Share The Gift

I've seen this video circulating the web a lot, and I wanted to share it with all of my followers! This shows the true meaning of Christmas, and I think it is amazing:

#ShareTheGift

I will share the gift by reading the Christmas story with my husband, and by smiling every day.

How will you share the Gift of Christ this Season? Comment below! 

Homemade Christmas Decor, and Pregnant Selfies

This week I've put my creative skills to the test in an effort to save money and make meaningful memories. 

Mini Wreaths

I made these with Canning Rings, yarn, and other accessories. First, I tied the string of yarn on the Ring, then wrapped the entire thing back to where I started. Then I finished it off with a knot (If you want it thicker, you can wrap more than once). To add some extra cuteness, you could add a bow or a bell; something festive. 

Homemade Door Wreath

This one was super easy! All you need is some cardboard, yarn, ribbon, and shatterproof ornaments. All I did was cut out a wreath form from cardboard, wrap the entire thing in red yarn, and decorate it! The pom pom is just white yarn, tied onto the top of the wreath. I tied the ornaments on with red yarn, then I added a little extra color with the green ribbon. It was fun! 

Mini Nativity Scene

Just cardboard, glue, scissors, and colored pencil/markers.

First I made the "stable" by cutting a piece of cardboard that was already bent with the pop-up in the middle for the manger. Then I cut, colored, and added the star, Mary, Joseph, and of course the Baby Jesus. I used craft glue, and pieces of cardboard to prop them up. Simple, and cheap!

Here are some pregnant selfies, as promised: I am 22 weeks, and loving it! I have already been able to feel Lucy moving in there. I can't wait to meet her!

WE LOVE CHRISTMAS!

IT'S A GIRL!!

Motherhood: something I don't know much about yet, but can't wait to figure it out.

What an adventure it has been to be pregnant with our first child! One minute I'm the grumpiest person you will have ever met, and the other minute I am the sweetest, most understanding. I get sick. I get headaches. I have cramps and aches in my back that weren't there before. My skin itches all over. I all of a sudden hate fish and fried food, and I crave mashed potatoes every day. I have the most annoying nose...everything smells bad or too strong. Everything. On top of it all, I am freaking out inside to give birth. It's scary! My poor husband has to put up with it all, and he is all I could ever ask for in times like these; patient, loving, caring, and helpful! And yet, even with so much pain, having this innocent baby to complete our family is sooo worth it.

It's the times I think about my little Lucy, her heart beating in my belly, that makes everything better. I feel so much love for her already, it's hard to comprehend. She is a little piece of me, a little piece of my husband, and a little piece of heaven. 

The Christmas Season has new meaning for me this year. As I think of Christ, I think of Mary and how she must have felt to be the mother of Jesus. Can you imagine being pregnant with The Son of God, feeling him move in your belly? What a special calling she had, to raise and nurture our Savior. I wonder if she knew how important she was in the wonderful plan. I wonder if she knew how hard it would be; if she knew what was to become of Christ, and how he would save the world.
Mary's Song: 

Let us make Christ the center of Christmas in our homes this year. He is, after all, the greatest gift.

Christmas CD!

I have just finished my New CD entitled "Christmas Horn". It has 14 tracks, and is about 30 minutes long. I have included a video here of one of my favorites; "The First Noel". 

If you would like to order a CD, leave a comment on this page or email me at: unihorn57@gmail.com, and I will send you one! I only charge $5 for Shipping. Enjoy! 

A Disastrous Surprise

In October 2009, I developed a condition called Bell's Palsy. This is where half of the face is temporarily or permanently paralyzed, and can be caused by a mere cold virus (it was for me). Lucky for me, it was only temporary, but I did not know that until I was (almost) completely recovered a year after it showed up. It was very challenging for me because I did not know what would become of my future. 

Click here for more info on Bell's Palsy

Up until that point in my life, I was dedicated to music and playing my Horn to the best of my ability. With half of my face paralyzed, that meant that half of my lips were too. I could not play my instrument at all. It also made social experiences very embarrassing because I "looked funny" every time I would smile, laugh, blink, and even talk. With this trial, I turned to the Lord and asked myself what I was supposed to learn from this. What could I do to make this into a good experience and a blessing? As I went to school, I smiled. I'm sure people noticed that only half of my face dimpled and my "smile" looked more like a menacing grin, but I was determined to be happy with who I was and not with what I looked like. I started to write lyrics about this life changing experience. That is how I began writing music. With a little bit of theory class, and some talent in writing poems, it came together. I now have written many songs and I am working on getting them published. After a little while, I found I could play my horn by fingering the notes with my left hand, resting my horn on my leg, and using my right hand to hold my lips closed so that air would not escape. It was quite an ordeal, but it was better than giving up! With much patience, I am now able to play my Horn again without taking such extreme measures.
I never did fully recover from this condition, but I consider it a blessing. It is how my unique sound on my instrument came to be. I learned never to give up and to take life one day at a time. 
I know with the Lord, we can overcome anything. Trials can produce strengths in us we never knew existed. With these strengths and gifts from the Lord, we are able to bless others. I believe the Lord gave me the talent of writing and performing music so that his spirit can be felt by others, and so that I can do his work through music and people will feel the Holy Ghost and the love of Christ. 
I would like to share with you the first recording of me playing my Horn with Bell's Palsy, and a recording of where I'm at today; 
With Bell's Palsy (about 3 months after it was developed. High notes were REALLY hard haha):  Amazing Grace
Now (5 years since):  A French Solo Piece
Thanks for reading!