Big surprise for my 11 yr old

We surprised my 11 yr old to an unforgettable night on Sunday night.  We totally surprised him and I love surprises, don't you??? Well, I know some people do not... but I am a huge fan of them!!! I love to give them and get them!

Last minute, we changed our plans slightly and instead, we decided, as a family, to make the trek out to see the great composer/musician ERIC GENIUS.  Do you know of him?  If not, why not?!?!

CLICK HERE to see his website and listen to some of his most beautiful, inspiring and totally God given talent and music and learn about him. 

My 11 yr old son is a big fan of his.  Last summer he picked up one  of his CD's and has listened to it daily ever since. 

What a great role model he is!!!

We had a long drive up and got up there much earlier than anticipated, along with all the terrible rain we endured, thanks be to God.  I asked him to come with me and as we walked up the stairwell, still wondering what we were doing as a surprise, I pointed to the sign/poster.  He looked at it then looked at me.....looked at it then looked at me...then smiled enormously.  At that smile, I said enthusiastically, "Come on!!! Let's go!" and ran up the rest of the stairs and ran up behind me, both of us like 11 yr olds!

Little did we know...we were the first ones there!  We went in and there he was!!!

A sudden 'almost- teenager -cool' came upon him, but I know this child of mine, and for sure his insides were doing somersaults!!!

They shook hands and talked briefly.  I even got a picture of them together.  What a blessing! This is like a once in a lifetime experience!!!  Thank You God.

My own 11 yr old self was ecstatic for him!!!

Oh, how I knew he would always remember this moment.  How fortunate and blessed I felt to be there with him.  It was all God to make this happen.  This was something very much out of our comfort zone, for many reasons.  But, for him and for our family, we knew we had to go to this concert.

And it was totally worth every effort.  Every frustration.  Everything!

I love the joy of 11 yr olds! It is so contagious.

My 11 yr old is now even more energized to keep practicing and playing the piano.  He has a God given gift and I am so thankful for him to be following in Eric Genuis' footsteps!


God bless,
Mary

This is the STUFF

This is the STUFF that we are listening to lately and I am totally singing along to like a crazy wild Momma!  lol!!!

If you could see how my 15 passenger momma truck can bounce along to this song! haaaa haaaa


And the only thing better is hearing my kids sing along with me :)

God bless,
Mary

Happy Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe!

God bless,
M

What we're listening to today

God bless,
M

You're Beautiful

God bless,
M

Celebrate being Catholic~!

And that we sure did!

This past weekend, we attended a "Catholic Heritage Festival" and it was joyous!  It was very multi-cultural, which is so beautiful.  My hubby ate Korean food, I ate Indian food and my kids at least ate a little bit of Mexican taquittos and then a bunch of American hot dogs and hamburgers! :)

This great singer was there and I enjoyed her music a lot; along with a terrific lineup of culturally different music.  Our whole family enjoyed the day, and it being a sunshine-y day since we have been enduring much rain the past week and a 1/2.

The best part, my hubby and I think, is that it only cost us $5 per vehicle and all the kids entertainment (fun and games, jumpy's and slides) were all free.  oh yeah!  Of course that is where you found us for just about the entire time!

Here are some pics: 

I loved this festival so much, simply b/c it showed our great culturals and how we are all Catholic!  It was great to see numerous cultural backgrounds coming together and for my kids to see how big our Church really is.
 
God bless,
Mary

Some music we're enjoying lately! :)

God bless,
Mary

Your Love is Amazing!

Lord Jesus, Your LOVE is AMAZING!!!

Hallelujah!!! 

It's still Easter time, are you still rejoicing?!?!!?

God bless,
Mary

You and me together, baby!

Have you heard the new song by Dave Matthews Band called "You and Me"?

I am totally hooked on it.  Love it.

I am not a huge fan of Dave Matthews but as I was scanning through the radio stations on Friday on my way to go food shopping, I happened to stop on it.  I am not sure how long it has been out or around but it's the first that I heard it and I am very fond of it :)

Why do I like it so very much, I wonder...

I can only think of going away on a weekend trip w/my hubby.  If not longer!  It has been 10 wonderful years since our beautiful wedding and its been almost as long since we went away for a weekend or a few days.  I used to think that is crazy for some couples not to get away but here we are...We are that couple!  It is hard b/c of our 6 young children and the babysitting is not that available. 

We are so due to get away fora bit to focus on us-husband and wife, best friends.  Not just parents, but us- as the song says:

"You and me together, we can do anything, baby...it's you and me forever, girl...we can do anything...two of us together, we can do anything..."

Please pray for us to make this happen...it means so much to us both! (Thank you so much!)

Great song!  Great lyrics!  Love it!



God bless,
Mary

Just because

these are some songs we've been listening to lately...


AND



There's more but can't post them right now...another day :)
God bless,
Mary

Meet our new friend...

Our New Friend


We have a new friend here
and we think he's pretty cool.
We dance and sing and play along,
it's music to our ears.


.
For many years to come,
we hope he stays around.
Perhaps a pianist, a violinst for some,
these thoughts make a great sound!

-just me! :)