TDT and 19 Years

Frazier: So, Mary-Michael, what’s it (TDT) going to be like tonight?

MM: Frazier, don’t be shy, but don’t be annoying. Talk to the girls you dance with and ask them questions, but not weird ones like “What color is your toothbrush?” If they give you short answers, it means they don’t want to talk, so don’t keep asking questions. Just dance.

Frazier: Ok, will there be food?

MM: Yes, but not til close to 9. Frazier, we might get to dance together tonight! I’m so excited!

Mom: (wide eyes and a smile)

Tonight, we are celebrating our 19th wedding anniversary (a few days early because we’ll be at a volleyball game on the 10th). Geoff, there’s no one else I’d rather walk through all of life’s joys and challenges with. Our marriage is a gift from the Lord, and I’m thankful for it everyday. You are a man of chivalry, strength and deep love for me and those who are blessed to know you. I love you so much.

Spring 2024

Spring was full of celebrations, meaningful moments, sports and family time. Though this year has had its challenges and surprises, we are grateful, and we are growing. 

Kelly Minter Conference with some of my women’s ministry friends!

Go Kings!

Mosaic night at Battlefield Elementary.

Happy 14th birthday to MM at Tyson’s!

Cadet Lawrence looking sharp.

Final year playing middle school volleyball.

Fun Run at Battlefield Elementary with Benaiah.

Our Christian Seder (Passover) meal. So special.

He is Risen!

Easter friends and family on the farm.

Spring Break mission trip with RVA Hope. Mom was able to join Leila, Mary-Michael and Frazier for this.

Frazier received the Radiant Award at school. Poppy came to celebrate.

Baseball with Grace Christian!

This child loves to dress up. Cow Day!

Fort Worth stockyard with Drew and Jana. So fun to visit Dallas in April for a conference and family time.

Despite the rain, we had a great visit with Jon and Melissa while in Dallas, too.

Mom and daughter night to see Anne Wilson!

Let’s go Kings!

Elijah House Gala and remembering Blake’s dad who started the school and went to be with Jesus earlier this year.

May Ball with TDT!

Good Citizenship Award for Benaiah!

Happy Mother’s Day at Wind Vineyards. So thankful for my momma!

Frazier made the decision to be baptized! So proud of you, buddy. You’re becoming an amazing young man of God.

My wonderful Rooted small group!

Daddy chaperoned Frazier’s field trip focused on wilderness survival.

Happy 70th birthday, Dad! You are so easy to celebrate!

Goodbye Kindergarten with Mrs. Walker!

Off to 1st grade!

14 Going On 17

Happy birthday, Mary-Michael! Oh how you’ve grown into this beautiful young woman with spirit and spunk! Your love for fashion, your endless friends from so many circles and your tenacious leadership of your siblings makes you a force to be reckoned with (in a good way…most days).

You are a smart young lady who has taken on my love for reading and studies and most definitely inherited your daddy’s quick wit and sense of humor. I personally think this is a great combination. Every year I am more certain we will be great friends when you’re an adult. You are so fun to be with. You seem to never be lacking in confidence, and I am so thankful for this as middle school years can be hard on teenage girls. I pray the truths we’ve taught you about being made in God’s image and loving others well will continue to provide you with a deep and firm foundation.

You are our little fashionista regularly sharing your opinion when asked and even when not. Frazier, Leila and I frequently come to you for advice on our attire. Now that we are the same size you regularly raid my closet, and for the most part I’m flattered that your 40-year old mother has clothes your 14-year old self would want to wear. 

You continue to be crafty and creative. You have beautiful hand-lettering that results in lovely homemade cards. You took on making personalized name decals for each of Benaiah’s classmates for their Valentine’s Day treat, which was a hit. I can spot your class work from a hundred feet away because it’s covered in color from highlighters and a variety of pens. I have a feeling your entrepreneurial spirit will lead you to a side hustle in this realm at some point.

This year you shined in volleyball, joined the Varsity Cheer team and in the off-season are regularly working out in preparation for volleyball, which is definitely your favorite activity. You’re about to wrap up your 2nd year with That Dance Thing (TDT) where you’ve made so many friends and learned the art of ballroom dancing. Church is your home away from home, and you took initiative to volunteer to serve with our kids church this year. You’ve also done a fantastic job on the Social Media Team (https://www.instagram.com/reel/C5vzx_ix0lK/?igsh=MThrNGgxM2ZxejB3ZA==). You thrive when we’re with RVA Hope ministering in the inner city, and you know the influence you have on the young girls there. I love watching you connect, play and care with such ease.

The hard truth of only having you in the home for your high school years is hard to swallow, but for ages parents have done it and children have thrived. I have no doubt when the time comes, you’ll be ready. We love you, Mary-Michael, and we’re so happy you are ours.

Love,

Momma and Daddy

Happy 6th Birthday, Benaiah!

Our Dearest Benaiah,

Oh, you are such a fun, joyful and spirited young man, and we love the way you keep all of us young and noticing the little things. You have thrived in kindergarten both academically and socially. I've been told by your teacher and other parents that you are friends with everyone, kind to everyone (even the girls) and are always smiling. Your principal hugs you every single morning when we drop you off, and shares with me secretly that you are one of her favorites. 

Almost every morning you are the first child to wake up, and the first thing you do is look for Daddy. He is still YOUR favorite. You immediately get in his chair with him and snuggle under the blanket while he reads his Bible and enjoys his morning coffee. We know the days of you fitting in this spot are numbered, so despite the discomfort, he welcomes you every time. 

You love to read, play with LEGOS (Frazier is a fantastic teacher), ride you dirt bike and scooter and race matchbox cars. Your favorite show is Spidey & Friends, and you cannot understand why you have to go to bed before your (much older) siblings. You are excited to play baseball this year, and Daddy is happy to serve as an Assistant Coach for the Diamondbacks with you. 

For career day this year you dressed in a Soul Farms shirt and hat with jeans and boots and declared you were going to be a construction worker like Daddy. You love to be with Daddy in any machine he is working in, and pretty much you'll do anything if Daddy is doing it. 

Some of your favorite foods are cheese, any kind of fruit (especially raspberries), cheez-its, pizza and rice. Your favorite books are anything by Dr. Seuss (especially Wacky Wednesday), books about super heroes and pretty much anything anyone will read to you. It's so fun hearing you read some of the words yourself as you've learned so much this year in kindergarten. You love to practice your sight words every day and complete your "homework". 

We are currently in a "phase" of you trying to exert your independence and be the mightiest even though you're the tiniest. You are loud when you don't get your way, and we are working on those big feelings you keep having. I'm thankful this really only occurs at home, and you're a gem elsewhere. You keep us on our toes!

You are a joy, young man, and we love you to pieces!

Momma

Our African Queen is 19!

Dear Leila, 

Happy birthday!! When I think of you and this past year, several words come to mind: perseverance, growth, setbacks, and courage. When I asked you last night during our quiet New Year's Eve celebration in Charleston if this year turned out how you hoped, you said no. You are not quite where you hoped to be, we had some hard moments together, and you have not yet attained your learner's permit. Understandably, that has felt so hard because at your age and stage it is a huge milestone. We can see that in 5 years it won't matter what age you received it, but your mind struggles to think like that right now. We have all grown through some hard moments this year, and I pray and believe we are all the better for it.

Despite some hardship you continue to persevere in your studying, in your pursuit of talking with friends at school who don't have a relationship with Jesus and your willingness to try new things. I see how much you’ve grown in doing hard things. I see your courage to do something new as you stepped into JROTC this year and tried out (and made!!) the worship team for youth group. These are pivotal experiences that are forming you and growing you into a woman of courage, discipline and faith.

At your parent/teacher conferences this fall, every single teacher spoke of your kindness, respect and willingness to advocate for yourself. Several spoke of times you’d stood up for your faith and been respected by your classmates. You have made great choices in friends who are spurring you on to be your best. I’m so thankful for your high values and God-honoring stance, especially in the culture and generation you are a part of.

You continue to love rice and all things spicy! This year we discovered you cannot have pork or beef likely due to Alpha-gal Syndrome (from a tick bite). We’re all eating a lot more turkey and chicken! 

Your favorite kind of day is still one that allows you to sleep late, listen to music in the warm sunshine and watch movies. Lucky for you, we regularly do only one of those - sunshine! Sorry dear. We hope you will be the better for it and learn to see the beauty in mornings and being active.

Leila, we are filled with hope for your future, and we love you. We see great potential in you, and we believe God is going to use you to bring others hope because of the story He is writing through your life.

Happy 19th birthday, our African Queen!

Love,

Momma