What's Up Wednesday: January 2018 Edition

I'm linking up with Sheaffer Told Me To The Larson Lingo and Mix and Match Mama for What's Up Wednesday today.

What We're Eating This Week

RECIPE HERE

Today is my last day on the Whole30 program. Bye, Felicia. Hello, Wine and Diet Coke. Seriously, it is hard, but I have learned a lot about how my body reacts to certain foods through this program. Mostly, I've learned that there really is no doubt that when I eat real food and cut out processed foods, simple carbs and sugar, I feel better. (And the whole church said, "Duh.") I've shared a few really good Whole30 recipes on the blog and I'll post a more complete review of this later, but the point is I'm eating good stuff. I've never chopped so many things in my life. And the food that God made all by His own self really is better. It takes some thought and some prep and some work, but it's just the truth. For me. One of the best things I ate this month was the Fried Cauliflower Rice from this website. 

What I'm Reminiscing About

While we've had quite a few days off of school for weather this year, we've had very little snow accumulation. Facebook keeps reminding us of past snowstorms with their "On This Day" feature, so I've been reminiscing about some epic snowstorms when between hot chocolate and light saber battles and messy dripping snow boots all over the house, we captured some of the wonder of a legit blizzard locking us out of the real world for days on end. 

What I'm Loving

This Aveda Shampure Composition Oil. My friend, Jen, has the best smelling hair of anyone I know in the entire world. In what was likely a pretty creepy text, I asked Jen what I might do to have hair that smelled like angel wings and fairy dust like hers did and she said she uses Aveda Shampure. Then, because she is the best in all the ways, she gave me the Shampure oil for my birthday which is heaven. So I'm loving it on my wrists, in my bath, and on my temples for de-stressing when my dog won't stop barking at imaginary danger out our window. It's the best.(Note: I just had visions of people who know Jen sneaking up to sniff her hair at the basketball gym or the grocery store. I wholeheartedly do not condone such behavior. Please don't. Sorry, Jen.)

What We've Been Up To

There's been a lot of winter hibernating around here. We really only seem to leave the house to buy food or watch basketball games.

What I'm Dreading

Nothing. Due to this

I'm really looking forward to a new month.

What I'm Working On

I want to turn this

Into this

lilyfieldoffurniture.com

I have a piece of furniture that was my husband's mother's which I'm thinking of having re-finished and painted. I like this idea. But let's be clear. I will not actually be working on this myself because I have zero talent in this area. I'll need some help. Luckily, I know a girl. :-)

What I'm Excited About

After 30 days without it, I will be in that drive thru at McDonald's tomorrow for one large with extra ice, please and thank you. I now know I can go many days without Diet Coke. I found that many days I didn't even miss it. I'm pretty sure I'll continue to go without for many days in a row, but tomorrow is not that day.

What I'm Watching

Steve and I are watching The Americans which is really good and also very alarming at times. I love all the 80s memories it brings up though. I also just started The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel which just won a ton of Golden Globe and SAG awards. The 1950s era clothes are to-die-for and the dialogue is witty and smart. I can tell I'll finish this show in no time. Both of these are on Amazon Prime. And guess what? If you sign up this month you can get a free 30 day trial. If I've learned anything in the month of January it's that if you really commit yourself, you can blow through quite a few episodes, if not a whole season, of a good series in 30 days. It takes some dedication and some compiling of snacks beforehand, but I believe in you, friend. You can do this. Godspeed.

What I'm Reading

I have perhaps bitten off more than I can chew by starting a whole lot of books at pretty much the same time. Here's the list.

I finished Before We Were Yours by Lisa Wingate. Really good, really sad.

I was so excited to get an advance copy of Jamie Ivey's new book, If You Only Knew:My Unlikely, Unavoidable Story of Being Free which came out yesterday. If you've read here for awhile you know that I do not miss Jamie's weekly podcast, The Happy Hour. This is her first book and it is such a great story of how God relentlessly pursues us even when we feel we have strayed too far from Him and how He will take our mess and make it beautiful. 

100 Days to Brave is the devotional I've started for 2018. Annie F. Downs has a podcast as well and she is a delight. This devotional has very short essays each day and one journal question. It's easy to get to in the morning even when you don't have much time.

I can't remember where I heard or read that When We Were Worthy by Marybeth Mayhew Whalen was good, but whoever recommended was right. I started it at the beginning of the week and I can't put it down.

What I'm Listening To

I thought this episode of Jen Hatmaker's For the Love podcast with Rachel Hollis was uplifting and inspirational during a month when I felt very low and uninspired. Now, I have yet another book to add to my list for 2018. Girl, Wash Your Face sounds like just the kick in the pants I need. It doesn't come out until February 6th, but you can preorder it here.

What I'm Wearing

I know you're shocked to see that I'm branching out in the clothing department. I fell off the wagon again and bought another plaid button down. Y'all. What is wrong with me? It was 40% off though. I love it. I love it with my whole heart.

What I'm Doing This Weekend

There will be some basketball and I would guess we'll watch the Super Bowl even though none of us has a dog in the fight. And since my Whole30 is done, I'm not going to go crazy, but there will be at least one diet Coke and maybe a carb here or there. 

What I'm Looking Forward to Next Month

I'll be speaking at the Legends Luncheon at my church on February 13th about my experiences volunteering in the pediatric cancer community over the last five years. For more information on that, go here.

What Else Is New

Tickets are on sale for the 7th Annual Kyle's Kamp Casino Night to benefit pediatric cancer research and patient care. If you're in our area, go here for tickets. My girls and I always have a great time every year.

Bonus Question: What is your favorite soup recipe?

The Chicken Tortilla Soup that our sorority house cook at The University of Texas made every week is my favorite of all time. See the recipe at the bottom of this post.

Disclosure: The View From Behind Home Plate is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affliate advertising program designed to provide a means to earn small fees by linking to amazon.com

January Stitch Fix Summary

It's Stitch Fix Review Day! I received a box at the middle of the month. To be honest this wasn't one of my favorite fixes, but I did get an awesome pair of jeans for a really great price, so I still consider that a win.

I've got some great news! If you want to try  Stitch Fix and you link there from here, they are waiving the styling fee. That means you can try this for $0 dollars which is FREE, girls! Normally, you pay $20 to receive your box of five items and if you don't choose anything you are out $20. If you do choose to buy an item, the $20 comes off the price. But today if you sign up, you can try it without paying a dime. Either way, shipping the items you don't want back to Stitch Fix is always free and easy.

Also, just a heads up. There is a Stitch Fix program for men as well. It might be a good Valentine's gift for your man. I gave it to my hubby for Christmas and he got a great pair of Tom's leather loafers in his first shipment that he really likes. I liked everything they sent him, but he was a little more skeptical. Listen, Rome wasn't built in a day. I'm holding out hope that he'll choose more than one item from his next fix. No matter what this is a great gift if your man doesn't like shopping for himself.

Here's a look at my January Fix.

Harper Lane

Melliann Thumbhole Cardigan

This olive colored sweater was slouchy and soft and so comfortable. I was *this* close to keeping it - especially after I came up with this outfit for it. In the end, I just couldn't keep it because I have three other long cardigans and this color really is not great on me. I was worried that it would sit in my closet more than on my body. This was a tough return, but I sent it back.

Jeans from Stitch Fix (see below)/ Similar Grey Booties ON SALE!/Plaid Flannel ON SALE!/Gold Hoops/Similar Watch/Tote from Stitch Fix

Nine Britton

Maybelle Tie Front Knit Top

All I could think about when I saw this top was the Chick-Fil-A cows. Which isn't great when you're smack dab in the middle of the Whole30 eating program that unfortunately does not include the joy of chicken strips and waffle fries. This was a "no" from the beginning. The tie at the waist is a cute detail, but I'm not a fan of flutter sleeves on me and the polka dots were just too big. Even when I tried to cover it up with a denim jacket, I still didn't like it. This was a return.

Similar Denim Jacket/Similar Black Jeans/Similar Flats/Silver Hoops/Similar Watch

Shiraleah

Illinois Square Scarf

This was a large scarf with some great colors. I liked it, but styling a large scarf can be tricky and my January brain can't deal with tricky. Plus, I cleaned out my closet recently and realized that I have way more scarves than is necessary for a girl with only one neck. This was a return.

Colored Denim from Stitch Fix/Favorite Boots Ever/Cardigan/Softest Tee/Similar-ish Bag/Earrings/Similar Watch

Emory Park

Dulce Hacci Knit Top

When I saw the photo card that Stitch Fix sends with the items pictured, I thought this sweater was going to be grey. It is grey-ish, but it is also purplish which is a deal breaker for me. My stylist informed me that the Pantone color of the year is violet this year. I only learned that there was such a thing as a Pantone color of the year a few years ago, so I'm too old to care about that now. And also, I dislike purple with an unreasonable passion, so I hope all the people who look good in purple will enjoy how much we'll see it this year. I'll just sit this one out. This was a return.

STS Blue

Neve Fray Hem Skinny Jean

Stitch Fix kills it in the jeans department. I really needed some jeans that were not distressed and these were perfect. The fit is great. They're skinny and don't end up bagging in the knees even after being worn all day. They have a frayed hem and were the perfect length. And at only $49.00 I thought the price was great.

Jacket from Stitch Fix/Similar Booties/Similar-ish Bag/Earrings/Similar Watch

That's it for the January review. Don't forget you can try Stitch Fix risk free by clicking "Go" on the link below to get started and I'll get a discount on my next fix which will make me so happy and grateful!
Have a great Monday! :-)

GO

Friday Favorites: January 26, 2018

It's Friday! I'm linking up with A Little Bit of Everything, Grace and Love and Momfessionals today to share some favorites from the week (or maybe even a few weeks ago. It's been awhile!)

1. Last Chance U

I just finished Season 2 of Last Chance U on Netflix and cried like a baby. It's a documentary focused on the football team at East Mississippi Community College. Many of the athletes there are trying to get back to the Division I schools that have dismissed them for academic or disciplinary problems. I can't recommend it highly enough. Although, I will tell you in all caps: THE LANGUAGE IS BAD. REAL BAD. I find myself cheering like a maniac for these kids - both in football and in their lives. The best part is the real-live-Tammy-Taylor, Brittany Wagner , who is the Athletic Academic Adviser.  Girlfriend has her work cut out for her, but she loves the fire out of these boys. She forgives and gives grace when you know that she wants to throw a football right at their stubborn heads. It is a joy to watch. Recently I heard writer and podcaster, Sophie Hudson, describe a movie as "having the Gospel written all over it." That is absolutely true of this series. For real. It's so darn good.

Miss Wagner giving somebody a piece of her mind

Miss Wagner is not buying it from Ollie

Miss Wagner tracks down a player who is skipping class

Miss Wagner visits a player who went on to big things

Miss Wagner has to say good-bye to her athletes 

2. Chili w/ Sweet Potatoes

Photo from www.tastesoflizzyt.com

I've been doing the Whole30 program this month and I happened on this chili recipe that is compliant with the program. At first I thought it would be totally weird with the sweet potatoes, but I promise you it was so good. This recipe makes a ton of chili, so you might want to half it or freeze some.

2 lbs of hamburger
1 red onion, chopped
1 tsp. minced garlic
1 can tomato sauce (29.5 oz.)
2 cups petite diced tomatoes with juice
3 cups beef stock
1 cup carrots, sliced
5 cups sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed
2 bay leaves
1/2 tsp thyme
2 tsp. salt
1 1/2 tsp. black pepper
1/2 cup chili powder
dash of oregano
dash of red pepper flakes

Brown, hamburger, garlic and onion in large saucepan and drain off fat. Place cooked hamburger in slow cooker and add all other ingredients. Cook on low 6-8 hours or high 4-6.

3. God Help Me by Plumb

For me, January has been very . . . well . . . January-ish. Nothing terrible, nothing exciting, just kind of blah. January is supposed to be new and exciting. We're supposed to have vision and motivation. I've been intimidated by the goal setting and resolution-ing I see happening on social media because I feel a little stuck. Here's some real talk: You know those periods when you doubt yourself and wonder if your dream or goal is dumb and you've been wrong all along? Those days when you compare your insides to other's outsides by wondering how it is that everyone is killing it and yet for you, just managing what to make for dinner seems a monumental task? Days it also seems that like Paul says in Romans, "I don't understand what I do. For what I want to do, I do not do and what I hate, I do."? In these periods, sometimes faith feels far away and trust seems difficult. My brain knows that He is there, but I can't seem to find Him. I don't know what season you might be in. Maybe you're kicking butt or maybe you're wondering if and when God will move or even wondering if He hears you at all. Either way, this song I heard this week is a good start for seeking Him when you're having trouble finding the words. 

4. Trader Joe's Face Mask Trio

One of the greatest indicators that I am experiencing January-ish-ness is when I spend more time in pjs and workout clothes than out of them which is not necessarily a bad thing. It might be exactly what we need. When I do that there also tends to be lots of bubble baths, facial masks and Netflix. This is combination I find quite delightful as long as it doesn't extend into Februaryishness.  I bought this set of face masks at Trader Joe's during the holiday season as one of those back up gifts you want to have in emergency situations, but ended up gifting it to my own self. I'm not sure if you can still find it at TJ's, but if not, I also got this Dead Sea Essentials Mud Mask and it was pretty great, too.

5. A Portrait of My Life

Photo Credit: Loudoun Times-Mirror

In thinking about new years goals and learning to say "no" to some things in order to say "yes" to other things, I read something which encouraged writing down where you spend your time to include activities that drain you or take your joy away and then things you love - things that give you life and bring you joy. I love writing, of course, and I'm trying to figure out how to order my life so that I make it priority. But that wasn't the first thing I wrote down. At this point in my life, I'd rather watch my kids play their favorite sports more than just about anything else in the world. It doesn't matter if they are starting players or only hit the floor/field for a minute or two. There is very rarely a time I will miss watching a game. I imagine that some folks might find that pretty pathetic and think that I need to get a life. I imagine that some might think that when these boys are gone I won't know what to do with myself. 

Perhaps, they're right. But, I'll deal with that problem when I get to it. Watching them compete has been the rhythm of my life for so long now. And frankly, I'm not even close to over it. I am unapologetically in love with watching these kids play. And when some photographer catches a moment like this one? It's not only that this perfectly shows the size of the fight in this dog, it's the fact that this shot shows fuzzy ol' me up in the corner, hands clasped in earnest, bearing witness to my kid and his teammates playing their hearts out. This is, in essence, the portrait of my life for the past 10 to 15 years. I know I'm lucky to have the flexibility to be able to be there for these moments. And I do not regret a single road trip, a single time when my back felt like it was going to break from sitting in the bleachers and not even that time when I acted a fool and the ref at a basketball game told me to "Relax, ma'am!".

(Listen, I said I was sorry, okay, but it was a bad call. Really bad. And it was the second bad call in a row from that guy. I didn't know that the whole gym would suddenly fall quiet or that he was standing right next to me when I yelled out "THAT IS JUST TERRIBLE." Also, if you must know, his shorts were too short. Anyway, I learned my lesson. Still: #noregrets)

PS If you are in South Riding and you aren't showing up to watch the Freedom Varsity  basketball games - girls or boys - you are missing out. And this is not remotely a shameless plug about my kid. We've got some players who are magical to watch. We've got a kid who has busted every single basketball record at our school. I'm telling you. Those dudes put on a show. I know everyone has 7,000 things going on, but if you find a free night, check out the schedule here.

PPS This is the same face my kid makes when I serve broccoli.

Have a great weekend everyone!

Disclosure: The View From Behind Home Plate is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affliate advertising program designed to provide a means to earn small fees by linking to amazon.com

Off-Season Training: Executing the Dawgpile

Well, it's January, Baseball Moms and Dads, and you know what that means!

Off season? Time to relax? Have dinner at a table with a knife and fork?

No. No, it does not.

Come on. A girl can dream, right?

No. No, she cannot.

You must know by now that baseball doesn't take a break. In my experience as the mom of three who have played or are playing baseball, there really isn't an off-season. Perhaps an off-week, but not a full season. I'm sure many of you are currently organizing carpools for winter workouts and schelpping through snow and ice to get your kids to various hitting lessons, catcher's clinics and/or strength and agility training.

What is that saying about how neither snow nor rain nor gloom of night will keep mail couriers from doing their appointed tasks?

Well, I see your mailman and I'll raise you one baseball mom in a mini-van. Every single time.

I'm not complaining really. I have come to enjoy my time in the parents' waiting room at the indoor facility where my kids worked out. I often write a number of blog articles in that space. Many times I've brought a book or magazine, a snack and a diet coke and even considered bringing my own throw pillow and a candle or two to brighten the place up. I was sure I would be rewarded for my time with my own parking place, but alas, that never came to pass.

Seriously, though, I actually believe this off-season work is a good idea. I agree with a phrase I heard once that "Hard work beats talent when talent doesn't work hard." And hard work often happens during the winter months. Of course every parent has to decide for their own kid, depending on his age and potential for burnout, which training is most important during the so-called "off-season".

Today I'm suggesting that for you with little kids, we take a lesson from my son, Drew and his teammates, who at the age of 8 would have told you that perhaps the most important skill to learn as a young ball player was the execution of "the dawgpile" - a baseball player's favorite celebratory act. Drew and I would contend that winter is the best time to perfect this technique because if you're lucky enough to have some fluffy precipitation on the ground, you can invite your teammates over to practice their "piling" in a soft cushion of snow.

READ THE REST HERE.

Happy New-ish Year

Well, hey, y'all, and Happy New Year!

Can we still say, "Happy New Year"? I'm hoping we can string that out at least until February 1st because my Motivated/New/Improved 2018 Self is still trying really hard to continue being my Slacker/Lazy/Incredibly Introverted End of 2017 Self.

It doesn't help that at least as far as trying to get into a routine around here there were a lot of starts and stops in these first few weeks of January. I was really productive when the kids went back to school after the Christmas break for a whopping two whole days before the bomb cyclone or bombogenesis or whatever name Al Roker invented caused school to be closed here for three and a half days.

In the past few weeks we've had both a 70 degree day of mugginess and an 11 degree day with gusting wind during which I took my dog out before 7:00 am. This is when I wondered if I missed the memo that my Word of the Year for 2018 was apparently supposed to be HEROISM. The only good thing to come of this weather pattern was the one morning of ice which lead to the first youtube video of 2018 to cause me all manner of delight.



I first saw it on the page of a neighborhood facebook group of which I am a member, so I feel very proud of the local wife of this dude who saw fit to share it with the group and just as proud that it has now gone on to great success on all kinds of national shows. I absolutely cannot get enough of watching this.

PS He's fine, by the way, so watch and laugh as many times as you please.

Anyway, after I watched that poor guy about 40 times, I had all good intentions to come here this week and recap Christmas break 2017, but as we move farther into the month, those weeks seem to be a distant, fuzzy memory. Also, to be honest, I took exactly two photos the entire time and spent an enormous amount of time in my pajamas which does not lend itself to very exciting posts or photos.

Speaking of photos, I think my Christmas Card Saga pretty much explains how I was bringing lazy back during the holiday season. First of all, we had exactly two family photos to choose from for our Christmas card. It was slim pickins' but in the end I had to choose one in which Drew is not smiling because someone got really worked up and told him his smile in previous attempts was not good enough.

(Full Disclosure: It was me. Y'all. I'm not great at this parenting gig some days. Why must we stress our kids out over something like a dumb photo that ends up in someone's recycling bin after a day or two? In 2018, I hope to remember that we mamas can apologize to our children. And we must. I'm still apologizing for that one. Geez, take it down a notch, lady.)

Anyway, it didn't even matter in the end because after I thought I mailed my cards, I got at least half of them returned to my mailbox because I just flat out forgot to put stamps on a huge stack of them.

I mean, it was almost 2018, did we really still need to put stamps on cards? Who are we the Ingalls family? It seems this is something we should have moved past by now. By the time I got a big mess of them returned with a note that said "No Postage, Moron", I was knee deep in season 2 of The Crown and honestly didn't feel like stamping my cards because that would have required walking into another room, finding the stamps, peeling and sticking them to the envelopes and walking back out to the mailbox. Not to mention I would have to lift that flag thing up.  So I was all

Unfortunately, I wasn't wearing those white gloves. That would have been awesome though. Anyway, all that to say that I basically just threw them in the recycling bin and clicked "next episode" on The Crown. So if you usually get a card from me and didn't get one, don't be offended or hurt or whatever, just know that I fell into the couch and couldn't get up.

Also, Merry Christmas 2017 from the Skinners.

I have since removed myself from the couch, sort of, only to find that everyone and their dog is really into their new year's goals. I see beautiful Instagram photos depicting planning pages laid out on a Starbucks table strategically placed next to a skinny vanilla latte and a set of colorful pens at the ready for all manner of self-improvement ideas. I've heard of people coming up with their word of the year and setting up space for quiet time and exercising and eating right. Basically, everyone is killing it at being their best selves which makes me look around like this

This is the thing. I did buy a planner. I'm so excited by it. Look at how pretty it is with my pens.

Now look at the inside.

It's blank. Blankety blank blank. No goals, no tasks, no bucket list, no answer to "Where do you see yourself going?"

I love goals y'all. I really do. I love pens and planners and all of that living-with-intention business. I think it's important and valuable. And I intend to sit down and think about my year and my goals and dreams because they are definitely in me. 

But I'm trying really hard to do that on my time when I feel the Lord leading me to sit in prayer and to listen to what He requires of me and wants for me this year. We ought not forget that the "life coach" on the Today Show or the Instagram post by a motivated friend or the thought provoking prompts in our pretty new planner are not the boss of us. If they inspire you and help you that is great. But if they make you feel like you're not doing it right remember that your life is your life. January 1st is not a magic date. I am painfully aware that life is short and tomorrow is not guaranteed, but I don't think that all is lost for your year if you haven't planned your menu for the rest of the month and you can't quite pinpoint where you want to be in 5 years. 

Appreciate your day today. Start a new eating plan. Fix your ponytail and go run that mile. Clean out a closet. Read a book. Or, if you want to, go ahead and press "Next Episode."  Who's to say that finishing Season 2 of Last Chance U is not a worthy goal for today?

My new planner is waiting for me. And today I'm taking my cue from Scarlett O'Hara:

I'll think about that tomorrow.

Happy Newish Year, Friends. 

A Wild and Precious Life: Kate Rhoades

It's January 12th.

This is a day stuck in the middle of January that for most of my life was just an ordinary day. January is filled with lots of meaningful days for me. Our wedding anniversary. Our second son's birthday. My sister's birthday. My birthday.

January 12th? For almost 47 of my years on Earth, this date conjured up no special image, no unique emotion, no specific prayer. And even still, the January 12th square on my calendar this year looks pretty typical. An orthodontist appointment. An eye doctor appointment. A basketball game.

Except for one specific reminder to myself written out in purple pen. A little girl's name. A heart-shaped scribble.

January 12th is different now.

Two years ago on January 12th Kate Rhoades died of cancer at the age of four. Two days from now I will presumably - because it is so very obviously not a guarantee - turn 49 years old, meaning I will have been given 45 more years than Kate. 16,425 more days.

Not one bit of that makes a lick of sense to me.

I believe I met Kate and her family only once before she died. Both her mama and her grandma have become friends since that day, but my heartbreak over this doesn't deserve any attention today. While my thoughts are full of her family, I won't pretend that any grief I feel is worthy of your sympathy. I shed a lot of tears this morning over this little girl and for this family, but they are but a drop in a vast, deep ocean of tears that have been and will be shed by those who knew her well.

You see, I have the great luxury of going through my January 12th making my appointments, eating my lunch, answering an email, being annoyed at traffic, lamenting the pain of my pulled hamstring, and chuckling at a funny tweet. I can just walk on through it, all with the assumption that I'll be able to celebrate my birthday this weekend with my husband and my friends and my children.

I mean, I could just treat it as an ordinary day.

But I hope that because of that little heart and those four letters scrawled in purple pen on my calendar I will do all those things a little bit differently today. I hope that January 12th will be a day when I am fully present, fully kind, fully grateful and fully aware that no day, not a single one of the 365 laid out in my new planner, is "just a day".

Today, on January 12th, some things might go wrong. Someone is going to make you angry. Something will disappoint you. Someone will cut you off in traffic. Something in the news will cause you despair. Some task will seem too hard. Something will seem unjust. Someone will hurt your feelings. Something will seem tedious and boring and ordinary.

I'm not suggesting that any of those things aren't worthy of all the feelings they will conjure up in you, but I'm suggesting that you try really hard today, on January 12th, to respond differently.

Might you give grace? Might you forgive? Might you hold your tongue? Might you work harder or on the contrary, give yourself a break? Might you defiantly find a measure of hope in a situation that seems hopeless? Might you be light in a place that is dark? Might you just utter one humble prayer of gratitude as you walk through this day?

Kate's precious little feet walked this Earth for less than five years. And in every picture or video I've seen of her, I am assured that she found the extraordinary in every, single, ordinary day.

What does this day mean for you? Does it hold weight? Good or bad? Don't let it be just a day. Whatever you're doing, wherever you go - whether in your home or in your office or in your school or at Starbucks - decide to give it weight and meaning and purpose. Find the blessing in the burden today and then for the rest of this new year, ponder Mary Oliver's famous question:

What is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?

What a wild and precious life you had, sweet Kate. It's brevity and the stories I have witnessed of your courage, your infectious giggle and the way you continue to show up in the most beautiful ways for your family will remain in me forever, teaching me what is most important today and every day forward. No day is an ordinary day. Every day can be beautiful or tragic or both. But all of them are extraordinary.

God be near you, Lindsay, Michael and Cheryl.

He's 17.

This guy turned 17 years old yesterday. He isn't a fan of a lot of attention and so I try to respect that and refrain from writing sappy, gushy birthday posts on my blog about him. They just make him sigh and think, "Chill, Mom." which is his favorite thing to say to me.

When he was born and wrapped up and placed in my arms he looked up at me with a frown and furrowed brow as if to say, "Settle down, Lady. Enough with the cooing. What's the big deal anyway?" Still, despite the fact that many days we both cannot even with each other for one more second, I have no choice. I love him so much it's stupid and unreasonable. It's just my job.

Last week, I saw the movie, Wonder, based on a book that I read out loud to all three of my boys. I looked up the definition of the word recently and found that Merriam-Webster defines "wonder" as "a feeling of surprise mingled with admiration, caused by something beautiful, unexpected, unfamiliar and inexplicable."

Kyle is, as most of your teens are I imagine, perfectly described by all of those words. He is always beautiful to me and can surprise me with things I never expected, both frustrating things that annoy the fire out of me and amazingly, sweet things that take my breath away. He can be unfamiliar and inexplicable which is normal for teenagers and maddening for mamas of teenagers. And despite how difficult I find this job of raising boys into men and how often I have to call on the Lord to remind me that He is ultimately the one who will order this boy's steps, who will be the fuel behind his every success and will be the place he will land after ever fall, I am humbled and filled with gratitude at the favor He showed in gifting me this wonder of a boy.

Happy Birthday, Kyle. You are, indeed, a wonder. And I will love you a ridiculously annoying amount forever and ever.