PS Angela

In the midst of days where I have believed the lies that the world would have be claim…a line from a song that has delightfully haunted me…

‘Don’t look to the right or to the left…keep your eyes on me.’

-Bethel Music

Surrounded by women whose company I am humbled and inspired by the other evening – I felt as though the Lord was whispering to me this line over and over.  It has stayed in my mind and in my heart.  The words are healing and are true.  They are certainly not always easy to obey; I would foolishly choose to think that relationships, great organizational skills, waking up early consistently, having a really clean house, knowing with absolute confidence what next year will hold for Abi’s education, eating well all the time, working out with great regularity…and on and on…

I am tempted to believe that those things will provide me with peace.  That they will provide me with comfort and fulfillment.  I try over and over again to control my soul’s journey…this is not what is asked of me.  Gently and graciously the Lord whispers…’please, keep your eyes on me.’ 

And in this place, here I find the fullness of joy.

Life ‘round here

I am continually laughing at the things that occur with our sweet little third that NEVER would have happened with our first (mainly) and probably not our second either…

Case and point:

Oh William – thanks for making us all more chill – it’s good to see that you’re taking your own advice.  We love you!

Oh yes, real life, hello again!

My goodness, this is just how I feel!  My darling Donald has been delightfully not working at the office for a very, VERY lovely 2 weeks.  Just bliss.  This, my friends, is how life should exist.

And consequently, life has looked very different for the past 2 weeks – the holiday season was beautiful – I am thankful.

(let’s be honest, there are more than 2 weeks represented here…but I need to do some serious catch-up!)

My abi-girl was just darling in her first Christmas pageant

We got our first REAL tree as a little family – while our ‘original’ fakerton is still proudly displayed in the office…memories are just the best.

Abi rocked it during her ‘open’ ballet class.

We made the most random, messy, and amazing gingerbread house.

 

We had so much fun at the Perot Museum…I’ve been waiting for this place to open for SUCH a long time! 

The boys & Daddy turned Nate’s crib into a big-boy bed…it is NOT going well.

We had Donald’s 30th party…such a wonderful day.

All of the roommates came in from A&M…a few little bodies have been added in the past 10 years…

We had a wonderful day celebrating Christmas…

oh right…it SNOWED

  

Celebrating New Year’s (at 8 o’clock) with the most delightful crew…

And all the random in between that makes the holidays oh so special.

 

As we start 2013…may grace and peace reign in our hearts.

A portrait of Portland

Due to the awesome generosity of many to watch our delightful children for us – Donald and I were able to get away for a long weekend to celebrate our 7th anniversary and his 30th birthday!! 

 

We got an amazing deal on plane tickets to Portland (turns out not everyone likes to fly the red-eye??) and we were off to explore a new city to both of us.

*we were there at this amazing time when the grapes are finished being harvested; and as soon as the vines have given their fruit, they die and turn this amazing color.  The fields were so beautiful.  It only last for a couple of weeks.  Such a delightful blessing.  Nature: you never cease to amaze and humble.

 

Portland, you did not disappoint.  You were filled with all things dear to the Wallace household.  Beauty, great food, awesome coffee, delicious wine, casual, more beauty, and great beer.  Dallas community of friends and family – you are the only reason we returned. 

  

*We drove to this one vista, and as we arrived, the clouds momentarily cleared and we could see a glimpse of Mt. Hood.

‘How often I have ralized the poet’s buoyant hopes amid…solitary rambles through interminable Forests!’

-Thomas Nuttal, Botanist 1834