Idle Hands

It's been a very busy and extra-tiring weekend.

Henry has a cold and hasn't slept well at all because of his poor little stuffy nose.
I spent my weekend at work moving bags of grout and mortar and boxes of tile. My arms and legs are beat.
I ate like crap and now I feel like crap. I was tired, didn't want to cook, and didn't want to argue when it came to deciding on something easy to pick up for dinner.

Today is a new day.

Right now I think Henry and I are going to relax until nap time, then this mama's gotta get the yard mowed (all this spring rain is a killer) and try to catch up on some laundry because the majority of the rest of my week is already booked.

Tomorrow... I HAVE MY INTERVIEW!

I'm a mixture of confidence and nervousness, partly because I haven't had to do an interview in forever and partly because I think it will be weird to sit down and interview with people you have worked and joked with for the past couple of years.

Because of scheduling conflicts with Jeremy needing to be at work and such tomorrow, it's at 7 a.m. That seems a heck of a lot earlier than when I am usually a fully functional human being, so we'll see how that effects it all - haha. We're going to do a baby switch-off in town and then Henry and I are headed for our weekly trip to Miamisburg.

Wednesday I'm dedicating as grocery day and planting day before work. I'm picking up extra hours so I'm working both Wednesday and Thursday.

I haven't planned Thursday out yet, but I'm hoping it will be warm and Henry and I can just enjoy some outdoor time before I play catch-up on Friday and then go back to work for the weekend.

Whenever I'm busy, I think of this song. I LOVE this song and the music video! I hope you guys have a fantastic Monday!

Leann Rimes - Nothing Better to Do

Let it Rain

I woke up almost two hours ago to the lullaby of rain falling softly. The rhythmic sound wrapped around me and it took everything in me to drag myself out of bed just to use the bathroom. Now I'm laying here again, Henry and Jeremy at my side, dreaming of lazy summer days where the rain cools and cleans the world around us. I've always been fond of the rain...

When I was a child, I can remember hating the rain on most occasions. The rain meant days spent indoors rather than out with nothing but the television to entertain us. Boy, can age really give you new insight and perspective on life!

It makes my heart leap for joy when Henry begs and enjoys the outdoors so much. He's already brought us his shoes and thrown a mini-fit because the rain is keeping him inside this morning. I hated being in the house as a kid (unlike Jeremy) and I so hoped that he would find that trait within himself. It will only make me happy to see his clothes covered in dirt and grass stains - and I will never discourage his curiosity and excitement for the outdoors.

Today is going to be a very busy day. My hope is that it just keeps raining...
\

The rain always makes me think of this song. 'Rain's comin' down on the old tin roof. It's a lullaby song in the middle of June. Falling slow, falling slow...'

Jenn's Jams, thrifty finds & Legos

First, this song: Ed Sheeran - Lego House

I'm gonna pick up the pieces,

And build a Lego house

If things go wrong we can knock it down

My three words have two meanings,

There's one thing on my mind

It's all for you

And it's dark in a cold December, but I've got you to keep me warm

If you're broken I will mend you and I'll keep you sheltered from the storm that's raging on now

I'm out of touch, I'm out of love

I'll pick you up when you're getting down

And out of all these things I've done I think I love you better now

I'm out of sight, I'm out of mind

I'll do it all for you in time

And out of all these things I've done I think I love you better now

I'm gonna paint you by numbers

And color you in

If things go right we can frame it and put you on a wall

And it's so hard to say it but I've been here before

Now I'll surrender up my heart

And swap it for yours

I'm out of touch, I'm out of love

I'll pick you up when you're getting down

And out of all these things I've done I think I love you better now

I'm out of sight, I'm out of mind

I'll do it all for you in time

And out of all these things I've done I think I love you better now

Don't hold me down

I think my braces are breaking, and it's more than I can take

And it's dark in a cold December, but I've got you to keep me warm

If you're broken I will mend you and I'll keep you sheltered from the storm that's raging on now

I'm out of touch, I'm out of love

I'll pick you up when you're getting down

And out of all these things I've done I think I love you better now

I'm out of sight, I'm out of mind

I'll do it all for you in time

And out of all these things I've done I think I love you better now

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This could probably be called 'Jeremy's Jams' this morning because he sent this song to me after he left for work. He's sweet like that sometimes. =)  I found Henry two boxes of Legos on clearance yesterday for $4 and a bag of mega blocks for $5 and all we've done is play with them since I brought them home. Especially me. Don't hate - one of the best things about having kids is getting to play with all of the awesome toys again, guilt free!

What is your kids favorite toys? Henry likes anything with wheels but other than his blankets, I can't say he's really 'attached' to anything.

Jenn's Jams - Brandon Heath - Love Will Be Enough For Us

Brandon Heath - Love Will Be Enough For Us

I'm totally crushing on this song right now, like... can't get enough of it. After listening to the new Blue Mountain album, it's probably my favorite. Of course, I'm a total sucker for cute love songs like this.

Listen. Enjoy.

(P.S. - Dave Barnes has done this song too, and it's AWESOME. I can't pick a favorite, I love them both.)

Jenn's Jams - Featuring tobyMac

It's been a long, tiring day so far and I have a TON to do tonight so I thought I'd stop, listen to a few of my favorite songs and attempt to recoup while Little Bit is napping. Whenever I'm feeling a little down, a little 'eh' or just need a pick-me-up, these two songs are my go-to's. I just love the upbeat, beautiful music and the voices, - these girls can sing! So if you're looking to add a couple of uplifting (and addicting) songs - here they are. We won't even get into the fact that tobyMac is featured in both, haha!

Jamie Grace ft. tobyMac - Hold Me

Mandisa ft. tobyMac - Good Morning

Jenn's Jams - Addison Road - Hope Now

When I hear this song, I stop, I am drawn in and I am with God. When the world has broken me down, His love does set me free and the hope here, the comfort is something that I cherish.

Jenn's Jams - JJ Heller - The Boat Song

Hey ya'll! I'm back this week with another one of my 'jams'.

This jam is especially special to me. I heard this song before Henry was born and when I did, I immediately fell in love. Ever since, it has been 'our' song - I sing it to him when he goes to bed at night, when he's upset and crying, when he doesn't feel good and occasionally just 'cause. For the longest time it was the only way that I could get him to settle down for car rides and although I do not have a voice anywhere near that of JJ Heller's, I will hope that this little tune will always bring a certain security and comfort to his life. Every now and then I'll jot down a few lyrics for Jeremy and throw them in his lunchbox and when I get to working on Henry's room, I plan on painting some of the lyrics on his walls.

I'm a sucker for a good love song and this one just grabbed at me and has captivated me since first listen. If you're looking for a new, sappy tune to add to your playlist, this one is for you! Not to mention, Heller's voice is just gorgeous - I could listen to her all day long!

JJ Heller - The Boat Song

If you were a boat, my darling
A boat, my darling
I'd be the wind at your back
If you were afraid, my darling
Afraid, my darling
I'd be the courage you lack

If you were a bird, then I'd be a tree
And you would come home, my darling, to me
If you were asleep, then I'd be a dream
Wherever you are, that's where my heart will be
Oh, do you know we belong together?
Oh, do you know my heart is yours?

If you were the ocean, I'd be the sand
If you were a song, I'd be the band
If you were the stars, then I'd be the moon
A light in the dark, my darling, for you

Oh, do you know we belong together?
Oh, do you know my heart is yours?

Oh, do you know we belong together?
Oh, do you know my heart is yours?
Oh, do you know we belong together?
Oh, do you know my heart is yours?

Jenn's Jams - Calling Glory - Don't Give Up

There are days that we all feel like giving up. Don't tell me that you don't have those days because I know you'll be lying to me - and that's not very nice. There are days where for one reason or another, we feel as if we've been pushed to the very brink of our existence and the tiniest tap is going to push us right over the edge. For various reasons, I felt that way last weekend. I was tired, I was grumpy, my husband had done something to tick me off and I had just had enough. On my way home from work, this song came on the radio and I lost it - the whole ugly cry thing, tears and snot and all went down in the driver's seat. I know it wasn't' pretty.

Wanna know the good news? Hope is on the way! We can't give up, won't give up because - God has promised in all His goodness that he would never, ever, ever give us more than what we can handle.

  Never.

No matter how hard it may seem, no matter the weight of what we feel like we've got piled onto our backs, the load will be lifted soon enough and if we allow Him, peace and comfort will enter our lives like a wave. And as the tide goes out, all that's been dragging us down will go with it.

The thought alone is enough to make my dark and stormy days feel a little brighter. I want to extend my friendship, my prayers, my support and all my love to any of you out there that need it right now. Seriously. I love people, I love talking to people and getting to know people. If you ever just want to talk, rant, share blessings with one another - email me. I will answer you fairly quickly and while I may not be much, I will try my darnedest to at least be a friend.

My email: OveyCreations@yahoo.com

Now listen, reflect and love this song as much as I do.

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This time your heart said it's had enough 
Sick and tired of everything that's so messed up 
You don't wanna move on just playing games 
Praying hard somehow that your life will change 
When you feel like you don't know what to do 
Stuck inside this maze you can't go through 

(Chorus) 
Don't give up 
Help is surely on its way 
And don't give up 
And the dark is breaking in today 
And just keep on moving through these storms 
And soon enough you'll find the door 
Just don't give up 
Oh, and don't give up 

These walls around you are caving in 
And your life seems like it is wearing thin
And your hope is drowning in despair 
It looks like you're not going anywhere 
Step inside this heart and then you'll see 
Such a love that is so amazing 

Chorus X2

Jenn's Jams - Matt Hammitt - All Of Me

You are staring at one of the most important screens that you'll ever see in your life and you're anxiously waiting for the doctor to tell you if you'll be welcoming a baby boy or a baby girl into the world in a few short months. Suddenly your doctor's face turns more serious, and you know that something is wrong, something is seriously wrong. You wait but he doesn't say anything.

They tell you it's a boy and your heart melts - his two sisters are going to be thrilled, finally a brother! 

But then there's those faces. The doctor excuses himself for a moment and brings in another doctor, points to the beating heart on the screen and you watch as that doctor's face becomes serious as well. You want to know what's wrong, you want to know why everyone keeps pointing and frowning and looking so very serious.

They tell you that it's a heart defect. They tell you that the odds aren't good. They tell you that you will likely deliver a live baby, and then lose him. You name him Bowen.

In Matt's words: "I was reserving some of my excitement and love for this boy because I was afraid of what would happen and I was afraid to get hurt. I was building walls around my heart to protect myself in case things didn’t go well...I knew I needed to fully trust God in what He was going to do in our son’s life and our lives. To be able to walk through that situation and give God all that I have--allow God to do His will and to learn to love and to trust in Him completely."

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Talk about heart-wrenching. I love this song. I love the lyrics. I love the story behind it. Baby Bowen was born with a heart defect that left him with basically half of a heart, he underwent an open-heart surgery within days of being born and then the next night, he went into cardiac arrest. They spent an hour doing CPR on his still open chest and, to God's glory, Bowen pulled through. He has underwent many heart surgeries but Bowen will turn two in just over a week and he is a happy, healthy boy.

I think that Matt's message can apply to so much in life. God calls for us to trust in him with our whole selves, leaving nothing for Him to want and when we choose to do so, He promises to keep us from harm and to deliver us into comfort and love. 

I cannot listen to this song without tearing up a bit. I think of how it must have felt for Matt and for Sarah to know that their baby would suffer and to know that their baby may never see more than a few moments of life. I can understand the want to hold back, to keep from becoming so attached to this little life because it could be torn away so quickly. But to make the choice to trust God and to give their whole selves - that is courageous and it is what we are called to do. Listen. Enjoy. I dare you not to cry.

Afraid to love

Something that could break

Could I move on

If you were torn away?

And I'm so close to what I can't control

I can't give you half my heart

And pray He makes you whole

(Chorus)

You're gonna have all of me 

You're gonna have all of me

'Cause you're worth every falling tear

You're worth facing any fear

You're gonna know all my love

Even if it's not enough

Enough to mend our broken hearts

But giving you all of me is where I'll start

I won't let sadness steal you from my arms

I won't let pain keep you from my heart

I'll trade the fear of all that I could lose

For every moment I share with you

Chorus

Heaven brought you to this moment, it's too wonderful to speak

You're worth all of me, you're worth all of me

So let me recklessly love you, even if I bleed

You're worth all of me, you're worth all of me

Chorus (X2)

It's where I'll start 

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You can learn more about little Bowen, follow the Hammitt family's blog, and join in to help family's like the Hammitt's here.

Jenn's Jams - Brandon Heath - Love Never Fails

I have to thank Stephanie over at And Baby Makes 10 for thinking up this fabulous name for my 'Jams'. When I first read it, I immediately thought of an old woman canning jam and I knew it just had to be the name. (Because let's face it, I'm pretty much an old woman in a 24 year old body and it just FIT.)

I took me listening to about 20 songs to pick which should be my first here. I don't know why I didn't think of this one before because it's absolutely perfect to start with. So listen to it, read the lyrics, do whatever and I'll meet you at the bottom of the post to tell you WHY I LOVE this song.

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Brandon Heath - Love Never Fails

Love is not proud 

Love does not boast

Love after all 

Matters the most 

Love does not run

Love does not hide

Love does not keep

Locked inside 

Love is the river that flows through

Love never fails you

Love will sustain

Love will provide

Love will not cease

At the end of time 

Love will protect

Love always hopes

Love still believes

When you don't 

Love is the arms that are holding you

Love never fails you

When my heart won't make a sound

When I can't turn back around

When the sky is falling down

Nothing is greater than this 

Greater than this

Love is right here

Love is alive

Love is the way

The truth the life

Love is the river than flows through

Love is the arms that are holding you

Love is the place you will fly to

Love never fails you

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Did you hear me sigh? That's the sound my heart makes when it's happy. I cannot tell you how much I love this song. For one, it's the song that I walked down the aisle to - my husband to be by my side - at my wedding. I had envisioned this grand entrance where my wedding party would walk down the aisle and just as the temp speeds up there towards the end, the doors would open and down I would walk as a gorgeous bride, dressed in white and ready to leave one life behind and begin a journey as husband and wife. But it didn't work out that way - and that's okay.

In case you didn't know, this entire song is pretty much just 1 Corinthians: 4-8 put to very pretty music and one of my favorite voices. I just love the meaning behind every word, the power and the respect and the meaning of TRUE love spoken so gently and perfectly. 

We won't get into how flippin' gorgeous Brandon Heath is and how awful my obsession with him has been since I first heard his voice in 2007. Luckily I've roped my husband into my obsession enough to the point that we never miss a concert if he's within 100 miles of our house (not kidding). I'm sneaky, I know.

 I am a sucker for a good love song - and this one just happens to be my favorite. I'd be thrilled if you guys wanted to share some of your favorite songs, why you liked them and then link up with me now and again. If you're interested, let me know and I'll make a grab badge for our cyber concerts!

Music, teaching and your opinion.

Has anyone noticed that this is my 3rd blog today? Probably not. If so...let's just not tell anyone that I may be a bit blog obsessed at the moment. Okay?

I've always had this thought in the back of my mind that I should teach. Some would probably call it a calling but I'm not sure I want to go that far with it at the moment. The thing is, teaching requires a lot of effort and while I clearly have allll the time in the world (haha), this is not something I want to take on right now.

However, this little blog of mine - this is my space to do whatever I want, ya know? So I have this idea, this plan. I just can't figure out what to name it and I'm not completely sure how to go about starting it, but I think I'm going to try anyway. Back when MySpace was cool (yeah, I know...it wasn't really THAT long ago) I had attempted to start a 'song of the day' or something of the sort. Thing was, nobody really cares what you're music choices are and I truly doubt that too many people took the time to listen to my lovely choice of song for the day - therefore completely defeating the purpose.

The thing about music is that it's personal to each of us and for those of us that it means more to, we are super passionate about it to the point of threatening someone's life if they even dare to speak when you're favorite song is on the radio. (Not me. Swear...)

So my idea so far is to post songs with deep meaning to ME and instead of just saying "HEY! Go listen to this super-fantastic-I-swear-you'll-love-it song" I'd inform you all WHY it's important to me and how it can also benefit you. (I say benefit because 90% of the music I listen to has a Christian basis so therefore the songs usually have some underlying meaning that is obvious to some and less so to others. Get it?)

So what do you think? I have an sort-of example here and believe it or not, I had a TON of hits on that blog. I'd say it was people just lookin' for the lyrics to the song - but maybe not. Hey- you never know. I may even create badge once we name this madness and you guys could post songs that mean something to you and link up! So what do you think? Anyone in or am I just plain crazy?