Songs for Joshua - Week 8

If I had to put my feelings about Christmas time into song lyrics, I'd choose "it's the most wonderful time of the year" without hesitation. I LOVE Christmas. I love sending cards and packages, baking cookies, eating cookies & candy & all the other yummy food. I love seeing decorations and lights on houses and Christmas trees peeking out from front windows. I love all the traditions and celebration. What really warms my heart, however, is the music. At no other time of year will you hear Christ's name on the radio and tv as much as you will this month.

This year, the music is really touching my heart. I think it's because this year, I'm a mother. And even more than that, I'm the mother of a little boy. As I hear all the lyrics celebrating Christ's birth, I think about Mary. I wonder if she really knew what it meant to be the mother of the Savior. I'm sure she watched him sleep and brushed the curls around his ears like I do while Josh is falling asleep. I'm sure when she held him she felt like her body was just too small to contain all the love she was feeling. I'm sure that she looked at him and hoped for his future. But did she know how hated He would be in the future? Did she know how He would suffer and die? I don't think I could bear it if I knew that someday Joshua would be reviled and die in such a way. Did Mary and Joseph understand why Jesus was born just to die? There are many people in my life who I would sacrifice myself for. But there is no one on earth who I would sacrifice my son for. And yet isn't that what we are really celebrating at Christmas? We're celebrating the birth of Christ, who was born specifically so that He could be the sacrifice for us! And that, my friends, is the ironic beauty of this season. Both Ben and I hope that as Josh grows up, he will understand that we aren't celebrating presents or "getting" at Christmas. We are celebrating the love and hope and mercy and justice that was embodied in Jesus Christ.

I *love* the song I chose for this week. I love it because it starts out quiet and then builds and builds until it fills your ears with truth. I love truth and honesty in songs. The kind that when you're done listening, you can understand what the characters or the author is feeling. When I heard this song, I came away thinking that yes, a baby does change everything! Our baby changed everything for Ben and I. Our priorities, our hopes, our fears...everything. And Joshua will change the world simply by being in it. But no baby in history changed everything the way Jesus did.

Merry Christmas, everyone. We love you.

ps...if you don't normally actually listen to the song each week, I'd really encourage you to take the time to listen to these two. Two? Yep. Two. Call the second one a Christmas bonus. :) As always, if the player doesn't show up, press the 'pop-out' button and actually listen to these songs. They are so beautiful.

"A Baby Changes Everything" - Faith Hill

Teenage girl, much too young
Unprepared for what’s to come
A baby changes everything

Not a ring on her hand
All her dreams and all her plans
A baby changes everything
A baby changes everything

The man she loves she’s never touched
How will she keep his trust
A baby changes everything
A baby changes everything
And she cries, oh she cries

She has to leave, go far away
Heaven knows she can’t stay
A baby changes everything

She can feel it’s coming soon
There’s no place, there’s no room
A baby changes everything
A baby changes everything
And she cries and she cries, oh she cries

Shepherds all gather round
Up above a star shines down
A baby changes everything

Choir of Angels say
Glory to the newborn king
A baby changes everything
A baby changes everything, everything, everything, everything
Hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah

My whole life is turned around
I was lost and now I’m found
A baby changes everything


"Welcome To Our World" - Chris Rice

Tears are falling, hearts are breaking
How we need to hear from God
You've been promised, we've been waiting
Welcome Holy Child
Welcome Holy Child

Hope that you don't mind our manger
How I wish we would have known
But long-awaited Holy Stranger
Make Yourself at home
Please make Yourself at home

Bring Your peace into our violence
Bid our hungry souls be filled
Word now breaking Heaven's silence
Welcome to our world
Welcome to our world

Fragile finger sent to heal us
Tender brow prepared for thorn
Tiny heart whose blood will save us
Unto us is born
Unto us is born

So wrap our injured flesh around You
Breathe our air and walk our sod
Rob our sin and make us holy
Perfect Son of God
Perfect Son of God
Welcome to our world

Songs for Joshua - Week 7

I didn't like this song the first time I heard it. Maybe it was because Joshua wasn't here yet or maybe it was because I just didn't understand how sweet putting my baby to bed could be. Now that Josh is here and I've heard the song again, I love it. I've tried to make this song part of his bedtime routine. I'll sit in the living room and sing this to him as we rock in the chair. Then we go upstairs and I lay him down. I love the moment right before I lay him down in his crib when he snuggles into my neck and sighs that contented sigh. My favorite line of this song is "God bless mommy and matchbox cars". I just love how mommy ranks right up there with the cars. :)

"Godspeed (Sweet Dreams)" - Dixie Chicks

Dragon tales and the "water is wide"
Pirate's sail and lost boys fly
Fish bite moonbeams every night
And I love you
Godspeed, little man
Sweet dreams, little man
Oh my love will fly to you each night on angels wings
Godspeed, sweet dreams

The rocket racer's all tuckered out
Superman's in pajamas on the couch
Goodnight moon will find the mouse
And I love you
Godspeed, little man
Sweet dreams, little man
Oh my love will fly to you each night on angels wings
Godspeed, sweet dreams

God bless mommy and matchbox cars
God bless dad and thanks for the stars
God hears "Amen," wherever we are
And I love you
Godspeed, little man
Sweet dreams, little man
Oh my love will fly to you each night on angels wings
Godspeed, godspeed, godspeed, sweet dreams

Songs for Joshua - Week 6

This week's song is an Oscar nominated lullaby from Dumbo. Let's set the scene...poor Mrs. Jumbo was all locked up in the railroad car because they thought she went mad. When in reality, all she was doing was defending her little one from that stupid red-headed boy. (Truthfully, every time I watch it, I silently cheer her on when she hangs him over the wire and spanks him.) Dumbo is all upset and missing his mommy, so Timothy the mouse brings him to her cage and she rocks him in her trunk while this song plays. Oh, it makes me cry just thinking about it! Tissue anyone? :)

"Baby Mine" - Alison Krauss

Baby mine, don't you cry.
Baby mine, dry your eyes.
Rest your head close to my heart,
never to part,
baby of mine.

Little one when you play,
don't you mind what they say.
Let those eyes sparkle and shine,
never a tear,
baby of mine.

If they knew sweet little you
they'd end up loving you too.
All of those people who scold you,
what they'd give just for the right to hold you.

From your head down to your toes,
you're not much, goodness knows.
But you're so precious to me,
sweet as can be,
baby of mine.

If they knew sweet little you,
they'd end up loving you too.
All those same people who scold you,
what they'd give just for the right to hold you.

From your head down to your toes
you're not much, goodness knows.
But you're so precious to me,
sweet as can be,
baby of mine.
Baby of mine

Songs for Joshua - Week 5

Before Josh was a twinkle in his daddy's eye, I knew I'd sing this song to my baby. I even wanted to put "Dream Big, Little One!" over the crib. Now that Joshua is here, I realize how much I want him to dream big. I want him to dream of being an astronaut, a doctor, a fireman, a soldier, an HVAC guy. Whether he ends up being any of those things is beside the point, it's the dreaming that's important. I also just love the message of the song. That pain doesn't last, but laughter does. It's important to see beauty all around you and be strong. It's just a good song all around. :)

"Dream Big" - Ryan Schupe & the Rubber Band

When you cry, be sure to dry your eyes,
'Cause better days are sure to come.
And when you smile, be sure to smile wide,
And don't let them know that they have won.
And when you walk, walk with pride,
And don't show the hurt inside,
Because the pain will soon be gone.

And when you dream, dream big,
As big as the ocean blue.
'Cause when you dream it might come true.
When you dream, dream big.

And when you laugh, be sure to laugh out loud,
'Cause it will carry all your cares away.
And when you see, see the beauty all around and in yourself,
And it will help you feel okay.
And when you pray, pray for strength to help to carry on,
But when the troubles come your way.

And when you dream, dream big,
As big as the ocean blue.
'Cause when you dream it might come true.
When you dream, dream big.

When you cry be sure to dry your eyes,
'Cause better days are sure to come.
And when you smile be sure to smile wide,
And don't let them know that they have won.
And when you laugh be sure to laugh out loud,
'Cause it will carry all your cares away.
And when you see, see the beauty all
around and in yourself, and it will help you feel okay.
And when you pray, pray for strength to
help to carry on when the troubles come your way.

And when you dream, dream big,
As big as the ocean blue.
'Cause when you dream it might come true.
When you dream, dream big.

Songs for Joshua - Week 4

Happy Thanksgiving! I hope your day is filled with food, family & love and reasons to be thankful. The amount of things that I have to be thankful for today is so overwhelming it brings me to tears. To name just a few, I have a wonderful & devoted husband, family that supports us, a warm place to sleep and plenty to eat. I have freedoms that others don't have because of the country that I was born in and because of the people willing to defend us (we love you Jay!). I have hope for the future and beyond because of Jesus. But I think it's pretty obvious what's on top of my Things To Be Thankful For list...I have a beautiful, smart, healthy (well, mostly...he's getting over his first cold!) little miracle named Joshua.

This week's song is one that just makes my heart smile. Every word resonates with me. I tried to find a favorite phrase or line from the song, but I can't! Although, when it gets to "I hope your tears are few and fast..." I usually burst into tears. Go ahead. Listen to this song and see if it doesn't bring you to tears as well!

"Amazing" - Janelle

The morning cold and raining
Dark before the dawn could come
How long in twilight waiting
Longing for the rising sun

You came like crashing thunder
Breaking through these walls of stone
You came with wide eyed wonder
Into all this great unknown

Hush now don’t you be afraid
I promise you I’ll always stay
I’ll never be that far away
I’m right here with you

You’re so amazing
You shine like the stars
You’re so amazing
The beauty you are
You came blazing
Right into my heart
You’re so amazing
You are, You are

You came from Heaven shining
Breath of God still fresh on you
The beating heart inside me
Crumbled at this one so new

No matter where, how far you wander
For a thousand years or longer
I will always be there for you
Right here with you

You’re so amazing
You shine like the stars
You’re so amazing
The beauty you are
You came blazing
Right into my heart
You’re so amazing
You are

I hope your tears are few and fast
I hope your dreams come true at last
I hope you find love that goes on and on and on and on and on
I hope you wish on every star
I hope you never fall too far
I hope this world can see how wonderful you are

You’re so amazing
You shine like the stars
You’re so amazing
The beauty you are
You came blazing
Right into my heart
You’re so amazing
You are, you are

Songs for Joshua - Week 3

Joshua LOVES his daddy. They have special time together in the morning while Ben is eating breakfast. He sits Josh on his lap and Joshua watches everything that goes into Ben's mouth. He watches the spoon dip into the cereal bowl, watches it go up to daddy's mouth, watches daddy chew. And the whole time, Joshua salivates & sucks on his tounge. He watches daddy's coffee mug go up, watches daddy drink & then he wants to touch the mug when daddy puts it back down. It's adorable. Joshua also has a special call for Ben. When he wants his daddy, Josh will fix Ben with a stare and "call" until Ben comes over and picks him up.

So the reason I love this week's song so much is because I can see this coming to life in a few years. :)

"Watching You" - Rodney Atkins

Driving through town just my boy and me
With a happy meal in his booster seat
Knowing that he couldn't have the toy
Till his nuggets were gone
A green traffic light turned straight to red
I hit my brakes and mumbled under my breath
His fries went a flying and his orange drink covered his lap
Well then my four year old said a four letter word
That started with "s" and I was concerned
So I said son now now where did you learn to talk like that

He said I've been watching you dad, ain't that cool
I'm your buckaroo, I wanna be like you
And eat all my food and grow as tall as you are
We got cowboy boots and camo pants
Yeah we're just alike, hey ain't we dad
I wanna do everything you do
So I've been watching you

We got back home and I went to the barn
I bowed my head and I prayed real hard
Said Lord please help me help my stupid self
Then this side of bedtime later that night
Turning on my son's Scooby Doo nightlight
He crawled out of bed and he got down on his knees
He closed his little eyes, folded his little hands
And spoke to God like he was talking to a friend
And I said son now where'd you learn to pray like that

He said I've been watching you dad, ain't that cool
I'm your buckaroo, I wanna be like you
And eat all my food and grow as tall as you are
We like fixing things and holding mama's hand
Yeah we're just alike, hey ain't we dad
I wanna do everything you do
So I've been watching you

With tears in my eyes I wrapped him in a hug
Said my little bear is growing up
He said but when I'm big I'll still know what to do

Cause I've been watching you dad, ain't that cool
I'm your buckaroo, I wanna be like you
And eat all my food and grow as tall as you are
Then I'll be as strong as superman
We'll be just alike, hey won't we dad
When I can do everything you do
Cause I've been watching you

Songs for Joshua - Week 2

Songs are such an emotional thing for me. I can't even begin to count the number of times I've had to sit in my car to finish crying & touch up my makeup after I hear a song on the radio that touches me. This week's song is one that really got me going this week. Every time I heard it, there were buckets of tears because I could really identify with it...even though it's about a daddy & a little girl.

Joshua has been having trouble sleeping. At first, it was just at night. Now, it's naptime as well. And when he's overtired and crying and I'm at the end of my rope, I remember that it's not going to be like this forever. He's growing so fast and sometimes I feel like I'm missing it. Like it's going too fast for me to really remember & enjoy each moment. So I have to remind myself to enjoy every moment. The moments when he's happy and laughing and the moments when he's crying and miserable. Because it won't be like this for long.

(If it doesn't load, click the pop-out player button and it'll open in a new window)

"It Won't Be Like This For Long" - Darius Rucker

He didn't have to wake up
He'd been up all night
Laying there in bed listening
To his new born baby cry
He makes a pot of coffee
He splashes water on his face
His wife gives him a kiss and says
It gonna be OK

It wont be like this for long
One day soon we'll look back laughing
At the week we brought her home
This phase is gonna fly by
So baby, just hold on
It won't be like this for long

Four years later bout four thirty
She's crawling in their bed
And when he drops her off at preschool
She's clinging to his leg
The teacher peels her off of him
He says what can I do
She says, now don't you worry
This will only last a week or two

It won't be like this for long
One day soon you'll drop her off
And she won't even know your gone
This phase is gonna fly by
If you can just hold on
It won't be like this for long

Someday soon she'll be a teenager
And at times he'll think she hates him
Then he'll walk her down the aisle
And he'll raise her veil
But right now she up and crying
And the truth is that he don't mind
As he kisses her good night
And she says her prayers

He lays down there beside her
Till her eyes are finally closed
And just watching her it breaks his heart
Cause he already knows


It won't be like this for long
One day soon that little girl is gonna be
All grown up and gone
Yeah this phase is gonna fly by
So he's trying to hold on
Cause won't be like this for long
It won't be like this for long

Thoughtful Thursday Songs for Joshua

There's a thing many people are choosing to do on their blogs called Wordless Wednesday. They post a picture with no words or no explaination. I thought about doing it, but come on...do you really think I could post something with no words?! That's like asking me to talk without using my hands. Simply impossible. So I've chosen to do something different. I was going to call it 'Thoughtful Thursday', but I just couldn't get past the cheesiness of it. So I'm refusing to use alliteration and just going with what it is.

I have a playlist of songs that I play for Joshua when he's fussy or tired or needs a change of pace. He LOVES music and he still sings along when I sing to him. So I've decided to share my playlist with you. I'm going to post one a week, along with the lyrics and some of my thoughts. Ok, I'll come clean. I'm not sharing the songs with you because I think you really care about what songs I sing to Joshua. This website has been a useful tool in sharing all that is happening with Josh, but it has become more than that for me. It's Joshua's virtual baby book. His real baby book has been packed and I've yet to see it surface. So every entry serves as a reminder for me of things I want to write down and put in his baby book. Someday. Hopefully. :) I want to remember these songs and what they mean to me right now and it just so happens that you get to participate in my attempt at remembering. So here goes...

"Every Moment" - Joy Williams

This song isn't so much for Joshua as it is for me. It's a reminder to cherish and remember every moment of every day with Joshua because all too soon day becomes night and another day is gone.

(If the playlist doesn't open, click the pop-out button and it'll open in a new window.)

We laughed out loud ‘til we cried
And the tears were sweet
Midnight melted to morning
A moment faded to memory
All these days
They just slip away through our fingers
So…

Don’t let go
Hold onto every moment
Always know
Hold onto every moment that
You can

We move on with no regrets to our destiny
Held by the hands of the Father
We share His love and He leads us through
All these days
They just slip away through our fingers
So…

Don’t let go
Hold onto every moment
Always know
Hold onto every moment that
You can

Running through yesterday into tomorrow
Don’t let it just drift away
Forget about tying the hands of time
Give every minute to the One who gave us today

Don’t let go
Hold onto every moment
Always know
Hold onto every moment that
You can