pensieve.me

Two boys and a mom

I like to car dance.

It's not like I set out to shake-my-groove-thang when I get in the car; it's more a subconscious respond to happy tunes jammin' on the radio (closet fellow car dancers HOLLA!).  

My heart spins merry to see someone else at a redlight having a dance-y moment!  I can't help but think we ARE the world....

My boys don't mind so much as long as none of their friends are riding along, but sometimes I forget The Rules.  Like the other day.  

Remember, I've been out of the country a few months, so songs that have been playing a while are new to me.  

So we're driving down the road and the youngest is channel surfing (MY HEART I love it when he and his friends break into song!) when he stops at one.  I'm barely paying attention, and without realizing it, I'm acting out the song--

"...the way you flip your hair gets me overwhelmed..." and I flip my hair.  

Stephen picks up on this immediately and I'm thinking he's laughing AT me when he informs the back seat, "My mom just flipped her hair...." 

but instead of responding to him I demand, "WHO'S SINGING THIS SONG?  I LOVE IT!" and he can't remember their name.

Beyond the flipping the hair line I miss most of the lyrics, but I can't help but catch the tune, 'cause, you know, it's catchy.

* * * * * * *

Same day, I'm talking to the older brother about their sister.  I say, "She has no idea she's beautiful SHE HAS NO IDEA HOW BEAUTIFUL SHE IS!" and he says, "You just quoted the lyrics from a song almost word for word.

I'm like What song? and he educates me about the boy band phenom One Direction.

So I do what you do at time like this and I searched You Tube and clicked the first response What Makes You Beautiful...99,490,681 page views, people.  

Understandably, my Hip Mom card has been revoked.

My philosophy is better late than never to the party, so if you haven't heard of One Direction, I am both happy to introduce you and give you reason to Happy Dance today; while driving in your car is optional. 

Enjoy ~

The happiest thing on the internet today (& probably any day)

From the first time Jovi's voice met Buddy the Elf's in "Baby it's Cold Outside, I've had mad love for Zooey Deschanel's jazzy vocals.  Mmmmmm, velvety, musical butter.  Delicious.

What a treat for she and 500 Days of Summer co-star and long-time friend Joe Gordon-Levitt to team up for this darling duet, crooning Nancy Wilson's "What Are You Doing New Years Eve?"  

Aren't they adorable?

Unrelated, if I could bottle and sell Joe's dimples, I'm pretty sure I could buy World Peace.  

Happy New Year, y'all.

 

Photo credit

If this doesn't make you laugh, we can no longer be friends.

This is four minutes of the funniest, cleanest hilarity I've ever seen, and it's Greg's and Ryan's reactions to reading each other's lists for the first time that put this video over the top for me.  Over one million hits to You Tube suggest if you haven't seen it, you need to.  

Daddy butter made me giggle, eye removal kit had me rolling, and by the time the circus clowns were storming the beaches at Normandy, I almost needed Oopsie Daisy adult underpants.  Laughter is the best medicine after all, and if you've been ailing, this might just be the cure!

Your turn:  what item did you lose it on? :)

 

A most excellent lesson in parenting

A few instances during my Parenting Series, I've mentioned others who have influenced and shaped how I parent (Day 2 and Day 22). 

I forgot to mention Bill Cosby.  Seriously.

During the mid-80s and early 90s ~ my 20s ~ I watched Heathcliff and Claire Huxtable negotiate the oft piranha-filled waters of parenting.  What I liked best about the show was the intelligence and involvement of both parents; I can't think of another show that has since portrayed such positive images of a mother and father. 

As parents and lovers.

For fun today ~ but also as instruction ~ I'm sharing a video clip that left an indelible mark in my memory.  This episode (I think the show's pilot) has come to mind countless times during my parenting experience, and if you haven't seen it, you need to. 

You'll want to watch the entire clip; at the three-minute mark comes an eloquent speech by a son to his father.  I can't help but wonder how differently Cliff's response would be today, in a pop culture that sometimes (at least on television) elevates a child's expression over wise parenting.

 

 

Parenting Teens & Tweens, Day 22

We're nearing the end of our 31-day Parenting adventure; I'm grateful for those of you who are following the series.  Again, I'm not writing this because I think I know it all or because my kids are perfect.  I'm just a mom with three teens who has a little experience under my belt, and my kids are turning into the kind of decent people I hoped they would when I entered this world as a mom. 

Thanks to those of you who have subscribed in a reader or by email!

Braggin' rights: Chattanooga is BETTER than Disneyworld!

Well, now...if this isn't a Chattanooga Convention & Visitor's Bureau dream, I don't know what is--

 

(Read the backstory here.)

With all that whine, though, I think I'll pass along a hunk of cheese and a link to my parenting series.... :) (I kid!  I kid!  Sorta.)

Priceless for the Scenic City...and a Key to the City for a family of four I imagine.

 

Courageous

Mark Hall is awfully diplomatic in his new song Courageous, featured in the upcoming film of the same name.  Its unspoken battle cry is more like Man!  Up!! for goodness sakes!

Clearly why I'm not a successful lyricist :).  But if you read the lyrics below, you *might* just agree with me.

I'm a long-time fan of Casting Crowns; I've bought every one of their CDs since their debut and seen them in concert a few times.  Courageous is just one of the songs on Come to the Well, their upcoming album planned for an October release. 

Take a listen.  If you likey, you can download it for free!

 

Courageous lyrics

We were made to be courageous
We were made to lead the way
We could be the generation
That finally breaks the chain
We were made to be courageous
We were made to be courageous

We were warriors on the front lines
Standing, unafraid
But now we're watchers on the sidelines
While our families slip away

Where are you, men of courage?
You were made for so much more
Let the pounding of hearts cry
We will serve the Lord

We were made to be courageous
And we're taking back the fight
We were made to be courageous
And it starts with us tonight

The only way we'll ever stand
Is on our knees we're lifting hands
Make us courageous
Lord, make us courageous

This is our resolution
Our answer to the call
We will love our wives and children
We refuse to let them fall

We will reignite the passion
That we buried deep inside
May the watchers become warriors
Let the men of God arise

We were made to be courageous
And we're taking back the fight
We were made to be courageous
And it starts with us tonight

The only way we'll ever stand
Is on our knees, we're lifting hands
Make us courageous
Lord, make us courageous

Seek justice
Love mercy
Walk on
Be with your God

In the war of the mind
I will make my stand
In the battle of the heart
And the battle of the hand

In the war of the mind
I will make my stand
In the battle of the heart
And the battle of the hand

We were made to be courageous
And we're taking back the fight
We were made to be courageous
And it starts with us tonight

The only way we'll ever stand
Is on our knees, we're lifting hands
Make us courageous
Lord, make us courageous

We were made to be courageous
Lord, make us courageous

And you thought golf was humorless or boring...??!!

Farmer-meets-Deliverance, Pimp-meets-Steven-Tyler, Bodysuit-meets-Wrong and Pretty-Boy-Meets-Pleather--this ain't your daddy's PGA ~

aka Ben Crane** (bodysuit), Bubba Watson (farmer?), Rickie Fowler (Bieber wannabe), & Hunter Mahan (Lord help him!), the PGA's exclusive (ahem) boy band. Apparently some people will do anything to raise money for charity...which instantaneously raises my estimation of aforementioned some people :).

And I missed this last year, but Dad Life is six shades of FABULOUS!  I saw my husband in a few of these guys....

Tulsa's Church on the Move opened their 2010 Father's Day service with this video which makes me wonder what the rest of the service entailed.... 

 

**Bonus:  From Ben Crane, who has been getting a lot of questions about how he looks so good...

• "If you're angry, use the sledgehorn."
• "I...experience Zone."
• "I'm speaking to you as we speak, from the now, in the middle of the now..."

Ohmylanta, clicking around Ben's site, I'm his new biggest fan!  He's a "follower of Jesus, he and his wife are very passionate about supporting charities that help disadvantaged people in the world, and he knows how to have fun."  J'adore!

Bubba Watson, Rickie and Hunter?  They're some of the good guys giving golf a better name.  

Revised:  You gotta love how Ben Crane is using his platform for good...and how he's single-handedly changing the face of golf through humor.  I'm sure his videos are funnier if you've watched him as a golfer, but they're wicked awesome even if you haven't!  I think I've helped raise $1,000 for charity with my clicks alone.... 

You know I give chocolate when you subscribe in a reader or by email, right?  (Or is that I eat chocolate...?

"I ain't got time to take no pictures, snap your eyes and remember the moment!"

Quite possibly the FUNNIEST thing you will EVER hear about remaining a virgin until marriage.  There's a lot of reason to laugh but John Gray makes his point well about anticipating the honeymoon after an intentional looooong wait!  Don't miss out by clicking away before you watch it!!

"My wife gonna be the first woman in history with a two-piece velcro breakaway dress, Vera Wang easy on, easy off!"  

Rollin'...

on...

the...

floor...!

Hat tip:  Ted Gocke

I don't wanna live like I don't care....

I Refuse by Josh Wilson....convicting without condemnation, a song that preaches.  There's a huge difference between thinkin' about doing something and doing something.

Bonus:  If you live in the Chattanooga area, hear Josh perform this and much more--he's joining Matthew West for J103's Listener Appreciation Party on Friday, March 11.  Don't miss it!

 

Lyrics, for your convenience ~

Sometimes I, 
I just want to close my eyes
And act like everyone’s alright 
When I know they’re not.
This world needs God
But it’s easier to stand and watch. 
I could pray a prayer and just move on
Like nothing’s wrong.

But I refuse.

‘Cause I don’t want to live like I don’t care.
I don’t want to say another empty prayer.
Oh, I refuse to
Sit around and wait for someone else
To do what God has called me to do myself.
Oh, I could choose
Not to move but I refuse.

I can hear the least of these 
Crying out so desperately, 
And I know we are the hands and feet 
Of you, oh God.
So, if you say move,
Then it’s time for me to follow through,
And do what I was made to do.
Show them who you are.

‘Cause I don’t want to live like I don’t care.
I don’t want to say another empty prayer.
Oh, I refuse to
Sit around and wait for someone else
To do what God has called me to do myself.
Oh, I could choose
Not to move but I refuse.

To stand and watch 
The weary and lost 
Cry out for help.
I refuse
To turn my back 
And try and act like all is well.
I refuse
To stay unchanged,
To wait another day,
To die to myself.
I refuse
To make one more excuse. 

‘Cause I don’t want to live like I don’t care.
I don’t want to say another empty prayer.
Oh, I refuse to
Sit around and wait for someone else
To do what God has called me to do myself.
Oh, I could choose
Not to move but I refuse.

Uncensored: What I REALLY think about the sponsors at Blissdom...!

{Disclaimer:  Remember...I'm n e w to this whole vlogging deal and I still don't quite know how to edit.  I'm sure there's a way to make this shorter but I'll learn that for next time, k? :) }

 

 

Kellogg's Share Your Breakfast

Unilever's Don't Fret the Sweat

Tide's Get Out Cafe featuring Stain Release 

 

{More links to come...I'm out of pocket at Extreme Makeover:  Home Edition's Greater Chattanooga build and it's kinda hard to track down all 42 sponsor links right now!!}