Daddy Doesn't Pray Anymore

*This was written and posted on Instagram in November 2015*

Well folks, it's a new song, but an old, old memory. There is much to be grateful for, when taking that ol' trip down memory lane.

My life has been both extremely ordinary and extraordinary - paradoxically, at once. Perhaps it was the ordinary that allowed the exceptional to seem so, or, perhaps the unique just made the rest seem mundane. But either way, having lived it, it always just seemed like life to me.

If asked to name one single, solitary, defining thing that shaped my growing up, the very first thing that springs to mind time and again is this: Music.

I've spent more time sitting and listening to sad old songs, sung by a smooth baritone than probably anything else, collectively. My favourite pastime, and his too. There were songs about love, and life, and the Lord. The soul stirring cries of notes on the page, brought to life in a six string. I can't help but hear a new song, like this one, and not reminisce. It's hauntingly familiar in every way. It's not the only kind of music that speaks to my heart - but it's the best kind.

It's the kind that makes you wish you never had to grow up. The kind that makes you wish people never left. The kind that makes heaven seem wonderful. Because: Jesus and music. Could there anything sweeter? I'm grateful for my Dad, and his passion for music. I'm so glad that I have memories buried all the way down to my toes - of music.

And I'm grateful for new songs to sing everyday. Music, just like life, is a story that never ends. Always have a song in your heart, even if it's a sad one. There will always come a brighter day, and a happier note.

Because like it or not, we all dance to the tunes we know.

https://youtu.be/4nTch_IbOHE (link to Chris Stapleton's Daddy Doesn't Pray Anymore)

A Mother's Prayer

Mom, There are so many things that could be said, and yet adequate words are elusive. But I'll try anyway. I guess it always comes down to the valiant attempt, doesn't it? There are so many days, and moments within those days that I feel at a loss. Because life holds challenges, and surprises, and God rarely takes to the task of fitting us for His Glory in a way that we anticipate, and feel prepared to handle. So much of His plan feels beyond our control, and we are left with our worrisome inclinations. We have not much to lean on, as the bits of self are stripped steadily away, and we look in the mirror at all that remains, and what started out as "not much" has whittled itself down to a pathetic "even less". And we feel that loss. What do we even have to offer? But then, there is Wisdom. It doesn't always look like you want it to, and seems to always require more than one is readily prepared to give, because aren't we always more inclined to take the widest road with the clearest skies? Wisdom doesn't come in neatly wrapped packaging, tidy lists, or structured how-to's. It has to be searched. It has to be obtained. And it costs. On the road less traveled, it can cost a great deal by way of comfort and self-interest. I am forever grateful to have seen Truth sought after, and held close. I am so glad I've benefitted from your exchange-of-payment. You were willing to do what the Lord required of you. It's an example I turn to often, and it gives hope for the journey. I have seen a life with "even less" be blessed with abundance, when circumstances of difficulty, tragedy, pain, and sadness have threatened to unglue. But then, God. It's been a flawed journey, as they all are, but, at the end of the day, I know that lessons will be learned, applied, taught and lived, because that's kind of a mom thing isn't it? So thank you Mom - Because I was Mothered well. And your example lives on, as we raise the next generation to love the Lord, search out Truth, and pray, daily, for Wisdom. We learned well from you. Thank you for living life openly for us to see first hand that nothing is above God's sight or care.

"This world is not as it should be,
But the Saviour opens eyes to see
All that's beautiful and true."

Who Would Have Dreamed

I get that Christmas is so overly "hyped" in the world at large, that people shy away from declaring it as their favourite celebration, because one might assume that all the commercialism goes along with it. But I do like Christmas a lot, and it just might be my favourite. Each holiday has it's own things to celebrate, but Christmas just seems a little extra special.

When you really stop and think about the miracle of it all - it's a pretty big deal. And it's also entirely simple. Yet wrapped up in that simplicity are all the mysteries of the heavens. It's truly something full of awe.

And who would have dreamed, or ever foreseen
That we could hold God in our hands?
The Giver of Life is born in the night
Revealing God's glorious plan
To save the world

As Long As You Are Glorified

In America, we are about to start Thanksgiving "week" - this is a new favourite song of mine. Even if it's not Thanksgiving where you live, it's a good song for life. Our pastor preached today on the life of Job, and wow. I mean, the poor guy, really. Every time I read about/hear about/think about Job I am amazed at the magnitude of his story. As Pastor Daniel was saying today - the problem with Job wasn't that he doubted or had issue with the character of God-- His problem was with the government of God. God had to show him that suffering is ok for His people, and doesn't require an explanation. Job is my hero.

To read about a few of mine, here is a post from last year.

 Enjoy this song and think about all the trials you've experienced, each one, being undertaken by the One who draws you in, and holds you there.

   

As Long As You Are Glorified - by Mark Altrogge

Shall I take from Your hand Your blessings
Yet not welcome any pain
Shall I thank You for days of sunshine
Yet grumble in days of rain
Shall I love You in times of plenty
Then leave You in days of drought
Shall I trust when I reap a harvest
But when winter winds blow, then doubt

Oh let Your will be done in me
In Your love I will abide
Oh I long for nothing else as long
As You are glorified

Are You good only when I prosper
And true only when I'm filled
Are You King only when I'm carefree
And God only when I'm well
You are good when I'm poor and needy
You are true when I'm parched and dry
You still reign in the deepest valley
You're still God in the darkest night

Oh let Your will be done in me
In Your love I will abide
Oh I long for nothing else as long
As You are glorified

So quiet my restless heart
Quiet my restless heart
Quiet my restless heart in You

This Is Jesus

This is a song I heard for the first time this year. It is rare/not popular yet, so there are no youtube videos of it, etc. I bought it on iTunes, and it is fast becoming a favourite Christmas song on my playlist. This is Jesus. He has come!

http://www.brookhills.org/contribute/04ThisIsJesus.mp3

Centuries passed without a sound
The prophets silenced long ago
The words of hope and joy were no where to be found

The town of David was forlorn
Isaiah's promise long forgotten
About a king who would be born
Not from man but God begotten

Then one night, a light shone in the dark
The angel Gabriel did say
The child of prophecy to Mary will be born
Whose kingdom will not pass away
Whose kingdom will not pass away

This is Jesus, He has come
Came to rescue fallen ones
This is Jesus, He has come, He has come

When the boy became a man
He stumbled to a wretched cross
He bore the curse of all that Holy wrath demands
He bled for us

He is the servant and the lamb
He is both priest and sacrifice
He is the Prophet, King, and coming Son of Man,
He is the Christ

This is Jesus, He has come
Came to rescue fallen ones
This is Jesus, He has come, He has come!

The night is over
The day has dawned
Turn to the Saviour
Do not fear

The night is over
The day has dawned
The God of Heaven has come here

This is Jesus, he has come
Came to rescue fallen ones
This is Jesus, He has come, He has come.

Kennedy Family Music

While some of my family was in town, I borrowed a guitar, so we could sing, of course! Here is a small sampling

Ok - In an unrelated incident to actually singing (potentially falling off a ladder, in fact), Lehman was affectionately dubbed "Sally Songbird" by our brother, Jared. Fitting, I thought:-) Well, Sally Songbird is a really great sport - and a super awesome soprano too! He's doing the hilarious high harmonies, and obliging his sisters by being goofy. We love him!


And this is Johnny Willow! A familiar Kennedy family classic.


Another war-time song, I don't even know the name of it - "We fired our guns and the British kept a'comin'". A very well loved song from when I was a kid.


I've posted the lyrics to this one here, and posted the video of my Dad singing it at my wedding, here. It was my favourite song growing up and always made me bawl. He has a great sad-voice for the story songs, for sure:-) Singing it for Kenna (and please excuse the make-less shots of me, ruining the whole thing:-)


Here's a song I grew up hearing - it's Big John


The Cup Song - we wore Lehman out in just one chorus:-)

Fall is Coming

"Especially when the fall comes to Burlington" - Have you ever heard our not-love story? It's actually far more interesting than our true-love story. Maybe we'll have to write it sometime. It's about like we are - awesome, funny, dramatic and perhaps slightly misunderstood. Or maybe that's how we used to be back then. Now that we'd shed our youthful ways, we're just awesome and funny:-D

Well, fall is coming - and this song is just so fitting. It was Brian's song, back in the "not" days. I had never even heard the song, until the "true" days and he let me in on the secret. Just in case its not obvious *I* am the Canadian Rose...and I try to keep cinnamon gum on hand, just in case - ha ha;-*

90's Nostalgia

Two years ago we got lawn seats to see the Zac Brown Band with a bunch of friends and family. At the concert, Brian mentioned this was the first concert he'd ever been to. Then I felt bad...he has nothing against the ZBB, but it's obviously not his groove:-) Then this past spring he got to go see Rush - front row seats - not too shabby! His coworker won the tickets on the radio - really great, but again, not Brian's style of music. So when we heard that Matchbox Twenty and the Goo Goo Dolls were coming to town together, I knew he had to go! It would be kind of a shame to never attend a concert that is "for you", wouldn't it?

Yesterday I posted "tonight, a little 90's love for my wonderful husband with the Goo Goo Dolls and Matchbox 20. Can't wait!" on facebook. Here is a priceless comment from one of our mutual friends, Ryan "Two humorous anecdotes regarding Brian and music from that era: 1. He introduced me to Five for Fighting via Napster... at HQ and 2. One of Brian's friends while at HQ got "convicted" and threw away all of his "bad" CD's. Brian tried desperately to get him to tell where he threw them away so Brian could retrieve them for himself because, as Brian told me, "He threw away some REALLY good stuff." =)"

That is sooooo funny, especially if you knew about the "rules of HQ" and such. The other thing that it really reminds me of is that Brian has always been a genuine guy. He doesn't pretend to be something he isn't, even in the face of extreme "positive" (or negative) peer pressure.

So anyway, such a funny guy deserves a night out with ear drum bursting music all of his own:-) Now that he's seen these two live, his only other bucket list live show to see...U2. Haha!!

A few links to some of our fave songs of the night:

Since it's my post, and since Brian's likes all the songs, I'll highlight a few of MY faves of the night:-) Starting with the Goos: One of my personal faves (other than Rebel Beat, which I looove) was a new one from them, called Come to Me

Another fave, Iris (I'll be honest, until yesterday, I had no idea this was the name of this song...I love the song but don't get the title - ?)

What about Name? That's always a fave, right?

And finally Better Days. They were wonderful, when the main guy sang anyway. They let the spooky guitarist sing a few songs, and they were pretty awful, haha!!

I think maybe personally I like the Goo Goo Dolls slightly better than Matchbox Twenty, but they're both pretty great! Hard to believe that they both had their first hits 17 years ago!

I will say that I thought MB20 played a little "tighter" music wise - less distortion, didn't seem as pounding or loud, which to me is the sign of a good group, when playing live. However, both groups played well and have obvious talent, given their lengthy careers and the number of hits they have on the radio.

For MB20, I really liked 3am

One of my fave's of theirs is Bright Lights (or as I like to call it, Baby Baby Baby)

My all time fave song of theirs is Unwell. I feel like the lyric "I'm not crazy I'm just a little unwell, I know, right now you can't tell, But stay awhile and maybe then you'll see, a different side of me" might very well be a good theme song for me;-)

The song that Brian was hoping to hear, they closed the encore with. Push. It was their very first song - from 1996 I believe.

A really really fun night out, thanks to some great friends for watching the kids for us!

Song(s) of Summer

It's the song of summer, y'all - since summer is rapidly nearing it's close (boo), I thought I should share mine:-)

RULES: A song of summer is that one song...the one you don't mind hearing a thousand times over because it epitomizes the mood of the season...there is always a new song for each summer, it has to be something currently on the radio

This is my song of summer: Florida Georgia Line - Cruise (with or without Nelly:-)


And this is Brian's song of summer: Goo Goo Dolls - Rebel Beat

Heart Song

Check out these adorable kids on youtube. Lennon & Maisy. They are incredible, and the fact that they are from the GTA (Greater Toronto Area - Clairmont specifically) makes them even cooler, of course! Check out all their videos on youtube they are truly talented girls!! I love listening to them!

Lucky in Love

I made this printable for St Patrick's Day. Not that I genuinely believe in superstitious "luck", but I'll go with the theme for the sake of the holiday. Anyway, it's sweet, with just a hint o' Irish in it;-) I'm posting in advance of St Patty's, just to give you all time to think about a little way you can put up some cute, green decor to honour the Irish in your life;-)

I put mine in an acrylic frame I already had, and it's on our front foyer table. Love it!

Here is the printable, if you want to print it and make your own! If you have a Costco membership, it's so cheap there! I did mine in 11x14 for only 2.99!

I moved the shamrock "down" a bit in this print, mine was too close to the top, so this one is better!

Going along with the lucky and love theme, here's one of my favourite songs, Lucky!

Heart Songs

Well, I thought I'd highlight a few old favourites from when I was a teenager. Diamond Rio.

I think I like a little drama in my music:-) There are so many happy songs out there, but I always like the sad or depressing ones. I've heard these particular sad songs a thousand times over.

I love this first song, because of the tune, the harmonies, the vocals and the lyrics. It's a sad song, but one with hope in it too, and I like that. It's my all time fave Diamond Rio song.

"...Not a day goes by that I don't curse myself and all my sins. But I need you to hold on to, while this part of me is dying. Though I haven't kicked the demons that haunt me, I'm trying" I'm Trying - Diamond Rio with Chely Wright



This next one is sad one too...but a perfect country song from start to finish

"And I bless the day I met you, and I thank God that he let you lay beside me for a moment that lives on. And the good news is I'm better for the time we spent together, and the bad news is you're gone" You're Gone - Diamond Rio

Classical Music

Vienna and Logan, on piano

Lehman, on his cello. He is working on his grade 8 for cello.
Jillaine, on the harp. She has just finished her grade 6 harp exam
Logan and Via, dancing to the wedding music (practice), starts at :59 (She was bit by a spider on her cheek, hence the big red dot! It took forever to go away!)

A bit of Lehman's performance in an orchestra

Music in SK

Lots of music in the Kennedy house! Here are some video clips of group ensembles and jam sessions throughout the time we were there. I have marked out above each video when each new song starts, in case you don't want to watch it all. It was soooo wonderful to sing/play/hear all this great music!

Nothing was planned or rehearsed, so it's just happening as it happens. Off notes and all - we all loved every second!!

Janessa, Jillaine & Maryn singing, Dad (Dave) playing guitar First up, Hell on Heels, and at 2:15 Lemondrop

When I Said I Do – Logan piano, Kaden guitar, Amy, Logan & Kaden vocals (Amy 1st&; 2nd verse solo, Kaden 3rd verse & final chorus solo)
4:08 - Hallelujah – Kaden vocals and guitar 6:37 – A Short clip unknown song by Kaden & Amy
6:54 – Logan piano, Kari & Logan, vocals – Blessings


Politically Uncorrect by Maryn & Dad

Boys Rock-out session! towards the end I marked a few songs as {pretty}. They are not rock songs and will be enjoyable to all who do not enjoy the loud rock stuff.
Song 1 (Logan guitar, Davis bass, Kaden drums)
song 2 – 1:06 (Logan guitar, Davis bass, Kaden drums)
song 3 – 1:38 (Logan guitar, Davis bass, Kaden drums)
more cowbell song - 2:12 (Logan guitar, Davis bass, Kaden drums)
song 5 – 4:04 (Logan guitar, Davis bass, Kaden drums)
song 6 – 4:30 (Logan guitar, Davis bass, Kaden drums)
song 7 – 5:22 (Logan guitar, Kaden bass, Lehman drums)
6:06 – Lehman, drums
6:16 – Davis guitar, Logan bass, Kaden drums
6:31 – Logan guitar – guitar “slapping” song (pretty)
7:40 – Logan guitar – using only a half capo instead of a full one (pretty)
8:56 – Logan guitar, Logan & Kari, vocals Safe and Sound (pretty)

Many evenings we all sat and visited and sang some old hymns! There is nothing better than those songs, they make your heart SING!

Leaning on the everlasting arms (Darla, Maryn, Kenna)
:21 Come Thou Fount (Darla, Maryn, Kenna)
:54 There is a Fountain (Darla, Maryn, Christa, Kenna, Katie)
2:15 Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus (Darla, Maryn, Christa, Kenna, Katie)
3:48 He Leadth Me (Darla)
5:34 Wonderful Merciful Saviour (Darla, Maryn, Logan, Kari, Christa, Kenna)

In the Cross – Kari, Amy, Darla
:20 What a Friend We have in Jesus – Darla
1:30 Amazing Grace – Kari, Amy, Darla
2:10 Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus – Kari, Amy, Darla
2:33 – Leaning on the Everlasting Arms – Kari, Amy, Darla
3:08 – The Old Rugged Cross - Kari, Amy, Darla
3:34 – Redeemed – Kari, Amy, Darla
3:57 It Is Well – Kari, Amy, Darla
4:35 Because He Lives – Kari, Amy, Darla, Dave
5:26 I’ll Fly Away – Darla, Kari, Dave, Amy
6:26 There is a River – Darla, Kari, Dave, Logan
7:58 To the River – Kari, Darla, Logan
9:20 Romeo & Juliet – Darla

Wedding Music - Video

It's our anniversary again. Time to share more wedding wonderfulness:-) Our wedding reception was  full of love. And a few musical numbers as well, in true Kennedy fashion. I'll share a few...

First up, one of my all time favourites. My Dad is not kidding about me crying. I would BAWL (and I wasn't even 3 years old yet). He had to stop singing it (literally for years), because it would upset me so much. To A Sleeping Beauty. If you have a daughter...grab a tissue.

*lyrics in { } are a slight change by my Dad from the original lyric

After my sister Lauryn's speech (my maid of honour), she invited me up so we could sing together one last time before I moved away. Lauryn & Darla - Doxology

Lastly, here is the "funny song". My Dad started a tradition of sorts with other people, (some cousins etc), of writing a song about them for the reception. So he did one for us. This song is full of all true things, by the way! Yes, I did bite my tongue (almost completely off) 2 times, actually. And Brian has a thing for the KJV, and has wrecked more than his share of cars:-) Fun memories of a great day!

The End of Alone - Video

Thanks to improved technology, I was able to record this again, much improved from the 2008 version I posted on here...this one I just video taped my tv - so it makes everything a little shorter and wider than in real life...as tv's have changed drastically over the past 9 years. oh well! Anyway, this is a song that our friend Josh Dufek wrote for us and preformed at our wedding for the first and only time. One of my absolute favourite parts of our wedding. I won't count it as my wedding anniversary post, since it's a repeat...more wedding fun to come in a bit!

Lady A

Thanks to StubHub (where people can re-sell their tix), we had tickets in the 7th row (WOW) for the same cost as sitting on the lawn! Going to a concert is an interesting study in human behaviour, for sure. Some how, people that can apparently not afford to dress appropriately in public, can not only afford a ticket to the show, but multiple beers at $12 a pop (not kidding. That was the actual price on the menu board! - water for 4.50 per dasani bottle. WHAT?!). And who doesn't like to be surrounded by cigarette smoke and beer, scream-singing out lyrics to their favourite songs, en masse? It's a thing of beauty, I tell you :-) It was a really fun time, a long show (worth the money), and all 3 groups are amazing live (sounding just like the radio). We were up close...so it was LOUD.

Phone pic! Lady A & their band

Thompson Square. They are a new group to the radio...but a good one! "You got me and Baby I got you!"


Darius Rucker was great. He did all of his new country stuff, like this one, and all his old Hootie and the Blowfish stuff too...with a little Hank Jr, Purple Rain (Prince), and Tom Petty thrown in there too. Great vocalist. Space Cowboy was one of my faves of the night. (although this video is from our area, it was not from last night...last night he had a green eggs and ham tee shirt on!)
 
And then...Lady A. Years ago, I kept hearing a song on the radio, and loved it...but kept missing who it was. Lady Antebellum? What's an Antebellum? Weird name, great sound. I loved them from that moment on. It's a catchy little tune, totally my style... and I can see my brother Jared rolling his eyes at me:-) Here's the song that started it all for me...Good Time

And a current fave, maybe the highlight of the night for me, was this song. Although the acoustic version of American Honey was pretty great too.
"To me you'll always be 18, and beautiful, and dancing away with my heart"
Thank you to my awesome hubby! He bought me a Lady A CD for my birthday in '11, and now surprised me with the show. He knows I love 'em! (perhaps because I insist on listening to the CD in the van all the time?:-)

Heart Song

Loving the pretty music from Smash. A tv show/musical based on the life of Marilyn Monroe.

Don't Forget Me - Katharine McPhee "When you see someones hurt and in need of a hand, don't forget me"


 Second Hand White Baby Grand - Megan Hilty "something second hand and broken, can still make a pretty sound, even if it doesn't have a place to live"


Let Me Be Your Star - Katharine McPhee and Megan Hilty "Fade in on a girl, with a hunger for fame, and a face, and a name to remember. The past fades away because as of this day Norma Jean's gone, she's moving on..."

My Crazy Life History

The "title" of my blog. Do you know where it comes from? You probably think I randomly just picked it, and it sorta suits my helter-skelter life, right? Well. There IS a back story. {And isn't there always?}

On my 16th birthday (1995) I called into my local radio station in Toronto (CISS fm), and requested my favourite song at the time "Ships That Don't Come In". Ultra depressing. But I loved it. And they'd already played it, so I was out of luck (darn no-repeat workdays!), so they played another song for me...Mi Vida Loca (My Crazy Life) by Pam Tillis.

So that was that. In 2006 when personalizing my Franklin Covey planner (nice Christmas present!), I was thinking of my title. They wanted a title for my planner. What's my title? Darla's Planner sounds stupid. I thought perhaps Larger Than Life (a la Backstreet Boys) could be a good fit. If referring to my personality. Otherwise it just makes me sound fat. Ok, it's out.

The anthem thrust upon me by an unknowing radio host came back to mind and seemed most appropriate. My Crazy Life. Yes, it is.

My life has been both extremely ordinary and everything but.

So when I started my blog in 2007, there was no doubt in my mind that My Crazy Life would encapsulate everything about...my crazy life. Too perfect. And the theme I have going along with the crazy, is Don't Blink. Although I am generally not a huge Kenny Chesney fan, I have yet to come across a song that lyrically conveys the message I am going for, so succinctly.

This blog is a scrapbook of us. Because life goes by faster than you'd think.

Brooklyn

Well, this is not my kind of music at all. BUT, I'll share the song for the sake of the story...as Brooks calls it "my song". Brooklyn was Brian's choice for a boy's name, based on 2 things - Brooklyn, NY and this song. It was my choice for one reason - David and Victoria Beckham:-)

Since MCA of the Beastie Boys died this past week, all the old songs are coming out again. Including the one Brooks was named after. No Sleep Til Brooklyn.