Practicing Gratitude… 10.31.11
- 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...
Practicing Gratitude… 10.24.11
- 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 are Awesome… We are FUN…”
"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...
Practicing Gratitude… 10.17.11 (and a few words from Cappy)
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...
Practicing Gratitude… 10.04.11
- 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...
Practicing Gratitude… 9.19.11
- $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...
“Interrupted” by Jen Hatmaker
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...
Weekend out West
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...
Practicing Gratitude… 9.6.11
- 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...
Missing my Girl
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...
Practicing Gratitude… 8.30.11
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...
Essie goes to school…
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...
Practicing Gratitude… 8.16.11
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...
Plan B
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...
Practicing Gratitude… 8.10.11
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...
Our Too-Quick Week in Puerto Rico
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...
Practicing Gratitude… 7.25.1
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...
The Best Way to Eat Ice Cream
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...
Wrapping up D7
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...
Practicing Gratitude… 7.12.11
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,...