“Hey, how long ago did you get this ticket?” Corbin asked, flipping through some papers on my desk. “Oh yeah, I meant to ask you about that. What do I need to do with it?” “Well, did you read it? Looks like you need to go to the courthouse. But it says within eleven...
At least it\’s not J. Max
Sunlight filtered through our open car windows while a brisk breeze swooped crimson and golden leaves in merry-go-round circles on the asphalt. The day's brilliant conditions ushered in excitement for the emergence of Fall. But all was not quite so sunny in our car as...
The Kitten and Ducks
(from Hudson) I wrote this story today: One late afternoon a mother duck's eggs hatched and a kitten got mixed in with the baby ducks. When it was time for the baby ducks to eat their first piece of corn the kitten ate with then. After that, it was time for them to...
Bragging… again
Check out my big brother, Trey... he's amazing! Can you tell I'm a little proud?! James Listed Among Top 100 Most Influential in Accounting Industry ALPHARETTA, GA, October 2009— Xcentric, LLC’s president and CEO Trey James was recently recognized as one of the Top...
Six weeks in…
We\'re in week six of school, and I\'m thankful to be here and not at week one. I feel like we're past the nervous anticipation of unfamiliar schedules and routines, and are slowly jelling with this new pattern of what learning looks like in our home. Without...
Our New Adventure
That's how I feel about this year and teaching our kids at home - "a new adventure." A one-day-at-a-time, stay-in-the-moment kind of adventure. The past couple of weeks have felt both natural and alien, easy and difficult, and comfortable and exhausting. The good news...
What I’m Loving About Our Week
Well, first of all, we're at Rosemary beach this week. Near Destin, just down 30A along the Emerald Coast, past Watercolor and Seaside, Rosemary Beach is just captivating. I've never been to this little gem of a community before, but I'm totally enchanted and already...
First Fruits
A scruffy, haggard-looking man at Hulen and I-20 holds a sign that reads, "Injured in Iraq - please help." A Pregnancy Lifeline display sits in the corner of our church foyer week after week, beckoning donations for this local ministry. Compassion and World Vision...
Happy 3rd Birthday, Funny Girl
You're funny and fearless (except for loud noises) and fussy and fast friends with strangers. You're quirky and busy and exuberant and giggly. You're graceful and athletic and a dancer and a sprinter... and today, you are three years old. This little babe who...
Anybody else ever feel like this?
Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is Thy faithfulness... Thank goodness! Every so often - like last night - I go to bed with a heavy heart, carrying the weight of the world into my...
Running
When Branson started walking at twelve months of age, I felt instinctive confidence he would get it. I didn't follow him around with a soft pillow, waiting to cushion his fall. I just assumed his little bottom was fluffy enough (!) to soften the blow. Corbin and I...
Finishing out the school year
Well, I'm not sure what it is, but lately - I can't write! So, maybe posting something simple will break up that writer's block... so here goes. A few high points from the Wilson home... We said good-bye to our dear friends, Carlos and Kelly Gonzalez, as their moving...
Basden’s Ballet Recital
I've never been a fan of carnations. I don't have any great reason for that, because they're pretty flowers, usually the least expensive in the store, and they last forever. At our wedding nearly thirteen years ago, I gave our florist vague instructions, with one...
Swine Break ’09
I've gotten a few calls and e-mails from my friends from afar asking how we're faring with the swine flu here in Fort Worth. With our school closed for more than a week, we were quite grateful to see that the potential epidemic wasn't as far-reaching as it might have...
(Not so Little) Licorice Sticks
“Mommy! Now we’re not going to be able to listen to licorice sticks anymore!” Basden eyed the overflowing basket of library books and CDs in our laundry room, ready for today’s return from their three-week hiatus in our home. She lightly tossed the Karen Harper CD...
Same Kind of Different as Me
I think I might be the last person in Tarrant County to read this book. Despite my anticipation to read it - for literally years now - for some crazy reason I've just now gotten around to picking it up. Wow. I've heard that response from others - family, friends, and...
Baylor Girls Reunion ’09
I spent last weekend near Colorado Springs with eight of my favorite people - our 14th annual girls reunion since graduating from Baylor. Oh, how the years go by! Like every other year, we ate, talked, laughed and cried through the few precious days. With glorious...
Nice Mommy #2
Turns out I'm not that much nicer when I can't talk. Just because I'm not speaking doesn't mean I don't lose it from time to time - it's just that right now I can't spew out my frustration with words. Yesterday I got really mad at Bran. I'd love to camouflage his...
Nice Mommy
Evidently, I'm nicer without a voice. At least according to Hudson. In his kindest, most sincere way, he told me yesterday, "Mommy, you're nicer when you can't talk." It's been nearly 48 hours since I've spoken or sang or yelled or whispered. After Friday's vocal cord...
Perspective of Redbuds
The Texas redbuds are blooming. We've got three of these trees in our backyard, and they happily summon spring as the wispy branches pop with bright purple blooms. The first year in our home, we had no idea what to expect of our backyard. We moved in during the...
Haircuts and Enchiladas and Other Dilemmas
Well, I thought his hair looked great. And not just because I'm his mom, but because he's got this brilliant face with clear green eyes. And while those eyes are adorable peeking out from beneath a long wave of bangs, this short cut makes his features even brighter....
In a Pit with Lion on a Snowy Day
Have you read this? If so, would love to hear your thoughts. Of all the books I read in '08, this stands out most. Don't know if it's the absolute best literature I read, but I'm putting it down as most memorable. And most invigorating. I really, really like Mark...
Happy 9th Birthday, Bran
“Mama, I know this is a hard Christmas for you since Tricia died.” Jamie cleared her throat and agreed with Branson that yes, it had been a difficult Christmas. “But Mama, we know she’s in Heaven with Jesus.” As tears formed in Jamie’s eyes, Bran again reassured her,...
Parting the Waters
So how do you, in a couple hundred pages, capture the story of your oldest son's near-death drowning and the ensuing years of recovery and healing? Throw in the combined grief and helplessness of enduring it as a family of five, maintaining your marriage, questioning...
Wednesday Wonder ~ Heather Davenport
"Why don't you go see Heather this weekend?" "What? Just pick up and go? You think it'd work?" "Sure, if you take Basden & Esther, I can handle the boys for a few days. Even if you leave Thursday morning, I can make arrangements after school." "Well, can you still...
The Rest of the Story
"If you get out on these roads today, know that you're taking your life in your own hands." This morning's warning from Alan, that snow plowing brother-in-law of ours. Turns out I was somewhat prophetical in returning my ski gear yesterday. While Alan was up early to...
Diary of a wimpy skiier
What fun to spend Christmas day on the slopes. I think what I love most about skiing is the proximity it allows to nature - to be IN the snow, in the trees, rounding a curve to breathtaking views of the white-blanketed valley below and Sangre de Cristo mountains...
Published!!
Not me, but Hudson. That's right. In this month's (Dec) Highlights magazine, Hudson's drawing is published in Our Own Pages. How cool is that?! He's excited, but smug. Has hardly said a word. Even with the magazine prominently displayed in our foyer, even with a...
A Georgia Thanksgiving
How many Jameses does it take to change a liglhtbulb? No idea. But I do know that it takes about twleve to get a gallon of milk from WalMart in rural north Georgia. I always say being with my brothers is like a holiday, and so this past week was double the fun - a...
Pilgrims
How lovely is your dwelling place, O Lord Almighty! Even the sparrow has found a home, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may have her young - a place near your altar... Blessed are those who dwell in your house... Blessed are those whose strength is in...
Kyle Ogle ~ Died Young, Lived Old
"He died young, but lived old." That's how pastor Tommy Nelson described Kyle Ogle during Monday's funeral. Kyle's life ended at a much-too-young 38, but in the process he touched many with his full and deep and overflowing magnetism. Before the cancer and with the...
Lawrence Update ~ 2.5 weeks Out
Friends - Jeff and Nan and all three boys are still in San Diego and Mike is continuing to slowly heal. Precious insight from an e-mail Nan wrote a couple of days ago - I was asking God to bring himself to us. It's no longer the question, "Can the God of the universe...
What I’m Learning This Week
- Never underestimate a pink-plastic-high-heel-wearing two-year-old with an enormous planter of dirt - Rhinestone necklaces and high heels and taking a break to teach ballet are critical elements for a family bike ride - No such thing as enough photos of my girls with...
Lawrence Update ~ A week out
A quick update on Mike Lawrence through an e-mail from Jeff & Nan - Today (Saturday) is day seven at the hospital in San Diego. Mike is doing well under the circumstances and in good spirits most of the time. He's out of ICU, and he's been much more active over...
Wednesday Wonder ~ A Miracle for Mike
Hudson, would you like to pray for Mike? "Mom, sometimes things are too sad for me to pray for out loud. This is one of those times." Our friends Jeff and Nan Lawrence and their family are suffering a tragedy this week. Their nearly six-year-old son, Mike, tripped and...
What did you do today?
Years ago, after moving to Fort Worth, our friend Chris Wolfe would stop by to visit and ask me, "Hey TJ, what did you do today?" I gently taught him early on that you don't ask a stay-at-home mom, "What did you do today?" It's like asking a pregnant woman how much...
Esther – Fully Two
We celebrated Esther Jamie's second birthday recently, and I just can't let the benchmark birthday pass without lavishing love on her little life. A letter to our baby... Little One - You have acquired a handful of nicknames in your two years: Spunky Monkey, Little...
Can someone find me an organic Happy Meal, please?
I went to bed last night with a heavy heart. Going through a pile of mail as we returned home, I scanned an article in last Sunday's paper entitled, "If you want to go to heaven..." Evangelicals are neither as numerous nor as uniform in their beliefs as once thought,...
Meet Baby Rowan
Well, we met her! Finally! Rowan Beth Benjamin, our new little niece. Three 1/2 months old, she is just beautiful. And CONTENT. I’ve met just one baby as “easy” as this one - my friend Sarah’s little Joseph was the same way. Make so little noise, you forget they’re in...
Cold Tangerines
Agh!!! I LOVE this book! First, I love the layout. A collection of 4-5ish page essays, easy & entertaining to read whenever and wherever. Second, I love Niequist's insights into the spiritual snippets of every day life. She dives deep into the motives and...
Hyatt Hill Country and Hyatt Lost Pines
Just returned home from a week in San Antonio and Austin. We turned Corbin’s conference at the Hyatt Hill Country Resort into a family vacation and then headed over to the Hyatt Lost Pines outside of Austin for the weekend. What beautiful and fun vacation spots! As...
Family Driven Faith
I love it when friends pass books on to us. This one came highly recommended, with good reason. Read it yet? In Family Driven Faith, Voddie Baucham challenges parents to disciple their children in such a way as to instill a multigenerational faith that stretches from...
The Bear That Heard Crying
In June 1783, three-year-old Sarah Whitcher wanders into the woods and disappears. Got your attention? Enough to make you want to read this children's book describing the true story? What about when you read on that for three long days friends and neighbors search the...
Modeling
A few mornings ago I noticed Branson writing some sort of note. We were headed out the door, and he dawdled with his pen and paper while I ushered the other kids to the car. I was quite curious as to what he was working on, but decided not to ask any questions. I...
What a week ~ Kanakuk Family Kamp
"Hey Hudson, would you like to come back here next summer for camp, without mommy and daddy?" "I AM coming here next year, Mom. I NEED to be a camper." Well, we're home. We went into our week at Kanakuk family camp with high expectations, and no surprise, they were...
Floating
Branson sat down to e-mail Mama and Papa (Corbin\'s parents in NM) this evening. I looked back to my sent folder and found his unchecked correspondence, with this last line:how has your summer been? well I bet you know that we are going KANAKUK:| OK I HOPE THE LORD IS...
You’re a Good Man, Hudson James
My little boy is growing up. I suppose it’s something I’m going to have to accept. Somehow Hudson has dashed into boyhood right before our eyes. His kindergarten year is coming to an end, and Hudson will move into the ever-ascending numerical...
Going Public
If you send your kids to public school, or are considering sending your kids to public school, you must, must, must read this book. Going Public - Your Child Can Thrive in Public School, by David and Kelli Pritchard My friend Heather told me about the Pritchards after...
A Day in the Life
"Mom! Where's my hat?" "What? Your hat? You don't have your hat?" Standing in our doorway, I glanced at Branson climbing into the backseat of my mom's car. My thoughts spiraled and tumbled with the possible hiding place of the black Pirate's ball cap. The one with the...
Back to Blogging…
Well, I'm back. It's Wednesday, and I don\'t have a "Wednesday Wonder" to offer, and at this point I think they might need to become "Monthly Marvels." Ha. I find that blogging is kind of like exercising. Once that pendulum is stopped, it's hard to get going again. I...