Worthy Is The Lamb...

On this Good Friday I am filling our house with the Message by way of music.

I have a fondness for Christian music that ties us to the believers before us and is steeped in the rich theology of the Christian Reformed faith.

Yes, I like hymns. Give me a Psalter Hymnal and I'm peachy. Call me old fashioned, call me stodgy, call me boring. Fine. You can't ignore the impact music has made on our faith. Hymns were used to teach theology. I have a problem with people wanting to competely rid the Church of these hymns that, after being around for hundreds of years, are suddenly "out of date" and "old-fashioned".

Not that I don't love the more current praise and worship music. My favorite modern day hymn is 'In Christ Alone' co-written by Keith & Kristyn Getty and Stuart Townend. RICH in theology and awesome to sing:



There is a place for both in worship. However, I do believe that we are doing a disservice to our children if we are not teaching them the rich music that has been an integral part of our faith for generations.

With that in mind, I am playing 'The Messiah' today and throughout the weekend into Easter Sunday. The Messiah was written by Handel in 24 days in 1741. 24 DAYS. My copy of The Messiah has 252 pages in it minus the 3 introduction pages. That is a miracle.

Here is a video clip of the ending of The Messiah, the song 'Worthy Is The Lamb':



May you have a reverent and reflective Good Friday and celebratory Easter Sunday...

A

Smile Big!

It's hilarious to watch a group of adults try to get anyone under the age of 6 to smile for a picture. Jumping about, making funny faces, snorting, whistling, clapping, whathaveyou. Might be kinda fun to take some sneaky candid shots of the people behind the camera next time.

With my kids, I ALWAYS say, "smile big!" Sometimes it works, sometimes not.

Ok honey, smile big so Mama can take a picture!



Uh, not quite hon. You're scaring the people. Try again.



MUCH better.

OK little Lady, let's take a picture of your cute new dress, shall we? Smile big!



Hmmm. I get the whole "girls are more dramatic" thing, but let's try that again...this time in the bumbo. Smile big!



MUCH better.

A

Ten Tips For Mother's Expecting Baby #2...

This post over at 5 Minutes For Parenting was AMAZING.

Lil Chick is now 4 months old and the transition hasn't always been a cakewalk. Yes, she is a super sleeper and not having nursing issues like Bubbalu did. No, that doesn't mean she isn't any work.

Having 2 is an exercise in logistics. Timing meals, naps and everything in between to achieve a semblance of order is challenging. Just when we have a groove going, we have an outing. Church, grocery store, doctor appointment, errands, etc. Then you pay for it the next 2 days. I honestly wonder sometimes if it is more trouble than it's worth.

Just feeling a bit overwhelmed with the crazies today. Bubbalu was sick for 2+ weeks, and now we are playing the, "is it an ear infection or not" guessing game. I hope it is, because if this recent behavior change is really him, we are IN for it.

Go ahead and read Fried Okra's Ten Tips for Mothers Expecting their Second Child. Written honestly with a huge helping of practicality and a side of humor.

However, no matter what teeth grinding, nerves shredding, stressful kind of day I've had, I still watch them as they sleep and fall in love with them all over again...

A