stress of trying to get into Med School still looming before us, its a lot for my emotions to handle. (On top of being pregnant). Plus, Ana has been a little more difficult the last few days. Maybe she can sense the stress too? Or maybe she can tell that there are going to be a lot of changes in her little world over the next few months. New house, new bed, new brother...

Anyway, because of this "in between" situation I find myself it right now (in between school and more school, that is), I often get this "someday when its all done" syndrome and thats what I think about. So, when I heard this song today, you can imagine why the message was extra poignant.



I cried. Pretty hard.

Sleep...

After a crazy busy week last week and the last couple of days I am ready to sleep. A lot. I just got done with all my major papers, projects, and tests, except for finals which are in a couple weeks.

In honor of my newfound time for sleep:

Valentine's Date

Last night, Dave and I went on our "Valentine's Day" date. The Vienna Choir Boys, one of the most famous choirs in the world. It was really good! The concert was at the school so it only cost us $10 to go. It was pretty much a once-in-a-lifetime chance, and I was so glad we went. Those boys are amazing! I kinda thought that it would sound like a women's choir, but it didn't. Their voices were so clear. They sang a lot of classical songs that I remember singing in high school, but they also sang some "American" songs, other international songs, and some Austrian songs. It was a neat opportunity.

This obviously isn't from last night, but it gives you an idea.



It was really nice to go on a date, too. We don't go out very often and its nice to remember that we like eachother. Afterward we went out for milk shakes, which is our V-day tradition. It was great!

"Fortuosity"

So, I love this movie. I grew up watching it. In fact, I grew up singing the opening song "Fortuosity" while wearing this ugly green jacket thing we had and carrying around a briefcase. I know most of the words to the the songs, and could probably quote a majority of the movie. We really liked musicals in my house and this has always been a family and personal favorite.

Anyway, so, the other night I was reminded of the song "I'll always be Irish" from this movie. I got it stuck in my head so at about 10:00 I had to watch just that scene. I ended up watching most of the rest of the movie. Dave interjected his comments of mockery at the movie, but nevertheless he sat and watched it with me. In all its cheesiness, it is such a great family film. I'd recommend it to everyone!

On another note, we also have a reason to feel very "fortuitious." Last week we rented a Wii video game from Hollywood video. When it came time to return it, we couldn't find it anywhere. We searched high and low. Finally, we resigned ourselves to having to replace it (which really stinks since those games cost 50 bucks). When we went in to Hollywood tonight, we were told that the game had been returned a few days late, and we are only accountable for the 3 dollar late fee. Thanks to whoever returned it for us! And we're grateful for the Lord's little blessings.

Just like Daddy

Ana loves her daddy! She's always excited when he comes home. And she loves doing things like him. His new iPod he got for Christmas is one of her favorite things. (For Example). Usually when she sees it she points and says, "Song." Today she was listening to They Might Be Giants' "Here come the 123s" podcast for kids. She loved it! And she sat listening and watching the screen calmly for quite a while.

She wanted to listen again after her bath. She cries so hard when its time to put it away.

Also the other day we pulled out the guitar and were playing a bit. She wanted to play too!
She loves everything to do with music. She likes singing "Popcorn Popping" and "Itsy Bitsy Spider." She even does a lot of the hand motions. She also loves dancing. When she hears music, she almost always starts dancing or twirling. Dave has really good rhythm, and I play the piano, sing and love dancing! I'm sure Ana has music in her blood. Wouldn't it be cool if she were this petite, good little Mormon girl who could rock out on the guitar and drums? I think so.

On a different note, this is my 99th post. I'm working on a big post for my 100th tomorrow or Thursday. Keep checking back!

Ana is cute

Ana's newest word is "aroni" as in the last part of 'macaroni'. It's pretty cute.

Also, we had a funny moment today. Ana came out of my bedroom carrying my ipod with the headphones draped over her shoulders and said to me with a big smile "listen!!" As soon as I stood up, this amazing look of realization flashed across her face. The look said, "I can't believe I just told on myself!" She knows she isn't supposed to play with the ipod without my help so she quickly ran away as fast as she could. She made it back to the bedroom before I caught her.

After the chase we listened to/watched one of the TMBG podcasts for kids. They are really fun Ana even watched it for about a minute. It's a record, she doesn't hold still often.

If you haven't checked this podcast out, I encourage you to do so. (For those of you without ipods, you can still watch the podcasts in iTunes as long as you have it installed.)

I'm still spoonfed

I got three free video credits when I registered my ipod. This was one of the videos I got.

All I have to do is swing and I'm a hero...

Ana wanted to hear some music and dance today. We had a good time with this song. The video isn't too bad either.



Good times. A more substantial post coming soon...

Ben Folds

I like Ben Folds. I wasn't as big a fan of 'the 5' but I like the solo stuff a lot. This song is interesting. It's been around for a while but I just saw the video for it for the first time today. I really like the opening piano part with the cello. The song is called Jesusland, which may be offensive to some people, but looking past the title, if they can, those same people would probably agree with what he is saying. Take a look:



So, what do you think? Do you think it is inappropriate? What exactly is he saying?

It's not the money, it's the recipes...

Erin recently bought me the new Fountains of Wayne cd. This is the video from the first track on the CD.



Didn't turn out exactly like you thought it would did it? I haven't spent the time with this cd that it deserves, I need to get it into the cd player in our car. I think I'll do that right now...