As we finished unpacking and organizing, we began exploring our new town. My kiddos love a good adventure! Did I tell you that one of my college roommates and best friends, Kelly, lives within 30 minutes of us? It has been the biggest blessing! She's given us a list...
After moving back to Texas after twelve years of living in the Phoenix area, I have had a blast showing my younger kids my favorite local Texas spots! This is by no means a comprehensive list, but I know that many people are moving to Texas and I'd love to share with...
Years ago, when Julia and Nate were small we lived in Denton, just 15 minutes away from where we live now. One Valentine's Day, Brian had given me the gift of sleep. (If you know me, you know that is my love language, my diamond ring, and my spa day all wrapped up in...
Having Nate home for the summer has made everyone incredibly happy! This week he has been teaching Riley his skateboard tricks. We received these Trick Trainers from ActivLife and they both agree these make it so much easier to teach and learn skateboard tricks! This...
As the winter thawed, the wildflowers popped up everywhere. It flooded my memory with drives to my great grandmother’s home in Mansfield, looking out the window to soak in the bluebonnets, Indian paintbrushes, coneflowers, phlox, and buttercups. I saw a beautiful...
And then we moved. This blog was born just after we moved to Arizona. It was born out of a love for chronicling memories and the need for a hobby. Without a doubt, our journey to Arizona was a rich blessing in growth found in the unlikely desert. We met our third...
Boyce Thompson Arboretum is located about one hour from Phoenix, Arizona in Superior, Arizona. A few weeks before we moved, I received a message from a dear friend asking if I was doing any more photoshoots. I replied that I would love to do one more photoshoot before...
One of my absolute favorite parts of quarantine (does that even make sense?) was finding projects for our family to do together. I belong to a photography group that my sweet friend, Nancy, leads. We were inspired by this amazing instagrammer that had completed a...
Once upon a time, I was amazing at posting birthday celebrations the same week, or that day even! But alas, I have a page full of excuses so here we are - right in the middle of the birthday run and posting three at a time! My family of seven birthdays line up as...
Ellison Creek Cascades is a beautiful trail near Payson, Arizona. It was a beautiful, well kept trail with water pools and a waterfall at the end. When the kids think about this summer, I hope they remember it as the summer we searched and explored secret trails. I...
The next day, we loaded up the car - a few minutes late because it takes forever and a day to pile seven people in to a car. The traffic was terrible and I started to worry that we were going to miss it. As we turned into the parking lot, I heard the familiar rumble....
I have so much to tell you about Texas, but I really need to write more of last year down before I forget. In the early weeks of the pandemic, one of my favorite things were the flyovers that were organized. I grew up attending air shows with my dad. The Blue Angels,...
When they were young, I prayed that Julia and Nate would be friends. They found their way through learning one another and loving one another. They have a bond unique and admirable. They've been through adopting a sibling. They've watched me recover from miscarriages....
Do you choose a word of the year? Since 2008, I’ve chosen a word to reflect on throughout the year. *The idea of a word of the year was first introduced to me by my dear friend Heather. Once upon a time, she had a lovely blog full of beautiful inspiration. I’m very...
My word of the year for 2020 was ‘joy’. By February I had been to four funerals - Andrew, Art, Jeff, and Liz. I remember sharing on Instagram that it felt mean that my word and my year seemed at odds with one another. I shared with you I’d been asking the Lord,...
Doctors appointments, bath times, diapers, bottles, little bows, tiny socks, and smiles. It is all a blur. Fourteen weeks went so quickly. When the case manager visited our home, she asked if we would be open to allowing the parents to visit. With the pandemic, there...
“Pain and suffering have come into your life, but remember pain, sorrow, suffering are but the kiss of Jesus — a sign that you have come so close to Him that He can kiss you.” St. Mother Teresa of Calcutta Years ago, I read the book 'Falling Free' by Shannan Martin. I...
Before I jump head first into bringing the little love-bug home, I need to tell you about the NICU. The case manager asked me to arrive by 10am. DCS receives the date of discharge, but does not typically receive an exact time. The time depends on so many...
On August 28th, we officially put our house on the market. Brian had accepted a job in Texas and we were planning to move mid-December. Our sweet relator, Emily, was hosting an open house for us on August 29th, so we headed north to Cottonwood, Arizona, in hopes that...
We wanted one more hike together before Julia returned to Virginia for college. We had also just learned that we would be leaving our precious desert and returning to Texas in December and we wanted to soak up one more day filled with exploring this beautiful state as...
It has become a tradition of sorts. Before Julia heads out for college, she and her dearest friend, Julia, do a photo shoot together. This year, the theme was Disney. My Julia went with 'Brave'. Dear Julia went with 'Mulan'. Can you see it?! Their friendship is so...