Titanium

I'm still here! After being sick, then super busy with work, then taking care of Andrew when he got sick this week, there hasn't been a lot of time to blog — and to be honest, I haven't felt much like blogging, either.

I'll be back with an update on the babies and life in general soon, but until then, I wanted to share this beautiful cover of "Titanium" from the latest season of The Voice (which, as you know, I am obsessed with). Madilyn has a gorgeous, sweet tone and is a Utah girl, so I'm mustering up some Utah pride (not as easy as Idaho pride) and rooting for her. :)



I've loved this song since it first came out, but I think the stripped-down, slower version helps you focus on the words. They've been in my head lately as I've thought about trials that come my way, especially the chorus:

I'm bulletproof
Nothing to lose
Fire away, fire away
Ricochet,
You take your aim
Fire away, fire away
You shoot me down
But I won't fall
I am titanium
You shoot me down
But I won't fall
I am titanium
I am titanium
I am titanium

If you're going through something hard right now, I hope you remember that you ARE titanium and that you can withstand anything. Don't let anybody bring you down or make you feel bad about yourself. You can stop yourself from falling and let those bullets pass you by.

Happy St. Patrick's Day, and I hope you have a wonderful week!

Music Monday: O Come, Emmanuel

I love this time of year because it means I can play my Christmas playlist again for about a month — and I have a lot of Christmas music. While I haven't added much new music this year, this song is one of my very favorite additions.

If you live in Idaho or Utah, you might be familiar with The Piano Guys, as they're famous for taking grand pianos to crazy places like the red rock areas in southern Utah. But I hope their beautiful rendition of "O Come, Emmanuel" is new to some of you! It is so peaceful and makes me think about the tiny baby Jesus who was born so long ago in a manger. It's also special because my dad used to sing this song at Christmas, and I think of him, too.

Take a few minutes, relax and sip some hot chocolate. This song will make you feel all warm inside.

Music Monday: Little Drummer Boy

You may have already seen this video, since it went viral pretty fast, but I thought it was worth sharing again.

I have loved Pentatonix ever since they competed on (and won!) The Sing-Off a few years ago, but I hadn't heard anything about them since. Then this video came out and I remembered how much I loved them! Their Christmas album actually came out last year (as did this song), but it's becoming very popular again as a result of this song.

I hope you love it as much as I do! I bought the whole album (it's only $8 on Amazon/iTunes) and have been enjoying it since Wednesday. :)

Music Monday: Wake me up

It's been a busy few weeks, and I've been feeling less than motivated to blog lately. I'm trying to catch up on your great blogs, too, but just know that I may be reading all your posts on Sunday evenings, as that's when I finally have some time.

I know this song has been all over the radio, but I love it and wanted to share it anyway. I am hoping to have my brother, a guitar virtuoso, learn it so we can record an acoustic version of it over Thanksgiving.

By the way, I didn't watch the music video, but a lot of the comments on YouTube said it was really weird, so you may just want to play this in the background if that's the case. :)

Music Monday: A Case of You

I'm about to get a big collection of new folk music from my boss, so I'll be sharing some favorite songs from that in the next few weeks. But in the meantime, I have to share the latest Voice cover I am obsessed with.

I have liked James ever since his audition, but his performance of a Joni Mitchell song won me over. I have listened to this song every day for the past week, and it still gives me chills. His voice is pretty much perfect, and it's so well-suited to the song.

Give it a listen and tell me if you don't love it as much as I do.

Music Monday: When I was your man

I didn't intend to write just one blog post last week, but I suddenly got slammed with a huge project at work and put in about 50 hours last week. Fortunately, I had a low-key weekend and am ready to tackle another week. I'm hoping it will be less crazy!

I am still loving The Voice, and last week's battle between my favorites, Matthew and Will, gave me chills. The talent on this show always blows me away.

Music Monday: I can love you like that

I hope you had a wonderful weekend! Andrew and I spent Saturday afternoon and evening at the nearby amusement park, Lagoon. I have so many wonderful memories of Lagoon, and spending time there is like coming home.

When I was little, even though we lived about three-and-a-half hours away, we would go to Lagoon when we were visiting my grandparents in Utah. I also went there with my school at the end of eighth grade, and it was the main focus of our senior trip when I graduated from high school. 

I still think of my good friend Kristen whenever I ride the Spider, and I like to snuggle up to my husband on the Sky Ride (a ski lift-esque ride that takes you from one side of the park to the other). Twenty years have passed since I first started going to Lagoon, and it really hasn't changed much — other than the prices have skyrocketed. I hope the ancient Terror Ride and Dracula's Castle are still there to frighten my own kids in a few years.

While we were in line to ride the swings, which are my favorite, this awesome '90s song came on and transported me back to junior high. Andrew and I knew practically every word and sang along with it. I seriously love the '90s. Best ballads ever.

Music Monday: Cough syrup

I did warn you that I'd be sharing favorite performances from The Voice for a while, right? I love this show so much it's crazy. While I never got into American Idol since my family didn't have that channel growing up, I look forward to watching the amazing performances on The Voice every week and snuggling up with my blanket to watch Adam and Blake duke it out.

And since this guy performed, I have had his song stuck in my head. I liked the original, but the cover breathed new life into it — and the single, which you can purchase from iTunes, is even better than the live performance.

Are you into The Voice? Who's your favorite? I'm rooting for several right now and hoping that none of them get eliminated in the battle rounds. 

Music Monday: Not Over You

I certainly haven't intended to neglect this blog on Fridays, but I'm finding that I'm absolutely exhausted with a new job and allergies that I can't seem to shake. Fortunately, we had a relaxing weekend, and I'm feeling much more rested for the new week.

And since I haven't shared a Music Monday for a while, I thought now would be a perfect time to start posting my favorite clips from the new season of The Voice. The third week of auditions starts tonight at 7 p.m., and I am loving the show as usual. I'd love to hear your thoughts if you watch it!

Check out my favorite Voice performance so far below. I already bought his single and am rooting for him to take it all. :)

Music Monday: The Chickeneers

Happy Monday! I hope you had a wonderful weekend. I spent mine cleaning the house, escaping Utah's heat wave and plowing through Dan Brown's latest book, Inferno. While it was no Angels and Demons, I enjoyed it — and it was fun to have another suspenseful read for summer, since I wasn't a huge fan of The Lost Symbol. Have you read Inferno yet? I'd love to hear what you thought!

In other news, since so many of you liked the yodeling video I shared last week, I thought I'd share another Jimmy Fallon video that makes me laugh out loud. Enjoy The Chickeneers' cover of "Ho, Hey!"

Music Monday: Yodeling

Happy Monday! I just returned from a quick camping trip in Idaho and am a little tired from the drive. To tide you over now that The Voice has ended (boo!), check out this video of Brad Pitt and Jimmy Fallon yodeling. Because it's awesome.


I hope you have a fantastic week! Any exciting plans?

Music Monday: Crazy

I know you are probably getting tired of clips from The Voice, but I am just loving this season. I think Usher has really revived the show, and I look forward to it every week when I get home from work. Plus, the finale is this week, so pretty soon I'll be back to sharing regular old music. :)

Unfortunately, my favorite contestant, Amber, was voted off the show last week (and the Swon Brothers are still in the running, which absolutely blows my mind), so I thought I'd share one of my favorite performances of hers. I know she'll never be Patsy Cline, but I think she did a great job covering "Crazy."

Let me know what you think! And if you're a Voice fan, once again share your thoughts about who's going to win! My money is on Danielle now. If the Swon Brothers win, I will seriously have to go for a walk after the show to blow off some steam. Obviously I get a little too into music shows.

Music Monday: Put Your Records On

OK. We've established that I am a teeny bit obsessed with The Voice this season. I mean, come on. Usher? Adam Levine? Talented singers covering current songs and classics? LOVE IT.

Now that they're down to the top 5, I have to share one of my favorite performances of the season with you. Although Caroline went home, I think both she and Danielle are fantastic — and they sounded great together on "Put Your Records On." Let me know what you think, and please weigh in on your favorite to win it all if you're a Voice fan! I'd love to discuss.

Music Monday: Golden Slumbers

Thank you for your kind comments about our car problems. May was a pretty rough month, so I'm hoping that June is much better.

As I mentioned before, I missed my sister-in-law's baby shower — and I had made a great lullaby album for little baby Evelynn (who may be here this week!) and the guests. Since I didn't get to share them with her yet, I thought I'd post my new favorite lullaby here for you to enjoy. It's a cover of The Beatles' "Golden Slumbers" and — I never thought I'd say this — I think it's better than the original.



Do you have a favorite lullaby? I'm planning to buy the sheet music and hopefully someday record my own lullaby album for my kids to listen to. Wouldn't that be an amazing gift?

Music Monday: Zach's story

I posted a link to Zach's song, "Clouds," back in February and talked a bit about this amazing kid battling cancer and keeping a positive attitude through it. Unfortunately, he passed away a week ago today of osteosarcoma.

While I didn't know him personally, his story is absolutely inspiring. I watched this documentary late Wednesday night after feeling horribly discouraged with all of our car troubles, and it made me so much more grateful for the things I have and reminded me how precious and short life is.

This is a bit long (more than 20 minutes), but I promise it is absolutely worth it — and fitting for Memorial Day, when we remember those who have passed on.

Music Monday: True Colors

I am kind of embarrassed to admit how much I am obsessed with The Voice, but I absolutely love it. I think the judges (Usher, Shakira, Adam Levine and Blake Shelton) have great chemistry, and I think it's cool that they're trying to help people become better singers and not just offer lame, misguided advice (cough, cough — American Idol).

Anyway, one of my favorite remaining singers is Michelle Chamuel, and I was mesmerized by her cover of "True Colors." I have loved this song for years and was skeptical when I heard she was going to sing it, too (since how do you compete with Phil Collins and Eva Cassidy), but she really held her own.

Do you love it, too? Let me know what you thought — and if you're watching The Voice, I'd love to hear who your favorites are!

Music Monday: Cold Wind

I hope all you ladies had a wonderful Mother's Day! I actually got to spend time with my mother on Saturday as we met in the middle (somewhat) in northern Utah for a friend's wedding. The weather was beautiful, and it was fun to get away from Salt Lake for a little while and drive through Logan and Paradise (yes, that is an actual town in Utah, and it lives up to its name).

Since I'm still loving folky, chill music right now, I thought I'd share this gem from Joshua Hyslop. He's got a really calming voice that I absolutely love, and his songs are beautiful. Enjoy — and let me know if you're a fan, too!

Music Monday: April playlist

Happy Monday! Andrew and I just returned from a quick weekend trip to Jackson Hole, Wyoming (one of my favorite places on earth) and had a wonderful time with my family. If you follow me on Instagram (@lovelindsaywilcox), you probably saw the many pictures I posted of Jackson's main square. I absolutely love this town.

Since I take road trips pretty frequently to visit my family, I don't go anywhere without my iPod — and I usually buy a few new songs to add to my playlist so I have something fresh to listen to. Here are a few new songs (and old classics) that I'm currently loving.



What songs are you loving this month? I find myself turning to country again when the weather gets warmer, so I'm currently loving Gloriana.

Music Monday: Resting place

My brother Randall pins his boutonniere to my grandpa's hat at the cemetery.

Sorry for the late post today. I just returned from my grandpa's funeral in Idaho tonight and have been thinking on the drive home about what I wanted to remember — and share.

Here are a few memories that stood out:

• Grandpa Dean worked as a custodian at my elementary school, as I mentioned in this post, and my aunt shared this story during the funeral. One day as Grandpa was cleaning the gym, he saw a mouse scurry across the floor — and since no rodent was going to invade the school on his watch, he smashed the mouse with a quick stomp of his cowboy boot. A few minutes later, one of the kindergarten teachers came out of her classroom and said, "Mr. Law, our gerbil escaped from its cage. If you could keep an eye out for him, that would be great."
• Grandpa loved Beulah Lake in Yellowstone National Park, which can only be reached by a long, mosquito-infested hike through the woods. One summer, the mosquitoes were so bad that my grandma pulled out my Uncle Mike's cloth diapers and gave them to each of the kids to wrap around their heads so they could keep hiking — but they got lost going to the lake and never found it that trip (and the "diaperheads" and their parents made it back to the car only by a miracle).
• My grandpa was a poet (something I never knew until today), and wrote a poem for each of his kids when his son Mike was killed to tell them how much he loved them. He also wrote a beautiful tribute to my grandma that his best friend read during the funeral.
• Though he lived in Utah for 25 years, my grandpa was a true Idahoan and always proclaimed his love for his beloved stomping ground — and he instilled that love in my family and me. To this day, though I've been in Utah for several years now, I still cheer when we cross the Idaho border and feel pride in the beautiful state that I grew up in and still love (and always will).
• Grandpa Dean was a cowboy through and through and always said he wanted to leave this world with his boots on. He may not have had his boots on as he quietly passed through this life to the next, but I can picture him tromping through heaven leaving boot prints wherever he goes.

It was hard to say a final goodbye to my grandpa and touch his casket before they lowered it into the ground. But as I sang a song I've sung since I was about three years old at his funeral today, "Families Can Be Together Forever," I knew it was true: We will see our grandfather again, and we will be together forever as a family. That knowledge is so comforting amid the sorrow of a cold granite grave in a lonely Idaho cemetery.

My brother sang this song at the gravesite as a tribute to my grandpa, and I love the lyrics and the beautiful melody. He actually played it at a memorial service for my uncle last year and knew that my Grandpa liked it, too. I hope you find it as comforting as my family has.

Music Monday: Songs you should play on the piano

When I was pretending I needed glasses.

I'm back! I had an interesting week away from blogland (though I did read one or two blogs when I got really bored last week) and realized that I do miss blogging and connecting with all of you. I'm still trying to figure out what I like writing about most — and how to keep this blog interesting — but I'm going to keep things the same for now with the schedule.

It was a quiet Sunday here, so I thought I'd return to Music Monday and post just a few of the songs I like to play on the piano when I want to set a peaceful mood. If you don't play the piano, these are also songs you can download and listen to — and, truth be told, they sound a lot better than when I plunk them out. :)

• The Pride and Prejudice songbook: I've talked about this soundtrack on the blog before, but the music is so beautiful and relaxing and perfect when you need to unwind. Also, since piano music plays a big part in the movie, I always feel a little bit like I'm Elizabeth Bennett when I'm playing these songs on the piano, and I can picture Mr. Darcy falling in love with Elizabeth's feisty spirit again.
• The Anne of Green Gables theme: This song will only resonate with you if you've seen the movies (and you haven't, go over to Amazon and buy them right now and take a day off to catch up). However, it's so romantic and simple that you'll fall in love with it even if you haven't gotten swept up in Anne and Gilbert's love story. Ahhhhhhhh. I think I might need to go watch this again soon.
• The theme from Somewhere in Time: Are you sensing a pattern here? Apparently I love to play movie themes from romantic films. But seriously, this song is one of the most beautiful pieces ever written. I will never get over its elegance and melancholy melody. Bonus: It's not too hard to play on the piano.
• "Moon River": This song is famous because of Breakfast at Tiffany's, but I don't really care for that movie (I know — how awful) and it actually reminds me of Kate and Leopold because Kate's neighbor listens to the soundtrack every night until exactly midnight and then goes to sleep. And it's just a lovely song.
• "Jessica's Theme" from The Man From Snowy River: I think every girl who adores this movie and can play the piano has this sheet music because it is SO pretty and Jim Craig is so handsome and Jessica is playing this song as he is falling in love with her AND they are riding horses. GAH. It doesn't get much better than that. Obviously, I have seen this movie too many times.

So, there you go. I've now convinced myself that I need to watch all of these movies again and fall in love with Mr. Darcy, Gilbert, Richard, Leopold and Jim again (and watch them woo amazing leading ladies on screen). Isn't it amazing what playing a few songs on the piano can do?

What have I missed? Do you have favorites to play on the piano? I'm always looking for new songs — but please keep in mind that sharps are not my friend and I do like songs that are on the easier side. :)