Over His Head

So, I'm standing at the kitchen counter making muffins when Chad walks up and says, "Nice buns."

Benen, who was watching me spoon the batter into the tins, looks at his dad and in his oh-so-grown-up voice replies, "Da-ad, they're not buns. They're muffins." Then he turns to me. "Sometimes Dad just gets it wrong."

Uh, yeah. Some things go right over his head. Good thing, too.

Seriously, that kid is a HOOT! He did so great this weekend being the ring bearer. He was completely in his element and he swept everyone off their feet. The women all adored him and the guys treated him like a little buddy. He was positively glowing under all the special attention. I'll have some pictures up soon and will give you the highlighted moments of the weekend.

Here Comes the Ring Bearer

A friend and co-worker of Chad's is getting married this Saturday and they asked Benen to be the ring bearer. This will be his first - and probably only - time being involved in a wedding. When they asked us a year ago, we gave them fair warning. If you follow my little blog at all, you know what I'm talking about. Benen and his exploits are the frequent subjects of my posts. I was a bit surprised when they told us HE was exactly what they wanted - someone to keep things light and funny. It will be that.

Chad is also standing up as a groomsman and I am doing the music for the wedding. I'm playing some background music while guests are being seated and then I'm playing the processional. I'm using the song, "Feels Like Home" by Chantal Kreviazuk, and while the attendants walk up, I'm playing an instrumental of the song. Then, when Benen and the flower girl make their way down the aisle, I'm going to continue the instrumental, but move it to a higher octave and make it light and "little" sounding. When the bride makes her entrance, I'm going to start singing the song and do just one verse and chorus, which should get her down the aisle. Also, during the lighting of the unity candle, I'll be playing and singing "Burning Embers" by Kendall Payne.

Tonight is the rehearsal and I'm a little nervous. I like having all my i's dotted and t's crossed and I won't know exactly what I'm doing until I meet the guy whose performing the ceremony and find out the order in which he's doing things. Also, for anyone who knows me, I get EXTREMELY nervous when I have to do solos. Ask me to lead worship and chances are I'll have no problem. Ask me to sing a special and I shake like a leaf. Still, there's a part of me that's excited - I get to play a grand piano and that's not an opportunity I have very often. My fingers feel itchy with anticipation and I just hope the sound person is good. They can really make or break you. I'd be much more comfortable if my husband could set my sound levels, but it's not at our church and you know how it is.

Anyway, here are the two songs if you want to check them out.

For the Kendall Payne song, click here and then select the song "Burning Embers."

I'll try to post some pictures of the wedding and my handsome little man some time next week.

If I Could...

If I could, I'd stop the season where it's at and enjoy warm days mixed with crisp, cool winds. I'd revel in the beauty of autumn, its sky made grey-blue by the misting of clouds. I'd sit and watch the sun's valiant effort to break through and the calmness of its muted light. I'd open all my windows and let the breeze blow through, bringing the refreshing scents of green grass, trees and changing leaves. I'd take deep breaths and let the coolness seep into the deepest parts of me, and I'd bask in the feelings of renewed hope and new beginnings.

If I could, I'd freeze the hands of time where the sounds of my children playing fill my days. I'd listen to their make-believe world and watch as they transformed into superheroes, determined to rid the backyard and their small world of its evil villians. Where everyday is an adventure to be met and its challenges to be conquered.

If I could, I'd pause this moment in time where the beginning of school holds all the blossoming dreams of their some-days, all the promises of who they could be. Where all the possibilites are open to them and their imaginations know no limits. Where innocence and confidence blend and everything seems reachable. Where the stars are not too high and they are fearless to reach for them.

If I could, I would bottle up the smell of fresh air, sunshine and little boy, to be taken out when time has passed. When I'm watching them learn to drive, standing at their graduation or crying at their wedding, I would pull it out and remember sweet days gone by. I would breathe deep its fragrance and be overcome by memories of cuddles on the living room floor, wrestling matches that ended in kisses and a million "I love you"s. I would remember warming cold little hands, kissing cool little cheeks and hugging warm little bodies. I would remember breathing deep, soaking in their special smell and wishing I could bottle it up.

If only I could.