Control. Alt. Delete.

There were 13 men sitting in the stands at Katie's basketball game. Fathers of little girls, all of them, I think. Ten of them were messing with their phones during the game. Ten of them, thumbs moving, eyes down. Of the other three, two were holding babies and one was letting his son play with his phone.

Gentlemen, the game is only forty minutes long! Four ten-minute quarters. Surely there was nothing inside those wee computers that needed you so desperately during those forty minutes on a Saturday morning.

In other news, Katie Foss drives the length of the court. She stops short outside the key. A little off-balance, she shoots anyway.

Swish!

First basket ever.

Ever.

And I saw it all.

I'm so glad I forgot my phone at home.

In honor of Katie's first basket, I'm clicking the computer closed for a few days. Be back Friday.

(In the interest of full disclosure, Katie's daddy wasn't playing with his phone. He was at home curled up with his baby girl, taking a much needed nap.)

Be well, my friends.

{this moment}

{this moment} - A Friday ritual.  Photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week.  A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. If you're inspired to do the same, visit Soulemama to leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments for all to find and see.

First comes love...

Kate Wicker, Lisa Hendey and I are talking about Valentine's Day, love and marriage over at Faith and Family Live! today. Come join us for the podcast!

Choose Joy

As I was reading online the other day, a quote by Sally Clarkson, author of numerous excellent books for mothers, caught my eye. She wrote, “Loving one another, as adults find out in marriage quickly enough, is a choice, not a feeling.” There was really nothing earth-shattering there. I think we can all agree that over the life of a marriage, spouses are presented, time and time again, with opportunities to choose to act with love, even when they don’t especially feel a surge of romantic emotion. Sally goes on to write, “Honor given to another is an attitude of humility and respect that is trained into a young child and practiced over many years. So, those who cultivate love and respect find it blooming more than those who leave it unattended.” Her point is that children need to be taught intentionally to behave charitably and to respond to their fellow man with the virtue of love. When they are deliberately taught to love, they do love.

Read the rest here, please?

Chasing Away February Gray

When the outside is undoubtedly gray, day after day after day,

it's time to make color come alive inside.

I like to wait until midwinter for

an infusion of new color

with which to doodle,

jot,

and journal...

We can get them all broken in just before it's time to capture the glorious colors of spring.

See Ginny for a grand collection of color.

{This winter's art supplies come from Stubby Pencil Studio. I was not compensated in any way for this post. We're just getting to know them, but so far, we're pleased:-)}