"Be"ing a Mom

Always having to have something exciting going on in my life, and this time is no exception.... I am happy to announce that I am expecting again... #7.

I am the oldest of 11 children. I thought my mom was amazing. She seems to live to bring children into the world. Being the oldest, I had the chance to take care of many of those kids. I was pretty good at it. I figured I would make a pretty good mother. That was how I felt up until my first oldest was born. This child, was SO colicky, I couldn't even believe it. She was SO difficult!!! I'd call my mom and ask her how she did it. Her response was very telling, "I never had one of those..." 11 kids and not a colicky one in the bunch.... wow, I felt my education was lacking. I knew I didn't want to have as many kids as my mom did, but I vowed that if I had even one more child like this one, that would be it. 2 kids would be fine, and all I could handle.

Somehow I've been able to manage. Heavenly Father had more kids he wanted to send to us. One at a time they come, each bringing their unique challenges, but I've learned so much from each of them. Right now, I'm pretty tired. It's hard to get anything done in the day. I had a really rough time there for a little bit with the fact that I wasn't "do"ing anything. One of my good friends, gently reminded me that it was 6 "Be's" President Hinckley gave us, and not 6 "Do's". I knew that was true, but it wasn't until I received a very kind note from a young women in our ward, that I finally began to believe in the "Be" of "Being a Mom". She wrote just the sweetest note, expressing her thankfulness for my example, in using my talents, but even more especially for my example as a mother. She said that she watches me and sees the patience that I have with my children (she must not be watching ALL the time!) and that she hopes to someday be as good of a mom as me. It made me cry. It was just so sweet. Maybe I'm not "Do"ing anything, but maybe there is something in the "Be"ing.

It's been hard to slow down my life and not to do so much, but I've been able to enjoy it more. I take a nap, and when I feel up to it, I go read with my kids. I engage in a nice conversation. I try to do a little laundry before I fall asleep again. This should pass soon, but I hope that I don't forget the little bit of perspective that I've gained. I'm learning to better appreciate "Be"ing a mom...

Singing around the piano

This morning was one of those mornings I hope that will just stay in my brain forever. Unfortunately, I have a terrible memory, so I'm writing this down, in the hopes it will help me to never forget.

This morning, 3 members of the family were gone (to school, camp, work, or other) and I was relaxing at the piano. This is often what I do to unwind from the stresses of the day. This morning I wasn't playing anything in particular, in fact, I was just improvising all over the place. My 5 year old came over to the piano, and in the cutest little sing-songy voice, began to sing to my accompaniment. I couldn't tell you any of the words because they were things like, "My mom is the nicest mom ever,... what is that on the wall? I love my stuffed animals, etc." It was just so cute. That would have probably been enough to make it a good memory, but not before too long, my 8 year old, and even my 10 year old, also came over, and just joined right in!!! They were all singing their own variations of "whatever". None of them were the same, but amazingly, they have enough rhythm and melody, that it actually all sounded GOOD together!!! I couldn't believe it. At one point, I slowed it down and created a little ending, and immediately all the girls started yelling, "Let's do it again!!!"

It was the coolest thing. I love harmony. I love musicals where the two (or more) parts go together in some amazing counterpoint way, but this morning was something cooler than I ever could have written myself. It will probably be more memorable than anything I could write. What a great morning! I hope everyone has a great day. I know I will!

Living Water

I finished the choir song tonight. I wish I had some way to hear it performed, but in it's midi form, it really does sound beautiful. I haven't added it to my website yet since there's no way to link to new songs. (Will this mean a new remodel of my site again?!) Still, for now you can download the song here: Download Living Water SATB sheet music.

The solo version, and accompaniment for it, is on my new CD. I love the solo version, but I think this choir version is going to be gorgeous. There's a lot of neat harmonies in the voices. I don't think it's too hard, but then again, I haven't really tried it out yet. I'd be happy to get comments from anyone who has sung through or performed the song. If you are close by, I'd also love to come and hear it being performed!

I'd do an email update tonight, but it's late and I'm tired. I don't know if I've been having allergies or what lately, but I've been very tired. I've been starting to try and work on my 72 hour kits again. It's taking me FOREVER to get that done. (That and my year supply....) Still, I'm doing well, one project at a time... =)