Practicing Gratitude 9.14.13
- Catching Corbin playing pool games with his girls. - And on another day. My dad used to do this with us. - That he does a good job of this. And that I never have to. I didn\'t believe it on the front end, that the boys (including Corbin, of course) could / would...
Practicing Gratitude 8.29.13
- Celebrating 17 yearsAug 11, 1995- A screenshot of Hud\'s post on Instagram ~ sweet boy (feel free to roll eyes at this one... but I\'m not missing a chance to memorialize this!)- A full pool after a football meeting - makes my heart happy - Football season- Dropping...
KIVU ~ Man Camp 2013
I was practically giddy on the drive to Durango last month.I’d been telling Branson all summer that he had no idea what an incredible week lay ahead of him at KIVU.Mom, Corbin and I drove the gorgeous route from Angel Fire to Durango, and the four hours each way kept...
Practicing Gratitude 7.28.13
- Essie turns 7. Love this spunky girl. Celebrating with Daboo and CappyFavorite flowers from Daddy- Watching Bran and Corbin read my post about Yukon. They both needed Kleenex. - Swimming in the rain with the Schaefers- SWEET Daboo taking the boys fishing at the...
Crossroads by William Paul Young ~ a Review
A sweet friend gave me a copy of Cross Roads last winter for my birthday. She and I shared an affection for The Shack, and she put Paul Young's new book in my hand hot off the press. It took me several months to read it, primarily because I didn't want to rush through...
Practicing Gratitude 7.23.13
- Lots to be grateful for from July. The first and foremost, is that we still have another month of summer!- My patriotic son.Marc and Bran. I found these pics on my phone a day later. - 4th of July at the Shopes - such a fun tradition. I admire Rachel as the hostess...
Yukon – End of an Era, Part 2
As I mentioned in Part 1 of this post, Yukon has grown old with our little family. Yukon began our training for parenthood Both have a few more gray hairs Yukon turned 14 this past spring, and in the past couple of years maintained a lot of necessary spunk to put up...
Yukon – End of an Era, Part 1
We named him Yukon. It wasn’t until a couple of weeks later, receiving his Husky certification in the mail, that we realized we’d given him his grandfather’s name. Skipping a generation, the name was surely meant for our little Yukon. He’s been with us for fourteen...
Practicing Gratitude 7.10.13
- Hitting a point of \"boredom\" this summer ~ means I haven\'t over-scheduled kids- Taking one day at a time. Summer is passing quickly, and it makes my heart ache a little. I so long for this relaxed schedule with margin- Silly boys- Hud\'s team not winning District...
Practicing Gratitude 7.02.13
- This summer especially, I\'m aware of our kids getting older, as they are entertaining themselves with creative outlets (which I do have to push, but not very hard): a treasure box of extra materials like empty oatmeal canisters, cardboard paper towel rolls, etc -...
Basden’s Beauty
I had just sat down in the living room last Saturday afternoon, feet up on the ottoman, laptop in hand. I glanced out to where Corbin rested on the pool float, reading the newspaper in the sun, and thought, “Here summer begins.” After an amazing, full week of CCBC...
Framing Hudson’s Elementary Years
Dear Hudson, Sitting in the folding auditorium chairs at Tanglewood last Friday morning, I got a little choked up watching the 5th grade parents file into the room. We gathered for the awards ceremony, one of the “lasts” of your elementary school events. And now...
Practicing Gratitude 6.5.13
- Basden competing in UIL storytellin - Corbin always making the celebration special - Little Laura Ingalls Wilder This dress - a treasure - made for Daboo by my Grandma Esther - May projects ~ never-ending ~ this one on responsibilities at home- Basden\'s \"Squake\"...
Tornado TJ
I even surprised myself. At the end of a very fun, very relaxing Memorial Day weekend at the lake, with all of the cars loaded and ready to head home, I burst into the full kitchen in a fit of anger and spewed out a couple of demands. Virtually incapable of...
Practicing Gratitude 5.25.13
- Dangly earrings and a locket from a Charming Charlie\'s shopping trip with Mama- What she chose to put in the locket - Watching Hudson as a Baylor Bear this springYou know something\'s wrong if he\'s not cheering / chattering - Basden\'s first run at softball - Go...
An Open Letter to Grandparents, in Response to the Boston Marathon Attacks
Dear Mama and Papa, Cappy and Daboo, in response to yesterday’s attacks... We are grieving after yesterday’s bombings at the Boston Marathon. Grieving on so many levels. For the victims and their families, for the city of Boston in general, and for our country...
Practicing Gratitude 4.14.13
- Adults across our city breathing new life and energy into the Fort Worth Young Life Committee- Elvia, Elvia, Elvia!! And my clean house!- Jessica\'s 40th birthday - and getting to celebrate right there with her Surprise!- Esther\'s note on my nightstand, waiting my...
Bread & Wine by Shauna Niequist
I was with a good friend recently, who in describing her weekly cooking routine, said that her Sunday suppers were typically more gourmet, because that's the day she has free afternoon hours to spend in the kitchen. In that moment, I was reminded that I clearly missed...
Practicing Gratitude 4.3.13
- God-timed conversations on Monday mornings- Jesus Calling. No matter how popular that little devotional book gets, it remains right-on and incredibly encouraging. Thankful for Sarah Young\'s listening in writing those devos.- Davis family. What they are to so many,...
Practicing Gratitude 3.29.13
- Crystal\'s birthday! 7+ years as a James, and our three precious little James cousins growing up in Bozeman- “Thank you that I can give myself up to be led by You... that I can go forth praising and at rest, letting You manage me and my day... that I can joyfully...