I will call it a hospital layover as we attempt to fall asleep with all of the lights, beeps, nurses, and moans from precious Henry. We are in Vanderbilt hospital. Not to mention it will be his birthday when we wake up. He had a pharyngeal flap repair surgery. When a child has their first … Continue reading Layover Launch

What I consider a REAL fall and what you consider a “REAL fall” may differ but here is my definition : The weather has a slight chill in the air, leaves begin wafting through the air as they gently land below, subtle changes occur on the branches among the trees, pumpkin is being folded into … Continue reading Fall is Here!

On our way home from our serve week in Colorado we took a road less traveled straight into a place that felt just like home when we adopted our precious son, Henry. Henry has asked us to take him back and to show “ALL the kids” where it ALL began. And so we did just … Continue reading Hello, Dodge City!!

It was an incredible time getting to be a part of preparing the camp for families to attend this summer. It snowed around 2 feet over the 5 days we were there. It was magical. Easy for me to say since I wasn’t shoveling snow each day in order to reach the mulch to spread … Continue reading Serve Week

Our girl has graduated and off we go!! Travel day 1 has been awesome. Maybe it’s because I am remembering our last “first travel day” on our first Trip West. I mean that travel day was fun just a bit unexpected with an RV crawling it’s way to Denver. We put in a 16-17 hour … Continue reading Colorado’s Calling our Name

It’s a May Saturday. A day in which many a mother has awoken to find that it seemed like just yesterday she gave birth to her now senior. On THIS May Saturday it was ME who is the mother of a graduating senior. I actually liked it better when it was “other mothers.” Weren’t we … Continue reading What greater JOY??

The day began just as the sun rose. I had a nervous stomach as we loaded up for a BIG appointment day for Henry at Vanderbilt Hospital to assess and get a plan of action for his next cleft pallate surgery/ surgeries. In addition to my nervous tummy, somehow we ended up having our big … Continue reading Marshmallow Icecream

I love the first few months of each year. There is something so magnificent to me about the trees going dormant and my garden taking a rest before planting season. The clear, winter, star-laden sky amazes me. The crackling of our wood stove, and the extra read aloud time with hot cocoa all add up … Continue reading Winter Musings

Here it is -the season of Advent! I am loving our Christmas school that we have been doing along with our daily Advent readings. Sugar cookies, warm tea, candles lit, and good books have all made for a special December! Our family has used several Advent books during December since the children were younger. Here … Continue reading The Season of Advent

Last year, I reported in a Christmas Post about how I had the bright idea that the children draw names for Christmas. I learned my lesson and therefore I HAVE not nor WILL not be making that announcement this year. However, this Christmas season Blake and I had a new announcement that I once again … Continue reading Hey kids, Let’s Put up The Christmas Tree!