Funky Chords, Family time, and Growing Together

I love spending time with my kids.  I think one of the neatest parts of being a parent is when you recognize that you are growing right along side of them.  When you become a parent, you think you know everything (because you read a book or three), but really you know absolutely nothing.  So, from day one, you are growing.  Just as they are changing from a newborn baby into an amazing person, you too become an experienced parent.  And, it's all based on the relationship you have with your kiddos.  My kids have grown me in so many ways, I cannot measure them.  They've grown my faith, for sure, and tonight they grew a very personal part of me.  It's definitely not the most important part of me, but it's part of my core person, and that's my musicality. 

I started playing the piano when I was five, and had umpteen squat years of lessons.  At nine, when I started the flute, I really became less interested in the piano (as practice time was limited by all the other extra curricular stuff going on in my life).  So, all I ever really learned to do was play classical music well.  Pretty much now, the last thing I want to do is play classical music.  Hand me a hymnal, or a classical piece that's written out and I'll play it for you (it may take a few tries, but I'll get it).  What interests me, though, is playing with my kids.  Grace likes contemporary Christian music, so that's what I want to play.  When Elissa's playing the drums, that's the kind of music she wants to play as well.  So....that leaves me needing to grow! 

Tonight, Grace brought me some sheet music that was quite complicated, with all sorts of ledger lines and funky stuff, with a quick beat.  Let me just say, it was not a piece I could sight read on the spot and make sound at all like the actual song.  So, I said what I've never said before.  "Go print the guitar chords."  So, she did.  And they weren't easy.  Eb, Ebsus4, Eb7, Cm, Abm, C#7, Fm, yikes!!!!!!!  Let me just say, that wasn't easy for me either, but at least it sounded a little bit more like the real song, and I could play it closer to tempo with something that resembled the melody.  Yep, she grew me!  And I'm loving it! 

Let me just say, if you've never spent time like that with your kids, please do.  You'll all grow, and it will be a wonderful experience.