Band practice in my bedroom may have seen the end of it's days!
Brad is in charge of the music ministry at our church and this has entailed, for the last 2.5 years, having practice in our house twice a week and set up/take down every Sunday since we meet in an elementary school. For many people Sunday is a day to take it easy and relax but for Brad it is a full work day beginning at 6am. This may be a thing of the past...and really soon!
Marysville has had little or no options for the past couple of years when it came to a more permanent location for Damascus Road Church. Then one option opened up and as we were deciding what to do about it a couple more possibilities came about. Then option one tanked, option two wouldn't work and here we are with option three, an ugly little strip mall locale, ready and waiting just for us.
Formally the home of Jesus is Lord Life Tabernacle (yes, JILT) it is already set up with staging, kids rooms, office space, a kitchen and really, really ugly paint and carpet. We may be able to move in sometime in July.
This is exciting for a number of reasons, not just because I personally have something to gain from it. Take down and set up will be a thing of the past, and we can have time to solve any sound/av problems instead of fixing it once only to have a problem come up again the next week. We can host bands/battle of the bands (if we can get past people not wanting association with a church) and have a place to meet and presence in town 24/7. Not to mention that we can stop being financially stripped by the school district who charges an astronomical fee (think 2 mortgage payments) for us to use their gym and a handful of 'pods' for 5 hours a week.
It is very exciting and will hopefully remove a lot of stress for Brad and all the music peeps!
Recommended Link! Damascus Road Church
Friday, June 12, 2009
Thursday, June 4, 2009
Chubby Jesus
I was on facebook reading my friend's status updates. A friend's friend was talking about how her kid likes to talk about Chuck E Cheese's but he's little so he calls it "Chubby Jesus".
Now that just made my day.
It is hot here...like, 90 degree hot. My temper is raging also right at this moment. It's band practice night, which isn't why I'm pissed. It's my almost 8 year old and his penchant for lying and stealing stuff.
We're not talking about cars or people's bikes or lying about getting drunk. It's more like stealing twinkies or a dollar from our key basket and lying about it.
The hard part is nights like this where I am the only parent available to parent for the entire day. My break doesn't start until everyone is asleep and on hot nights like this, well, let's just say the kids have a hard time doing what they normally do just fine.
Especially tonight, since catching my son with three stolen items of food behind his desk (all sweets, except for the crackers, which I told him he couldn't have right before dinner) and having him lie about it. I decided he would go to bed an hour early as a consequence. It was a fight the whole time and he keeps getting up out of bed. I'm infuriated because when all is said and done, I can't MAKE him do anything...I can only encourage him to do what's right and discipline him when he does wrong.
Isn't that just like so many other things in life? We think we can just tell someone something and they will listen and do the right thing. Like sex-ed classes, for example. You can't stand in front of 30 kids and talk about what they should do and expect that you are going to make an impression. Real change of heart happens out of relationship. It happens out of spending time investing in a person...and even then change isn't guaranteed. Ultimately it is out of our hands.
So why even bother? I mean, really, why take time out of your day meeting with someone who needs guidance and advice? It's obvious with my son, it do it because I love him and I want the best for him. But what about a teenager who's getting into drugs or promiscuity? What about that young new mom who is obviously overwhelmed? Why do I even keep harping on these things...why not just let him eat whatever he wants whenever he wants...why not just ignore the lies?
It's not just about the other person. All relationships are two ways and honestly, I am being refined and learning so much through these conflicts with my boy. I am learning patience. I am learning longsuffering. I am learning that life isn't just about obedience, but about grace and love. I am learning that I am not in control.
You can learn these things as well if you take someone under your wing. Even if you don't see a tangible change of heart, you will grow and benefit from trying to be there for someone else. Throw away your list of "unlovables" and find one person that needs you as much as you need them.
Now that just made my day.
It is hot here...like, 90 degree hot. My temper is raging also right at this moment. It's band practice night, which isn't why I'm pissed. It's my almost 8 year old and his penchant for lying and stealing stuff.
We're not talking about cars or people's bikes or lying about getting drunk. It's more like stealing twinkies or a dollar from our key basket and lying about it.
The hard part is nights like this where I am the only parent available to parent for the entire day. My break doesn't start until everyone is asleep and on hot nights like this, well, let's just say the kids have a hard time doing what they normally do just fine.
Especially tonight, since catching my son with three stolen items of food behind his desk (all sweets, except for the crackers, which I told him he couldn't have right before dinner) and having him lie about it. I decided he would go to bed an hour early as a consequence. It was a fight the whole time and he keeps getting up out of bed. I'm infuriated because when all is said and done, I can't MAKE him do anything...I can only encourage him to do what's right and discipline him when he does wrong.
Isn't that just like so many other things in life? We think we can just tell someone something and they will listen and do the right thing. Like sex-ed classes, for example. You can't stand in front of 30 kids and talk about what they should do and expect that you are going to make an impression. Real change of heart happens out of relationship. It happens out of spending time investing in a person...and even then change isn't guaranteed. Ultimately it is out of our hands.
So why even bother? I mean, really, why take time out of your day meeting with someone who needs guidance and advice? It's obvious with my son, it do it because I love him and I want the best for him. But what about a teenager who's getting into drugs or promiscuity? What about that young new mom who is obviously overwhelmed? Why do I even keep harping on these things...why not just let him eat whatever he wants whenever he wants...why not just ignore the lies?
It's not just about the other person. All relationships are two ways and honestly, I am being refined and learning so much through these conflicts with my boy. I am learning patience. I am learning longsuffering. I am learning that life isn't just about obedience, but about grace and love. I am learning that I am not in control.
You can learn these things as well if you take someone under your wing. Even if you don't see a tangible change of heart, you will grow and benefit from trying to be there for someone else. Throw away your list of "unlovables" and find one person that needs you as much as you need them.
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Wal-mart, wal-let? Get it?
Sometimes when I'm hanging out with Loren, our firstborn and only boy, he comes up with some very insightful or simply hilarious things. The other day, we had a conversation like this:
Loren: Mama, I think I know why Walmart is called Walmart.
Me: Oh, yeah? Why's that?
Loren: Because when you shop there you have to use money from your wallet. Walmart, wallet. See?
Me: Ah...well that is definitely true, you need your wallet if you want to shop there...that makes sense!
Loren: (Gives a big smile)
I'm pretty sure the store's name has something to do with the founders name, but whatever. We pass one every day on the way to school so I'm sure he's had lots of time to come up with that explanation. We shop there on occasion, especially when we used to get gift certificates there as "bonuses" from Brads previous employer-who-sucks-and-shall-not-be-named. (Rhymes with horizon...) but not very often anymore. Fred's actually has gluten free stuff and Winco has better prices most of the time. Either way, I can't wait to see what he comes up for Winco, Safeway and Albertson's!
Loren: Mama, I think I know why Walmart is called Walmart.
Me: Oh, yeah? Why's that?
Loren: Because when you shop there you have to use money from your wallet. Walmart, wallet. See?
Me: Ah...well that is definitely true, you need your wallet if you want to shop there...that makes sense!
Loren: (Gives a big smile)
I'm pretty sure the store's name has something to do with the founders name, but whatever. We pass one every day on the way to school so I'm sure he's had lots of time to come up with that explanation. We shop there on occasion, especially when we used to get gift certificates there as "bonuses" from Brads previous employer-who-sucks-and-shall-not-be-named. (Rhymes with horizon...) but not very often anymore. Fred's actually has gluten free stuff and Winco has better prices most of the time. Either way, I can't wait to see what he comes up for Winco, Safeway and Albertson's!
Monday, February 9, 2009
Writer's Block
Yep...I have it.
I have been bogged down with not so positive emotions/states of mind lately. Here's a brief list:
Bitterness
Frustration
Confusion
Apathy
Anger
No...it's not "That Time of the Month".
When this happens, my creativity shuts down...because I think if I write all those emotions will be evident in my writing. I can't even think of drawing or painting when I'm in this state. I can't really think of doing anything.
I like to find solutions to problems. I'd rather have a knock down drag out fight over something than not talk about it. I hate being in a rut and when I am I crave change. Sometimes, though, you can't change anything about your situation because it's not in your hands.
That is where I am right now. Where I can only change myself, accept what is happening and allow someone else to take care of business. This involves trust. Trust that they will do the right thing, trust that they will be my defender and my voice. Trust in open hearts and grace and love to overcome all that other yucky crap listed above. Oh...and patience. Yes, patience...which, for me, is something that is cultivated, not naturally grown in my heart.
So needless to say--I had writer's block and now I have a few paragraphs of whiny drivel to share with you. I'm not sure which is better!
This is my life.
Monday, January 5, 2009
Multiple roles, multiple hats, multiple personalities.
Having many different 'jobs' is all just a part of life. Depending on our individual lifestyles we all will have different roles we play depending on what we are doing in the moment.
I am a wife (okay, yes, we've already established that with the blog title), mom and childcare provider right now in this moment.
In order to fulfill my obligations as not just wife, but musician's wife, I have a few unique circumstances that mosey my way on a weekly basis.
For starters, we have band practice at our house...in our basement...which is also our bedroom. Brad now leads the music at our church...an explanation of that will be a later post. He leads one band, singing and playing guitar, plays bass in the other. So practice happens twice a week, in the middle of the week, every week of the month with few exceptions.
Did I mention it's in my bedroom???
So that's the rub, for me, because it used to be that I could just 'let it all hang out' in my bedroom when it was in the main part of the house and we could just shut the door and no one would be wiser. I mean, how many of you have your "private space" up to par for guests on a Wednesday? It's really nice to be able to toss a pair of unmentionables on the ground in the morning and get back to picking up the panties at a later date. But nooooo...not in my house!
Let me tell you...there have been times when something has been missed and I've sheepishly kicked a bra out of the way of the bass in a hurry before it was seen (I hope). And don't get me started on my realization one night when getting into bed after practice that our 'personal lubricant' bottle was just sitting on my bedside table for all to see like some proud beacon of our (wonderful) sex life. I have no problem with it but I don't think that the mostly male band members appreciate having to block those mental images. A good and hospitable hostess has plenty of coffee, tea and beer on hand keeps her undergarments and her sex life to herself whenever possible.
Ahem...moving on, quickly...
I'm also a guinea pig when it comes to new stuff. By stuff I mean a multiplicity of things, from melodies to lyrics to cover songs. For example:
Brad: "Do you like it better when I play it like that?"
Me: "When you play it like what?"
Brad: "See? I changed a note here." plays a line...
Me: "Um...so, what did it sound like before?"
Brad: "Like this." plays a line that sounds exactly like the line before...to me, anyway.
Me: "Um...yeah, so what's the difference?"
Brad: "This note..." plays note. "And this note." plays note.
Me: "Um...I think...I like...um...they're both great, really."
Brad: "Yeah, but which one do you like better?"
Me: "Um...which one do you like?"
Brad: "I think the second one. It's got more of a minor tone to it and kind of plays off the chorus a bit."
Me: "That is exactly what I was thinking. Good job, honey."
It goes like that almost weekly.
Now, I'm a lot more savvy when it comes to lyrical content, but still, it's all about perception and I've got to be really careful when I share my opinion. It's really easy to just be like, "You can't say that line like that...it's cheesy.", however, this is really counter productive. I've learned over the years to ask lots of questions (i.e: "So what are you trying to get across with this line?" ) instead of just lambasting my man for using an obscure word or trying to rhyme two words that don't really go together. I have to be an editor/assistant producer with heart.
The next musically related hat I wear is that of Biggest Fan.
Now, Brad hasn't done a lot of shows in the last couple of years, but he's starting to play out there again and one of the most meaningful ways I can support him is just by being in the audience. Even when it comes to playing at church, he really, really appreciates me being there as much as possible to hear him play. He can rest assured that he will always have someone there who he can ask "How did it go?" and who will give him an honest answer but who gives that answer with love and empathy. Our after show talks help him to process his performance, song order, stage set up and audience reaction. I really make a point to pay attention and do my best to help him improve and to tell him all the positive things people said or reactions I saw that will encourage him. It's like being a reporter...only with the subject's best interest in mind.
So hostess, editor, producer and reporter...and that's just scratching the surface.
This is my life.
I am a wife (okay, yes, we've already established that with the blog title), mom and childcare provider right now in this moment.
In order to fulfill my obligations as not just wife, but musician's wife, I have a few unique circumstances that mosey my way on a weekly basis.
For starters, we have band practice at our house...in our basement...which is also our bedroom. Brad now leads the music at our church...an explanation of that will be a later post. He leads one band, singing and playing guitar, plays bass in the other. So practice happens twice a week, in the middle of the week, every week of the month with few exceptions.
Did I mention it's in my bedroom???
So that's the rub, for me, because it used to be that I could just 'let it all hang out' in my bedroom when it was in the main part of the house and we could just shut the door and no one would be wiser. I mean, how many of you have your "private space" up to par for guests on a Wednesday? It's really nice to be able to toss a pair of unmentionables on the ground in the morning and get back to picking up the panties at a later date. But nooooo...not in my house!
Let me tell you...there have been times when something has been missed and I've sheepishly kicked a bra out of the way of the bass in a hurry before it was seen (I hope). And don't get me started on my realization one night when getting into bed after practice that our 'personal lubricant' bottle was just sitting on my bedside table for all to see like some proud beacon of our (wonderful) sex life. I have no problem with it but I don't think that the mostly male band members appreciate having to block those mental images. A good and hospitable hostess has plenty of coffee, tea and beer on hand keeps her undergarments and her sex life to herself whenever possible.
Ahem...moving on, quickly...
I'm also a guinea pig when it comes to new stuff. By stuff I mean a multiplicity of things, from melodies to lyrics to cover songs. For example:
Brad: "Do you like it better when I play it like that?"
Me: "When you play it like what?"
Brad: "See? I changed a note here." plays a line...
Me: "Um...so, what did it sound like before?"
Brad: "Like this." plays a line that sounds exactly like the line before...to me, anyway.
Me: "Um...yeah, so what's the difference?"
Brad: "This note..." plays note. "And this note." plays note.
Me: "Um...I think...I like...um...they're both great, really."
Brad: "Yeah, but which one do you like better?"
Me: "Um...which one do you like?"
Brad: "I think the second one. It's got more of a minor tone to it and kind of plays off the chorus a bit."
Me: "That is exactly what I was thinking. Good job, honey."
It goes like that almost weekly.
Now, I'm a lot more savvy when it comes to lyrical content, but still, it's all about perception and I've got to be really careful when I share my opinion. It's really easy to just be like, "You can't say that line like that...it's cheesy.", however, this is really counter productive. I've learned over the years to ask lots of questions (i.e: "So what are you trying to get across with this line?" ) instead of just lambasting my man for using an obscure word or trying to rhyme two words that don't really go together. I have to be an editor/assistant producer with heart.
The next musically related hat I wear is that of Biggest Fan.
Now, Brad hasn't done a lot of shows in the last couple of years, but he's starting to play out there again and one of the most meaningful ways I can support him is just by being in the audience. Even when it comes to playing at church, he really, really appreciates me being there as much as possible to hear him play. He can rest assured that he will always have someone there who he can ask "How did it go?" and who will give him an honest answer but who gives that answer with love and empathy. Our after show talks help him to process his performance, song order, stage set up and audience reaction. I really make a point to pay attention and do my best to help him improve and to tell him all the positive things people said or reactions I saw that will encourage him. It's like being a reporter...only with the subject's best interest in mind.
So hostess, editor, producer and reporter...and that's just scratching the surface.
This is my life.
Monday, August 18, 2008
The Musician's Wife...
Being married to someone who is creatively inclined can be wonderful and challenging.
Being married to someone who's creativity is expressed musically adds a whole different dimension to that wonder and those challenges.
Being married to someone who uses those talents on a weekly basis for various venues, at times tosses the whole mix into crazy chaotic oblivion.
Sometimes our household is calm and serene...it's called the eye of the storm.
Music is my man, and I am his girl.
This is my life.
Being married to someone who's creativity is expressed musically adds a whole different dimension to that wonder and those challenges.
Being married to someone who uses those talents on a weekly basis for various venues, at times tosses the whole mix into crazy chaotic oblivion.
Sometimes our household is calm and serene...it's called the eye of the storm.
Music is my man, and I am his girl.
This is my life.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
