New every morning

My total lack of perfection in, well, many of the things I'm trying to do right now is one reason my word for 2017 is grace.

We may be disorganized around here, but we're looking forward to 2017.

Celebration

Just a birthday girl and her dog.

Dignified

Habibti really appreciated how dignified Evelyn's birthday party was.

One

One year ago today our lives suddenly got a lot more complicated, sleep-deprived, and absolutely delightful.

Balloons

Evelyn had a great time with the balloons from the joint birthday party a couple weeks ago!

Cupcake

Evelyn tried out a pre-birthday cupcake in Michigan. It met with her approval.

The whole thing was painstakingly documented, of course.

Ice cream

Evelyn celebrated the 4th by trying out ice cream for the first time with Aunt Yana.

4th of July

America isn't perfect...by a long shot, but I'm still really glad I live here and that Evelyn has as chance to grow up here. Happy Fourth of July!

Waiting

Evelyn is all ready for Grandma and Grandpa to arrive tomorrow... (Mommy and Daddy are pretty excited to see them too.)

Halloween

Evelyn had to go to bed before she could hand out any candy to trick-or-treaters, but she supervised the pumpkin carving before going to sleep.

Pumpkins

Yesterday, we went to the Dallas Arboretum's Fall Pumpkin Patch so Evelyn could see what fall is sort of supposed to look like. I had a great time!

Evelyn, however, was initially skeptical about taking pictures...

...and then unquestionably unimpressed.

Regeneration

Because of the three day weekend, Rebecca and I took advantage of the beautiful weather to try out a new hiking trail south of us called Cedar Ridge. It was a glorious hike - the sort that restores the soul.

Alive

(Duomo, Florence)

Matthew 28:6

He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay...

Best

...and happiest of birthdays to the most wonderful husband in the world!

(Benjamin at the Cairo Museum, Egypt, 2007)

Still life

Sunday birthday brunch.

Seeing stars

...and hearts! To celebrate Valentines Day, I made heart and star shaped doughnuts.

Gypped!

(4th grade MKS students during a basketball tournament)

This picture quite handily sums up my feelings about the anticipated snow day that failed to materialize yesterday.