my new piano

Posted on December 19, 2007 by Shanda

I have a lot to do this morning but yesterday I had something exciting happen that I need to write about.

When I was in 2nd grade I started piano lessons and took them all the way (on and off, I did skip some years now and then) through to college (1 year as a college student). I have always played for the joy of it–I can lose track of time while sitting at a piano. I never had desires to achieve any sort of level . . . I simply love to play. My parents bought me a piano to practice on as a young girl and when Rich and I got married, I took my piano from my parent’s to our new house.

However, when I was expecting Grace, Rich got a job offer that we could not refuse and so we moved away from our little first home and my first piano! We would be living in apartments for the next few years so we sold the piano with the house. I still have the photo that I took of it when the house sold.

Needless to say, I haven’t felt quite the same without easy access to a piano. This year I had a special request, I asked my husband for a piano for Christmas. . . I’m not a choosy type of person, any piano would do as long as it played okay. Honestly! However my husband likes to spoil me and I did have to talk him out of a baby grand! LOL

I was hoping to avoid the dirty work, but I did submit to his desire to travel an HOUR and a HALF yesterday to the piano showroom. . . . .

Here we are in the driveway, about to leave on our trip. We took all the kids with us but in the picture you can only see three of the boys. . . . .

It really was a beautiful night to go, we traveled into the sunset and David kept yelling, “Take a picture, mom!”

We had to stop at a McDonald’s drivethru. Caleb started singing as we waited in line, “Old McDonald had a farm, E I E I OHHHHHHHHHHHHH”.

We found the piano place. The man (can’t remember his name at all but he had wild curly hair and was a fun guy) showed us the pianos, talked to us about them, played them for us. I couldn’t decide between two and so he would play on one and the we would race over the other other one and he would play that one. Meanwhile, the kids were all over the place touching everything. Ethan disappeared and we found him in the other room with a lady who was giving him a piano lesson! Anyway, we finally decided on this beauty:

The top and front both prop open and the quality of sound is absolutely amazing and rich. It’s still way too much for lil’ ol’ me, I felt so strange and out of place when Rich said I could pick out anything I wanted.

It’s so beautiful and it’s all mine! I’m so grateful. . . . .

The piano mover already called this morning at 7:15am! He is going to deliver the piano this Friday, Lord willing!

Now we just have to figure out the perfect place to put it. I dreamed about pianos last night and I’m so excited to see if years from now, one of my children will be able to play amazingly well. If so, that particular child will have to live with us always, so I can have live music at any time!

I can’t wait to start practicing again! I want to go online at some point to see if I can find some easy piano/violin duets to play with Jacob!

I’m so happy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hello from a snowy house in a snowy state

Posted on December 16, 2007 by Shanda

I just saw two people on a snow mobile go speeding down the road.

As I sit at my desk, I can see a gray sky and snow falling, swirling, and blowing down. Church was canceled because of the snow storm, which is a very rare thing indeed. We are taking advantage of the cozy morning together. I got up this morning and made homemade biscuits and fried eggs. Jacob made the bacon. After everyone was fed, Jacob and Ethan went outside. They have enough snow piled up from shoveling the driveway that they have made a fort. Even the dog goes in with them and digs, digs, digs. Ethan said, “Mom!! It’s cold out here, but when we go in our hut, it’s WARM!” They go in, wait a while, and then go back out to “take care of the animals”. (pretend animals). . . . . .

I went outside briefly to watch them play and to fill up my birdfeeder. The snow is half way up to my knees, light and grainy, and it is very windy and cold out there. I wasn’t even tempted to go for a walk.

When I came back in, David and Caleb were sitting on the counter, playing in the flour canister, making a big floury mess. I should have known they would get into mischief while I was out.

I had fun playing around with my camera until the battery ran out. The children were all busy playing their new favorite game, “button store”. They pay for them with bottle caps. Rich and I sat and watched the action. . . . .

action!

the “Buy 1 Get 1 Free” sale!

Ethan was the store keeper

Our little cat, Patches, has a new favorite place to sleep; in the dirty clothes on top of the washer. You should see how she vibrates when the washer is in the spin cycle! It’s so funny.

Now, my husband is sleeping in his big recliner and Jacob is begging his siblings to go outside with him. No one wants to.

We’re cozy. How are you doing today?

How’s the weather where you are?

Have a blessed day!

December memories, thus far. . . . .

Posted on December 12, 2007 by Shanda

(from the notes I’ve been taking during the day)

-finally finishing the CS lewis biography that I’ve been reading for weeks

-Caleb with his “baby”–Tiger–holding and carrying him around

-Caleb looking at his Thomas book

-walking away from the stress of putting together the gingerbread house, only to discover that they could do it just fine without me

-the dog following me outside, happy, as I decorated the porch and filled the bird freeder.

-the flock of bluebirds I saw on Dec. 6

-kids making tents in the livingroom and kitchen (remember doing that?)

-kids ice skating during the day, and at night with Rich, using the headlights from the truck to see

-all of a sudden being homesick for mom and dad

-the huge mess we made making cookies together

“Blend equal parts of Faith and Hope mixed well with Charity;
Stir in Good Will and Sweet Content and Precious Memory.
Add Kindness, Helpfulness and Joy; of Gratitude don’t spare;
Then drop by drop Love’s Essence sweet, and Praises freely share.
And don’t forget such spices rare as Laughter, Smiles and Fun,
Taste often for the best results, (‘Tis sweet to mince upon).
Now add a
Thankful Heart and then, the recipe’s complete,
Your ‘Merry Christmas’ all will like … so try the season’s treat.”

–Esther Lloyd Dauber (“Special Treat”)

-going Christmas shopping with Ethan, Grace, and Caleb

-Ethan holding the door open for an older lady who stopped in her tracks to praise him

-the funny thing Jacob said after eating a grapefruit, “Wow, Mom! This grapefruit is like sledding! It’s gone faster than it took to get ready for it!”

-standing in the bathroom one night, tired, yet content as I dried Grace’s hair and then braided it so it would be curly in the morning (always thinking of my mom, when she used to do the same for little me)

-reading Christmas books to the kids

-David making “hmmm” noices every time I read something that impresses him. (he doesn’t even know he does it)

-Caleb in his striped footie pj’s

-Rich loving my Christmas cookies (jam thumbprints and raspberry bars, so far)

-quiet lazy mornings

-feeing so sentimental. . .tears come so easily these days

-wrapping gifts (can’t ever keep track of the tape!)

-watching the martha stewart show every day

-making glittery pinecones all by myself, and feeling so content with the children just sitting around me, watching, and talking my ear off. I used to do the same thing to my mom when she was busy in the kitchen–perch on the counter and talk and talk . . . . . .

-drinking homemade hot chocolate

-decorating the trees

-Jacob dangling his army men from hooks to make ornaments

-the wonder on Caleb’s face

-hearing him say “Christmas tree” for the very first time

-the non stop motion

-fleeing the house for a walk one morning, calling behind me to the kids, “behave yourselves and put in a video for David and Caleb”

-completely enjoying my little walk and the beauty of God’s creation

“Let us remember that the Christmas heart is a giving heart, a wide open heart that thinks of others first. The birth of the baby Jesus stands as the most significant event in all history, because it has meant the pouring into a sick world of the healing medicine of love which has transformed all manner of hearts for almost two thousand years… Underneath all the bulging bundles is this beating Christmas heart.” — George Matthew Adams

couldn't resist. . . .hee hee hee. . . . .

Posted on December 8, 2007 by Shanda

Hey, I’m allowed to cheat now and then, right? I know I said I wouldn’t post until after Christmas but . . .but. . .

Out of about 150+ that I’ve taken all week, I’m pretty proud of myself for only posting two!

Posted on December 4, 2007 by Shanda

The angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them. Luke 2:9

The Lord God will come with strong hand, and His arm shall rule for Him. Isaiah 40:10

There was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God. Luke 2;13

The Lamb. . is Lord of lords, and King of Kings. Revelation 17:14

He humbled Himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Philippians 2:8

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. Luke 2:14

O come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the Lord our Maker. Psalm 95:6

When the wise men saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy. Matthew 2:10

And thou shalt have joy and gladness; and many shall rejoice at His birth. Luke 1:14

Unto you is born. . . a Savior. . Christ the Lord. . . wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
Luke 2:11-12

She brought forth her firstborn Son. . .and laid Him in a manger. Luke 2:7

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. Luke 2:14

The gospel shall be preached in the whole world. Matthew 26:13

Thou, Bethlehem. . out of thee shall He come forth unto Me that is to be Ruler in Israel. Micah 5:2

And they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them. Luke 2:18

Cry out and shout. . for great is the Holy One of Israel in the midst of thee. Isaiah 12:6

Now when Jesus was born. . there came wise men from the east. . to worship Him. Matthew 2:1-2

The angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them. Luke 2:9

My soul doth magnify the Lord,
and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Savior.
Luke 1:46-47

I hope and pray that each one of you has a blessed Christmas season. I will be taking a break from blogging (I will still visit your sites though and check messages), and will be back after the holidays are over. I hope that as you listen to “Silent Night” and look at the pictures that you will remember that you are special and loved very much. God gave His Son for you! Only true LOVE could do that. May you think of Jesus much during the next few weeks, and find some quiet moments to meditate on His earthly ministry and great sacrifice on the cross during the hustle and bustle of the season.

Merry Christmas!

Posted on December 3, 2007 by Shanda

Jacob and Grace joined a children’s choir in September and on Saturday we went to their very first concert. When I was in school, I had so much fun singing in our school chorus and learned so much from the experience, that it is really important to me to try to give my children the same opportunity. I love the fact that they have such a fun, understanding teacher and were able to learn quality songs. She managed to train them to sing so sweetly and beautifully.

The Jr. Trebles

Jacob and Grace are in the younger choir called “Jr. Trebles” and the older choir, which also performed on Saturday, is called “Treblemakers”. It is all through a local University’s Community services and it’s a half hour drive for us. Jacob’s violin lessons are also through them. In fact, because he is a violin student, he was able to join Jr. Trebles for free. We paid for Grace to join and in January when they resume classes, Ethan will get to join as well. (for free because he will be taking guitar lessons).

It was sort of a risk for me to enroll them and I held my breath hoping that they would get quality training and thankfully, they are. One of their songs was in German and one was in Latin! They also were able to sing along with the “University Collegium Musicum” for one piece, with stringed instruments. I was so happy for them, I feel it is important to get musical training and experience because it is something that will stay with them their whole entire lives.

I’m so thankful for my awesome zoom lens, we sat toward the back because of Caleb, and yet I was able to zoom in and take these photos, all w/out flash.

They sang: “Velvet Shoes”, “Vom Himmel”, and “In Dulci Jubilo”

“From high heaven I come. I bring you new tidings. I bring you so much good news that I want to say and sing it. To you is born today a little child, from a Virgin besides, a little child so sweet and fine that he should be your joy and wonder.” translation of “Von Himmel” lyrics that made me cry.

Singing “Von Himmel” with the stringed instruments and adult choir.

Jr. Trebles joined the Treblemaker’s choir for the last piece of the afternoon, “Snowflake Song”

Something funny: David (my five year old) was looking at all the people in the audience and he noticed a man with a beard. Rich laughed when he leaned over and whispered, “Remember Uncle David? He grew one of those big hair things on his chin, too!”

Something not as funny: We lost James the Red Engine at the concert. I think I was more sad than Caleb, because we have had that train for years, he was all chipped and old looking. I hope he’s having a good time, where ever he is. Maybe he’s still in the concert hall enjoying beautiful music.

Jacob, right in front of the Director in the first row

Group photo with both Directors and Pianist, the one with curly hair is the Jr. Treble’s Director (on far left)

Now we can’t wait to hear them in the Spring concert!

hour alone

Posted on December 1, 2007 by Shanda

This morning Rich took the children to McDonald’s for breakfast, leaving me alone in a quiet house. Just that fact alone (of quiet) brought tears to my eyes. I thoroughly love my children, but I admit I had moment of celebration as I watched the truck pull out of the driveway and then stand in my clean kitchen (so glad I cleaned it yesterday evening for a change!) to make myself some breakfast, knowing that no one would interrupt me and there was no one else I had to care for.

I turned on a favorite cd, then brought my fried eggs, buttered sourdough toast, and hot cup of coffee to the table. Then, still in my pj’s and sitting cross legged in my chair, I opened my Bible, my journal, and a commentary.

What a precious time it was to listen to some beautiful music and study. I had to get up to get tissues in order to dry the tears of gratitude .. . . .so I could see to write in my journal. Outside the sun was shining, but a cold wind and snow flurries made my kitchen table seem so cozy.

If I had quiet mornings every day I would not have enjoyed this one so much. It was like an unexpected perfect gift. I’m adding a link to the cd I listened to, it was so beautiful and the perfect cd to have on during devotions this morning.

I just had to take some pictures and add this moment to my site. I want to remember it.