When Judson died, a couple different people blessed me with beautiful necklaces that have a photo of Jud, or a picture of Jud and Jess together.  Over time, one particular necklace became a part of me; I realized that I felt naked without it.  So unless absolutely necessary, I never remove it. Jessie has grown

Jessie had a wonderful first day of kindergarten.  She started out the day with tremendous enthusiasm and came home even more excited.  She emerged from her classroom announcing that she loved it and told everyone she spoke with how school is awesome! Ready for a new adventure. It’s a BIG day for the whole family!

It is hard for me to believe that my baby girl is starting kindergarten tomorrow. Today, on our last day of summer vacation, Jessie and I have been hunting butterflies, crabs, sea snails and bugs, playing in the sand, feeding pigeons, listening to sea lions, and enjoying the warm weather on Balboa Island.  Like so

I was chatting with a woman the other day who described herself as a “wet Christian,” while getting choked up in the midst of our conversation.  I gave her a curious look, wondering what she meant by the adjective. “I cry a lot.  I get emotional very easily,” she shared, “But it’s a good thing.” As I

The Smile Miss Jess had a fabulous FIFTH birthday at her “Sea Creatures of the Lagoon” party which included crab walk races, fishing, a salt water taffy hunt, boating, and more.  But there was one moment in the afternoon that particularly captured my heart.   The candles were lit on Jessie’s cupcake and her guests

There is a family of five that lives a stone’s throw away from us, a family we have never met, that had their world turned upside-down in a moment last week. I came home on Wednesday to a couple police cars in our area.  I didn’t think much of it at the time, but I

My Dear Little Buggy B, In just over a week you will be turning FIVE.  And I marvel at your life.  I marvel over your every breath and at how you have grown.  I marvel over how you move, play, sing, speak, laugh, jump, run, cry, and even sleep.  I marvel at your life because

Several years ago, pre-children, while at a weekend church retreat, I decided to take part in a small group discussion with the woman who had been invited to speak for the occasion.  Her words during the previous session had sparked several questions for me, so I decided to join her and a few others for