Modern Musical Numbers to Enjoy

I love musicals! I'm not sure what it is but when I hear a good musical number it brings a tear to my eye...and I'm not just talking about stuff like Phantom of the Opera & Cats. You know there is something more when you cry while listening to "Status Quo" and "Guy Love" I've seen three Broadway musicals so far (CATS, Le' Miserable, & The King and I) and I can't wait to see more. But for now I am content to get my fix by watching high school productions & TV versions. Here are a few modern musical numbers I've enjoyed all in one convenient location. ;)


From Enchanted: 'That's How You Know'


From High School Musical: 'Stick to the Status Quo'
(I know that this movie is kinda cheesy but the musical numbers in it are fantastic!)


From Scrubs Episode 'My Musical': 'Guy Love'
(Oh...and by the way, I just have to say that that Scrubs episode was the best single TV episode ever. Love it! It was hard to choose which song to put on here.)

Princess Jasmine has been dethroned...and boy is she upset!

Before the baby was born I was only a little worried as to how the other girls would react to her. I remember being concerned back when Jasmine was born about how Eden would take to being 'dethroned' but she actually did really well transitioning to her big sister role. This time I anticipated that Jasmine may have a problem with welcoming another sister to the family but she also seemed to be dealing with it quite well...until this week. This week Jasmine has grown more and more hostile toward Acacia and the time mommy dedicates to her. A few nights ago we were all watching a movie together and Jasmine and I were snuggling on the couch when Acacia woke up and started crying. I turned to Jasmine and said, "The baby is crying. She's probably hungry. Should I pick her up?" "Uunhh uh." She shook her head no. 'I want daddy to hold her." "But she's hungry & only mommy can feed her." Russ tells her. At this she gets really upset and starts screaming "Nooo." and crying as I get up to get the baby. Today a similar situation occurred...but this time after I had sat down & started nursing, Jasmine comes over and hits the baby on the head with great conviction! When I start to scold her she takes another forceful swing at her intruding little sister! I grabbed her hand that time & Russ came to intervene.

I shouldn't be suprised...Jasmine has always dealt with stress & her emotions in a more flamboyant manner than Eden ever does but even so I was a bit suprised because it seems that what is upsetting her is Acacia's time with me and I've always thought of her as a daddy's girl. Hopefully she'll quickly be convinced that Mama has plenty of room in her heart (and lap) for all her girls.

There is just something about a book.

There is just something about a book
by Gina K.

There is just something about a book.

There is just something about the feel of a volume in my hand;
the way the spine is unyielding to my touch.
There is just something about the smell of its pages
and the potential of the words that fill that gap between the covers.
There is just something about how they gather in organized families on my shelves;
the way their bold titles entice my eye as I gaze upon them.

There is just something about the way they speak to me;
the way their phrases enchant my mind & tantalize my sensibilities.
There is just something about how they transform me;
how their conversations mold how I see myself & the world around me.
There is just something in the way their discourses lift me to other lands
and their accounts transport me to other times.

There is just something about a book.

----------------------------------------------------

I love to read. But more than that...I love books. While I would in no way consider myself a book-aholic, I certainly admit to being a bibliophile. I have a hard time parting with books...even if I've already read them...or even if I suspect I will never read them. My house is filled with books--books from my childhood, books from my college classes, books I got from bookstores, bookmooch & Goodwill. I love shopping for books at Goodwill because it gives me the opportunity to find & read books that I never would have found or purchased otherwise. When I lived in the city I used to love going to the library for this same reason but since moving to a more rural area (where the library selection is a bit more limited) I've found that Goodwill works better for me because I can take them all home right away and don't have to rush or stress over due dates. The problem with this is that unless I really hate the book, I can't bring myself to get rid of it. So the books keep piling up. Russ covered one whole wall in our basement with shelves and that was filled before the screws he used to put them up with had cooled. I recently informed him that we need more shelf space & he joked that every wall in the house could be lined with shelves and it still wouldn't be enough. While that is currently a gross exaggeration--I know that I can't go my whole life hanging on to every book that crosses my path or it may not be too far from the truth! However, for now, I am enjoying expanding my collection. So if you are ever are in need of a gift ideas or a place to send your strays--know that books are always welcome in my home. The ones that don't join the family will be traded on bookmooch for books that will join the family. There is no such thing as an unwanted book in this house. (We may have a problem finding a place for them to sleep, however. ;))

I have a working stove!

We are seventy-two days into our kitchen remodel & I am excited to report that I once again have a working stove!! Yay! We all celebrated with a glass of sparkling grape juice. Now, I'm off to bake some muffins.





For photos of our remodel progress go here.

Fall photos of Acacia at 6 weeks

Autumn Photos

Yesterday, the girls and I enjoyed our first autumn day together outside in nice weather & fallen leaves. I, of course, used this as an excuse to express myself through photography.

Enjoy more photos here.

Acacia at Five Weeks

Photo of my beautiful Acacia.
Five Weeks Old!

Allo Monster Mash

So, someone in Russ' company took pictures of the people in his office & made their own Jib Jab video. So funny...Russ is a very attractive dracula! ;)

Try JibJab Sendables® eCards today!

A special couple

We had a friend over last weekend & as we were going over all the details of our in-progress kitchen remodel I remarked that I'd heard that the stress of remodeling can be really hard on a marriage but that we've had nearly no conflict during these very crazy past two months in which we have not only tore out our entire kitchen but also endured the last 4 weeks of pregnancy, given birth & then endured the first month home with the new baby & two small children. (If anything, we've gotten along even better.) At this our friend remarked with conviction, "Well, you guys are a special couple."

This casual comment really got me thinking. I have come to see that Russ & I really are a special couple and we come from backgrounds that are abundant with special couples-- making us pretty unique in our generation. I had very little exposure to fractured and/or unhealthy relationships growing up. My parents fought, as all couples do, but the authenticity of their love or the strength of their commitment was never a question, and now after 31 years of marriage they have a connection, love & understanding in their relationship that is enviable. Recently, however, now that I can see the world that exists outside of my family, I have been deeply distressed & heartbroken as marriages crumble around me. The thing is, that although divorce, betrayal & the like have always bothered me, in my mind they were always relegated to the realm of the lost. But lately so many of the people in my circles who are dealing with the tragedy of a broken marriage are Christians who I identify with or have admired. I ache for them and have been left questioning the steadfastness of my marriage. If it can happen to them...could it happen to me? But I keep coming back to the same conclusion that our friend so kindly pointed out; we are special. Things happen and life could throw us some pretty big curves in the future, but I have faith that we can make it through stronger. I believe this for several reasons. First of all (and most importantly), Russ & I are on the same page when it comes to our relationship with Christ. Everything else depends upon this. It is so important for single Christians to not undervalue the importance of choosing a mate with whom they have a strong spiritual commonality. Secondly, we both have a reverence to commitment. We respect each other; we communicate freely; we forgive & forget; and we take time to show love to each other. If we continue with these priorities I know that our marriage will continue to be great!

Chatting with Russ on that evening back in Sept 2002 when we first met, I had no idea that he would be THE guy. But when we started dating a month later, it became clear very quickly. And here we are 7 years later, married with 3 beautiful children and really just beginning our lives together. My hope is that we continue growing together with, for and in God and that when we are older, living together in an empty nest, we will have the bond & love that we see in those other "special couples", our parents & grandparents, who introduced us to Jesus and showed us that marriages can live happily ever after!

"There is no more lovely, friendly and charming relationship, communion or company than a good marriage"
-- Martin Luther

Lil' Eagle

I recently sent an update to the alumni association of my alma mater to inform them of Acacia's recent arrival into our family. Today when I got the mail I was delighted to find a 'congrats' from them and a sweet little pair of CSC socks for my "Lil' Eagle"! I was pretty impressed at the gesture. As many alumni as there are I would think that the expense would add up. At any rate I just wanted to give a public shout out to my favorite college and say, 'Thanks Chadron State! You're still the best. My little girl will wear her CSC socks with Lil' Eagle pride. :)

Man experiencing labor!

Readers...you have to check out this post on C.Beth's blog! Watch the video of a man enduring simulated labor contractions and then let me know your thoughts in the pain tolerance debate.

Really?!?!

So, yesterday our chiropractor asked Eden what she was going to be for Halloween and she answered without hesitation,
"A giant squid."