Clive Romney was the man who helped my mother produce her album about 20 years ago. He is still in the recording business, has a studio and agreed to record my kids and I singing some of our favorite songs.

We had already made a simple recording of a jingle for Mom Essentials. Clive jazzed it up and made it sound gorgeous! Above, he is showing Nathan how to play the guitar part. Here is the 10 second long clip.

Mom Essentials Jingle-Vocals by Jenni & Raquel Wilson, Guitar by Nathan Wilson

Mom Essentials Audio Jingle

Raquel and I sang the parts on that! It turned out so beautiful, don’t you think?

Here’s a very nice one written by Clive.

Peace Is a Feeling-sung by Raquel Wilson

Peace Is a Feeling

It was relatively easy to record these because the instrumentals were already pre-recorded. Nathan had a turn at the controls and learned some things about mixing and recording music.

Here are a couple more sung by Raquel in between playing with Ian. They had lots of fun while waiting for Raquel’s turn.

This one was written by Lynne Perry Christofferson.

The Things Jesus Asks of Me-sung by Raquel Wilson

The Things Jesus Asks of Me

What Could I Give to Jesus?-sung by Raquel Wilson

What Could I Give?

That was written by Steve Kapp Perry. Aren’t those sweet?

It’s so much fun to sing with my children! This is one of my all time favorites by Janice Kapp Perry, mother of Lynne & Steven.

I Am Part of a Family-sung by Nathan, Raquel & Jenni Wilson

I Am Part of a Family

This song, also written by Janice Kapp Perry, has inspired me for years to speak to my children in more loving tones. It’s so beautiful! I love singing it.

Speak to Me Gently-sung by Raquel & Jenni Wilson

Speak to Me Gently

Then Raquel took a turn at the master controls while Nathan sang a couple.

What other 14 year old would be willing to sing like this? I am really grateful for the willingness of my children to share their talents!

I’ll Follow Him in Faith-sung by Nathan Wilson

I’ll Follow Him in Faith

I seriously wept over my computer when I listened to the finished versions of these songs. It’s hard for me not to feel emotional when I listen to some of these songs and how my kids pour out the feelings of their hearts and their sweet witnesses of the Savior.

The Greatest Gift-sung by Nathan Wilson

The Greatest Gift

These are not all the songs we recorded. I’ll be putting a few more in my articles and subscriber updates in the future. I also did a recording session with Clive singing songs by myself. I’ll share those with you sometime soon.

You can sing these with your family too! Many of these songs are in the songbook, Holding Hands Around the World.

Music is such a wonderful way to teach values and feel the Spirit of God. What music inspires you?

We start each day out with a prayer and scripture reading. Sometimes with mom, sometimes with dad, and sometimes we all take turns.

I usually do this over breakfast to keep everyone’s attention. Sometimes we work on reciting or memorization during this time.

Before or after breakfast there is usually some music practice. Not all at the same time, though, and we definitely miss some days. We also love to listen and dance to fun music. Music is a great way to learn!

I’ve been doing reading lessons on and off with Seth and Lily. I love the book, Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons. We are only to lesson 25 and Seth is taking off. This happened with my other kids too.

The younger children practice writing, coloring, painting, easy crafts and occasionally do some work sheets. This is only a small part of their day. Most the time they’re just playing, helping and living life.

Nathan has been taking an online algebra class and Raquel is writing a book, which means some computer time. I do have educational software (mostly Jumpstart) that all the kids enjoy.

Nathan and Raquel also attend a commonwealth school one day a week for math and Shakespeare. They will be performing Much Ado About Nothing in a couple months and have been practicing their lines. Nathan is Don Pedro, the villian, and Raquel is Dogberry, the comical police sergeant. Should be fun!

The older our children get, the more we formalize our expectations and make them accountable for their own learning. Here is a chart from Williamsburg Academy we are using with Nathan. He will attend their online classes this summer and fall.

They’ve also been trying to earn money for summer activities (Youth For Freedom and Space Camp), so here is a Dave Ramsey chart we’ve been using for special jobs. Dave Ramsey has some great materials for teaching kids financial responsibility. (The charts say 50 cents, not $50-FYI).

When I train my kids to do new jobs around the house, I count that as part of homeschool. For instance, Nathan’s been learning to make different breakfasts for our family. Serving is part of the job too!

Raquel and Isaac have been attending a Montessori charter school part-time. They go 3 days a week for this semester and really enjoy it. I picked the days I wanted them to go and the school was kind enough to allow it.

These are the books we are reading now. I’m reading the Portal to Genius myself (I’ve shared some parts with Nathan & Raquel), The Keeper of the Bees to Nathan & Raquel, Raquel is reading Grip of the Shadow Plague (Fablehaven 3) to me, and I’m reading Peter and the Starcatchers to Isaac, Seth and whoever else happens to be around. I’m really enjoying all of these. I also read picture books to my younger ones daily.

I just bought The Choice last weekend and it is already changing our paradigms and our relationships with each other for the better. Everything from the Arbinger Institute is amazing! Teaching our children how to get along with others and develop deep, rich relationships will be some of the most valuable education we can give them.

Raquel made some very creative clay creations the other day. Don’t you think they’re cute?

The boys got into making cup towers and pyramids.

Nathan loves science and found an elemental molecule set I bought years ago. Seriously, it’s taken us years to use some of the resources I’ve purchased, and that’s okay!

Raquel is learning to crochet. She came up with the idea and was motivated entirely on her own. This constitutes about half of our home education. Our kids express interest in something and we help nurture and support them.

Now, please don’t think for a second that we do all these things ALL the time. This is a sampling of our activities over the last month or so. There’s plenty of running around, screaming and rambunctious behavior as well as learning going on in our home (I just don’t have pictures of that). There have been seasons of time when I did no formal schooling, but I feel children are always learning when we are providing them with lots of resources and encouragement.

One of the things I love best about home educating is the flexibility. We can go wherever we want, whenever we want. Mike had a medical conference in Anaheim last month, so we went to Disneyland for a couple days.

Having more time together makes stronger, happier family relationships. This is really important to me. After all, most other relationships fade over time, but families can be together forever. I want the influence of my husband and me to be the most powerful one in my children’s lives and I hope our influence will continue throughout their lives. The chances of this happening are much greater if we back up our wishes with time, effort and love.

What have you been doing in your home lately?

It’s been my dream with my own little family, to repeat the same tradition, and this year has come closest to my vision. And as an added bonus, I got my husband and two oldest children in a recording studio to sing a few of my favorite Christmas songs to share with you.

The first is a favorite I’ve had for many years because of the beautiful harmonies. Mike & I sing it with Nathan (14) and Raquel (12). All of these are accompanied by Mike on the guitar. (Thanks honey!)

Star Bright

Mike & I perform this less frequently heard, but beautiful, haunting song. It took us a while practicing before we could sing it without getting emotional.

Coventry Carol

Our church asked us to sing a song this month, so this is the song we performed. It’s a classic by Natalie Sleeth.

Were You There On That Christmas Night

Mike did missionary work in South America and returns every year to do humanitarian service. Latin culture is close to our hearts. Here is the Spanish version of Star Bright.

Estrella De Luz

I can’t imagine the holidays without music. Thanks for letting us share some with you!

I’d also like to share my witness that Jesus is the Christ. That He was born to atone for all our sins. He made it possible for us repent so we can return, cleansed, along with our loved ones, to live with Him again someday. And because He was resurrected, every one of us, after death, will also be resurrected and obtain perfect bodies. What wonderful hope we can have in Jesus Christ! He will carry our burdens and give solace to our griefs as we seek Him.

For all those feeling sadness and pain, I hope you will give it over to Christ and let Him bring comfort to your soul.

May your holidays be meaningful and the coming year joyous and fulfilling!

It’s possible to do all these things through the medium of music. I know because I’ve done it, and I’m going to share some of my tips on successful use of the power of music in our families and homes.

Music is a great way to teach children values and academics. From birth to grade 5 they love repetition, and are hungry sponges memorizing and soaking up all to which they are exposed. After grade 5, they tire of repetition more quickly, but they still absorb the examples and messages in their environment. I have tried to maximize this consideration by choosing fun music which teaches facts, ideas, principles and values I want my children to learn.

Here’s an ideal example by one of our family favorites, Tom Chapin.

The Wonderful World Of Yes
I could base half my home school curriculum on this method of teaching! It’s so fun! We learned the names of many countries from this song, but it also provided a concrete example of how people on the other side of the world are much like us.

My experience has taught me that when I lead the way, my children often enthusiastically follow and internalize things long-term. So exposing my kids and actively participating myself as much as possible has been key for me.

My mother taught me and my siblings a love of music from her example. We sang as a family regularly for friends, family, and on the Welk Christmas shows.

I never took any singing lessons until after I started having kids. I loved music and wanted to sing better. I joined a community choir, and really enjoyed producing beautiful music with that group. From this time that my children were young they could see I had a passion for music and singing.

Singing at the piano with my son Nathan

I’ve heard lots of people say they just don’t have a good voice or can’t carry a tune worth anything. The fact is, singing and appreciating music is a learned skill. I’ve learned to appreciate many forms of music over the past few years, just by exposing myself to it, and finding new music to love. Anyone can do it if they’re willing to invest the time.

I will say that it is easier to develop your ear as a child, just like learning our native language, which is why it’s so important for us to expose our children to lots of great music when they’re young. My kids have excellent ears, meaning they can find and hold a pitch. They can listen to a song a few times and be able to sing the melody with the right notes.

It’s just exposure and practice. Anyone really can do it. The extent to which you are successful in helping your children love music and develop a good ear depends upon your own personal passion and mindfulness. It also helps to have a strong starting point.

#1 Invest a little time finding good music. I found a bunch at the public library when we lived in Tucson (I’ll share my favorites in a future post). Now there are so many more places to look. Amazon sells songs and many karaoke versions for 99 cents. You don’t have to buy whole albums anymore. You can just pick the songs you want and make your own custom play lists.

#2 Play the music in your car, when you’re working around the house, and anywhere else it’s convenient. The car is a sure winner, though. I just play it in there for a while, and we all learn and enjoy songs that way. I change CDs when I get tired of them.

#3 Get over your self consciousness and hesitancy to sing along. Let your kids hear you. It’s fun. They don’t care that you’re not a star. And singing along will actually improve your own ear, ability to sing on pitch, and quality of voice. Music lessons are great, but you can learn tons by just experimenting with the sound of your own voice. The shower is a great place to do this, because the moisture helps your vocal cords not get hurt. Find the sounds that feel good to sing and ease up when your voice starts to get tired. Tell whoever lives with you not to pay any attention, and sing your heart out.

#4  Find the music without the vocals after you and your kids learn certain songs (find ones you love or feel strongly about). Order it on Amazon, find computer software that can remove vocal tracks, browse your local music store for songbooks with fun music and a sing along CD, or tape record a friend that plays the piano (if you have the sheet music).

#5 Make time to sing. Your kids will either join you, or at least be influenced positively by what they’re hearing. Practice in the car, at a piano or keyboard, or at the CD player. Then look for opportunities to sing for relatives, grandparents, neighbors at school, church, local talent shows, and Christmas programs. Your kids will feel so good about themselves when they do this, and their confidence will soar

#6 Inspire others by your example. There is so much worthy music out there, that is motivating, educational, fun, and even life changing. Seeking out music like this has not only had a great impact on my own family, but sharing it has inspired others. Most importantly, it helps me on a daily basis to be a better person.

Here is a recording of Nathan (13 yrs)  & Raquel (11 yrs)  singing a song they’ve sung often for patriotic occasions. Click to hear One Voice

Stay tuned for posts on our favorite music resources and more recordings of our family!

In college my church asked me first to lead the music in the main meeting, then to direct a small choir. Our numbers grew when I figured out that treats really had influence, especially for the guys. And of course when the guys came, the girls followed. Anyway, it was a fun and musically educational experience.

After I married, we lived in San Diego while Mike went to medical school. I had enjoyed the choir directing so much that I volunteered and ended up directing a choir for the 6 years we lived there. I also joined a community choir, and finally took some lessons from that talented director, Norm Boaz.

I had the privilege of traveling with our group to Jerusalem to perform an amazing work of music and narrative (straight from the Bible, word for word) based on the last days of Christ. It was created by a talented man, Lex de Azevedo and his wife Peggy, and called Hosanna.

It was the experience of a lifetime. The music was so powerful, it brought the stories from the scriptures to life for me. It touched my soul. We later performed it again with Lex’s Millenium Choir, in LA for Easter (I found an old write up if you want to read it).

As my children grew, I sang to them. I found the most fun, inspiring, happy music for us to enjoy. (I will share some of my greatest finds here in the future.) My kids have sung in church and other places, and have had many musical adventures of their own already.

Music is a powerful thing. It can inspire minds and change hearts. I use it in my home education as often as possible. Right now, I’ve discovered a new vocal teacher, and am taking lessons again with my kids. I got out some of my music last night to practice.

It’s making me happy to be singing again.