Thought for the day!

Someone left this in my box at school. I liked it so much that I thought I'd share it with you! :)

Music is Science . . . It demands exact acoustics.
Music is Mathematical . . . It is rhythmically based on the subdivision of time in space into fractions.
Music is Foreign Language . . .a highly developed kind of shorthand.
Music is History . . .reflecting the environment and times of its creation.
Music is Physical Education . . .It requires fantastic coordination of fingers, hands, arms, lip, cheek, and facial muscles, in addition to extraordinary control of the diaphragm, back, stomach and chest muscles, which must respond instantly to the sounds the ears hear and the mind interprets.

Music is all of these things, but most of all, music is art . . . That is why we make music. Not because we expect to major in music, not because we expect to play music all our lives, not so we can relax, not so we can have fun . . .but so we will be human and sensitive, so we will be closer to an Infinite beyond our world, so that we'll have something to cling to, so that we will have more love, more compassion, more gentleness, more good . . .in short, more life.

What a wonderful way to describe the purpose of music education in our schools! It seems like music teachers are always having to justify what we do and show how it supports the "real" classes at school like reading, math and science. Music does those things, but so much more. Another quote I recently read said, "It's important to get an education - not so much to make a living, but to make a life." I can't imagine my life without music and I strive each day to help my students discover their need for music as well. I hope they will see that . . . maybe not now, but someday.

Peekaboo

Lucy was in her crib and I was picking up toys off the floor. I looked up and I saw this face through the slats of the crib . . . .you never know what to expect with this little girl!

CRAWLING!

After weeks of trying, Lucy has finally figured out how to crawl! She is still a little unsteady, but she'll be flying around in no time! Nothing will stop her from getting what she wants now!

Being a baby is tiring sometimes!

While I was cooking dinner, Lucy was playing in her exersaucer. She was talking up a storm and playing with everything. All of a sudden, it was quiet and I looked over . . . .well, all that playing is just exhausting! :)

"Hoppy" Easter!

What beautiful weather we have been having! Lucy and I got out and played outside for awhile yesterday. We took some Easter pictures too. . . doesn't she make a cute bunny? Lucy also got to meet the Easter bunny yesterday. It took forever to take her picture because she kept turning around and staring at him!

It is a busy week here with Holy Week at church. Palm Sunday was an all day event at church followed by spring/9 month pictures on Monday (You can see some of them below!), then a late evening at church on Wednesday, a late evening at church tonight, another late evening tomorrow night, and then EASTER morning. Lucy and I are headed to High Point to spend a few days next week. Michael is taking a group of Juniors and Seniors to Puerto Rico for a week of mission work. We will miss having him with us but I know he's going to have a great time!

Lucy's favorite book

Hoppity Hop Peekaboo looks like a cute book, but don't let it fool you. Don't get me wrong - it's fine. But after the 197th time reading it, it gets really old! (No, I am not exaggerating!) Lucy LOVES this book. When we finish reading it, we have to start again. This afternoon we read it three times in a row so I put it up on the table and tried to distract Lucy. Not even her piano would keep her from reaching for the Peekaboo book . . .so we read it again. I even tried reading a different book, like Peekaboo kisses or I know an Old Lady who swallowed a Fly . . .both of which are interactive books . . . but she still wanted Hoppity Hop Peekaboo. If anyone has a new book suggestion, we will gladly take it! :)

School finished on Wednesday for our spring break. I am so glad to be on break. .. even though I have to go in tomorrow for a work day, Lucy is going to go with me for a while. I am so excited about being at home for two weeks. I love my job, I do, but I love being a mom more. Hopefully the weather will be nice enough that we can get out and go for a walk or go to the park. Michael and I are hoping we can go one afternoon to the Greenville Zoo.

There are some new pictures of Lucy in the nine month folder. Check back over the next two weeks for some more!

And a little child shall lead them. . .

I love the musical group, Watermark. They are a husband and wife (Christy and Nathan Nockels) who recorded a few CDs years ago. In fact, I don't think they've done anything new since I was in high school. Christy Nockels does solo work now and I encourage you to listen to some of her worship music.

Anyway, I tell you all this to say that I was listening to Watermark on my Ipod the other day and the song, "Noah's song" came up. This is a song they wrote about their little boy and as I was listening to it, all I could think of was my sweet Lucy. Here are the lyrics:

Sweet Noah
Your eyes are a window
To all of our childhood dreams
It's almost like we're starting over again
One more trip through this life
With different eyes to see

You're the gift that came to take us back
Cause baby dear, you have the joy we lack
With your tiny hands
You touch a different world
Your full of wonder, full of hope
And full of one more chance
For us to see the world again
Like God sees the world

Little lover of God
You'd smile at a stranger
You don't think to be careful
How sweet is your love
You'd reach for the most unlovely of creatures
Your love is so unconditional

You're the gift that came to take us back
Cause baby dear, you have the love we lack
With your tiny heart
You'll love a different world
Your full of wonder, full of hope
And full of one more chance
For us to love the world again
Like God loves the world

And a child shall lead them
For such is the kingdom of heaven
Simple faith, simple love
Just because

Little faithful one
You're just like a mirror
Reflecting anything and everything we do
Mirror, mirror oh how you remind us
That we should reflect our Father just the same

You're the gift that came to take us back
Cause baby dear, you have the faith we lack
With your tiny life
You've shown the precious love of God
He's full of mercy, full of grace,
And full of one more chance
For us to daily learn to love
Like He first loved us

And a child shall lead them
For such is the kingdom of heaven
Simple faith, simple love
Just because

These lyrics just hit home for me. That childlike faith that we all should have is so evident in the innocence of a child. Lucy is such a joyful creature. . .people always comment about how happy she is! She lights up a room with her smile and her laughter is the sweetest music I have ever heard. Her joy radiates from her and those around her can't help but stop and smile as well.. . even strangers we pass in Target or sit next to at a restaurant. Her joyfulness inspires me to want to exude joy from my life as well, to help lift up others spirits as she does for mine.

I love the middle part of the song where it talks about the little lover of God. Today I met up with Lucy and Michael at MRLEC, our church's Life Enrichment Center for senior citizens. When I got there, Lucy was being passed from person to person and smiling and laughing and talking. She was enjoying all of the attention, but what caught my eye was how much those seniors were enjoying her. She loves everyone she meets, no matter how young or old, the color of their skin, their status . . . . they are all the same to her. She will smile and grin and love on anyone who comes her way. So often we overlook people who walk right by us every day because we are focused on ourselves and what is happening in our lives. Lucy inspires me to love more like she does - to take time to smile at someone or say hello because that one gesture can mean so much.

And the last part. . . .where she is a reflection of anything and everything we do . . . kind of scary! She is now beginning to try and echo sounds you say to her as well as copy your clapping or waving. (Neither of which she is very successful at, but it's fun to watch her try!) As she becomes more and more aware and begins to imitate Michael and I more, it is more important than ever to set good examples in everything. I want so much for her to grow up to be a smart, beautiful and talented girl. (Which of course she will be!) But more than that, I want her to have a heart full of compassion and caring for those around her. I want her to seek after God and all that He has in store for her. But does she see me doing that? Does she see me taking time to send a card to someone who is sick? Does she see me taking time to ask someone how their day was . . .and really listen to their answer? Does she see me seeking God's will for my life and asking for His help and guidance?

And a little child shall lead them, for such is the kingdom of Heaven. . .Thank you Lord for my precious little girl and the joy, love, and inspiration she brings to me every day.