Mommy Life: July 2012

Sunday, July 29, 2012

Zacchaeus

Many of us know the "Zacchaeus" song:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kSBHGnZI35Y&feature=related

My children have all sung this song at one point or another, but apparently it has been awhile because Samuel had forgotten it.

Mommy: "What did you learn in VBS today?"

Samuel: "We learned about Zacchaeus!"

Mommy: "Oh, really! So...what kind of man was he?"

Samuel: "A weenie man!"

...

Later, on the car ride home from church, I was privileged to hear his rendition of this children's classic:

Zacchaeus was a wee little man

And a wee little man he was

He climbed up in a tree
...

For Jesus to see
...

And Jesus said, "COME DOWN NOW!"

For I'm going to your house today

Well, at least he got the "wee little man" part right.

Friday, July 27, 2012

Singing With Ariana

For months now Ariana has been wanting to sing special music with me in church. God has truly given her a gift of singing and I was happy to find a song that she could sing with me. The very first time either of us heard the song, she sang right along with the music near perfectly. I knew it was a good choice!

We practiced together for a month. She wanted to practice every chance she got. The morning of the special, Ariana woke up early, came in to our bedroom with her prettiest dress and asked me to do her hair like a princess.

The following is an edited video of she and I singing together before our church--colored out so you can't really see us. If it sounds like my voice is shaking...it is. I was nervous for her and trying very hard not to laugh the entire time. When she waved to a friend, I almost lost it. You may recall from a previous post, I laugh when my emotions overwhelm me. Listening to my daughter sing to God publicly (in front of around 200 people) was one of the most precious things I've ever heard. I am so proud of her!

Wednesday, July 25, 2012

Flattery

Okay...this has nothing to do with my children at all, but it made me feel good so I'm sharing it (it's not the type of thing that would make a good FB status, but I figure, those who read my blog won't judge me too harshly for bragging on myself...right???)

Today, a parent of a new student sat in on my Musical Theater class. Typically parents are not allowed, however, if a student is trying the class for the first time I don't mind if the parents watch. After class, the parent came up to me and remarked, "You are incredibly talented! You have an amazingly beautiful voice and you just float across the stage. Have you had the opportunity to perform on stage anywhere lately?" I have NEVER had anyone tell me that I "floated" across stage before. I've always thought that I more resembled a clumsy hippo. Where was all this encouragement back when I actually had time to perform???

But to be honest, these are the kinds of things I need to hear from strangers. So often I feel so under-qualified to be teaching Musical Theater. I was never the "star" of the show. It has been years since I last performed (the summer I graduated from high school!)--aside from occasional solos at church. Despite being in Show Choir in high school, I never felt very talented as a dancer. Yet, here I am teaching Musical Theater CHOREOGRAPHY. Those who know me say that my students are learning well and that I am doing an excellent job as a teacher...but they know me. And I suppose the fact that I've been teaching there for two years now and haven't been fired says that I am doing a decent job, but then again, our Best Man owns the dance studio. I know that the parents of my students are happy with the class, but very few of them have actually sat in on the class. So hearing a stranger tell me that I am doing a good job means so much to me.

And now I have a post...so it hasn't been an entire month! :-P

(I will try to write an update as to what all I've been up to sometime soon...maybe...)

My Goal in Life

As with many Christian women, my goal is to live up to the ideal Proverbs 31 woman. I would like to apply all of Proverbs 31 to my life (and all of Proverbs!--and all of the Bible while I'm at it!), but especially the parts that are in bold--and ESPECIALLY the parts that are in red bold. I fall short of this on an hourly basis, but that is why it is a goal!

Proverbs 31: 11-31

Who can find a virtuous wife? For her worth is far above rubies. The heart of her husband safely trusts her; so he will have no lack of gain. She does him good and not evil all the days of her life. She seeks wool and flax, and willingly works with her hands. She is like the merchant ships, she brings her food from afar. She also rises while it is yet night, and provides food for her household, and a portion for her maidservants. She considers a field and buys it; from her profits she plants a vineyard. She girds herself with strength, and strengthens her arms. She perceives that her merchandise is good, and her lamp does not go out by night. She stretches out her hands to the distaff, and her hand holds the spindle. She extends her hand to the poor, yes, she reaches out her hands to the needy. She is not afraid of snow for her household, (ha, ha!) for all her household is clothed with scarlet. She makes tapestry for herself; her clothing is fine linen and purple. Her husband is known in the gates, when he sits among the elders of the land. She makes linen garments and sells them, and supplies sashes for the merchants. Strength and honor are her clothing; she shall rejoice in time to come. She opens her mouth with wisdom, and on her tongue is the law of kindness. She watches over the ways of her household, and does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: “Many daughters have done well, but you excel them all.” Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing, but a woman who fears the LORD, she shall be praised. Give her of the fruit of her hands, and let her own works praise her in the gates.