Top 50 songs (or giving in to peer pressure)

I have accepted/joined in on a challenge from friends to compile a list of my top 50 all time favorite songs. I must like punishment or something, because I have NEVER been able to do this. I still feel like it's an impossible task. Even though I have my list finished. But I'm sure I've missed something. I'm not satisfied. And there is no way I can rank them. But I'm copying two of these friends and blogging about it. Because I can attempt to explain my choices. (I love reading their stories behind each song.) And I'm hoping it actual helps me blog. Because I need all the help with that I can get. So, I won't be working up to a #1, but I'll be working up to songs that I love just a little bit more than the rest. Yeah. If that makes any sense. And I'm hoping to stick it out until I make it through all 50, but I'm not making any promises. ;)

Could you be loved, Bob Marley and the Wailers

I love Bob Marley's music. It feels like summer to me. This song makes me want to drive around with my windows down and the volume up. And I can't help but move my feet when I hear it. And his lyrics carry meaning (although I don't always know/agree with the meaning, but hey). Then I went to Jamaica on a study abroad trip in college and now his music embodies that period of my life and has a permanent place in my heart. This song just happens to be my favorite of his currently.

Kerosene, Miranda Lambert

This song really speaks to me about how you can never rely on others for your happiness and how true fulfillment lies in the.....nah, not really! I just really like it.

Black and White, Three Dog Night

We had a 45 with this song on it when I was growing up and I would listen to it over and over. A 45 is a record. You know, those black circle things? This makes me feel so old. But I loved listening to this and I can still hear the static-y goodness of the record player when I think of this song. If I heard it for the first time today, I'm sure I wouldn't exactly be blown away but it's nostalgic and stands the test of time for me. Feel good stuff right here.

Bohemian Rhapsody, Queen

Such a classic song. I love Queen and I have lots of memories of listening to them while working up in the cannery in Alaska. Cheer in a dismal place. :) I love the story this song tells (albeit a super sad and sometimes bizarre ride) and doing my best Wayne's World impersonations in the car.

Gomer's Theme, Third Day

I love Third Day- not so much their contemporary worship stuff, but their early, Southern rock band stuff. I love the story of Hosea and Gomer, it's such a great picture of how God loves us, and I love Mac Powell's gritty voice. Third Day nailed the emotion in the story for me with this song.

Thoughts that have nothing to do with children

I have been pondering something lately and I finally decided to just blog about it, since I was a teensy bit overdue for a new blog post anyways. And it has nothing to do with my kids! *Gasp*

So, you might be familiar with the type of people on facebook that seem to post things that are designed to get people to comment with nice things about them- you know, posting a picture with the caption "ugh, I'm so ugly in this!" so people will leave comments about how pretty they are etc. Man. I feel have butchered describing that, but hopefully you catch my drift. Anywho. Many people find this behavior to be annoying and I get that. But the other day, it made me stop and think because I can identify with that feeling of wanting affirmation from others. I think we all can. Or maybe not. But I very much do. It feels really good to have someone tell you something nice about yourself. And while it's not a bad thing to like hearing compliments, I don't want to forget where my identity lies and where I should ultimately be looking for my affirmation either. I feel like God has brought me really far in being satisfied in Him and who he has made me to be, but I still struggle with wanting approval from people too. As I was thinking through this, I felt like it would be really good for me when I'm feeling that longing for affirmation, that I share with someone else something I appreciate about them. (through facebook, text, email, whatever) That way God can help me take my focus off myself and hopefully help brighten someone else's day. I have failed at it a LOT already, but I'm hoping it will be a way to allow God to draw me back into relationship with him when I get so stuck on myself.

From the mouth of babes

I know I haven't posted anything in a long time. I've just not had the motivation to do it. After it's been so long, it starts to feel a bit overwhelming- like I need to post about everything that's happened since I've last posted and, while we don't lead the most exciting lives, over months, things add up. And then it feels like too much to cover. But something happened today and laying in bed today, reliving the moment with Alex, I just had to write it down. I want to be able to remember this and savor the sweetness weeks, months, years from now.

Kellen is our sweet, sensitive little guy. He is always running up and giving us random, but passionate, heart-felt embraces and telling us he loves us SO very much. Today he was sitting at the dining room table, playing legos with Brady and I was in the kitchen, getting dinner ready. I had a song in my head and burst into song, randomly singing the chorus. I heard Kellen say something about my singing, but I couldn't make it out. (I honestly thought he said something about please stop singing and I thought it was funny.) So, I stuck my head into the dining room and asked what he had said and he told me "I said thank you for singing that Mom. I love you.". Talk about filling my heart to bursting! Warm fuzzies- I tell you, this little guy is full of 'em.

Homemade drums

I can still remember the few toys that were at my grandma and grandpa's house for us kids to play with when we visited when I was growing up. One of these was an empty quaker oats container that had been fashioned into a drum. It had a string around it so you could carry it around and bang on it on the go. Each time I make the boys oatmeal, I think "I should have the boys make drums with these when they are empty.". So, one day, a while back, I finally got around to actually doing this project with the boys.

Step 1. (okay, I just had the NKOTB song "Step by Step" start playing in my head. Yes, I know the words still. Just a little insight into my awesomeness...or is that awkwardness? ha ha)

Take an empty oatmeal container. Either remove the label or cover with your choice of paper. (or leave it the way it is, as the one at my grandparent's house was). I used the container for the Trader Joe's quick cooking steel cut oats. When I took off the label, I discovered that the underneath surface was plain white and perfect for decorating.

Step 2.

Punch holes in the side (I stuck scissors into the side to make a tiny hole). Cut string to desired length, insert into holes and tie a knot so it doesn't come out. Make sure the knot at the end of your string is on the inside. (I also put a little hot glue on the knot to further insure it wouldn't come out of the hole.)

Step 3.

Hot glue the lid to the top of the can. This is only needed if you want to discourage you're kiddos from taking the lid off. I did.

Step 4.

Have your kids decorate with much abandon. Stickers and crayons work great.

Step 5.

Get your drum on. Bring in other instruments to create your very own jam session.

A day in the life...in pictures!

There was a day, probably about two weeks ago now, that was nice out and it was before our glorious 5 days in a row without rain. So, we were motivated to get the boys outside for as long as possible, to say the least. Who knew when a chance to play would come again? It was going to be nicest later in the afternoon, so we waited to go out until after lunch and decided we would push Kellen's nap time to a little later. Let's just say our day confirmed that boy needs his sleep! ha ha There was raking and playing in the dirt, stomp rocket launches, "motoring" and "weedeling" (mowing and weedeating), building the trampoline enclosure and then plenty of jumping now that the trampoline is officially open for business. And popsicles. And tears. And I took pictures of it all.

What is art?

My husband has always claimed that he doesn't have a creative bone in his body. But I had the opportunity to go out of town recently for a quick trip and when I came back home, I discovered this creation. He thinks it's not artistic at all because he just figured out a pattern and repeated it, because it's very structured and logical. He had lots of excuses, I mean, reasons why it wasn't artistic or creative. I think he's just in denial.

Adventure of the day

Getting exercise with three small children is always a challenge. But today, I decided I was going to make it work. I checked out the Jillian Michaels 30 day shred DVD from the library a few days ago (have I mentioned that I LOVE the library?) and I hadn't so much as cracked the case yet. So, today was the day! On a side note- there are 3 levels of workouts on the dvd. But do not be fooled....level 1 is no joke. Hello! I may not be able to move tomorrow. The fact that there are two harder workouts kind of scares me! I got Gavin set up on the floor with some entertainment, Brady chose to color and Kellen parked himself on the couch. Under a blanket. Yep, I had an audience for the first half of my workout. Apparently me working out = quality entertainment! Ha ha After a while, Kellen decided he needed to be closer to me and got down on the floor next to me, scooting himself as close to my side as he possibly could. Let me tell you, doing crunches with a small child snuggled up next to you is not the easiest thing to do. But how sweet is that? By the end of my workout, Gavin was crying because no one was paying attention to him and both Brady and Kellen had joined me in doing the exercises. I love that they just want to be a part of whatever I'm doing, even if it makes things a little more difficult sometimes. ;)