I have always loved that Lyle Lovett song.

See I was born and raised in Texas
And it means so much to me
Though my girl comes from down in Georgia
We were up in Tennessee

And as we were driving down the highway
She asked me baby what’s so great
How come you’re always going on
About your Lone Star State

I said that’s right you’re not from Texas
That’s right you’re not from Texas
That’s right you’re not from Texas
But Texas wants you anyway

Because it is so true. People who aren’t from Texas just don’t get it. (Some of them want to get it. But most of the time they just don’t.)

There is something truly special about the beautiful Lone Star State.

Last week I got to go home and enjoy the best Texas has to offer…delicious Mexican food, extraordinary Spring weather, beautiful horses, glorious wildflowers, proudly weird Austin, and some extra-friendly folks. The trip was like food for my soul.

Thought I’d share a few of my favorite pictures from the trip! (more…)

Sometimes I am just plain GROUCHY.

It is NOT PRETTY, but it is TRUE and REAL.

Yes, I know. I don’t really have ANYTHING to be grouchy about. All my fundamental needs are being met. I have a wonderful job, a loving family, and this fantastic group of friends. I belong to an incredible church. And I live in a country where I am allowed to dream of possibilities and work to make them a reality. I am set. Life is good.

But that doesn’t stop me from having days where the grouchy feelings cascade over me, mind and soul.

And today is one of those days where I am a little worn out with it all. Seriously…

I’m sick of being single. Sick, sick, sick of being single.

I’m sick of hearing that my friends wished they knew a man who was worthy of me. (I mean, what IN THE HECK does that mean?)

I’m sick of failing to find the right balance between doing too much and being really tired of being still.

But mostly, I’m sick of listening to myself complain.

So…

I am going to start thinking of things that make me smile. (Yes, I have probably seen The Sound of Music one too many times.)

I am going to think of things that are undeniably happy like…

Exploring the glorious Hill Country of Texas with my wide-eyed and totally precious nieces. (more…)

Okay, time for Part 5 of my Drafting Blueprints series. In case you missed the first 4 parts, here is a brief recap:

My “Blueprint” series is essentially a mechanism for me to start thinking through my life goals. And as hard humiliating as it is to admit some of the things I want to achieve in life, I am trying to be painfully honest because (for some crazy reason) I feel like I need to put them “out there.”

Part 1 – I want to get married.

Part 2 – I want to get fit.

Part 3 – I want to get my hands dirty.

Part 4 - I want to cultivate deep and authentic friendships.

And today I am tackling a biggie….

I want to have kids.

(Please remember I am not a whiny girl who is unhappy with her life, with the cards she’s been dealt. Nothing could be further from the truth. My life is full. But if I am honest, before it is all said and done, I want to raise kids, to have a family of my own.) (more…)

I could kick myself (actually I am pretty sure I am not coordinated enough to make that happen, but you get the point, I am annoyed with myself.) There were SO MANY cameras and digital devices out during the holidays (even 7 year old Macon was snapping shots with a camera Santa brought her) that I was lazy and relied heavily on my iphone to capture our Christmas memories.

So admittedly this random bunch of photos instead the beautiful gallery of my dreams but at least you will get to share in some of my favorite Christmas moments from 2009.

I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday. I did. I loved being with my family. I loved watching the girls open up their presents. And I loved getting pampered at Pinehurst. (I know, it is about building character not being comfortable but a little pampering sure is nice.) (more…)

I am glad this week is winding down.. all this gratitude is wearing me out (I kid, I kid.) Seriously…these posts have been a wonderful reminder of some of the everyday blessings I neglect to properly acknowledge.

In case you are just stumbling onto my “With Gratitude” posts, here are the posts from Day 1, Day 2, and Day 3. And here is what this is all about:

Instead I want to be someone who constantly feels blessed. Because in all reality I have everything I need, and more. So in honor of the season of Thanksgiving, I have decided to publicly express my gratitude this week on my blog for some of my many blessings.

Sometimes it is easier to focus on the things I don’t have. But I’ve found that’s no way to live.

I am thankful for children . (more…)

As I said yesterday:

Sometimes it is easier to focus on the things I don’t have. But I’ve found that’s no way to live.

Instead I want to be someone who constantly feels blessed. Because in all reality I have everything I need, and more. So in honor of the season of Thanksgiving, I have decided to publicly express my gratitude this week on my blog for some of my many blessings.

I am thankful for  my parents . (more…)

To say I was raised among avid travelers is an understatement.

Everyone in my family was born with a major case of wanderlust and a passport in hand.

As a case in point, my nieces (the youngest of which is two) are about to make their second international trip. (I know, my sister, brother-in-law, and his parents are very, very brave souls.)

So as an “avid traveler” and our official planner, my father begins investigating where we should go any time a holiday approaches. No holiday is too short (President’s Day, 4th of July, New Year’s), or too sacred (Christmas, Easter, Thanksgiving), for us to stay home.

This Thanksgiving I’m heading with Mom, Dad, “Honey” (my grandma), and the Wilburs (family friends) to California. Pebble Beach to be exact. I leave a week from today and return the following Monday. I can’t wait. Turkey, stuffing, sand, and surf…what could be better?

It is not your traditional Thanksgiving but I am thankful any way. And isn’t that what it is all about?

What are your Thanksgiving plans? Do you have any Thanksgiving traditions?

Oh, and please let me know if you have been to Pebble Beach and have suggestions on things to do and places to eat.

Confession: I think my nieces are literally the cutest kids in the whole world. (Only to be closely rivaled by my God daughter, and the children I sponsor through WorldVision and Compassion.)

Confession: I am aware of how annoying this behavior is but I can’t seem to stop myself. (This post is a case in point.) (more…)

I think relationships between sisters are always complicated.

My Sister Marcie and I (and Baby Kate with the cheeks)

They are like taking the already complicated friendships between women and putting them on steroids. Because you are innately alike, but also innately different. Because you have to share the time and attention of your parents, and sharing doesn’t always come naturally. And because you are dependent on one another, forever linked by DNA.

So, as sisters, when your relationship is bad, it’s horrid. And in turn, when it’s good, it’s great.

At least that has been my personal experience. There are five years and six grades between me and my sister Marcie. To say that while growing we had our differences would be an understatement. (more…)

This summer has been A COMPLETE WHIRLWIND. I have been traveling non-stop and loving every minute of it. But I am worn out. And my life and my house are in disarray.  (Seriously can’t remember the last time I changed my sheets. I think it was sometime last week but I’m not quite sure.)

With all this traveling, another thing that has been neglected is my blog. So this is a quick play-by-play with some of my favorite photos, of course. (more…)