After the Concert

If I had more energy tonight, I would write more and share more pictures from the Shenandoah Valley Children's Choir concert this afternoon.  (Bottom line: it was fantastic.)  :)

But my tank is running on empty, and I'm hoping that a good (long) night's sleep will begin to fill it again.  So for tonight, only one photo from today.  My favorite part about this one? The way they spontaneously put their arms around each other when they knew I was taking the picture.

How wonderful and pleasant it is when brothers live together in harmony!

~ Psalm 133:1 ~

Jeff's Newest Garden Helper

I have a birthday post (or two, since the one I've started is getting mighty long) in the works for Moriah; but my energy is dwindling and my determination to finish it tonight is officially gone.  So how about some pictures of Moriah that I took on the day after her birthday?  :)

Last year Moriah was really too little to go in the garden, since she didn't understand much about the need to be careful around the plants; but already this year, I can tell things are going to be different.  Jeff invited her to go outside with him after supper this evening; and she was, of course, delighted to do so.  A few minutes later, I peeked out and saw this...  :)

Moriah's First Date

It's become a tradition in our family that, when a child reaches three years of age, he or she gets added to the rotation for Wednesday morning breakfast dates with Dad.  When we only had four boys who were eligible, it worked out fairly easily each month that the first Wednesday of the month was for Josiah to go out with Jeff, the second Wednesday of the month for David, and so forth.  

Now that Moriah is almost three, she has been excitedly and very vocally looking forward to her turn for breakfast with Daddy; and since her birthday is tomorrow, we decided to let her begin her celebration a day early by having her first ever breakfast date.  David, whose turn it would normally have been, kindly sacrificed his day so that she could have the joy of this special time with her daddy.

Before these two set off on their adventure, which today included breakfast at Burger King and some grocery shopping at Sharp Shopper, I couldn't resist taking a few pictures to memorialize this significant occasion!  :)

Do you think Moriah has any idea how cherished and adored she is??  :)

Wordless Wednesday {One of David's Classrooms} :)

The Beginning of a Big Week

Every week throughout the school year, Josiah and David, along with a hundred (give or take a few) other choristers who live in or near the Shenandoah Valley, faithfully practice their music four times a week at home, then gather on Monday evenings to rehearse together as the Shenandoah Valley Children's Choir. Their discipline pays off; and as the weeks slip by and concert time approaches, their level of excellence in performing the music rises fantastically.

But that's not the only thing that rises.  So does their excitement.  :)

I had the pleasure of sitting in for part of their rehearsal this evening; and oh, what a treat!  But actually, the real treat is coming on Sunday when all the hours of the young singers' hard work--practicing solfege until they never mistake a "re" for a "mi," tripping over lyrics in foreign languages until their tongues begin to say them smoothly, thinking about time signatures and syncopation and tricky rhythms until the unfamiliar beats become second nature, memorizing not only the words of all their songs but also musical expression and occasional hand motions, and so much more--culminates in a performance that is sure to be breath-taking.  (Locals who don't have plans for Sunday afternoon, you are cordially invited to come check us out!  More info here.)  :)

I am only mother to two of the choristers in the performing choirs; but tonight as I consider the focus and self-discipline and hard work and beauty that characterizes these young people, I can't help but feel a little maternal about all of them.

I am so very proud of every single one of the choristers of the SVCC!!

Easter Afternoon & Evening {A Plentiful Picture Post}

It wasn't until about 1:30 this afternoon that I pulled out my camera to snap "a few" photos to remember this Easter by.  Up until that point, the day had been very meaningful--with a not-quite-sunrise service ;-) and breakfast at church followed by Jeff having the honor of preaching for the regular service.  Then it was homeward bound to have lunch here with my parents; and then and only then, as Moriah was finishing up eating and acting a little grumpy and reminding me by her fussiness that her wake-up time had been a lot earlier than normal and that she needed a nap, did I pull out my camera and decide to start clicking.  And then I didn't stop--except, of course, for the time I spent napping this afternoon (because Moriah isn't the only one around here who needs naps!).  :)

There are a lot of photos in this post and very few words.  Almost everything is self-explanatory.  Which is my way of saying that I'm tired and want to go to bed and do NOT want to stay up to write more!  ;-)

For being a tired little girl, Moriah held up remarkably well as I photographed her.  :)

  Willow was happily chewing on a ham bone.  :)

By way of explanation for the next picture, let me copy what I wrote on Facebook about it.  :)

When I got on Facebook tonight, I immediately noticed that many of my friends had taken beautiful pictures all dressed up for Easter with their families today and had posted them on FB; and I was like, "Man, why didn't I think to do that?"

And then I remembered that I DID happen to snap one picture today with all my family in it. "Perfect, I'll share that."

So, here's our gorgeous picture of our glamorous family on Easter!! wink emoticon

The back story: this evening we were enjoying some fun family time outdoors; and at this particular moment, the activity of choice was picking up acorns so that Jeff could lob them at Josiah and David so they could try to block them with their staffs. The boys BEGGED him to do this. Seriously

(Side note: you might be a redneck if your idea of a good time is throwing acorns at each other.)

I had taken some pictures of Jeff and the kids while they were doing this; and then I thought I would set the camera down on a handy pallet, put it on the timer setting, then walk over towards the family so I could be in the picture, too. Nobody else knew I was doing this, so obviously they didn't prepare for a photo...nor did they put their best foot forward, so to speak.

I found it more hilarious than you might imagine to discover that, at the precise moment when the camera clicked, this happened to be the pose for everyone in the photo.

We Fishers sure are lookin' good on Easter. wink emoticon

Watching this classic movie was a great way to end the day.  :)

And with that, this post is done, and my head is about to hit the pillow.  But before I do, I will quickly add that I know very well that the most significant part of this day is our remembrance of the resurrection of Jesus, so don't be misled into thinking that all the peripheral items and activities--Easter dresses, frolicking outside, pets, being with family, etc.--are more important to me than that.  It's because of what Jesus did for us that we can live this kind of life--with all its simple pleasures--and look forward to the next life--with all its eternal pleasures!  :)