Brownstone

I have hundreds of new pictures just begging to be published, but I decided, just like my life (one hour at a time), I'm going to post, one slice of an event at a time.

Last weekend, Kami and I and mom and dad traveled to New York for Kami's 13th birthday. Yes, New York City!!! Specifically, we stayed in Brooklyn, NY at my cousin Kristina's very authentic and lovely brownstone apartment (built in late 1800's; worth 1.5 million - rent, no telling how high). I've been to NY twice before, but both times I stayed in very cushy, comfy, lap-of-luxury hotels.

So I was kind of wondering (dreading) about how it was going to be with 7 large people in one small apartment. It couldn't have been better. Not only are those brownstones amazingly quaint, but Kristina has a knack of making things in her apartment feel "happy" as she puts it. I just wanted to share this sweet spot... Kristina and Gael (the dashing Frenchman), we loved every minute... thanks for hosting. :)

More NY to come....

Birthday Blessing

I think that along our journey on this earth, God sometimes throws in little blessings that accompany us all the way through. Perfect little packages tied up with swirly bows. Little things that seem to be coincidence, but of course, are not.

Is it coincidence that my younger cousin was born exactly 367 days after me, making our birthdays just 2 days apart?

Here we are back in 1973 (see calendar on wall behind me) celebrating! We also have a dear Uncle Rex whose birthday is one day after Heather's, so as long as I can remember, we've shared a birthday cake at Granny's. Here we are circa 1990. Like the rugby shirt and acid washed jeans? hee hee. I got to celebrate my birthday this year at my sister's house. Tom was out of town with basketball and my family made me feel very special this year complete with my favorite cholesterol-thickening dessert of Merritt's chocolate cake. Yum.

I had "the big one" last year, but this year it was Heather's turn.

We surprised her with a party at Full Moon and a Shutterfly book of her last 40 years. Happy birthday, CUZ! I'm so glad God chose to give us this birthday coincidence. Wish I was as fun and nutty as you!! But thankful for you and the great blessing you bring to my life!

A Christmas Carol - 2009

Does anyone sing "Come on Ring Those Bells" anymore?

I learned the Christmas carol in school as a kid and sang it at the top of my lungs.

I hope it will make a comeback if you haven't heard it;

it's such a fun song with a message!

Come sing along with us now... and enjoy the images of our Christmas 2009.

Little Miss Independent

Well, she's officially off!

It's 4:30 in the morning, and Tom just got Kami packed into the car headed to the airport to get on a flight to Raleigh, North Carolina.

By herself.

Yup, you read it right! She is flying as an unaccompanied minor, and though I've heard that those kids flying alone get some cushy treatment, she is feeling pretty grown up.

In fact, I have a hunch she'd rather fly alone than in a group of people. You should have seen the look on her face this morning as she popped out of bed at 4:00 A.M!!!

She's traveling to Raleigh, North Carolina for the ORU vs. North Carolina basketball game. Ummmm.... yep, the Tarheels are currently undefeated and the #1 team in the nation, but Tom and I figured that even if ORU got beat by 50 (God forbid!!) that it would be a memorable experience for her. She loves the history of basketball, and the Dean Dome is a pretty historic. Every time for the rest of her life she sees NC on TV, she will have that experience to refer to. She loves our team. She loves watching our games. So, it is our Christmas gift to her.

And...
One of her best cousins on Tom's side of the family lives in Raleigh. So, she gets some time with Jennifer, who she sees, at best, once a year.

The girl is pumped.

Even though I don't really understand it, being the ball of emotional complexity that I am, I am so thankful for the solid and unflappable personality God gave her. She didn't miss a beat when I asked her if she'd be willing to fly alone (the tickets on Tom's flight were waaay expensive). She is savoring the moment of pure independence.

I pray God's strong hand of protection upon her as she travels this weekend. I pray God will bless her with a wonderful trip, and that she will rely upon Him in her time away. We talked about her true source of strength and protection and wisdom and I pray she will seek God if there is a moment she feels unsure about something.

It's an interesting moment as a parent to look up and see your child so willing to walk away. I guess it starts when they are little toddlers running away from you as fast as their chunky little legs can go, and you have to run after them and swoop them up. This time, I won't be running after her, but I will be swooping her up when she flies home on Sunday!!!

Twelve Reasons We Make the Ten Hour 600 Mile Drive To Tiny Hunt, Texas Which Has No Cell Phone Reception the Week Before School Starts

1. Football on the Dock

2. The Swimmin' Hole
3. The Flume

4. The Rope Swing

5. Being Thrown Around

6. The Game Room
7. Cool Cousins that We Only See Once a Year
8. Relaxing

9. Canoeing11. Beauty12. Family