I don't remember when I started this blog... Some time earlier this year... 109 posts ago.
When I started this blog, I did so because I wanted to create a space for all of the middle-of-the-road (or "Whatever Works") moms out there, whose parenting philosophies didn't really align with any particular school of thought. I also wanted to display the life of a working Catholic mother who tried to juggle it all. Admittedly, I wanted to be able to say, "Hey! It can be done! Here I am doing it! See? No problem!"
Between working full-time, taking care of the two kiddos once I got home from work, and other aspects of family life, finding the time to blog has been challenging. Sometimes I blogged from work. Other times I ignored pressing chores like dishes or laundry to post. Sometimes I let the TV babysit the kids for a while as I sat down to blog. Sometimes I rattled off a post at midnight.
I love the idea of a blog. But the reality is, I just can't do one myself. For a while I tried posting daily, tried participating in link-ups and connecting to people via Twitter. And it was awesome. But the more I got into it, the more other aspects of my life got neglected. Not cool.
The New Year is upon us, and when asked what my resolution is, my response is:
To focus on what matters most and
stop getting too caught up in trivial things.
So what matters most?
1. My faith.
2. My family.
What are the trivial things?
1. Facebook.
2. Twitter.
3. This blog.
Thanks to those of you who have been following. Hopefully you won't stop, so when I return, you'll be here.
For many reasons, I've lost track of blogging. The holidays was part of it, but really they were just an easy go-to excuse. Our 24 days of Christmas continued after my last post, but creating the images nightly before bed became a challenge, and I burnt out. On top of everything else.
Lately my enthusiasm for blogging has died off... more to come on that. I'm planning a sort of "wrap up" post for the end of the year. What a year it's been!
Christmas music is playing on my radio 24/7. I thought I'd do a 7 QT entirely dedicated to Christmas music!
--1--
O Holy Night.
One of my favorite Christmas songs of all. When I was in 6th grade at a Catholic school, our music teacher was an Armenian woman who had been an opera singer years before teaching. For our Christmas concert that year, she decided to sing O Holy Night. I have NEVER been as awe-struck as I was when I heard her sing it at the concert rehearsal. I think my mouth was opened then entire time. I was so incredibly disappointed when the night of the concert she had laryngitis and couldn't perform.
There are so many versions of O Holy Night out there--I'm not sure which one makes me feel the same way her rendition did. I do love Celtic Woman, though, so here's their version of O Holy Night.
--2--
O Come, O Come, Emmanuel
Ever since I was a small child, I have loved the deep, meditative sound of O Come, O Come, Emmanuel. Many churches I've attended open every Advent Mass with this song, so in my mind I associate it with a call to prayer. When I hear it, I always hear it in choral form... so enjoy the Mormon Tabernacle Choir singing!
--3--
Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree
Whenever it comes on the radio, I just can't stop myself from singing along. And from envisioning the scene from Home Alone. Listen to it, and try not to do the same.
--4--
Mary, Did You Know?
In 2000 I interned for a Catholic youth magazine named YOU! Magazine. There was a plethora of Catholic and Christian-related materials on-hand, and one day I came across a book and CD titled Mary, Did You Know? by Mark Lowery. I read the book and was like--wow, I never thought of it like that. The book and song left an impression on me. In 2006 I came to work for the Christian publisher I work for now, and at that year's Christmas luncheon there was an African-American woman who had the most beautiful gospel singing voice. You know, the kind that can bring you to tears? When I heard the intro bars to this song, I knew it was going to be a doozy, and it was. As she sang, all I could think of was my own experience of motherhood to my then-two-year-old Bebe. And now, with Dois in my life, my connection to this song is even more powerful.
--5--
The Chimney Song
At some point during my high school years, I was introduced to The Chimney Song and it's been one of my favorites ever since. It just makes me giggle. And now that I've shared it with Bebe, it's one of her favorites as well!
--6--
The 12 Days of Christmas
I heard a version of this song the other day by Relient K and loved it.
But I confess that whenever I hear this song, in my head I always think of the John Denver and the Muppets version.
--7--
One More Sleep 'Til Christmas
Speaking of The Muppets... Have you ever seen The Muppet Christmas Carol? One More Sleep 'til Christmas reminds me of all the magic and excitement I felt on Christmas Eve every year as a child.
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So, now that you've learned about some of MY favorite Christmas songs, I want to know--what are some of YOURS?!
(Thanks as always to Jen of ConversionDiary for hosting these Quick Takes, as always!)
Tonight was a flurry of activity, because most of it was taken up by Bebe's concert rehearsal. As a result, I knew when I was planning our 24 days of activities that tonight's would have to be something quick. Today Bebe called someone to sing them a Christmas song. I got to work early this morning, which meant we got home earlier, which meant instead of CALLING someone we were able to SKYPE someone, if only for a few minutes. My older brother loved Bebe singing "The 12 Days of Christmas" to him, while Dois played peek-a-boo behind her back.
