Classic Hilton's

March comes in a like a lion, what else? Still the snow, never melts! (If you're singing along to Seven Brides...you're right!) Where did that saying come from anyone? I get it. February was so mild, it felt more like spring than winter. Then just before spring actually arrives we get our only significant snow of the season! We had a great overnight snowfall, a real snow day, the kind where everything actually closes (my favorite!). Everything should have closed the next day too because of the winds and the drifts. Downright dangerous! But we made it through, alright. Aside from the weather, March was a whirlwind of activity. Grayson's sixth birthday, Jonah opened at Sight and Sound, Piercing Word/King's Kid's rehearsals, and Ray's birthday all kept me pretty busy. We have one more week to go during which we have Madi's birthday celebration for her preschool class (her birthday is in June - don't ask), Brooklyn's Broadway Studio showcase, our...

One of the podcasts I like to listen to is Homeschool Snapshots with Pam Barnhill. It's a peek into the lives of the homeschooler next door. She often asks her guest, "What literary classic is your homeschool day most like?" and occasionally she gives options: Swiss Family Robinson , Little Women , or Lord of the Flies . I finally know what my answer would be. This weekend we took the kiddos to see Little Women by the marvelously talented folks at Servant Stage Company .  That's when it hit me. When my kids get a second of time for free play (which is pretty often), the go up to our playroom, dress in costumes, blast some tunes, and put on a show! I've always identified with Jo, the night owl whose mind comes alive with stories! Plus she starts a school with the house left to her by her aunt, so, bonus!

"Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, 'Lord, save me!'" In Matthew 14:22-33, Peter experiences the miraculous. Again. Earlier in the week, John the Baptist had been beheaded. Grieving, Jesus and his disciples withdrew to a remote location for some privacy and instead encountered a crowd of needy people. Jesus had compassion on them and spent the rest of the day teaching and healing and then feeding them all a huge meal with just a few loaves and fish. Then Jesus puts his disciples into a boat and went away for some quiet prayer time. I imagine there were some big emotions on the boat that evening. The rush of the miracle, the demands of the crowd, the ache of sadness accompanying the news about John, the fear that they could be next on Herod's list (!), and the exhaustion of such a full, demanding day...so much so that they didn't even not...

We have entered into birthday season and I am lost somewhere along memory lane. This evening I came across this gem from my blog, written five years ago: "Where do you see yourself in five years?  Isn't that a strange question to ponder? My life today is so drastically different from where we were  one  year ago, I can't even begin to imagine what five years might be. Brooklyn will be 11.  ELEVEN!!  Jr high! Puberty!! Grayson will be six, and tiny, newborn Madi will be five. So hard to imagine! I can only hope that Ray will be working steadily as an actor, earning enough to cover our bills, and that I will be coordinating multiple classes and shows for CYT Smyrna which by then will be boasting enrollment numbers in the hundreds and a staff of more than two. I can dream." Well here we are...five years later! Grayson IS six. Brooklyn and Madi are on their way to 11 and 5. Ray IS working full time as an actor, covering our bills, and I am living m...

Our days in this season of life follow a very relaxed structure. Each day has such very different demands. While I would prefer to go with the flow, whatever that may be, my kids prefer a more defined plan. They like to know what to expect at any given moment. So our daily rhythm falls somewhere between these two extremes.  My day starts between 6:30 and 7:00 AM with coffee and my Bible. I love connecting through Hello Mornings because of its grace based approach to starting my day in submission to the Lord. Through accountability, community, and Bible study I get that flexible structure I need - a big theme in my life right now! My "early riser" (the four year old) will often join me on the couch while I read. My husband makes breakfast while I enjoy a second cup of coffee and supervise morning chores. By 9 AM he is out the door to work (except when he's not...because that would be too easy.) At this point I give my kids a warning that we will start our school day at 9...