a-n-n-a-l-e-e

A WONDERFUL TEN...

2018-01-29T15:19:00.000-06:00

*My favorite thing to say is: "friend"
*My favorite color is:turquoise

*My favorite animals is: leopard

*My favorite thing to wear is: clothes

*My favorite drink is: root beer

*My favorite food is: noodles and alfredo

*I like to go eat at: Collina's

*My favorite store is: any store that's cute

*I like to watch: The Greatest Showman

*My friends are: Caroline, Carson, and Eliana

*The coolest person I know is: my friends
*The funniest person I know is: Bennett and Grant

*The smartest person I know is: Poppa

*The sweetest person I know is: Mom

*When I'm outside I love to: play volleyball

*When I'm inside I love to: chill

*My favorite toy to play with is: markers

*If I could go anywhere in the world I'd go to: Honolulu

*My favorite songs are: all The Greatest Showman songs
and Taylor Swift songs and songs on my playlist

*I like to read: A Wrinkle in Time

*My favorite thing to do with Dad is: draw jelly doughnuts and talk

*My favorite thing to do with Mom is: chat

My favorite thing to do with Graham is: jump off the bunkbed

*My favorite thing to do with Mae is: color

*The hardest thing for me is: being kind to my brother and sister

*The easiest thing for me is: dancing and eating and walking and breathing

*My teacher is: Mrs. Fast

*My favorite thing at school is: friends

*What I know about Jesus: he will never stop loving us

*My favorite thing at church is: listening and snacks and friends

*When I am ten I hope to: go to Hawaii

*When I grow up I hope to: act

For your birthday this year we were in Red River, NM. Our favorite 10-year-old and 60-year-old got to celebrate together yet again. Grammy made you lemon poppyseed pancakes for breakfast, you skied in the morning, shopped with mom in the afternoon, we all went out for an Italian dinner that night, and then to the ACU devotional where everyone sang "Happy Birthday" to you. Once we returned home you invited some friends to go see "The Greatest Showman" and dinner at Maggiano's. You are so fun to celebrate and so special to each of us.

Your tenth year held so much growth and memories.
You are such a special part of our family and you also ventured out more and more on your own.
You continue to wow us with kindness, trustworthiness, cleverness, helpfulness, talent, and pizazz.
Our lives are forever better because you are in them.
We are so thankful for an entire decade of loving and learning with you.
You are loved beyond measure Adelaide Kate.

F-I-V-E for M-A-E...

2017-12-29T17:13:00.000-06:00

*My favorite thing to say is: I LOVE YOU

*My favorite color is: LIGHT BLUE

*My favorite animals is: ZEBRAS

*My favorite thing to wear is: MY RAINBOW STRIPED RUFFLE SHIRT OR MY BERKELEY SHIRT

*My favorite drink is: DR PEPPER

*My favorite food is: CHICK-FIL-A OR HOT DOGS

*I like to go eat at: CHICK-FIL-A

*My favorite store is: TOYS R US

*I like to watch: DOC MCSTUFFINS

*My friends are: MOLLY, HAZEL, GRACE, STELLA, PIPER, SADIE JO

*The coolest person I know is: MOMMA

*The funniest person I know is: MOMMA

*The smartest person I know is: ME

*The sweetest person I know is: MOMMA

*When I'm outside I love to: PLAY WITH MY PINK AND PURPLE COLORED BOUNCY BALL

*When I'm inside I love to: PLAY IN MY GINGERBREAD HOUSE

*My favorite toy to play with is: MY MIA MONKEY

*If I could go anywhere in the world I'd go to: NEW MEXICO

*My favorite song is: "WE ARE NEVER GETTING BACK TOGETHER" BY TAYLOR SWIFT

*My favorite books are: LILLY BOOKS BY KEVIN HENKES

*My favorite thing to do with Dad is: PLAYING

*My favorite thing to do with Mom is: LOVE ON HER

My favorite thing to do with Graham is: YUMMIES

*My favorite thing to do with Adelaide is: AMERICAN GIRL DOLLS

*The hardest thing for me is: SOMERSAULT

*The easiest thing for me is: JUMPING

*My teacher is: MRS STOLTZ AND MOMMA

*My favorite thing at school is: DO MY JOBS

*What I know about Jesus: THAT HE LOVES ME

*When I am five I hope to: DO A SOMERSAULT

*When I grow up I hope to: BE A CHEF

This year you learned to ride a bike with training wheels,
check the mail, write your name, build a sandcastle, swim without floaties,
play at a waterpark, snow ski with confidence, put on your own clothes and shoes,
brush your own teeth and hair, be a part of a classroom,
recite nursery rhymes, write and add numbers, the letters and their special sounds,
how to let berkeley in and out, how to help in the kitchen and set the table.
To celebrate FIVE
we had the girls in your pre-k class and a few other buddies over to make gingerbread houses and play. It was such a sweet party with sweet friends. The Steffens came to town and had a fun slumber party for a night, and then the next night Jim and Chic came for a slumber party too. We ordered pizza, ate cupcakes, tried out all your new art supplies, and watched Snowball Express. You opened your nutcracker, dress up clothes, art supplies, singing machine, lapboard, and more. You are such fun to celebrate!

MAE,
You are loved dearly by so many special people.
Our hearts grew the day you were born,
and our lives are richer because of each day with you.
You love deeply and care well for those around you.
You are compassionate, detail-oriented, funny, and kind.
You are sugar and spice, sweet and spunky, and oh-so-special.
WE LOVE YOU FOREVER SWEET GIRL.

EIGHT-YEAR-OLD GRAHAM...

2017-12-03T14:57:00.000-06:00

Your EIGHT-year-old interview describes you well:
Q: what is your name?

A: graham
Q: what animal do you like?

A: white tiger
Q: what is your favorite color?

A: red
Q: where do you like to go?

A: colorado

Q: what do you like to do outside?

A: ride my bike

Q: what do you like to do inside?
A: play nintendo switch

Q: what is your most favorite thing to play?

A: soccer or baseball

Q: what do you like to wear?

A: halloween costume

Q: what's your favorite book?
A: any nathan hale's hazardous tales

Q: who is the nicest person you know?

A: Jesus

Q: who is the funniest person you know?

A: Dad

Q: who is the coolest person you know?

A: Me

Q: who is the smartest person you know?

A: Poppa

Q: what is your favorite tv show?
A: watching football

Q: what is your favorite song?
A: "Despacito Remix" by Luis Fonsi
Q: who are your friends?
A: Theo, George, Brooks, Whittaker, Jak, Noah, Micah

Q: what do you like to do with Daddy?

A: play nintendo switch and baseball

Q: what do you like to do with Momma?

A: hug, snuggle, and love

Q: what do you like to do with Adelaide?

A: play baseball in the front yard

Q: what do you like to do with Mae?

A: play anything

Q: what do you like to do with Grammy?

A: play in stepping stones with her

Q: what do you like to do with Poppa?

A: when he teaches me how to do stuff better

Q: what do you like to do with Chic?

A: when she watches our plays

Q: what do you like to do with Jim?

A: joke around

Q: what do you like to do with Berkeley?

A: pet her and rub her belly

Q: what Bible story do you like?

Q: what do you know about Jesus?

Q: where do you sleep?

A: in the bunkbed room with Mae

Q: what is your favorite store?

A: any store that sells watermelon

Q: what is your favorite restaurant?
A: shake shack

Q: what food do you most like to eat?

A: shake shack hamburgers or watermelon

Q: what do you like to drink?

A: orange fanta

Q: what is your favorite number?

A: 8 and 2, or 82 or 28

Q: what is the hardest thing for you?

A: to hit home runs or complete dad's bets

Q: what is the easiest thing for you?

A: eat

Q: who is your teacher?
A: mr. christopherson

Q: what is your favorite part of school?

A: spelling

Q: what do you want your job to be when you grow up?

A: a professional soccer player

Q: what do you do when you are eight?

A: play more soccer

You are fun to celebrate Big Man Brother Graham.

We took you and a few buddies to tour Minute Maid Park the morning of your birthday.

We came back to our house afterward for pizza, Astro pops, and played some kickball.

Then we drove out to Warrenton and walked in the Christmas parade with family.

GRAHAM JAMES,

You are a joy to be around.

You are generous, selfless, kind, thoughtful, hilarious, witty, quick to forgive,

intelligent, relaxed, an incredible speller, and point us back to truth.

You love good music, riding your bike, playing soccer, and watching baseball.

You cheered on your favorite team, the Astros, at several games and every other game on TV,

all the ay to a World Series championship. You attended the best parade afterward.

You collect old electronic parts, gems, rocks, pokemon cards, and baseball cards.

This year you navigated hard goodbyes well as you said "see you soon" to two of your best friends that moved away, and "see you in heaven" to Grandmama and Witt.

You make new friends wherever you go and enjoy the company of friends and family alike.

You swam all over the neighborhood pool, played on a basketball team, and a soccer team.

You skied greens, blue, and even a black with confidence.

You played goalie for the first time and made some goals too.

You endured more allergy testing and don't have to carry an epipen anymore.

You learned to write in cursive and began learning multiplication facts.

You appreciate the details in life and remember them well.

You are a wonderful creation and it is a gift to be your parents.

WE LOVE YOU FOREVER.

MAY 2017: MAY YOU NEVER LOSE YOUR WONDER...

2017-05-31T13:38:00.000-05:00

out of all the world, i am so thankful you three live with us.

your wonder, insight, laughter, and minds are a gift.

i thank God he made each of you specifically and for these days.

MAY you ALWAYS know how LOVED you are.

APRIL 2017: MAN OF THE HOUSE...

2017-04-30T17:35:00.000-05:00

Evan is:

strong but gentle.

loyal and spontaneous.

wise and clever.

the best leader of our family,

all of our favorite person,

and so much fun to celebrate.
Happy, happy birthday to you!

MARCH 2017: SPRING BREAK STATE TOUR...

2017-03-24T17:34:00.000-05:00

For Spring Break this year we packed three back-to-back trips into one.
When Hunter and Lacey announced their engagement I squealed.
Then I squealed again that it was in Nashville, and once again that it was during our school break.
So thanks to the future Mr. and Mrs. Gough, we decided to travel out east for a week.
We loaded down the car for a nine day adventure ending with their beautiful wedding.

FRIDAY:
Texas to Louisiana

SATURDAY:
Louisiana to North Carolina

SUNDAY:
Asheville and the Biltmore

MONDAY:
Chimney Rock State Park

TUESDAY:
North Carolina to Tennessee

WEDNESDAY:
Townsend and the Great Smoky Mountains

THURSDAY:
More of The Great Smokies

FRIDAY:
Townsend to Nashville

SATURDAY:
Wedding day

SUNDAY:
Tennessee back to Texas

MONDAY:
Back to reality

Over the week we traveled to Asheville, NC to the Great Smokies and to Nashville.
We loved each section of our trip and made memories for a lifetime along the way.

FEBRUARY 2017: THE ONE AND ONLY GRANDMAMA...

2017-02-24T10:53:00.000-06:00

The definition of a microwave states it is to warm up at a rapid rate.

Grandmama happened to be the handiest person ever with a microwave.

She also personified that definition.

She could reheat any meal to perfection.

She made leftovers even better the second time around.

She once managed to revive a contact lens in the microwave.

She made a kleenex, leftovers, and a cup of coffee last longer than you can imagine

(and she also lasted longer shopping than those of us a third of her age).

She taught me the gift of shifting plans at a moment's notice,

and that it's acceptable to eat mexican food for back-to-back meals.

She taught all of us more about what Christ's love looks like,

by her smile, hugs, conversation, nurture, and true joy.

She has technically only been my Grandmama for 13 years but we were instant friends.

And she poured into Evan's life from day one as well as all three of our kids.

We will always be grateful for the pieces of her that crop up in our routines and lives so often.

What a beautiful legacy of love.

JANUARY 2017: GOLDEN GIRL...

2017-01-10T17:13:00.000-06:00

ADELAIDE turned NINE on January NINTH!

*My favorite thing to say is: "THAT'S FUN!"

*My favorite color is: DARK PINK AND BLUEISH GREEN

*My favorite animals is: LEOPARD

*My favorite thing to wear is: MY DREAM SWEATSHIRT AND TANK TOP THAT MATCHES GABRIELA

*My favorite drink is: DR PEPPER AND ROOT BEER

*My favorite food is: ALFRED

*I like to go eat at: COLLINA'S

*My favorite store is: AMERICAN GIRL STORE

*I like to watch: TROLL HUNTERS

*My friends are: CAROLINE, ELIANA, MICAH, CARSON, PRESLEY

*The coolest person I know is: DAD

*The funniest person I know is: DAD

*The smartest person I know is: POPPA

*The sweetest person I know is: MOMMA

*When I'm outside I love to: SWING

*When I'm inside I love to: DRAW AND CRAFT

*My favorite toy to play with is: MY AMERICAN GIRL DOLLS

*If I could go anywhere in the world I'd go to: DISNEY WORLD

*My favorite songs are:LOST BOY BY RUTH B, BACKSEAT DRIVER BY TOBY MAC,

BETTER WHEN I'M DANCING BY MEGHAN TRAINOR, SEPTEMBER BY EARTH, WIND, AND FIRE

*I like to read: ANY BOOK THAT IS GOOD, LIKE THE WARDEN AND THE WOLF KING

AND THE FAMILY UNDER THE BRIDGE

*My favorite thing to do with Dad is: HAVE TIME WITH HIM

*My favorite thing to do with Mom is: SING SONGS BECAUSE I LOVE HER

SINGING THE WRONG WORDS

My favorite thing to do with Graham is: SPY ON MAE

*My favorite thing to do with Mae is: PLAY IN THE SNOW WITH HER

*The hardest thing for me is: EATING REHEATED PIZZA AND REMEMBERING TO BRUSH MY TEETH

*The easiest thing for me is: HAVING FUN

*My teacher is: MISS ALEXANDER

*My favorite thing at school is: P.E. *What I know about Jesus: I CAN TRUST HIM.

*My favorite thing at church is: WHEN WE SING.

*When I am nine I hope to: GET MY DOLL GABBY'S EARS PIERCED AND HAVE EVEN MORE FUN

*When I grow up I hope to: BE AN ACTRESS

To celebrate NINE you had classmates and friends over on Sunday afternoon.

We did some crafts, played bingo, enjoyed a piñata, and ate ooey gooey butter cake.

Mel surprised you with a super fun cupcake sign in our yard too.

Then on January ninth we celebrated you and Jim with a family party.

Y'all picked Bucca di Beppo and Blue Bell for the menu.

Adelaide,
You are sunshine and delight.

Your laughter is contagious.

You are creative and thoughtful.

You are a joy to be around and fun too.

You know what you think and stick with it.

You love people of all ages remarkably well.

You have a gift for making everyone feel included.

You are comfortable and enjoy time around others,

but also value some daily independent time too.

This year you have learned how to handle conflict,

how to persevere through long school days,

to ride your bike and hike longer distances,

to read and discuss chapter books with others,

how to play basketball and be a part of a team,

how to sculpt and make a variety of artwork.

Your life encourages others and shares the truth of Jesus.

Your life touches all that know you.

You are LOVED.

-Mom and Dad

2017: NUMBERING OUR DAYS...

2017-01-01T12:48:00.000-06:00

Lord, you have been our dwelling place
throughout all generations.

Before the mountains were born

or you brought forth the whole world,

from everlasting to everlasting you are God.

A thousand years in your sight

are like a day that has just gone by,

or like a watch in the night.

Teach us to number our days,

that we may gain a heart of wisdom.

Relent, Lord! How long will it be?

Have compassion on your servants.

Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love,

that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days.

Make us glad for as many days as you have afflicted us,

for as many years as we have seen trouble.

May your deeds be shown to your servants,

your splendor to their children.

May the favor of the Lord our God rest on us;

establish the work of our hands for us—

yes, establish the work of our hands.

may this be our prayer all of our days.

(excerpts from Psalm 90 verses 1, 2, 4, 12-17)

(52/52) CHRISTMAS CHEER...

2016-12-25T16:33:00.000-06:00

delightful december details:

from hot to cold. from parties to presentations.

from school days to holidays. from family to friends.

from Abilene to Warrenton. from Houston to Winter Park.

(51/52) FOUR CHEERS FOR MAE...

2016-12-18T16:32:00.000-06:00

FOUR-YEAR-OLD MAE'S INTERVIEW:

Q: what is your name?

A: MAE

Q: how old are you?

A: FOUR

Q: where do you like to go?
A: THE MOVIE FAYTER (theatre)

Q: what do you like to eat?

A: CHICKEN

Q: what do you like to drink?

A: SPRITE, GATORADE, WATER

Q: who are your teachers?

A: COACH RORO (rodrigo for soccer)
MS JACKIE AND MS CLAUDIA (for exercise school)

Q: what is your favorite color?

A: YELLOW, ORANGE, AND GREEN

Q: what animals do you like?

A: LEOPARD AND ZEBRA

Q: what song do you like?

A: JESUS LOVES ME CHRIS TOMLIN

Q: what do you like to play inside?

A: FORTS AND GAMES AND PUZZLES

Q: what do you like to do outside?

A: PLAY WITH MY BROTHER AND SISTER AND SWING

Q: what toys do you like to play with?

A: ARIEL, DOLLS, EDISON THE DOG

Q: what do you like to watch?

A: ELF AND DORA

Q: what books do you like?

A: LITTLE BOY NAMED LUKE BOOK (?)

Q: who loves you?

A: MOMMA AND DAD

Q: who is in your family?

A: MOMMY AND DADDY AND BERK-E-LEY AND BROTHER AND SISTER

Q: what do you like to do with daddy?

A: PLAY DOLLS AND TOYS

Q: what do you like to do with momma?

A: PLAY ON PLAYGROUND, AND NEW DOLLS, AND GO TO TARGET

Q: what do you like to do with adelaide?

A: PLAY DOLLS AND THINGS

Q: what do you like to do with graham?

A: JUMP ON TRAMPOLINE

Q: what do you like to do with berkeley?

A: PLAY AND PET

Q: what do you like to say?

A: NOTHING!

Q: who are your friends?

A: BENNETT AND MOLLY AND HAZEL

Q: who is the nicest person you know?

A: CARSON

Q: who is the most fun person you know?

A: CARSON'S PHONE

Q: who is the smartest person you know?

A: DADDY AND MOMMA

We celebrated you and Bennett together again this year.

You guys wanted a party at our house with a piñata and games.

It was a fun night of pizza, cupcakes, limbo, and your doc mcstuffins and batman piñata.

You opened a new doll, calico critter house, paw patrol pajamas, and toys.

On your actual birthday you woke up to a giant cupcake sign in our yard from Mel and Austan and lots of playtime.

We drove to Abilene that afternoon and Grammy had a royal birthday tea ready for you there too.

You are such a delight to celebrate and love.

Mae,

You soak up all that goes on around you.

You have an amazing memory and vocabulary.

You are the best sidekick in all the land.

You have a sense-of-humor beyond your years.

You would listen to music all day if possible.

You walk into each new situation willingly but with cautious confidence.

You know how to entertain yourself but much prefer for someone to play with you.

You are reserved and boisterous, pensive and animated, compassionate and feisty,
argumentative and obedient, a learner and a teacher.

You are dear to all who know you.

We thank God daily for creating you and the gift of loving you!

xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo

(50/52) WINTER WEDDING WEEKEND...

2016-12-10T16:30:00.000-06:00

five years ago i had just found out i was pregnant.

as it turns out miss tricia was one of the first to know about her future flowergirl.

we hadn't been to the doctor or told everyone yet,

but two-year-old graham announced it to his class at church.

when i went to pick him up his teacher (tricia) asked me if he knew what he was talking about.

i told her he was correct, and welcomed her to the short list of people who knew to be praying.
that december the baby we all prayed for was born, and tricia has now babysat her all her life.

more recently, it has been our joy to witness steve and tricia falling in love.

and what an honor to witness them getting married this december.

what a gift to be a part of their beautiful celebration.

cheers to steve and tricia and all the details the Lord has in store for them!

(wonderful photos by brandy stoesz)

(49/52) SEVEN YEARS OF GRAHAM...

2016-12-04T16:28:00.000-06:00

Graham James,

You are Graham Lemon.

You are BigManBubbaGraham.

You are observant, hilarious, and generous.

You are wise, unique, loyal, and loving.

You are a gift to those who know you.

This year we celebrated you with a pizza party a couple of weeks early.

It was great fun to watch you interact with your friends,

and see y'all create your own lunches, play bingo, and laugh together.

Then the week of your real birthday:

Poppa and I enjoyed watching your first grade history project on Abraham,

and Grammy and Jim joined us at your choice of birthday dinner- Shake Shack.

You opened science kits, a geyser tube, walkie talkies, and a volcano lego set.

This year you grew taller and faster and braver.

You tried new things and it's been a joy to cheer you on.

The appearance of your smile changed almost every month,

but the contagiousness of your smile didn't ever change.

Your SEVEN-year-old interview describes even more about you:

Q: what is your name?

A: Graham
Q: what animal do you like?

A: white tiger
Q: what is your favorite color?

A: bluish-green
Q: where do you like to go?

A: Colorado

Q: what do you like to do outside?

A: play on my bike

Q: what do you like to do inside?
A: play with tsum tsums

Q: what is your most favorite thing to play?

A: legos

Q: what do you like to wear?

A: my under armor jacket

Q: what's your favorite book?
A: that's hard because I love reading,
but how about Dinosaurs Love Underpants

Q: who is the nicest person you know?

A: Grammy

Q: who is the funniest person you know?

A: Marshall

Q: who is the best person you know?

A: Daddy

Q: what is your favorite tv show?
A: tsum tsums

Q: what is your favorite movie?

A: Trolls

Q: what is your favorite song?
A: "Can't Stop the Feeling" Justin Timberlake film version from Trolls

Q: what do you like to do with Daddy?

A: swim at av pool

Q: what do you like to do with Momma?

A: do school

Q: what do you like to do with Adelaide?

A: being silly with her

Q: what do you like to do with Mae?
A: play tsum tsums with her

Q: what do you like to do with Grammy?

A: play the "Grammy's stinky game"
Q: what do you like to do with Poppa?

A: play nertz

Q: what do you like to do with Chic?

A: play games

Q: what do you like to do with Jim?

A: watch tv

Q: what do you like to do with Berkeley?

A: rub her belly

Q: what Bible story do you like?

A: when Abraham is so old and gets so many kids

Q: what do you know about Jesus?

A: that he loves me

Q: where do you sleep?

A: in my room with Adelaide and Mae

Q: what food do you most like to eat?

A: pizza

Q: what do you like to drink?

A: orange fanta

Q: what is your favorite number?

A: seven

Q: who is your teacher?

A: Mrs. Horton

Q: what is your favorite part of school?

A: science

Q: who are your friends?

A: Theo and Whittaker and boy Micah

Q: who is in your family?
A: Mommy, Daddy, me, Adelaide, and Mae and everyone else that's in my family

Q: what do you want your job to be when you grow up?

A: be a policeman

Q: what do you do when you are seven

A: go in my own tube at the tubing hill

We are forever grateful God made you and made you with a purpose.

Our lives are richer because you are in them.

We will always love you, Dad and Mom

(48/52) WITH THANKSGIVING ...

2016-11-27T16:27:00.000-06:00

this november,

we are thankful for

a week break from school,

lazy mornings,

play time with family.

patient kitchen lessons,

busting out personality and christmas jammies,

and time well-spent in a place that loves so well.

(47/52) SCHOOL'S SECOND QUARTER...

2016-11-20T16:26:00.000-06:00

Be Thou my Vision, O Lord of my heart
Naught be all else to me, save that Thou art
Thou my best Thought, by day or by night
Waking or sleeping, Thy presence my light.

Be Thou my Wisdom, and Thou my true Word
I ever with Thee and Thou with me, Lord
Thou my great Father, I Thy true son
Thou in me dwelling, and I with Thee one.

Be Thou my battle Shield, Sword for the fight;
Be Thou my Dignity, Thou my Delight;
Thou my soul's Shelter, Thou my high Tower,
Raise Thou me heavenward, O Power of my power.

High King of Heaven, my victory won

May I reach Heaven’s joys, O bright Heav’n’s Sun

Heart of my own heart, whate’er befall

Still be my Vision, O Ruler of all.

Riches I heed not, nor man's empty praise

Thou mine Inheritance, now and always

Thou and Thou only, first in my heart

High King of Heaven, my Treasure Thou art.

(46/52) LIFE LESSONS ON LOVE...

2016-11-13T16:26:00.000-06:00

every day another lesson is learned.

on kindness, forgiveness, compassion, patience, help, and/or fun.

you teach me as i teach you.

we learn together how to grow in love each day.

i pray our unconditional love for one another

reminds us how to love others well all our lives.

you teach me so much.

and i am thankful for each of these day.

(45/52) DANCE, SPIN, TWIRL...

2016-11-06T16:25:00.000-06:00

in a land of tiny dancers,

i'm so glad i got a front-row seat to your debut.

you wear tiny shoes, a big bun, a sweet smirk,

determination and concentration well.

you make all of us proud,

in a million different ways.

(44/52) CLOTHES MAKE A STATEMENT, COSTUMES TELL A STORY...

2016-10-30T16:25:00.000-05:00

happy halloween 2016 from

RAINBOW SPARKLE FISH,

VINTAGE MERMAID,

AND LEGO NINJAGO.

OH THE FUN TALES YOU COSTUMED CREATURES TELL!

READ ALL ABOUT IT!

2016-10-25T17:21:00.000-05:00

the junk gypsy girls, our family friends, amie and jolie, WROTE A BOOK!

and i'm here to tell you it is cholk-full of not only wonderfully fun design ideas and how-to's,

but also delightful details of their family stories and inspiration.

you can order it here or while browsing their own website here.

carson and adelaide would also like to say they approve of their tent at antique show and the book.

austin people make sure to check out

the book tour stops coming your way soon!

(43/52) BIKES AND BLESSINGS...

2016-10-23T16:25:00.000-05:00

in september we went for a saturday family bike ride along the buffalo bayou.
we started with family brunch then hit the trail.

it was a sweltering end of summer day. evan led the way pulling mae in the trailer behind him, followed by adelaide, then graham, and finally me. since graham still utilizes training wheels i was cheering/shouting at him to keep his speed up along a bridge which he did well. he made it up the incline without problem but as he began the descent his bike chain came off. his breaks wouldn't work.

i watched helpless from behind him as he went off the end of the bridge, past the trail we were supposed to turn on to, and skidded through the grassy area that was the only thing left separating him from the speedy oncoming traffic of allen parkway. i yelled as he dragged his foot with all his might not seeming to even slow down until he came to an abrupt halt within one foot of the road. i have no doubt God helped him stop in some way that day. and i continue to give thanks. and we share this story with grateful hearts.

in october we went to sukkot (hebrew for feast of booths).

we slept in a field of tents with others celebrating God's mercy through Jesus.

the hosts of the weekend celebration described it well-

the feast of booths was celebrated so that the children of God would remember that God brought them out of bondage in egypt and delivered them to the promised land. while they were on the journey from egypt they lived in tents/booths, so the Lord created this feast so that every year they would travel back to jerusalem and stay in tents again while celebrating and remembering what God had done. now the law has been fulfilled, but we are still celebrating what God has done for us in Jesus on the cross. we too are journeying toward glory, as this world is not our home. as we stop to celebrate the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, dwell in our tents and feast, may we remember he has delivered us from sin and secured our inheritance in glory. may we come together as a family to share our rich legacy and proclaim his excellence.

it was a special weekend of much celebration and feasting with others journeying with us. one of my favorite times during it was when we stopped and prayed boldly for God's blessing over each of our children. we also listened to one another share stories of God's faithfulness in our lives. there were many moments i will remember from this, including graham sharing God's protection over his life on our bike ride those weeks earlier. God used the bike riding weekend and the festival weekend alike to remind me how important it is to acknowledge and speak of all He has done, is doing, and will continue to do.

"The Lord is our God. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your should and with all your might. These words shall be on your heart. Teach them diligently to your children and talk of them when you sit in your house and when you walk and when you lie down and when you rise up." Deuteronomy 6:4-7

"...proclaim the virtues of Him who called you out of darkness

and into his marvelous light." I Peter 2:9b

(42/52) CALIFORNIA IS ALWAYS A GOOD IDEA...

2016-10-16T16:24:00.000-05:00

you know what's a great treat?
1) a weekend date in california
2) enjoying traveling together
3) exploring new places and revisiting old favorites
4) evan having a conference and getting to tag along
5) family that the kids love so much they barely missed us

our flight may have been delayed well into the middle of the night,
but we found $3 travel pillows, made it safely, and so did our bags.

the weather may have been a rainy and foggy mess,
but that didn't slow down our adventures one bit.

i may have come face-to-face with america's largest slug,
but i looked it in the eyes and pretended to be fearless.

we hiked down the hill from our b&b- mountain home inn, and straight into muir woods.
on our misty walk through the woods, we were wowed by creation and God's creative details.

next stops were to sausalito, point reyes, and mt tamalpais.
through the fog we uncovered dinner, cheese shops, and seashores.

we made our way across the bay and into san francisco.
a quick check-in at our our hotel there, then right back across the bay for our incredible alcatraz tour.

monday morning the sky cleared and evan's conference began.
we spent our days differently but similarly both learned new things.

ev learned helpful businessy things through his meetings.
i learned the history of the cable car and the best bagel spots.]

see you (again) soon california.

(41/52) SCHOOL'S FIRST QUARTER...

2016-10-09T16:22:00.000-05:00

The heavens declare the glory of God,

and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.

Day to day pours out speech,

and night to night reveals knowledge.

There is no speech, nor are there words,

whose voice is not heard.

Their voice goes out through all the earth,

and their words to the end of the world.

In them he has set a tent for the sun,

which comes out like a bridegroom leaving his chamber,

and like a strong man runs its course with joy.

Its rising is from the end of the heavens,

and its circuit to the end of them,

and there is nothing hidden from its heat.

The law of the Lord is perfect,

reviving the soul;

the testimony of the Lord is sure,

making wise the simple;

the precepts of the Lord are right,

rejoicing the heart;

the commandment of the Lord is pure,

enlightening the eyes;

the fear of the Lord is clean,

enduring forever;

the rules of the Lord are true,

and righteous altogether.

More to be desired are they than gold,

even much fine gold;

sweeter also than honey

and drippings of the honeycomb.

Moreover, by them is your servant warned;

in keeping them there is great reward.

Who can discern his errors?

Declare me innocent from hidden faults.

Keep back your servant also from presumptuous sins;
let them not have dominion over me!

Then I shall be blameless,
and innocent of great transgression.

Let the words of my mouth
and the meditation of my heart
be acceptable in your sight,
O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.

(40/52) TEXAS TOUR...

2016-10-02T11:09:00.004-05:00

early fall weekends brought about
a TOUR OF TEXAS:

AUSTIN AWESOMENESS
pool floating, longhorn watching,
chez zee brunching, buddies for life

HOUSTON HAPPENINGS
school days, playdates, field trips, games galore,
dinner outings, and simply hanging out at home

WARRENTON WAYS
road trips back and forth, slumber parties, serving food,
finding treasures, evan's performance with gary p nunn

AND MAE'S ABILENE DAYS
stepping stones exchange student, new friends, family dinners,
lots of extra love, grandparent and great-grandparent galore

NOW BRING ON MORE FALL FESTIVITIES!

(39/52) EIGHT DAYS A WEEK...

2016-09-25T11:09:00.000-05:00

sibling sundays

my girl mondays

teaching tuesdays

wacky wednesdays

thursday tutorials

family fridays

soccer saturdays

sleepy sundays

ain't got nothing but love babe(s),
eight days a week!

(38/52) TWENTY-FIVE...

2016-09-18T11:08:00.000-05:00

There have now been TWENTY-FIVE years of Sara Kate.

That also means TWENTY-FIVE years of getting to be a sister

(in my head we will now both be TWENTY-FIVE forever).

SKL, You are loved TWENTY-FIVE times TWENTY-FIVE

times TWENTY-FIVE times TWENTY-FIVE.

And you always will be.