Meet Rory
Meet Rory!
Since we recently celebrated our three-month dog-iversary, I thought I'd share a little more about our sweet rescue pup and how we're all settling in.
*Disclosure: I get commissions for purchases made through links in this post.
Rory is a lab/greyhound mix, just over a year old. We got her through Helping Hounds in Syracuse, NY — a dog rescue organization that works with shelters in Texas and Alabama.
Many shelters in the South are over-capacity and cannot keep dogs that are surrendered or found as strays. Organizations like Helping Hounds identify adoptable dogs, place them in short-term foster care programs, then transport them up north for adoption. Rory was in a foster home for two weeks before coming up to Syracuse with 40+ other dogs. Many of the dogs from the transport were adopted the weekend they arrived.
And the amazing thing is, Helping Hounds facilitates 2-3 transports like this each month.
Rory was already house-trained when we got her and would sit for treats. Since then, we've taught her her name, lay down, stay, come, go place, heel, leave it, find it, and shake. We're still working on a few of these, obviously. She finished a 6-week session of puppy class and learned a few new training games. Her new favorite is "find it" — a scavenger hunt for treats hidden around the house!
We've also been teaching her how to play — how to chase a ball, chew on sticks, chew on bones, play tug-of-war with a rope toy. Here's a video of her "helping" us garden last month. She's still a puppy in many ways!
Rory is very playful and very smart — she learns new things so quickly! However, she is pretty very independent and has a mind all her own, so we're still working on consistent obedience. :-) SD says she's a lot like me — sweet, sassy, and stubborn. She is from the South, after all.
We finally discovered a food blend that she likes, though she's still a free-feeder most days. However, she will do almost anything for a piece of chicken any time of day.
In the first three months, we've had our share of dog experiences, I think. Rory escaped through a gap in the fence and scraped her side, electrocuted herself chewing on a computer cord, broke out of a harness (we're on harness #6, in case anyone's counting UPDATE: harness #7 is a keeper!), tore off a dew claw playing tug-of-war in the house, and broke through a (first floor) window screen trying to chase a squirrel.
We've also taken approximately 275 walks and had lots of sweet snuggles in between.
Rory loves playing with her kong and Frisbee (the Hyper Pet Flippy Flopper); chasing squirrels, chipmunks, and bunnies; chewing on bully sticks; playing in the snow (see a video of her first snow experience); tearing up cardboard boxes; sleeping in the pillows on the bed (pick your battles, right?); and going for walks (three a day, thankyouverymuch).
Sweet and sassy, we love our rescue pup! Keep up with her adventures at #rorydoglife.
Advent is a season of hope, patience, expectation, and waiting. A reminder that light follows darkness; we cannot have one without the other. This is why I love Advent calendars—a tangible way to count the days of December and hold on to hope.
Whether you’re counting down to Christmas, Winter Break, or the end of concert season, an Advent calendar can offer a new rhythm or structure to your days. For busy musicians, it’s a simple way to pause and take in one small moment of reflection, joy, or nostalgia.
Happy New Year's Eve!
It’s my tradition here on the blog to share a year-in-review post on December 31—a look back on the highlights and the things we learned, made, and experienced during the year.
2023 was a challenging year in a lot of ways, but also a year of personal and professional growth. We are grateful for all that we have, all that we learned, and all that we carry with us into 2024.
Here's a look back on our year:
If you’re a music student, you probably have anywhere from 2-6 hours a day to practice your instrument. Maybe more. Though certainly an intense time with many early mornings and late nights, most music professionals see that kind of practice time as a luxury.
Once you begin your music career, you may find your days otherwise occupied with gigs, teaching, traveling to gigs or lessons, writing, emailing, coordinating, marketing, networking, and other miscellaneous admin tasks.
When is there time to practice?
The secret is in the margins—those pockets of time you have in your schedule in between things, even if it’s only 30 minutes.
Happy New Year's Eve!
It’s my tradition here on the blog to share a year-in-review post on December 31—a look back on the highlights and the things we learned, made, and experienced during the year.
2023 was a challenging year in a lot of ways, but also a year of personal and professional growth. We are grateful for all that we have, all that we learned, and all that we carry with us into 2024.
Here's a look back on our year:
Happy New Year's Eve!
It’s my tradition here on the blog to share a year-in-review post on December 31—a look back on our favorite moments and the things we learned and made and experienced during the year. 2022 was a year of highs and lows; busy seasons and slow seasons; music, baking, old-house projects, and a little painting.
Here's a look back on our year:
Happy New Year's Eve, friends!
It’s my tradition here on the blog to share a year-in-review post on December 31—a look back on the highlights, the celebrations, the things we learned and made and experienced during the year. 2021 was a long and tiring year, but also one of discovery and exploration.
Happy New Year's Eve, friends!
This year was one for the books. A strange mix of struggle and triumph, canceled plans and empty calendars, worry and learning new things. Amidst the anxiety and angst of the year, there were so many small, sweet moments to celebrate. Here's a look back on our year:
If you’ve been following along for a while, you know that I like to start each year with a book list—a collection of books that I’d like to read (knowing that I usually discover other books throughout the year that I’ll add in).
I used to be a strict one-book-at-a-time reader, but last year, I found that I enjoyed reading two at a time—a nonfiction/business/health book for mornings or pockets of free time during the day and a novel/memoir for reading at night.
I always try to choose books from a few different categories:
Business
Health & Lifestyle
Spiritual
Relationships
Fiction
Personal/Intellectual
Nonfiction/Memoir
This helps me be intentional about the books I choose to read and ensure some diversity (so I don’t end up reading only one type of book!).
Without further ado, here is my book list for 2020:
Happy New Year's Eve, friends!
This year-in-review post is one of my favorites to write each year. Sometimes it feels like the year passes by so quickly, so I’m grateful for the opportunity to look back to this time last year and celebrate all that’s happened and how much we’ve learned along the way. Here's a look back on our year:
Fall was rich and full, sunny and bright. We spent time teaching and learning, experimenting and creating, dreaming and planning. We read new books, shared deep conversations, and found new inspiration in ordinary places.
This is life lately:
Summer has been sweet and full. We’ve traveled to new and familiar places, stretched our creative muscles in new ways, and reaped the rewards of gardening and old house projects. We’ve tried new recipes, read new books, and took time to rest and unwind.
This is life lately:
I’ve been thinking a lot about seasons lately - how they shift and change, pulling us into something new, yet familiar, inviting us to change right along with it.
There’s something so reassuring about picturing your life this way: “To everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven” (Ecclesiastes 3:1).
This past season (since my Winter update) has been full of new things: new places, new friends, new challenges, new house projects, new habits.
This is life lately:
This year, like many of you, I set out to create a few new habits in my life. You know what it's like: those things we do, the routines and structures that shape our days—our habits are patterns of learned behavior that are so second nature to us, we don’t even think about them.
“Out with the old and in with the new!” we say, as if it were that easy. But what does it really take to form a new habit?
According to Charles Duhigg, former New York Times reporter and author of the book, The Power of Habit, every habit has a cycle or loop:
The routine (the thing we find ourselves doing automatically)
The reward we get from that activity
The cue or trigger that starts the cycle
There’s something about winter that causes us to slow down, to reflect. I suppose you could say the same thing about any season: it’s really a matter of being intentional with your time and attention and being present.
I’m making it a practice to sit and write out some of my thoughts during each season this year - a practice I hope will help me cultivate a sense of peace and gratitude, recognize and acknowledge things I’m learning, and be more present.
We’re all works in progress, right? This is me, sharing where I am and what I’m learning along the way.
So, let’s pretend it’s the weather and say this reflection was inspired by quiet snow days and clean, winter-white landscapes, okay? This is life lately:
One of my favorite things to do this time of year is make a list of books I’d like to read in the year ahead.
If you’ve been following along with me for a while, you know I don’t always get to all the books I have planned (full confession), and sometimes, I deviate from my list in favor of other books that I encounter during the year.
Regardless, I like to begin the year with intention and keep a running list of books that I want to read. (Here are my book lists from 2018, 2017, and 2016, in case you’re curious).
This year, I’m choosing books from seven different categories:
Happy New Year's Eve, friends!
This year-in-review post is one of my favorite posts to write each year. It’s always amazing to think back to this time last year and see how far we've come and how much we’ve learned. Here's a look back on our year:
I never used to consider myself much of a reader, but it’s something I’ve been cultivating in my personal (and business) life for the past several years.
I started by setting a goal of 10 books in a year, then 12. This year, I read 16 books! Little by little, I’m learning to love reading and am exploring new authors and a variety of book categories with the hope of broadening my perspective, developing new skills, learning about myself and others, and becoming a better person in the process.
“Become a better listener.”
It was one of the goals I set for myself at the beginning of this year, but it’s one I think I’ll have a hard time checking off and calling “done.” Because, when it comes to listening well, there isn’t a point of arrival or mastery; instead, I’m learning it’s something we can always be working on and trying to improve.
Being more intentional with our words and not jumping in too quickly.
Giving our full attention to the person speaking instead of letting our mind wander.
Not assuming that every point of disagreement will (or should) turn into an argument.
One of my favorite things about beginning a new calendar year is choosing which books I want to read in the coming months.
I like to read one book at a time and one book per month seems to be a good pace for me. I also like to read slowly and take notes as I go (these are my favorite journals for book notes) so I can go back and review the highlights later.
I lean toward books that challenge me to think in a new way or look at the world from a new perspective; books that teach me something or inspire me or help me grow in some area of my life. I use the following categories as a basic framework:
Health/Lifestyle
Spiritual
Personal
Business
Happy New Year's Eve, friends!
It's become my NYE tradition to recap our year here on the blog - our travels, everyday adventures, things we learned, favorite memories, and all the little things in between.
2017 was a year of growth, adventure, change, and friendship. Here is a look back:
Happy summer!
It’s the last week of school here, and the week leading up to Children’s/Youth Sunday and I have my sights set on summer - slow evenings on the patio, trips to the lake, and a good book (or two).
Our summers are relatively short here, so we try to take advantage of every opportunity we can to be outside, enjoying the longer days, (somewhat) slower pace, and beautiful weather while it lasts.
So, I made a list, obviously.
Have you ever felt overwhelmed? You know the feeling:
Tired.
Distracted.
Uninspired.
Slightly frantic.
Unable to make decisions.
Burnt out.
For me, these are the tell-tale signs that I'm feeling overwhelmed. Why does this happen? How do we get overwhelmed in the first place? Here are six common reasons. Do any of these resonate with you?
When I start to feel overwhelmed, I try to stop and ask myself these questions:
- Am I saying “yes” to too many things?
- Am I unable or unwilling to relinquish control of something or ask for help?
- Am I chasing the thrill of achievement and productivity?
- Can I live up to my own expectations?
These are hard questions to ask. But understanding how we got here, to this place of overwhelm, is important to learning how to overcome it, now and in the future.
Happy New Year's Eve!
It's become a fun tradition here on the blog to recap our year on New Year’s Eve - our travels, everyday adventures, highlights, memories, and all the little things in between.
2016 was a wonderful year full of milestones, travel, adventure, and puppy kisses. Here is a look back:
Meet Rory!
Since we recently celebrated our three-month dog-iversary, I thought I'd share a little more about our sweet rescue pup and how we're all settling in.
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Rory is a lab/greyhound mix, just over a year old. We got her through Helping Hounds in Syracuse, NY - a dog rescue organization that works with shelters in Texas and Alabama.
Many shelters in the South are over-capacity and cannot keep dogs that are surrendered or found as strays. Organizations like Helping Hounds identify adoptable dogs, place them in short-term foster care programs, then transport them up north for adoption. Rory was in a foster home for two weeks before coming up to Syracuse with 40+ other dogs. Many of the dogs from the transport were adopted the weekend they arrived.
A few weeks ago, the youth led worship. They planned skits and a children's message, wrote prayers, made T-shirts, wrote testimonials, and chose music. They poured their hearts into this service. And it showed.
The overall theme was packing for a long journey - carrying extra baggage through life and trying to do it all on their own until Jesus revealed himself to them and offered to carry their burdens. But instead of playing fictional characters, the youth assumed their own identities - they were themselves and the baggage they carried were real things they struggle with in their own lives.
One high schooler shared her struggle with depression and anxiety.
Another about grief and loss.
One talked about turning her back on God, the way He sought her, and the joy she's found in returning to Him.
A 6th grader spoke about taking a stand and choosing to believe in God even when her friends and teachers try to tell her He doesn't exist.
Sometimes, I need a little perspective. Because when I'm immersed in the details of planning, creating, teaching, and making music, it's easy to lose sight of the bigger picture. And sometimes, it takes getting to 30,000 feet above the earth to get the perspective I crave.
. . . . .
A few weeks ago, SD and I flew south to sunny FL. He had a composition residency (rehearsals, presentation, and two premieres), I had a visit with church music friends (choir rehearsal, duet practice, and three services).
We packed our bathing suits, new books, and clothes we haven't worn since last summer, and left our new home nestled in two feet of fluffy white snow.
The airport was quiet as we navigated to our gate, sandwiches from Au Bon Pain in hand. We nestled into our seats and I looked out the window (because SD always lets me have the window seat) at the grey morning sky.
Happy New Year's Eve, y'all! 2015 was a whirlwind for us - so many big changes! It's pretty amazing to think back to this time last year and see how far we've come and how much has happened. Here's a look back on one of our biggest years yet:
We visited NYC twice - once with SD's parents to see "Lion King" on Broadway, and then again a few weeks later for the Chamber Music America conference. This was the first time I ever stayed overnight in the City and I actually felt like I knew my way around the Times Square area by the time we left!
In February, we went cross-country skiing and snow-shoeing for the first time at a nearby park (rentals were only $3/person!). I started my dissertation research (eight weeks long) and we had the opportunity to see the St. Olaf Choir in concert - amazing!
Newspaper for gift-wrapping.
Charlie Brown stamps.
Extra rehearsals.
(Endless) to-do lists.
Christmas concerts.
Amazon packages.
Bulletin drafts.
Doxology Press orders.
Shipping deadlines.
Various versions of Jingle Bells in lessons every week.
These are the things our December days are made of (especially if you're a musician!). As much as we long for a slower pace at this time of the year, the truth is this is one of the busiest seasons of all.
Thanksgiving.
It's that time of the year when people seem to become a bit more intentional about counting their blessings and naming things they're thankful for. A time when people gather together from near and far to share a special meal around the table. A time when people google things like "how to cook a turkey" and "watch macy's parade online" (No? Am I the only one?).
Maybe it's the time of year, or maybe it's a response to the chaos of life the past few months, but I find myself needing to take a step back, needing to create space for thankfulness. Eugene Peterson said it best:
"We stop, whether by choice or through circumstance, so that we can be alert and attentive and receptive to what God is doing in and for us, in and for others, on the way. We wait for our souls to catch up with our bodies." -Eugene Peterson, The Jesus Way
Happy New Year's Eve!
It’s my tradition here on the blog to share a year-in-review post on December 31—a look back on the highlights and the things we learned, made, and experienced during the year.
I’m grateful for another full year of life, music, and adventures, but I also want to acknowledge that it's been a hard year for all of us. Looking ahead to 2026, we all have an important role to play—let's make it count.
Here's a look back on our year: