Category Archives: Family Life

Christmas Reflections

Posted on 26 December 2011 by Valarie

This has been one of the best Christmas celebrations we’ve had in ages.  It is one of the few times when I’ve managed to pull it all together in time to have everything ready.  I even got our newsletters out … Continue reading →

Posted in Family Life, Friends, Kids | Tagged | 7 Comments

Thankful for 25 Years

Posted on 24 November 2011 by Valarie

Two days ago, Gaylon and I celebrated our 25 year wedding anniversary.  I never really thought we’d make it this far.  Not because I thought, going in, that we’d get a divorce, but because when I was nineteen years old, … Continue reading →

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Floating Rosary

Posted on 21 October 2011 by Valarie

We have the most awesomest homeschool support group ever!!  This afternoon, they gathered together to pray for an end to abortion, and then, in honor of the Respect Life Campaign and of October being the month of the Holy Rosary, … Continue reading →

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Thoughts On Quilting

Posted on 28 September 2011 by morningtower

I have been really getting into this quilting thing! I think the trick was to give myself permission to be imperfect. That, and the fact that I realized that our quilting teacher in North Carolina, although excellent, was a tad … Continue reading →

Posted in Family Life, Kids, Quilting | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Sorrows

Posted on 15 September 2011 by morningtower

Today is the Feast Day of Our Lady of Sorrows, which in itself sounds oxymoronic to me. Somehow, “feast” and “sorrows” just don’t mix well in my mind.  But in the Catholic understanding of spirituality, those two things do, indeed, … Continue reading →

Posted in Family Life, Kids, Spirituality | Tagged , | 4 Comments

Endless Summer of Quilting

Posted on 12 September 2011 by morningtower

I love seasons, and in particular, I love to have four of them.  But apparently we are only having Summer this year in South-Central Texas.  Temperatures are projected to be back in the 100′s this week!  This is not the … Continue reading →

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Ghosts of 4th of July Past

Posted on 1 July 2011 by Valarie

It’s official.  I am homesick.  I am also thinking that if I got in my car RIGHT NOW and started driving, I would get to North Carolina in time for the 4th of July party at the Gundersen’s.  I miss … Continue reading →

Posted in Family Life, Friends, Kids | 1 Comment

Summertime Ramblings

Posted on 1 July 2011 by Valarie

After we got somewhat settled in here in Austin, I got with a couple of the moms who are in charge of our homeschool support group and offered to create a yearbook. They thought it was a great idea, and … Continue reading →

Posted in Family Life, Food and Drink, Genealogy, Kids, Travel, Weblogs | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

High School, Again??

Posted on 16 June 2011 by Valarie

Somehow, my “Baby” will be starting High School this Fall.  I had been warned that this would happen, that they would all eventually grow up, and I have tried to savor every possible moment so that it couldn’t possibly slip … Continue reading →

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Armored Yard Bandits

Posted on 17 May 2011 by Valarie

Okay, this post should probably go under the “Only In Texas” section, but I thought my title was a bit more catchy, LOL!  We have been absolutely baffled by a phenomenon that keeps taking place in our front yard.  We … Continue reading →

Posted in Family Life, Only In Texas | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

Birthday Time!

Posted on 14 May 2011 by Valarie

When my daughter turned one, we threw a small, family party for her, and fed her chocolate cake.  She promptly smeared it all over her face and high chair!  We laughed, and took pictures. (What else?)  Then, for the next … Continue reading →

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Memory Lane

Posted on 7 May 2011 by Valarie

I have been in North Carolina all week, and it has been such an odd experience!  I have traveled 1100 miles, and yet, I feel so at home here, that it feels very much like I’ve not gone anywhere at … Continue reading →

Posted in Family Life, Friends, Travel | 2 Comments

Butter!

Posted on 22 April 2011 by Valarie

I don’t have a lot of time to write anything deep and meaningful, and with today being Good Friday I feel like I should. However, I am very happy to announce that my butter molds turned out perfectly this year! … Continue reading →

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New Chapter

Posted on 7 April 2011 by Valarie

It has been many years, almost nineteen, actually, since we’ve had only once child at home.  With Alex going off to Boot Camp this week, and Kendall still in North Carolina, it has been eerily empty here.  Abby has been … Continue reading →

Posted in Family Life, Homeschooling, Kids | Tagged | 1 Comment

Surprise!

Posted on 2 April 2011 by Valarie

Alexander was born suspicious. All his life, he’s been suspicious, and while in and of itself, that’s not necessarily a bad thing, it makes it almost impossible to surprise him. But, last night, we did it! In fact, he was … Continue reading →

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