Musical Monday: Orla Gartland

Music has long been a guilty pleasure of mine. I especially love discovering new singer/songwriters on Youtube. There is an abundance of wonderful musicians but occasionally you find ones that you cannot get out of your head. Here is one of my favorites, Orla Gartland. She posts both covers and originals. This song is her most recent called 'I Go Crazy'. Please enjoy and show her love by clicking through to Youtube and subscribing to her channel!

Musical Monday :: Sidewalk Prophets

Okay, I know I've done a few Christian artists and the reason for that is I am a Christian. However, my plan is not to strictly use Christmas music. That being said, this week's pick is also Christian. Tonight is my daughter's first concert ever and we are going to see Sidewalk Prophets. I cannot wait! So, here is one of my favorite songs by them. It is called "The Words I Would Say". Honestly, they have so many amazing songs but this one particularly hits me each time I hear it.

Musical Monday :: Steven Curtis Chapman

I have always thoroughly enjoyed the music of Steven Curtis Chapman. Not everyone knows his name, I know, but he is one of the first Christian artists I ever loved listening to. The song I'm sharing with you has a personal significance to me. It's called "God is God" and it talks about how we'll never understand everything in this world. It is so on point. I tend to be that person that needs to know all the details before I take a step. This is not faith. I've always struggled with that. This song reminds me that God is God and I am not. I hope you enjoy.

What song do you love that reminds you of an important truth?

Musical Monday :: Dodie Clark

I found this week's Musical Monday featured artist by searching for La La Land cover videos on YouTube. Hers is no disappointment. In fact, it is the video I share with you today. However, I have loved every music video she's made so please be sure to check out her channel.

Musical Monday :: Jemma Johnson

A lot of the music I listen to lately is from YouTube. I love, love, love listening to covers (and even originals) by relatively unknown artists. One of my favorite artists is Jemma Johnson. Who? Look her up on YouTube (or listen below) to hear her voice. It is so smooth like butter. There's a warmth and interesting sound to everything she sings. I would LOVE to sing a duet with her. There are many songs, all of them in fact, that I'd like to share with you. I picked one of her latest and her first on piano. 

Do you love her voice or what? The first time I discovered her music I ended up listening to about 30 videos worth of music at once. Now that's good stuff. Did you listen to more than one of her songs? If so, which did you like best so far?

Musical Monday :: I Believe In a Thing Called Love

I have to admit it. I'm starting to enjoy our Mondays together. You feel it too, right? I mean, we're talking about music. I loves music. This week I'm sharing a song I only recently discovered. This band's sound is right out of the late 70's so I was a small tot when this sound was floating around. I'm glad they revived it because it is so satisfying to listen to. Not to mention the fact that I do believe in a thing called love. Oh yeah. Enjoy!

Is there a song you think I need to listen to? Please share in the comments!

Musical Monday :: In My Daughter's Eyes

Being that this is the last Musical Monday of January and the eve of my Mom's birthday, I thought it only right to pick a song that reminds me of her. Now technically this song is from a mom to a daughter but it still fits because my mom gave me a copy of this CD years back. Every time I hear it I think of her and usually cry. 

I'm so thankful for my mom. I hope she has an amazing birthday! <3 p="">

Musical Monday :: Can't Fight This Feeling

In the fall of 1994 the hubs and I - then simply two good friends - went to an Elton John concert together. He insists it was our first date. I say it wasn't. Well, either way it was amazing and the start of something special. While I could pick any of the songs we heard that night to share today, I figured I'd share something less obvious. On the way home, I believe, we were listening to the radio when the following song came on.



It was so well-timed. Honestly, I'd been crushing on this boy for years. Would never admit it but everyone knew. Everyone. In my mind this song was our first song together even though we didn't start dating until early in the next year. Here are the words if you want to sing along.

Oh I can't fight this feeling any longer
And yet I'm still afraid to let it flow
What started out as friendship,
Has grown stronger
I only wish I had the strength to let it show

I tell myself that I can't hold out forever
I said there is no reason for my fear
'Cause I feel so secure when we're together
You give my life direction
You make everything so clear

And even as I wander
I'm keeping you in sight
You're a candle in the window
On a cold, dark winter's night
And I'm getting closer than I ever thought I might

And I can't fight this feeling anymore
I've forgotten what I started fighting for
It's time to bring this ship into the shore
And throw away the oars, forever

'Cause I can't fight this feeling anymore
I've forgotten what I started fighting for
And if I have to crawl upon the floor
Come crushing through your door
Baby, I can't fight this feeling anymore

My life has been such a whirlwind since I saw you
I've been running round in circles in my mind
And it always seems that I'm following you, girl
'Cause you take me to the places
That alone I'd never find

And even as I wander
I'm keeping you in sight
You're a candle in the window
On a cold, dark winter's night
And I'm getting closer than I ever thought I might

And I can't fight this feeling anymore
I've forgotten what I started fighting for
It's time to bring this ship into the shore
And throw away the oars, forever

'Cause I can't fight this feeling anymore
I've forgotten what I started fighting for
And if I have to crawl upon the floor
Come crashing through your door
Baby, I can't fight this feeling anymore

The first lines alone fit our situation so well. Honestly, it makes me giggle now. I'm so thankful that it has a part in our love story.

Musical Monday: Still Into You #Paramore #Music

This week's song is by a group I have loved for years. I won't say I've been a lifelong fan but it always seems I'm getting their songs stuck in my brain.



One of the reasons I like this song so much is that the words are so great. Here they are, just for you!

Can't count the years on one hand that we've been together
I need the other one to hold you
Make you feel, make you feel better
It's not a walk in the park to love each other
But when our fingers interlock, can't deny, can't deny, you're the worth it

'Cause after all this time
I'm still into you

I should be over all the butterflies but I'm into you, I'm into you
And even baby our worst nights
I'm into you, I'm into you
Let 'em wonder how we got this far,
'Cause I don't really need to wonder at all
Yeah, after all this time
I'm still into you

Recount the night that I first met your mother
And on the drive back to my house I told you that, I told you that I loved ya
You felt the weight of the world fall off the shoulder
And to your favorite song we sang along, to the start of forever

And after all this time
I'm still into you

I should be over all the butterflies but I'm into you, I'm into you
And even baby our worst nights
I'm into you, I'm into you
Let 'em wonder how we got this far,
'Cause I don't really need to wonder at all
Yeah after all this time
I'm still into you

Some things just, some things just make sense
And one of those is you and I
Some things just, some things just make sense
And even after all this time

I'm into you
Baby not a day goes by that I'm not into you

I should be over all the butterflies but I'm into you, I'm into you
And even baby our worst nights
I'm into you, I'm into you
Let 'em wonder how we got this far,
'Cause I don't really need to wonder at all
Yeah after all this time
I'm still into you
I'm still into you
I'm still into you

It reminds me of my relationship with my hubby. Cause even after all these years I'm still into him in a huge way. I love that everyone can connect to a song in a different way. We all have our own stories and music is this amazing soundtrack to our lives.

Musical Monday: Top Hits of 2015 in 3.5 Minutes #UsTheDuo #Music

One of my favorite things, as you know by now, is music. I love to listen to it and sing along with it. I'm a singer and have been since I was a kid. So, when I hear music I love, I tend to get pretty excited about it. This weekly feature is an extension of that. I'll be sharing some of my favorite music both old and new. So here is this week's pick. And yes, I know this isn't last years Top Hits. I didn't wanna.

This is a medley of the Top Hits of 2015 in 3.5 minutes by the group Us the Duo. There are 17 songs in this medley. Now, I will say I'm not a huge fan of every single song but their voices are amazing. I also love how they transition from song to song. 

Did you hear a song you love? I'd have to say Uma Thurman by Fall Out Boy is one of my favorites.

Musical Monday - This Year by JJ Heller #MusicalMonday #faith

I actually found this song last New Year but I still love it. JJ Heller's music always seems to find a way to become so personal to me and touch my soul. So, here we are with my first Musical Monday of 2017 and the song "This Year" by JJ Heller. Below I've included the lyrics.




This year I'm not looking back to who I was
Because I'm gonna be someone I've never been.
This year I'm not focused on the cracks in the walls.
Not keeping track of all the times I fall.
This year.

So long to last year 
It's all becoming so clear
There's no use living in regret.
Let's fight a good fight
Train our eyes to find the light 
and make this year  the best one yet.
Starting right here.
Happy New Year.

This year I can't wait to see what good will come
to feel alive instead of feeling numb
This year I plan on thinking less of I and we
I resolve to think of us and we this year.

So long to last year 
It's all becoming so clear
There's no use living in regret.
Let's fight a good fight
Train our eyes to find the light 
and make this year  the best one yet.
Starting right here Happy New Year.

So long to last year 
It's all becoming so clear
There's no use living in regret.
Let's fight a good fight
Train our eyes to find the light 
and make this year  the best one yet.
Starting right here.
Happy New Year.

Happy New Year.

My favorite lines are probably "there's no use living in regret" because I feel I do that a lot. Here's to a New Year full of chances to let go and let God do impossible things in us.

There Are Many Covers of This Song But This One Gives Me Chills! #Pentatonix #Christmas

I have been a Pentatonix fan for quite some time now and I'm so glad to see them gaining such a large fan base. That being said, if you haven't heard of them I suggest you start with the song below. I'm sure you've seen many different covers of this song but for me, there will never be a more gorgeous one. As I listen to this I get chills. All the sounds are made strictly by their voices and it sounds heavenly. As a former choir girl and singer to this day, I completely geek out by their ability to blend and harmonize so well. Take a listen and let me know what you think.

They currently have two Christmas albums. The newest, released this year, is titled "A Pentatonix Christmas" and features the song I've shared above. If you have Spotify you can listen to the album by following the link HERE and please consider supporting the band by purchasing it. Are you a fan of Pentatonix? What song that they sing is your favorite?

I've not been paid to post this by the way. I just love this group! 

Musical Monday- Through Your Eyes #musicalmonday #faith

It has been ages since I did a musical Monday post and I thought it would be fun. So, here is a song I am loving right now.

This song really has touched a place in my soul. It addresses something I try not to think about. Self-love. Now, I'm not talking about conceit. Not even talking about thinking I can take on the world by myself. No, I'm speaking to something much deeper. I'm talking about knowing my value in Christ.

It's something that God has been trying to get me to deal with for awhile now. And, it's finally starting to take hold and grow roots. I see me and see all my failures. My flaws. It's really easy to see ONLY those things instead of the things that God sees. I struggle most often with believing I am a new creation.

So, who are we in Christ? I found this printable on Pinterest and had to share it with you. Click on the image to be taken to the original page by Anita Huron. It's a great reminder to hang on your wall.

Which of these do you struggle with believing today?

Musical Monday: The Music from Grease

I have loved the musical Grease ever since I can remember. Though, as a kid I had no idea it had such sexual content in it. That was back when kids were young a whole lot longer than they are now. I had the soundtrack on record as a pre-teen. RECORD. I'll wait if you want to look them up on Wikipedia. Ouch. And, to be honest, I still collect records to this day even though my record player needs a new needle. See, you use a needle to play the music on the round disc. Oh never mind. Let's move along!
One of my top favorite songs from the soundtrack is You're the One that I Want. It's so fun to listen and sing along with.

This one was not highlighted in the movie version but is in the musical theater version more prominently.  It's Raining on Prom Night is a fun sounding song even though it's got sad lyrics.


Those Magic Changes. Another song that is in the background of the movie version but is in the stage production. I love it.



And then, of course, there's this song. I just love Stockard Channing's version of this one.



To be honest, I am a fan of all the songs in both the movie and stage production. I haven't seen it performed anywhere live yet but I am holding out hope that I will get to some day.

Musical Monday

Music has been special to me from an early age. So, it's not a surprise that it has played a special part in my relationship with my husband. When we were dating long distance we would play each other music over the phone. It's true. Ask him how much his phone bill was. And by the way, just to date myself...it was on a landline as cell phones were not common until the late 90's. That's right! I didn't have a cell phone until I was married. Ouch. But, I digress. One of the first songs he played for me was called "If You Could See What I See" by Geoff Moore and The Distance. I'll wait while you listen. It melts my heart to this day. 

Musical Monday: My First Concert

I love music so I thought I would start a weekly feature about it. I'm not limiting myself to one aspect so it will vary from week to week. This week is about my first concert. If you don't know who this is then we can't be blog friends anymore. I jest. But, 13 year old in me does cry a bit. Seriously, does Electric Youth and Lost in Your Eyes mean nothing anymore?! Two words. Debbie Gibson. Or rather, Deborah Gibson if you were a hardcore fan like me. I was 13 when I attended my first concert, Debbie Gibson. I begged my mom to let me go. She finally relented to let me go with my Aunt Alice. We were somewhere up in the stratosphere at Sun Devil Stadium. I don't even think they allow concerts there anymore, just football. I sang and sang like I was on that stage. I'm sure I annoyed the people in front of me or next to me for that matter. But, I didn't care. My love affair with concerts began at that tender age. We also had an issue with punk kids (at a Debbie Gibson concert?!) throwing cotton candy at the back of our heads. Fun stuff.  I'm sure I acted like a crazed fan. In fact, I know I did. My Aunt probably lost some of her hearing that day in all honesty due to me alone. In closing I leave you with one of my favorite songs by her. You're welcome.

What was YOUR first concert?