soul soothers

It is amazing how a song can change me...it can make me smile silently reminiscing the memories, it can make me have that bitter sweet thought thinking about the good ole times, it can of course make me cry, it can make me laugh thinking about those karaoke ballads once sung by friends. Yes, music has a way of shaping our souls and soothing away sorrows. I love relating to music. The good stuff makes you think that this song was made especially for you at that exact moment.

Forever by Ben Harper had to be made for Bradley and I right?! It was always our song...we danced our first dance as a married couple to it, we always look at one another in that "first love glance" look whenever it is heard, we both secretly inscribed a line of the lyrics on our wedding bands not knowing that we both put the same thing...it will be our song always and forever.

Amos Lee, Schuyler Fisk, The Fray, Tyrone Wells, and Anna Nalick are my true soul soothers. From the beginning of their melodies I am instantly relaxed and calm. I truly love their music. The way in seeps into all the crevasses of my heart, and makes my aura, my total being feel better. I imagine that their sweet sounds will be my background music as I walk through those pearly gates.

Dave Matthews Band is in a category all of their own. These songs shaped me as a person. My first concert ever was at the then Deer Creek Music Center in Indianapolis. I was instantly in love. The music, the people, the calm atmosphere was an instant addiction. I grew up to their songs, I loved and lost to their songs. Many of their songs bring a rush of memories.

Music effects everyone differently but also the same...because it effects us. It brings us thoughts, feelings, and ideas. The power it has is magical.

Whenever I hear Patsy Cline I immediately think about my parents. If my parents are together when a song of hers starts you can be sure they are dancing cheek to cheek.

Neil Diamond's hits make me remember my grandpa. Elton John makes me think of my mom. A Pearl Jam song reminds me of my sister and how they were her Dave Matthews Band growing up. And, oh so many more, too many to name remind me of our friends, college, and us!

Bradley is a music junky. His knowledge base of old tunes is one not to be reckoned with. When we are driving we play "the game." It is a simple push of the scan button, and then guessing the singer/band of the song being played. Yes, he usually wins, but I have had my moments. I'm also one to butcher lyrics. I tend to add or change the words to the music. This is usually not done intentionally, but I really think that those are the words I heard. {I think sometimes the song would sound better with my wording.}

Bradley and I are already trying to instill these great songs in Veda. We have a "nap time" playlist on the ipod for her. It consists of great music from Anna Nalick, Jewel, Amos Lee, Akon, and Jack Johnson. They soothe her right to dreamland. I have also caught Bradley numerous times singing to Veda, or listening to music with her on the computer. Below are some of those adorable moments.







I hope that when my friends hear Wind Beneath My Wings they think of me!

I hope you hear a song today that changes you in a magical way. If you need one call me and I will sing to you.

Splish Splash

Veda has already been introduced to the big blue sea, so we thought we would take her over to our neighborhood pool for her first chlorine dip. We dressed her in her first swimsuit. I am a sucker for anything polka dot, so when my mom and I found this, it was a no brainer buy. You would think that living in Florida I would have a plethora of swimsuits for my little lady, but it has actually been hard to find ones to fit her. She was so petite, but now that she is filling out, it will be no problem getting her some more beachwear.

We were headed over right around her nap time, so we thought she may sleep through the entire experience. It was a very hot day...the kind that steals your breath away when you walk outside. It was also very sunny, so she wore her bucket hat for extra protection. We also knew that with the heat and sun it would be a quick trip.

With a 1, 2, 3 count her little legs hit the cool, refreshing water. She loved it! These little moments are the memories we will remember always.

I love summer. I love the hot nights with crickets singing in the background, pop up rain showers, sweet tea, and all the good scents of summer. Even though we live in a place that is warm year round, we still look forward to the cooler months ahead. The nights we can wear long sleeves (with shorts of course) to the local high school football games. The evenings when we can actually enjoy sitting on the lanai at eating dinner are always a nice treat. Yes, summer is coming to an end here in Naples. I can't wait to get all the fall decorations out with scents of pumpkin spice and cinnamon. Mmmmm...makes me want to start decorating for Halloween already. OH, and Veda's Halloween costume :) YAY!!!!

What shall she be?

Ok, back on track. We are getting so anxious and excited to go home at the beginning of September. Veda's first airplane ride...mommy's first nervous breakdown. God, please get us home safely in that big plane that is defying gravity just so we can get someplace faster. (I really am excited.) Veda will also be getting baptized. What a precious gift we will be giving our daughter while she is surrounded by all of her loved ones.

I can't wait to catch up with some of our best friends, and we are looking forward to the football draft party at the O'Mara's...lets just hope there are no concerts in the car this year, and no more attempts to drive through their home ;)

I hope everyone had a great, memorable summer! Golf season is coming to a close...now on to football. Go Colts!

We survived the night....

Last night I was flooded with many emotions...my little willow bug slept in her crib for the first night. She has taken many naps in her lovely crib, but it was the first "nighttime" slumber we experienced.

Our nighttime rituals started as usual with a yummy bottle to fill her little Buddha belly and then jammie time. She was a "chatty cathy" so I placed her in her crib to talk to her flower friends while I put away her darling little clothes. All of the sudden the room was quiet, and our little lady had drifted into a deep sleep. I went to talk to Bradley who was on the computer and asked if I should leave her in her crib?! Was this the night that we were going to be "separated?" He grinned and thought we should...I don't think he had any faith in me. After nine months of being a belly touch away and then over 2 months of sleeping within an arms reach, I decided tonight would be the night.

I had moments of complete terror...she was going to bury her face in her mattress and suffocate, the mobile was going to fall on her and choke her, someone was going to slip through her window and steal her, she would get to cold, I wouldn't hear her cry through the monitor, she would wake up scared...yes all these emotions flooded over me. Bradley was my solid ground and reassured me that every one of those were simply not going to happen. I was even hesitant about turning off the light because with the flick of the switch it meant she really was sleeping in another room where I could not keep my watchful eye on her at all times. Eventually the light did go off, but the TV stayed on because mama had a hard time falling asleep. I checked on her numerous times, and even heard her daddy wake up in the wee hours and check on her.

At 5 a.m. as usual I was awaken by the cries of my little baby girl. We had survived the night!!! She took her bottle as usual and then drifted off to sleep for a few more hours. I placed her back in the crib and crawled back into bed. I was very proud of myself. This is a huge milestone for ME. I honestly thought she would be sleeping next to me until she was at least one.



Good Morning baby girl! She is a very happy baby, but I love her "fresh, good-morning" smiles the best.



More emotions continue to engulf me today as it is the year anniversary of my grandfather's death. Oh how I miss him...the garage talks, the Sunday lunches, the afternoon naps with an old, western movie playing in the background, the debates, the good talks. Veda has amazing grandparents, and I know she will create fond memories with them as well.


...I was of course his favorite grandchild ;)

Neil Diamond is added to our playlist...these bitter sweet songs remind me of him so much!