You've Got a Friend in Me

 

Isaac's favorite movie right now is "Toy Story 3". If you can't tell, he's a pretty big fan of Buzz Lightyear. Or Buzz Light"hair" as Isaac would tell you.

 

But, he thinks Woody is a fantastic sheriff too.

 

 

And whatever Isaac thinks is cool.... When in Rome......

Naturally, we love the music from Toy Story, especially when sang by the cutest 2 and 3 year olds ever to don spacesuits.

 

So I have declared "You've Got a Friend in Me" by Randy Newman the official Russell family song.

 

Here are the lyrics:

 

You've got a friend in me
You've got a friend in me
When the road looks rough ahead
And you're miles and miles
From your nice warm bed
Just remember what your old pal said
Boy, you've got a friend in me
You've got a friend in me
You've got a friend in me
You've got a friend in me
You've got troubles, well I've got 'em too
There isn't anything I wouldn't do for you
We stick together and we see it through
You've got a friend in me
You've got a friend in me

Some other folks might be
A little bit smarter than I am
Bigger and stronger too
Maybe
But none of them will ever love you the way I do
It's me and you
And as the years go by
Boys, our friendship will never die
You're gonna see
It's our destiny
You've got a friend in me
You've got a friend in me
You've got a friend in me

 

 

I hope my people always know that that they've got a friend in me. And I hope that when I am a grandmother that I'll still be able to hear my kids' voices in my mind singing. And I hope my mind will be able to recall them dancing to this little gem from "Toy Story 3".

 

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-mBo6lOpJuQhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-mBo6lOpJuQ

Pre-School Music Poll

I am a pre-school music teacher.

I teach everything from traditional Sunday school songs, to books of the Bible, to holiday songs, to counting and phonics songs. I try and make it a spiritual and learning experience. I take it seriously. If I can aid in kindergarten prep or more importantly spiritual development then I have done my job.

I was just wondering, what do all you "cooler than me" moms out there listen to with your kids? What are your favorites?

I feel as if I have a lot of music to offer my over 100 pre-schoolers, but I don't always feel I have the best quality? Do you have a secret, cool, age appropriate music suggestion that could aid in learning, fun, silliness, motor skills, or spiritual development?

Do share.

There are 100 kids waiting for your answer. No pressure.

Tell me yours and I promise to share mine later.

A Moment Made to Worship

Last night as I listened to my hubby sing "How He Loves" in a d-now worship experience, I held my little purple tutu'd princess and sang along in the back of a crowded room. She played with my hair and played peek-a-boo through my scarf, rubbing her face against mine and giggling happily.

It may seem that it would be a distraction but it was quite the opposite. As I sang the words "Oh, how he loves us..." I just couldn't help feeling that powerful love right down to my soul. It was a moment made for worship. God had my heart.

My kids are a source of stress, mess, exhaustion, and frustration, but I can't look at them as anything but a gift from God. And in a moment like that one, worshipping my creator who gave me my little princess and my funny guy, I felt loved. And so very grateful that God loved me enough to give me two little pieces of messy, chaotic, happiness to love and mother. Oh, how He loves.

Everything I Need to Know: Lessons from Sunday School Music

Everything I Need to Know: Lessons from Sunday School Music

If Isaac had not been home with stomach flu today I would have been at my 6th day of my new job, teaching music to preschoolers at our church's preschool program.

I love this job. I get paid to teach them cute songs, how to play rhythm instruments, and do some fun dances & movement games with them. My job is more FUN than any other that I've ever had. The lesson planning takes minimal time, the prep work is easy, it took me only 20 minutes to get ready for a sub today, and the best part: I get to talk about Jesus. No apology. No innuendo. I can say his name. I can say that I love him. I can openly express my belief in him. I have permission & an expectation that Jesus is in my classroom. That is the sweetest part.

I have been teaching the kiddos some of my childhood favorites over the past 2 weeks. It is really sweet to experience these songs again 20ish years later. Some of them contain more wisdom than I ever realized.

This Little Light of Mine- it comes from the verse " let your light so shine before men that they see your good deeds & glorify your Father in heaven." As a child I didn't realize that I was singing such powerful scripture. I am often so guilty of letting myself get so bogged down in busy & worry that my light is either "pfoofed" out by Satan or hidden under a bushel (or stack of bills, of perhaps a diaper bag). I have the light of the world inside of me & I am constantly robbed of it's power, sadly by my own devices.

Oh, Be Careful Little Eyes- Oh be careful little eyes, indeed. If you see too much real housewives of new jersey & look at your finances with no faith & look at your preggo body and worry on your own, where is your faith? If your little ears listen to fear, if your little mouth speaks hurtful & hateful things, if your little feet go shopping when you're broke, if your little heart puts it's trust in self rather than salvation, and if your mind thinks of anxiety rather than the awesomeness of our savior- how can you know that we have a father up above looking down in love? He desires good for us, all He asks is our obedience. Obedience with our lives is the greatest act of worship. Did you know that was the message behind that cute little song?

He's Got the Whole World in His Hands-I am the worst about trying to carry the world in my hands. That's an impossible task for someone with hands as small as mine. I can't hold it all together on my own. The verse about the "little tiny babies" gets me everytime. For one thing, I think of my three angels that are already with God, there is and never was a better place for them. They will never have stomach flu or have to do puke laundry. I think of my Isaac who is farther from babyhood every day. I am so glad that Isaac rests in God's hands. I can't protect him, love him, or teach him like God can. And my yet-to-be-seen Hope. In the last week I have thought that I was in pre-term labor twice. I have no control over when or how she gets here. But that little tiny baby is in God's hands. I'll see her when she gets here. Lastly, I think of my beloved sisters who are dealing with infertility & pregnancy loss- take comfort in knowing that He's got the little tiny babies - past, present, and yet to come- in His hands. If he can handle the WHOLE world, he can certainly handle what you are going through. He's a great big God, but close & small enough to have a plan just for you & your family.

I am so incredibly blessed that God provided me with a job I love, more time with my kids, and the musical reminders of the sweet truths that I have known for years, but have been given new life by my life's experiences.