In a day and age when grandiose kids-themed birthday parties and gender reveals are now bordering on P.T. Barnum level, the overlooked online birthday greeting seems to be diminishing in moxie for bei ...

It has been a year since I first introduced you to the book The Turquoise Table by Austin author Kristin Schell.  In a nutshell, this book is the story of a woman who had a desire to slow down, connec ...

On October 16, 2005 Vice Admiral Thad Allen entered the door of Mother’s Restaurant in New Orleans’ central business district and walked through the cafeteria-style line without a single customer in f ...

I think most of us would agree when we are in the midst of raising kids that life can get pretty busy and tiring.  Whether we are in the phase of beginning our family and sleep deprivation taxes us, o ...

When I punched in the code, the double French doors began to open. There was my mother waiting for me. “Where is she?” I said. “She’s on the porch.” Before too long, my 90-year-old grandmother appeare ...

Traditionally, this is the time of year when we ask ourselves, “What did I accomplish?” Which is often closely followed by, “What are my goals for the coming year?”  Am I the only one who thinks we sh ...

The Texas State Fair has something for everyone.  So as not to get burn out, we only attend about every three years and it’s like all things are all new again.  There’s no shortage of some fresh takes ...

I have to be honest, over the past several years the holiday season has become less exciting.  When our kids were little I very much enjoyed the process of getting various toy catalogs in the mail (us ...

I have always had a hard time making friends, I don’t know if it’s because I consider myself to be an introvert who doesn’t mind being alone, or if it’s because I am shy, or maybe it’s because I don’t ...

It’s been said the lesson shows up over and over again unless we learn it.  It’s also been said that our children are our greatest teachers.  I believe these statements are true because I’ve experienc ...

Bless me Father for I have sinned, my last confession was two weeks ago. These are my sins…. A thick French accent responds to me in a voice capable of being audible to himself as well as everyone els ...

I have an inspirational friend whose name is Kim Hinkle.  She and I met for breakfast recently because I wanted to learn more about the challenges she’s facing in keeping the non-profit she founded fi ...

Every summer I attempt a road trip with one goal in mind: Reconnection. When I say reconnect I mean with God, with myself, and with my loved ones. It pretty much works. Everytime. It is no secret to m ...

I remember when my kids were little, by the end of April I had every camp booked (because they offered a discount). All of those open hours looming were both welcoming and worrisome.  It was important ...

When I was a young girl, I watched my father systematically select the perfect home site for the new construction that would become our primary dwelling. Following the land-clearing, my father meticul ...

By Bobby Cates, Pastor, First Baptist Church Argyle One of the things I was least prepared for in life has been parenthood. Next to being made new by faith in Jesus and being married to their mom, my ...

In January of 2016, from her desk at the “deconstructed house” realtor.com corporate headquarters, contributing writer Kimberly Dawn Neumann posted a column on Facebook entitled “5 Crazy Ways to Sell ...