What's happenin

Here is Ryan's new album, "Raj - extended version" which includes a few extra tracks. He did an amazing job on this album. Although a bit controversial in nature, there is no denying his musical talent, especially in making this album so believable. The first time I listened to it, I was shaken up pretty bad, thinking "this is my son." It took me quite a while to calm down and realize he was ACTING. And he did it so dang well! Anyone who knows Ryan and his gentle and loving spirit knows it's a huge stretch for him to put these kinds of songs together, but God has gifted him with the ability to portray very horrifying scenarios.  Here is one of the comments he got on the new album: "It's like techno meets heavy metal meets soundtrack meets... Jesus!" 

Ok, here is a cute picture of Hilary and Kyle.

 

Happy to see them smiling! By the way, those are like thousands of little Chinese lanterns that were released into the Grand Rapids sky. Pretty sweet, huh? 

I've been pretty busy with my voice lessons and stuff like that.  I guess it's going ok, I don't know.  Piano is sporadic at this point.  And I haven't been in the mood to paint or renovate anything. I just want it all to go away and be done with, and be organized. I think singing is my escape from it all. I'm happy that Darryl has gotten so much done without me. (Sorry Darryl)

We had our first CBC this past week.  I think it went pretty smoothly....except for the awkwardness of trying to operate the powerpoint, do handmotions, sing and engage the children all at the same time.

Darryl and I are going away next weekend.  I'm pretty excited about it.  I need to get away.  I'll tell you more later.

smiles and tears

Today was a very happy day and a very sad day. Happy because I got to see Jeremy Camp lead worship for 45 minutes. He is a fantastic performer, and I loved his heart for the Lord. We really enjoyed the morning service at Grace!

But then that was followed by a sad time of goodbyes at Preakness for our friends, the Isidros. Lots of smiles and tears as they head to Virginia to relocate.  We will miss them so much and we are so thankful for their faithfulness.

Amanda, Fely, Me, Nathan, Sam

mummified

Yes, we are about to be "mummified"! I can't believe how big these things got! It's going to look so pretty when they all bloom. I bought a bunch of teeny little plants and put them in for Ryan's graduation party....like 3 years ago? I had no idea they would keep coming back every year. So cool!

Well, we got an area rug for the family room but not I'm posting any picture yet because I can't figure out how to get the furniture back in there looking nice.  I'll have to keep you waiting at least another day.

I'm tired....sitting here trying to watch a Packers game, while going over some piano stuff.  Go-Pack-Go!

A Labor of Love

Today is Labor Day, and the guys are downstairs working hard, even as I type this.  It's starting to look like a whole new room.  And that is a GOOD thing.  I get so tired of things being the same for so dang long.  I can't remember the last time we did anything different in that room.  OK, I admit it, I was dreadfully bored with things.  Darryl's brothers are here working long hours trying to finish it up before they have to leave on Thurs.  It's been really nice having them here, and I've enjoyed cooking for them.  I love cooking for people who aren't picky.  And it helps if they like spicy (hot) food too!

Most of the paint that we use we get at Lowe's for $5.00.  But for the family room we actually paid full price for it (around $35).  I usually refuse to pay full price b/c I can usually find reject paint that works just as well.  I figured with all the money we saved on the rest of the house, it covers the cost of the full priced ones.  I also bought some really inexpensive curtains at Lowe's.  I think they are perfect (and completely different from what I had before), light and delicate next to all the hard cold surfaces.  I love contrasts.

I am on day 4 of my voice lesson #1.  By Thursday I am hoping to go to lesson #2!

Today I dug out Ryan's piano books.  I also downloaded something online that looked interesting.  It's a 111 page e-book to teach me the "whys and hows" of piano playing.  It's called The Piano Encyclopedia.  No telling if I'm making any sense of it yet.

After the family room?  Well, there is still the master bath, which is a disaster.  After the sky lite leaked for so many years, the ceiling looks awful.  That needs to be painted, and oh what joy that will be, considering the ceilings are probably 12 feet high... same as the walls, which also need to be painted.  I have some beautiful $5.00 paint to use when we get that far.

After that?  Oh yes, the kitchen still looms big!

And let the beauty of the LORD our God be upon us,

And establish the work of our hands for us; 

Yes, establish the work of our hands. 

Psalm 90:17

Lost and Found

I had fun at ShopRite. They were selling books for $1.00 (.50 for paperbacks) so I thought what a great opportunity to pick up some books.  I tried to get ones that had been on the Best Seller's list.  I can't remember the last time I took the time to read a fiction novel, for no other reason than to sit down and enjoy a good book. You figure, for the past 13 years I've been homeschooling my kids and taking care of the house, and all that it entails. The only reading I did was either for school, or the Bible (and study material). Somewhere along the way I lost my love for reading. I am hoping to be able to find myself lost in a good book again soon! (without the nagging thought that I should really be doing something productive, like working!)  Even Darryl tells me I need to have more fun.  I just have not learned how to sit down and relax!!

I took this picture of the chicken's feet.  I don't know why they are labeled 'paws'.  Dogs and cats have paws, not chickens!  I wasn't the only one interested in them, as other women stopped to look and chat about this odd sight.  I am very much into food and cooking, but I cannot imagine putting one of these in my mouth for any reason.  (ok, maybe if I was starving to death!)  Gross, gross, gross!

So, I've been doing a lot of thinking about life.  Here I am at this cross roads, so to speak.  Like I said, my life totally belonged to my kids and husband all these years; a complete devotion.  I'm not complaining by any means, and I would not have changed a thing.  I do not regret my choice to homeschool one single bit.  But it has occurred to me that I have never had a chance in my life to do the things that I wanted to do for ME.  Which is why I bought the books.  But also, there are other things I want to do.  I think I mentioned I also wanted to start painting again.  I was always interested in painting since I was a child.  My grandfather used to work with me and teach me to paint.  What a wonderful time we had together in his basement.  Me and him and our paints and brushes.  He taught me how to hold my hand steady and make my strokes. Sweet memories indeed.

When I was in highschool I took lots of art classes and always had a passion for being creative.  At one point in my single-mom phase I did paint a little, but then dropped it again.  I have also always wanted to sing and play piano.

When I was a little girl I was always singing with my Dad in the church choir.  It is one of my fondest memories of time spent with my Dad.  I love to sing, but I stink at it.   Over the years it was just one more thing I put aside to raise my family.  And besides, there was no way I could get any better at it.  But lately I have had such a desire to learn to sing that I started using Ryan's Singing Success course!  (we met Brett Manning when we went to the Singing Success building in Nashville.  He was very cool.  We even went to lunch with him and his gang and had our picture taken with him.)  I am only on the first lesson but so far it is going really great.  I know it'll be painfully slow, but God willing I won't die so soon that I should just give up on all my personal wants.

When I was a little girl we had a piano, but none of us had lessons, so it just sat there in our mud room and collected dust.  I tried to learn to play several years ago after Ryan took his lessons. I tried picking up his books and doing it by myself, but other duties wouldn't allow the time I needed to pursue it.  I think it would be so much fun to be able to sit down at a piano and play, and sing a song.  People who have that opportunity are so incredibly blessed!!   I think I may just get his books out again one day and see if I can plow through and learn how to play a little.  What a thrill that would be!

I figured we paid all this money to give Ryan the best singing, and guitar, and piano lessons, I might as well try to use whatever I can to benefit myself.  Right?

I know that for a lot of women, when their kids leave home they are lost and bewildered and don't know how to go on.  I miss my boys so incredibly MUCH, but at the same time, I'm realizing how much I have missed ME all these years.  When "they" say that women give themselves up to be moms and wives, they aren't joking.  It's like I have to try to remember who I am and what MY interests are.  It's fun and scary at the same time!  I really want to see where God takes this crazy stuff, if any where at all.   Maybe these are all just fanciful longings that will never materialize.

Well, we painted the kitchen (eating area only).  I will post pictures tomorrow.  Darryl's brothers drove out from Michigan to help us with the tiling in the family room.  I CANNOT WAIT for this house to get situated and cleaned up and organized again.  To me, "clutter and chaos" is synonymous for "insanity".