My Favorite Music

The Friday Five this week at RevGals is about our favorite things. I'm going to change the 'assignment' just a bit to point out some cool music that I really love.

First up is Storyhill, who I first heard on a date with Beloved before we were married. I think I might have posted this song here before, but I don't care - I just love their music and could listen all day long.




Second is Justin Roth performing "Dead Horse Trampoline." Justin did a house concert in Barrett when we lived there, and we're hoping to get him to come and do the same at the Lutheran Center sometime next year. He's a fabulously talented guitarist in addition to being a good singer, as you can see from "Bagshot Row" which follows "DHT."







Third is Peter Mayer, who I first heard when someone gave a disc of his stuff to Kristin. He's another remarkably talented guitarist; both Peter and Justin Roth have studied "finger-tap" style guitar with Billy McLaughlin. "Birthday Party" shows off his skills as a songwriter and a guitarist:




Fourth is the Wailin' Jennys, singing "One Voice," which I believe is now available in choral arrangement, for those of you who lead or sing in such groups. We heard the Jennys at the Minnesota State Fair on A Prairie Home Companion, came home and downloaded an album from iTunes. Beautiful voices, indeed!




Finally, KT Tunstall. You probably heard "Black Horse" on the radio over the last couple of years. I heard her perform the song live on NPR Weekend Edition and couldn't believe one person could make this much great music with a guitar, tambourine, loop machine and voice. But she can, and here's living proof:




You'll notice that all of these are live performances. I've discovered over the past few years that I really don't like studio music that much. Frankly, if it requires a computer and several folks standing offstage to make your music work, I'm just not that interested. But if you do stuff that requires only an instrument and/or your voice, I'll give a listen. It's just who I am these days, I guess.

So, that's five favorite musicians this week. But I'd be remiss if I didn't mention my absolute favorite thing - my girls:

Life is good, for sure.

To Ainsley, On Your Second Birthday

Dear Ainsley,
This was supposed to be one of those super-sweet, super-sappy love letters, kind of like Heather or Matt write to their kids. But today I've either been chasing you around, giving your sister a bottle, or tending to the million-and-one things the usual Wednesday brings to a campus pastor. Plus, while I've been uploading some pictures, you've pulled all the movies out of the cabinet, same as always, and now it sounds like you're upstairs grabbing the silver out of the drawer again.

So, let me quickly say this: I love being your dad. I love the fact that in your two years, I can count the number of mornings you've woke up grumpy on one hand, with fingers left over. I love that you will laugh your head off if I pretend to bump my head into the wall (and you'll laugh even harder if I do it for real). I love the sight of you and your sister smiling and laughing at each other. I love that tonight, you got out one of our old photo albums and asked me to sit and look at it with you. I love giving you Supermans, Big Squeezes and Zurberts, and I even love how you never, ever slow down.

Thank you, baby doll, for bringing such joy and love into our lives. We're so very, very proud of you, and your mother and I love you more than anything except Jesus, each other, and your sister, so you've got that going for you, too.

Now I'm going to close, because it sounds like you just fell off the chair and bumped your head on the floor. Good thing you got a thick skull from Daddy: it looks like it's going to come in quite handy.

Love always,
Dad

Growing Up Too Damned Fast

This should NOT be happening. When did my little girl get this big?

Don't tell me she isn't watching Mom & Dad around the house:

Mommy took this picture of our pretty little girl before heading to worship Sunday morning:
And here are the pictures that provide the occasion for pondering - Ainsley moved into her "big girl bed" tonight:

That's the sign for "bed" she's giving Mommy:

"Daddy, stop snoring!"

Thankfully, the transition seems to be going well thus far. Here she is, thirty minutes after bedtime:

Now, if you don't mind, I'll just be over here in the corner, pondering the relentless march of time. Oh, and my evening beer. :-)