Life Update

Yeah yeah yeah, I know: two blogs in one morning.

I happen to have time on my hands today :) 

So... here's a rundown of what is goin on in our lives as of late. Thought I'd share, because I feel like it's goin fast!

ONE YEAR! 

Ben and I celebrated our First Wedding Anniversary a couple weekends ago, April 2nd. We went back to the hotel we stayed at our wedding night and spent the weekend eating great food, watching movies (thank you Redbox) playing board games and reading. Gloriously relaxing celebration weekend. 

HOME IS WHERE THE HEART IS

This is a little premature... but looks like Ben and I miiiight be moving into a HOUSE within the new few months!! More news to come on that in the very near future! 

STUDIO RECITAL

I am ridiculously blessed to have upwards of 30 students... I can't believe it. So I'm excited to announce that I will be holding a recital for my studio of students on June 3rd. Should be a really fun evening, watching my kids perform; I even play to do a bit of performing myself... I'll try to upload a recording for all y'all who can't be there. 

OVERHAULIN'

Ben's work has been going through some major revamping, but I don't think I've ever seen him come home as pumped and excited about what's happening at his job as I have over the past few weeks. He loves his job, and I know it thrills him to be apart of something new and growing. I love hearing about it :)

BRANDI

Oooooh puppy face. Let me tell you... we have the cutest, smartest dog in the world. 

Yeah I know, probably not. BUT, we love her, and she really is super fun to have around. And she is smart... most of the time. We've been experiencing some major progress in keeping her calm when new people come around... she has the tendency to jump up when she's excited, because she thinks everyone in the world is her best friend and wants to play with her. So... progress is good. She kinda seems like she's plateaued in growth, she's probably give or take 35 lbs so... I'm guessing 50-ish will be where she tops out at. Anyway, yes, we're obsessed; she is our child. 

Auntie Tori came over to play- Feb 2011

singing duets with Tori- Feb 2011

Brandi looooves to hang out on the balcony and watch everyone outside

this look is "...wait... are you really going to throw my toy like you said?"

Brandi with her toy, Betsy the BaBa Sheep... yes, that is what we call it.

my favorite picture ever

pretty face :)

Outside!! Brandi's favorite place to be- going for walks every other day is what she lives for.

Daddy, laying down the law with treat in hand

April 2011

What The Cadbury Bunny Has Taught Me...

Well, it's certainly been a while since I last posted. I have a strange inkling this one might be of obscene length... but let's just see where it goes, shall we?

So. Lent. That's been goin' on... 

Having never really observed Lent before, I'm really thankful to be experiencing a truly eye-opening season this first go-round. To give you an idea of what it's been like... let's paint a picture of my day yesterday, mmkay? Ok.

Wake up- make Ben breakfast & lunch, feed Brandi etc

Take Brandi for a walk, with my mom and their dogs

Come home, work out, shower

Go grocery shopping... 

So... I'm grocery shopping, right? And I suddenly become aware of the fact that a good half of the working employees at our local store are Senior Citizens. Now, I've recently entered into the age where employees at Old Navy, and restaurants, and grocery stores are actually younger than I am. It's been an adjustment for me to grasp the fact that I am no longer in high school, let alone college, which is why the boy bagging my groceries (with his spiked 'do, four, random chin-hairs, and overpowering scent of Axe) makes me kinda chuckle to myself, rather than woo.

So imagine the confusion, then, that I felt as I walked down the vitamin isle and encountered a older gentlemen, grunting as he restocked the bottom shelf, his arthritic knees and hands obviously in pain. Or as I exited the store, when an even older, Italian man strained to empty pounds & pounds of trash from the bin, massaging his lower back quietly after completing the feat. And finally, as I loaded my car with groceries, I watched this little old man- I need to ask his name, I see him weekly- out in the Texas Sun, gathering discarded grocery carts. Back and forth, back and forth, he walks, loads, pushes... and smiles at me. He waves. Every time. "Thank you, ma'am, come again."

My heart felt so heavy. Why are these people working?? I had wanted to rush over to the man emptying trash and cry, "no no, sir, please let me do that for you"... I want to have sweet, Cart Man sit in the shade, and I want to bring him lemonade and cookies. And dangit, I want Vitamin Man to join them all, and I want to listen to them tell stories, and relax and... not freakin' have to be on their feet, straining themselves, every day.

All of these thoughts zoomed about my head as I eased through the parking lot over to the Gas Station. Still perplexed with all of this, I kinda mindlessly swiped my card, stuck the nozzle in the tank and leaned against the car, lost in thought. Why. What is happening to this world and culture, that we no longer make caring for the elderly, the widows, widowers, orphans and homeless a priority?? It brought to mind the passage at the beginning of Acts, when the church really begins to thrive and it says "and no man was in need, because everyone shared everything, and no one was in want". Doesn't that sound so... foreign? And yet so very beautiful, and perfect. Why are we not like that?

It was at that moment that I looked up at the car waiting behind me and saw... a Clown. For real. A straight up clown. Face paint, rainbow wig. And she had a monkey. I kid you not- the monkey was even wearing a purple and gold suit. 

"...it has to be the economy," I thought, hahaha.

This is what Lent is doing to me. 

No, wait. 

This is what Lent is doing for me. It is opening my eyes. 

For both Ben & myself. 

I no longer have Facebook to distract me, and I find myself actually accomplishing several tasks, before I "work". And as ironically odd as it sounds, my inability to "keep up" with friends and acquaintances via Facebook has allowed me to keep up with the people around me. I think for Ben & me both, our awareness of how truly, abundantly blessed we are has changed the way we're watching the world around us.

One of the most significant things about not watching TV has let us focus on the fact that we get to eat some really GOOD, freakin' food. I mean, I'm not gonna brag... but I made the best salmon I've ever eaten in my life last week. But the important thing about that... is that we can buy salmon. And the amazing thing about that... is that we live in a country where I can ask myself, "hmm, what kind of meat would I like to eat this week?" Chicken. Pork. Beef. Steak. Salmon. Bacon. Tuna. Crab. Fish tacos. How have I never realized how BEYOND blessed and undeserving we are to live in such lavish luxury?? This has actually been a powerful experience for my husband and myself.

So. Lent. That's been goin' on. Thank you, Jesus. 

And for the record... I think I've only had one, maaaaybe two cadbury eggs. But the Cadbury Egg season sure is teaching me a lot.