27Jul / 2014

…Getting There

Every summer we plan a family vacation. Sometimes they are more along the lines of a “stay-cation” and sometimes they are a full on travel-agent like planned event. This year we were met with a dilemma. This July was our 20th anniversary. Eric and I usually take a “big” trip every 5 years for our anniversary. We also wanted to take the kids on an adventure too. Time off and money dictated we couldn’t do both separately. So here we are now. Taking a trip together and celebrating 20 years of marriage.

The plane tickets were bought, lodging reservations made, car rental reserved and Pinterest packing list downloaded.

With 4 carry-on wheeled bags in tow, backpack for each of us and a large suitcase full of vacation necessities we were ready to go.

We flew Southwest, which is always a great experience… especially if you upgrade to the Early Check-in Status!

We left from Dallas-Love Field with a lay over in Houston on our way to Tampa, Florida.

It wasn’t long before our adventures began. While in Houston waiting for our connecting flight Emmarie and I made a stop at the ladies room. After a lengthy wait for Emmarie who did not exit from the stall, I went to check on her. Evidently her stall door stuck and she could not get out. Luckilly she’s 11 and can make her way under a bathroom stall door! To commemorate the event we took a snapshot of her with the stubborn stall door.

The trip continued. One of the sweetest things about my kids is the way they interact and play with one another. Today’s plane ride was no exception. Instead of being consumed with their own devices they opted to play card games to pass the time. Not once was there a disagreement over the rules or accusations of cheating. Made this mama’s heart proud (and secretly happy I packed the deck of cards)!

The adventure continued. Upon completing our paperwork for the rental car we went to retrieve it. Somehow we managed to get lost… IN THE AIRPORT! All was not lost, the car rental agency did not have the Explorer we had upgraded to, so in it’s place the only option was a 2015 BMW X5! Who knew it was Christmas in July!?!?!?

There were a few more mishaps along the way as we drove from Tampa to Titusville. To protect the innocent I will just let the readers know it is a very good thing to have leather seats and ziploc baggies when one is on vacation.

While there were some hiccups, the drive was enjoyable. It was especially enjoyable when an afternoon heating shower treated us to a full rainbow.

By the time we arrived in Titusville it was time for dinner. As I have done on many other vacations I used the Urban Spoon app on my iPhone to help choose a local restaurant. The app led us to Dixie Crossroads Seafood Restaurant. The restaurant is surrounded by water and while you wait to be seated customers can see close to 3 dozen red-eared slider water turtles of various sizes actively swimming, a surprisingly large soft-shell turtle, multitudes of tilapia and one lone bright pure orange koi fish. The meal was decent in taste and price. I do think the Wilson family prefers their seafood with a Cajun flair and that may have skewed our opinion.

Following dinner we drove out to a barrier island, where, to our surprise about a dozen cats were hanging about, perhaps to feast off the fisherman’s throw backs.

It is so good to be on the trip and ready to embrace the adventures of the upcoming week as a family and as a couple. Stay tuned as more posts will follow sharing the much anticipated adventures this week will bring.

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03Jul / 2014

What’s cookin’?

Well, those that know me well enough know I can make my way around the kitchen, but in most cases I avoid it. Cooking is one of my least desired tasks.

Fortunately, that isn’t the case for Embug. She has a growing interests and enough confidence to give it a shot. So what was my approach? Probably not the standard best practices, but here it is.

I gave her some magazines that feature between 10 and 12 recipes per issue. Let her look through them and target 3-4 recipes she wanted to try that could be a meal for the family. We reviewed the ingredients list for them, preparation involved and then determined when she would make them. Together we made a grocery list. This first go around I did not take her with me to the store because it was on my way home from work. However, as part of this process I will involve her in the grocery buying as well.

Once I purchased all the ingredients, then it was up to her. I let her figure things out. She was very resourceful, Googling how to do things like clean a Portabello mushroom, and of course asking her dad and I for assistance when she needed it.

What I learned:

1. She has observed a lot over the years of seeing me and her dad “work” and “prepare” food in the kitchen.

2. She is very adventurous and always saw the learning in the process even when the final product wasn’t the hoped result.

3. She is quite the natural.

4. She enjoys this and it helps her “think” and “process” in a non-academic setting that is building problem-solving muscles that will benefit her in academic settings.

5. She grew in knowing herself and seeing what she is capable of doing.

Her first epicurean adventure was Portobello Mushroom Burgers:

She also made a seafood chowder one day when I was at work, but her dad was nearby (home office day). I didn’t get pictures of it, but she did phenomenal.

Her third adventure was Chicago Style Pan Pizza, which she did with the help of a good friend:

Her latest endeavor was Stuffing Filled Artichokes. It was a lot of work and minimal on the result. It was probably her biggest disappointment.

Funny thing about this is we, as a family, decided we did like the artichokes… even Kritter. Embug just determined the stuffing was unneccessary. So we will have steamed artichokes again… just not as the recipe calls.

Not a bad start for Embug and we all are so excited someone likes to whip up a storm in the kitchen!

If you have a suggestion for our budding chef please share! What ways is your home being adventurous via your children?

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21Jun / 2014

Savoring the little things…

I started this blog to capture the more personal part of my life. I have been blogging for over a year professionally. The problem is, I want to thoroughly process and present a perfect post…. EVERY TIME.

What results… I don’t post.

So I didn’t post about Embug’s volleyball team winning the 12U championship.

I didn’t post about the end of the year awards for the kids.

Kritter with Mrs. Burnett- 2nd Grade Awards

Kritter with friends celebrating a great 2nd Grade year

Embug at 5th grade Graduation with Mrs. Daniel

Embug with one of her besties… all smiles for these future Middle Schoolers!

I didn’t post about the 5th grade clap out. The one most significant event that happens at Haslet Elementary on the last day of school to bid farewell to their oldest members of the student body.

Silly girls getting ready to exit the building.

I failed to post Embug’s choir singing “God Bless America” at the Rough Rider’s game in the 7th inning stretch at Dr. Pepper Ballfield in Frisco.

What I realize is that I am missing moments both big and small because I am waiting for the perfect time to create the perfect post. What’s the use of a blog if you don’t utilize it for what it was intended… right?

So I plan to be more intentional with posting and less concerned about how perfect it looks. For your grammar, spelling and format wardens… I apologize if my errors annoy you. This blog isn’t for you anyway. It is ultimately a journal of memories and moments that capture the beauty, struggles and human moments of my life and the life of my family. It is a legacy for my family that I wish to share with the world… and as a way for our family far and near to have a window into our lives. Frankly, I am not the best and keeping everyone up to speed.

So, in the first part I shared some big events that happened over the course of the last few weeks. Less “braggy” moments, but my personal favorites that I didn’t post were:

Embug totally digging the Indy Car Race at Texas Motor Speedway

Kritter explaining framerate to decrease lag in Minecraft.

Catching Embug and Kritter disagreeing while playing Minecraft. (love it… when I catch us being real)

And finally, Embug showing me how important it is to savor quiet moments with a cup of Jo. (I think she’s 11 going on 50!)

So here’s to capturing the real moments in life and learning from them. I love telling our story. I hope you enjoy reading it.

Until next time…

Remember…

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25May / 2014

Where God-given Talent can take you…

If you asked me to describe my oldest in just a word or phrase, I struggle. She’s an incredible young lady. Kind, empathetic, creatively smart, and wise beyond her years of youth.

When I say creatively smart… she does well with academics and responds to tasks with out of the box ideas. But that isn’t the true creativity in her. Her creative being shines through her artistry and music.

This spring there have been several celebrations of Embug’s gifts.

Her Artistic Talent

The celebration of her art was when she was showcased at the Northwest ISD Art Show.

Her Art teacher at Haslet Elementary, Mrs. Chelsea Rhoades, has been grooming Embug’s gifts since Kindergarten. While Mrs. Rhoades’ impact on Embug is far beyond her artistic growth, her direct impact on the development of her skills is evident.

You can see the influence of Georgia O’Keefe in the detail of her still life flowers and the spirit and essence of the process from artists like Vincent VanGogh. However, if you ask Embug she will tell you that there isn’t really one artist that truly influences her, except for Mrs. Rhoades.

The teacher does matter.

Her Musical Talent

This spring Embug has continued to spread her wings with her voice. She sang in her campus spring performance and did a rendition of “Amarillo by Morning” re-phrased for her principal called “Haslet Elementary.”

The same choir was invited to sing the “National Anthem” at the opening of a Northwest High School varsity baseball game.

Beyond her school choir, Embug has grown her talent through Cantare’ Children’s Performance Choir. This spring Embug has sung as one voice with this phenomenal choir, while also being showcased through ensembles and solo opportunities. Her confidence, stage presence, musical intelligence and gifted voice have flourished.

Events have included the choir’s performance at the Denton Art and Jazz Festival.

Mrs. Peggy the choir’s director has actively sought out competitive venues for Cantare’. That resulted in Embug and her fellow choristers performing at a recent Music Festival hosted at a nearby community water park, NRH2O. The choir received Superior ratings in all areas.

To top the spring season off, the Cantare’ choir did an incredible Spring Concert Showcase. It was amazing to see the pride, passion and professionalism that the gifted singers shared in their hour and fifteen minute performance. The adults that facilitate the Cantare’ Performance Choir opportunity continually push the envelope. They challenge each individual chorister to constantly improve and refine their gift. In each group and individual performance the precision and excellence presented at the Spring Concert Showcase was absolute perfection.

I hope to be able to share portions of the performance soon once a DVD is provided to the parents.

Coming Soon

Embug continues to amaze us with her talents, her willingness to work hard to improve and her eagerness to take risks. Soon she will be performing for the Music Guild of North Texas to showcase her talent in piano. The Cantare’ choir is going to be singing a difficult 4 part harmony rendition of “God Bless America” at the Rough Rider’s in Frisco, Texas on June 8th. Embug will also be part of the Northwest ISD Middle School Musical cast for “Little Mermaid.” Finally, Embug will continue to seek ways to practice her gift for artistry as we redesign her area of our upstairs playroom to better suit her needs for a full art studio.

As a mom, I couldn’t be or amazed or proud of the gifts Embug has been blessed with, nor the tenacious persistent attitude that she pursues and perfects these gifts. Embug recently said to me, “Mom, I really appreciate you taking me to all these events and appointments. I know it makes things really busy for everybody.” I was completely caught off guard, as I have never considered this to be anything but a privilege to create opportunities for her to access what she needs to develop her talents. I responded, “Honey, I love doing this for you. It is a privilege and honor to do this for you.”

And don’t you know… I would have gone to any lengths to provide her opportunities such as these, but her appreciation and gratefulness not only made my heart soar with gratitude, but you can bet this Mom has no qualms about being a taxi to events for as long as she wants me!

What a privilege it is to see God’s gifts in your children grow and develop.

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11May / 2014

11 Things my Mother Taught Me

This is the last picture of my mother, Mary Lou Huitink, and I together before I became a mother. I had achieved a huge personal and professional goal… my Masters Degree in Educational Administration. I was driven, setting my sights on my next goal and at the same time starting to think about starting a family of my own. Since that day 13 years ago I have had the privilege of becoming a mother of 2 wonderful children, Embug and Kritter. In that time I have realized some very important “lessons” my mother taught me but I did not fully realize until I became a parent myself.

There are many more lessons this but these particular ones rise to the top when reflecting on my mother’s “Mom-isms”:

1. Take the time to listen when your children share with you… when you listen with little things they will come to you about the big things.

2. Provide your children exposure to many creative pursuits, i.e. piano lessons, quilting, crafting, book clubs, baseball, soccer, gymnastics, etc. This exposure may determine their future occupation and/or avocation.

3. Encourage your children to try again when they fail, and when I mean encourage… strongly push them. In other words, when your children fall off the horse, make them get back on it.

4. Don’t give them everything they want. Make them earn it.

5. Lead your children by serving them and your spouse. Stress that they learn to serve one another and those around them.

6. Model that everyone is deserving of respect and kindness. Every job, role, person is of value. Value each person as God does… as His creation.

7. Let their dreams be their dreams. Don’t let the hopes and dreams you have or had become their responsibility. They are uniquely and wonderfully made for God’s purpose, not yours.

8. Teach, model and practice the art of worship. Talk about God’s mercy, kindness and unconditional love. Share your favorite hymn or praise song. Celebrate the stroke of his hand in the sunset, rainbow and beauty of a fresh snowfall with them.

9. Pray with them and for them.

10. Spend special time with them and only them. This provides time for them to share their dreams, for you to share specifically why they make you so proud of them, and, most of all, assure them how much you love them.

11. Laugh with them and teach them to laugh at themselves.

Happy Mother’s Day Mom. Thank you for the wisdom and lessons you have taught me that I have put into practice with my children.

Happy Mother’s Day to all the other mothers and grandmothers that may read this. Please feel free to post the lessons you have learned from your mother or other mentors that have helped you navigate the job of parenthood.

Honored to be a Mother of 2 wonderful kids and the daughter of an amazing woman,

Kirsten Wilson

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