This is a place for me to muse out loud about our adventure, the world, politics, and anything else that pops to mind. I invite you to jump into the comment threads and join the conversation. The awesome thing about blogging is that it is a communal activity. Let's commune!
Today is my oldest girl’s birthday. I dedicate this especially for her to mark the day that she becomes a t-e-e-n-a-g-e-r. And most of us can just about remember what that's like.
Pride and Joy You will soon be eighteen My oldest girl Our daughter and heir My pride and joy
So before you go through The teenage gate I will take the chance To celebrate
The fun we have had And the years gone by The bond we have And the family tie
And as you enters Your teenage years You know I’ll be there Through your hopes and fears
So this is for you, A shout from your dad Enjoy being a teenager There is fun to be had.
Side by side Or miles apart, A daughter like you, Is always close to the heart.
Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take but by the moments that take our breath away.~~Hilary Cooper
Indeed life cannot be measured by only the breathless moments alone, even the daily moments. Each moment is extremely special, purposeful, meaningful and constructive. I realize and appreciate the intrinsic and exceptional value of each breath, how immensely valuable each breath is indeed.
Whenever I read/see this quote, it right away brings forth a multifaceted meaning. One is the meaning of memorable, ecstatic, fantastic, exuberant, scintillating, terrific, joyous moments...moments of achievements, accomplishments, and simultaneously moments simultaneously permeating within each layer of every moment. Fascinating inspiration.
I do not need to take gigantic steps; but even the simplest of meaningful thoughts and actions hold potential value and promise. It is one step at a time; one breath at a time; each bearing relevance to the analogy of relation to the time matrix. It is not the quantity of contributing steps taken; but rather the meaningful quality oriented steps that could make and create a world of meaningful difference and value in its respective corresponding relevance accordingly.
The brush strokes of time when painting their fascinating impression onto the canvas of this precious life inspiringly reminds me there are certain moments that come once in a lifetime. Time never provides us the intimation/advance indication which moment is which. It is those special moments in life that indeed take our breath away that are contemplated/reflected upon with an perspective of humility...an perspective of admiration.
I must be grateful. I must be appreciative. I must be thankful.
Remember this posted months ago? After 4-month study as beginner flautist, our 12-year-old decided to try hand at the Junior Bach Festival with no expectation, but longing for the invaluable and thrilling solo experience in an auditorium.
The sound of music by Johann Sebastian Bach and other composers of the baroque period resonated from COCC Hitchcock Auditorium yesterday as music students showed off their talents.
Competing in the Central Oregon District of the Music Teachers' Association of Oregon's Junior Bach Festival, about 60 musicians ages 6 to 18 took turns performing on piano, flute, and vocal for an appreciative audience and attentive adjudicators. I was especially impressed by the skills of the performers and quality of the music. Judging was based on presentation, style, poise and tone. (Please bear with me momentarily while I resolve some technical challenges in video editing...)
It's not surprising to me that top contenders for the first round of the competition are homeschoolers:
A hugh surprise however was my daughter awarded the alternate winner. Since the top flutist, Caela Mitchell, won't compete at next round on Saturday, February 21, a spot in the second round is hence open to my daughter. Her participation and hard work is fostered by her self-motivation and perfectionist tendencies. Thank you, sweet pea, for a beautiful performance. I am happy that you simply enjoyed the entertaining experience with a joyous heart. May you travel a life with unbridled joy and resonate with richness in heavenly harmonies.
Fourteen years ago today, I promised my man in front of God, immediate families and close friends, that I would stand by him faithfully until death separated us.
Much has happened in the past fourteen years. We added three beautiful children. We experienced loss. We survived hardships. We uprooted the family. We found adventures around us. Life does throw us some curve balls and wild pitches. It feel like we have struck out more times than most. The list goes on and on.
And we've done it all together. I wouldn't have it any other way. Lets hope that this next year gives us more to celebrate. All we can do is just stay in the game Keep on swinging.
Happy anniversary, hon. I love and appreciate you more today than I ever have.
Action may not always bring happiness; but there is no happiness without action. ~~Benjamin Disraeli
I love a start of a new year. When the calendar rolls over to another year, it reminds me of the joy and privilege of starting fresh, almost like a do-over, to renew commitments at anytime of my life. Of course, a new year makes me more aware of this great truth. I never make a lot of resolutions but do spend time reflecting and trying to learn from the previous twelve months.
As we go into the new year, there are many uncertainties. But one thing is certain. My hope and sense is that 2009 is going to be a great year, despite economic downfall! Hubby is back from California to stay. Many good things are happening around here and I truly believe it is going to be a breakthrough year while all the specifics are worked out. I've continued to grow and learn so much since the big move over three years ago. I am looking forward to charging ahead into the next 11.5months. Schedules seem to get overcrowded so quickly. The days of the calendar seem to flip by at ever increasing speed. But, I am starting this new year with a commitment--not necessarily a resolution--to keep a proper and healthy balance in my schedule between parental responsibilities, family time, study needs, and children activities. I hope you are as excited and hopeful for this new calendar year as I am. Blessings to you and your family for 2009.
The ultimate measure of a person is not where they stand in moments of comfort and convenience, but where the stand in times of challenge and controversy. ~~Martin Luther King, Jr.
True learning-learning that is permanent and useful,that leads to intelligent action and further learning, can arise only out of the experience, interest, and concerns of the learner. John Holt
Real heroes are men who fall, fail and are flawed, but win out in the end because they stayed true to their ideals, beliefs and commitments. Actor Kevin Costner
Today is my oldest girl’s birthday. I dedicate this especially for her to mark the day that she becomes a t-e-e-n-a-g-e-r. And most of us can just about remember what that's like.
