The Talens' Tales

I have learned as a parent that it is very important to have a sense of humor and pick you battles. For example, yesterday Joash played outside dressed like this: That's right. Rubber boots, swim suit, and a too small stocking hat. It was very hot and humid out. He wanted to hook up our soaker hose, so I told him he had to wear his swim shorts if he was going to do that. He went into change and came out like this. He listened. And he had a lot of fun playing in the water on a hot summer's day. In other news, we are preparing for Tropical Storm Arthur that is coming tomorrow. So, we have put the outside toys away and we are getting ready to hunker down tomorrow. Hoping it fizzles out a little more and everything will be okay.

Since Joash did not really want to look at the camera, this is sort of a weird video. But, it certainly is a cute one of some of the songs he likes to sing. And yes, in our house, the Farmer in the dell often picks a tractor. Makes sense, don't you think? Enjoy!

Joash does like to sing. Here are a few videos from recent days.  In this first one, he stood by the fridge for close to 20 minutes playing this song over and over again while I got supper on. The words go "You made a match; look what you found. You made a match. Hear a ______ sound." The blank is filled in by the animal that he matched up. I was doing a bit of work on the computer when Joash sat down at the piano to play his version of "Mary Had a Little Lamb." You will hear him signing and you may also hear the radio in the back ground. I didn't want to go and turn off and have him notice I was taking a video of him. You really never know what he is going to say next! I can say for the most part, that the twos, while it does have its challenges, has been a really fun age.

The groomsman at Jander and Tiffany's wedding had a nice little song they wrote to the tune of "Breakfast at Tiffany's". Wilbert is sad they got off on the rhythm a bit, but as you can tell, the people there loved it. And they loved it so much that you really can't hear the sweet harmony the guys made up for the last chorus. Oh well. If you need a bit of background for the song to make sense, Jander went to Dordt and Tiffany to Calvin College, so the rivalry played out all night. All of the groomsmen went to Dordt as well, so you know where our loyalties rise. The location they got married at is called "The Peak" by Tiffany's family. And the time in band class...well, if you ever see Jander you will have to ask him about yourself. Enjoy!

We have known that Joash likes music for a long time. At least we thought he did...  This is how Joash was walking around yesterday while Wilbert was playing the guitar. Whenever Wilbert comes home, Joash wants him to play the guitar. He walks over to the corner where the guitars are stored and touches them and pulls on the handles of the cases. He is also very good and turning the amp on and off. His love of music runs pretty deep. It will be fun to see where it takes him

As you know, Joash come from two rather musical parents. And we are perhaps seeing a love of music developing on our son. I sing with Joash a few time each day. I sing children's Sunday School songs like "Jesus Loves Me," "Praise Him! Praise Him! All You Little Children," and "This Little Light of Mine." If there are any actions to the song, I try to move his arms and hands to mimic the actions. And it never fails that his smiles and coos just start rolling out. This happens too at bed time when Wilbert sings the Dutch bedtime prayer song to Joash. He always starts to coo and smile then. It is funny because we talk to him all the time and read books and play with him in lots of different ways. But, if you want to bank on getting some coos and smiles, you have to sing. So perhaps a love of music starts young.

One of the things I find the most interesting about being married is how we can both be looking at or hearing the same thing and have totally different opinions about it. I, being the English major, focus on the words and try to figure out what they are really saying. Wilbert, being the music major, listens to the music, the bass line, the brass involved and all of the other musical components. So, it always drives me nuts when he messes up the words on a song that he is singing while we are doing dishes. But sometimes the lyric mistakes are made because we miss hear the lyrics - what is known as a mondegreen . This came up just the other day. I was doing a word search and one of the words was "Toledo." Now whenever we are on I-80 heading to Michigan and we see the sign for Toledo, Wilbert always breaks out into a little song that goes, "Toledo. Oh, oh, oh. One more time oughta get it." And that is about all he knew so he would sing it several times. Well, when I ...

I used to think that I was really on top of things when it came to the Christian music scene. I knew all of the new bands and songs and enjoyed them all. But, I have found my new favorite at the Calvin Worship Symposium - Keith and Kristyn Getty . I didn't really know who they were, so I didn't sign up for their session. But, then they led us in worship at the first large worship service and wow! They were awesome. Then I learned that they wrote this song I know. You may have heard of it too. It is called "In Christ Alone." How come I didn't know who wrote "In Christ Alone," probably one of the top five worship songs to have some out in the last 10 years. And here they were, leading us in worship. So cool! They are fantastic for lots of reasons. First, they are Irish, so they have cool accents. Second, they write songs that are very singable. They call themselves "modern hymn writers" which makes a lot of sense. Their songs are great for congre...

I have a song running through my head continuously. The latest one has some powerful, challenging and comforting words. "Unfailing Love " by Chris Tomlin You have my heart And I am Yours forever You are my strength God of grand and power You are my rock The One I hold on to You are my song And I sing for You And everything You hold in Your hand Still You make time for me I can't understand Praise You God of earth and sky How beautiful is Your unfailing love, unfailing love And you never change God You remain The Holy One and my unfailing love, unfailing love I hope and pray you rest in His love today.