A great idea but a little late...

I read about this great product on designmom.com. Apparently you can easily attach an extra button onto your jeans to give yourself a little more tummy room.  (Or the opposite, but that SOO does not apply here.) Check it out at http://bristols6.com/html/adjustabutton.php#

Music Lesson Incentives

I have been thinking a lot lately about how to keep my kids and the kids I teach music to motivated in their weekly practicing.

For me growing up, I had one teacher who required that we fill out a practice log she provided.  She praised us for practicing daily and gave us the "eye" when we didn't.  If we had a certain number of "full" practice logs we would be given a sort of gift card for a little music magazine she had.  It was full of musical themed trinkets, etc...  I like this but haven't found a good resource yet.

I am curious if you have any ideas or experiences you could share... I would greatly appreciate it!

One of my secret hobbies:

Its dress gawking. I love it! I am constantly observing fancy dresses, and don't most girls for that matter? I am not sure I would ever aspire to being a designer but I fancy myself more of a connoisseur. So this dress made me pause for the relative modesty of it. Yes I think the neckline could be brought up a notch or two but check this out! Its almost something I would wear! (Minus large baby bump, of course.) So far the reviews on it sound positive. Its rare to see a celebrity wear one like this.... do you like it?

And the ultrasound says......

ITS ANOTHER BOY! :) I just giggled and giggled. My house is gonna smell like gym socks for many years!

So. You be the judge. Basketball team or boyband?

Whirlwind, please chill out.

Where do I begin!? Life has been soooo busy lately! Doesn't it always seem that way around the holidays? Should be the opposite! I want to sit in a clean, boxless house and sip cocoa with the Jarebare!

That said, yes we are in the new house! SO happy to have graduated from the tiny 2 bedroom townhome. What's funny though is that even though we have 3 bedrooms upstairs, all the boys are still cramming themselves into one room. :) Brothers are awesome.

I am really looking forward to this weekend! Its the performance of Handel's Messiah that I am participating in. I wish I could possibly communicate what I feel after singing this music for 3 years running... it is without a doubt inspired music. When the choir sings those words from Isaiah, I feel like the Heavens open for a minute and we sing with angels. I can barely get through the song "Surely He Hath Borne Our Griefs" from Isaiah 53:4. PLEASE listen to that song! It is so extraordinary how Handel uses those words and with melody and harmony he takes us from words to wisdom...

Take a listen here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gmGRck6Sv8k

And note the words!! Especially when they sing "...for ooooooourrr iiiiiiniquities!" Ugh! Kills me every time!

Surely He hath borne our griefs
And carried our sorrows
Surely, surely
He hath borne our griefs and carried our sorrows.

He
Was wounded for our transgressions.
He
Was bruised
He
Was bruised
For our iniquities.

The chastisement of our peace
Was upon Him!

Please come out and experience this amazing music this Sunday at 7...

Its that time of year again...