Hinkson Family

Check out our cool extended Hinkson family that we were able to spend time with recently. Although we were gathered for the worst of circumstances (funeral), it was remarkable to just be together and feel the love that can only be shared amongst family and the closest of friends. Even though we don't all live near one another, it is great to be connected by the greatest bond-- family. Go Hinksons!

Claire and Vanessa meet for the first time. They are eight months apart in age.  At the time this was taken, Claire was almost one and Nessa was four months.  Claire only weighed one pound more than Vanessa at the time.

Pretty Vanessa Joy! (Sounds cheesey but she really is a joy to us.)

Chris and cousin Ralph

Great Grandma plays with Hannah and Hallie

Grandpa Wynn with Jessica and two of his three granddaughters

Jessica, Vanessa, Diane, and Grandma

Grandpa and Claire

Out to eat

Marty, Grandma, Greg, and Barb

Happy Birthday, Kaylene!

When Hallie discovered it was Aunt Kaylene's birthday, she was stoked. She said "And we will make cupcakes for her!" How about a little video instead?
Happy Birthday to our incredibly talented, beautiful, and smart sister-in-law, Kaylene. We are all so lucky to have you.

Claire's First Birthday Party!

Our little Claire turned one on April 18. We had swiss cheese fondue (with lots of little food Claire could eat) and pink soda (Claire had milk). Claire's cake was strawberry and everyone else had red velvet "Claire-cakes" (cupcakes).

Come What May

Oh, life! It certainly has its twists and turns. We have had some unexpected twists lately. In addition to Mike's passing, we were dealing with another plunging turn at the same time. My Dad (a.k.a. my hero) was feeling severe back pain several weeks ago. After several tests, doctors have determined he has stage IV cancer. Stage IV. I can look at the history of my life and say, unabashedly, that this should be the hardest time in my life. Undoubtedly, the news of both events are the hardest things I have ever heard (along with news of Grandpa Skaggs' cancer four years ago). But, I am going to be totally honest . . . this is not the hardest time of my life. We are sad (very sad, in fact). But we are also joyful, happy, and hopeful. We continue to enjoy life's pleasures. We giggle. We eat yummy recipes (a little too much sometimes). We watch fun movies. We tell funny stories. We reminisce. And it makes us grateful. We are happy, truly happy. Sweet friends have approached us expecting morose expressions and woeful tales. But we can't. And it's not just "glass half full Michelle." Chris is my optomistic partner on this roller coaster. I can't tell you that my heart doesn't bleed when I think of my Dad and his upcoming chemotherapy. Chris has moments where he is overcome with grief over his little brother. Despite all this, life is still beautiful and joyful. Do yourself a favor and read this article. It's life changing and encompasses my entire life philosophy. I have a nearly perfect life. It isn't charmed. It's that way because I choose it to be.

P.S. My husband literally just asked me if I ever wondered what it felt like to pee my pants. I, of course, exploded in booming laughter. And those moments are just some of what makes life fantastic.

Love and Loss

We lost our brother.
It was sudden. It was tragic. And it was gut-wrenching.
It also became healing. And peaceful. And binding.
It's still hard to imagine we won't see him again in this life.
But we know we will see him in the next.
Here are pictures to remember one of the hardest days of life so far.
But it is still something to be remembered.

Easter Facts

Quick Facts- Easter 2010:

• Hallie woke up to find a big, fat, fluffy . . . Easter cold.
• The Easter Bunny shops at Dollar Tree and the Dollar Spot at Target.
• Things that cost a dollar sometimes fly over better than the book that costs ten times that.
• Claire will flap her arms and legs like a spring duck taking flight just to get another bite of a yellow bunny Peep.
• You can watch The Princess and the Frog twice in twenty-four hours.
• Sunglasses will stay on Claire for approximately three seconds.
• If Hallie says for three days straight that the Easter bunny is going to bring her M&Ms, Daddy will go to the store late Saturday night to help the Easter bunny fulfill that wish.
• Claire will quickly learn to open eggs given the opportunity.