Our Little Guitar Player

Several months ago Brandon developed a desire to learn how to play the guitar. To this day we're not sure where this desire came from, and I really didn't think of much of it at first because well - life got in the way. ;)

But this kiddo didn't let us forget about it, and as school started back up again in August, he started really pressing me to start researching guitar lesson opportunities. The thought overwhelmed me just a bit as our schedules are already packed tight, I don't know the first thing about playing a musical instrument... and we'd have to of course - buy a guitar. ;)

But then one Tuesday evening we walked into our church atrium to drop Jaden off at basketball practice in the church gym, and there just happened to be a gentleman sitting on the couches with a guitar in his hand and some music spread out on the table in front of him. We were in a bit of a hurry, but I walked over to him and asked if he gives lessons. He responded that he does and that he had one available opening - at 5:30 on Tuesday nights right there in the church. Which just happens to be at the same time that we have to be there with Jaden for basketball! He also told us that he had a guitar Brandon's size that we could take home with us and that he volunteers his time in this way for "God's glory." Two minutes after meeting him, we'd exchanged contact information and agreed to meet for the first time two weeks later. That was it! Sometimes... God isn't so subtle. :)

And this has been such a sweet thing for our Brandon and our family. We've had just three lessons so far, and every time we go, our nice instructor is amazed at Brandon's natural ability with the guitar. Not only can he play - but he can read music all on his own and wants no help from us! Steve tells us that he has kids much older than Brandon that have taken a much longer time to adapt to the instrument than Brandon has, and he also has said on multiple occasions that kids like Brandon are why he does what he does. Brandon is so excited about the whole thing that he drew the sweetest guitar picture and thank you card for Steve and gave it to him this week. Steve said he'd proudly hang it up in his office at UNI. :)

We love sitting around in the evenings at home and listening to Brandon strum along... and I just love that he's already practicing some Christmas music! This holiday loving mama can't wait to see my boy sitting on our fireplace hearth alongside the Christmas tree, playing us some Silent Night. And Cody envisions fireside guitar music throughout our summer months. It's what I love about this instrument -- you can take it anywhere. :)

I love our uniquely talented boys and the gifts God has blessed them with!