Stoked

For as long as I can remember I have wanted to learn to play the guitar.

I'll admit this now (because I'm 40 and fearless and only mildly embarrassed by this fact) but when I was about 8 or 9 I would stand in front of a mirror almost daily strumming passionately on a tennis racket while belting out the lyrics to "Afternoon Delight" as it played on my trusty record player.

Little did I know what "Afternoon Delight" was really all about. But my parents were never concerned about it. At least not the way I am concerned about some of the lyrics in today's music....

But that's another post.

Fast forward to 2007. I began taking guitar lessons. Finally. After years and years of dreaming and wishing and dreaming about becoming a guitar player myself.

This Christmas Animesh gave me the most gorgeous guitar ever...and it's inspired me to practice more often...and even play on a church retreat earlier this month and again in July.



Since becoming serious about the guitar, my mentors have quickly become (in my opinion) two of the most amazing musicians/vocalists of my time. It was a total fluke that I went searching on one of their websites....only to discover that in August they are touring. TOGETHER. In an ultra-cool small venue. In an ultra-cool city.

AND I'VE GOT TICKETS!

This summer I'm going to be more excited than a kid in a candy store when I see pretty up-close-and-personal Sheryl Crow and opening act Colbie Callait. I don't remember the last time I was this excited about a concert (maybe going to see Sting in 1988 for the first time??).

I cannot wait.

Who would you just love to see in concert?

Earth Day 2010

Every day is Earth Day. ~Author Unknown

I agree with this quote. Every single day we should act intentionally regarding Planet Earth. I will admit, however, that I'm grateful for the official holiday so that I may have another chance to re-establish my commitment and do my part to help preserve this amazingly gorgeous planet we inhabit.

How am I renewing my commitment to the earth? I'm starting small. By doing something most of you have jumped on board with already. But, what can I say? I'm a late-bloomer. I'm going to do my darndest to use all of these really cool reusable bags I love to collect/buy. Use as few plastic as possible. I need to be intentional about it. We've already pretty much eliminated use of store-bought water bottles...and we've got some cool reusable water bottles we use daily...but that plastic bag issue is something I've never gotten the hang of.

There. I've declared my commitment to blogworld. I'm a girl who needs to be held accountable, so if you see me out and about, be sure and ask how I'm doing with this.

We plan on beginning our Earth Day celebrations tonight at dinner when we will be surrounded by some of the planet's beautiful creatures. They will walk amongst us while we eat, and we will learn more about them and how we can protect the environment they live in. So excited!!!

This weekend our Earth Day celebration will continue as our family enjoys the serene, peaceful, and very lush property located here. Animesh is attending a conference there, so we're making a weekend out of it. We visited last year but didn't have time to take advantage of the nature surrounding the hotel. It should be a fun, relaxing long weekend.

Earth Day observations will spill over into next week's activities. I'm looking forward to accompanying the second-graders to Sea World on their annual field trip...to watch Priya observing her favorite animal, the dolphin, brings me pure joy.

Happy 40th anniversary to you, Earth Day.

These are the Days

These are the days....

...that I'm relishing my time spent with my youngest child.

Because yesterday I registered my baby for Kindergarten. I cannot believe how quickly time has flown.

Lately I've joked with friends how I'll probably be sad for exactly two days after Trevor heads off to Kinder...and that the Mondays and Fridays Trevor and I currently spend together will be filled with more volunteer opportunities, laundry-folding, dish-washing, working out, and lunching with friends.

While this may be true, I'm gonna miss that little guy and our one-on-one time together so much. He's strong-willed and feisty at times (like his mama....), but our once challenging mother-and-son quality time has morphed into a time of joyous memory-making that I hope he carries with him forever.





These are the days.....

....that I am thankful for Deven and his sense of humor. His comebacks. His facial expressions. His timing with his one-liners. That kid cracks us up. Even when I feel like crying.

He's also precious when he's sleeping. My handsome little guy.






These are the days....

...that I am celebrating my own accomplishment.

This past weekend was an amazing Walk to Emmaus retreat where I served on the music team.

Yep, you read correctly.

For 4 days I served as not only one of the vocalists who led the singing...but also as one of the guitarists.

It's only taken me 3 1/2 years to feel comfortable enough to play in front of other people besides my kind guitar teacher...and I have to say that while my performances were by no means perfect...the whole experience was an absolute blast.





These are the days....

....that I am amazed by Priya's musical talents. She absolutely loves to sing. And dance. And actually carries a tune. Beautifully. Her 2nd grade musical was last week. It was precious...and she loves me so much that she even agreed to wear the homemade costume (well, t-shirt) I threw together at the last minute.













These are the days...

....I'm so thankful for my husband. He not only took off from work to be with the kids while I was gone this weekend...but he cleaned out the garage, took all 3 to their soccer games (and coached Trevor's team!), did all of the laundry AND had the kids put it all away, cleaned up the dishes, and took the kids to a hockey game.

Oh, yeah, forgot to mention that due to a wicked hailstorm last week that nearly totaled my old mommy-mobile...he bought me a new car. After he test drove it with all 3 kids.








Super-dad for sure. And, I do believe he enjoyed every single minute of it.



These are the days....

....when I am feeling so eternally grateful for the amazing bunch of girlfriends that surround me. You know who you are. You are all different. You are all in different circles. But you are all special. And I'm so thankful for each of you.


What are you doing these days?

He is Risen!

He is risen indeed!

Easter blessings to you.