Mom's Birthday!!!

Happy birthday mom!  I love how Mom's always had that 'self starter' trait where she is happy and ready to start the day and help me be positive about my day.  I know I can rely on her for support in being optimistic about what I'll face in the 24 upcoming hours.  Lately I've called her early in the morning to chat or when she was visiting, I knew that after my last early morning feed of Baby J, I would have company because she'd be up and starting on her tasks.

She's helped me see that each time I wake up, it will be a 'bright sunshiney day.'  LOVE you!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1phe6Pe3djY

Happy Birthday Melissa!

Today is a celebration of Melissa!  She is a dedicated mother, daughter, sister and wife. She has so many talents and is constantly working to expand herself and improve.  You are a blessing to our family.  Have a great day and a better year!


From Dad

Happy Birthday, Melissa!!
This song reminds me of you.  It mentions the winters of your childhood with the endless summers of your 
California home.  It mentions the church which is a big part of your life, and the dreams and aspirations which have also been important for you. I hope they all come true.  And you're a way better dancer than Mama Cass!
HAPPY FABULOUS BIRTHDAY!!!!

From Mom

Happy Birthday Melissa!

The whole soundtrack from the latest (and as you say) best Pride and Prejudice is what I chose for you.  

The movie is the story of Lizzie -  smart, fiercely determined, independent, yet loyal, loving of family, and loving of one special man.  

There's always a beautiful soundtrack playing in your life... 

Have the best year ever!

Love Mom

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CQgnEvQX3eM (for some reason I can't embed the video on this one)

From Charla

This song is about a woman who is standing beneath some trees in a garden and has a moment there where she feels peace and gratitude and a connection to the divine.  There have been so many times I have seen you strive for these kinds of moments in your life.  I think it's admirable that you reach out for the powers of heaven to help you and that your heart takes direction and comfort from God.  You're a good soul Melissa.   I hope you have a full of wonder kind of birthday!  From Lindsay This is kind of an inside joke with Meliss that started Christmas 2001, I think.  I just remember Mom got a free cd at the mall and we kept busting a move to this particular track.  I love all the silly times with Meliss, dancing and just having fun.  Thanks for being that type of sister!  Love you!  I hope you have the most awesomest birthday!!

From Spencer

In order to do all that you do (take care of the kids, work, garden, etc) you'd have to be a superman (or superwoman) so I'm going with the main theme for Superman

From John

Thanks for being such a great sister.  I admire your ability to reach out to family and serve and support others.  Growing up I felt blessed to have such a great oldest sister and I still do.  I hope you get to celebrate in style.

I chose it's a hard knock life from Annie.  Growing up I always remember you and Mom working on your performances for music and theatre and for some reason this song always stuck with me.  You and Goo both were so exciting to watch in your performances.  I think being a creative artist like you are also has challenges that come with it especially when raising 4 wee ones.  There are lots of versions of this song, I briefly entertained posting the Jay Z version but somehow the original just seemed so fitting.  Happy Birthday Melissa!!

From David

I choose this song by Sarah McLachlan because I remember Melissa was (and still is?) a very big fan of her's. I simply chose this particular song because it is the only song of her's to hit #1 on the Canadian charts. Happy Birthday! 

From Rachel

Happy birthday Melissa!  I chose this song because I thought you might like it, and because it is a great song about relaxation and just breathing despite all the crazy things that happen in life. I have always admired how you manage to accomplish so many things.  You are inspiring!  Love you lots and I am so excited to see you and the rest of the family soon!

From Ian

I love you Melissa!  Have a great birthday. You are such a great inspiration to me and have really pulled me along the road of life in so many ways.  Thought this was a nice reminder of our bike trip through Provence (another example of you pushing us to do something that ended up being a great experience).

Or this one if you want something a little more rock n' roll

Also Happy Birthday Ian!

Sorry I missed the cutoff. Between Bishop Ian, Coach Ian, Runner Ian and Dad Ian, you need a lot of strength and endurance to accomplish everything that you do. So I chose one of the songs from Rocky, the one used for the training montages to show just what you're capable of. Happy birthday!

Happy Birthday Ian!

April is a big month for birthdays in the Schneid clan.  Today we celebrate the birthday of Ian, a man of immense talents, interests, responsibilities and accomplishments.
We love you and appreciate the many things you do for the family and hope you enjoy this music for your special day.

From Linds:
I thought of how much Ian loves to beat box/ clap/ get a groove going for the boys to dance to spontaneously.  I think it's such a great Dad quality to just get a party started no prob.  Happy dancing!

Here's a beat box song I found to depict that.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g0_2vmkTmf0

From Char:
Happy Birthday Ian!  I chose this song because I thought you might enjoy it for all the reasons Joanna from manilovefilms.com offered in the quote below.

"Hells bells, I love this song!  Seriously, this song is a cinephile’s dream. It’s got everything: references to Plato’s Cave, the theories of Sergei Eisenstein, silent movies, and frame rates.  And it uses film as a metaphor for the speed of life.  Bet you didn’t know Johnson actually has a background in film, having directed multiple movies about surfing. His obvious knowledge of film theory gives this simple melody some complexity–it’s a beautiful metaphor, eloquently laid out."

I hope you find at least a few slow moments to enjoy on your birthday - I know you deserve them. 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kDpwDj06pRE

From Jordan:
Happy Birthday Ian! This song reminds me of how important all of your boys are in your life and how you have much to look forward to with them.
Hope you have a great day
Jordan

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1qsiDAQXE0M

From David:
For me it was a tossup between two songs prominently featured on the movie Jerry Maguire. I remember watching Jerry Maguire at the Riverbend house with Ian during Christmas break 2000. And Ian saying that he was the oldest 26 year old in the world (which Renee Zellweger's character insisted she was). So a song that inspired a fictional lawyer and can hopefully inspire a real lawyer. Happy Birthday Ian!
http://youtu.be/xtMhtMc1GW8

From Rach:

Happy birthday Ian!  I hope you have an great day! I know you like the Beatles and I thought this song would be appropriate!  You have always been a really hard worker, which is something I admire about you.  Where you are today with your work definitely proves that!  I can picture you coming home to Melissa and the boys and partying with them, like this song mentions :)
Love, Rach
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PlDdcCzKjsc

From OJ:
Ian has always had a special feeling for the land of Sweden and the people. 
He gave his all for the Lord during his two years there and was blessed in many ways. 
Hope this Swedish folk song brings back many happy memories!

http://youtu.be/z2kc570KwUs

Happy Birthday!

From Coleen:
Ian!
The song I chose has a line, 'His welfare is my concern', that you incorporate into every aspect of your life.  You make yourself aware of the circumstances and needs of the people around you and reach out to meet those needs. 
As the husband and father of the Puente family, a son in the Schneider and Hulewsky clan, and the bishop of your ward family, you constantly seek to lift and help others. 
I'm so thankful for your outstanding example! Have a wonderful birthday!

Much Love, 

Coleen

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=az-gajhqZqs

From John
Happy birthday Ian!  I am amazed by your ability to work hard and sacrifice to pursue what you love and what you are passionate about.  You are a good example of a man who would be willing to walk 500 miles for friends or family, service or to pursue career dreams.  Your tenacity in working hard to pursue what's important is truly admirable.  I hope it's a good year for you.

Beej

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tM0sTNtWDiI

From Melissa:

There are so many songs I've thought of putting up here- one that is slow and sweet, one that is fun and upbeat, and somewhere in the middle. Here's the one I settled on:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iFx-5PGLgb4

Love you Ian! Happy Birthday!

Happy Birthday OJ

The Juice has reached the eventual, effervescent and eventful 6 .... 0.  Rather than retire he will probably work for another 40 years.  Here are the songs we have chosen in honour of OJ:

Ian:
Salt Of The Earth -- Rolling Stones. OJ, you definitely rank as one of the hardest working people I know (alongside Melissa, the apple must not fall far from the tree, eh?). I have always found it to be such an admirable quality. You truly are the salt of the earth and I'm grateful for your example as a husband and father. I'm sure we all raise our (proverbial) cups to you. May this be a great birthday and the best year yet for you!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PEkRkZePRJk

Woozie:

Happy birthday Dad! The big 6-0!!! I remember I used to sing this to song to you a lot when I was little, so of course it came to mind. Here are two versions of it. Over the summer, it was fun to get the chance to go to and from work with you for a change! Love you lots thanks for being the best Dad ever :)
Love, Rach

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FmKGBaOf0Mo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VuElCooeQNg

Melissa:

I always think of flight of the bumblebee when I think of dad. He would play it sometimes and he played it so beautifully! It was amazing and I loved hearing it ;)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h6A-JYbu1Os

Spencer:

Happy birthday Oliver! The first thing that came to mind about you was your love of golf and getting outdoors to either play or hit the driving range, so I decided to combine golf and comedy with everyone's favorite improv group. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G1_UhojClTk

Charla:

I chose this song because I know you like jazz and this is one of my favorite jazz songs.

OJ I hope you have a great jumpin jazzy kind of year full of zest and order and chaos and all that is jazz.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0iNaxCfNJE4

Jordan:

Happy Birthday Dad! I always remember you being a fan of jazz music - I remember listening to it in the car sometimes when you were driving and remembering your big collection of jazz cd's. I learned this song on the piano when Mrs Moore was teaching me due in large part I'm sure to all the jazz music I had listened to from your collections.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vmDDOFXSgAs

Lindsay:

Happy Birthday, Dad! So many songs come to mind when I think of you... your cool jazz music and particularly the big band hit parade CD that we kept in the big black CD turning holder in the Belgravia house... The way it really got us all dancing, your Robin's Return on the ivories, sports jingles on tv, your encouragement, support and example to us in our own music making. I realize that my love for creating music is largely due to your good taste!!

Even though these are all such great songs and great memories, my most fond memories involve you and primary songs! 'I'm so glad when Daddy comes home' is one that I'd love to sing to you myself. I remember vividly as a five year old when you had just sat on the couch coming home, and I burst through to your face singing it. You had a big smile! I love that we'd all get in a line and parade around the house, arms popping out like a congo line, dancing to 'Hey Everybody, it's Family Night...' so that's the song I want to spotlight today, that emphasises how you always put family first, and that illustrates your awesome sense of humor and fun loving nature.

'Hey Everybody it's Family Night!' track #9 on the site below. So listen to it there! Whee! Love you!!

http://mormontracks.com/

Linds

Coleen:

Happy, Happy 60 Ojo! You did it!

I wanted to find a song that embodied that entire perfect blend of kindness, calm, wit, and intellect that is you - the absolute best man I know.

But what I ended up choosing is one of your old time favorite tunes - A little throwback to one of your contemporaries... who put your 'med school mantra' to music.
Just listen to the first 15 seconds and let it all come back :)

Have the best birthday ever,

I Love You,

C

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U7wwZVB4yMI

Beej:

Dad you are the best! I am extremely fortunate to have you as my Dad.  Your usually subdued wit, your intelligence, your example of being at the right place at the right time, your tremendous work ethic and your humility are admired by everyone who knows you.  You are a great example and role model.  I like the Robin's Return because it is a lot like you it is a simple but melodious and peaceful composition, not flashy.  It is persistent in repeating similar runs over and over again.  It is very characteristic of your personality which is perhaps why it has stuck with you all these years.  I also chose "Like a Rock" because I think it also reminds me of you and every Southern Alberta farm boy should have a country song to remind them of their roots working in the sun (even if they no longer listen to country music which is probably a good thing).  Happy Birthday Dad!!

Love,

Beej

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aILxw1aS3d8

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PIPfNFdXqI8

Thanks for the Quilting Lessons

Over Spring Break I was busy sewing away! Jaima and I were talking over Christmas and looking at Martha Stewart Baby magazines and I started saying it would be fun to use Spencer's old work shirts to make a quilt for Little One!  Spence tragically ripped a few on a loose edge of his work desk, so I have been saving them for something special.  Jaima gave me the idea of using the pockets and so I chose a few shirts that were fun colors.

 

Then cut out my favorite parts and put them in some sort of arrangement.  This was a few

months ago before we knew we'd be having a boy!  It all worked out well, since there are

lots of blues and greens:)

 

Sewing my crazy quilt with Grannie back when I was in High School was helpful in knowing how to cut the squares, sew them together, and then add the backing and the edges.  Here's the finished product!

 

It was so fun to make this quilt, and it was also special that we used Spencer's Grandma's sewing machine that was given to us.  Talk about special family love!  Can't wait to wrap our Little One in a special blanket that's made from his Dad's shirts!

Birthday

Thanks!!

Thanks to everyone for the very thoughtful, interesting and illuminating songs.  It's nice to think that you guys think I lead a much more fun, mysterious and adventurous life then I actually do.  Good memories and interesting choices.  Lots of these songs and videos, with the exception of one or two, I'm very familiar with especially Indiana Jones and Seinfeld some of them are very shocking surprises.  All were delightful.

The birthday was good. I certainly miss the old days when I got to celebrate with all the siblings and order breakfast, lunch and dinner.  Christa and Mikyla both made my birthday awesome though.  Christa gave me some very thoughtful gifts and Mikyla had a little celebration for her murder mystery party since our birthdays are pretty close together.  It was a great time.  Thanks once again for the songs and the love.

Beej