The Soundtrack of Our Life

Another year has passed.  Another year full of laughter, tears, hope, sorrow, joy.  Adventures have been taken, memories have been made, goals achieved and dreams fulfilled.  This week is full of anniversaries for our family, but today Rick and I celebrate 27 years of marriage.  It hasn't all been lollipops and lemon drops or sunshine and roses, but what good story ever is free of conflict or adversity.

We have a child who loves his music (aka Wil) and so has created different playlists to fit the moment.  This got me thinking - The soundtrack of a movie moves the story along as effectively as any dialogue.  So I posed the question to my family: What songs would you include in the soundtrack of our life together or what is the "Rick and Ann" playlist.  And here is the very eclectic list, in alphabetical order cause you can always push shuffle, that resulted:

Amazing Grace
Circle of Our Love; Saturday's Warrior
The Dance; Garth Brooks
Families Can Be Together Forever
Forever and Ever Amen; Randy Travis
Happy To Be Stuck With You; Huey Lewis and the News*
Heat of the Moment; Asia
Heaven is a Place on Earth; Belinda Carlisle
Hollywood Nights; Bob Seger
More Than a Feeling; Boston
Night Moves; Bob Seger
A Poor Wayfaring Man of Grief
Remember When; Alan Jackson
The River; Garth Brooks
Something That We Do; Clint Black
Turn the Page; Bob Seger
Unanswered Prayers; Garth Brooks
Winnie the Pooh
You're My Home; Billy Joel

*This is most definitely our theme song, because it was the first song out of everyone's mouth.

How we celebrate:
Last night to celebrate, we decided to do the cliche' date and went to dinner and a movie.  Without telling you the name of the movie, I will say that as we drove home, Rick said, "Every time we drive over a manhole, I can't help but look for a T-Rex to come out of the darkness."

Past Anniversary Posts:
2010
2011
2012
2012 Part 2
2013
2014

Word of the Year 2015

We live in a wonderful world that is full of beauty, charm and adventure. There is no end to the adventures that we can have if only we seek them with our eyes open.   -Jawaharlal Nehru

What is the word of the year, you ask.  The word of the year is better than a New Year's Resolution.  Today the morning talk shows were full of discussion that now is the time that most people falter and fail at keeping their resolutions and so give in to discouragement and say wait until next year.  The word of the year does not have the pressure of a resolution.  It is not a finite idea with limitations and criteria to be judged.  It allows for a progression, a gradual change in attitude and behavior as you look to apply the concepts encompassed by your word to your daily life.

For me, past words have included cherish, gratitude and last year I chose optimism.  Each year I have felt a change in myself as I applied the filter of my chosen word to my daily experiences.  Last year, I wrote about my choice for the word of the year and said, "As I look for the best, I will have a life that is fuller, richer, more joyful."  As most years in life are, 2014 was a time filled with ups and downs, one of heartbreak and hope, sadness and hope.  Yet at the start of 2015, I find myself full of a greater sense of peace, more faith in my Savior and a reason to laugh each day.

As I pondered where to place my focus this year, I wanted to choose a word that would build on the momentum of the past years.  I wanted to choose a word that would incorporate the things I have learned about myself as I have learned to cherish, express gratitude and look forward with optimism.  The word I have chosen as the word of the year for 2015, the word that will be my focus is EMBRACE!!

em·brace əmˈbrās/ 
verb
1.hold (someone) closely in one's arms, especially as a sign of affection.   synonyms:hug, take/hold in one's arms, hold, cuddle, clasp to one's bosom, clasp, squeeze, clutch; More
2.accept or support (a belief, theory, or change) willingly and enthusiastically.   synonyms: welcome, welcome with open arms, accept, take up, take to one's heart, adopt; More
3.include or contain (something) as a constituent part.  synonyms: include, take in, comprise, contain, incorporate, encompass, cover, involve, embody, subsume, comprehend
noun
1.an act of holding someone closely in one's arms.  synonyms; hug, cuddle, squeeze, clinch, caress, clasp; bear hug
2.an act of accepting or supporting something willingly or enthusiastically.


Life is an adventure.  It is to be enjoyed.  It is to be experienced.  Looking ahead to the coming year, I already know that we have great things on the horizon.  As since life is life, I am sure there will be many unexpected things as well.  And so I am embracing 2015 with enthusiasm and open eyes and outspread arms.  It is going to be amazing!