Classic Hilton's

Happy Father's Day to the two best fathers I know...my own Dad, who sets the bar so high!, and my husband, who has not only given me three beautiful children, but is completely invested in this parenting journey with me! In celebration of the men in our life, I made Ray an omelet (my first ever attempt!) which Brooklyn and Grayson delivered to him in bed. Then we got ready for church, I had a pregnancy hormone induced meltdown which scared everybody in the family, and we were on our way!   We had a wonderful time of worship and connection. I absolutely love looking at scripture through the filter of our absolutely epic story -- Creation, Fall, Redemption, and Restoration. This is the winning formula that we find in all great storytelling mediums!  Jeffrey took us all to lunch at La Parilla, which was a really delicious and good time! Grayson and Brooklyn, despite being tired, were remarkably well behaved. Brooklyn and I played games with Grayson to keep him awake on the ...

Dear Madi, This has been a delightful pregnancy! Really and truly, the last nine months have flown by without much more than the run of the mill pregnancy bumps. But it's time to be done. While I know the next phase of our relationship will have its share of challenges, I am ready to move on and start facing them. In these last two weeks you have become very heavy, putting pressure on all the wrong parts of my body!  I ate the eggplant parmigiana last night at Scallini's, so feel free to make your move in the next 24 hours! Like I said, we're ready! But of course, if you want to wait until Friday you are more than welcome to (like I really have a say in the matter!) It is exciting and unreal to think that one way or another, by this time next week you will be here in our arms!

Lord, As I sit here working on VBX dramas, I am amazed and awestruck by you. Some people might look at this as trite, but I look at it and see art. Everything comes together for the sole purpose of telling your story of restoration. I love the widespread collaboration -- not a moment of time is wasted! The message, which is so clearly your  message is reiterated from first greetings to last good byes. And the best part of all is that it is truth. THE TRUTH - not a watered down version for kids, but everlasting, all powerful, reaching across time and space, speaking into all hearts Truth .  Lord God, Creator who made us in your own image, be honored and glorified by the work of our hands.  I will hope continually and will praise you yet more and more. My mouth will tell of your righteous acts, of your deeds of salvation all the day, for their number is past my knowledge. With the mighty deeds of the Lord God I will come; I will remind them of your righteousness, your...

Grayson is now 15 months old - a true toddler if ever I've met one! I've been looking through pictures and blogs and videos of the last year (my nostalgia is in full bloom, I guess because Madi is so close), and I am amazed, not only by how much my children have grown in the last year, but also by how much they are the same. Watching some of those early videos, I see Grayson's personality right there in his little face. The determination and thoughtfulness that so characterize him now were absolutely present, even when he was just a few hours old!  I already said this, but really I am in awe of my children. In the last few months I have seen Brooklyn mature. I have watched her take on more responsibility, take ownership of her behavior and choices, and (best of all) respond to people with a servant's heart. Don't get me wrong - she still has her days and she is still very much a six year old! But she is growing, spiritually, into a lovely young lady.  Grayson to...

May was a marvelous, milestone filled month! We marked the end of two great CYT classes with very successful performances, Brooklyn turned six, and completed her kindergarten year. Great stuff! Things moved at a break neck pace as we moved from one event to the next, but I think this last week is the one that really takes the cake. It started last Friday, Brooklyn's first day out of school. Mom and Ray, with "help" from me and the kids, moved Brooklyn into Grayson's old room and Grayson and Madi into Brooklyn's room. Then Ray and I got hit with major, terribly painful sinus infections. Now here is where I have to pause and toot the horn of my parents. Give Dad a hammer and point - he'll get those pictures up in no time! As for Mom, we may not always agree on matters of design, but she has a great eye, and even more importantly, she gets the job done!  They really are the best.  So after all their great help, and with Ray and I feeling better, Mom and Dad lef...

I have this pregnant waddle thing down pat. I felt the waddle coming on a few months ago, but I promise, I did my level best to fight it, to walk normal and keep good posture. Well, I'm done. I give in to the waddle. Today is June 2nd, so we have exactly 20 days until "D Day", and I could not be happier about the way this pregnancy has turned out. Good weight gain, normal BP, great baby movement, even the morning sickness was more mild than the other two.  Even so I have to say that I am a little uncomfortable. Make that a lot uncomfortable. From my hormone induced headaches to my swollen feet, there is not a single spot on my body that is unaware that baby is on board! What seems especially ironic to me is that all the pain and discomfort I am feeling - the contractions, loose ligaments, etc - is my body practicing and getting ready for an event that in all likelihood will never take place.  I'm a planned C-section, so even if I do go into labor before the 22nd,...