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...
Family
West Fork Trail, Oak Creek, Arizona
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...
And the mask theme continues…
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...
Nate and the fox
I am a part of a photography group with Nancy as our fearless leader. Between teaching photography classes online, Nancy hosts a Facebook group for those of us who have completed the classes. We've become an international sisterhood of sorts. America, Canada, and...
Riley’s Confirmation and First Communion
This is officially my new favorite picture. Aren't they the cutest?! Riley's great aunt spoiled us with a shopping trip for a new suit. Shopping with Riley can take a few hours so I had my chai tea and I was ready for the marathon. We walked into an almost completely...
The Summer of 2020 (the girls)
When Mary Alice sees Julia, she calls her 'sister'. I don't know when that started, but hearing them call one another 'sister' as they play together and spend time together strikes a chord deep inside me. Julia is old enough to remember many of the miscarriages. She...
Learning and listening in the silence
We are here. And we are good. Brian, the kids, and I are still physically distancing. This forced exile has been a beautiful learning for my heart. Where is my focus? Where is my attention? Where does my joy come from? We are here. And we are good. The first few weeks...
Recipe: Chicken Pasta Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette Dressing
My two oldest love the chicken pasta salad with lemon vinaigrette dressing from Pita Jungle. Last week had been a particularly long week. Julia is working and taking a Spanish class. Nate has been studying for the SAT and helping me with projects around the house. I...
Product Review by Riley: Ultimate Pool Ball by Activ Life
Riley is my outside kid. He loves to be outside. He loves to explore and ride bikes and take dogs for walks and swim. This summer has definitely been hard on him. He misses his friends and really doesn't like being stuck inside with the heat. When we moved into our...
The story of a crib
When we announced we were expecting Mary Alice, we made a video, to remember forever the miracle that God had granted. https://youtu.be/o2sUEVjPUFc My sweet friend, Betty, saw the video and called to ask me if we wanted their crib. It was such a thoughtful and...