View Post

The Sweetest Year

In Family by Allison Byxbe

Dear Ansley, My corn silk haired baby, you have been such a joy this year! You are a mile marker to the beginning of us — our family — all new. …

View Post

The Year You Turned 6

In Family by Allison Byxbe

Reed, when I look at these pictures — all snapped moments, like a still shot calendar — I see a loyal, goofy, loving boy. You became a big brother all …

View Post

Happy 3rd Birthday, Lucas

In Family by Allison Byxbe

Happy 3rd birthday, buddy! This morning, as we sat around the breakfast table, we shared your birthday story. Your usually dancing, hoppin’, laughing self sat scarce breath and wide-eyed still …

View Post

An Advent Reflection

In Personal by Allison Byxbe

All this life has me wearied. All this anger and frustration and yelling and eating that which doesn’t satisfy – it’s left me so over it all. I’m tired of …

View Post

Happy 5th Birthday, Reed!

In Family by Allison Byxbe

Dear Reed,  Five years ago we were sitting in a hospital room, knowing that the day would stretch long as we waited for you. And just before 3 a.m. on …

View Post

Raising Reed

In Personal by Allison Byxbe

 Sitting at the kitchen table of my not-quite-unpacked kitchen, just a couple scant weeks since we’d uprooted our little family and moved 600 miles north, I watched Ben’s expression grow …

View Post

Happy Birthday, Luke!

In Family by Allison Byxbe

It seems that I’m running behind in many ways these days, and wishing you this happy second birthday is no exception. You officially entered our family 730 days ago, and …

View Post

Where We Going?

In Family by Allison Byxbe

Dear Reed, Happy fourth birthday! Even though this is year four of your journey, it’s also been a year of firsts! Your first year of preschool, your first steps, your …

View Post

How to Ruin a Vacation

In Personal by Allison Byxbe

That way? No, a little boy sleeping in a hospital bed  doesn’t ruin a vacation. Just delays it. But it’s my heart that reduces a gracious gift to an ash-heap …