Sisters are forever friends.

~Unknown Author

Weekend in Austin

Our family traveled to our old hometown, Austin, last weekend. It was a pleasure to see friends and visit some of our favorite Austin sites. For lunch, we stopped by a quirky Austin restaurant called Shady Grove--one of our favorite eating destinations. Patrons eat outside under large trees and enjoy live music while eating their uniquely Austin-ish food.

Brian devoured the famous Tortilla Fried Queso Catfish and I enjoyed beef brisket tacos. The food was amazing!

We then headed to Town Lake (not really a lake--it's a widening of the Colorado River just south of downtown) for kayaking. Maren and I paddled one kayak while Brian, Nathan and Caroline paddled the other. We had fun chasing turtles and enjoyed the company of two large swans that decided to follow us around. When Nathan grew tired of paddling, he jumped into the lake and held onto the back of the kayak while Brian paddled. He thought this kind of "body surfing" was a lot of fun.

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Maren preferred jumping off the dock.

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Saturday evening we reunited with some of our good friends and enjoyed dinner together. Austin will always hold such special memories for our family. What a fun place to live!

Back to School

Today our fourth and second graders began another school year. In one word Nathan described his day as "Spectacular!" Maren exclaimed that her first day was "Awesome!" I hope this enthusiasm continues, even with homework.

Loving Grandparents visited Sarah's grave this evening and left a vase of late-summer flowers. Thank you for thinking of Sarah today. We love you Mom and Dad!

Precious Reminders

It is such an unexpected pleasure and blessing to find misplaced or lost articles belonging to Sarah.

A couple of months after her passing, Maren found the original Rascal--Sarah's most treasured and loved stuffed toy. While playing one afternoon, Maren and Sarah tucked Rascal in a suitcase with Barbie clothes. A few days passed and after several searches we could not find her puppy. The girls could not remember leaving him there. Distraught and sad was Sarah, for she missed her little Rascal. Grandma came to the rescue and found an identical dog and sent it via overnight mail. Sarah was thrilled; she assumed we had found her toy dog.


Before Sarah's casket was closed, we placed a few of her favorite things inside. Her treasured pink baby blanket, Rascal, and a flower representing all those times we went flower-picking together. You can imagine the emotions I felt when Maren, with tears in her eyes, came to me with the original Rascal she had found while playing. Now I have the Rascal that she cradled, kissed and loved so very much.

This morning Brian discovered a purple bunny barrette in his travel bag he used while staying overnight in the hospital one year ago this week. This little barrette contained one soft, brown strand of hair. What a tender reminder of our little girl. I carefully taped the hair and barrette to a piece of paper.


Shortly after her passing, I opened up the drawer of my nightstand and found the hearts Sarah and I had cut out and decorated a few weeks before she died. Along with the hearts, there was a small stack of artwork she had tucked inside the drawer for safe keeping. As I looked through them, knowing her hands had touched and created these love notes, I felt like these letters were sent from Heaven.


One year ago today Sarah endured a 24 hour fast from food and water in preparation for a biopsy which would determine the outcome of her disease. I am reminded of her example of courage, submissiveness and patience at this challenging time.

Salad and Salsa

These Summer recipes are healthy and refreshing. They have become two of our family's favorite side dishes.

Black Bean Salad

1 red bell pepper, diced

1 green bell pepper, diced

1 yellow pepper, diced

1/2 cup diced red onion

1 can drained corn

1 clove garlic, minced

1 teaspoon cilantro (more if using fresh)

1/4 cup olive oil

4 Tablespoons red wine vinegar

1 teaspoon lime juice

1 (15 ounce) can black beans, rinsed and drained

Salt and pepper to taste

Tortilla chips

Directions: In a small bowl, combine peppers, onion, corn, garlic and cilantro. Add olive oil, vinegar, lime juice and salt and pepper to taste. Add black beans and toss well. Serve with tortilla chips.

Mostly Mango Salsa

1 large mango, peeled and finely chopped

1 peach, peeled and finely chopped

1 orange or yellow bell pepper, seeded and finely chopped

1 cup of yellow or red tomato finely chopped

1/2 cup fresh cilantro

1/2 cup red onion, finely chopped

2 teaspoons sugar

1/4 teaspoon salt

Juice from 1 lime

Mix ingredients together. Serve with tortilla chips. This salsa is delicious with grilled salmon. Spoon the salsa on top of the fish fillet during the last few minutes of grilling. Enjoy!

Today our family took an afternoon walk around the lake. We sat on Sarah's bench and watched the ducks. Maren brought with her a paper sack and gathered flowers along the way. It was a peaceful way to remember Sarah's passing eight months ago.

A Special Spot

This beautiful gazebo sits in the corner of my parent's back yard. During the Spring and Summer months flowers bloom all around, making this spot especially inviting. There is a stone bench in the center of the gazebo. You can sit and listen to a waterfall that is a short distance away.

For the Thanksgiving holiday last year, our family visited my parents and enjoyed a memorable week with family. Sarah discovered this gazebo to be a perfect place for a tea party. Sarah, Rascal (her toy dog), and her cousins Amelia and Madeline placed their tea cups and saucers on the stone bench and enjoyed one last tea party together.

Remembering this sweet occasion, my father purchased a hanging butterfly ornament to remind us of Sarah and the final tea party with her cousins. Here is a short video clip of the girls having a wonderful time in the gazebo with their tea cups and Rascal. I love the way Sarah tenderly cares for Rascal, who has an injured foot.

Happy Birthday, Nathan!

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Today we celebrate nine years with our Nathan.

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During my pregnancy, the doctor discovered a cystic hygroma (a fluid-filled sack) growing on Nathan's neck. We were given grim news that the hygroma would enlarge and others would appear on his developing body. Because of this, our son would not survive. If he did, he would have mental and physical handicaps. Our family and friends prayed and fasted for a miracle. Doctors monitored the hygroma's growth over the next few months. At seven and a half months after a routine ultrasound, the doctor gave us the most wonderful news that the hygroma was no longer there! Nathan was born on August 3, 2000, a healthy, beautiful boy weighing in at 6 pounds, 9 ounces. How grateful we are to have such a special son. He has brought happiness and joy to our family.

Nathan was excited to receive Legos for his birthday present. He has enjoyed constructing the sets on his own.

Our family and a few friends celebrated on Saturday with a pool party!

Can you guess who made the biggest splash?

Caroline also enjoyed the sun and water.