Practicing Gratitude… 7.4.11
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...
One Man Who Made a Big Difference
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,...
Practicing Gratitude… 6.27.11
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...
In the Image of the Maker
"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...
Taz, be gone!
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...
Graduation Day (5th grade, that is)
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...
Unprepared
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...
Refreshed by Shannon’s Contentment
It\'s been over a decade since we've seen each other. And two decades since we've spent any real time together. But the unfortunate event of her mother's passing last week allowed me a long-overdue visit with my dear friend, Shannon. As my mom and I entered the...
House plans
We're doing some work on our house. We've been in the design phase for awhile, arranging and rearranging some of the spaces in our home. We've changed our minds so many times, in fact, that yesterday as I was logging expenses, I asked Corbin if what we've paid our...
Essie’s baseball debut
How can I not post pictures from Essie's first game? I tried to put her hair in french braids with two enormous ribbons, she wouldn't have any of it. "Just a ponytail, Mom. And NO ribbon." Basden carrying her little sister's bag Coach Wolfe says "RUN!!!" Daboo looking...
A long-awaited babe
We got the text early yesterday morn. Cameron's water broke around midnight, and she headed to the birthing center in Taos around 4 am. We all prayed for Cam and this babe before school this morn, and our kiddos were awaiting the news of their new baby girl cousin...
Opening Night
Two down, sixty-one to go. That's how many baseball games I entered into our family calendar a couple of weeks ago. Essie's playing this year, so that makes three teams we get to cheer on. I think we can get to all 63 games as long as our coaches don't schedule any...
Naomi and Payton
We've got two new babes! Well, not MY babies, but my brand-new darling nieces breathed their first breaths just a few days ago. My little brother Chris and his wife Crystal are now Daddy and Mommy to (nearly) two-year-old Joy Taylor and TWO NEW BABY GIRLS! We...
Eleven and Counting
Happy eleventh birthday, my creative, courageous, fun-loving boy. Branson, you continue to teach me that I need to be teachable, that I don't have you figured out. Just when I think I know you or anticipate your next move, you surprise me. I want to keep learning you....
Happy Valentines
Happy Valentines Day. It's a rather quiet morning around the Wilson home. Hudson is home sick from school, reading here on the sofa with me as I type, both of us entertained by our new puppies Cross and Ruby as they tumble across the carpet and then come to rest in a...
Valtrex and Vicadin, aka SHINGLES
I thought it was a bug bite. That little red, quarter-size spot on my temple. It was tender to the touch, but looked like a reaction to some sort of bite. So two weeks ago Thursday, I spent the following weekend applying benadryl ever-so-lightly, hoping the thing...
The Here and Now
Sometimes, out of nowhere, I'm jolted by it. Jolted by the reality of this moment, of the here and now. As my crazy kids wrestle and turn cartwheels in our messy den, as I help Esther put the mounds of Barbie shoes and clothes and half naked dolls yet again into the...
Happy Seventh Birthday, Basden Joy
This birthday letter just a little tardy... just spreading out our celebrating. Basden Girl, you are a sweetheart. As my friend Kellie would say, you are sugar. Just that sweet. I love your shy smile. I love your loud, uninhibited laugh. I love riding the big swing...
My Revised Christmas List ~ Ruth Bell Graham
My Revised Christmas List by Ruth Bell Graham Let me offer for our consideration a revised shopping list - This Christmas I am giving my parents more loving appreciation for the years of time and effort - yes, and money - that they invested in me, so much of which I...
A Mother’s Prayer – Ruth Bell Graham
My heart has rested heavy this week in thoughts of my children. They're a great kids. But they keep me dependent in needing to see God's hand in their lives. Dependent that the Holy Spirit will speak to them in a way that their young hearts can understand. Dependent...