new indeed.

Last week I started my 6th year teaching music - 6th?! I'm old...which reminds me that one of my favorite parts of the first day of school is having the kids guess how old I am. The answers this year were anywhere from 10 to 42. Close. I am so excited for this year. I feel incredibly privileged to teach at my school. That being said, some changes are accompanying this year for the Henbests...

Derek and I moved to Nampa a few weeks ago. I know, what?! We already miss Boise but we could not pass up the amazing deal we were given. A wonderful family who live in Alaska for 9 months of the year and Namps for the other 3 asked Derek and I to rent their huge, wonderful house for almost nothing...so we said yes of course! The biggest issue in the move is this: I went from a 10 minute commute to work to a 45-50 minute commute. The school I teach at couldn't be farther away from the house we are in. It's comical really. However, other than waking up at 5:45, I'm fine with it. I have actually been enjoying the drive...listening to some great tunes (lots of Carney, The Waiting Kind, Madi Diaz, and Broken Social Scene lately) and talking with God.

Derek quit his job on worship staff at Capital Christian Center to pursue his dream (and my dream for him). Derek's band, The Waiting Kind, signed a 3 year contract with a booking/management agency (Faith Artist Agency) a few months ago. Whoa. Faith Artist Agency is truly an incredible agency and we are in very good hands. TWK takes to the road for their first tour tomorrow! You can imagine how excited we are! God has opened door after door after door - it has been laughable. Now, obviously I'm not going - 6th year teaching remember? That will be the hard part - not seeing my man for weeks at a time...but I cannot describe to you how much peace I have. I believe Derek and I will grow in our relationship, even when we are apart. I also believe both Derek and myself will grow in our relationship with our Lord and Savior. Also! How wonderful is it that I am a teacher?! On my breaks I will be able to tour with them which will be wonderful. Oh man, I can't wait.

As my dashing man said it so perfectly the other day - "I've never had to have this much faith. I've never felt so blessed."

Sidenote for our friends and family: thank you to all of you who have been SO very supportive! We feel your love and prayers daily and appreciate them so much. The Waiting Kind would LOVE to see you out on the road...go to www.thewaitingkind.com for tour dates and more information! Again, thank you, thank you, thank you! We love you.

The Waiting Kind takes to the road full time.

exciting news for TWK - so proud of these guys! read here:

www.thewaitingkind.com

The Waiting Kind. new ep. yes.

The Waiting Kind is back in the studio. i have heard Derek playing these songs over and over and over at home and i'm telling you, this ep is going to be great. they are currently recording Love Rises. oh man i can't wait for you to hear it.

summer and a Good Time banjo.

tomorrow is my last day teaching before summer break. cheers to that! it has been a fantastic year. i adore my job and love teaching what i'm passionate about. that said, summer is ahead of me. i have decided to work this summer, kind of. i will be working with a 10 year old girl for a few hours each morning of the week. other than that, here are the things i will be doing: reading, writing new tunes, recording new tunes, playing tunes for peeps, spending time with my adorable niece and nephew, family, vaca to Disneyland/Universal Studios/Six Flags with my huz, iced tea by the gallon, friends, aaaaaaaaaand, learning to play the banjo. i cannot tell you how excited i am about that last one. i have this amazing teacher named Gary that sounds pleasantly grandpa-like on the phone. he has 60 guitar/banjo students and has been teaching for 30 years. i start next week. in the meantime, i need to find a banjo. looking into getting a Deering Good Time Banjo. sounds like i might need to start a folk band. Marc?

watch out Bono.

I start songwriting workshops with my kids when they are in the 2nd grade. Once a month we focus on songwriting, talk through the process, and I let them create. I adore this process. Last week we focused on writing a song based on a color. I wish you could hear them sing their songs. Here are a few of my favorites:

Green and Blue

Green grass, green trees.
Blue river, blue sky.
Green and blue are part of nature.
Green paint, blue eyes.
Green shoes, blue dress.
Green and blue are part of us.
Green and blue are part of nature.
Green and blue are part of us.

Lavender and Blue

Lavender and blue,
Oh how I love you.
Deep beneath the sea,
Happiness and glee.
Lavender and blue,
Oh how I love you.

Lavender

Lavender sweet, lavender sad.
Lavender you make me glad.
Lavender you are with me.
You comfort my sorrow.
Lavender, oh yeah.
Lavender sweet, lavender sad.
Lavender you make me glad.

Yellow Jello

My yellow fellow does not like Jello.
What shall I do with my yellow fellow?
I saw Lingo with my fellow,
And he got stuck in Jello. HA!
Yellow Jello, yellow Jello,
We all love yellow Jello.

I hope these made you glad. Happy weekending dear ones!

read.

if you have a heart for adoption, read this.

http://aaronhalemusic.blogspot.com

also, check out his music. he writes some great tunes.

lately.

this list could be very long but here are just a few artists that have been inspiring me lately. some new records, some old.