Music Monday- Carol of the Bells

When I was in college, I sang in the church choir.  Among those choir members, several of us became pretty good friends.  We loved singing together.  Once, we went out to breakfast at Denny's, and we sang a few Christmas Carols acapella to all the customers and wait staff.  It was so much fun.  The director of our choir Eddie thought it would be great if we tried more accapella music.  So we'd meet up at his place on Sunday afternoons, hang out, and sing some more.  We never did perform any of the songs at Mass, but I still remember my part to a few of those lovely songs.  When I sang with the Women's Chorus at Texas A&M, small groups of us would go around campus and sing the "Hallelujah Chorus," acapella to promote our Fall Concert (back then, it's wasn't called a "flash mob," lol!).  There's nothing like singing that song in the rotunda of the Academic Building...the acoustics were amazing.  

Ever since then, I've loved acapella music.  It is HARD to sing songs with no music in the background.  No piano, no bass, no nothing!  I fell hard for Straight No Chaser years ago, but now I have a new love...Pentatonix.  They won Season 3 of "The Sing Off" on NBC, and I've been following them ever since.  Yeah...I'm a bit of a stalker.  

But...just listen to their version of "Carol of the Bells."  Seriously...it's different.  Edgy.  It rocks ya'll.  And...they're coming to Houston in March.  Who wants to go with me?  ;-)

Enjoy...you'll be hooked by these guys!  

It's Not About the Journey...

This morning, I got up.  Threw myself in and out of the shower.  Dressed.  Put a bit of makeup on.    Saw a half-dried puddle of orange juice on the floor.  Couldn't find Gabriel's sweatshirt for school,Christina didn't like the way I did her hair, so she took out the ponytails I'd carefully arranged.  Rebecca's new skirt didn't fit, even though I'd ordered it one size bigger that her old one. Really?!

Sigh...it wasn't even 8:00 o'clock yet.  

I wiped up the spilled juice.  Told Rebecca to take off the skirt and put her old one back on.  Told Christina to give back Rebecca her old skirt (which she was wearing), and put her old one back on.  At least we'd show up at school with uniforms on, right?  Found Gabriel's sweatshirt crumpled in the bottom of his backpack.  Yelled at Joshua to come downstairs with his school things, and NOT go back upstairs until it was time to go. 

Thankfully, the baby was all ready to go.  She even had her socks and shoes still on.  Hallelujah!

We finally loaded up the van and got everyone off to school.  I'm about to call the uniform company and figure out this skirt.  So far, I am not impressed.  They sent the wrong skirt for Christina the first time we ordered from them.  

Sigh again...

And...we've decided to pull Gabriel out of Regina Caeli.  Long story short...he doesn't seem to be able to handle the structure of the school day.  He is acting out, physically and emotionally, although academically he is doing great.  But...the bottom line is...the hybrid program is clearly not the best fit for him right now. 

I spend 2 heartbreaking days agonizing over what to do.  But I really knew after talking to a dear friend that bring him home was best for Gabriel.  It may not be the best thing for me...I've enjoyed my one-on-one time with Theresa and relative freedom I've had with just one child toddling after me at home.  But, we don't want school to be a constant struggle...and it's no fun dreading pick-up time...wondering if Gabriel will bring home another 2-page note from his teacher.  We've been blessed with an amazing, supportive staff at the school, and we hope to re-enroll Gabriel next fall for 1st grade.  

So...we will be at home.  The benefits are he can still continue his speech therapy just down the street from the house with a fantastic therapist.  We can try out a gymnastics or martial arts class to build his self-confidence and self-discipline.  We'll have time to go to playgroup on Wednesdays and make weekly trips to the library.  I can work with him one-on-one...a setting he clearly thrives in and loves.  We never had trouble getting the schoolwork done...even with a few distractions (like a 22 month old!); he's able to sit and get his assignments finished in about an hour with a happy attitude.  Best of all, he can be nurtured and supported by Mom...who knows and loves him the best. 

Still...I am a bit sad.  I really wanted the school to work out for Gabriel.  It's hard for me to switch gears...being the recovering control-freak perfectionist that I am.  It's hard not to take this personally, even though I've been assured by kind souls that I am not to blame.  After all, the girls are thriving (I mean, really thriving!) at Regina Caeli.  It's the simple matter that Gabriel needs more time to grow.  And I really want him to grow in a place where he feels secure (definitely not public school).  Home is obviously where he belongs.  And since I love him to pieces, I will do anything for him...even if that means swallowing my pride and stubbornness.  There's no place for that when you're a mom anyways, right?  If I reject God's plan...I'm not allowing Him to help ME grow...how silly is that? 

So...I'm also reading a great book my spiritual guide recommended.  It's called, The Land Between-Finding God in Difficult Transitions by Jeff Manion.  He writes about how to grow in our faith and trust in God when we are faced with life-changing events.  A constant parallel in the book is the story of the Israelites after their flight from Egypt and subsequent wanderings in the desert.  God constantly told them to trust Him, but they chose to complain for almost 40 years instead.  Wow...can I relate.  I'd like to kick and scream too!  Sometimes, a plane ticket to Tahiti and a pina colada to go sound SO much better that taking care of 5 kids and homeschooling!!!  Anybody want to go with me?  

Just kidding.  

All right then.  Apparently, I'm not on the same journey I thought I was.  I'm off the beaten path.  Or maybe I'm not seeing the straight and narrow.  Regardless, I'm not planning on wandering for the next 40 years in the desert.  No matter what He has in store...I'm going to TRUST in God, GROW in faith, and be OPEN to His plan.  It's surely going to be hard...but in the end, it's going to be fruitful.  It's not about the journey...it's about the promise and reward of the oasis at the end. AMEN!

P.S.  This is my new favorite song.  It sums up everything I couldn't say above.