Showing posts with label music. Show all posts
Showing posts with label music. Show all posts

Wednesday, December 24, 2014

Merry Christmas from Us (Enjoy this gift)


Merry Christmas from us to you! My husband is a talented singer-songwriter who decided to record his own version of the song "Hallelujah" with a bit of a Christmas spin on it (the original song is by Leonard Cohen). He convinced me to sing with him (I'm a really shy singer... unless I'm in the car) and there is even a surprise from little Klair at the end of the song. If you would like this song please send me your email address, and we will send it to you as a Christmas gift from our little family.

Here it is in all its YouTube glory:

http://youtu.be/p8phLQQkJfc

Also, the photo above counts as our Christmas card for this year. I wanted to create a physical, tangible... you know, real one to send out to people, but our little December sickness put us in survival mode. The Christmas card didn't make the cut on the list of most necessary things to do. Fortunately, this photo from Klair's 2 year old pictures is both Christmasy and adorable. I hope it makes your Christmas a little brighter!

Monday, September 8, 2014

With Grace in Your Heart and Flowers in your Hair | Religious Reflections 05

I was driving the other day with my iPhone on shuffle, when I had a moment that profoundly touched me. I don't know what it is about driving--especially longer distances--but it seems to be a time when I'm particularly prone to deep thought and receptive to inspiration. I suppose it's the monotony of the task before me. Of course I must be alert, but I can easily fall into a rhythm and I'm forced to sit still long enough to think about something other than the next thing that I need to do. Klair likes it too. Well, not driving of course, but she enjoys going on car rides. In fact, that girl loves getting out of the house in general. If a day goes by where we haven't left the house, she'll start telling me "I'm ready to gooo!" repeatedly. I suppose she's like her mama in that regard. We both love to go--even if the going is simply to the park or grocery store. We really enjoy venturing to new places. A change of scenery is always welcome. Hereditary wanderlust perhaps?

...and with that my mind has wandered off track. Back to the story. So, I was driving a fair distance, the music entering my ears determined by a randomizing algorithm programmed into my phone, when a song called "After the Storm" by Mumford and Sons came on. Sam and I both really love this band. We have for awhile now. We've collected all of their music over the years and thoroughly enjoy it. I have heard this particular song plenty of times before and I've always liked it. I could even sing along to some of the lyrics from memory. I don't know if it was the longer-than-usual-drive, or the brilliance of the setting sun and the golden light it cast that made me especially reflective, but this time I actually listened.

And, what I heard, spoke to my soul and brought tears to my eyes. Yep, I even cried a little.
It was exactly what I needed to hear.

"And there will come a time, you'll see. With no more tears. 
And love will not break your heart, but dismiss your fears. 
Get over your hill and see what you find there, 
With grace in your heart and flowers in your hair."

Beautiful, profound truth.

I won't bombard you with all of the lyrics--look them up or listen to the song if you feel so inclined--but essentially the verses reveal struggle, pain, and fear while the chorus (shown above) resolves these. It encapsulates the essence of the atonement of Jesus Christ, and the hope His gospel brings. Christ resolves our burdens. His grace is sufficient to cover all our pain, to redeem and to justify. I love the imagery of these lyrics, and I believe them with all my heart. One day, with our Savior's unfailing assistance, we will reach the peak of our own personal mountain. And, when we do, what we find will bring us to our knees in awe and admiration. 

"There will come a time, you''ll see." 

Sunday, November 24, 2013

j.wride . CD . release !


Tonight was great

My husband is in a band called j.wride, and they had their CD release show for their new album Monsters. They have been working very hard these past few months recording and getting ready for this, and it really paid off. The new CD is incredible, and the show tonight was so fun! Sam and his band mates (and the other wives who don't have a one year old to chase after) spent all day setting up. They worked like crazy, and it showed. The sound was immaculate, and it was a very visually appealing set as well. It all made for a such a fun, lively, and, dare I say, even magical atmosphere.

My favorite part of the night was when they decided to do a cover. I got Sam a cheap little harmonica for a stocking stuffer a few years ago (I want to say it was 5 bucks at Target?), so needless to say it isn't anything too fancy. Well, while they were practicing Sam got it out and started playing around with it. Like all things musical he quickly figured it out (I will never understand how that husband of mine can pick up an instrument and instantly play it). Before I knew it the band was doing their own rendition of Billy Joel's hit classic "Piano Man" in my basement.

Fast forward to tonight: they decided to play it at the show. Sam got his cheap yet surprisingly effective instrument out and the audience loved it (naturally). There was a lot of singing along and even some swaying taking place.



One girl loved it a little too much though. I wish I had this part on video. After his performance she shouted loud enough for the entire venue to hear "Is he single?" to which the lead singer replied in the mic that he is not. You would think that this would be the end of it. You would think. She yelled back "I don't care. I'll fight her!" Apparently I have a j.wride wannabe groupie gunning for me...

Despite the apparent danger that I put myself in by attending tonight's performance, it was a much needed night out. My sweet mom babysat for us, and my sister and best friend accompanied me to the show (which was so far away that it felt like a mini road trip). I enjoyed spending time with the girls and being able to see a side of Sam that I don't get to see very often. My husband is extremely talented, and I love watching him perform so flawlessly. I can't really blame the girls for wanting to fight me. He's kind of a hottie :)



If you get a chance you should definitely check them out. Their new album has been the soundtrack of my November. I've listened to it about 1,000 times, and I'll gladly listen to it 1,000 more.


Sporting my new j.wride shirt :)
 I love all the people in this photo.