Sophie Sue and John Curtis, too!

Our Toothless Wonder

2012-01-26T11:50:00.000-08:00

Our Red Neck Weekend

2012-01-24T17:46:00.000-08:00

The monster trucks were in our town this weekend. John Curtis was super excited. Thankfully he didn't know there was an actual show, but the trucks were parked around town so he got to see them.

Taylor would have loved to take him to the show, but there was a hunting seminar at our church on Saturday night that the men's ministry put on. We are not hunters or gun people in any way so our kids didn't know what to think of all the animals at the church on Saturday afternoon.

Pumba - this guy was disgusting!

Bobcats have been known to visit the outskirts of our town so they can shoot as many of these as they want!

This is how hunters decorate tables.

Foxy fox

Then there's this guy - who shoots a porcupine???

We have a 5 year old's obsession with bottoms. This one was pretty gross.

This picture pretty much sums up my kids' thoughts on the whole experience.

Mother/Daughter Weekend

2012-01-18T14:44:00.000-08:00

My mom turns 60 this February. Lindsey and I wanted to do something really special for her so for Christmas and birthday we gave her a weekend in Kyle at The Inn Above Onion Creek. We got to go over the long MLK weekend. Lindsey added to the fun by getting engaged the weekend before so we got to add wedding planning to our relaxation and spa treatments.

Our beautiful inn

Relaxing on the porch

Wedding planning by the fire

The cat made itself comfortable

Some of the yummy food we ate

Yes, she found her dress. No, this isn't it, but it was one of the top choices.

Mom was a little teary

Love these girls!

My New Friend, January

2012-01-10T12:11:00.000-08:00

As a child I hated the month of January. It meant the end of my beloved Christmas season, a whole month of nothing special with nothing to look forward to until Spring Break. When you're a kid, a month is a long time! I hated the empty way our house looked after taking down all the Christmas decorations. I dreaded the routine with no interruptions or special holidays or parties. I wasn't a fan of everyday life. Even when my kids were babies and toddlers January continued to be my least favorite month. It is VERY true when they say, " The years are short but the days are long." ...really long in the winter.

I suddenly realized this year in the middle of all the Christmas festivities that I was looking forward to January. After the craziness that began around Halloween and didn't slow down until after Christmas, my January calendar has a lot of empty space on it. I didn't even mind taking down the Christmas tree and freeing up a little room in our house. It was like I could breathe again.

I'm sure this means I'm getting old. I could see my old self in Sophie's eyes as I talked about putting the Christmas decorations away. Can't we make it last a little longer? But for the first time ever I didn't want it to last longer. I looked forward to routine without interruptions or special events. I've become a fan of everyday life.

Maybe it's a stage of life...I'm sure my mom can enlighten me on this. All I know is the ordinary, unplanned moments of this January are filling me up....an entire Saturday spent playing a Wii game together, helping John Curtis learn to read, sitting with my church family to worship on an icy Monday night, Sophie climbing in bed with us on a snowy morning, watching a movie at home with Taylor after the kids are in bed.

As I started writing this post I was sitting at the kitchen table watching John Curtis try to build a snowman out of the melting snow. I watched his face and could tell he was thinking hard, saw his mouth moving as he talked to himself. What a gift to watch him learning and growing before my very eyes. In few minutes my friend will come over to my dirty house with wet clothes and shoes by the back door and laundry stacked in piles. She'll bring Sonic vanilla Dr. Peppers and we'll eat leftover soup and talk and the kids will play and it will be ordinary. May your January also be filled with many wonderful ordinary, everyday moments.

A Prayer for the New Year

2012-01-05T14:51:00.000-08:00

God of Grace and God of Glory

God of grace and God of glory,

On Thy people pour Thy pow'r;

Crown Thine ancient church's story,

Bring her bud to glorious flow'r.

Grant us wisdom, Grant us courage,

For the facing of this hour, For the facing of this hour.

Lo! the hosts of evil round us

Scorn Thy Christ, assail His ways!

Fears and doubts too long have bound us,

Free our hearts to work and praise.

Grant us wisdom, Grant us courage,

For the living of these days, For the living of these days.

Cure they children's warring madness,

Bend our pride to Thy control;

Shame our wanton, selfish gladness,

Rich in things and poor in soul.

Grant us wisdom, Grant us courage,

Lest we miss Thy kingdom's goal, Lest we miss Thy kingdom's goal.

Set our feet on lofty places;

Gird our lives that they may be

Armored with all Christlike graces

In the fight to set men free.

Grant us wisdom, Grant us courage,

That we fail not man nor Thee! That we fail not man nor Thee!

New Year's Eve

2012-01-01T18:26:00.000-08:00

We were so glad to see the little munchkins on Friday. We spent all day Saturday just hanging out, playing outside and some Wii inside.

Sophie even made scooters for Sally and Dragon while we cleaned out the garage.

Then it was time for our New Year's Eve celebration. Aunt Edie gave the kids ballerina and baseball pasta for Christmas. Sophie has been begging to make hers so we finally did.

Mmm...chicken alfredo!

Sophie loves getting the china out.

During dinner we played a game where we went through the alphabet and tried to think of something we did this year that started with each letter. It was fun to talk about the year and all the things it held. Here are some of the ones I remember:

A - Abilene

B - Beavers Bend

C - Camping

D- Daddy/Daughter Dance

E - Eat

F - Fishing

G - Geocaching at Grandma and Paw-Paw's

H - Hiking

I - Icicles

J - JC turned 5

K - Kite flying

L- Laughing and loving

M - Mimi visit

N - Nutcracker

O - Ocean

P - Pool time

Q - Quiet days

R - Rode bikes

S - Sophie turned 7

T - Tent making

U - Umbrella fun

V - Valentine making

W - Worship

X - X ray for Sophie

Y - Yuletide celebrating (I know it's a stretch!)

Z - Zoo

After dinner and baths we played Family Game Night on the Wii, watched a movie, and the kids got to have a sleepover in the living room. A perfect way to ring in the New Year!

The Week After Christmas

2011-12-31T21:30:00.000-08:00

My kids always spend the week after Christmas at my parents' house. The kids love it, my parents love it, and Taylor and I love the time to get the house back together and find a place for all the new toys.

My dad used to always get me a chocolate sprinkle doughnut. JC inherited my good taste!

Lovin' the new I Pods!

Visiting with Aunt Max

Sophie got to go on a bike ride with DeeDee and Brian.

Playtime at the park

Dragon got new clothes!

Banana splits at the Hamilton's house

Friends

More gifts!

This is how I spent my week. The boy can make a mess!

Our big project was a job Santa left us to do - turn Sophie's closet into a craft closet for her sewing machine. She's really enjoying her new space.

Sally even has her own sewing space.

Christmas Day 2011

2011-12-26T07:19:00.001-08:00

We had a very relaxing, low key Christmas Day. It was wonderful.

The elves were very busy this year getting ready for Christmas.

Santa left gifts for John Curtis...

and for Sophie.

She got a lot of things for her new sewing machine.

Dragon wasted no time trying out his new bed,

and his new bathtub.

Tearing in!

We had a wonderful morning at church during which I hoped the cleaning fairy would come pick up my living room. My Christmas miracle was not granted.

JC's new spy gear

We spent the evening at our friends, the Galban's house, along with the Waltons.

Dinner was delicious!

What a special day with family and friends!

Christmas Eve

2011-12-25T21:02:00.000-08:00

On Christmas Eve we had our annual lunch with the Waltons.

This year we ordered Outback to go. YUM!

After a relaxing afternoon it was time for the Christmas Eve service - one of my favorite services of the year.

Back at home Sophie wrote a note to Santa,

we put out cookies and milk,

fed the reindeer,

had some snacks,

and finished our evening with our Advent candles and the Christmas story.

Twas the Week Before Christmas...

2011-12-23T20:25:00.000-08:00

and we were exhausted

from all of the festivities December had brought us.

So we took lots of naps

and we really slept in,
hibernated inside

like a bear in his den.

They made Sally a dress

with Sophie's new gift,

Sally's been really down

but this gave her a lift.

We made gingerbread men,

the kids had fun stirring,

and took their time decorating

no need to be in a hurry.

We watched lots of movies

and Mom read 2 books,

thanks to gift cards ordered takeout

and barely had to cook.

Let me finish my horrible poem

as I say with all my might,

HAPPY CHRISTMAS TO ALL,

AND TO ALL A GOOD NIGHT!

John Curtis is 5!

2011-12-22T14:25:00.000-08:00

Our little boy turned 5 on Monday. He has been so excited waiting for this day for months!

We started the day with candles in our favorite breakfast, blueberry muffins.

Then it was present time!

Being 5 really wore him out.

We opted for a low key birthday party at McDonald's that night.

He wanted it to be Imaginext so my friend, Lindy did an amazing job making cake pops of the different Imaginext world.

Happy Birthday Little Man! We love you so much!

Family Christmases

2011-12-21T18:24:00.000-08:00

This past weekend we got to see both of our families. My parents, Lindsey, and Brian came in Friday night. The kids had already opened presents last weekend, but the grownups got to have Christmas on Saturday morning. They headed home after the Nutcracker Saturday afternoon and Taylor's parents got here soon after. Erick and his girlfriend, Lindsey came in late Saturday night and they all stayed a few days to celebrate Christmas, JC's birthday, and see Nutcracker. We had a great time!

All Things Sophie

2011-12-20T18:40:00.000-08:00

Sophie has been a busy little girl lately. We are so thrilled with all she is learning and the education she is getting both at school and in her ballet classes.

The kids at Sophie's school spend a lot of time at our art museum. All semester they have been working on an abstract painting of someone in their family. Then they put it on display at the museum.

Sophie chose to paint John Curtis. He was expecting it to be a little more realistic and informed me that did NOT look like him and he hoped she didn't want to put it in his room. We're proud of our little artist though and all she learned.

She is still loving ballet and takes twice a week. She's progressed quickly this semester and has moved up 2 levels since the summer. I snapped some video during our parent observation day earlier in the month.

Another great part of Sophie's school is that she gets to take piano there. It's a group lesson, so probably not as good as individual, but she gets to stay at school to do it so it's working well for us right now.

On the last day of school before the break she had a little recital with her group. I realize this is a sound only parents would be proud of, but we are.

Finally, Sophie got to perform in her first Nutcracker ballet this past weekend. She was an angel and loved every minute of the experience. It was long, exhausting hours, but she's ready to do it again next year.

We couldn't video during the performance, but I managed to get it during rehearsal one night.

Grammy, Bumpaw, DeeDee, G-Momma, Poppa,and lots of friends came to see her perform.

That is what our little girl has been up to!

Bunch Family Christmas

2011-12-16T15:01:00.000-08:00

Last Friday night we drove to Weatherford to celebrate Christmas with Mom's extended family. That night Dad, Lindsey, Taylor, and I got to go to Cleburne for Andrew Peterson's Behold the Lamb of God concert. Taylor and I had seen it once before and it was just as good as I remembered.

Saturday morning we let the kids open presents from Grammy and Bumpaw.

He wasn't thrilled about the clothes...

and once I got on to him he overreacted.

Sophie was happy with her gifts.

New boots!

Lovin' the penguin mittens.

A new outfit for Sally from DeeDee's trip to NYC

His favorite gift!

worth kisses!

A new setup for Sally

Then the whole family came over

The kids went on a scavenger hunt.

Success!

We made Mimi a plaque with rocks we tumbled from Granbury where she grew up.

Another great family Christmas!

Our Beary Special Boy

2011-12-13T04:46:00.000-08:00

Last week John Curtis was the Beary Special Person in his class.

He got to take Brown Bear home and introduce him to all his other bears.

He rode along with us a lot.

We made sure his teeth were nice and clean!

On Friday John Curtis got to bring a special snack to share with his friends. He wanted Miss Lindy to make him some cake pops.

They were so cute and yummy!

He and Daddy made a poster that told about him.

We got to come into his classroom and share all about our special boy.

Tonight he had his Christmas program at school.

Christmas San Angelo Style

2011-12-04T19:25:00.000-08:00

Christmas at Old Fort Concho

Christmas Parade

Light Tour on the Concho River

Hanging of the Green

2011-12-03T13:02:00.000-08:00

Let The Season Begin!

2011-11-27T20:14:00.000-08:00

Thanksgiving 2011

2011-11-26T19:53:00.000-08:00

This year we celebrated Thanksgiving in Weatherford.

We cooked,

ate,

rested,

went on a scavenger hunt,

played with friends,

and had a family photo shoot.

(I had to snap a few myself while the professional was working).

Happy Thanksgiving!

Christmas Tree Farm

2011-11-23T17:09:00.000-08:00

When Sophie was in her 4 year old class I was able to go with her on a field trip to the Christmas Tree Farm, so I didn't want to miss the chance to go with John Curtis on Tuesday. It was fun!

Thanksgiving Performances

2011-11-22T17:05:00.000-08:00

Both of the kids had Thanksgiving performances on Monday. John Curtis had his feast in the morning.

In the afternoon we got to watch Sophie as Mrs. Tappleton in Thanksgiving at the Tappletons.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Sock Hop 2011

2011-11-19T08:41:00.000-08:00

Yesterday was Sophie's school's annual Sock Hop. It was just like last year's, but I still had to record it all. It's so much fun. Thanks, G-Momma for making that poodle skirt big enough to wear again! Excuse the commentary in the first video (and the mom standing in the middle of all the kids) as Leia and I were discussing camera etiquette.

Sophie's Special Sunday

2011-11-15T15:04:00.000-08:00

She started her day singing in church with her two best friends.

Then she got to go to the Sugar Plum Fairy Tea that her ballet studio put on.

Sophie will be dancing in the Nutcracker for the first time this year as an angel.

A Saturday Project

2011-11-14T15:03:00.000-08:00

I saw one of my friends at a craft day making blankets by tying two pieces of fabric together.

It looked like something Sophie would love to do.

Sure enough - she made Sally a blanket on Saturday.

Sally loves it!

JC thought Dragon needed one too so I used the leftover fabric from his Halloween costume and whipped one out for him. Since the Aggies went into 4 OTs I was able to make a pillow, too.

Everyone was worn out from all our craftiness...

even the dolls and stuffed animals!

Pilgrim Snacks

2011-11-12T19:49:00.000-08:00

Whenever it's John Curtis's turn to bring snack to school I try to coordinate with whatever they are studying that week. It's a strange compulsion I have!

This week it was pilgrims.

So we made pilgrim hat pig in the blankets.

They were a hit!

Our Little Boy

2011-11-11T19:38:00.000-08:00

We love our little boy so much. He's fun and quirky and makes us laugh every day.

We always put him to bed in his bed, but we never know where

or how we'll find him when we check on him later.

He's still enjoying gymnastics and getting stronger and more coordinated.

Fun little boy!

Abilene Zoo

2011-11-06T19:11:00.000-08:00

Taylor had to speak in Abilene on Saturday afternoon so the kids and I decided to ride along with him and visit the zoo. I have not been to this zoo since I was pretty young and my grandparents lived in Abilene. Some parts were very much the same, but there were some new parts, too.

We started with a picnic lunch

Sophie was our navigator.

Feeding the ducks

Sally in tow. This is the 3rd zoo Sally has visited with Sophie. Too bad I didn't take the time to fix her hair!

Feeding the giraffes was the best part.

Thankfully they have updated the playground since I was little. I vaguely remember slides on the backs of animals.

I had a great day with my two little monkeys!

Halloween 2011

2011-11-03T19:08:00.000-07:00

We started the day with Ghost Toast.

Then JC's class went to the pumpkin patch.

That evening we made the rounds to Trunk or Treat at Southland

and then to Fort Concho for Sophie's school carnival.

By the end of the night the Taylor and I were the ones carrying the costumes.

Pumpkin Day 2011

2011-11-01T12:18:00.000-07:00

2010

2009

2008

A Preschool Halloween

2011-10-29T12:42:00.000-07:00

When you're in preschool, Halloween is serious business.

You have to enlist sister to help you make..

the perfect snacks for your party.

Then you have to enlist Daddy to make the perfect Halloween costume...

that is too impractical to actually wear at preschool.

But the food is what really matters.

Down the hall in my classroom

the parents really came through with the cute Halloween food.

And we all survived the kids' favorite day

and the teachers' least favorite!

Red Ribbon Week

2011-10-28T13:10:00.000-07:00

I'm Too Bright to do Drugs

I'm Too Smart to do Drugs

Two Nerds

I'm Too Funky to do Drugs

Open House

2011-10-27T19:34:00.000-07:00

Taylor was out of town on Monday night when our school had Open House. I couldn't go to JC's class with him since I needed to be in my own classroom so we scheduled a private viewing of his work on Wednesday. I'm a high maintenance parent like that.

The height is a little off but other than that it looks just like our family.

We had to guess which one was him.

The hair gave it away.

Cutest one in the pumpkin patch!

John Curtis and Mrs. Herrington. He loves her!

A Mississippi Wedding

2011-10-25T16:59:00.000-07:00

My "little"cousin got married this weekend.

She used to sit on my back while we watched cartoons.

She called both my sister and I "Insey-asson".

She wasn't calling us a dirty name (I don't think), we were just never apart when we were around her so she saw us as one person.

A kiss from her brother, Will.

He used to be my little cousin, too.

Now she's married.

It was a beautiful outdoor wedding.

Mom, Dad, Lindsey, and I had a lot of together time.

We like to take advantage of time like that and creep around cemeteries.

Mendrops everywhere in this one.

We had to rediscover our people who have been in Vicksburg forever

or at least since this guy came over from Germany.

So after spending lots of time trying to geo cache (often unsuccessfully) in Vicksburg this past summer, we literally stumbled onto one in the cemetery.

Even though we were only there for 23 hours this time,

I love this place.

A Fall Baby Shower

2011-10-18T15:49:00.000-07:00

My friend, Roxanne and I gave our friends Chad and MaryBeth a couples dessert shower for their new little boy arriving next month. We did a fall theme since Clayton will be our newest little pumpkin.

Roxanne's house looked great for fall

I made the diaper cake

Roxanne carved the initials

We made the desserts together

The happy parents

Saturday Evening in October

2011-10-16T20:36:00.000-07:00

How Do You Like Them Apples?

2011-10-15T19:16:00.000-07:00

I do know this isn't an apple but it is a beautiful radish from our garden - the first thing we've picked. We've got some baby squash growing that will hopefully be ready soon!

Fall Weekend at the Lake

2011-10-13T18:39:00.000-07:00

How Does Your Garden Grow?

2011-10-02T15:47:00.000-07:00

Quite nicely. Thanks for asking.

This is our community garden behind Sophie's school. It brings me joy to drive up to it every day.

This is our own little square garden.

And now we have another one. At Sophie's school students can participate in a research project every year. They are supposed to pick a global problem and work on it at a local level. Last year Sophie's group chose lack of water as their global problem and raised money for water wells at a local level. This year her group has chosen world hunger as their topic. They are tackling it locally by participating in the community garden and helping to educate others about it.

This week her group planted their own fall garden.

Hope we get some veggies soon!

Signs of Fall

2011-09-30T15:34:00.000-07:00

With temps continuing to exceed 100 degrees there is only one sure way to know it is fall around here....BUTTERFLIES! Every year they grace us with their presence for a few short days and then they are off again. As soon as I saw a few flitter across the playground at work I knew it was time to go to our special spot by the lily ponds and they didn't disappoint.

Lately

2011-09-20T19:40:00.000-07:00

Grandparents' Weekend

2011-09-12T15:22:00.000-07:00

Sophie's school had Grandparents' Day again this year. Last year G-Momma and Poppa got to come so this year Grammy and Bumpaw came to share in the special day. They showed up at lunch and surprised John Curtis. After they took him out for pizza they went out to Sophie's school to hear her read her paper about grandparents. That night Taylor and I had dinner plans so the kids got to do dinner and a movie with Grammy and Bumpaw. We spent Saturday playing at the park, riding bikes on the river, and eating downtown. Thanks for a great weekend Grammy and Bumpaw!

Community Garden

2011-09-11T15:09:00.000-07:00

We have been so privileged over the last few years to be a part of the Texas Hunger Initiative here is San Angelo. One part of this initiative is the Kids Eat programs we have been participating in the last 2 summers. Churches all over our community have been going to different sites around the elementary schools to feed children in July and August after summer school is over. Another part is community gardens that are popping up all over San Angelo that give families a place to plant their own healthy food. When we heard that a garden was planned for Sophie's school and the adjoining historic fort we jumped at the chance to take part. So Thursday night we got to plant our own little garden.

First Day of Preschool

2011-09-09T14:45:00.000-07:00

Labor Day Fun

2011-09-08T14:42:00.000-07:00

Cooking with Pears

2011-09-07T14:42:00.000-07:00

Sophie's class walked to the Farmer's Market last week. She bought some pears

so she could make this yummy pear crisp dessert.

Random

2011-09-01T06:45:00.000-07:00

I could not think of any clever way to tie all of these pictures together. I have not adapted quickly to this back to school schedule and the creative juices just aren't flowing. So I'm just going to throw them out there. This is what has been going on in our world...

John Curtis got to attend his very first sleepover Friday night. He was super excited to spend time with all his favorite buddies from church. We enjoyed our time with Sophie eating Chinese food and curled up in bed watching Parent Trap. She likes the "new" one better than the old one. Kids these days!

On Sunday night we had Birthday Bash at church. Everyone sits with their month's birthday and we celebrate everyone's special day at once.

I was in charge of April's tables and went with an umbrella theme.

My umbrella topiary

The music was great!

Last night was our Wednesday night kick-off with the kids

There you have it!

First Week of School

2011-08-25T06:45:00.000-07:00

This week...

Sophie started 2nd grade

and decided it is pretty great,

I started riding my bike in the dark in the mornings with Sophie's Tinkerbell head light strapped to my forehead, hoping the neighbors don't recognize me,

Our sage bloomed,

I cut out miles and miles of lamination,

I congratulated myself on how well our new job chart was motivating John Curtis

until I discovered he has been stashing his toys between furniture and behind doors instead of actually picking them up,

and we are all started adjusting to early mornings and busy evenings and all the juggling that comes in between. It's not perfection, but it's good.

So Long...

2011-08-21T06:33:00.000-07:00

days spent lounging by the pool,

extra laundry,

splashing in the pool,

carefree afternoons with nowhere to be

7 AM bike rides,

sleeping late.

So long summer!

Painting Baby Shower

2011-08-20T14:50:00.000-07:00

We had the neatest baby shower for one of the girls in our Sunday school class. Since it was her 4th and we were just giving diapers so there would be nothing to open, we decided to paint pottery. We picked plates up from the pottery place in town and painted them at the church during the shower. It was a lot of fun and the little girls even got to take part.

The diaper cake I made for the baby girl

Back to School Breakfasts

2011-08-19T14:45:00.000-07:00

This week we held our 3rd annual Back to School Breakfasts. You can look back and see year 1 here and year 2 here and here.

Tuesday at my house:

Wednesday at the park:

Thursday at Janet's house

Friday at McDonald's

The week ended with Meet the Teacher. Sophie got just the teacher she wanted. The twins are in her class as well as her best friend from her class last year. We're ready for a great 2nd grade year!

More Weekend Pics

2011-08-16T18:52:00.000-07:00

Glorious Saturday

2011-08-13T14:20:00.000-07:00

Gratitude

2011-08-10T06:32:00.000-07:00

Nichole Nordeman is one of my favorite artists. I've talked about some of her songs here before, but this one has been going through my head for weeks.

Send some rain, would You send some rain?
'Cause the earth is dry and needs to drink again
And the sun is high and we are sinking in the shade.
Would you send a cloud, thunder long and loud?
Let the sky grow black and send some mercy down
Surely You can see that we are thirsty and afraid.
But maybe not, not today
Maybe You'll provide in other ways
And if that's the case

We'll give thanks to You with gratitude
For lessons learned in how to thirst for You
How to bless the very sun that warms our face
If you never send us rain.

Daily bread, give us daily bread
Bless our bodies, keep our children fed
Fill our cups and fill them up again tonight
Wrap us up and warm us through
Tucked away beneath our sturdy roofs
Let us slumber safe from danger's view this time.

Or maybe not, not today

Maybe You'll provide in other ways

And if that's the case

We'll give thanks to You with gratitude

A lesson learned to hunger after You

That a starry sky offers a better view if no roof is overhead
And if we never taste that bread.

Oh, the differences that often are between
Everything we want and what we really need.

So grant us peace, Jesus grant us peace
Move our hearts to hear a single beat
Between alibis and enemies tonight
Or maybe not, not todayPeace might be another world away
And if that's the case

We'll give thanks to You with gratitude
For lessons learned in how to trust in You
That we are blessed beyond what we could ever dream
In abundance or in need.
And if you never grant us peace

But Jesus, would you please.

What We've Been Up To

2011-08-06T19:23:00.000-07:00

While I never planned for this summer to be an especially busy one, it has definitely turned out that way. The week after we got home from vacation Sophie had a 3 day Day Camp at our church.

That weekend we had a garage sale and lemonade stand (can't believe I didn't get pictures of it) at our friend's house. Then Sophie left for her week alone with Grammy and Bumpaw. This week also included Music Camp at my parents' church, visits with DeeDee and Mimi, and lots of swim time with Tate. We went to watch her performance Friday night.

And as for John Curtis, he's been up to his usual...

PLAY,

and more PLAY.

We enjoyed our week together with lots of play dates and fun with friends. Now we're ready to slow things down a bit and enjoy the last 2 weeks of summer before Sophie starts school.

My Church Family

2011-07-25T07:08:00.000-07:00

Church families can be wonderful, messy things. I have deeply loved all 6 church families of which I have been a part. The down side to loving something deeply is that you can be hurt deeply. It's the risk of living in community and it happens. There have been a few moments in my life when it has taken all my strength and courage to walk back into church, to smile at people, to continue to love people. I always do, though (and not just because my husband's job depends on it). I always walk back in because the hurt and the risk are worth it. As part of the body of Christ I'm not sure I could walk away now even if I wanted to.

In August of 2003 Taylor and I lost our first baby. I immediately went back to work, but church was a different story. I wasn't really mad at God - I never expected to be exempt from suffering - but I didn't necessarily feel like worshiping Him either. And then the thought of facing all those people who loved me and hurt for me - I couldn't do it. So the first Sunday after the miscarriage Taylor went alone to church and I stayed curled up in my bed all morning. By the second Sunday I knew I had to face it.

I don't remember much about that Sunday, but I do remember standing in the sanctuary during the worship service unable to do anything but weep. All around me my brothers and sisters were singing, but my tears were all I could offer God. It felt good though, as if I could somehow rely on those around me to offer what I couldn't in that moment. Over the years Taylor and I have reflected on that day and realized what a sacred moment that was. It is a picture of what the body of Christ truly is when we step in and even worship for one another - offer praises when others can't.

Yesterday was another similar moment, but this time I was the one who was able to sing. Yesterday more brave souls gathered up their broken hearts and stepped into church to face the family and the God who loves them. Yesterday I stood on the front row and sang to God about how He was good and merciful. Maybe they were able to offer these praises to God, but my guess is that tears were all they had to offer. I offered my praises to my God, but also on their behalf.

It's a good reminder for those days when I wonder what God was thinking when he set up this crazy thing called church. It's not perfect, it can be painful, but it's good and it's worth it.

Beaver's Bend

2011-07-23T20:38:00.000-07:00

After a fun week at the beach, we left on Saturday and stopped over in Vicksburg again to spend the night. On Sunday Taylor, the kids, and I drove up to Beaver's Bend in Broken Bow, Oklahoma to meet his family. We stayed there until Wednesday to celebrate Poppa's 60th birthday. It was beautiful and very relaxing.

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Gulf Shores, Alabama

2011-07-22T19:30:00.000-07:00

We left Vicksburg on Saturday morning and were in Gulf Shores, Alabama by late afternoon. Gulf Shores is our favorite beach destination and we went with our favorite vacation buddies, the Hamiltons (who are now also the Walkers and the Bortzfields). We grew up vacationing together and though we've added a few to the original 8 we still love being together. The last time we were all together at the beach was 3 years ago. We had such a great week!

Vicksburg

2011-07-22T10:53:00.000-07:00

On Thursday I traveled with Mom, Dad, and Lindsey to pick the kids up in Shreveport and headed on to Vicksburg. Lindsey and I had the kids and we were attempting some unsuccessful geocaching when we had a blowout. Not fun - but a really nice man with his 4 kids stopped to help us in the 104 degree weather until Dad could get there. After a slight detour into Monroe to get the tire fixed, we were back on our way and arrived at my grandparents' house in Vicksburg just in time to enjoy a sweltering Mississippi evening.

Playing Frisbee with Paw-Paw

Friday, July 8 was Sophie's 7th birthday!

They love any excuse to ride the golf cart - even taking out the trash

Since we had not been very successful at geocaching thus far we decided to try our luck in Vicksburg.

Success!

We found 2 in town that day.

Sophie and Grandma

We can't go to Vicksburg without fishing, no matter how hot it is - and it was hot and humid.

JC would rather catch crickets.

She caught a birthday fish

That evening we went over to my Aunt Carol's house for a party celebrating my grandparents' 60th wedding anniversary, Sophie's birthday, and my cousin Lauryn's birthday.

Playing with Uncle Chuck

Beautiful cakes

Birthday girls

It all began with these two

The whole family

American Girl Store

2011-07-21T12:33:00.000-07:00

We are back from our many adventures as we crisscrossed the south. It all began on Friday, July 1 when I packed up the kids and met my parents at our usual half way meeting place. They took the kids back to Weatherford with them that night. The next day they stopped to visit Mimi in Fort Worth before heading on to Dallas.

Aunt Edie was at Mimi's, too!

Thanks for the birthday money, Mimi

In Dallas they met Taylor's parents at the Galleria. While the boys went and played, the girls went to the American Girl Bistro and store.

Sophie and G-Momma

Enjoying lunch

Sophie and Grammy

Shopping!

All out of birthday money!

It was a great birthday treat for Sophie. Then they got in the car with G-Momma and Poppa and traveled on to Texarkana for a few days of fun with them. Sophie got a little sewing machine for her birthday and she and G-Momma spent most of their time sewing. John Curtis stayed busy playing and talking Poppa into buying him new Imaginext toys and candy!

Snapshots of America

2011-07-04T20:39:00.000-07:00

as I experienced it this 4th of July weekend...

Drippings of Grace in a Dry Land

2011-07-02T15:09:00.000-07:00

It is HOT and DRY in Texas. Here in West Texas, just driving around town is depressing. Due to watering restrictions patches of dirt are cropping up everywhere. Grass that is hanging on is pretty much brown. Temperatures well over 100 since April have become the norm, yet they can put you in a bad mood.

Yet everyday when we drive home these beautiful sunflowers peeking over a rock wall wave to the kids and me. We comment on them almost every time and they bring a smile to our faces.

Taylor often quotes C.S. Lewis in calling these moments "drippings of grace".

We've discovered a hummingbird living on our backyard. One day recently it was a "cool" 96 degrees, about 10 degrees cooler than the norm. I spotted him that day. I'd seen a few in our backyard this year, but they are so tiny you don't usually notice them up in the trees. Unlike the blue jay that hangs out around our house and demands our attention with its vibrancy, this little guy was very understated. Still, I sat and watched him for a good 45 minutes. It was beautiful flitting around.

Thankfully, those West Texas sunsets can always be counted on. We've had some breathtaking ones this summer.

Grace is a very good thing. Every season brings its own opportunities for it. This summer I've had more time with family and friends. I've been struggling to learn patience with my children, how to love Taylor more selflessly, and what it means to be a true friend. The hard lessons always are a struggle, but these are the lessons that God has placed before me in this season. May your summer be blessed as God grants you drippings of His grace.

Evening on the Lake

2011-06-27T19:38:00.000-07:00

Our friends and neighbors, the Kings, invited us out on their boat the other evening.

The kids loved every minute of it.

They had never been tubing before. I love John Curtis's face in this picture.

Can't keep us quiet - even on the tube we were chatting!

John Curtis playing with Levi

Sunday Morning Pandamania!!!

2011-06-26T14:56:00.000-07:00

VBS 2011: Pandamania!!!!

2011-06-24T15:39:00.000-07:00

Father's Day Weekend

2011-06-21T18:06:00.000-07:00

We had a great weekend with everyone who came to see Sophie's performance. Mom and Dad brought John Curtis back and Lindsey came with her boyfriend, Brian.

After the ballet we went out to eat and then came home and played some Wii. Brian hasn't learned how to let JC win yet.

We had a lazy Saturday morning and then took Dad out for some BBQ for Father's Day at Dickie's.

Mom and Dad

Lindsey and Brian

Bumpaw with his grandbabies

Dad with his girls

We enjoyed celebrating Taylor on Sunday. Sophie made these decorations and we took him to eat at his favorite place - Double Dave's after church

We had his gift ready when he got home.

My favorite people

I'm so thankful for my father and the father of my children. I don't know how I am so blessed to have two men in my life who love me unconditionally. I hope you both had a great Father's Day. I love you!

Peter and the Wolf

2011-06-20T18:00:00.000-07:00

For the past two weeks Sophie has been dancing every day at her ballet studio preparing for a performance of Peter and the Wolf. This is the first year she has been old enough to take part and she loved every minute of it. I recorded a little bit of it. Sophie is second from the left.

After the performance Sophie was surprised by all the friends and family who had come to watch her. She had her own little fan section! Somehow with everything going on I neglected to bring my camera in. I wish I had been able to capture her surrounded by her friends. Taylor snapped this picture with his phone and her face says it all. We feel very blessed that Sophie is loved by so many.

Girls' Week and JC in Weatherford

2011-06-18T19:39:00.000-07:00

This was Taylor's second week to be in Waco for his doctoral classes. Sophie still had ballet all week so Mom offered to have John Curtis come spend the week with her. That left just Sophie and me all week. While I have a lot of alone time with John Curtis, it is not very often that it is just Sophie and me. It was a very quiet week, but I enjoyed my girl so much. She is growing into such a considerate and helpful girl. My mom always told me that her favorite time with us was when we were in elementary school. When I had babies I couldn't imagine that, but now I see what she means. Sophie is independent in so many ways, but she still wants to be with me. I'm thankful for the week we had together.

We played a lot of games and worked a lot of puzzles.

We went through all of Sophie's cookbooks and picked out some meals to make.

I also introduced her to The Princess Bride, we read our Narnia books we've been working through, swam with friends, helped friends deliver Meals for the Elderly, went for a walk, had lunch with friends, and spent a lot of time at ballet.

Meanwhile, John Curtis was living it up at Grammy and Bumpaw's. These are pictures Mom took and sent me during the week.

JC with his great, great aunt Max

with his great grandmother, Mimi

Ready for the Parker County Rodeo!

Our Week

2011-06-10T15:04:00.001-07:00

Our week consisted of...

a lot of this,

and this,

some VBS fun,

a little of this,

and a lot of trying to make places like this...

look like this.

My pantry will look like this for about a week.

This will last about a month.

I'm sure you will agree I have a lot of work still to do.

(Now I've shared too much!)

Summertime!

2011-06-05T19:48:00.000-07:00

Eleven Years

2011-06-03T05:55:00.000-07:00

Today is my anniversary. Taylor has done this thing lately where he buys me gifts on occasions on which we have not normally bought each other gifts. He doesn't discuss this with me first either, so I am caught off guard with no gift for him. I can't really be mad at him though when he gives me a book like this. He said he didn't think it would be nice to call his wife a dummy on her anniversary so he changed the title. Isn't he thoughtful?

Eleven years went fast! This year has taught me a lot. Taylor has been away from us more this year than ever before - away physically for weeks at a time with his doctoral work. Often when he is home his work load causes him to be away mentally even if present physically. I wish I could say I've been the perfect supportive wife through it all. The truth is I haven't always handled this well.

After 11 years of marriage I'm TRYING to learn how to be supportive when I don't support something. Yes, the truth is I didn't want him to pursue this degree at this time in our lives. I like life to be simple and try to avoid extra stresses. But Taylor, he loves to learn and challenge himself. This is who he is. Isn't it often true that the things we love about people are also the things that drive us crazy?

So though I still roll my eyes as he spends another evening at the kitchen table in front of his computer and though I cry like a baby when he drives away from home for 2 weeks, I'm learning that this too is part of choosing to love...loving when the frustrations are high, when I'm feeling lonely, when I wish he was home to put the kids to bed. I hope I'm learning to show him grace though I know I have a long way to go. At least I have 2 more years of doctoral work to get the hang it!

Last year on our anniversary we saw my favorite artist, Andrew Peterson in concert. He wrote a song about marriage that Taylor has posted to his blog before that has really defined marriage for us. For Christmas I gave Taylor a picture of us from Hawaii with this quote on the back from the song, so he always knows I'm on his side (even when I don't act like it).

We bear the light of the Son of Man

So there's nothing left to fear

So I'll walk with you in the Shadowlands

'Till the shadows disappear

'Cause He promised not to leave us and His promises are true

So in the face of all this chaos

Baby I can dance with you.

Let's go dancing in the minefields

And sailing in the storms

This is harder than we dreamed but I believe

That's what the promise is for.