Category Archives: family life

One of the hard things about serious blog posts is I have no idea what to say next. I should point out that I do feel like Memphis is going to work out for our family, and I really enjoy the people I’ve hung out with here so far. Yesterday I tweeted “Worship + great sermon + lunch & trolley ride with friends = very good sunday. May even get used to morning church.” Those who know me know what a big deal that is ;)

Right now, I’m sick and Lexi is watching Snow Buddies. A truly unremarkable film, but she is in the stage where she loves talking dog and cat movies. So I let her watch them. Anthropomorphism in film has definitely improved since the 70s and early 80s, but the cheesiness abides.

What was your favorite talking animal movie as a kid?

One of my closest friends in Birmingham, on one of our very last days there, made what seemed in the moment to be a most peculiar comment to me. “It’s important when you leave a place and its people to have some distance for a while. Feel the loss. Then you can figure out how to go forward and what your new relationship looks like.”

Knowing this friend well, and her propensity for quiet wisdom, I reflected on this a great deal. As life worked out, several of my friends were in very busy seasons anyway, so it made sense to not be in contact. It has been difficult, though, and more than a little lonely. Honestly, it’s also probably impacted my Memphis interactions too as I am so craving conversations with women I get a little overeager.

In spite of the difficulties, I think it’s been a really good exercise for the month and that I’m starting to see individual people and the ways I hope our friendships will continue more clearly. It will likely continue to unfold through the next few months. Birmingham is temptingly close to Memphis, and there have been days I wanted to throw the kids in the car and just drive. Get a hug. Cuddle a new baby. Sit for a while. Those things will happen (and probably sooner than later) but it’s also felt right to feel the loss for a little while.

Maybe if I post a list of things I need to do this week, it will get done more quickly. M has been away a lot lately, and solo parenting sucks the life out of me. That plus moving malaise have made me pretty unproductive. But it’s a vicious cycle and perhaps if I got some things done, I’d be less grumpy.

bake a thank you gift
book reviews (1) (2) (3)
gather & label all supplies for Monday
find bobby socks for school uniforms
finish unpacking my clothes
make a library run
mend Kate’s chapel day shoes
organize in the office

Thankful for eight years of mutual society, help and comfort, in prosperity and adversity. I am convinced, the best is yet to come. Happy Anniversary to us.

We’re in the middle of a move to Memphis, and there’s something about the spaces in between in life that give me a clear picture of who I’ve been, and who I want to be. Coincidentally, it is also within a few months of a milestone birthday, though I’ve felt 30 for quite some time — kids will do that to you. And so I am looking around, looking within, looking ahead. I am not quite sure what life will look like for me in a year, let alone five or ten. It seems time to plan realistically, but I want to bring hope and passion in the midst of pragmatism.

Birmingham has been good to us, and though not perfect, a place I had grown to love and see as home. But as I step away I see things differently. I hope I use this time in the margins well. That I am able to see clearly my sin and flaws, my gifts and passions, and learn some things to help me on my way.

We’re not great at documenting our growing girls, all things considered. But here are some videos of them from the last month, collected in one spot, for your viewing pleasure.

Lexi’s first ukulele performance “Feliz Navidad” (:48)
Kate’s puppet show (1:28)
Lexi’s first original song (:51)
Kate and Lexi go ice skating (1:13)

Some days I am just overwhelmed with how lucky I am to parent my kids. They are such neat individuals.

Lexi has a *slight* obsession with Kit Kittredge. She’s been running around saying “Brilliant!” I love listening to her prattle on about Strawberry Shortcake, imagine, tell stories, and even recite catechism questions. She has so much personality, and I can’t wait to see what she will do with it.

Kate is doing so well in school, and has wisdom beyond her years and a sneaky sense of humor. She’s a great big sister and has a natural inclination to help others. I love hearing her talk about what she’s learning and what she wants to learn next.