Sitting in the deserted bleachers yesterday during practice, I watched Branson walk, head down, into the dugout. A couple of moments later he exited with his batting helmet and gloves, bat in hand, headed slowly to home plate. "He still doesn't look good," I thought....
We're in Chicago for a few days, just Corbin and me, a welcome break from "normal" life. I just read John Grisham's book, Ford County, on the plane here. Like most fiction readers, I love Grisham's writings. I appreciate his legal insights as I'm married to this...
I’ve just returned from one of my favorite times of the year - our annual reunion with my college girlfriends. It’s debatable which year this marks, 18th or 19th, as our first trips to Cammi’s parents’ lake house started even before graduating from Baylor. Regardless,...
He is risen, indeed. I love Easter. I love that it's accompanied by nature's budding spring growth, reminding me that someday I'll be mature and complete, but that this life is truly a growth process. On the heels of Lent season and Easter, I'm posting a piece I wrote...
- A weekend with these DEAR friends, the Brogdons. Oh my gosh - a shot in the arm of deep friendships College friendships that have not just sustained the years, but grown over the years - Tall, elegant, lovely Dar, and a couple of precious hours with her over...
I woke up this morning to an empty calendar page. Clear of appointments and meetings, a day that stretched wide open for all those weighty "to do's." To do's like clearing the paperwork on my desk and sorting through boxes in the garage and sunroom, both areas...
- Such great people running our elementary school. Just really kind people.- My husband\'s email response to me... always giving me grace- Offering gratitude when I don\'t feel like it (this week specifically - when things don\'t go the way I want them to for one of...
B - Seriously, 12?! Goodness. I always find myself at an impass on your birthdays. On one hand, I'm surprised at how these years are flying - a reminder that hearts created for eternity are not intended to comprehend the passing of finite time. But on the other hand,...
A force to be reckoned with. With another one of those open-mouth/astonished expressions that she's into these days Now, I can honestly say that I never anticipated this phone call. Checking a few emails before the end-of-day-run to get carpool, my cell phone rang....
-Yet another family portrait... a priceless one at that -This legacy that Papa\'s building... love, love, love and WHIPPED CREAM- Star Blazers, a new bond for Hud & Daddy- Pretty eyes, pretty hearts- That your presence, Lord, in the present is an endless source of...
"Here, read this book, it's exactly what I believe and what I want to teach my children about who I think God is." The last part of her sentence was telling... "who I think God is." In this case, coming from the lips of a self-proclaimed atheist, "who she thinks God...
- Love notes she tapes on my desk- Watching Basden rest her head on Papa\'s shoulder in church - A mouthful of stitches and capable docs and professionals to take care of Hud - Strong, healthy teeth that remained in tact- First one tooth, then the next... and now both...
- little girls in foam curlers (oh my gosh)- Rainy Mondays- Sacrificial husbands- Tina and her camera- Corbin taking Bran & Hud for a (quick) trip to the mountainsBran, Foster and Hudson. I remember dreaming with Mama and Auntie Cam about the day they would grow...
- Cappy & Daboo\'s full house for Christmas (almost full, anyway - missing our Atlanta crew!) - That Christmastime can make even veggies a special treat- Aunt Julie\'s creativity in merging James traditions... great job, Julie. You make Christmas FUN. - Cousin...
This Christmas photo, circa 1976 or so, takes me back to my growing up years when we spent every holiday in south Texas with both sets of grandparents. Here I am with Pappy, Cappy's daddy. Pappy had more interesting stories than could possibly fill this blog, and...
- Amy\'s LIFE. We\'ll never know. - Being reminded of this... There is no greater measure of my work as a woman than the extent to which I serve as the heart of my home. - Nancy Leigh DeMoss- December 15 - happy happy birthday Dad! So glad you were born!- December 17...
His thoughtful gift not only took me off guard, but it surprised me how much it meant to me. He met me in the kitchen, eyes bright and expectant, and ushered me to the festive gift bag and generous plate of cellophane-wrapped brownies perched on the counter top. He...
- These eyes. They’re not from me or from her daddy. Just an over-the-top gift. - Boxing gloves- Oh goodness - how we love Mrs. Warner! She not only teaches Basden to play piano, but she brings out such sweetness in her. - Michelle\'s email- Friends who remember. A...
- Hand prints in wet concrete, evidence of those precious souls who inhabit this home - Psalm 1, timelines, and a bag of apples - That Adventures in Odessey has the power to draw in my (no longer) reluctant tween - From Essie, \"I just love you so much, I could kiss...
- Creative Mama - Cooking in Mama\'s kitchen, with people who can really cook - Uncle Alan\'s turkey - Bran and Hud\'s \"man cave\" in the suburban - That the piano never sat silent - Our Christmas gift from Benjamins - These awesome yellow things... transformed ice...
- Our brand-new little cousin, Brenna Christian, born 11.11.11. She\'s the youngest of four - all 4 years and younger! Thankful for a new (beautiful!) James gal. - A friend\'s reminder, \"Love is the willingness to give to the other person what I have that they need,...
Last week's unique date 11.11.11 prompted a myriad of celebrations around the world - weddings, over-the-top anniversaries, treks to casinos in hopes of extra luck on an extraordinary date... and our family even welcomed a new little gal into the world on that...
Scripture describes itself as living and active. And it is. I've seen it, experienced it. But I'm reminded tonight that many words are living and active, that it's not just the Bible that can touch and convict and encourage, in different ways, in different seasons....
- Esther wearing her great-grandmother Esther\'s dress, which the original Esther sewed herself - This very special mustard... - My guy who\'s as awesome as the one on the book cover- Tulsa time... rule follower colliding with free spirit- Being anticipated - That...
- Those Rangers... and those players who make up the team.- Celebrating the first World Series game (even with a loss) - Dr. Nelms\' generosity- Napoli\'s 3-run homer (C\'m on! It\'s the World Series!)- Nowhere else we\'d rather be- Josh Hamilton, and this book we...
"We're the Class of '91!!!" Or something like that. I don't remember the exact cheer, but I'm quite sure the first line ended in "fun," I don't think any of us were much more creative than that. Goodness, twenty years. When you still live in the same town you grew up...
I have saved files and files of my Dad's wisdom and reflection - communicated both through handwritten letters and emails. Maybe one day I'll put them in a book. What I love about this particular email from last week is his "happiness is a choice" quote - very likely...
- Sunday nights, all just showing up - #12 with an interception and a black jersey - Moments with Mama - Chris and Sarah, their commitment and sacrifice - God\'s true word that doesn't change, doesn't waver, doesn't shift - Thursday mornings in Lori's home - How much...
- $25 Lawn Care- Sprouts- Rain clouds- First Cotillion (boy, does this bring back memories... his first surprise was that Bruce Lea was not Bruce Lee, and second that it\'s only once a month)- Waiver (no school) days- Large Sonic coke zero- Anticipating 3:00 - TRIPLE...
Oh man, this will make you think. Or at least, it should. This is the first I’ve read from Jen Hatmaker. To be honest, I read it with a little reservation. Not only was I hesitant to ingest Jen’s message (a journey of releasing security, comfort, familiarity, and...
I knew it would be a special weekend. I’d been looking forward to our time in a part of the country I’d never been, one that is important to me because of a few really great people who live there. But even so, our time in Montana and Idaho has been even sweeter than I...
- Turning a new calendar page - Struggling with sending our youngest to school... the gratitude that comes when it\'s ONLY that - Continued construction... so fun to see the progress - THIS in our driveway Last weekend during some Sat morn chores, I asked Hudson if he...
We’re a little over a week and a half into the school year, and it’s hitting me. My little Essie has gone to school. I miss her. My heart is sad today, a little heavy, which leaves me on the verge of tears in any given conversation (including with the mailman) because...
389. Dog crates... duh! Exactly one hour and six minutes after this... our beloved pups had new homes. Making them more beloved. 390. Celebrating precious Foster\'s first decade. What zeal he brings to this world.391. A kind husband. He shows such kindness to me, our...
Today after church Corbin asked me how I was feeling about our YOUNGEST starting kindergarten tomorrow. For eleven+ years now we've had babies at home, so tomorrow is the start of a whole new season. I responded that I was a little sad that we'd been so busy lately, I...
355. All six of us back together - and a great week at camp for kids356. Hudson\'s \"James Bond\" award, with the bee stings to show for it357. Great counselors 358. Our new principal for 6th grade359. Confirmations for our school year - you are so kind, Lord, in the...
Sometimes my moments, or days, as the matriarch of our little family simply catch me off guard. I've grown to expect the unexpected, to believe the unbelievable, and I stay pretty convinced that my days will not go the way I plan. So I haven't quit planning, because...
340. Celebrating fifteen years this week (!!)341. Essie\'s generous and constant \"I Love You\'s\"342. Getting to indulge in The Mountain Between Us - one of my fav fiction ever!343. The privilege of watching our children enjoy the beach, entertainment that suits all...
If we stood out traipsing through DFW pulling primary colored suitcases, you shoulda seen us making our way through the San Juan airport. It was after dark when we landed, and walking out of the rotating doors onto the busting sidewalk, a blanket of wet air lightly...
317. Bogan and Broderick in Fort Worth - and Aunt Julie, of course!318. An evening with Paul & Allison, soon-to-be newlyweds... Esther had Allison fully \"decorated\" 319. Idaho horse bites (don\'t know if Bran will ever be thankful for those)320. Celebrating...
You just never know what to expect with her. She loves my kids, and she loves surprises. And she continues to surprise me. Last night after dinner, Aunt Julie kidnapped Hudson and headed to the store, "to get dessert." They returned home twenty minutes later with tubs...
We made it back to Fort Worth last night after four days in Waco for Branson's Sectionals tournament. With six weeks or so of daily practices and successful tournament play under their belts, his team won District and then headed to Waco with high hopes of securing...
300. Her smile... her spirit... and getting to have her in our home for a full week 301. Basden getting a part in a church musical - even as a weed dandelion (thank goodness!)302. Reading Heaven is for Real aloud as a family303. Not setting my alarm all week (thanks,...
282. Summertime in the mountains283. Sipping hot coffee on the porch during afternoon thunder showers284. Choosing to sit outside in the sun because the shade is too cool 285. Wearing a fleece in July286. Getting to meet finally meet sweet Pate - 3 mos 287. Angel...
We were sitting in the front living room late one night, talking about how difficult it is to do hard things - to stand apart from the crowd. "What can one kid do, Mom? I'm just one kid." I named a couple of other boys in my son's grade that would stand with him,...
251. Deep love of cousins for each other... even when they both want to be the alpha 252. All that my children learn during their time at Papa\'s Mountains253. Scott Walker\'s life254. Young Marrieds class at Trinity Chapel255. Celebrating this dad on Father\'s...
"Mom, I had a moment." "Huh?" "Tonight. A moment. You should have seen it. I was called on stage to do the rap, and it was AWESOME..." Bran continued another five or so minutes, recounting in detail the thrill of performing in front of several hundred 6th-9th graders...
Someone snapped this photo of me last month. TJ, aka "Taz," wrapped up the school year with a short temper and little patience. My kids will tell you that my speech consisted mostly of grunts, growls and rasps, and my ability to spin and bite through just about...
The house is still, at least for a few moments. The three big kids tumbled into the car this morning, headed to their last full day of school, with lighter backpacks and gift-wrapped packages for their teachers. Esther still sleeps upstairs, subconsciously thankful...
The painters showed up last Monday morning, and I simply wasn't ready. I didn't know exactly what I needed to do ahead of time to prepare our home, but I clearly hadn't done it. Within minutes of their arrival, the men stacked every picture frame from our "art...