When I was little, I thought it would be cool to have a brother. My best friend, Shane, was a boy, & he had three brothers. My cousin, Sara, had three brothers. While I’m sure the whole boy thing got old to her really fast, I thought it was funny when they charged in her…
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Family Christmas on my mom’s side wrapped in Arkansas yesterday. It’s an event that’s been part of my regularly scheduled Christmas programming every year since my arrival in 1988. If your family ever needs lessons on how to conduct a proper game of Texas Christmas — more commonly (& possibly offensively) known as Chinese Christmas,…
Read MoreGrowing up, my family went to Luby’s a lot on Sundays after church. It was a guarantee we’d be in line with at least one group of ladies wearing giant hats & bright suits. I love a good buffet & seeing all the choices. First up were the salads, & I always went with a…
Read MoreGrowing up, I was such the chameleon. I could blend in at miraculous speed into any situation with any group of people. A people pleaser at my core, I wanted to belong more than anything. By belonging, I thought, I was enough. With my teachers who I respected more than life, I was an impeccable…
Read MoreMy dad is one of the most generous people I’ve ever known. And the thing is, I probably don’t know the half of it. But I do remember seeing him push a tv on a cart down my elementary school hallway & learning he was donating one to every classroom. I remember he’s the one…
Read MoreA friend of mine just had her first baby—a girl—& it took me back to being a brand new mom. We were only home for three days before Blake went back to work, & I remember preparing all the things. Refilling the soap bottles & stocking extra toilet paper. Prepping oatmeal because I was starving…
Read MoreDid you know that every second you worry, your mind is expending negative energy & this feeds into your body? I am the worst at leaving for a vacation. I love to travel & will be the first one to pick our next destination—but the mind game I play with myself as the last couple…
Read MoreThis is a simple story, but it’s one that’s repeated itself over & over again with little variation. Blake goes to work. I stay home with the kids. Ten hours pass. Blake comes home tired & can give a summary of his day by meetings attended & problems solved. I am also tired but unlike…
Read MoreI’m in the middle of learning that it’s not so much what I do—but why I do it. It all boils down to motive. I could be the best wife on the planet. I could rise before the sun to make my family a hot breakfast, drop off and pick up my husband’s clothes from…
Read More(Disclaimer: I get that the Oscars were months & months ago, but it’s on my brain so go with me here.) The Oscars is such a fun event to watch even though I’ve maybe heard of ten percent of the movies awarded. Seeing everyone dressed up and proud of their work is inspiring to me.…
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