Happy Heart
Story Of My Life: Sunshine, Songs, and Sundays
Page 9
The past few weeks have opened my eyes so much and have given me so many "pinch me I must be dreaming moments"! First off...It is finally May! One more month down until Summer hits. I feel like a little kid on Christmas Eve... anxious, and too excited to sleep! The weather has finally been heating up! Well, in-between the monsoons of course! Finally we have some high temperatures and the sun shining down in Nashville! Hopefully soon I can get a tan on my see-through white legs and do my best to look like a beach bum (fingers crossed, even though I always burn). But the sunshine hasn't been the only thing that has been putting a smile on my face.
A few weeks ago, I got the chance to write music with 2 people that I have always loved writing with, Nathan Chapman and Blair Daly. I have written with both of them in separate writes before, but never together. I have always thought it would be an fabulous idea for all three of us to write together, but I never thought it would happen...BUT... (drum roll please) IT DID! When I have written with Blair one day or Nathan another day, each separate time we have written together we have always come out with a rockin' tune that makes you want to roll the windows down and sing along in the car. With that being said, along with the bright weather, I knew that the three of us were going to come up with something up-tempo and fun! Well, I THOUGHT I knew...
Blair and I have always said "We should really write a heartfelt, story driven, soft song", because we hadn't ever gone to that place before. I have always felt that my strength lies in that category. I always tend to write those songs, and it has always been a challenge for me to write an up-tempo song. That is why when I found Blair and Nathan, I was so excited because they brought that side of my songwriting out that I didn't know I had in me! We haven't ever actually gotten around to doing a softer song, however, and I didn't think that this day would be the day that we would...But we did and I am SO happy we did. At the beginning of the write, Nathan, Blair, and I dove into something super exciting and driven by all of these really cool, slick melodic pieces that we hadn't quite pieced together yet. It was about an hour in and suddenly Blair voiced that we should pull back for a minute, take our mind off what we were doing, and try to run with what we had always talked about doing instead... Having us all agree to this was a no-brainer, but also kind of scary because we have always done so well writing up-tempo songs. We honestly had no idea where this road would lead us... and where we ended up is a place we didn't think we would go BUT it was kind of amazing.
When we ventured down this unknown songwriting road, everything began to pour out of us and fall into place, (those are my favorite days). I learned the hard way and very early (luckily) that everyday you enter a room with a group of co-writers that you can't plan, you can't force anything, and you can't come in with your walls up because that will just kill the whole creative process. I am a strong believer that every room you write in has a song in the air that is just waiting to be written, and I am SO glad that the song that was lingering in that room ended up being what it was. This song started as just a beautiful guitar loop played by Nathan and it turned into a story that means so much to my heart. This song brought me back to why I love country music so much...The story. There is a story behind every song you hear. This song is a page directly ripped out of the story of my life. Yes, it is a song about growing up and moving away from home... But it is so much more than that. One of my favorite lyrics reads "18 years in a camera flash", which for me is exactly how I feel about my past trip home. When I was home last month, I felt like every road I drove down and every room I was in had a memory attached to it. Just like in the movies, it was as if I could see those memories in a black and white scene like an old photo. There is something real, raw, and so relatable about it that one lyric that will glide you into a memory that is specific to you...Just like old photo memories in a scrapbook or photo album do. It is innocent but mature and will put a smile on your face as a tear drops from your eye. Bittersweet. There are some days that you leave from a writing session and you are happy with the song and love it! These are good songwriting days. There are some days you like the song but you don't love it. Those aren't so good songwriting days. BUT then there are somedays when you write a song that gives you a feeling that is so indescribable and you just know that the song is going to be so special...That was this day. It's like when you have waited a long time for your food to come out at the restaurant you are at, and after all that waiting and all that hard work you put into not eating all the bread in the breadbasket....BOOM. You're food comes out and you take the first bite and you can't help but smile and thank goodness you saved your appetite for this one bite. It is THAT great of a feeling. I am very grateful that Blair and Nathan had asked me write with them that day not only because I got a chance to write my story into a song from a different perspective than I have gotten to before, but because we laughed, drank coffee and talked about The Walking Dead. Awesome.
Page 9
The past few weeks have opened my eyes so much and have given me so many "pinch me I must be dreaming moments"! First off...It is finally May! One more month down until Summer hits. I feel like a little kid on Christmas Eve... anxious, and too excited to sleep! The weather has finally been heating up! Well, in-between the monsoons of course! Finally we have some high temperatures and the sun shining down in Nashville! Hopefully soon I can get a tan on my see-through white legs and do my best to look like a beach bum (fingers crossed, even though I always burn). But the sunshine hasn't been the only thing that has been putting a smile on my face.
A few weeks ago, I got the chance to write music with 2 people that I have always loved writing with, Nathan Chapman and Blair Daly. I have written with both of them in separate writes before, but never together. I have always thought it would be an fabulous idea for all three of us to write together, but I never thought it would happen...BUT... (drum roll please) IT DID! When I have written with Blair one day or Nathan another day, each separate time we have written together we have always come out with a rockin' tune that makes you want to roll the windows down and sing along in the car. With that being said, along with the bright weather, I knew that the three of us were going to come up with something up-tempo and fun! Well, I THOUGHT I knew...
Blair and I have always said "We should really write a heartfelt, story driven, soft song", because we hadn't ever gone to that place before. I have always felt that my strength lies in that category. I always tend to write those songs, and it has always been a challenge for me to write an up-tempo song. That is why when I found Blair and Nathan, I was so excited because they brought that side of my songwriting out that I didn't know I had in me! We haven't ever actually gotten around to doing a softer song, however, and I didn't think that this day would be the day that we would...But we did and I am SO happy we did. At the beginning of the write, Nathan, Blair, and I dove into something super exciting and driven by all of these really cool, slick melodic pieces that we hadn't quite pieced together yet. It was about an hour in and suddenly Blair voiced that we should pull back for a minute, take our mind off what we were doing, and try to run with what we had always talked about doing instead... Having us all agree to this was a no-brainer, but also kind of scary because we have always done so well writing up-tempo songs. We honestly had no idea where this road would lead us... and where we ended up is a place we didn't think we would go BUT it was kind of amazing.
When we ventured down this unknown songwriting road, everything began to pour out of us and fall into place, (those are my favorite days). I learned the hard way and very early (luckily) that everyday you enter a room with a group of co-writers that you can't plan, you can't force anything, and you can't come in with your walls up because that will just kill the whole creative process. I am a strong believer that every room you write in has a song in the air that is just waiting to be written, and I am SO glad that the song that was lingering in that room ended up being what it was. This song started as just a beautiful guitar loop played by Nathan and it turned into a story that means so much to my heart. This song brought me back to why I love country music so much...The story. There is a story behind every song you hear. This song is a page directly ripped out of the story of my life. Yes, it is a song about growing up and moving away from home... But it is so much more than that. One of my favorite lyrics reads "18 years in a camera flash", which for me is exactly how I feel about my past trip home. When I was home last month, I felt like every road I drove down and every room I was in had a memory attached to it. Just like in the movies, it was as if I could see those memories in a black and white scene like an old photo. There is something real, raw, and so relatable about it that one lyric that will glide you into a memory that is specific to you...Just like old photo memories in a scrapbook or photo album do. It is innocent but mature and will put a smile on your face as a tear drops from your eye. Bittersweet. There are some days that you leave from a writing session and you are happy with the song and love it! These are good songwriting days. There are some days you like the song but you don't love it. Those aren't so good songwriting days. BUT then there are somedays when you write a song that gives you a feeling that is so indescribable and you just know that the song is going to be so special...That was this day. It's like when you have waited a long time for your food to come out at the restaurant you are at, and after all that waiting and all that hard work you put into not eating all the bread in the breadbasket....BOOM. You're food comes out and you take the first bite and you can't help but smile and thank goodness you saved your appetite for this one bite. It is THAT great of a feeling. I am very grateful that Blair and Nathan had asked me write with them that day not only because I got a chance to write my story into a song from a different perspective than I have gotten to before, but because we laughed, drank coffee and talked about The Walking Dead. Awesome.
A few Sunday's later, it was Mother's Day. Is it really May 11th already? Holy heck! Time has flown by so fast and I don't know where it has all gone. Mother's Day has always been filled with making our mom breakfast and catering to her every need because it is HER day. Without my brothers and my dad by my side to help make my mom's day special, I had to figure out SOMETHING to do to make her day great! With a little planning, I surprised my mom with a Mother's Day she wouldn't forget! The first surprise was having my mom's best friend from college come down from Kentucky and surprise her for the weekend with her darling little boy. Holly has always been a huge part of our life. We didn't get to see her often when we lived in Utah, but now that we live in Tennessee it makes it so much easier to see each other. After a few texts exchanged back and forth between Holly and I, we had a sneaky plan that we knew would work! Keeping it a secret was definitely the hardest part! Keeping my lips sealed the whole week before she came was worth it! On the night Holly came to surprise her, who my mom thought was the pizza delivery guy at the door, was actually Holly! Holly was EVEN better than extra cheesy yumminess, (don't worry though, we still got the pizza)! The whole weekend was spent with shopping, eating yummy treats, and new memories. We started off our weekend at a food truck festival in downtown Franklin, TN. There were over 40 food trucks and 200 people racing around trying to decide what line to jump in. We watched movies, gossiped all through the night, and got NO sleep! It was SO much fun. On Sunday morning, (Mother's Day morning), we wen't to this cute little restaurant in town called "PFunky Griddle". This isn't just a normal breakfast hit though; at each table you make your OWN breakfast! YES! You are your own personal chef! I know it sounds crazy, but it is fun and delicious. You pick your batter, your toppings, and then you cook your all-you-can-eat breakfast. I definitely suggest going there...It was ABSOLUTELY AMAZING! Later, that day I took my mom to see a movie! We saw "The Other Woman" (chick-flick); it was filled with girl humor and cute moments that made the movie a total MUST SEE! If you are trying to get a mommy and daughter date planned, start by seeing this movie! It is SO cute.
I don't think that Mother's Day is the only day of the year that we should be celebrating our moms. Being a mom requires so much love and so much hard work. My mom has always done so much for me and continues to show me in new ways everyday how much she loves me. My brothers and I have been so blessed to have such a beautiful woman being placed in our lives. I don't know how to ever begin to thank her for all the amazing things she has done for us. She can make any gray sky, blue and can make any bad day a good one. She is the first person I have always gone to for advice and will continue to go to because a "mother's advice is always best"! TRUE STATEMENT! She is my rock, my strength, and my best friend. I am so lucky to have such a close relationship to my mom. There is a quote I read the other day that I feel is too relatable to the relationship my mom and I share.
"All that I am and all that I hope to be, I owe to my mother."
This is so true. She is the most amazing role model. I look up to her as a person and as a mother. I am who I am today because of her. I hope someday I can be HALF of what she is. I love my mom...Obviously.
"All that I am and all that I hope to be, I owe to my mother."
This is so true. She is the most amazing role model. I look up to her as a person and as a mother. I am who I am today because of her. I hope someday I can be HALF of what she is. I love my mom...Obviously.
Here are some of my favorite pics from Mother's Day Weekend!
Even though those new memories made were fantastic...Yesterday something extra special happened. What happened left me speechless and leaving with a happy spirit and a grateful heart.
Yesterday, May 13th, I got to opportunity to sing for some of the kids at Vanderbilt's Children Hospital. Vanderbilt's Children's Hospital doesn't feel like a hospital. With the bright colored walls, Disney Main Street theme, and the hospital filled from top to bottom with decor that makes you feel like you are literally inside the head of a child (I am still a child at heart, so I fit in here PERFECTLY).
Yesterday, May 13th, I got to opportunity to sing for some of the kids at Vanderbilt's Children Hospital. Vanderbilt's Children's Hospital doesn't feel like a hospital. With the bright colored walls, Disney Main Street theme, and the hospital filled from top to bottom with decor that makes you feel like you are literally inside the head of a child (I am still a child at heart, so I fit in here PERFECTLY).
The atmosphere is perfect. From the minute you walk in the door, the air is filled with positivity. When you aren't feeling 100 percent and you might need some help getting better, you want to be surrounded by bright colors and happy spirits. The kids in the hospital are the strongest little soldiers. No matter what they are going through, big or small, sometimes they need a break from the regular day of nurses and doctors. Whether it's playing bingo, watching movies, or listening to live music; Vanderbilt strives in making the children's hospital not just a children's hospital. It is a safe, happy, fun zone where you can be yourself...A kid. I have always had a connection with kids, (probably because regardless of being 17, I would rather hang out with my 4 year old cousin and play kitchen with her than grow up), and I have an obvious strong connection to music. Being able to combine the two worlds is one of my favorite things to do. I have always been active in volunteering, however I could, to work with kids whether it's just hanging out with them, helping them with school work, or teaching them music back in Utah. The first thing I asked as soon as I got out here in Nashville, is "How can I get involved with Vanderbilt Children's Hospital, and how soon can I start?". I have seen many people I have looked up to talk about how incredible this hospital is and I was dying to experience it myself. It is so much more than what they ever said. Vanderbilt Children's Hospital offers so many different ways to have fun. They have created numerous sets of time that the kids can get away from their rooms and forget about whats going on in their life. The best way that I thought that I could help was by bringing my love for music into the hospital. I think what makes Vanderbilt special is that they understand that you never know how the kids are going to be feeling that day. They might want to be there, but they can't. Keeping this in mind, Vanderbilt has a camera that live streams the performance to all the TV's in the kids rooms who can't come down to watch. I think that is so special because then they can be a part of everything that is going on in the click of one remote. When I was on the stage, it made me so happy to see some of the kids with the maracas and drums playing along to the songs I was singing. I had my good friend Daisy Mallory (check her out, she is AMAZING) join me and we did our best to bring some fun into their day! I hope they had as much fun as we did. I loved being able to interact with the kids. One little girl, Michelle, came on stage with me and helped us sing "Itsy Bitsy Spider" and showed me how to do the hand motions! She even sang along to "Let It Go" from the audience. It is little moments like that, that make me so happy that music is in my life. Music has always brought me joy, but it is a different thing to take what you love that makes you happy, and bring it to someone else in hopes to make them as happy. I love that I can take something that I love and share it with someone else. This experience left me humbled, very thankful, and inspired. I really hope that I get to dive into more ways to participate in this amazing hospital, because if I can make the kids smile like they made me smile, then that is the greatest gift I could ask for. Whether you can get involved in a small way or a big way, I think it is so important to find a program when you're young that you feel passionate about, and I have. I am so lucky that I can be a part of this and I hope that eventually I can continue to do more to be involved with this amazing hospital.
Whether it is writing songs, spending time with my partner in crime, or sharing music with someone else in the hope of brightening their day... I keep finding another reason to be happy and grateful for the life I have been given and for the opportunities that I have been presented with.
Until Next Time...
Whether it is writing songs, spending time with my partner in crime, or sharing music with someone else in the hope of brightening their day... I keep finding another reason to be happy and grateful for the life I have been given and for the opportunities that I have been presented with.
Until Next Time...