My January boy/January man....

I don't know if it occurred to Given, but this is his first birthday away from home!  It has occurred to me several times  throughout the day.  I miss him immensely and we are all thinking of him. 
He was born on a Superbowl Sunday 19 years ago today.  The cowboys were playing, but I have no idea who.  I do remember being settled into a room with a TV and that made Brayde happy and I do remember that the doctors did not seem to be available until after the game started! Hmm?  We are proud of the person he has become and is becoming.  I still see the little boy with the luminous smile. He is an artist and a scholar and a man with a big heart.  Our January man.

Afterschool nap

The Judge had a long week! He came home from school Friday and napped on the couch and rested his brain! Exhausted-EXHAUSTED-Exhausted. Spelling bee champ. He is advancing to the next level. February 25.

Judge wins the Spelling Bee!

I was a little disappointed this morning after Justice decided to change out of the black slacks, cool blue shirt and tie that I had pressed for his special day as a " Spelling Bee" participant. He normally wears a "school uniform." I assured myself that it was fine and that I wanted him to be comfortable. I recalled how when he was 3 years old and used to wear his shirt inside out and backwards. When I pointed it out to him he would just smile and assure me and say "That's ok Mamma," and then run along to play. He opted to wear his jeans and a comfy shirt today. He was cool, calm, collected, and comfortable as he won 1st place in the school Spelling Bee! +Brayde McClure and I beamed as we sat and listened and were so proud! We of course are proud of all our children!

Asian lettuce wraps

I could make a 100 or more of these with all the lettuce in our garden!

Practice for Judge

Conditioning practice at the Batters Box! That is sweat!

Sugarsnap peas and tomatoes... Pomme d' amour, "love apples.

Pomme d' amour, or love apples, that's what the French call them and I will too from now on!

Down to two again

I almost never turn the (idol) T.V. on when I am alone in the house.  It is usually the music that comes on, but even Mazzy Star and Lucinda Williams are silenced for now.

It's the first time since having all the "Original Five" return to their perspective abodes that I am able to reflect on our most recent times together during the Holidays and the college breaks.  There are reminders of their stay here, a black sock left by one of the boys, a tattered coin purse left by Monica in exchange for a new one, Rebekah's cute argyle socks, remnants of Given's clay and tools , a small red chair given to Kindred, but forgotten and books read by Bryden placed around the house.  There are other reminders as well.  The laughter, the questions, the tension, the love, the music and the threads used to continue the tapestry of our lives.  I always try and remind myself whenever we are so blessed to be in the presence of each other to revel in the time and love we have for one another.
I miss them but I trust that they are carrying the light.
The "new two " will be back soon and the volume will be raised.  I delight in that as well. (Most of the time) .
Nosotros Portamos La Luz!

Wedding Reception pics

Although not all of the family was able to be witness to the marriage of Casey and Corinne we were delighted to be a part of the celebration at the Wedding reception.  They were married in the Bahamas, but had their reception in Luling, Texas at the historic Zedler Mill.

Retirement and Weddings

Once again in the recent days I have had the privilege of being in the presence of love and family.  I spent some time in Luling and Austin celebrating a retirement and a wedding!

My nephew Joe Sanchez Jr. retired from the City of Austin after 21 years of service.  There were many friends  and co-workers there and the kindness they expressed to him was touching.  He will start a new job this week!  This time with the State of Texas....so I guess that is the way retirement goes these days.

Reflections

The San Marcos River in Luling, Texas.
Reflecting much...Here I've swam before.

Texas Backyard Bonfire!

No sound here!

Besides the occasional hoarse voice of my old cheerleader days I have never totally lost my voice.

I am voiceless this evening.  There is no sound here.  I speak but can not be heard.  There is only a whisper.

It causes me to smile at our God who designed us so intricately and precisely.  

It causes me to have compassion for people who can not speak and who might have so much to say.  Justice recently read a book about a brilliant autistic girl entitled "Out Of My Mind"  We talked about how hard that must be for people who want to speak so badly but can not.

It causes me to think of times when I speak ( with sound ) but am still not heard.

It causes me to think of the voiceless unborn.

Of course it is true that people sometimes choose to be silent in order to think or clear their minds, and on occasion I do the same.  However, the thoughts are much deeper when it is out of your control.

So I am sitting here and thinking without a voice.

No voice here.  Just the sound of my thoughts.

It makes me want to chuckle, but I can't!

Some favorite Holiday Pics.

 Happy to see my beautiful family members!  It had been way too long, but it was a perfect time.

 Roaring Twenties Style...These two would have fit right in.

These are a few of my favorite Holiday pictures.  They make me smile and I am reminded of how precious our time together is.  More to come....

Morning Harvest!

Compliments of our personal gardener!

Happy New Year! Roaring 20's style!

Thinking it will be a Roaring 2012 as well! Happy New Year to All!