Blow in the Season!

Even though the trees are up and the Christmas Season is in full swing, I haven't been feeling that Christmas spirit much.  It has been disappointing because I LOVE this time of year.  I usually start planning my Christmas tree themes (yes, there are multiple!) in about April!  But this year I am struggling with early pregnancy fatigue, nausea, headaches, and moodiness!  Not exactly the recipe for a great Christmas.  

But that all changed this morning as our family attended our ward Christmas party.  It was a casual brunch and singalong.  But instead of just having piano accompaniment, we also had two amazing trumpeters play along.  It added so much fun, flare, and festiveness that suddenly I was FILLED with the Christmas spirit!  Singing my favorite carols with the cutest 2 1/2 in the world on my lap, husband playing the trumpet, and voices of friends and neighbors all around me.  It was magical.    

I met this musical man in black 12 years ago at Ricks College, where we were both studying music.  And now, 3 1/2 kids later I still get butterflies hearing him play!  I am now going to rally that this become a yearly tradition.  It was such a great way to not only liven up the party, but highlight some talents that can't be shown off in traditional meetings.  A big thumbs up to our ward music chair!

Love At Home

Does your house need a little more LOVE?  Mine sure does!  My kids are bickering SO much lately, and it is driving me crazy.  So I decided it was time for a little musical intervention.

Sunday I taught my family the hymn "Love at Home".  We discussed our need to show more love.  We set a goal of starting and ending each day this week by singing this song.  We snuggled, and cuddled, and hugged, and kissed, and then I played a TRICK on my kids.

I started conditioning them to have an autogenic response to this song.  By showing them so much love while we sing this song, they will start to associate those loving feelings to the song.  Meaning that in the future I can pull out this hymn when things get rough, and use it as a quick and painless way to get the cranky out and the love back in.

This TRICK is so easy.  Any of you at home can do it yourself.  We are only 2 1/2 days into this experiment, and I have already heard my girls reminding eachother to show more love.  We have sung it several times during the past two days to change the mood in our house.  And it will be so fun to see their eyes light up next time we sing it in sacrament.  (It's important for pre-readers to learn a few hymns to get them more connected to sacrament meeting.)

Good Luck!

Gospel principles, music, and love make us a happy family!

Spring Concerts to Uplift and Entertain

Boise families, you are in luck!  Two great concerts are coming up very soon, and are the perfect place to start exposing your tweens and teens to great music.  The first one is March 4th, and is a group called the Lower Lights. 

This is a non-denominational concert, but has many LDS artists in the group.  They often tour firesides, and this concert will include old spirituals and hymns.

It is sure to be amazing!

Sarah Sample is one of the musicians, and she is also a music therapist (like me!)  It will be worth it for you to attend this concert just to see her.  She has won prestigious awards in her genre, and has a heart of gold.  During our last road trip, her CD was the perfect soundtrack.  I just love her!

This is a ticketed event, and you can get your tickets here.

The second concert will be given by none other than the amazing violinist, Jennifer Dunn.  You probably recognize her name from other posts I have done on her. 

Here is a little secret..... I have never liked the violin.  It is so hard to play it well that it typically grates on my ears.  But that all changed when Jenn entered my life.  :)  She is soooo good, and I never miss an opportunity to hear her play.    She was recently chosen to put on a recital in McCall, and will be performing this same recital in the Boise area 3 separate times. 

It is so important to expose our children to GOOD music.  They are bombarded with sub-par music all the time.  Their appreciation for good music can only grow if they get to hear it!  So load up your kids for a family date night.  Or if your kids are too young, spend the evening cuddling your spouse and listening to some great tunes.  Either way, these shows are sure to delight!