Dentist, here we come.

September 1st was Matthew's first visit to the dentist. He did great. Like the Mainord kids before him, he was very serious.

What is this? All I said was show me your pretty teeth! 

To My East Texas Sistas

Thank you. Thank you for greeting me with a smile upon one unannounced visit. Thank you for the hospitality of family and their willingness to share such a beautiful place with us all. Thank you for driving in the dark to join us. Thank you for the laughter—oh, the laughter! Thank you for the love, grace and truth that is our friendship. Thank you for the good times. And thank you for keeping the heart strings short, though the miles are long. Thank you.

Father and Son Day, Mainord Style

Saturday was a beautiful day. The temperature was perfect outside. More wonderful still was the invitation for Andrew to spend the day with his Dad at the Byron Nelson golf tournament. They set out early, ready to get there and see the players warm-up. Margo and I quickly began to make our plans while the oldest boys were out of the house. We had just decided what we were going to cook when the phone rang.

Clay and Andrew were stranded outside the parking lot of Texas Stadium. The truck--the truck we just bought--began making a noise so horrific that the parking lot attendant asked, “What was that?” Good question! Notice, the truck did not even make it into the parking lot, but was left outside. Oh, so close.

It is worth mentioning that Andrew was not so disturbed by the truck’s sudden demise. As we drove up, he was hanging out the back window of the truck, waving and greeting each car that passed by as he directed them into the parking lot. (Where is the camera when you need it??)

Before I make a long story endless . . . I will say that even after spending two hours driving here and there, after sitting for over an hour and a half in our car waiting for the tow truck, and after talking on the almost-dead-cell-phone figuring out what to do with the truck . . . it was still a beautiful day.

The boys did get to go to the tournament for a little while. They were there long enough for Andrew to fall—to fall face down, flat on his stomach, into the grass and into the green because he was leaning too hard on the ropes, and long enough to lose one white paper napkin to the wind, only for it to drop in the middle of the fairway. They got to see some players, walk part of the course and play in the kids zone (new this year). Andrew had a great time. But mostly, he just enjoyed the day with his Dad. Beautiful.

Update: The truck is fixed, fine and done for free. Our prayers were answered!

Signed In and Lots to Say

Because the perfectionist in me would not allow me to post out of chronological order, I have not been officially "signed in" for a couple of weeks (It ain't easy being me sometimes!). I have, however, continued to script posts in my head as we experienced the events of the last few weeks: a couple of beautiful photo shoots with a talented neighbor, Easter, a trip to the emergency room with Andrew for stitches, a stroll through the Arboretum, a tornado in town, an "Excellent" art show for Margo, and much more. Often I want to record details of the small things that happen around here too, like when Matthew and I washed the dishes together, or when Margo and I walked to the store, and how I smiled the other day while I followed a small string tied carefully around a table leg in the playroom, up and over the a door knob to its' end, where I found one of Andrew's army men steadily hanging from the string--resting from an adventurous climb with Andrew, no doubt. There are many things I would also like to ponder here and think through as well (Didn't SNL already do that: Deep Thoughts . . .?),but, not now--there is basic updating to do!! (Note: 1 of 6 new posts)

Family, Friends, Flowers and Fun!

This trip to the Arboretum was proof that our family can be spontaneous and enjoy a lovely afternoon outside, in a beautiful place, even when asked to park in a remote parking lot and take a bus back because regular parking was full. Apparently, we weren’t the only family in town who thought the Arboretum would be a good idea! In fact, if you asked the kids about the day, the bus ride was one of the highlights!! Go figure!

This is the line to get on the bus!


Give us a hill, some green grass and we are good to go!


What? Pretty flowers? Just let us run!


And finally, a pose at the end of our trip . . . with the couple standing by us in line to get back on the bus.

Texas Snow

Eat a litle snow outside, or alot . . . and drink a little hot chocolate inside!

It will be in the 60s this afternoon. It is true. If you don't like the weather 'round here, just wait an hour.