Friday, April 26, 2013

7 Quick Takes (Volume 233)



1) News flash: According to my sudoku success rate, I am pretty stupid this week. Proceed with caution.

2) It's been a good week for Ladies Man. Last Friday he participated in District Music Contest and had a super day. He received a superior rating for his vocal solo (see his dad accompanying him?),


his trombone solo,



and his trombone trio.



He also played in the Jazz Band and Wind Ensemble and sang in Concert Choir and the Limited Edition show choir, earning an excellent rating and three superior ratings. Way to go, bud!

Then on Wednesday he was given an award for designing the winning t-shirt logo for our local Homestead Days celebration.


Here's the winning design.


3) I had a very good, but busy day on Sunday and had a hard time winding down. My first mistake was taking a glance in the mirror.

Me: Ugh! I'm looking like an old hag. I've got SO MANY wrinkles under my eyes. I look awful!

Kevin: What are you talking about?

Me: When I smile, TONS of wrinkles appear under my eyes! Is it just 'cause I'm tired or do they always look like that?

Kevin (already feeling the pressure and knowing no answer will satisfy): I don't know what you're talking about.

Drama Queen: Whatsa matter, Mom?

Me: I look terrible.

Drama Queen: No, you don't.

I decided to let it go and slumped in a big chair with Princess Dawdle to do the sudoku I didn't finish the day before. Without success.

Me (sighing): I'm stupid again today. What is my problem?

Punting on that activity, I turned my attention to the t.v. where my family was watching The Apprentice.

Me: That's a dumb idea. Why are they doing that? Nobody's gonna think that's good.

No one said anything and I quickly lost interest, scanning my living room instead.

Me: Look at this place. It's a mess. I can't even keep a room clean.

Drama Queen: Mom, do you need to go to bed?

Me: What? Why?

Drama Queen: You're complaining about everything. I think you're tired.

Of course she was right, and I took a little comfort thinking my daughter understood whining wasn't my normal mode of operation.

4) Providing the very good in my Sunday was meeting a blogging friend from California. We sat at a coffeehouse in Omaha and shared easy conversation for a few hours. She was as lovely and intriguing in person as she is online and our time went by way too fast. Thanks for a great afternoon, Denise. It was a pleasure meeting you. I hope we get to do it again some time.

5) We had a cool surprise the other day when Kevin received a package in the mail from Lorenz Publishing Company. Inside was a Korean songbook and CD which contained his arrangement of "I Have Decided to Follow Jesus."





6) Apparently I'm the kind of person whose mind is easily influenced by what goes in it. For the last few weeks I've been doing Insanity videos with Drama Queen on Mondays and Fridays and now I'm using the word "dig" all the time (as in "Dig deep, people, dig deep!"). I'm finding many things "impoedunt" (Trainer Shaun T's trademark way of saying "important.") On the plus side, however, I've been reminding myself "You've got to drink your water. It's impoedunt" and I can grunt with the best of them when struggling to pull out one more push-up.

Now, if only I looked like the people in the video . . . sigh.

7) I established a private Facebook group for our family called The Boesiger Bunch. I started it as a way for us to maintain some sense of family as the kids move out. I've posted silly old photos or a verse that struck me or a video I find funny. For a while I was very frustrated that I was the only one doing it, but finally my family is getting the hang of it. Princess Dawdle posted this video saying, "This is what Ladies Man's kids are going to have in the backyard."


Ladies Man added this pic yesterday which is totally him.


Drama Queen posted an hilarious video reminding me of some of our dinner escapades.


Kevin put on an instructional poster on how to do an Eldredge Tie Knot, which Drummer Boy liked enough to try out for Drumline Championships. Kevin also added a recipe last week nudging, "Something for Mom to make for all of us!" (And yes I did, 'cause I love him.)

But my favorite was this posting by Drama Queen with the caption, "I don't think we've ever tried to play it off like that :P"


True. We haven't even pretended.

That's all for this Friday folks. Enjoy your weekend and catch more Quick Takes at Conversion Diary.

Monday, April 22, 2013

How Can I Do for You, God?


Not what can I do. How. How can I represent You instead of myself? How can I make everything, every activity, every word, every action about You? How can my puny efforts matter in Your eternity?

How can I do
    my family,
    my work,
    my relationships,
    my ministry,
    my life
for You?

How can an ordinary woman from Nebraska make a difference in Your kingdom? What can I possibly do that thousands couldn't do better? How do I make this life count?

I know I'm supposed to work at everything with all my heart, "as working for the Lord, not for men." I know I must die to myself. I know I'm not to look for the approval of men. But how does that help me decide the best way to spend the next half hour? How do I work hard at relationships and on my gifts at the same time? How do I fit it all in? How do I figure out what's most important?

All this thinking and planning and evaluating is exhausting and leads me to wonder, really, how can my work, my life, matter that much, both in this world and to You? I am one person in a planet full of people, many more skilled than I.

Yet Your words reverberate in my mind . . . I took you from the ends of the earth, from its farthest corners I called you. I said, "You are my servant"; I have chosen you and have not rejected you.*

I know You spoke these words to the Israelites, Your chosen people, yet they always stir me, as if You're speaking directly to me. I want it to be true for me. Oh, how I want that. Could You really have a special plan for me, for each of Your children? Can You be big enough to accomplish that? I can't comprehend it, but I don't have to.

I just have to believe it.

For when I believe it, I look for You to make it so.

Is it as easy as aligning myself with You, Lord? Is it throwing "off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles," and running "with perseverance the race marked out for us"? Is it merely fixing "our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith"? Is it a matter of coming to You each day and waiting for an assignment?

How can I do for You, God?

I think You tell me to draw near, to come to You with expectation and hope.

And let YOU do it.

Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Humble yourself before the Lord and he will lift you up.

James 4:8, 10

I will believe, Lord. Make it so.



*Isaiah 41:9

Friday, April 19, 2013

7 Quick Takes (Volume 232)



1) I have a new system for determining my intelligence on any given day. Each morning I tackle the sudoku puzzle in the newspaper. On Mondays and Tuesdays it is a beginner puzzle. On Wednesdays and Thursdays it's an intermediate level and on Fridays and Saturdays it's advanced. If I can't finish Monday or Tuesday's puzzle I declare myself stupid for the day. If I can't finish Wednesday or Thursdays I still feel stupid, but not as bad as I would on a Monday or Tuesday. I figure I'm pretty good if I complete any of those day's puzzles, but if I can finish a Friday or Saturday one, I am definitely having a smart day.

I've decided taking the time to do this each morning gives my family a great public service. By 8:00 every morning, they are aware of what kind of brain I have for the day and can plan accordingly.

2) If you've read this blog at all in the last few months you've heard me go on and on about the owls in our neighborhood. We are just fascinated by them. We were especially excited when Ladies Man spotted this beauty sitting on the line between our house and the neighbor's.


Isn't it COOL?


Now do you see why we're so enamored?!

3) For some reason, Kevin's been drinking out of a cup my mom gave me for Easter, which Ladies Man finds quite comical.

Ladies Man: You like your flower cup, Nancy?

Kevin: What?!

Ladies Man (busting a gut): It's got flowers all over it!

Kevin: So?

Drama Queen quickly joined in.


Kevin (sounding like a hurt little boy): You guys are always mocking me.

4) We had the great pleasure of attending Drummer Boy's recital of his compositions this week. Here he explains one of the pieces to the audience.


The first selection was a male solo singing a four movement piece based on the book of Lamentations.


Drummer Boy played his Germinating Genesis drum piece with computer backup.


And then Kevin played a piano solo of three movements I'll let him tell you about in Kevin's Korner.

It was a good evening and we were proud of Drummer Boy's work.


5) And now here's Kevin's Korner!

As Tami told you, Drummer Boy had a recital this week. He asked me to play a piano piece he had written. It was a three movement work based on the crucifixion, death and resurrection of Christ. I was honored to perform it.


It was a little weird for me to play something my son wrote but I am proud of what he has accomplished. The emotion and depth of his music is great. I know I am his father, but I don't see this level of maturity in many young composers. It has been a while since I have been in the academic realm as a performer, and I have to say, I felt a little like a foreigner in a strange land. The music world is an interesting place. There are many different realms--the academic, the church, the stage and pop. Sometimes these worlds collide but for the most part they stay in their own designated areas. I have always been a musician who finds things from all the areas that I really like and enjoy. Oh why can't we all just get along and live in harmony (pun intended)? I have very good friends that are fellow musicians in all these areas and I often think, how do they view what I do? But let's be real here people, it is rather egocentric of me to think they are even thinking about what I do. Most assumptions we make about what others think I am sure are untrue. So the moral to the story. Be who you are and enjoy every opportunity God gives you. The point is not to feel comfortable in every situation but to glorify God in every situation you find yourself. So thanks, Drummer Boy, for giving me the privilege of playing your beautiful piece about Christ but more importantly… thanks for the opportunity you gave me to worship God and glorify Christ with your music!

Keep Kicking it!


6) I decided it would be fun to have a little reception following the recital and tried my hand at making dessert bites. I made brownie bites, strawberry swirl cheesecake bites and mini lemon cupcakes. Though there was some kidding around about me and my excitement over my "cute desserts", I think the time invested was well worth it. Am I right? Aren't they cute?


7) We end today with an episode of Silly Adventures in the Boesiger House.

Kevin: Oh no, my button just dropped in the toilet and I already went.

Princess Dawdle: (laughing her head off): Gonna have to go after it, Bucky!

Kevin: No. I am NOT doing that. I just need something to hold it while I flush.

Me: That is not going stay in place while you flush.

Kevin: It most certainly will.

Me: No way.

Meanwhile Princess Dawdle is laughing so hard she's holding her sides.

Kevin (running out of the bathroom): I got this. Just a minute.

Me (inspecting the situation): Good grief. You're just gonna have to suck it up and get it. It's not that big of a deal.

Kevin (returning with a mangled wire hanger): I'm not sticking my hand in there.

Me: That is not going to work.

Determined to prove me wrong, he sticks the wire in the toilet and manages to pull the button out of the "liquid" to a place where he can pick it up.

Me: You still had to touch it!

Kevin: Yeah, but I didn't have to stick my whole hand in there.

Princess Dawdle is doubled over in the kitchen, hardly able to catch her breath.

Kevin: What?

Princess Dawdle: You are so funny, Dad!

Kevin: Why am I constantly mocked?!

Why do I think of Drama Queen every time he says that?

Never a dull moment around here, folks! I'm looking forward to a fun weekend too. We'll watch Ladies Man perform at District Music Contest today, attend Drummer Boy's Percussion Ensemble concert Saturday and I'm planning to meet a blogging friend from California on Sunday. Super fun times. I hope your weekend is enjoyable too. Start it off right by reading more Quick Takes at Conversion Diary.

Tuesday, April 16, 2013

Do You See Yourself Accurately?

I have a hard time seeing in myself the same qualities others notice. I suspect you are the same. You look in the mirror and find five flaws in ten seconds flat. But what does another person see? Do you ever wonder what's going through a person's mind as they look at you? Do you assume it's all negative? Are you certain they're silently picking you apart or at the very least compiling a list of your weaknesses?

Women are especially harsh on themselves. I think we might be surprised to know how others truly view us. I found the following video a fascinating look into that reality.


What do you think? Is your impression of yourself robbing you of your natural beauty?

Are you your own worst enemy when it comes to being truly beautiful?

Monday, April 15, 2013

A Beautiful YES

My 8-year-old nephew blessed my socks off last week.

He's been excited about my upcoming trip to Uganda. He told me he has his whole class at school praying about it. He's given me tips on making immunizations less painful. He knows where Uganda is on a map. All of this has touched me, but he put a big cherry on top with this note he sent.


Is that about the sweetest thing you've ever seen?! What's more, the envelope contained not a dollar, but a five dollar bill. That's a lot of money for an 8-year-old!

But he's not the only one who's given like this. I've been completely overwhelmed with the way people have donated money toward this trip. For a while I felt burdened by the huge responsibility to anyone who pledged their hard-earned cash. I wanted to make the most of their sacrifice, you know? I asked God over and over and over, "How do I honor these gifts? What must I do to ensure they don't feel it a waste?"

The pressure brought me to tears. More than a few times. Why am I given this privilege? What will it require of me?

My smart husband and friends assure me people are only doing what God lays on their hearts to do, just like I did by agreeing to go. Giving their money is a way to be part of God's work, to be faithful to God's calling. It's their way to say YES.

That's beautiful, don't you think? Tons of individuals, young and old alike, each with a unique story, all saying YES to God. I am so humbled by that picture, and so proud of people, some of whom I barely know, who had the courage to write a check or put cash in cards. Surely God is nodding and smiling, pleased by the willingness to do what He says, to show the world, to show ME, what humble obedience looks like.

And I'm proud of you, Kaden, for hearing God whisper to your heart and being brave enough to trust Him with your money. You have given a very special gift. I can't wait to see what God has in store for your $5 in Uganda.

Friday, April 12, 2013

7 Quick Takes (Volume 231)



1) I found another fun word.

swivet: a state of nervous excitement, haste or anxiety; flutter

Another definition called it a fluster or panic.

Like, "Watch out! She's in a swivet."

I'm thinking this could be a useful word at our house. I can just imagine my kids whispering over breakfast, "Don't mess with Mom today. She's in a swivet." When Princess Dawdle's stressing about the homework she left at school I could add, "There's no sense getting in a swivet about it. There's nothing you can do now." Or at the dinner table when Kevin's had too much of their antics and starts looking irritated, one of them may shake their head and point a warning in a low voice, "Swivet . . ."

2) We enjoyed attending the Heartland Winter Arts Association Championships last Saturday. Drummer Boy was instructing two of the groups and wrote their shows. One of the shows was a piece a publisher just picked up and it was great to hear it performed. Here he is all official like in his tie.


Drama Queen has been helping instruct our local drum line too. Here she is afterwards with her boyfriend (the superb snare player), Ladies Man and his girlfriend.


Even Princess Dawdle got in on the action, taking some silly pics with her friend who is part of the group.



Goofy girls!


3) Last night's dinner conversation . . .

Drama Queen: We should start making bets on each others' kids. I bet one of Ladies Man's kids will have some form of ADD or ADHD.

Ladies Man: I bet one of Drama Queen's kids will slap her in the face before they are three years old.

Drama Queen: I bet one of Drummer Boy's kids will try to eat their poop.

Kevin: I bet one of Princess Dawdle's kids will forget to put on their pants.

Ladies Man: Dad, I bet one of your kids will be stupid . . .

You said it, child, not us.

4) Of course I really don't find my children stupid. Not even close. I know I'm partial, but I think all of them are very unique. The older they get, the more I appreciate them and understand how tied I am to them. It is really quite a miracle that these people who were once tiny infants totally reliant on me, who have challenged and exhausted me and made me very aware of my inadequacies, are now such amazing individuals. They are fun and creative. They aren't afraid to be who they really are. They communicate well with us and seem to value our opinion . . . WOW.

I know I'm their mom, and it's my job to love them, but I really like them too.

5) Apparently I'm not the only one who doesn't know how to use our camera yet. Get a load of these pictures Kevin took of Princess Dawdle at her honor band concert.




He did, however, redeem himself later with a picture of the two of us that I kinda like.


6) And now it's time again for Kevin's Korner!

Okay, so I was watching a little TV last night and landed on "Wife Swap." I can't imagine volunteering for this. It is obvious they pick two families who could not be more opposite of each other. This week was an almost military type family swapping with a family who are non-schoolers. That's right, not home schoolers but non-schoolers. They figure the children will learn from the world around them. As I think about our family's living situation it makes me think . . . what would be the total opposite of us? I guess being a family of musicians it would have to be an athletic family. I always joke that I was the last runner in P.E. and the only sport I could even begin to compete in was wrestling because in high school I was small and wiry and hard to pin. I didn't really grow until my junior year and I was done with P.E. after my sophomore year. I guess maybe the point of the show is to make you appreciate what you have and also be pushed to see things through a different set of eyes, but it seems there has to be a better way to do it. As I think about it, maybe they should have a "Kid Swap" show. Don't get me wrong, I would not trade my kids for any other kids in the world, but it could be VERY entertaining to watch another family react to the antics of the Boesiger kids!

Keep Kickin' It!


7) You'll never believe it, but Kevin wrote that before seeing anything that I wrote before. He had no idea he was totally going to fit in with the "Our kids are great" theme I've got going here. It just goes to show you we truly are "as one."

Or he's psychic, but I prefer the former.

And with that we'll call this puppy done. Enjoy your weekend, friends, and read more Quick Takes at Conversion Diary.

Thursday, April 11, 2013

I Have to Hope


I look at it and don't see how it will work out. I pray about it, all the time, and have for years, yet things don't seem to change.

But You whisper, "Trust Me."

There's much to be thankful for and I am, but the issue persists. It's not a life and death situation, but it's close to my heart and I want better. But it doesn't come.

You say, "There's a plan. Hang on."

TRUST Me.

You leave me with a choice.

I can lay awake at night and worry and rack my brain for a solution I won't come up with or I can trust You, choose to leave it in Your hands.

Easier said than done.

But the more times I have to do it, the stronger my resolve grows. I WILL believe You, because I have to. If I don't trust, beyond all I can see, that You'll take care of it, I have no hope and then what am I left with?

Fear.

Worry.

Anxiety.

But WITH You?

The possibility of hope and peace.

That is what faith is, isn't it, believing what we cannot see? Isn't this what Abraham is commended for?

Even when there was no reason for hope, Abraham kept hoping—believing that he would become the father of many nations. For God had said to him, “That’s how many descendants you will have!” And Abraham’s faith did not weaken, even though, at about 100 years of age, he figured his body was as good as dead—and so was Sarah’s womb.

Abraham never wavered in believing God’s promise. In fact, his faith grew stronger, and in this he brought glory to God. He was fully convinced that God is able to do whatever he promises. And because of Abraham’s faith, God counted him as righteous.

Romans 4:18-22

We can have that same faith, friends, but it comes at a price. We'll have to deliberately choose to trust His way of handling it, though it may not be the way we like and take far longer than is comfortable. We have to trust God above all else, no matter what, even with our hardest problems, our toughest challenges. We have to.

What is the alternative?

Without blind, child-like faith, there is no hope, is there? And who can live without hope? Who can get up each morning without the possibility of better, without thinking of what a new day may bring?

I choose to believe God's got it handled.

I choose hope.



Photo Credit: cobalt123

Monday, April 08, 2013

SICK of the Rating


I'm feeling angry with society.

I'm realizing I've been told a lie for my whole life.

I've been taught I have to compete with my fellow man, with all of you. We vie for the attention of loved ones. We fight for coveted starting positions on sports teams and scholarships and jobs. We give value to the best, both in recognition and often financially. We subconsciously rate everyone we encounter to decide where we stack up.

Were told, "Competition is good for you, makes you work harder and be a better person." But it hasn't worked that way for me. It's made me jealous of the talents of others. It's brought on loads of discouragement. It's made me certain I am not enough or I don't measure up. It's made me think of myself more and how I need to "do better" rather than feel happy with who I am. It's caused me to shy away from others I deem "above me" and miss opportunities out of fear of not making the grade. It tells me I must BE more, DO more, achieve, perform. It's made me prideful as I spend too much time thinking of me in all my measuring where I stand.

Yes, I know it's human nature to compare ourselves, but I don't think it's doing us any favors. We're growing up thinking we must be better than somebody at something to have any value. Is this why depression is on the rise and teens commit suicide and kids shoot up their schools? Did they decide they were unworthy, unimportant because they didn't keep up with those around them?

In all our rating we spend more time proving ourselves to others than loving our fellow man. What is the good in that?

What would happen if there were no comparing? What if we enjoyed each others' talents instead of envied them? What if we truly played as a team, depending on the strength of each other instead of determining who is the best?

How can we quit this stupid rating game?

What is the point of competing? I don't get it.



Photo Credit: TheBusyBrain

Friday, April 05, 2013

7 Quick Takes (Volume 230)



1) We are super excited at our house today, and I mean SUPER!! Drummer Boy found out yesterday that ALL THREE of the pieces he submitted to a percussion publisher have been picked up for publication! Our little Drummer Boy is soon to be a published composer! How exciting is that?! So happy for and proud of him!

2) We had a lovely Easter weekend, spending time with my family on Saturday and Kevin's on Sunday. Drama Queen had a great time with her youngest cousin during the egg hunt.


I promise she had nothing to do with the impressive shiner he's sporting. Poor little guy's feet got ahead of him while running down a ramp.

3) I think it's time for another vocabulary lesson from my children. Ladies Man has been trying to grow a "chin strap" on his face which is basically a strip of hair that runs from sideburn to sideburn following the jaw line. Ladies Man's hair isn't quite as thick there, so he's been letting it grow out, much to his siblings' dismay.

Drama Queen: You gotta do something about that.

Ladies Man: What? It's just growing in.

Drummer Boy: Yeah, but that stuff on your neck . . .

Drama Queen: Yeah. Ew. You're growing a neard.

Me (clueless, of course): A what?

Drama Queen: A neard, a neck beard!

I thought she was making it up, but Drummer Boy corroborated and so did their college-aged cousin the next day when she used the term too.

So there you go. Now you too can impress the young adults in your life by using their lingo. Slip in "chin strap" or "neard" and watch their admiration grow.

Or something like that.

4) Princess Dawdle and I have been shopping around for a new alto saxophone. The one she currently plays on has given us good use, but is sadly wearing out. The only way for her to get some notes out is to put a rubber band around the register key so it seals right! We ordered some new ones and were distracted trying them out when Ladies Man got the bright idea to play her old one with a trombone mouthpiece. Is this the most ridiculous thing you've ever seen?


What's crazy is he actually got a sound out of it and could lip the notes without using the keys!

5) I think I'm going to stop letting my kids review the pictures on my camera. Princess Dawdle never let me hear the end of it.

Princess Dawdle: Oh my gosh, Mom! You have three videos of your desk!

Me (desperately trying to save face): I'm still learning how to use it.

Princess Dawdle: Obviously!

I don't get it. What's so terrible about pictures like these?




6) Having Peeps at Easter is a no-brainer at our house. The kids were giving Kevin a terrible time about all the Peeps he ate on Easter. Every time they turned around he was eating one, so they decided to start counting them up. They are sure he ate 22 Peeps on Easter Sunday alone. 22! I'm not sure why he stopped there, but maybe this demented Peep was an omen to beware.


7) I think we'll end today where we started, with Drummer Boy's skills. This video was shot Wednesday night at a Wet Ink! concert where student composers debut their work. In his original piece he titled Germinating Genesis, Drummer Boy plays a marching snare drum while the soundtrack he created on the computer plays in the background. He tells me the computer work includes 15 different tracks laid together. It's a little hard to hear the computer in this video, but trust me it has, like much of Drummer Boy's work, a suspenseful feel to it. Oh and don't miss taking a peek at his marvelous chin strap.


And that'll do it for this day, friends. We're looking forward to another fun weekend. Princess Dawdle is playing in an honor band concert tonight (We are SOOOO THANKFUL those new saxes came this week!). Tomorrow are the Heartland Winter Arts Drum line Championships where we'll go watch the groups that Drama Queen and Drummer Boy have been working with. Plus it's supposed to be a beautiful weekend in southeast Nebraska. I hope you enjoy yourselves this weekend wherever you are and read more Quick Takes at Conversion Diary.