Pumped Up

The bus practically vibrates as we head out of town to face our rivals for their homecoming game.  The self-appointed DJ sits on the seat in the back of the bus, one hand on the volume knob and the other around his girlfriend.  He was up half the night putting together this mixed tape and currently RUN-D.M.C is blasting out of the speakers.  The energy is high this afternoon and raucous laughter erupts from the starters in the back.

I sit half-way to the front, a forced smile on my face, enduring the noise and re-thinking having volunteered to be the ball-girl for the varsity team.  "It'll be fun!  Then you can come to the away games and when I'm not cheering we can sit together."  I look at my best friend as she adjusts her pleated skirt before sitting in the seat next to me and then roll my eyes as Aerosmith screams at us to "Walk This Way".

Three hours later, we're back on the bus, but the music is off.  So were the games.  Three losses for us, embarrassing losses with more than a few technical fouls, according to my clipboard.  To have handed three wins to our rivals stings.  It's a turkey for them, leaving us with only gutter balls.

In the flash of the headlights on the highway I slip on my headphones and hit play on my walk-man.  In the silence I can finally enjoy my own music.  Leaning back I close my eyes and Van Morrison ushers me "Into the Mystic".

__________________________

Linking up with Write at the Merge this week - 264 words inspired two music videos from the my high school days.  I still prefer Van Morrison over most anything else you might hear on the radio.

Linking up with Trifecta - inspired by the word:  Turkey 

3: three successive strikes in bowling

small things {music-er}

small things #60 ... music-er

Lydia is strapped into her car seat.  Baby S gazes appreciatively at her buddy from across the van.  She bobs her head and smiles with all seven teeth, clapping her hands with enthusiasm.  Lydia proudly plays Ashley's "music-er".

eeeeeeeehhhh-aaaaaaahhhhhhhh

eeeeeehhhh-uuuuuhhhhhhhhh

uuuuuuuuuu-eeeeeeeehhhhh

eeehh-uuuhh-eeehh-uuuhh-eeehhhhhhh

ooooooooeeeeeeeeeeuuuuuuhhhh!

The audience goes wild!  A round of applause erupts from the middle seats of the van as Lydia begins the next song in her lengthy repertoire.

uuuuu-eeeeh-uuuuuu-eeeeh-oooooooh ...

Music-er ... even a three year old can feel like Yo Yo Ma with a harmonica on their lips!

Take a Number ...

This past weekend, my kids got to download a couple of new tunes.  Which as you know, means that we have been listening to them on constant repeat.  The songs are really quite fun, but by the ninth time through, the lyrics start running a bit thin and the bee-bop-rhythm starts to give me a twitch!  I found myself making up my own words to one song in particular ... lyrics that come so easily to my mommy-lips.  And gave me a good chuckle, too.

You know you're a Mom, when you're tempted to ask for one of these for your birthday:

photo courtesy of SuperStock

I'm sure you fellow-Moms will appreciate this re-mix of Carly Rae Jepsen's "Call Me, Maybe".

And if you don't have this particular song playing ad finitum at your house ... here's the link so you can!

I’ll Get to You, Maybe

I threw the wash into dry,

That’s when I heard a sad cry.

I looked as you try to fly,

and now you’re in my way.

I shake my head at your whine

Feeling your hands clinging mine,

I need to get free from this,

but now you’re in my way.

Your grip was holdin’, Ripped jeans, booboo showin’

Long day, too much moanin’

What am I gonna do with you, baby?

Hey, you just biffed it,

and this is crazy,

but take a number,

I’ll get to you, maybe?

It’s hard to help you,

so many babies,

but take a number,

I’ll get to you, maybe?

Hey, you’re a big kid,

It’s still crazy!

Please take a number,

I’ll get to you, maybe?

And all these other kids

try to chase me,

Please take a number,

I’ll get to you, maybe?

You took your time with your chores

You’d think we’d finished these wars

You have done nothing at all

Your clothes are in my way.

I beg and borrow and pray

“Pick up your toys, please, today.”

Do you think I will pay ...

To get them out of my way?

This power struggle’s holdin’, Ripped jeans, Legos showin’

Long day with too much groanin’

What am I gonna do with you, baby?

Hey, I just asked you,

and this is crazy,

but take a number,

I’ll get to you, maybe?

It’s hard to find toys

Under so much, baby,

but take a number,

I’ll get to you, maybe?

Hey, did you hear me?

This is crazy!

Take a number,

I’ll get to you, maybe?

Who are all these other kids

trying to chase me?

Please take a number,

I’ll get to you, maybe?

I hear you hollerin’ my name

Whadya need so bad

You need so bad,

You need so, so bad?

You’re still hollerin’ my name

Whadya need so bad

You need so bad,

You need so, so bad?

It’s hard to keep smilin’

When you’re so needy!

So take a number,

I’ll get to you, maybe?

Let me go potty,

This is CraZY!

Please take a number,

I’ll get to you, maybe?

Please tell your sisters,

Not to chase me,

Please take a number,

I’ll get to you maybe?

I need a number-thing just

Like at the deli.

I need it so bad,

I need it so, so bad!

Yeah, you know that number-thing,

I need it so bad,

I need it so bad ...

Now serving #16.

__________________________________

#3 - You know you're a Mom when ...  I hope you'll read this post in the silly spirit it was intended.  I love my kids .... but sometimes I'm just so very, very outnumbered!

small things {little lyrics}

small things #2 ... little lyrics

Spring has sprung!  And now the trees have been transformed into sweet smelling bouquets of blossoms!  This is my absolute favorite snapshot of spring ... besides the bulbs pushing their way through the dark soil, and the tiny green buds on the Nine-Bark bush by our front door, and the chorus of little birds in the pine tree out front and the grass in the yard flirting with lively green instead of crunchy yellow ...  

Okay, so there's a lot about spring that I like, but the trees exploding with fragrant flowers is the only one I have a little song about!

Lydia cracks me up!  "Yucky!" ... what a turkey.

These little lyrics were passed down to me, sung with aunties and nanas.  And now my girls sing them with me.  In the springtime.  When the trees are filled with popcorny blossoms.  And smell so sweet!

Little lyrics ... a legacy shared, heart to heart.

Life Set to Music

I have often thought that if life were a musical, it would be more fun!  Actually this past weekend, the kids and I were brainstorming about our upcoming Spring Break Stay-cation and Norah and I voted that one day should be a musical morning!

Everything would be set to music ... we would sing out the breakfast options, sing through quarrels and sing our way through folding the laundry.  Unfortunately, the other family member voted it down.  I guess Norah and I could always have our own mini-musical morning ... just to drive the rest of the family nuts!

I think this is genetic, by the way.  My mom can turn anything into a song and she claims that she learned it from her grandmother.  I think it's a wonderful inheritance!

Here are a few little ditties from my youngest.  She may not get all the words and letters right, but she is aspiring to have her life set to music, too.  And that makes me happy because a singing child is a happy child!



Actually the Psalms in the Old Testament are filled with songs!  The writers of the Psalms often wrote with the purpose of calling the people to worship in song because music is a gift from God ... an opportunity for us to turn our hearts and voices to Him.  And when we do that, joy will follow.

Take time today to make a joyful noise to God!  I think you'll find some happiness there, too!

³ He put a new song in my mouth, 
   a hymn of praise to our God. 
Many will see and fear the LORD 
   and put their trust in him.
Psalm 40:3

Time-Warp Wednesday ~ Headphones

Last Fall, Aaron scored a newish MP3 player at a yard sale for three bucks.  Boo-yeah!  With a little internet research on Daddy's part, it was quickly stocked with all Aaron's favorite tunes.  And he was quickly tuned out of any and all family discussions.

He could just listen to the music on the iPod, but
that wouldn't be as cool.

Just a few weeks ago, Norah saved enough of her own money to buy an iPod shuffle.  It's blue and contains several hours of her favorite music:  High School Musical, select songs from Les Mis and Gypsy Kings.  That girl's got eclectic taste.

Now if only her ear buds actually fit
her tiny little ears.

Many moons ago, I was also the owner of my own little music box.  It was literally a box and it played cassette tapes.  It was pink, it sucked AA batteries dry and I loved it.  With my large, black headphones on my head and my walkman clipped to my elastic waist band, I was groovin' and looking pretty cool.  See?

My mom and I on Christmas morning.
I have the "I'm too rad" slouch going on.

I think the beads were just there to accent my awesomeness.  Along with the pink slippers.  And the black sports watch.

Awe. Some.

Away in a Manger

This past week, our MOPS group celebrated our annual Christmas Banquet.  The room was decorated with lights and evergreens.  Each table was set with a different centerpiece and we ate on real dishes without the need to share any of our food with any small child.  We enjoyed an encouraging talk, a few silly games and an opportunity to share our own family's Christmas traditions.  A great way to get into the Christmas spirit!

At the end of the morning, our little three, four and five year olds climbed up on the stage to sing for their mommies.  I pulled out my camera to catch little Lydia in action.  She stood third from the end on the right hand side of the stage.

And she didn't move a muscle.  What???

Liddy is a mover and a shaker.  A singer and a dancer.  She has been know to shake her hiney and wiggle her hips.  She has decided that her mission in life is to out-sing Ashley.  She is famous for belting out the song, whether she knows the words or not.  So you can imagine my surprise when she stood motionless and silent in the midst of the other little singers.  Even the little girl rhythmically jumping up and down around her was unable to spur her on to make even one little squeak.

At the end of the songs, I put my camera away, not even bothering to record it.  One or two still snapshots of my stunned and soundless sweetie was enough.

That evening as I was putting the two younger girls to bed, Lydia requested, "the baby song".  As I shook my head and shrugged my shoulders, she proceeded to sing, "the baby song" that she hadn't sung that morning ...

Away in a Manger.

Away in a manger, no crib for His bed,

The little Lord Jesus laid down His sweet head;
The stars in the sky looked down where He lay,
The little Lord Jesus, asleep in the hay.

The cattle are lowing, the poor Baby wakes.
But little Lord Jesus, no crying He makes.
I love thee, Lord Jesus, look down from the sky.
And stay by the cradle till morning is nigh.

Be near me, Lord Jesus, I ask Thee to stay,
Close by me forever, and love me, I pray!
Bless all the dear children in Thy tender care

And take us to heaven, to Live with Thee there.
Words: Unknown, 1885 (verses 1 & 2)
Verse 3: Attributed to John Thomas McFarland, 1887 (1851-1913)
A little click on the link brings music to your ears!


Sitting and listening to Ashley and Lydia quietly sing this lullaby, complete with hand motions, was a delightful way to end my day with my babies.  


A tender prayer for sweet sleep after a bustling and busy day.  
A heartfelt reminder of the blessing of an intimate and personal friendship with Jesus.  
A glorious promise of eternity with our Father.


Simple and powerful.  And sweet.

A Holly Jolly Christmas

This is one of those songs that will get stuck in your head ... just fair warning.  I have been humming bits and pieces of it all week.  And when it gets morphed with "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree" you can get something really interesting!

So ... just to make it fair that you have it in running around in your head, too, here it is:



Lyrics | Burl Ives - A Holly Jolly Christmas lyrics

I'm not too sure about those graphics, but I decided to choose the authentic Burl Ives version over Alan Jackson twanging through "holly, jolly".  You're welcome. :)

As I sat with this particular song in front of me, I was initially stumped as to how this familiar, and a tad bit redundant, ditty could point us back to the manger.  As far as I could guess, there was no holly or jollity at the birth of Jesus.  Instead there was a lot of straw and mud.  This event was also lacking many guests to celebrate.  Instead there was an abundance of animals snuffing and grunting and lowing.

Of course there was joy at Jesus' birth, but I don't envision any "cup o' cheer" being passed around.  In reality, the birth of God's Son went widely unnoticed.  A group of shepherds and a choir of angels about rounded out the party.

Then there's the line about mistletoe ... "Somebody waits for you, kiss her once for me."  That I think, is a bit creepy.  I believe I'd have to tell Burl to get his own girl.

So ... how can we see this song in a fresh way?  What is our manger-scene snapshot of this old favorite?

I think it's found in the line, "Say hello to friends you know and everyone you meet."  The core sense of those ten words is a friendly spirit.  A gift of friendship ... even to those people we encounter for a brief moment.

That would be the lady who checks you out at the grocery story, the guy behind the counter at the gas station, the lady who checks your in your books at the library, and the guy waiting in line with you at Starbucks.  That would also include the college student clearing your table at Carino's and the old fellow ringing the Salvation Army bell outside of Target.

So often this season gets full and we get busy.  The stress rolls in and suddenly Christmas cheer goes out the window.  Instead of a smile and a little grace when the bagger squishes our loaf of bread, we grumble and mumble and sigh.  When we have to wait our turn to check out, we groan and moan and point out that the lady ahead of us has exceeded the "15 Items or Less" limit.

I think this little line hidden between the Holly's and Jolly's can remind us to simply be nice. A few generous smiles and pleasant "Hello's" can go a long way toward spreading some Christmas cheer.   And that friendly greeting is a beautiful way to send along the true meaning of Christmas, too.

So I guess Burl Ives did have a little nugget of truth to share with us after all!  With this song running on repeat in your head, you'll be sharing the joy of Christmas with everyone you come in contact with ... from now until spring!

The Most Wonderful Time of the Year!

Yippee!  It's December 1st!

The tree is up thanks to my wonderful Christmas elves.  I commented to Brett after the dust settled, "Wow ... that was one of the least stressful tree decorating nights.  Ever."  He replied, "I think it was the sheer speed with which they decorated!"  True.  They were fast.  But there were cookies promised for when they finished, so they were motivated.

Today we are decking the halls with the rest of my favorite house decorations.  Soon our walls and bookshelves will be bedecked with wreathes, angels and winter scenes.  A Christmas transformation!  A throng of snowmen will also take charge of our mantle and any other surface they can commandeer, including the futon.  I love the coziness that comes along with twinkling lights, candles, pine cones and throw blankets.

I have refreshed my iPod stations and it's a treat to putter around the kitchen listening to new holiday songs mixed with  my old favorite carols.  Whether it's Bing Crosby, Sara Groves, Harry Connick Jr., or the Muppets, I'm in the Christmas spirit!  And Petey is warming up, too.

This December I am excited to share some of my favorite Christmas songs in a little
Musical Count-Down to Christmas!

I hope you enjoy a few fresh snapshots of songs you may not have heard before ... and a refreshed snapshot of some old favorites.

Here's today's song ... a perfect kick-off to this Holiday season!



Lyrics | Andy Williams - It’s The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year lyrics

It's impossible for me to hear this song and not immediately think about all the fun-filled traditions of Christmas ...

Shopping for presents,
Watching Elf, Love Actually and Mixed Nuts,
Hot cocoa and cookies,
Baking tins filled to the brim with sugary goodness,
Writing our Christmas letter,
Making gifts for our family,
Driving around to look at Christmas lights,
Listening to kids sing "Away in the Manger" (stuck on repeat),
Sitting near the lit Christmas tree with a mug of tea and a good book,
Wrapping presents (ribbons, tissue, bows ... oh, my!),
Christmas hymns at church,
The Children's Nativity play,
The smell of our fir tree filling the house, and
Watching the wonder of Christmas reflected on the faces of my kids.

And this is my short list. :)

As we step across the threshold into December, it's hard not to get caught up in the rituals and habits of the Holiday ~ "kids jingle-belling", "marshmallows roasting", "caroling out in the snow" and, of course, "mistletoeing"!  But this year, my heart cautions me against focusing on the activities of this month at the risk of losing touch with the central Character of this holiest season.  I know you have heard before that potentially overused saying, "Jesus is the Reason for the Season."  Or how about, "Keep the Christ in Christmas"?  They may feel a tad bit over-used, but, regardless, they ring true.

My hope this month is to turn our hearts (and ears) back to the manger.  And discover once again that Jesus is worthy of worship this season ... and that there's a lot of terrific music out there to help us joyfully celebrate His birthday!

_____________________________

Prompt #3 ~ The first of December is upon us!  Describe an Advent Calendar or a special way you count down the days until Christmas.

Thankfulness {day one}

The kids are off this week for fall break.  I love having my kids home, but I'm quite certain that between bee-bopping around with them and heading to my Sissy & Mom's house on Wednesday, my blogging may go by the wayside.  But I still want to share with you little snapshots of thankfulness this week.

Before I begin, however, I want you to take for granted that I am grateful for all the traditional stuff:  great kids, wonderful hubby, God's word, our loving church, terrific family, our cozy house, running water, indoor plumbing, my household appliances, my flannel sheets and an abundance of food to eat.  I am grateful for all those things and plenty more that I didn't get on the list.  But, I'm also grateful for ...

Pandora Radio.

I love that I can choose the station of my choice, be it Ella Fitzgerald, Mamuse, Broadway Show Tunes, Jack Johnson, French Cafe, Gypsy Kings or Adelle; and enjoy whatever music I am in the mood for.  Sometimes I want something a bit perky to get me moving in the morning ... then when I've had enough of Aaron's obsession with Erasure ... I can flip over to Hymns and get my spirit energized, too!  And I don't have to have an enormous library of music.  This in-exhaustive supply of music all fits into that capital "P" on my iPod.  And now with Christmas on the horizon ... I'm itching to listen to my Christmas stations:  Christmas Medley Radio and Messiah:  Hallelujah Radio.  But not until after Thanksgiving!  It's all in the anticipation! :)

This is coming from the kid who for a five week trip in a motor home with my grandparents brought two ... two cassette tapes.  Two.  Five weeks, fifteen songs tops ... listen, flip over and repeat.  For five weeks as we drove up and down the eastern seaboard I listened to The Bangles and Wilson Phillips.  (I confess that with the hopes that you won't un-friend me.)  I am quite certain that I never listened to either of those tapes again upon arriving home.  Ever, ever, ever again.

So you can only imagine that with the vast musical talents quite literally at my finger tips, I am like a kid in a candy story!  So many musicians to choose from!  Who to listen to next?

I am still in amazement (read puzzlement) over how this program works ... I'm sure it involves algorithms and statistics ... but still I appreciate it on a daily basis.  In the same way, I am in great puzzlement about how God works sometimes.  (Ohhh ... see how God sneaks into every little aspect of life?  I think that's how He likes it!) I don't understand why He chooses to do some things.  I don't grasp His plan or His purposes on tough days or when life gets bumpy.  But, in reality, I don't have to comprehend Him to love and be grateful for Him.  In fact, in Paul's letter to the Philippians he addresses this need to rest in God's goodness without having first answered the "whys" of life.  And when we settle into Him, He promises to give us a peace that we can't comprehend ... and a rest that we can't unravel or exhaust.

⁶ Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. ⁷ And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6-7, emphasis mine)

So there you have it ... I'm grateful for God and all of His mysteriousness.  And that goes for Pandora, too.

One more thing about Pandora -
While it's fantastic to have such a variety of music to accompany any and all activities in our house, we have run the risk of introducing our kids to music unintentionally.  Music that will forever change our children.  And not in a good way.  Have a listen ...



So yeah ... there's that. :)

ooo ee, ooo ah ah ting tang
walla walla, bing bang,
ooo ee, ooo ah ah ting tang
walla walla, bing bang,
ooo ee, ooo ah ah ting tang
walla walla, bing bang,
ooo ee, ooo ah ah ting tang
walla walla, bing bang,
ooo ee, ooo ah ah ting tang
walla walla, bing bang.....

Sorry about that.

Just a Reminder

Well ... it's Monday.  Again.

Another full week.  Another updated to-do list.  Another gauntlet of kids' activities.  Another attempt at staying ahead of the shoulds and coulds and oughts.  Another schedule of events to keep on top of.

Another opportunity to remember how much God loves you.

I thought I would share with you a little pick-me up serenade, just in case Monday has already got you down!



As I sat and listened to Lydia sing the chorus to that little song (over and over and over and over ...) I had to smile.  While she's a bit sketchy on the verses, she has the important part of the song down pat.

"Yes, Jesus loves me sooooooooo."

Sometimes I get caught up in the busy-ness of having a relationship with Jesus and I miss out on the simpleness of His love for me.

I have a list of things I should do because it's the Christian thing to do.  I fill up my time with activities that have spiritual potential.  I try to keep ahead of the shoulds and coulds and oughts of my faith.  I schedule in my quiet times, devotions and teachable-moments.

Hmmm .... it would seem I'm approaching Jesus in the same way I approach my Mondays!  That's no good!  That's not what God intends for me at all.  Or for you.

This week, my goal is to allow that chorus, that refrain, that truth to resonate in my heart and my soul ...

"Yes, Jesus loves me sooooooo."

... and allow my response to that love be what my faith looks like.

I hope this will also be a reminder that God, too, serenades us with words of love.

¹⁷ The LORD your God is with you, 
   the Mighty Warrior who saves. 
He will take great delight in you; 
   in His love He will no longer rebuke you, 
   but will rejoice over you with singing.” (Zephania 3:17, emphasis mine)

And when He sings His love songs, He knows all the words ... and His guitar isn't missing all of its strings! :)

Growing Up Is Hard to Do

We are currently in the throws of some serious growing up here in the Kellum-household.  In light of the daily challenges of being big-ger, I've decided that growing up is not an easy task.  Not for the kids and not for Mom.  I kinda wish there was a theme song that could help us to ease into each episode of growing-up-ness.  That would make it a bit more fun, perhaps.  And at the very least we could dance our way back to happiness!

I'm thinking of a little re-make of Neil Sedaka's "two minutes and sixteen seconds of pure pop magic" ...

From LYRICSMODE.COM lyrics archive

But around our house, it might go a little something like this:

(We all know Lydia can do this first part... 

with a few "dee, dee, dee"s thrown in for originality.)

Doo, doo, doo down doo be do down, down
Come on, Come on,
Down doo be do down, down,
Come on, Come on,
Down doo be do down, down,
Growin' up is hard to do.

Don't take my sippy cup away from me
Why can't I have it until I'm three?
If you box 'em up then I'll be blue,
'Cause growin' up is hard to do.

Remember when I sipped my milk at night
Snuggled in my bed and wrapped up tight
If you say "no", I'll scream at you,
'Cause growin' up is hard to do.

They say that growing up is hard to do,
They were right, I'm afraid that it's true.
Please tell me that there is an end
To all this crazy growin' up
So we can find our smiles again.

I beg of you, don't suck your thumb.
After five years, do you think it's numb?
Come on baby, you've gotta be through
'Cause growin' up is hard to do.

They say that growing up is hard to do,

They weren't kidding, not for my crew.

Please tell me we'll figure it out

Fear of showers, chores and Kleenex

Makes this Mommy want to shout!

I beg of you, don't stomp your feet.

Please try to make your room look neat.

Come on kiddos, pick up your shoes,

'Cause growin' up is hard to do.

Doo, doo, doo down doo be do down, down 

Come on, Come on, (Let's load up the van ...)

Down doo be do down, down, (Sit in your seat ...)

Come on, Come on, (Don't make me sing it twice ...)

Down doo be do down, down, (buckle up, let's go ...)

Growin' up is hard to do.  (Whew!)

I'm quite certain that with that little pop sensation bopping around inside our heads, we could more happily tackle the following:

• 27 potty-breaks before finally falling blissfully asleep,
• Needing 4 picture books in our dark room at bedtime,
• Being responsible for our very own messes - made with our very own hands,
• Letting go of the broken, half-missing, forgotten toys, mementos and mystery items,
• Sitting happily at the table for 5 minutes of talk-time, even if you inhaled your meal in 1.3 seconds,
• Thumb sucking (or finger sucking, if the thumbs are "unavailable"),
• Sippy cups, baby silveware, bibs and plastic dishes ... moving on to "human" plates,
• Showering ... and using soap,
• Tackling chores with happiness (whistling while you work, optional), and
• Realizing that there is a whole world out there that doesn't revolve around us!

Nope ... growin' up isn't for wimps!  But we're gonna make it!  Especially now that we can sing our way through!

Doo, doo, doo down doo be do down, down 

Come on, Come on ....