217/365: Uncle Marks Surprise 60th :)

135/365: May 14th

Mom and I snuck out before sunrise to squeeze in one last Branson hurrah.  With coffees in hand, we sped across town to Table Rock Lake—relishing the beauty of this morning’s stunning/ striking/ spectacular sunrise over the treetops of the pristine Ozark mountains and the serene lake of glass below.

Our walking trail was very quiet and there seemed to be scarcely anybody about… leaving us the freedom whistle along with the season’s first songbirds.  But wherever the location, having mom to walk beside feels a bit like walking on sunshine…     

Yes, a walk is better shared. 

Life is better shared.

My family is an immense blessing to share life with.

I’m so incredibly thankful for these memorable moments together.

134/365: May 13th

{ Sidenote:  Danielle did not have her camera with her today :( still waiting on sissy to send me her pics... sister, if you're reading this... hint, hint :) }

Mom and I very much enjoyed our morning together—walking Dogwood Canyon’s 6 mile loop trail, which follows the canyon floor along a paved gently sloping path.  The walls of the jagged ravines frame a dramatic valley bursting with hardwoods, evergreens, oak, pine, cedar and, of course, the parks’ namesake Dogwoods.  We sighed at the preserve’s unspoiled expanse of bowed ridges, deep hollows and sheer limestone bluffs honeycombed with numerous caves.  We gawped at the crystal-clear streams flowing through the spectacular valley and the even more impressive waterfalls.  We inhaled the lovely floral scent of nearby billowy blooms.  We stopped and gazed at the wildlife hunting for their breakfast and paused to inspect the butterfly garden.  We talked about anything and everything… a fabulous start to celebrating Mother’s Day…         

Afterwards, famished, we stopped in at the only breakfast joint we could find, Panera Bread (yum!)… I think we couldn’t spent all morning enjoying our sit in the sun, sipping our iced teas… but we had further plans—thanks to dad who sweetened today’s plot—to soak up this beautiful sunny afternoon with the family at Silver Dollar City!

And so, to Silver Dollar City we went :) ready for a little chill and a little thrill.  The weather was perfect—a mixture of warm haze and gentle sun—and (bonus!) the lines were short enough to allow us to ride all the rides twice :)  

However, the days main attraction = time with the family; being together, creating a memory.

At the end of the day we split off into two groups, one that went off in search of treats to combat the low blood sugar levels, and the other set off to ride one final coaster.  I only mention it, because it was a sweet end to this Mother’s Day at SDC… because I looked around at our group, who was now approaching the entrance to Wildfire and noticed that our group consisted of mom and her original four kiddos… totally unplanned and kinda sweet.  We laughed together, because her fantastic 4 has now become the magnificent 7… :)

133/365: May 12th

Family road-trip time!!!  —the promise of our weekend odyssey was now a reality, igniting serious excitement as we sped towards the lush, green, rolling hills of Branson, Mo… to our private, inviting escape, just footsteps from the Payne Stewart Golf Course Clubhouse… to our beautiful, secluded golf villa stocked with all the amenities…

Hello lovely wooden back-porch deck… flooded now with pale sunlight.


Hello electric fireplace, which was readily switched on and instantly became a flickering pile of rustic logs.

With the boys out golfing, the girls out on errands, and Harper asleep, I put up my feet, grabbed my favorite book and spent an azure afternoon adrift in a soft breeze… A new season’s bursting out, but it’s still nice to find some quiet amid the excitement... 

At dinnertime we pulled up our chairs at Cantina Laredo, a hip Mexican joint overlooking the water.  Our outdoor seating provided a lovely ambiance, enhanced further by a simple light show over the nearby, adjacent fountains… yum! 

After dinner dad treated us to tickets see SIX at the Mickey Gilley Theater; we were told by several people that if there was one show to see in Branson that SIX was the show to see… so glad we asked… :)

All seven of us give SIX a 10+!  Fantastic show!!!

SIX could be dubbed an orchestra of human voices… but it is made up of six multi-talented brothers, whose melodic vocals intertwine seamlessly, as they not only sing the vocals to hit songs, but also create the notes of the “band” with just the power of just Six incredible voices. Seriously luved this a cappella performance of drums bass, and unbeatable harmonies. Seriously.

132/365: May 11th

An early Mother’s day surprise was in order this morning…
It’s my sister’s first year of being a mom, you see… and mom and I had a lil something up our sleeve for her.  

We told sister that we were off to get pedicures and that she should come—an invitation we could be sure she wouldn’t pass up.  But once in the parking lot, we handed her a note that went something like this:

“Dear Meg,

Happy very first Mother’s Day!!!  Mom and I totally agree that you shine as a mom… that you’ve entered motherhood with incredible amounts of grace.  We smile at how the Lord has grown you and the way in which you display love and selflessness to your family.  We love you so much and are SO proud of you! …  To celebrate your FIRST mother’s day we are sending you on a shopping spree :)  You have $100 to spend on us… one rule: you must spend the money on YOU… this $ will not work for house, husband or baby… Oh, one more rule: you must spend the money!!!  Happy mother’s day!”

And then, us girls hit the shops… :) :) :) oh yes, we very much did!

We arrived home in time to gather up the family and head out for a celebratory graduation dinner in honor of Brett. 

Over platefuls of yummy brisket at the legendary Gates BBQ, we reminiscenced of a few of our favorite memories with our youngest brother… hard to believe he’s all grown up now.

We are all so proud of who Brett is, so proud of the man he is becoming.

I sat smiling as Brett walked across the stage tonight, the final words from tonight’s commencement speech still ringing in my head, “What would you do for God if you knew you wouldn’t fail?”

I’m eager to see what plans that the Lord has for him yet.

Congrat’s brother!

131/365: May 10th

A quiet, lazy morning about the house today… All is calm—no alarm clocks buzzing or cereal bowls clattering in the kitchen… but rather, awaking to birds twittering melodiously outside the windows and the delightful aroma of vanilla coffee beans brewing.

The bliss of having not one pressing matter to see to.

Enjoying an extra-long sit in the kitchen, soaking up the sunlight that streams in from wide windows, staring after a blossoming patio of sunshine.

My good intentions to lace up my running shoes flying right out that window…

Tonight felt like old times—firing up the grill for a casual backyard bash, the entire family drifting about, indoors and out.

Everyone loves a BBQ.

And the night never quite ends…

Instead, the seats at the kitchen table fill in one-by-one—as friends stop in and fill the house with cozy hugs and laughter that grows and grows.

A deck of cards is located and all are huddled at the table playing countless hands of a myriad of card games well into the night. Just like old times.

130/365: May 9th

Touchdown in Kansas City feels, to me, like summer’s first call for savoring simple pleasures…

I am reminded, once again, that life is better shared…
And that I am immensely blessed to have this family to share it with :)

It didn’t take us long to swing into party mode—all together at the parent’s house—that refresh and renew spirit in full bloom… No sooner had we plunked down our bags and devoured dinner than were we piled in the truck and on our way to Kaufman stadium.

A most delightful evening—the temperature was nestled between spring and summer, the air smelled like hot dogs and popcorn, and a chorus of pops and cracks filled the air as baseballs became acquainted with the home team’s wooden bats.

Enjoying our sit under the stars together, chatting easily and cheering on the Royals, to victory over the Red Sox.

Eating handfuls of Kettle Corn, breathing in the summer air…

Reliving one of my favorite childhood events—family nights at the ballpark; enjoying, once more, the mixed scent of fresh cut grass and warm summer air, classic songs sung at the top of your lungs, the seventh inning stretch and familiar games on the jumbotron…

It’s still a favorite occasion of mine; it’s sunset in the summertime; it’s being with my beloved family :)

120/365: April 29th, Yosemite Day 4

We celebrated our last day in Yosemite with breakfast at the luxurious Ahwahnee Hotel, where visitors are invited to have a toe up in front of spectacular, six-foot-high fireplaces, or dine under glittering chandeliers hung from large wooden beams.

We enjoyed a delicious, leisurely breakfast together… surrounded by colossal windows and spectacular Yosemite views.

Blessed we are to have Yosemite in our backyard.

Blessed we are to have had this lovely long-weekend away together.

Our drive out of the park is deliberately unhurried… soaking up this majestic country for one last time.

Surely this two lane strip of pavement—which winds its way across bridges and through countless acres of scenic wilderness, which bisects the tranquility of the Sierra Nevada Mountain range—has led my heart to step back and reflect on the majesty of the One who created this place… to remember afresh that I have been rescued from sin in order that I might see and savor the glory of God; that I am free to enjoy making much of God forever, that doing so leads to joy abundant.