Changing of the Decade!

Happy New Year!

Yes, Porch Talk is a little late this year.  Time snuck up on me as it is wont to do.  But . . . better late than not at all!

Welcome to the 2019 edition of Porch Talk

Princess had an eventful year.  She finished out her freshman year on a high note and started her sophomore year strong.  She is studying nutrition and dietetics at Samford University in Birmingham, Alabama and she's loving every minute of it.  (Well, maybe not the minutes leading up to finals, but you get the picture.)  While at Samford, she is also a part-time nanny and a very active member of Zeta Tau Alpha.  She's a busy young woman and we are very proud of her!

Princess and friends

Princess organized a walking team in Birmingham!

Buddy reached a milestone last summer when he passed his driver's test and got his license.  We were able to buy him a "dope" car (a 2004 gold Buick Regal) so that he can drive himself to his first official job: a certified life guard at our local YMCA.  He spends his time studying, guarding lives and playing basketball with friends.  A junior in high school this year, he is starting to look at colleges.  Yikes!

He passed!

Buddy and friends took a camping trip to Big Bend in July.  Yes, it was hot.

We opened a second GradePower location in 2018 and running both has kept Gordon pretty busy.  He has found time, however, to complete several really cool home improvement projects and regularly feeds family and friends with amazing smoked meats.

The new backyard dining area.  Come visit!

August found us both in Palm Springs again for the annual Flock of Grouse weekend of shenanigans.  There was much eating, drinking and floating in the pool.  Some people even played golf.

Yes, it was hot.

We also made time to go to a couple of little shows that came through Austin.

And we walked in the Austin JDRF One Walk in honor of our T1 Princess.

I'm still teaching 8th grade theatre at Veritas Academy as well as running the Study Hall program.  This is my tenth year at the school and it never gets easier saying good-bye to the seniors.

Earlier in the summer I was able to travel to Michigan to represent Texas at my sister-in-law's retirement party.  I was a fun and relaxing weekend with the family.

Speaking of family, I'm very proud to announce that my brother published TWO books this year AND his animated short is getting a lot of attention at film festivals around the world.  (Lance's books can be found on Amazon.)

One of the biggest events of the year for me was playing Clairee in a production of Steel Magnolias at the EmilyAnn Theatre in Wimberley.  It felt so good to get back on stage!  I was truly blessed to be a part of this amazing group of women (and a few men) who bonded together to bring this story to life.  I am forever changed!

Sadly, 2019 took from us one of the most vibrant and kind people I've ever had the privilege to know.  Gordon's brother, Scott, passed away suddenly on May 17.  His absence is felt not only in our family, but in his community.  He had a big heart and shared it in every aspect of his life.  His funeral was a beautiful celebration of that life.

We look forward to seeing what blessings 2020 brings not only to our family but to yours.  Please stay in touch!

As always, we pray grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 

Farewell 2018

So . . . 2018 is now officially history. I have some thoughts.
2018 was one of the most life-changing years for me in a long time - good changes and bad.
I lost two loving and wonderful men - my father to Alzheimer’s and my brother-in-law to depression. One was anticipated, the other was devastatingly sudden.

I learned how to count carbs and calculate insulin dosages.
I saw my daughter walk across the stage and complete her primary education. Three months later, we waved at her as we drove away from her dorm 12 hours away from our front door.
I saw a Banksy in London.
I wept in front of a Monet in Paris.
I ate escargot on the Champs-Élysées.
I walked the narrow streets of Assisi.
I saw Michelangelo's David.
I experienced socialized medicine in Rome with my daughter.
I visited the Italian countryside on which my grandfather fought for his country.
I dozed on the beach in Cancun.
I had wounds that I thought were healed reopen as a brave woman held up her right hand.
I sang on a CD that was critically acclaimed.
I watched dear friends struggle with loss, with health, with finances and with family.
I taught myself how to make carbonara.
I turned 50.
I learned the true meaning of physical pain when I endured an infected tooth.
And despite all the bad stuff, I will look back on 2018 with fondness. I not only “survived”, I grew. I experienced all of the above, absorbed it and tried to use it to better myself and those around me.
There’s only one thing I would change about 2018, but the rest I will use to make 2019 (and beyond) better for my family and for the world. If you are reading this, that means YOU.
I don’t pray flowers and butterflies and perfection for you for 2019. That would not only be boring, but it would be completely unrealistic. I pray for change, for growth and for love. I pray for new people and experiences that you remember for a lifetime. I pray that you endure the pain that this year brings, and that you rest in the joy that is offered. I pray for healing and for peace.
And I pray that at the end of 2019, you will thank this year for its lessons as you welcome 2020 with hope and excitement for the growth to come.