Music + Children= Joy

As a child I can remembering loving music. I loved singing, dancing and playing all kinds of music. I remember falling in love with Barry Manilow as my mother played his eight track (yes, I am that old) over and over again. I also knew that when I heard Barry it was time for a good house cleaning. Anyway, as I grew into my young adult years I remember my mother always said she could tell what kind of mood I was in when I began playing the piano. This was determined by how hard I hit the keys but if I was hitting hard when I started I was always calm and relaxed by the end. I have always been amazed at how quickly music can bring the spirit, change a mood (good or bad depending on what you are listening to) and touch the heart.

These thoughts came to me today as I was editing some pictures. 2 of them were of my husband and my niece. I think I had mentioned before how when we were in Utah my husband played his bassoon for us.
Gracie was in awe. As soon as the first notes came out of the bassoon. Nothing else existed except her, her uncle and the music.

As I was editing the picture above my heart was touched for many reasons. One, as I watch my husband share his love for music, I see the lives he touches. As I watch him take time with our niece to show her "his instrument" (and his pride and joy besides me, of course). I think of his concerts with the Army Band. All the different venues he plays. All the different people that come and I still stand amazed that no matter what race, religion, or political view one may have they sit and listen intently as the music touches them, it unites them. Music can arouse so many emotions. Especially as they play patriotic songs, I see their pride, joy and love of their country written all over their faces.

No matter your age. Young and old. Music is all around us. It is such a big part of our lives. Especially mine. I am just so grateful that Heavenly Father loves us so much that he gave us ears to hear and the beautiful music to enjoy.

Poor kitty!

Poor Miss Priss has had quite the traumatic week. Ben and I have noticed that over the past 6 months her poor little tummy would expand about 2 inches on each side. She looked like she was pregnant with 10 cats which we know is impossible seeing as she is an indoor cat. Then suddenly her tummy would go back to normal. But as you can tell....so NOT normal.

Anyway, we took her to the vet and it was quite the show. They showed me her x-ray which was a something they had never seen before. I can't really explain all the details since I am not a vet but it was quite a show. Every employee in the place was talking about it.

After speaking with the vet we decided the best course of action was to have her spayed. Apparently her uterus was filling with liquid and they needed to get it out asap. We scheduled surgery for 2 days later.

We picked her up today at 10am and she is happy to be home. The AMAZING thing is that after they took her uterus out she lost 2.6 lbs. about a third of her body weight. One of the employees today said that she had to admit she took a picture of it because they had never seen anything like it. Of course who would expect anything but abnormal when you are dealing with anything involving my life. If it is strange, weird, unheard of...it can happen to me. (or my animals). We are just happy that Priss is fine and home. Although, I can't say the same for Nala. She is feeling a little jealous that Priss is getting so much attention.

A no labor day!

Anytime I have a moment to spend outdoors with my husband doing things we love makes me happy and content. Since Ben had Monday off we decided to enjoy the great outdoors as we headed up to Rock State Park for some hiking and pictures.

On the beginning of our adventure I learned I have a new pet peeve. I have never really understood the concept of joining a wonderful activity of hiking with smoking. Now what people do with their own bodies is their choice HOWEVER nothing irritates me more than sitting there taking in the beautiful scenery and then getting a big puff of dirty, nasty, smelly smoke blown in my face. Now I don't know about you but I could have done without that! So listen up people. If you chose to smoke would you mind blowing your smoke in the face of someone who doesn't care. Oh yeah and by the way, good luck with that.

Awh...I feel so much better. Stepping of the soap box now.

Ben and I have really been getting into landscape pictures. Ben has got quite the eye and I don't think I am half bad but one thing that continues to amaze me is how two people can be looking at the same scenery and be in the same place but take two totally different pictures. It has been fun to see the difference between our pictures. Below are some of our favorites.

All in all the day was perfect. Great weather, great scenery, great pictures and a great husband. What more can a girl ask for? As we are preparing for tomorrows bad weather from Hurricane Hannah I am sure I will be dreaming of Mondays perfect weather.