Ahhh, Mexico

Well, you were sure I was dead, weren't you? I'm not. I've been just a bit consumed by other things...TBA. But for quite awhile we've had this lil' vacation planned with David & Missy. With no kiddos, or as we say here, "sin ninos."


Missy, or Misty, as I like to call her, has been chillaxin'.


Getting some sun...


Deep convos by the pool...


Here's my classic feet shot (shout out to Today's Letters)


Hi, little hermies! (These guys were all cloistered together, livin' life.)

Miss, getting her fly-fish on.


And here is the fruit of her labor: Donde' esta tu pescado?

More to come...

Snapshots from Haiti

My friend Missy has spent this past week in Haiti with a group called Visiting Orphans. She is staying in an orphanage far outside of Port au Prince where many other orphans are being transferred to for safety. Many of the kids were made orphans by the earthquake.

Anyway, Missy has been blogging about the trip and this post tells a few short stories via some photos. (Missy, were these all done on your iPhone?)

Check it out.

Misplaced

via Don

A few years ago our friends, the McKeaiggs, told us they were contemplating a move to Portland, OR. We felt a little shocked, as we'd begun to imagine hanging out with them for a few more decades. As we sat and casually listened to their thoughts about the possible move, nodding and "hmmming" as they reasoned with us, I was silently warring with myself. In my mind, I leaned over and grabbed fistfuls of Emily's blond locks and screamed, TAKE ME WITH YOU!!!

Sometimes I just don't feel at all like I *fit* in Dallas. I mean, I got tears in my eyes watching that video, people. Don't get me wrong, I absolutely love the family and friends in our life here but I think about moving away probably several times a month. I suffer from a severe case of "grass is always greener."

I will now console myself by remembering that Portland has nothing like the State Fair of Texas.

Lil' Video for Mommas

Mother's Day from Dexter Evans on Vimeo.

I hope it's okay that I'm putting this on here. My friend Alli helped create this video for her church's Mother's Day celebration and I think she did a pretty amazing job (she & Dexter)! You will see Miss Davy along with Andrea's Ella & Will. Also, the scene with multiple generations? Those are my friends, The Gaspards.

Enjoy!

Little Ella Girl

One of my besties, Andrea, is needing your prayers for her daughter, Ella. Most of you who read my blog will know immediately who Andrea & Ella are but just in case you don't, please go to Andrea's blog to read about her little girl:

The Mitchells Blog

When Ella was born she suffered from seizures that hurt her brain...which led to a diagnosis of Cerebral Palsy. (that's my very non-medical explanation) She has been such a light and a joy to her family and so many others. But this morning Andrea's babysitter/caretaker discovered Ella in her bed, seizing. They called 911 and EMTs rushed her to the hospital. This is the same hospital that Ella was born in, the same one that she first went into seizures just after her birth. It's where she spent weeks before being released to come home with her Mom and Dad. As you can imagine, just being there brings about hard memories for Andrea and Joe, her Daddy.

The timing, as if it could be anything else, is terrible. Ella is weeks from her 3rd birthday. She has been accepted into a program that uses a special kind of therapy/education to work with children with disabilities. You can read here how Andrea was processing through Ella's comprehension issues. I know she is really scared about how the seizures this morning have effected Ella's brain now.

Please pray with me: I'm asking the Lord to supernaturally protect and heal Ella's brain. I'm praying for Joe and Andrea, that they would take comfort in the only One Who has the power to heal and Who understands Ella's condition better than anyone. Pray for renewed strength, as both of them are worn out emotionally and physically. Pray for optimism from the doctors and wisdom as they look at the CT scans and possible EEGs. And I know that my friends desire above all things to be a light to others, to allow their struggles to shine light on Jesus and His goodness.

Thank you, friends. If anything, it is such a comfort to know that you will read and pray - even for people you've never met.

Help a Sista Out!

A dear friend of mine is one of those folks who just has an eye for the aesthetic, whether it be photography, art, music, food or decorating. She was the stud who helped me paint my living room by spotlight late one evening. She is the person who I'd call to help me bring about some individuality and originality in my home.

She's entered Apartment Therapy's "Small Cool 2009" contest. If you have time, go check out her home & vote for her!

Reviving my Faith in Humanity

I've known Andrew since he was 7 years old. It's hard for me to believe that he's graduating from high school next month. But every time I read his blog I'm just so encouraged that someone his age is not only such an excellent writer, but so tender-hearted and sensitive to God's voice. Go check him out and remember that I believe the children are our future...

V.I.Peeps

I realized yesterday that this is one of those weeks filled to the brim with the birthdays of some folks I just love to death! Ack! That's both a wonderful thing and a scary thing because it means I gotta get out of my little world and help them feel loved. (Deep breath)


Monday was Sutton's birthday. He is Russ' older brother. Wish you knew Sutton (if you don't). I ALWAYS have fun around Sutton, even if he's not having fun (wink: Dallas), because he is such a good-natured guy and takes endless teasing from us with a smile. He's also very good at dishing it out and gave me a hard time right away when I began dating Russ - something I appreciate in a future in-law! Sutton is one of those guys who is good at EVERYTHING. He would argue with me about this but Johnna knows what I'm talking about: farming, flying, hunting, cooking, eating :) So we are really looking forward to driving down to San Angelo next weekend to spend time with the other Pages.


Today is this kid's birthday. My favorite memory of Noelle (and trust me, there are tons to choose from) is that we were crying together while Andrea and Joe were driving away from their wedding ceremony back in 2004. In fact, Noelle and I both got into her Volvo and drove down Central Expressway, smoking our Parliament Lights and weeping loudly to "God Bless The Broken Road", bemoaning the fact that we were (painfully) single. Just how many times did we cry that night, Noey? (the last two cryfests were likely beer-induced, to be truthful.) Noelle played a huge role in Russ and I becoming a couple, namely that she was the glue that drew us together - she.was.always.with.us. I love you, Nizzo!

It is also my friend Jess' birthday today! We met at Kanakuk many moons ago and she is now living in Ft. Collins, CO. Go see what her husband did for her birthday. I'm brimming with jealousy.

And tomorrow is another important birthday.

The bootilicious lady on the left will be celebrating far, far away from here. Kates, I think this will be one of the few times I won't be in Chicago for your birthday. Wahhhhh! More to come on that one...


On Sunday, these two ladies will celebrate their birthdays. While I won't get a chance to see Ruthie, I'll be sure and force this one to spend time with me once she returns from all her suffering for Jesus...in Vail.


So friends, I hope you all feel loved this week. You are all a bunch of dearies to me and I lift my coffee cup to you today and all week long!

My BF is a Techno Snob

So trying to keep up with Katy can be hard - seems she's always got something new in the works. (oh, you will not be disappointed if you go there) Anyway, we are now on opposite schedules. She gets off work around 5pm and that is when we are descending into the tearful hours around here. (note: if you have ever tried to reach me between 4 and 7, now you'll know why.) So the other day we finally decided to iChat. Kates does this all the time. She even suggested, "we could always Skype, too." Skype? Ain't that whut they do on Oprah? I feel so up to date by having a best friends who keeps me clued in on these things. Last night we had our first iChat date of what I hope to be many!

Getting the Thousand Words Painted

Being the kind of mom that I am, I was pretty close to having my monthly guilt trip about not having gotten any professional photos taken of Miss Pretty Pretty Princess. She's so stinkin' cute now and it seems like everyday brings new accomplishments: sleeping on her tummy, able to sit on her own, laughing...

A few weeks ago I searched out my old Kanakuk friend, Janet, who has begun her own photography business. Little did I know that she would show up and work some magic while I basically just had a typical morning with Davy. I had no idea what to expect, I just knew that I wanted a very natural setting and I wanted to capture my little girl's simple beauty.

HELLO!
go here
click on "site"
click "client images"

That's my girl! And there's so many more where that came from. The best part was that Janet and I sat down, had coffee, caught up on all kinds of life and generally had ourselves a great morning. She made the whole experience such a peaceful, enjoyable time. I highly recommend her!

Almost as bad as Mom jeans...

Rachael, who some of you know has been my breastfeeding guru for the past 5 months, finally updated her blog to share about the severity of her "Mom bob" and the cash it took to fix. I snarfed coffee all over my keyboard. Rach, I love your humor & honesty! I promise to soon post something embarrassing but true about me!