Hey, Hey...

First, I have to share the back story on this... This past summer we went to something called the Willamette Celebration. It's a Christian event bringing together every church around the Willamette Valley for about a 100 mile+ radius. They had varied different events throughout the weekend. One evening we went to one of the many outdoor concerts they had. One of the bands was Superchick. The music came across the land and Meritt went nuts. She was dancing like she was born to be a rocker girl all of her life! A week or so later, both girls were still talking about 'Superchick' - especially Meritt, so we went down to our local Bible bookstore and brought a Superchick CD. The rest of the summer, that CD blasted away in our car, as the girls sung at the top of their lungs in the backseat, and Meritt waved her arms in the air, and danced around like the music was part of who she is.

There is one song in particular that she loves the 'most'! HEY, HEY.
She could listen to it over, and over, and over, and over....... and over. (you get it!) After months of listening, this mama grew a little rattled and weary over listening to the sounds of Superchick, so the above mentioned CD may have gone missing for a bit. Well, the other night the beloved Superchick CD was found and all was happy in our land. Especially when HEY, HEY, came across the speakers. UPPER MAMA, UPPER, that's Meritt's way of asking that the music be so loud that everyone within a 5 mile radius can hear it! So, I did what any good, reasonable mother would do, we opened the sunroof all the way in 40 degree weather at 7 o'clock at night cranked the stereo upper almost as loud as it goes, and rocked out to HEY, HEY.

Listen to the words, read the words... I don't think there could be a better song in all the world to sum up my Meritt. That night as we were driving, I listened more intently on the words of my little girls favorite song more intently than I ever had before, and as I heard her little voice from the back seat sing out, 'be legendary, be you...' I believed with all of my heart, that God is going to do some legendary things with her, because of how 'her' she is through and through!

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I'm linking up with Heather at Blessed Little Nest today on her life made lovely Mondays! Go check her blog out it's oh so cute! Love it...

His Eye Is On the Sparrow...

I would absolutely adore to own this! You can buy it HERE..

My ALL TIME FAVORITE hymn to sing, or listen to in the entire world is "His Eye Is On The Sparrow". This song has deep meaning for me. It speaks to me, soothes me, inspires me, delights me, enriches me, nourishes me, and feeds my soul. The words to this hymn, is a song that I sing in my heart each and every day. I am so Glad that Jesus loves me, even though I am only his little sparrow.

I posted the words to this most favorite hymn the day I was baptized.
I sat for a long time that evening trying to find the adequate words to express how that momentous and amazing experience meant and felt... but none were quite as right as the song, that is the song, that sings in my heart.


HIS EYE IS ON THE SPARROW...

Why should I feel discouraged,
Why should the shadows come,
Why should my heart be lonely,
And long for heav'n and home,
When Jesus is my portion,
My constant Friend is He;
His eye is on the sparrow,
And I know He watches me.

I sing because I'm happy,
I sing because I'm free;
For His eye is on the sparrow,
And I know He watches me.

"Let not your heart be troubled,
"His tender word I hear,
And resting on His goodness,
I lose my doubts and fears,
Tho' by the path He leadeth,
But one step I may see;
His eye is on the sparrow,
And I know He watches me.

Whenever I am tempted,
Whenever clouds arise,
When song gives place to sighing,
When hope within me dies,
I draw the closer to Him;
From care He sets me free;
His eye is on the sparrow,
And I know...
He watches me.

No matter what my mood; happy, sad, lonely, joyful, prayerful, peaceful, anxious, or upset. This beautiful song of praise fills me up!

building my nest...

"Even the sparrow finds a home,

and the swallow builds her nest

and raises her young

at a place near your altar,

O Lord of Heaven’s Armies,

my King and my God!...

What joy for those whose

strength comes from the Lord."

Psalm 84:3, 5

His Eye Is On the Sparrow...

Why should I feel discouraged,
Why should the shadows come,
Why should my heart be lonely,
And long for heav'n and home,
When Jesus is my portion,
My constant Friend is He;
His eye is on the sparrow,
And I know He watches me.

I sing because I'm happy,
I sing because I'm free;
For His eye is on the sparrow,
And I know He watches me.

"Let not your heart be troubled,
"His tender word I hear,
And resting on His goodness,
I lose my doubts and fears,
Tho' by the path He leadeth,
But one step I may see;
His eye is on the sparrow,
And I know He watches me.

Whenever I am tempted,
Whenever clouds arise,
When song gives place to sighing,
When hope within me dies,
I draw the closer to Him;
From care He sets me free;
His eye is on the sparrow,
And I know...
He watches me.

it's a beautiful day...

This is the girls and my new song that we love to sing at the top of our voices as we drive along... Everyday as I hear their little voices, I am reminded how blessed I really am. No matter how crazy the day gets, how frazzled, and out of sorts I may feel, this brings me back to reality, and reminds me how easy it really is to decide to have a beautiful day.

Life is a journey,

Not a destination,

There are no mistakes,

Just chances we’ve taken

Lay down your regrets cause all we have is now

Wake up in the morning

And get out of bed

Start making a mental list in my head

Of all of the things that I am grateful for

Early in the morning

It’s the dawn of a new day

New hopes

new dreams

new ways

I open up my eyes and I open up my mind

and I wonder how life will surprise me today

Early in the morning

It’s the dawn of a new day

New hopes, new dreams, new ways

I open up my heart

and I’m gon’ do my part

and Make this a positively beautiful day

La la la la la la la la la

It’s a Beautiful Day

Life is a challenge not a competition

You can still smell the roses

and be on a mission

Just take a moment to get in touch

with your heart

Sometimes you feel like you’ve

got something to prove

Remind yourself that there’s

only one you

Just take a moment to give thanks

of who you are

Early in the morning

It’s the dawn of a new day

New hopes, new dreams, new ways

I open up my eyes and

I open up my mind and

I wonder how life will surprise me today

Early in the morning

It’s the dawn of a new day

New hopes, new dreams, new ways

I open up my heart

and I’m gon’ do my part

and Make this a

positively beautiful day

La la la la la la la la la

It’s a Beautiful Day

Let’s make this a wonderful

Let’s make this a powerful

Let’s make this a Beautiful Day

It’s a Beautiful Day

Life is a journey,

Not a destination,

There are no mistakes,

Just chances we’ve taken

Lay down your regrets

cause all we have is now
India Arie ~ Beautiful Day

I know these days it's pretty hard to stay up beat. Especially with all that's going on in the world, our nation, and heck even our own cities. We have all in our own ways faced difficulties this year, in this season of uncertainty. But, at the end of the day ~ and at the beginning of a new one; the things that most matter, are not things at all.

Blessings come to us in small packages, in hidden meanings, in ways we may not even notice, especially when we are too wrapped up in other things to acknowledge them.

Here is what I know for myself...

I am most blessed, when I give thanks to God for the little things. For the people in my life that give my life meaning, and in finding gratefulness for what he has given me. To hear the laughter of my children, and wake up each day next to the love of my life, and to know that God has blessed me with those things, then the other things just don't matter. I only have this one life, and I want to live it... not look back and regret it. I don't want to be tied down to worry. I don't want to be paralyzed by fear. I want to start each day feeling like it really can be beautiful.

I really hope that if you are having a hard time feeling life has beauty, that you can find it... start by buying the new India Arie CD, blast track no. 16... and sing... trust me, it will work!!!

Baby Jesus, is Born today.

The skies don't seem to be as dark as usual
The stars seem brighter then they've been before
Deep within I feel my soul a stirring
As though my hope has been restored
The shepherds say they've heard the voice of angels
Confirming rumors spread across the land
That a child protected well from Herod's anger
Is our Father's Son, and the son of man

Love is raining down on the world tonight
There's a presence here I can tell
God is in us, God is for us, God is with us, Emmanuel
He's the Savior we have been praying for
In our humble hearts He will dwell
God is in us, God is for us, God is with us, Emmanuel

I feel compelled to tell all who will listen
That peace on earth is not so out of reach
If we can find grace, mercy and forgiveness
He has come to save, He is all of these

You're the Savior we have been praying for
In our humble hearts You will dwell
You are in us, You are for us, You are with us, Emmanuel.


lyrics by...

Casting Crowns
Peace on Earth
'God is With Us'