Coming Home is one of life's best moments. I believe it will be one of the next life's best moments also. So this blog is dedicated to what I view as the best moments of life.
I love a long story so today I'm going to tell you why I'm creating this post. I have had many conversations with family members where we start reminiscing about this musical number or that performance or some video or other and then I can't find it. So today I'm going to put all my favorites that I can find right here. I won't have to blow up facebook and annoy the casual acquaintance or dear friend that has no interest in viewing hours of Stoker sharing. It will be safely hidden and preserved for posterity as long as the internet shall live.
Nathan, Jacob, Aaron, and Trevor "Short Skirt and Long Jacket" Miller reunion 2002
Miller reunion 2002 Ninja Andrew, Adorable Rebecca and rockin' Gabe
"Who Let the Dog's Out?"
Minnesota Talent Show
3 Little Pig Rap
Music Man-The Train
You've Got a Friend in Me
Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy
Lids
Gabe and Nathan dancing 2008
3 Little Pig Rap Alabama
Rebecca and Eliza silly "Sleep Tight" 7-2012
Aaron and Rebecca "Devil went Down to Georgia" Dec. 2012
Andrew's original song "We are just good friends" performed at the July 2013 family reunion talent show
Nathan and Jacob performing "Lids" at the same talent show:
Girl's skit 7-13
Eliza and Joseph country dancing:
Brandon and Daniel Goober peas 7-13
Group "Livin' on a prayer "
Rebecca fiddling at Pioneer day 7-2013
Rebecca's Concert
Dec. 2013 Rebecca's violin
Trimming the Tree 2013
Winter Wonderland with the Jones12-2013
Cute Aaron and Clarissa 12-2013
Newsie groomsmen at Jacob's wedding 12-13
Johnson/Stoker dance party Jan 2014
Rebecca all county orchestra Jan, 2014
Rebecca strings attached May 2014
Sweet "Happy Mother's Day" from Andrew 2014
"Take me Home Country Roads" June 2014
Dooley June 2014
Happy Birthday Aaron
Rebecca Happy Father's Day 2014
"Bring Him Home" Becca and Jefferson Downs 2014
Oh Come, Oh Come Emmanuel
Happy Birthday Daniel Sept. 2014
Happy Birthday Andrew 2014
There's No Business Like Show Business
Man Has a Dream 2014
Christmas 2014 Alexa and Rebecca
Jingle Bells
Oh Little Town of Bethlehem
GABE-the song Rebecca wrote for Gabe Spring 2015
Cup Song practice in FL 2015
Lids July 2019
More Holiness Give Me Aug. 2015
Crayola Doesn't Make a Color for Your Eyes Sep. 2015
Everyone knows the best blogging/journal keeping/history recording takes place as soon after the event as possible. This encourages accuracy and proper perspective. Unfortunately, blogging about Christmas at the end of February is not soon after the event. But worse than delayed blogging is not blogging. So this report may or may not be completely true, but the pictures are proof that something happened in December probably much like the story I tell... only a lot better.
Christmas is a big deal around the Stoker house, not because we have amazing presents, or a sparkling house, or a beautiful tree (okay, we had a beautiful tree) but because we love the Savior, and family comes to visit! 2016 looked a little bleak because of the sparse attendance by family members. Thankfully, my college kids brought themselves and all the fun they had to offer. We filled in the spaces with friends and took a little road trip so Christmas was still very merry and bright.
Caroling. We put the cute ones in the front so people would be happy to see us.
That moment when one plays the guitar in their onesie.
games and jokes
Back at the Sultan's kitchen, just like old times.
Man down. A little break from the merry and bright.
Treat making day.
Our Christmas Eve eve party
We started with the "Whobilation" in 2013. 2014 brought the "Elf" party. Last year we had a "Snow Ball" and 2016 was the "Jingle Bell Rock." thanks to the Waldorf's for making it fun.
On Christmas Eve we headed to Augusta to be with our son, Nathan, and his wife and her family since Nathan had to work.
After a marvelous time in Augusta we headed back to Fayetteville to play our little hearts out until the college kids had to go back to work. I wasn't done playing yet so I decided to tag along to SLC. That proved to be profitable since Aaron and Jacob were both there with their families for different reasons. So, more party :)
We were picked up from the airport by these darling people. (and their parents) Theo welcomed us with this smile. When Isla woke up she helped us learn the "Honeybee" song. It's her favorite so we listened to it ...a lot.
Nothing says "holiday" like Indian food. It was delicious and I was in heaven surrounded by children and grandchildren.
Darling Cousins
Next stop was "Nickel City." I hadn't actually been there before but apparently it's a "must do" in Provo.
Bowling was the next activity. It was an exciting night. First we had to find a bowling alley that had room for us. Bowling at Christmas is big in Lehi, UT. Then we had to remember how to bowl, Well, I had to remember how to bowl. This, while keeping the brave and busy toddlers alive. And we had to talk. I loved it all.
Lucy came bowling in her apron :)
Is there anything cuter than bowling shoes for 2-yr. olds?
And then, after all this fabulousness I looked at the flights to Atlanta and they were booked. My best option was to fly home via Portland. Happy New Year to me!
For our dinner we had gourmet grilled cheese sandwiches, Koi fusion, and something with falafel.
Why is everything I've eaten in Portland delicious?
My lucky day. Lunch with spiderman.
Isaac
Annabelle and Josh
Our New Year's Eve party was off the chains. These two were in
charge of prizes for the game winners. Why yes, there is a dirty sock
prize option.
Sunday clothes and board games with Dad. A great day.
Some of you know that the Christmas Eve Christmas Program is one of my favorite things in life. Presenting the 2014 Stoker Family program in all its glory.
When I was a little girl, no Christmas program was complete without my parents singing "Winter Wonderland." This year is no different. This video is from a long time ago.
My first memory of hanging stockings was bringing our own chosen real-life "I wore this last week" sock to the fireplace, where we pinned them to the twine that was attached by little nails. I reasoned that if I brought a bigger sock I would get more loot. (I didn't know very much about Santa in those days.) My stocking of choice was definitely of the knee-sock variety. And this is how it went for a while.
Then the Miller stocking tradition started to get real. My Aunt Kay created the most beautiful sequined stockings complete with our own names and design. As a child was added to the family so was a stocking. When we saw our family hanging on the mantel every Christmas season our sense of belonging grew. Each of us different, but each of us a Miller. We were a unit bound by forever bonds...blood, love, eternity.
When I got married I wasn't sure what the proper stocking protocol should be. Should I bring my stocking to my new home, leaving the original 12 and diminishing the size of the Miller clan? That wasn't right. I would always be a Miller. The "Laurie" stocking had to remain on the mantel where it belonged. New Stoker stockings had to be created for the new family that had been created. My sister, Mary, understood this necessity and made one for Paul and one for me. Then when Stoker babies started arriving I realized it was my responsibility to provide. New baby--new stocking. Didn't the Stokers look glorious hanging on the mantel with their cross-stitched names and patchwork red and green?
Then the Stoker babies began to marry and multiply. What to do now? Well, if they brought their spouse and offspring to Christmas we provided a stocking because Santa would be coming after all. That met the practical Christmas Eve need, but the heart of the tradition was missing. This year I put up a stocking for every Stoker child, spouse and grandchild. All the humans that belong to me are hanging on my railing. It didn't matter if they were in attendance on Christmas morning, they are still mine and I want to see their stocking. Because stockings mean you belong...forever....no matter what... and there is always love for you here.
I hope there's a stocking hanging for me in Heaven.
When I was a young mother I was excited to fill my children's life with music. I had fond memories of parents singing to me and me singing with siblings. My problem, however, was that when it was time to sing, I couldn't remember any songs. I finally asked my sister for a list, which she provided. I kept that little cardboard list in the cupboard for review so I was more prepared for singing to sleep, comforting, and music activities. Now my children have requested some lullaby and fun song ideas. In light of the help I received I was happy to make a list. Then I started thinking, what if we gathered new songs, songs from our childhood, videos of songs, etc. It could be amazing! Thank you family for sharing the legacy of music. The list has been divided into a Lullaby post and a children's songs post. Here is a family lullaby song list which is followed by lyrics and videos: Angel Lullaby, Pretty Little Ponies, Sunrise Sunset, For Baby, Rock-a-Bye Baby, Hush Little Baby, My Sweet Lady (Baby), Edelweiss, Greensleeves, Look At the Baby, You are my Sunshine, Somewhere Over the Rainbow/What a Wonderful World, Lullaby in Blue, Cotton Fields, River Lullaby, Go to Sleepy Little Baby, Blue Birds Over the White Cliffs of Dover, Rose, Rose, Red, All Through the Night, Glad That You were Born, Goodnight My Angel, Tessa-Tomorrowland, They All Laughed, When Irish Eyes are Smiling, A Hundred and Sixty Acres, Moon River, Oh Danny Boy, I'm Just a Country Boy, and Sylvie. Church songs: I Feel My Savior's Love, Mother Tell Me a Story, I am a Child of God, I'm Trying to Be Like Jesus, My Heavenly Father Loves Me, A Child's Prayer, The Family is of God, I Love to See the Temple, Families Can Be Together Forever, Love is Spoken Here, As I Have Loved You. If the Savor Stood Beside Me, Baptism, I Need Thee Every Hour.
I'll walk in the rain by your side, I'll cling to the warmth of your hand.
I'll do anything to keep you satisfied, I'll love you more than anybody can.
And the wind will whisper your name to me, little birds will sing along in time.
Leaves will bow down when you walk by and morning bells will chime.
I'll be there when you're feeling down to kiss away the tears that you cry.
I'll share with you all the happiness I've found, a reflection of the love in your eyes.
And I'll sing you the songs of the rainbow, a whisper of the joy that is mine.
Leaves will bow down when you walk by and morning bells will chime.
I'll walk in the rain by your side, I'll cling to the warmth of your tiny hand.
I'll do anything to help you understand, and I'll love you more than anybody can.
And the wind will whisper your name to me, little birds will sing along in time.
Leaves will bow down when you walk by and morning bells will chime.
Hush, Little Baby (Brahm’s
Lullaby)
Hush, little baby, don't say a word.
Papa's gonna buy you a mockingbird
And if that mockingbird won't sing,
Papa's gonna buy you a diamond ring
And if that diamond ring turns brass,
Papa's gonna buy you a looking glass
And if that looking glass gets broke,
Papa's gonna buy you a billy goat
And if that billy goat won't pull,
Papa's gonna buy you a cart and bull
And if that cart and bull turn over,
Papa's gonna buy you a dog named Rover
And if that dog named Rover won't bark
Papa's gonna buy you a horse and cart
And if that horse and cart fall down,
You'll still be the sweetest little baby in town.
Lady (Baby), Are you Crying?
Lady, are you crying, do the tears belong to me?
Did you think our time together was all gone?
Lady, you've been dreaming. I'm as close as I can be.
And I swear to you our time has just begun.
Close your eyes and rest your weary mind. I promise I will stay right here beside you.
Today our lives were joined, became entwined.
I wish that you could know how much I love you.
Lady, are you happy, do you feel the way I do?
Are there meanings that you've never seen before?
Lady, my sweet lady, I just can't believe it's true.
And it's like I've never ever loved before.
Close your eyes and rest your weary mind. I promise I will stay right here beside you.
Today our lives were joined, became entwined.
I wish that you could know how much I love you.
Lady, are you crying, do the tears belong to me?
Did you think our time together was all gone?
Lady, you've been dreaming. I'm as close as I can be.
And I swear to you our time has just begun.
Alas, my love, you do me wrong,
To cast me off discourteously.
For I have loved you well and long,
Delighting in your company.
Chorus:
Greensleeves was all my joy
Greensleeves was my delight,
Greensleeves was my heart of gold,
And who but my lady greensleeves.
Look at the
Baby ( Janeen Brady)
Look at the baby
oh look at her eyes
what do you think she can see?
though she smiles rather strangely
and stares at the skies
I know she’s not looking at me.
Chorus:
Do you think she
is smiling at angels
hovering ever so near.
Maybe their telling her secrets you and I can’t hear.
Look at the baby
oh look at her smile.
What is she trying
to say?
Do you think she gets lonely
each once in a while
that angels came calling today.
Chorus:
For the angels and
baby were playmates
in heaven before she was born.
And maybe they’re lonely for their little
friend
on this beautiful sun shiny morn.
"You
Are My Sunshine"
You are my sunshine, my only
sunshine
You make me happy when skies are grey
You never know, dear, how much I love you
Please don't take my sunshine away
The other night, dear, as I lay sleeping
I dreamt I held you in my arms
When I awoke, dear, I was mistaken
So I hung my head, and I cried
You are my sunshine, my only sunshine
You make me happy when skies are grey
You never know, dear, how much I love you
Please don't take my sunshine away
I'll always love you and make you happy
If you will only say the same
But if you leave me to love another,
You'll regret it all one day
You are my sunshine, my only sunshine
You make me happy when skies are grey
You never know, dear, how much I love you
Please don't take my sunshine away
Somewhere Over The Rainbow / What A Wonderful World"
Somewhere over the rainbow
Way up high
And the dreams that you dreamed of
Once in a lullaby
Somewhere over the rainbow
Blue birds fly
And the dreams that you dreamed of
Dreams really do come true ooh oh
Someday I'll wish upon a star
Wake up where the clouds are far behind me
Where trouble melts like lemon drops
High above the chimney tops
That's where you'll find me
Oh, somewhere over the rainbow bluebirds fly
And the dream that you dare to,
Oh why, oh why can't I?
Well I see trees of green and red roses too,
I'll watch them bloom for me and you
And I think to myself
What a wonderful world
Well I see skies of blue
And I see clouds of white
And the brightness of day
I like the dark
And I think to myself
What a wonderful world
The colors of the rainbow so pretty in the sky
Are also on the faces of people passing by
I see friends shaking hands
Saying, "How do you do?"
They're really saying, I...I love you
I hear babies cry and I watch them grow,
They'll learn much more than we'll know
And I think to myself
What a wonderful world world
Someday I'll wish upon a star,
Wake up where the clouds are far behind me
Where trouble melts like lemon drops
High above the chimney top
That's where you'll find me
Oh, somewhere over the rainbow way up high
And the dream that you dare to, why, oh why can't I? I?
Lullaby in Blue
(Intro)
Hushaby… Rockaby… listen to my Lullaby in Blue
Blue lue lue lue lue lue lue lue lue lue lue
How I love my pretty baby. Sweet and precious pretty baby
How I love my pretty baby. Honest to goodness I do
See here Sandman’s a’coming
and he’ll be here mighty, mighty soon
And if you don’t cry, he’ll be dropping by
with a great big lollypop moon
Dream, dream, dream (How I love my pretty baby)
be an angel dream (Sweet and precious pretty baby)
dream dream be a (How I love my pretty baby)
Darling, I love my pretty baby
Honest to goodness I do (together)
Honest to goodness I do (together)
Blue lue lue lue lue lue lue lue lue lue lue
(repeat once with Daddy leading and mommy harmonizing this time)
Cotton Fields"
[Chorus 1:]
When I was a little bitty baby
My mama would rock me in the cradle,
In them old cotton fields back home;
[Chorus 2:]
It was down in Louisiana,
Just about a mile from Texarkana,
In them old cotton fields back home.
[Chorus 3:]
Oh, when them cotton bolls get rotten( Cotton fields get rockin)
You can't pick very much cotton, )(We
aint getting very much cotton)
In them old cotton fields back home.
Chorus 2
In them old cotton fields back home.
River Lullaby (Prince of Egypt)
Hush now, my baby
Be still love, don't cry
Sleep like you're rocked by the stream
Sleep and remember
My lullaby
And I'll be with you when you dream
Drift on a river
That flows through my arms
Drift as I'm singing to you
I see you smiling
So peaceful and calm
And holding you, I'm smiling, too
Here in my arms
Safe from all harm
Holding you, I'm smiling, too
Hush now, my baby
Be still, love, don't cry
Sleep like you're rocked by the stream
Sleep and remember this river lullaby
And I'll be with you when you dream
I'll be with you when you dream
Go to Sleepy,Little Baby
Go to sleepy, little baby
Go to sleepy, little baby
When you wake, we'll patty patty cake
And ride a shiny little pony
Laurie:
Mom used to sing this to us at night:
Blue Birds Over the White Cliffs of Dover
There'll be bluebirds over
The white cliffs of Dover,
Tomorrow, just you wait and see.
I'll never forget the people I met
Braving those angry sky's
I remember well as the shadows fell
The light of hope in thier eyes
And though I'm far away I still can hear them say
Sun's up
For when the dawn comes up
There'll be bluebirds over
The white cliffs of Dover,
Tomorrow, just you wait and see.
There'll be love and laughter
And peace ever after.
Tomorrow, when the world is free
The shepherd will tend his sheep.
The valley will bloom again.
And Jimmy will go to sleep
In his own little room again.
There'll be bluebirds over
The white cliffs of Dover,
Tomorrow, just you wait and see.
Rose, Rose, Rose, Red
Rose, rose, rose, red
Will I ever see thee we
I will marry at thy will, sire
At thy will.
Thou poor bird
Take thy flight
High above the sorrows
of this sad night.
Amanda: All Through the Night
Sleep, my child, and peace attend thee,
All through the night
Guardian angels God will send thee,
All through the night
Soft the drowsy hours are creeping,
Hill and dale in slumber sleeping
I my loved ones' watch am keeping,
All through the night
Angels watching, e'er around thee,
All through the night
Midnight slumber close surround thee,
All through the night
Soft the drowsy hours are creeping,
Hill and dale in slumber sleeping
I my loved ones' watch am keeping,
All through the night
Glad that You Were Born
MILLY
Through your eyes skies look brighter
Grass more green clouds are whiter.
When you're close cares grow lighter,
I'm glad that you were born.
Through your eyes hills stretch higher.
When you smile you inspire hearts to sing in a choir.
I'm glad that you were born.
Born to laugh, born to dream
Born to spread your light.
Through your eyes I see clearer
You bring God so much nearer.
Life has grown so much dearer,
I'm glad that you were...
ALL
Born to laugh, born to dream.
Born to spread your light.
MILLY
Through your eyes I see clearer
You being God so much nearer.
Life has grown so much dearer
I'm glad that you were born.
"Lullaby (Goodnight, My Angel)"
Goodnight, my angel
Time to close your eyes
And save these questions for another day
I think I know what you've been asking me
I think you know what I've been trying to say
I promised I would never leave you
And you should always know
Wherever you may go
No matter where you are
I never will be far away
Goodnight, my angel
Now it's time to sleep
And still so many things I want to say
Remember all the songs you sang for me
When we went sailing on an emerald bay
And like a boat out on the ocean
I'm rocking you to sleep
The water's dark
And deep inside this ancient heart
You'll always be a part of me
Goodnight, my angel
Now it's time to dream
And dream how wonderful your life will be
Someday your child may cry
And if you sing this lullabye
Then in your heart
There will always be a part of me
Someday we'll all be gone
But lullabyes go on and on...
They never die
That's how you
And I
Will be
Tess:
Tomorrowland
There's a wonderful place called tomorrowland
And it's only a dream away
And the moment you get to tomorrowland
You'll forget about today.
You'll be walking on clouds,
You'll forget every care,
And your troubles, like bubbles, will vanish in air
The odds were a hundred to one against me
The world thought the heights were too high to climb
But people from Missouri never incensed me
Oh, I wasn't a bit concerned
For from hist'ry I had learned
How many, many times the worm had turned
They all laughed at Christopher Columbus when he said the world was round
They all laughed when Edison recorded sound
They all laughed at Wilbur and his brother when they said that man could fly
They told Marconi wireless was a phony, it's the same old cry
They laughed at me wanting you, said I was reaching for the moon
But oh, you came through, now they'll have to change their tune
They all said we never could be happy, they laughed at us and how!
But ho, ho, ho! Who's got the last laugh now?
They all laughed at Rockefeller Center, now they're fighting to get in
They all laughed at Whitney and his cotton gin
They all laughed Fulton and his steamboat, Hershey and his chocolate bar
Ford and his Lizzie, kept the laughers busy, that's how people are
They laughed at me wanting you, said it would be, "Hello, Goodbye."
But oh, you came through, now they're eating humble pie
They all said we'd never get together, darling, let's take a bow
For ho, ho, ho! Who's got the last laugh?
Hee, hee, hee! Let's at the past laugh, Ha, ha, ha! Who's got the last laugh
now?
When Irish Eyes Are Smiling
There's a tear in your
eye,
And I'm wondering why,
For it never should be
there at all.
With such pow'r in your
smile,
Sure a stone you'd
beguile,
So there's never a
teardrop should fall.
When your sweet lilting
laughter's
Like some fairy song,
And your eyes twinkle
bright as can be;
You should laugh all the
while
And all other times
smile,
And now, smile a smile
for me.
Chorus
When Irish eyes are
smiling,
Sure, 'tis like the morn
in Spring.
In the lilt of Irish
laughter
You can hear the angels
sing.
When Irish hearts are
happy,
All the world seems
bright and gay.
And when Irish eyes are
smiling,
Sure, they steal your
heart away.
For your smile is a part
Of the love in your
heart,
And it makes even
sunshine more bright.
Like the linnet's sweet
song,
Crooning all the day
long,
Comes your laughter and
light.
For the springtime of
life
Is the sweetest of all
There is ne'er a real
care or regret;
And while springtime is
ours
Throughout all of
youth's hours,
Let us smile each chance
we get.
A Hundred and Sixty Acres
I got a hundred and sixty
acres in the valley Got a
hundred and sixty acres of the best Got an
old stove there that'll cook three square And a
bunk where I can lay me down to rest.
Up at
dawn to greet the sun I've
forgotten what a care or worry means Head
for home when day is done With
my pocket money jinglin' in my jeans. I've
got a hundred and sixty acres full of sunshine Got a
hundred and sixty million stars above Got an
old paint hoss, I'm the guy who's boss On the
hundred and sixty acres that I love!
Up at
dawn to greet the sun I've
forgotten what a care or worry means Head
for home when day is done With
my pocket money jinglin' in my jeans.
I've
got a hundred and sixty acres full of sunshine Got a
hundred and sixty million stars above Got an
old paint hoss, I'm the guy who's boss On the
hundred and sixty acres that I love! Got an
old paint hoss, I'm the guy who's boss On the
hundred and sixty acres that I love!
Moon River
Moon river, wider than a mile
I'm crossing you in style some day
Oh, dream maker, you heart breaker
Wherever you're going, I'm going your way
Two drifters, off to see the world
There's such a lot of world to see
We're after the same rainbow's end, waiting, round the bend
My Huckleberry Friend, Moon River, and me
Moon river, wider than a mile
I'm crossing you in style some day
Oh, dream maker, you heart breaker
Wherever you're going, I'm going your way
Two drifters, off to see the world
There's such a lot of world to see
We're after that same rainbow's end, waiting, round the bend
My Huckleberry Friend, Moon River, and me
Oh Danny Boy
Oh, Danny Boy, the pipes, the
pipes are calling
From glen to glen, and down the mountain side,
The summer's gone, and all the flowers dying,
tis you, tis you must go and I must bide.
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