Love of Dixie - Fall 2019

M A G A Z I N E

F O R

T E X A S

W O M E N

EUSSI LLAF EHT

9102 REBMEVON-REBMETPES

T H E

KAYLEIGH WILLIAMSON AUTHOR AND HALF MARATHON RUNNER

FIVE FAVORITE FINDS FOR FALL

COURAGE AND PERSISTENCE

HOW TO HELP AT THE BORDER

CONTACT US LOVE OF DI XI E lauren@loveofdixie.com loveofdixie.com Photo by Hilary Roberts Photography

EDITORIAL LAUREN FLAKE Editor-in-Chief

HOWDY!

Welcome to the autumn issue.

CONTRIBUTORS Cheyenne Bell, Michelle Discavage, Terri Jackson, Hollie Kaszynski, Jill Krause, Robin Lee, KariAnn Lessner, Kaylynn Schrandt, Andrea Stunz

Happy fall, y'all!

We moved into a different house this summer, and my youngest baby just started kindergarten, so I am feeling all the feels in this new season.

I hope that when the weather cools down, you'll heat up some spiced apple cider and cozy up with a blanket and our newest installment of Love of Dixie magazine.

This one's filled with stories of courage, compassion, and persistence. I'd like to give a special thanks to Jill Krause for her insight about how we can help at the border.

Cover photo by Jessica Watkins All content © 2019 For the Love of Dixie, LLC, unless otherwise stated.

ADVERTISING FI ND US ONLI NE

Cheers to fall!

LAUREN FLAKE Founder

loveofdixie.com/ magazine

CONTACT lauren@loveofdixie.com

TABLE OF CONTENTS 03 Texas Strong Woman: Kayleigh Williamson 06 Lone Star Lifestyle: Picks for Fall 07 Beauty and Wellness: D.I.Y. Sugar Scrub

06

07

09

09 Gardening: Fall Tomatoes 13 Entertainment: The New O.G.: Hayes Carll 15 Devotional: Lessons from Grief 16 Let's Just Eat: The "Flavor" of South Africa 22 Fall Home Maintenance Checklist

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22

25 Featured Article: This Isn't Political, It's Being a Good Human 27 Family: Indeed, It Is Very Good 29 Are You Prepared to Travel?

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FALL 2019

KAYLEIGH WILLIAMSON RUNNER AND AUTHOR OF IT'S COOL TO BE ME

Austin, Texas

[Kayleigh's book is available at Amazon.com.]

WHAT ARE YOUR FAVORITE TITLES FOR YOURSELF AND WHY?

I am proud to be a five-time half marathon runner, a Patagonia employee, and a Christian.

WHO ARE YOUR ROLE MODELS OR MENTORS?

My role models are my two best friends, Shane and William. And my mom, Sandy.

WHAT IS YOUR GREATEST FEAR OR CHALLENGE?

My greatest fear and challenge is my maternal grandmother not remembering my mom and me. My grandma has Alzheimer’s disease.

WHAT IS YOUR GREATEST ACCOMPLISHMENT?

I earned my Austin Distance Challenge jacket on my third try.

Photo by Sandy Williamson

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FALL 2019

Photo by Jessica Watkins

HOW ARE YOU BUILDING COMMUNITY RIGHT NOW?

I am a part of a nonprofit organization, called Kayleigh's Club, that is a running group for disabled runners and their family members.

WHAT IS A FAVORITE QUOTE OR VERSE YOU LIVE BY?

"There is no passion to be found in settling for a life less than the one you are capable of living." (Nelson Mandela) My mom painted it on my medal board.

WHAT DO YOU LOVE MOST ABOUT TEXAS IN THE FALL?

It is easier for me to run. Plus, Halloween and Thanksgiving are my favorite holidays!

WHAT ARE YOUR FAVORITE TEXAS-BASED NONPROFITS TO SUPPORT?

I like to support Kayleigh’s Club and Special Olympics of Central Texas.

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FALL 2019

Handcrafted Custom Wood Signs the Polka Dot Pickle Shop Georgetown, Texas thepolkadotpickle.com

Lone Star Lifestyle: Picks for Fall Fall Rust Flutter Earrings Lavish Leathers Buda, Texas lavishleathers.com

Milk Jar Soy Stylish Rusti Bee Cave stylishrusticlivi

Milk Jar Soy Candle Stylish Rustic Living Bee Cave, Texas stylishrusticliving.com [Queen Friday Photography] Stained Glass Life: Living Beautifully Broken Michelle Discavage Lubbock, Texas sparkedliving.net

Fall Favorites Shirt Fading Ember Boutique Buda, Texas etsy.com/shop/FadingEmberBoutique

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FALL 2019

D.I.Y. Sugar Scrub KAYLYNN SCHRANDT Oh, the aroma of cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg tells us that fall is here! It also means the holidays are getting nearer and the weather is getting cooler. And with the air getting a little dryer, it means we should start giving our skin extra love!

Body scrubs are a great addition to your skin care routine during this time of year. They can exfoliate and moisturize at the same time- a time saver that's especially important during this busy season. There are many options available in stores, as well as an endless array of D.I.Y. recipes online!

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FALL 2019

Body scrubs can be made with a just a few

Fall Sugar Scrub

ingredients and usually contain sugar or salt and a carrier oil like coconut, almond, olive, or

INGREDIENTS

jojoba. One of my favorite scrubs to make (and

¾ cup granulated sugar*

even gift) during this time of year is the

¼ cup carrier oil, such as jojoba or olive

following Fall Sugar Scrub.

4 drops cassia essential oil 4 drops clove essential oil

I love its “candy corn” layers, and the cassia,

2 drops ginger essential oil

clove, and ginger essential oils are the perfect

Yellow and orange (or red) food coloring

addition to this sugar and spice beauty! These

*Sea salt can be used in place of white sugar.

oils not only smell like Thanksgiving in a jar, but they also have the added benefit of

Combine sugar and carrier oil in a bowl. Add

supporting your immune system, which is so

essential oils. Stir mixture. You may need to

important during this time of year! Enjoy!

add more carrier oil for desired consistency.

Divide scrub mixture into three separate

KAYLYNN SCHRANDT Kaylynn Schrandt is a clinical social worker, wife, mother of three, and essential oils aficionado in Buda, Texas. Find Kaylynn at TheAromaGirls.com.

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bowls. Add color (yellow to one bowl, orange to another, leaving the third white).

Carefully layer yellow, orange, and white scrub to create a candy corn pattern in a 16-oz. jar.

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FALL 2019

Gardening: Fall Tomatoes

Photos by Emily Kimbro Photography TERRI JACKSON Fall-grown tomatoes, in my humble opinion, are the best tomatoes around.

Autumn is a terrific time to plant tomatoes in your gardens but also a great time to purchase tomatoes from your farmers' markets or local grocers. If you can find the “Dirty Girl” variety, I highly encourage you to give them a taste. We buy them every fall from our local Whole Foods. Fresh tomato bruschetta on a breezy, back-porch, fall evening is my idea of perfection.

The lovely photos surrounding my article were taken by Emily Kimbro of her family garden.

If you aren’t following her, you should. Not only is she an incredible photographer, she is also an inspiration to what you can do with your land, no matter the size. Hopefully, her tomato harvest will encourage you to get your hands dirty so your belly can be full of fall tomatoes.

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FALL 2019

Tomato tips Ideal planting time is late July through August;

Fall tomatoes like groupings, so purchase in pairs

however, your garden store should still have some

to get better returns. While you are at it, add

transplants or potted tomato plants out there for

some basil into the mix. You could easily do two

you to use now.

pots on your patio with a tomato and a basil plant in each to keep your table supplied with fresh

Smaller fruit varieties will be easier to start with if

garden goodness as the temperatures change.

you haven’t grown patio tomatoes before. These varieties yield tasty returns in the fall: Grape,

While planting, prune leaves up to the top cluster,

Sungold, Juliet, and Sweet 100.

and transplant plants into larger, deeper pots (or directly into the garden), covering the majority of

Another one to try is commonly sold and referred

the stem with soil.

to as “patio cherry tomatoes.” They are generally sold in larger pots, and most contain green

Tomatoes root from the cut-off nodules at each of

tomatoes on the vines in store. I suggest re-

the pruning spots. Fun fact: they also root from all

potting them into an even larger pot for your

those hairs along their stems. The more roots, the

patio and enjoying them a few steps outside your

faster your tomatoes will take off and produce

door.

more fruit.

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FALL 2019

Make sure you are providing nutrient-rich soil and excellent drainage.

Tomatoes are not only a spring/summer plant here in Texas. I hope this encourages you to add tomatoes to your fall garden.

Tomatoes pollinate when temperatures during the day are below the mid-90’s and night temps

Send me pictures of your plants and harvest

are below 75 degrees. Check your variety, but,

throughout the fall to terri@theinspiredhaus.com.

generally, it takes 42 days for fruit to ripen.

I would love to hear your experiences growing tomatoes during this season!

Plants should have morning sunlight and afternoon shade while the temps are still extreme

TERRI JACKSON

(i.e., September in Texas). Once we are in the mid

Terri Jackson is a wife, mom of two boys, professional florist, Disney World trip enthusiast, coconut sparkling water junkie, backyard party hostess extraordinaire, and all-around craft genius in Buda, Texas.

You can find her at TheInspiredHaus.com.

80s, plants will require full sunlight for the best production.

Don’t forget to mulch (might I suggest using pine needles?), and give your tomato plants plenty of water. Once they take off, be sure to prune back any leaf clusters that aren’t producing blooms.

This helps nutrients get to those working on production.

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FALL 2019

The New O.G.: Hayes Carll KARIANN LESSNER

The meme about autumn in Texas that goes, “Fall in Texas! You know what that means? Nothing. It’s still 98° outside,” is only funny because it’s true.

All of these folks counting down the days until the arrival of Pumpkin Spice Lattes at Starbucks have those of us in the Lone Star State wondering if it’s this hot on the surface of the sun?!

Despite the lingering heat and prolific use of pumpkin, I get nostalgic during the fall.

My parents may not know what a playlist is, but they sure did afford me plenty of old school “greatest hits” that became the soundtrack of my childhood.

Turning up some Willie, Waylon, and George Jones while I’m cooking dinner feels right and good. Good ol’ Texas boys singing the songs of the South.

Recently, while scrolling through Instagram Stories, I caught a glimpse of St. Brené Brown’s road trip playlist. (Please know that I feel confident calling her a saint — because my church roots assure me we are all sinners and saints.) And when St. Brené says to give someone a listen, I lean in a bit and take notice.

Hayes Carll’s sixth album, “What It Is,” is full of sarcasm, wit, and irreverence that feels less like “stickin’ it to the man” and more like real life.

There's a reference to “Jesus and Elvis” painted on velvet hanging at the bar, and the lyrically stunning ballad, “I Will Stay,” calls back to old school country with a twist.

So the next time you crank the air conditioner down, turn up the "old guard" Texas men on the stereo, and add “What It Is” to your Spotify playlist, I’ve got a feeling Hayes Carll is going to be part of the new O.G. [Find out more at HayesCarll.com.]

Carll calls the Woodlands his childhood hometown.

Relix album review calls this work Carll “at his edgiest, he comes off like the sharpest, snarkiest poet in the corner of a dimly lit bar.”

This album is filled with the unexpected. Someone is playing washboard in the background of “Beautiful Thing” (either that, or the percussionist is playing a wide tooth comb!).

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KARIANN LESSNER

KariAnn Lessner is a wife, mother, fairy godmother, children’s minister, podcast host, speaker, native Houstonian, and seeker of excellent chips and salsa. Find Kari at YouBrewYouPodcast.com.

FALL 2019

at The Little House on Main 569 Main Street, Buda, Texas 512.295.7818 Fashion, home dĂŠcor, & vintage

Lessons from Grief MICHELLE DISCAVAGE Grief is not natural.

For three years, we prayed for healing. With every doctor visit, scan, and treatment plan, we prayed the news would be positive. What should have been a celebration of completing chemotherapy became news of cancer spreading. There were more prayers, more tears, more fears expressed, and pleading for more time. I hated knowing my friend was dealing with the weight of the world, having to determine the best treatment for herself, hating treatment, but wanting as much time as possible with her family. There were many mornings I spent pleading, begging God to do a miracle. In June, my friend peacefully entered eternity.

I trust in God’s sovereignty. Yes, I know he has determined our days (Job 14:5). I know our life is but a vapor, finite, and temporal (James 4:14).

Death should not be a shock. We all know all who are born will one day die. We know, and yet the grief of letting go is real. Why? You and I were not meant for grief. You and I do not have grief imprinted into our DNA. We have eternity in our hearts (Eccl 3:11), not grief.

From states away, I grieved with and for my friend, for her family, and for those who loved her. I observed how she encountered every obstacle, and I listened when she told me what she needed. Some days, she needed to laugh. Other days, she needed to be angry or sit in sadness.

Grief is often gut wrenching, but it’s also an incredible teacher.

More importantly, I saw how necessary the help from others was. I was reminded how important we are to one another as I watched people step in to help and serve my friend.

Grief teaches us to slow down. A wise mentor of mine said she scheduled time to grieve, or to lament, each day after someone dear to her passed away. She shared the importance of being intentional in grieving, rather than avoiding it as we so often do.

Grief teaches us that life is a series of processes.

Grief is a process. One does not simply “get over” grief. If you have said goodbye to a loved one, you know this all too well. The grief never stops. Some days it is noticeable and even loud, and some days it is quiet. But, grief is always there. We learn to grow and live with our grief rather than against or in spite of our grief.

Grief teaches us to how courageous we are. Being thrown into grief requires courage. When we choose hope over despair in our grief, we are being incredibly brave. As we surrender and lean into grief, we are exemplifying courageous hope.

It is a brave thing to believe joy comes in the morning (and in the mourning).

What lessons has grief taught you? How do you believe grief has actually strengthened you and your faith?

MICHELLE DISCAVAGE Michelle Discavage is the author of "Unnamed Women of the Bible," a speaker, and a certified Life Purpose Coach. She lives in Lubbock, Texas with her husband and daughter, where they are often found laughing together. You can find Michelle at SparkedLiving.net.

What can grief teach us?

Grief teaches us our need for one another. Over the last three years, I saw people rally together to support my friend. For fundraisers, for moral support, and to laugh through the tears. I saw how one’s story, one person’s act affected everyone else.

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FALL 2019

Photos by Elizabeth Bernhardt

THE "FLAVOR" OF SOUTH AFRICA HOLLIE KAZSYNKSI Twenty years ago, in the summer of 1999, I came home after a month-long stay in South Africa with an inspired sense of courageous creativity. I couldn’t wait to attempt to recreate some of the unique cuisine I had experienced while I was there. The food had been so vibrant and bright, so full of unexpected flavors I would not have thought to blend together. I had always been adventurous when it came to trying different kinds of foods, but now, I had a desire to create them myself. Foods that could take a person by surprise. Foods that might even captivate a person’s thoughts long after they’ve tasted them.

My trip to South Africa had a tremendous impact on me. I wasn’t expecting it to create a bank of such rich memories. I had traveled with a dear friend and his parents, and, to this day, when we see each other, we reminisce about our journey the whole time we are together.

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Perhaps the reason it affected me so much is that it was such a pivotal time for South Africa as a country.

Nelson Mandela’s term as president was coming to an end while we were there. I barely knew who he was before my trip, but during our stay and for years after, I would learn all about his dedication to his country and his determination and willingness to die for what he believed in. I would read about his massive influence in bringing apartheid to an end just a few years before my trip, and I would become enthralled by the story of his “Long Walk to Freedom,” especially since I had stood at the entrance to his prison cell at Robbin Island where he had served part of his 27-year sentence.

While not without its problems, South Africa has an undeniable beauty and almost palpable sense of hope that lingers in the air. I came back from my trip with opened eyes and awakened senses. For so long, I mostly attributed this to the unique and amazing foods I had experienced. But I have come to know the hope, courage, and creativity inspired in me came more from a nation of people blending together when they had been forbidden to blend before. The “flavor” of South Africa took me by surprise and has captivated my thoughts ever since.

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FALL 2019

While in South Africa, I ate butternut soup at least a dozen times. I couldn’t get enough of it!

It’s one of the first dishes I attempted to recreate when I came home.

This soup is the perfect blend of sweet, savory, and creamy! It’s wonderful on its own or as an appetizer, which is how I most often eat it.

Butternut soup INGREDIENTS

1 medium onion, chopped 2 tablespoons butter 2 cups chicken broth 1 lb. butternut squash, peeled, seeded, and cubed* 2 pears, peeled, seeded, and sliced ½ teaspoon dried thyme (Fresh is wonderful, if you have it!) ½ teaspoon salt ¼ teaspoon white pepper ¼ teaspoon ground coriander 1 cup heavy whipping cream (Use full fat coconut milk for dairy-free.) ½ cup pecans, toasted In a large pot, over medium-high heat, cook onion in the butter until soft (about 5-7 minutes). Stir in broth, squash, pears, thyme, salt, white pepper, and coriander. Heat to boiling, and then reduce heat to medium.

WE HELP YOU GET WHAT YOU NEED IN LIFE.

Cover and simmer until squash is tender (about 15 minutes). If you have a hand-held immersion blender, use it to purée the squash mixture in the pot. If you do not have one, use a blender or food processor. Purée half of the mixture at a time. After the soup is puréed, add heavy whipping cream. Stir thoroughly.

Serve with a sprinkling of thyme and toasted pecans. *Peeling a butternut squash can be very challenging! I find that cutting the squash in half and then using a potato peeler to remove the skin is easiest.

Everyone's favorite meatloaf South African meatloaf is called “Bobotie.” I’ve made it a few times, but I don’t believe I do it justice.

This recipe is just a tried and true favorite among my entire family, but I can’t help but recall my stay in South Africa when I eat it with butternut soup!

MEATLOAF INGREDIENTS

1 ½ lbs. lean ground beef 2 eggs 2/3 cup milk 2-3 pieces hearty bread, cubed (I like to use bread with seeds, nuts, and oats.)

Salt and pepper, to taste Bragg's Liquid Aminos (Substitute soy sauce, if preferred.)

SAUCE INGREDIENTS

⅔ cup ketchup 1 tablespoon spicy brown or dijon mustard 2 tablespoons brown sugar 2 teaspoons worcestershire sauce

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a small bowl, stir sauce ingredients together until smooth. Set aside.

Whisk eggs and milk together, and pour over cubed bread. Let mixture sit until the bread absorbs the liquid (about 10 minutes). Using your hands, mix the beef with egg and bread mixture.

Add a few squirts of liquid aminos, and season with salt and pepper. Transfer meat mixture to a glass baking dish, and shape into a loaf.

Cover meat with sauce, and bake at 350 degrees for 55 to 60 minutes.

Mini buttermilk biscuits Serve these warm with butter and homemade peach preserves if you really want to be a hero.

INGREDIENTS

2 cups flour ¼ teaspoon baking soda 3 teaspoons baking powder ½ teaspoon salt ⅓ cup butter, slightly softened and cut into small chunks ⅔ cup buttermilk plus 1 extra tablespoon 1 large egg These biscuits can easily be mixed by hand, but I recently started using a food processor to mix the dough, and it changed my life. They came out so light and fluffy!

Preheat oven to 450 degrees, and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Sift flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt together in a medium bowl. Place flour mixture in the bowl of a food processor fitted with the pastry blade.

Add butter, and blend until flour mixture is fine and crumbly. With blend setting on, gradually add buttermilk (minus the extra tablespoon).

Blend until dough forms a ball.

Turn dough out onto a floured surface, and knead (about 12 strokes). Use a rolling pin to roll dough ½-inch thick. I like to use a 2-inch biscuit cutter, but you can use a larger one if you’d like.

Place biscuits on the parchment-lined baking sheet.

Beat egg and remaining tablespoon buttermilk together in a small bowl. Brush mixture onto the top of each biscuit. Bake for 12 minutes or until golden brown.

Roasted broccoli INGREDIENTS

3 fresh broccoli crowns, cut into florets and halved 3-4 fresh cloves garlic, minced Olive oil, enough to coat florets Salt and pepper, to taste

Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Line a large baking sheet with foil. Toss broccoli, garlic, oil, and salt and pepper together in a large bowl, making sure to coat each floret. Spread broccoli on foillined baking sheet.

WE HELP YOU GET WHAT YOUÂ NEED IN LIFE.

Bake at 425 degrees for 30 minutes.

Toss and flip broccoli using a spatula, and bake for another 10 to 15 minutes.

(I like my broccoli quite crispy, so I might bake it even longer. This is a matter of preference, though. Roast until it meets your liking!)

HOLLIE KAZSYNKSI

Hollie Kaszynski is a native Texan and lives in Austin, with her husband and three kids. She posesses a deep passion for teaching and service, which she pours into her children, church family, and local community. She loves adventure, traveling, writing, and being creative in the kitchen.Â

Fall home maintenance checklist Photo by Cheyenne Bell

Fall is the perfect time to get big house projects and maintenance accomplished.

The weather is finally starting to feel somewhat pleasant, and it’s not yet too cold to work outside.

Take time this fall to check these home maintenance tasks off your list so you can relax a little more when winter rolls around.

CHEYENNE BELL

Check these home maintenance tasks off your list now so you can relax more this winter.

Take care of your landscaping.

CHEYENNE BELL Cheyenne Bell is a writer and blogger with a slight obsession for old homes and good coffee.

Her blog, Sense & Serendipity, focuses on inspiring others to create a home well-loved and a life well-lived. Cheyenne lives in San Marcos, Texas with her two young children. Find her at SenseandSerendipityblog.com.

Fall is the perfect time to trim low-hanging or diseased branches off trees. It’s also the perfect time to shape shrubs and take care of dead foliage on rose bushes. Make note of plants that will need freeze protection, and start stockpiling old sheets or towels to cover them now.

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FALL 2019

Clean gutters.

Check safety devices.

Once all the leaves have fallen from the trees, clean out your gutters and downspouts. Having clean, free-flowing gutters will protect your roof and siding during the fall rainy season.

Fall is the perfect time to check the batteries on all your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.

Seal gaps.

Tour the exterior of your home, paying attention to the caulk around doors and windows. Is it cracked? Are there gaps?

Fill them now, so that when it starts getting cold outside, you’re not losing heat and inviting critters into your house.

Prepare exterior faucets.

Unhook all of your hoses, and store them.

Invest in insulated faucet covers, and put them on snugly.

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Also, check the expiration date on your fire extinguisher, and replace if necessary.

Clean out dryer vents.

Get a handyman or duct cleaning specialist to come out and clean the innards of your dryer vents. You can only reach so far from inside the house, and it's highly unlikely you’re getting all the lint buildup out.

Get a professional to do a thorough cleaning. It will protect your dryer as well as your home.

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FALL 2019

Deep clean the kitchen.

Aerate and fertilize your lawn.

De-grease the vent hood and interior of your oven and microwave. Wash the backsplash. Clean out the refrigerator.

Scrub the tile grout.

Rent an aerator, and give it a whirl over your yard. It allows air, nutrients, and water to enter the soil and helps keep your lawn healthy. After you aerate, don’t forget to fertilize. Ask an expert in your local garden center to recommend the best fertilizer for your grass.

Clean your small appliances, and wash the garbage cans.

Have your fireplace serviced.

If you’re lucky enough to have a fireplace, have a professional come out to make sure it’s working and clean.

If you have a furnace, now is a good time to have it cleaned or maintained as well.

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Fall is the perfect time to get your home in peak condition before the cold and rain hits hard. Take your time, and knock out one or two of these a weekend starting in September.

Taking care of these important maintenance tasks will save you money in the long run and keep your home and yard looking beautiful all year long.

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FALL 2019

- FEATURED ARTICLE -

This Isn't Political, This Is Being a Good Human JILL KRAUSE I, along with Mom 2.0 cofounder Laura Mayes, and Amy Poehler’s Smart Girls cofounder Meredith Walker, made a trip to Del Rio to unpack some boxes and get to know the people at the Val Verde Border Humanitarian Coalition (VVBHC) doing the real work every day with refugees who are crossing the border.

I’m so happy we are and will continue to make a huge difference.

The way your donations have been working and helping these people is something I don’t think I can accurately describe, but seeing anger and sadness and all these other feelings we’ve all been feeling turned into ACTION was a powerful experience.

I'm happy to think of the pregnant women who walked into the center and were handed bags packed full of water bottles and snacks shortly after.

"Action is the antidote to despair."Joan Baez What may seem like something small and insignificant to some — a pair of shoes, a clean pair of socks, a toy — became very big things in the eyes of the people who needed them. I left VVBHC with so many emotions.

I’m so happy that little boys and girls have trikes to ride and clean underwear to change into. I will remember how they played like kids would play anywhere, how they giggled and chased each other.

And the mom who was there with her baby — she loved on him like any mom of a baby would. She cuddled him, and pushed him in their new stroller. She did that thing we all do when we have a baby, staring at him and talking to him like he’s going to talk back.

These parents were loving and kind, and the first thing they wanted to do after they arrived was get their kids cleaned up and fed.

I appreciate the sentiment behind a lot of messages I receive from people who thank me for taking a public stand on this, for using my platform for something “political."

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JILL KRAUSE

Jill Krause is a blogger (formerly known as Baby Rabies), author, and photographer. She and her husband, Scott, and their four children moved to central Texas from the Dallas area, after a yearlong RV trip across the U.S. and Canada.

Read more at JillKrause.com.

Top photo taken by Jill Krause in the Val Verde Border Humanitarian Coalition in Del Rio, Texas July 2019 FALL 2019

But I don’t think this is a political statement. It shouldn’t be. Anyone, no matter who you voted for, can help these people out.

If you feel that doing so is somehow enabling a political agenda, then I think you need a better understanding of why these people are here, and what was so awful that they would endure this as the better alternative.

The volunteers we’ve spoken to, both in Del Rio and San Antonio, have told us stories relayed to them by the people showing up at their doorstep.

Families have left their homes and everything they own in the middle of the night because, in one instance, the alternative was to let their 7-year-old daughter be raped and to hand over their 12-year-old son to a gang.

Would you not leave, too? I don’t believe you for a second if you say you’d stay.

No matter how you feel about why these people are at our border, they’re here. If we choose to ignore them, nothing changes.

They face massive challenges after the trauma that has already sparked their journey.

But if we choose to do even “small” things, if we welcome them with kindness and love, if we show them that we see them as humans, worthy of feeling clean and worthy of being fed — well, I personally feel like that could change a whole lot.

[A version of this article originally appeared at JillKrause.com.]

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Nothing is too small; nothing is insignificant.

Here are ways to help Val Verde Border Humanitarian Coalition and refugees at our border: Follow VVBHC on Facebook and Instagram.

Shop their Amazon Wish List.

Share their story, social accounts, and wish list with your friends and family.

Pray for them, talk about them, and learn more about why people are here seeking asylum.

FALL 2019

Indeed, it is very good Photo by Robin Lee ROBIN LEE The car reeked of chlorine. I sat in the parking lot, my daughter still in her swimming suit, basking in the significant progress she made in just a few days of aqua therapy.

We flew nearly 3,000 miles to get help. The speech therapist we sought out then connected us with an aquatic therapist who worked her magic in the pool. Ryan learned how to control her airflow enough to blow a whistle. She began to learn to swim. It was incredible.

There, in a rental car warm from the summer sun, the most overwhelming grief washed over me.

Tears were uncontrollable as I sobbed and took deep breaths. Pulling out of the parking lot — leaving these women who helped my daughter so much — I learned an incredible truth: We only grieve what we are grateful for.

I was profoundly grateful for their help, and I was desperately sad to go home and face the challenges alone. Again.

Several months later, my daughter and I drove hundreds of miles to a week-long swimming clinic for kids with special needs. I watched more gifted therapists, in the pool, with more precious kids.

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The first day a beautiful, curly-haired, autistic preschooler sobbed and screamed the entire lesson. The instructor was unphased and upbeat.

The little girl’s daddy was steady and confident, but her mom had to walk around the corner and collect herself. Sometimes, you just need to catch your breath.

The second day, the precious cherub only cried for 20 minutes. The final day, that brave little champion jumped in the water, laughing and splashing. This time it was her mom who sobbed the whole way through, tears of joy and enormous pride staining her cheeks. It is difficult, sometimes, to put into words what an incredible privilege parenting special needs kids is.

They are warriors who muster tremendous courage to do things that come easily to most people and add color and texture to the ordinary. However, this parenting road is not without costs. Those costs, unfortunately, can be relationships. My college student daughter shared with me the experience of talking about her sister with her friends. As she explains what our life is like, they stare pityingly, with eyes wide and jaws open.

“She’s actually one of the happiest people I know,” she tells them.

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FALL 2019

Nearly a decade and a half into this journey, I have ideas about what might be helpful to parents who share a story similar to ours. If you have friends whose kids are unique, perhaps this will give you something to consider.

Our boundaries are often tighter than yours. My daughter almost always needs to be in my eyesight if we are not at home. While wandering and exploring is joyful and necessary to typically developing kids, it is dangerous for mine.

We have been at family events where everyone wanted to go for a walk down long, winding, unstable trails. We are not "party poopers" or lazy, but some things are not realistic for us. There are homes with trampolines or tree houses that we end up avoiding because the price of dealing with them makes the experience overly draining.

Physical coordination is not something we can take for granted.

We would love someone to stay in the kiddie pool with us. For over a decade, we had season passes to the water park, as did most of our friends. For the first few years, it was delightful, as we were all in the same season. We had toddlers and traded off one mom at the top of the slide, one mom at the bottom. Our chubby babies laughed and splashed, sliding down slides, getting all the vitamin D one could want.

But then the other kids grew and developed. While they were bounding around from adventure to adventure, their moms were laying out getting tan.

My daughter and I, however, were still in the pool with the little people. (She had barely just learned to walk.) I would get her situated at the top of the slide and tell her to wait, then run down to the bottom to catch her.

I entered a season where it was far lonelier to go to the water park with friends than to go by ourselves, so I stopped going with friends. I understand that moms need a break; hanging out and chatting is soul-filling, but I would have loved someone willing to stay in the kiddie pool with us.

The fact of the matter is that there are so many things kids with special needs cannot do, or participate in, that when something works and is loved, we may let them continue beyond what the watching world thinks is their “fair share.” And we may not apologize for it.

Our kids are a gift. We are doing the world a favor for raising these precious people. They are funny.

They enjoy more things more quickly than the tightly wound world around us. They see beauty in unique places. They give the gift of forcing us to slow down and breathe deeply. My daughter is a joy spreader. When she was an infant, a seasoned specialist looked at her and smiled, “She really is remarkably sweet, isn’t she?”

Yes, she is. She can’t talk. She learns after being introduced to things ten thousand times. It’s not a fast process, but she is wise in her way. She loved her grandmother with Alzheimer’s with so much ease. Her expectations of people are inspiringly low. My world is infinitely more vibrant because of our journey, and yours will be, too, if you have friends like my precious little peanut.

When she was just two days old, we were getting ready to check out of the hospital, totally unaware of what the future held. Our beloved pediatrician came to examine her. After many strained minutes looking and testing, his face softened. He put his hand on my leg and said in a gentle tone, “I am so, so sorry, but I would put your baby in the category of there’s something not right, but I don’t know what it is.”

Stunned, I took a deep breath and replied, “On the wall above her crib I painted Genesis 1:31, ‘And God looked at all He had made, and indeed it was very good.’ I guess it’s time for me to figure out if I really believe it.”

With that, our journey began. I got the joy of figuring out those were not just words painted on a wall. I don’t only believe, I know. God created my daughter and, indeed, she is very good.

ROBIN LEE

Sometimes, your kids should experience things that are not fair. Once my daughter and I were at the park, swinging. She was in one of the toddler swings where she could be safe. She was having a blast. She swung for a long time. Another child wanted the swing. The mom said a little too loudly, with a tone of irritation, “I guess you just have to wait until they are willing to share.”

LOVE OF DIXIE MAGAZINE

Robin Lee is a recent Texas transplant, wife to an airplanepart-inventing, manufacturedhome-selling man who keeps her in stitches, and mom to three beautifully unique kids who keep her on her knees.

She lives near Tyler, Texas. Find Robin at Robins-Corner.com.

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FALL 2019

Are You Prepared to Travel?

ANDREA STUNZ

With a move to Brazil in 1975, I began traveling internationally at the age of seven and traveled domestically even before then. While I don't remember much from the pre-Brazil trips, there are pictures to prove we went to Disneyland when I was about four and enjoyed many camping experiences. My parents were great about providing adventures for us even when the budget couldn't take us far.

I recently asked my mom why I never saw the movie, 'Chitty Chitty Bang Bang,' as a child, and she quickly replied, "Because we didn't have the money to go to the movies." After giving it some thought, I concluded that we did have the money, but they scrutinized and prioritized every dime for our family of six. Saving for a real-life adventure was going to win out over watching someone else's adventure on a screen every day of the week.

LOVE OF DIXIE MAGAZINE

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FALL 2019

Fast forward several decades, and my young

We started saving.

family of five was interested in going on a trip to Bolivia. We quickly realized that we hadn't been living in such a way that put us in a position to prioritize travel of that magnitude and financial cost. Sure, we camped and took some fun road trips here and there, but going overseas would require a lot more than we had. We were not prepared.

We paid down our debt and saved our pennies as we could. Like my parents did with not having a movie budget, we spent less on things that we deemed less meaningful than travel.

We focused on our health — mind, body, and spirit.

We opened our eyes to learn about other cultures.

We watched other people go and do things

We buckled down and took care of our health.

that we wished we could do. Are you

And we aligned our hearts with God's so that we

prepared to travel? Are you watching others

would not overlook or miss out on an opportunity

live out your dreams? If your answer is "yes," I

he had for us.

know the feeling!

When the Bolivia trip passed us by, we

After doing these things, my husband was

collectively decided to get busy. We were

able to go on a trip to Nepal, and our two

determined to get ourselves to the place

oldest children were ready when trips to

where we could be ready to go when the

Kenya popped up. It would be a while before

next right opportunity presented itself. We

our family would go overseas together — but

made choices that set us up to accomplish

we were ready when that day came. And we

the goals we had our hearts set on.

packed it all up and moved to Singapore.

Here are a few of the things we did to

Is travel a priority for you? If so, are you

prepare for our upcoming adventures.

prepared to travel? If you're not prepared, what will you do to keep from missing out on your "Bolivia"?

We got together.

As a married couple and as a family, we decided that being ready to travel was a priority. We agreed to do what was necessary to not miss out on the next "Bolivia" trip.

We got passports.

It's a pain, there's paperwork, and it's not cheap for a family, but an overseas trip is not going to happen without a passport. But when used, they certainly have a good ROI!

LOVE OF DIXIE MAGAZINE

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ANDREA STUNZ

Andrea Stunz is a welltraveled Texan currently living near Houston, having previously lived in Brazil, Asia, and the U.K. She finds joy in her family, grace in her friends, beauty in a story, purpose in the sunrise, wonder in her travels, and hope in Colossians 1:17. Find Andrea at AndreaStunz.com.

FALL 2019

What's Raised Here, Stays Here! 100% Local!!

5th Annual Bastrop/Fayette County Alzheimer's Walk September 21, 2019 - Smithville, Texas 10th Annual Williamson County Alzheimer's Walk September 28, 2019 - Georgetown, TX 28th Annual Travis County Alzheimer's Walk March 14, 2020 - Austin, Texas (October 5, 2019 - Kick Off Party at Scholz Garten) 12th Annual Hays County Alzheimer's Walk October 12, 2019 - San Marcos, Texas 19th Annual Bell County Alzheimer's Walk October 19, 2019 - Belton, Texas

Register at TxAlz.org/Walk.