"I wish I could have a whole conversation with him about these things, see what he thinks about them." "Well, Dad, take him to dinner. If you offer Chipotle, he won't turn you down, and you'll have his undivided attention over a grilled chicken burrito." "He has time...
Several years ago a friend asked me to write a devotional on Mark chapter 1, and this is what came out. It's the account of Jesus healing Simon Peter's mother-in-law. This was not intended for Christmas time, but each year Advent asks of me, do I really know Jesus? Do...
- A week in Fort Worth with my brothers and families- Spending the Thanksgiving week at home - provided some much-needed margin - a break from travel and just some down time- Safety last night with all of the cousins here, swimming and playing- Basden POURING into her...
Running into the mall yesterday to grab a makeup bag for Basden, even the nature of her gift screamed "teenager!" I flew through the food court to grab Chick-fil-A, her requested birthday lunch, thinking of Basden's bright, generous smile. Sporting a day-old...
When I began this blog more than ten years ago, I wrote all of the kids birthday letters. Like many things I do, it was hit or miss at best. So over the years as I've printed this blog out in the form of books, Hudson has searched the November portions of the books...
Corbin ~ on this happy birthday ~ I\'m taking an opportunity to pause and remember how smart I was to marry you. Now that I\'ve spent half of my life as your wife, there are a few things I didn\'t realize I was getting in a husband when I said \"I...
- Hudson\'s PHS Homecoming 2016 ~ Freshman yearHudson and SadieOh my word, what an awesome group of kidsHud\'s quick change after Saturday\'s baseball tourn ~ with a last-min request to help tie bow-tiesReady or not, here we go!Pics at Colonial ~ he\'s still tying...
- Chase and Hannah\'s wedding ~ a true worship event ~ such amazing people all under one roof. A privilege to be a part of these relationshipsLoved everything about this wedding. Basden told me to take notesall together! So great to have Zack back for an eveningZack,...
- Essie to her daddy late at night, “Mom said this was not going to be pretty, but I think it is beautiful.” (Corbin went upstairs to finally make her get in bed and ended up snuggling with her instead) - Sweet, unexpected phone conversation with SC- Tanner told me...
I'd like to tell you about my friend Katherine. She's the wife of an adventurer, she's the capable mom of four, and she's a friend to many. But mostly, she a daughter of the King. A daughter who's not afraid to take risks and care for others. I met Katherine twenty...
- My darling husband. Seriously, he is gorgeous. And a sweet, sweet daddy. Thanks, Bets, for the pic!- My allergies - out of control! (thankful in ALL things...) - Margin in my week - not full of appts and meetings, so thankful - Essie\'s last Tanglewood open house....
She joined many of her family and friends in Heaven twenty years ago today... and I miss her. I was about ten years old when Granny invited me to spend two weeks of the summer with her. My brothers weren't invited, nor my parents, just me. Given the throng of our...
- Essie snapping a quick pic ~ even with a highway setting the Texas sunset is gorgeous - Prov 14:10 - Each heart knows its own bitterness, and no one else can share its joy ~ why it’s so critical to be in the Word, to have God’s rich encouragement indwelling inside...
- A day AWAY at the lake over Labor Day weekend Obligatory Taco Casa stop on way to the lake Trailer trouble. Lots of creative geniuses to figure it out Dad and Mom get a turn Daddys and Daughters Harper doesn't look too sure about her driver... Evening at 7R ~ so...
My peace I give you. Um, no. That's not how I feel, Lord... I don't really have time to stop for your peace. And I'm not totally convinced my heart could even receive it right now. My peace I give you. Ok, well, it's worth a try, but I feel like I'm simply coming...
Franklin. Waco. San Antonio. Houston. San Antonio. Waco. Springfield. Atlanta. Franklin. ... and this week, Lubbock! I haven't actually counted, but pretty sure I've spent more nights in hotels this summer than in my own bed. Fortunately, it's hard to find places I...
- On the road again... Georgia or bust - This made me a little nervous. Games all over the metroplex (I don\'t think they call it that), including one in PeachTree City that didn\'t even fit on the map. But - we did it!! Mom\'s trusty pen and paper map - very...
Sometimes perfect strangers will see me out with my children and say things like, "I can't imagine parenting in this generation." Or, "I can't imagine how tough it is to raise children in this culture." They mean well. And I understand their sentiment. But it's not...
- Basden’s accommodating spirit ~ “Whatever is easiest, Mom,” (what she wants for b-fast) and “not if it’s going to be a burden” (asking me to take her to school early)- Essie finishing her homework independently - Finishing up gymnastics for the year ~ Basden learned...
Well, by golly, this title is correct. Practicing gratitude. When life weighs in heavy, when I\'m taking deep breaths in the normal of my daily routine... Mrs. Voskamp accurately described it in that book of hers... practicing gratitude.It takes practice.But that...
WE MADE IT!!! This post... indulgent? Yes. Too many pics? Probably. Worth it?? Absolutely. At least for me and these friends of mine. Since a picture is worth a thousand words, I\'m saving the words... a special thank you to anyone who takes the time to scroll...
Part II of our BU 20th reunion ~ from last year - a memorable weekend with a very memorable road trip! ~ The Road to Reunion ~ As I mentioned in my previous "Part 1" post... Last May we gathered as families for our 20th Baylor Girls reunion at Kristin's family's...
We do this every year. Every spring, our group of Baylor friends gathers at someone's home, ranch, or a hotel to enjoy the goodness of being together. I had high expectations of Baylor as a freshman in the fall of 1991, but I had absolutely no idea that I would...
After celebrating with James side of the family, we loaded up the car and happily headed north for Angel Fire to see the Wilson crew. Who doesn't love Christmas in the mountains? The snow, the scenery, the slower pace, and the crisp air ~ Papa's "happy place" is a...
Oh my WORD - what an amazing Christmas! And never mind that I'm more than two months late on posting this... still something I want memorialized in the blog archives. I always feel like it's Christmas when my brothers bring their families home to Texas, and this time,...
-Time in Amarillo with the Keisters on our way home from Angel Fire ~ always a joy to be with them! Business / Medical / Nonprofit consulting ~ both waysMexican Train!Happy New Year!Ringing in the New Year ~ NYC timeVicky and I just love this picEmma and BasdenEssie...
- Esther\'s 4th grade field day ~ in December! Beautiful weather, one of the kids\' favorites.- Getting to spend our year with Connor and Chase in the pool house. A total WIN for our family. They are incredible. - Basden\'s 1st gymnastics competition in Plano - pretty...
- A quiet day at home. - Tanglewood trees in the fall. Breathtaking. - Taking an hour or so for a walk on a gorgeous day. Sad to think of her outgrowing this- Hud’s basketball team\'s narrow WIN against YMLA - such a fun game to watch!- Watching all the 6th grade...
"I'm not afraid." It's what my friend's father told his children and his grandchildren when they gathered a couple of weeks ago for Thanksgiving. This man has been battling cancer, and while his health appears clear at this point, he knows the possibility of the...
"Essie, what's going on? Why the sad eyes?" "I'll tell you when we get in the car." Once secure inside, doors firmly shut, she let the tears flow. "Mom, can we please move away from Fort Worth? They are just so mean, and they hate me." "Whoa, slow down a minute, Es....
- Family dinner. With our new family.Our home is way more fun with Connor and Chase. Our first meal together ~ and actually the first day we met them! - Back to school parties. - Hudson and Basden doing their own school supply shopping at Staples. They took their...
I am so sore. I'm walking ok, and actually, walking feels good. But if you see me going up or down stairs, or bending my legs to sit in a chair, I look a little odd. Like a little old lady pausing mid-step, reminding her brain to strain those muscles even though...
- A good, safe weekend in Roundrock / Georgetown this weekend with Hud’s tournament, traveling home in the storm with girls and Daboo- Elizabeth Elliot’s life ~ arrival in Heaven yesterday ~ her profound affect on me and so many - A rainy morning ~ sitting on back...
- A few days away with Corbin. On the heels of school ending, just good to get away - That I’m not comfortable in Vegas- Starbucks at the bottom of our hotel elevator- Mom’s help with the kids - tremendous- Rooneys having girls for a sleepover the last day of school,...
- Mom and Dad’s 45th anniversary. Getting to celebrate on the same BEACH where Trey and Amy got married; Dad baptizing both Ashlyn and Joy Taylor; getting to spend the week with both Trey and Chris’ families. Of course I wish we and Luke’s family were there, but...
These gratitude posts ~ better late than never!- Reed moving in last Friday night, getting to meet his friend Lucas from South Korea in the process.- Watching Big Hero 6 with the kids on a rainy Sunday night.- Worth this tub of uniforms sitting in our garage for...
I got a speeding ticket this morning. 54 in a 40. Hudson and Essie were with me, on Vickery, headed back to school from Dr. Kelley's office. Essie was basking in the smooth, unfamiliar sensation of her brand-new-just-got-braces-off teeth, and Hud was asking if his...
(These gratitude posts - better late than never!) - Celebrating Hud’s spiritual birthday ~ hearing how his brother and sisters see the Holy Spirit in him. A theme of kindness. - Es and her fantastic 3rd grade teacher, Ms. Clynch LeBron and Ms. Clynch after a gym...
- \"Young Life leaders believe that every kid, in every home, deserves to have someone who\'s crazy about them.\" - John Trent, speaking at our Fort Worth Young Life luncheon this week. - 3rd grade Mom/child Tanglewood kickball party - While Hud made his lunch, he...
Like many families, we're big fans of HGTV's Fixer Upper. We love Chip and Joanna, we've got a soft spot for Waco (sic 'em, Bears!), and it's so fun to have a guilt-free show our whole family can watch. I've never met the Gaines, but Joanna recently shared some of her...
- Hud\'s turn ~ WYLDLIFE paint wars These two AMAZING men. Kevin Libick - our church middle school youth leader, and Brad Deal - middle school teacher AND Wyldlife leader. So grateful for their investments in our kids - our own and in our community. (Incidentally,...
- The first \"Gathering\" here last weekend. An hour or so of worship for high school students, organized by these talented kiddos. Really special. Essie got to sing a couple of \"Ellie Holcomb\" solos Basden, Kelcy, Essie and Hannah- Lisa\'s gentle reminder, just a...
- A few days over spring break just at home, with no real agenda, lazy mornings and slow evenings with very few responsibilities. - Getting to read in the mornings with Essie right next to me, a book on her lap as well.These are just things that simply don\'t happen...
This written by my dad, aka Cappy. He jotted it down recently and sent it to me in an email. The power of an engaged, loving grandpa (or two) ~ tremendous. One evening Charles called and said we were heading out for a spur-of-the-moment man’s dinner, the two of us,...
The following is an essay Hudson wrote for a school assignment earlier this year. I posted Branson's "Where I'm From" last week, and wanted to share Hud's here as well. Love his words. Where I'm From Hudson James Wilson I am from ping pong, from pool basketball, and...
- MORE snow... this is kind of getting a little crazy here in Fort Worth! - Snuggling with DaddyOne reason we love snow mornings Mini snowman- Corbin\'s first week of work ~ very full, a little overwhelming, but he\'s thrilled to be there. - Reconnecting with so...
It's been nine years and we miss him. Nine years since that freezing Sunday morning when his car spun out of control on an icy highway en route to Christ Chapel. He never arrived to deliver his sermon. It's been nine years, and still his personality, his humor, his...
- Sweet friends, and girls who entertain themselves well- This cutie intentionally spending time with the other one. - MORE snow!- Unlike Yukon, Cross and Ruby prefer the rug in front of the fireplace over the snow. - A quiet snow day with Corbin home and kids at...
The following is an essay Branson wrote for a school assignment last year. I love this assignment, and I'll be posting Hudson's "Where I'm From" next week. Bran chose the photos and printed them alongside his words. I love it and consider him to have a natural writing...
- That when I remember to ask Him (and even when I don\'t), God provides in the most uncanny, specific, tiny detailed ways. That He cares about my specific needs, that it\'s not His best for me to feel overwhelmed, without His help.- That it\'s worth it to pay a few...