Then Even Better

I was raised in a home of watching good movies and listening to great music. And when the two could be combined? Then even better, We were a family that LOVED musicals...The Sound of Music, Fiddler on the Roof, The Student Prince, West Side Story, Oklahoma, The King and I, The Happiest Millionaire, Singing in the Rain, White Christmas, Holiday Inn, Calamity Jane and many many others.
Last night, it was 'Seven Brides for Seven Brothers.' The first time my kids saw this was when Jordan was about 12, so that made Kylie almost 11 and Kathryn about 7. We watched it ALL the time; not just yearly, but probably once a month. The kids LOVED the songs and the acting. It was the same with several of the other musicals..we watched them on a monthly basis. Del and I wanted our children to appreciate good movies and good music, and when the two could be combined...then even better.
To this day, my kids LOVE musicals. Last night, Kathryn was searching through the channels for something to watch when up popped 'Seven Brides for Seven Brothers'. Del and I were in the kitchen doing dishes when we heard a squeel of delight and the singing start! We just smiled as we realized our 16 year old teenage daughter was at home on a Saturday night, with her parents, THRILLED to be watching a good movie. Every time a song would start, we would hear her say, Oh, this one is my favorite!' or 'Oh, I love this one the best'. When we finished the dishes, we sat on the couch all snuggled up together to watch the rest of the movie. It was a great moment.
Friday, the schools were closed and I didn't have work, so Kathryn and I went to the movies...the dollor theater..to see what? High School Musical Three. Yep, she was the only teenager in there, especially there with her mother...but did that bother her? Nope!!! And we LOVED it. Good music - a little corny acting and storyline - but wonderful!!! There was romance, singing, dancing and just good fun. Guess what she wants to do on Monday on her second day off of school? She wants to go see it again, this time with her dad.
We need more quality movies/musicals being made in today's world. They are uplifting, enjoyable and inspiring for upcoming musicians and performers. My kids love 'Newsies', which is a musical made years ago and came out about when Jordan was 10 or so. When friends would come to our house to hang out, that's what our kids would want them to watch. Even as teenagers, they would share the movie with their friends.
I guess my point is...I love the way Del and I have raised our children to love good movies and music and if the two are combined, then even better. Last night was sooo satisfying to me, to hear the three of us singing about 'those sobbin women' and about 'love in spring'. etc etc...

P.S. note..Jordan was called to be the executive secretary in the Bishopric up at school. He went to his first 'Bishopric Meeting' EARLY this morning...funny kid. He also helped do a temple assignment EARLY Saturday morning before going to a wrestling match at 8:00 am where he wrestled three matches, winning the first by two points, went out and threw up before going out and winning the next two also. He said by the end of all his meetings today, he felt like 'he had been hit by a mack truck'. Oh Jordan, welcome to being an adult..add a wife and children to that scenerio and 'welcome to being a father'. It's only just starting son...