Archive for Music
Music is such a defining thing in life
Posted by: | CommentsI recently got to spend an evening enjoying the philharmonic orchestra in our city. They were playing the scores for many movies and it was an amazing evening! I love music to begin with but to be in the room with an entire orchestra and to watch the musicians making music is just so powerful! One of the composers that they showcased was John Williams. Can I just say that that man is AMAZING!! I’ve always thought so but I was sure reminded again.
Anyway, the point of this post is this – as I was sitting there listening to the songs that they were playing it struck me that some of these songs really define our family. Star Wars has always been a huge thing in our family – my husband grew up loving Star Wars (as did I but not nearly as much as he did! ha!) and my children have loved it since they were wee little things. My son has just about every Star Wars toy ever created it seems – family members got him several at each birthday, Christmas, and any other holiday that they felt a gift was necessary. 
My husband took the kids to see all three of the newest Star Wars movies in the theater – this was a huge treat because it’s something we don’t usually do but maybe once or twice a year. All of that to say that listening to the Star Wars music brought back many fond memories of when my kids were little. I loved it!
Another composer they showcased was Hans Zimmer. His music for The Lion King was so beautiful! That man is truly gifted as well! This music also brought back fond memories because my son LOVED The Lion King for years starting from when he was about a year old. He had all the little toys of Mufasa, Rafiki, Simba, Nulla, etc. and he would sit and play with those all of the time. He watched the movie so many times he knew it by heart! The case for that tape (yes, VHS tape - it was a long time ago!) is VERY worn out!
So all of that to say that I am very thankful for composers and music. They bring such a joy to my life in so many ways. I can’t imagine life without music!
I love this song by Kutless!!
Posted by: | CommentsThis is one of my favorite songs right now. It’s got so much truth to it – for everyone! If you haven’t heard it, I hope you’ll take the time to listen to it now: (the lyrics are also posted below if you want to read along)
What Faith Can Do
Everybody falls sometimes
Gotta find the strength to rise
From the ashes and make a new beginning
Anyone can feel the ache
You think it’s more than you can take
But you are stronger, stronger than you know
Don’t you give up now
The sun will soon be shining
You gotta face the clouds
To find the silver lining
I’ve seen dreams that move the mountains
Hope that doesn’t ever end
Even when the sky is falling
And I’ve seen miracles just happen
Silent prayers get answered
Broken hearts become brand new
That’s what faith can do
It doesn’t matter what you’ve heard
Impossible is not a word
It’s just a reason for someone not to try
Everybody’s scared to death
When they decide to take that step
Out on the water
It’ll be alright
Life is so much more
Than just what your eyes are seeing
You will find your way
If you keep believing
I’ve seen dreams that move the mountains
Hope that doesn’t ever end
Even when the sky is falling
And I’ve seen miracles just happen
Silent prayers get answered
Broken hearts become brand new
That’s what faith can do
Overcome the odds
You do have a chance
(That’s what faith can do)
When the world says you can’t
It’ll tell you that you can!
I’ve seen dreams that move the mountains
Hope that doesn’t ever end
Even when the sky is falling
And I’ve seen miracles just happen
Silent prayers get answered
Broken hearts become brand new
That’s what faith can do
Even if you fall sometimes
You will have the strength to rise
CD Review: Kari Jobe
Posted by: | CommentsTitle: Kari Jobe
Song list:
- I’m Singing
- Healer
- Everyone Needs a Little
- Joyfully
- Beautiful
- My Beloved
- Singing Over Me
- No Sweeter Name
- Be Still
- Sweep Me Away
- Revelation Song
- You Are For Me
Manufacturer: Integrity Music
My husband recently went to the Catalyst conference and came back with a bag full of goodies! In the bag was this CD so I had to check it out. I really liked it! It has great, soothing music that is so worshipful! She has a beautiful voice and the songs are superb!
Life’s happenings
Posted by: | CommentsLife has been a little crazy around here lately. I already mentioned the other day the problem I was having with my neck and back. I’m still trying to recover from that. Yesterday was the first day I really got out of bed and did anything. It kind of put some stress on me and made it flare up again a little. Today I’m taking it easy around the house again but hoping to be able to get up and do more without aggravating it. I have to say that this is the weirdest thing because I have no idea how it happened!
Since I’ve kind of been stuck in bed for the last few days I’ve been able to enjoy watching a couple of TV shows I have on DVD. I have the whole set of Reba (that’s been released to this point) and the first two seasons of Little House on the Prairie. Obviously those are two very different shows but they both are great to watch for different reasons. I love the humor and jokes about everyday life in Reba and I love the setting and atmosphere that’s created in Little House.
Soccer has started back up again. It’s really nice because it’s indoor soccer too. It’s WAY too hot to be outside right now unless you’re in a pool! We had a really nice, long spring this year (which was very surprising because the heat usually slams us in May!) so we’ve had nice temperatures up until about a week ago and then they rocketed into the upper 90’s and the 100’s. UGH! I think the lowest temp on our 7 day forecast is 99! Oh well! Anyway, back to soccer – I sure did get sidetracked didn’t I! Our season is going great so far! We had our third game last night and we’ve won the last two. The first one we only lost by one goal and it was in the last 4 seconds of the game. 
It was against a team in a higher division than we are though so that’s saying a lot! It’s really exciting because we have been working on building this team and trying to get a homeschool soccer team going since 2005. We’ve had a team off and on and sometimes we do well but most of the time we have such a mix of inexperienced players and experienced players that we just don’t seem to do well. Well, this season we were able to get quite a few kids to join us who have played soccer for years and it’s making all the difference. They look like a different team out there! (I guess in some ways they are! haha) It’s been so nice to see them do well and come off the field happy and proud of what they’ve just accomplished. And I must say our goalie is amazing! He saves so many goals and does a fantastic job. And it just so happens that he’s my son too. 
It pays to have a dad who was a goalie and who has coached for years and years who can teach you all the goalie skills you need! I’m pretty proud of my hubby too – can you tell? He’s done a great job coaching this team!
In other news, my daughter has been competing in a competition called American Kids. She competed in two different local competitions and made it to state with both of her songs. She competed in the state competition this month and made it to nationals! Woohoo! So, we are heading to Branson, Missouri, next month for her to compete with both of her songs (she sings one with a cd track and the other she plays the piano and sings) . It should be an amazing week and we are very excited to go.
Well, I guess that’s enough rambling for today. Hope everyone is having a great week!
Prepare to be amazed!
Posted by: | CommentsThis is one of the most amazing things I have ever seen! You have to take two minutes out of your day and watch this. This girl is 5 years old and is playing an amazing song! My daughter just learned this song and she’s taken lessons for a total of seven years – and she’s her piano teacher’s most advanced student I might add! If you are familiar with the Suzuki materials this song is the last song in book 4!
(I’ve included two videos of the same song – in the first one you can’t see her hands from the camera’s viewpoint and in the second one you can. The second one is two years later though and it’s on a piano that is not as good in quality.)
What If
Posted by: | CommentsI was sitting here listening to my iPod while scrapbooking this morning and one of my favorite songs started playing. It’s a Nichole Nordeman song called, “What If.” If you’re not familiar with this song read the lyrics and listen to the song (below). It’s so powerful.
Nichole Nordeman – What If
From the album Brave
What if you’re right?
And he was just another nice guy
What if you’re right?
What if it’s true?
They say the cross will only make a fool of you
And what if it’s true?
What if he takes his palace in history
With all the prophets and the kings
Who taught us love and came in peace
But then the story ends
What then?
(Chours)
But what if you’re wrong?
What if there’s more?
What if there’s hope you never dreamed of hoping for?
What if you jump?
And just close your eyes?
What if the arms that catch you, catch you by surprise?
What if He’s more than enough?
What if it’s love?
What if you dig, What if you dig
Way down deeper than your simple-minded friends
What if you dig?
What if you find
A thousand more unanswered questions inside
That’s all you find
What if you pick apart the logic
And begin to poke the holes
What if the crown of thorns is no more
Then folklore that must be told and retold
(Chours)
You’ve been running as fast as you can
You’ve been looking for a place you can land so long
But what if you’re wrong?
What if you jump?
And just close your eyes?
What if the arms that catch you, catch you by surprise?
What if He’s more than enough?
What if it’s love?
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f658EuiDRAc]
Cute little piano player
Posted by: | CommentsI don’t know if you guys have seen this little boy but he’s one of the cutest kids – as well as most talented – that I’ve ever seen. This video is well worth the several minutes it will take to watch it.
The final three
Posted by: | CommentsWell, we’re down to the final three – tomorrow it will be the final two. In case you don’t know already I’m speaking of American Idol. For the first time ever I really like all three that are left. Every year I’ve had my favorite all the way through but I was really impressed this year with how good the talent was in the whole group of finalists. I had quite a few favorites this year. A couple of my favorites are already gone but I do really like David, David, and Seyesha. I can’t even begin to guess who will go home tomorrow night. It’s kind of funny because in the very early rounds when I heard David Archuletta sing I said he would win the whole thing. Then David Cook, Carly, and Michael Johns really started growing on me and I liked them just as much. We’ve been saying that it will be David and David in the finals for the last several weeks. But the last few weeks Seyesha has amazed me with her performances! She has a beautiful voice PLUS amazing stage presence. She may just steal it right away from one of the guys! I’m anxiously awaiting tomorrow’s show to find out who the top two will be. I know I will be a little sad no matter who goes home but I’ll be excited for the two that will be left!! 
How about you? Who has been your favorite?
Are you KIDDING me???
Posted by: | CommentsMichael Johns is gone!?!? What in the world are American Idol viewers thinking?? He was one of the best ones in the group! Granted, they are all good singers this year but come on! Dreadlock dude should have been the one to go. He’s predictable, boring, goofy, and just not as talented!
I’m just so disappointed.
On a good note – they sang Shout to the Lord again and this time they used Jesus’ name rather than “Shepherd.” We thought it was pretty interesting that they changed from last night.
This is pretty cool!
Posted by: | CommentsDid anyone watch Idol gives back last night? We watched it but not live so we didn’t actually see this on TV (because they went over their allotted time). We heard them talking about it on the radio this morning so I looked it up on You Tube and there it was! (Gotta love You Tube!)
I think it’s awesome that they sang this song on there. What do you think about how they changed it?
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=chXEraRnE4o]
P.S. The last thing we saw was when Brad Pitt was up there. Does anyone know if we missed anything else? I hate it when they go past their time!!
