Well, it's December again. I feel like we were just here a year ago. :) This month usually goes by so fast for me, so I am going to try and soak it all in as much as possible. The lights, the smell, the music... ahh, the music. You see, Christmas music is unlike any other type. It allows us for one month (or more, if you start early) to openly sing about the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ without glaring eyes or snide remarks. It is a wonderful time, bringing good tidings of great joy. I figured there was no better way to celebrate the beginning of this great month than to post the Christmas music I've been working on this week. I hope you enjoy listening to some of my favorite Christmas "carols" that so beautifully give a picture of what this winter season is all about. :)

Forewarning, this is not a professional recording in the least bit. If you read my previous post, all of these songs were recorded on my little iPhone 4. I hope to record again (professionally) soon! We are actually working on a worship album at Watermark that will be released this summer. But for all the little songs I've written since New Day, I am saving up to record. You can donate towards the cause by leaving a tip when you download my Christmas songs on NoiseTrade. Or you can just download them for free. I just want you to have them!

Happy December and Merry Christmas!

We had quite a Thanksgiving week! My husband was sick for most of it, sadly. He came down with a Peritonsillar abscess in his throat which was no fun at all. Especially during a time when you want to be able to eat everything in sight without difficulty! He suffered through this for a week thinking he had strep throat. Then after it worsened, we were informed it was an abscess. We ended up making several trips to the doctor to figure this thing out. Despite this setback, we still managed to enjoy our time in South Carolina with family. Josh was even willing to take a few photos with me for our Christmas card this year (which just arrived in the mail today! Snapfish is speedy). Bless his heart, he could hardly smile without hurting! I love this guy.

thanks to justin robinson for taking the lovely photos

Speaking of Christmas... I am excited about sharing a little acoustic Christmas EP I've been working on this week! Someone asked me if I would record a Christmas album for them a few weeks ago. I immediately got excited, because I love Christmas music! But, I had no idea how I could even possibly record anything in such a short time (anything, well good, I mean). So instead of stressing over it - I decided I would just do mp3's of what I usually do for my youtube videos. Live acoustic covers. I'll be putting it up on Noisetrade for free at the end of the week (hopefully!) so be looking for it then! But for now... I will leave you with the track listing. I tried to cover more obscure Christmas songs that not a lot of people know. And then of course, some of my traditional favorites. The best part about this? It was completely recorded on my handy, dandy... iPhone! Ha! I downloaded garageband on my phone and just played around with it. Surprisingly, it worked! I titled this EP "iCHRISTmas" for two reasons: 1) It was recorded on the "iPhone" so I wanted the trademark "i" in there and 2) CHRIST is bigger than i. This season is all about Him.

I tweeted this the other day:

I love a good singer, but my favorite artists are those who write their own music. I'm more inspired by words than vocal runs.  -@cassidyrobinson

This is so so true for me. I would choose to pop in Taylor Swift over Carrie Underwood on a car ride home, just because I know for a fact that I am hearing Taylor's heart when she sings. But, there's no question Carrie is the better singer. This thought has me thinking - when it comes to my music, are people hearing my heart?

Sometimes I shy away from saying the whole truth, because I am afraid of what people may think. I know, really? But it's true. I want to protect my family. I want to honor them. I want to respect the good that has been shown to me. So I avoid writing about the real dirt.

We all have it though. And sometimes I wonder if hiding this does any good? Doesn't it help to sometimes get it out?

There's a fine line between writing for the sake of writing, and writing for the sake of healing. I want to write for healing. If there is one goal I have for my music - it is that God is glorified through my joy, sorrow and pain. And if someone hears my song, I hope they hear my heart over the vocals.

I leave you now, with an oldie but goodie.

Goodbye 

I stare across the floor I know that I've been here before It's like losing you, again And I can't take the violins

They play the same tune We sing the same song About a memory that's gone And it feels just like goodbye But I know you're on the other side

I pass you on the street I see you in everyone I meet You're like the wind beneath my hair I feel you and know you are

There when I'm down There when I'm fighting hope Your voice is an echo And I'm not gonna say goodbye Cause I know you're on the other side

And there's too many heartbreaks And too many tragedies To fight it alone in this life Oh, God I need You Til I'm on the other side

p.s. I've finally added a few ways to follow this blog, just scroll on over to the right and look for - google friend connect, bloglovin and email subscription. 

p.p.s. 11/18/11 thankful list...

11. long trips in the car with my husband 12.  the music of needtobreathe, switchfoot & coldplay (the soundtrack to our roadtrips) 13.  sleep 14. my guitar 15. smuckers uncrustables pb&j sandwiches (the perfect travel snack) 16.  plenty of clothing to wear 17.  my iphone (the perfect travel companion, next to the hubs) 18.  a week of vacation 19.  our reliable "family" vehicle (Chevy Equinox) 20.  ministry opportunities