Seeking Light

Hello dear friends and family...or as they say here in Texas: 

Pecos, Texas (home of the first rodeo!)

We are sending our holiday letter to you with love and light, in the midst of what sometimes feels like a very dark world. We know that we are blessed simply to be able to hold one another at night--in good health, under a dry roof, with food on our table, amidst the joyful chaos of our daily lives. Many in our world are not so lucky.

That being said, we hope that our stories and photos from 2012 will bring a smile to your face and hope to your hearts this holiday season. We also wish you peace in 2013--the 'peace that passes understanding'--which comes in part from appreciating the gift of time with those you love. We trust that this kind of peace will help guard your hearts throughout the year (Philippians 4:7).

2012 has been full of adventure for Los Norton de Tejas. While living in Texas during an election year often made us want to pull our hair out (no, we do not want to secede), we continued to soak in the cultural and ecological diversity of this region, making sure to travel and spend lots of time outdoors. 

This year was full of hiking and running along nature trails in Austin and San Marcos. These local jaunts helped us train for our first trail race called The Wild Hare (as in, we both got one you know where, which is why we ran the damn thing in the first place!). Billy completed the 50K and I did 25K, the best part of which was crossing the finish line and sharing an amazing weekend with friends! 

Hiking near Austin, TX

Finish line at Wild Hare!

We headed to Fort Davis State Park for spring break, where we took the kids hiking, mountain biking and stargazing at the McDonald Observatory, one of the darkest places in North America (it's true what they say: the stars at night...). We also visited the Chihuahuan Desert Nature Center and took in the desert wildflowers that bloom so effortlessly with so little water (NOTE: I aspire to be like a desert wildflower!). 

Hiking in Ft. Davis State Park

Madrone flowers

Agarita

In July, we celebrated my 42nd birthday with a visit to Corpus Christi Beach, where we battled jellyfish and brown tide, but still managed to enjoy the water!

Sea kayaking at Corpus Christi Bay

Beach time!

Looking for dolphins with Gadie!

In August, we road-tripped to Carlsbad Caverns National Park and Santa Fe in conjunction with one of my work trips.

Carlsbad Caverns: You can imagine the sound of Wendell's scream echoing off the cavern walls.

The Plaza: Santa Fe

This year, I made it home to Indiana (via a work trip to Chicago) to see my 96 year old grandfather and my dad's family. We also spent time in NYC, first for my cousin's book launch for his novel "A Walk Across the Sun" (www.corbanaddison.com), then for Billy's "Sibling's Weekend" (where he and his sister's stayed at the Trump SoHo), and finally on my layover back from Prague! While we love visiting family, we love having family come here even more!  My dad and his wife, Elizabeth, came several times, as did Billy's parents. We also went to my niece's baptism in Dallas over Thanksgiving (I am her godmother!) and the whole Norton family made their way to Austin for 'Christmas at the Compound!' :) The kids had so much fun with their cousins and it was a special time for us all to be together from TX, NYC and NC!

In the midst of all these trips and visits were the simple adventures that we find practically in our backyard...whether playing hide and seek in a field of wildflowers, enjoying bluegrass at Old Settler's (http://oldsettlersmusicfest.org/), our annual Easter winery picnic, live music in Lukenbach or Gruene Hall, fun on South Congress, local swimming holes, and the like, we are thankful for the relative ease of our lives here in Central Texas...y'all come on down for a visit anytime!

Spring wildflowers!

Swimming at Hamilton Pool Nature Preserve

I don't know about you, but these kinds of family adventures keep us close and help us let go of some of our day to day stresses! When we're all together in new places, we hold on to one another tighter and appreciate the present moment more deeply. If I could bottle this magic and stir it into my morning coffee during the average day before we head off to work and the kids head off to school, we'd all be better off...and take each other for granted less.

Speaking of work...I am in my 5th year on the tenure track at the School of Social Work at Texas State University-San Marcos. This year has probably been the toughest in terms of my workload--teaching, publishing, writing grants and presenting at conferences to prepare my vita for tenure review next year. However, I continue to learn from and be inspired by my students, and generally feel that I am doing good work. I stay active with the foster care program I helped develop through several grants (FACES: Foster Care Alumni Creating Educational Success), which provides a campus-wide community and support network for college students who were in the foster care system. I also maintain my adventure therapy and eco-social work research to promote alternative approaches to counseling and psychotherapy. I serve as one of the US delegates to the Adventure Therapy International Congress, and my travels took me to the Czech Republic where I presented at a conference in September. I fell in love with Prague and am amazed at the people around the world I get to call colleagues and friends.

John Lennon Wall: Prague

Climbing in Czech Paradise

FACES high ropes day at U-Camp!

When I wasn't working, I tried to nurture (key word: tried) a sense of work-life balance with triathlons, trail running, book club, but most of all through a solo trip in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. There is nothing quite like paddling away from all you know with everything you need to survive, and then getting lost on a big lake or blown about by a raging headwind or being swarmed by mosquitoes and having to keep your shit together. It must be the wilderness therapist in me, but I just kept asking myself, how is this like your life? :)

 

Billy continues to teach sophomore English at Hays High School about a mile from our house. He has now made an art of using literature to challenge students to think critically about the world beyond Kyle, Texas. He also teaches Teen Leadership, using experiential education to engage diverse students and build community across race, ethnicity, gender and sexual orientation--something that is critical at a school where the mascot is still the "Rebel" and the school song is still "Dixie." Along with teaching, Billy continued to develop his writing with a trip to the University of Iowa Summer Writer's Workshop. He also presented on his creative use of public speaking in the classroom at the 40th Association for Experiential Education Conference in Madison, Wisconsin. We traveled there together, reconnected with old friends, and shared the magic that is an AEE conference. :)

Madison Children's Museum

Billy is also officially an ultra trail runner. Seriously, anyone who goes out and runs 30+ miles is hardcore in my book. Those of you who know Billy know that underneath his mellow exterior lies a fierce competitor. For those in doubt, here he is captured in an intense trail finish in which he (and I quote) "refused to let this chic beat him." 

Run, Billy, Run!

Did I also mention that he is dad 'extraordinairre?' Proof of which can be found here in this photo of him taking all three of our children trick or treating while I was out of town for work.

Halloween in Plum Creek: Elmo (with Obama pin--because who says you can't campaign and trick-or-treat at the same time), alien, teddy bear

Mahalia has had a big year...she hit double digits and grew about 5 inches! She would definitely give you a run for your money on "Are You Smarter than a 5th Grader" and she values the double whammy of wit and sarcasm as much as any Lynn/Norton. Mahalia loves playing Chopped and Cupcake Wars as a family, reading, sewing and designing doll clothes and houses. She also loves going out riding with my mom! She is active in Girl Scouts, dance and theater and landed a part as an orphan (and the apple seller) in Annie, Jr. at Zach Scott Theater in Austin. When she got the part, she replied, "I know, I know, mom...there are no small parts, only...REALLY, REALLY small parts!" (See above wit/sarcasm.) The play ran every Saturday in December and we had so much fun taking friends and family to see it!

Growing up!

Riding during Gadie's birthday weekend!

You're never fully dressed without a smile!

Will turned 8 this year, and got a bike AND a trampoline for his birthday! Pair this with the 'war games' he plays running around with the neighborhood boys and his nerf guns, and you get the idea of how little he sits still (unless technology is involved.) Will now has his blue belt in Tae Kwon Do and he is getting scrappier on the court every year, much to the delight of his Hoosier hardwood hysterical grandfather! Despite his energy, Will is a sweet and sensitive boy, and a doting big brother. He helps take good care of Wendell and teaches her all kinds of things like potty words, silly songs, and how to pump her legs when swinging! Will is also an avid reader, and loves reading with Billy. They read the Hobbit this summer, followed by seeing the new movie together, and now they are tackling Tolkien's Lord of the Rings trilogy each night. (Did I mention Will is a little bird nerd like his dad too?)

Blue Belt!

Hoopster!

Big brother!

Wendell Jane turned two this year! She is hilarious and has a well-developed sense of humor that keeps us all laughing. She loves being outside, and can often be found on Will's trampoline! When I wake up in the morning, it is to the sound of Wendell singing her sister's songs from Annie (imagine a scratchy voiced little two year old screaming "It's a Hard Knock Life" at the top of her lungs while jumping up and down in her crib!). Wendell attends a local daycare in the neighborhood two days a week, and my mom watches her the remainder of the time. Gadie, who's alter ego is "Ms. Hokey" teaches her letters, numbers, counting, colors, etc. Billy and I know how blessed we are to have my mom helping us raise our kiddos. As we've said in prior holiday letters, everyone needs a Gadie! :)

Fourth of July Parade!

Bubbles!

Christmas Joy!

Gadie and Wendell!

Speaking of Gadie, my mom turned 65 this year, and we celebrated with a big weekend of trail riding and whisky drinking around the campfire! For those of you who know my mom, that sounds about right, eh?

Taking the grandkids for a ride!

Birthday Girl!

 So despite the much anticipated apocalyptic predictions of 2012, as James Taylor sang, "This old world must still be spinning round, 'cuz I still love YOU." Truly. We love YOU. We got to see a lot of you in 2012, and every laugh, cry, robust debate, heartfelt discussion--heck, even FB posts and chats--brought light into our lives (see that's you--the light--in our 'family picture.')

As close to a family portrait as the Norton's will come!

So whatever 2013 brings, let's promise to stick together and bring light to one another in this dark world.

A belated Happy Hanukkah, Merry Christmas and a VERY Happy 2013 from our hearts to yours.

xoxo 
Los Nortons

P.S. Billy just commented after reading this letter that 3 shirtless photos is some kind of record for him. Next year, he vows to go pantless. Something to look forward to for 2013!

Joy and Peace in 2012!

A belated Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, and Happy New Year!

The holiday was filled with the usual joyful chaos of the season—making last minute lists, braving the stores, cooking and baking up a storm, wrapping presents, and eating and drinking way too much. We spent Christmas in Texas this year, and though it wasn't a white Christmas, it was peaceful to be at home, and decorate the house with light and love!

Now, it’s New Years--a time to reflect back on our blessings and adventures and look forward to new experiences together. I hope you’ll take a second to wade through a year in review with the Nortons, not to be confused with Dave Barry’s year in review, which is undoubtedly much funnier.

We began 2011 in NYC spending time with Billy's family. After returning from NYC, we went back to work and school, resuming the busy routines and schedules we somehow keep. January brought a wonderful visit from my dad and his wife, Elizabeth, and we all visited the Texas State History Museum in which we were indoctrinated into the legends and traditions of this big state. As Steinbeck once wrote, "Texas is a state of mind. Texas is an obsession. Above all, Texas is a nation in every sense of the word." Don't worry--we don't want to secede, nor have we purchased giant Texas shaped belt buckles (though I will say that living in Texas seems to have had a profound impact on Will).


We do, however, appreciate all of the visits from family this year, as it helped us stay connected, despite living in what sometimes feels like no man's land.

Granddad and Elizabeth at the Texas State History Museum

Titi Dee, Uncle George and Najla at Aquarena Springs

Hanging out with Granddad at Canyon Lake, TX

Uncle Andrew and Aunt Brie at the Riverwalk in San Antonio

Grandpa and Abuelita on New Year's Eve

There are a lot of things we enjoy about living in Central Texas. While we miss discrete seasons, we did manage to get snow this winter, though those of you who live in states with real snow would've laughed to know that one inch of snow shut down the schools for an entire day! Still, when you live in a drought-ridden place, any precipitation is a good thing!


I continued on the tenure track as an Assistant Professor in the School of Social Work at Texas State University-San Marcos and stayed busy writing and researching in the areas of adventure therapy, ecopsychology and social work. In addition, I wrote and was awarded a $90,000 grant to help expand and evaluate our support services for Texas State students who aged out of the foster care system. This year I also traveled for work to several professional conferences and research forums, and was able to reconnect with wonderful friends in New Hampshire, St. Louis, Atlanta, and Jacksonville. Finally, I continued my work as a Graduate Mentor with Prescott College's Adventure Based Psychotherapy and Ecopsychology programs, allowing me the opportunity to travel to Prescott and work with students specifically in these areas in which I am very passionate. Here I am hard at work on my fall trip to New Hampshire! :)


Those of you who know me, know that I pour a lot of myself into my work. I continue to enjoy teaching and feel honored to mentor my students. I am deeply engaged in my areas of scholarship, and I am also committed to serve the organizations that nurture me professionally, like the Association for Experiential Education, Outward Bound and the Outdoor Behavioral Healthcare Research Cooperative. Still, I never want my work to be a distraction from my family, but rather hope that "because I have work to care about, it is possible that I may be less difficult to get along with than other women when the double chins start to form." (Gloria Steinem) Ha!

In order to maintain a semblance of work/life balance, I have continued to have fun adventures which included an urban adventure race, three sprint triathlons (one that Mahalia and I did together!) and a 1/2 marathon! It's amazing to me how pushing my body keeps my mind clear and my soul at rest.






Of course, Billy and I also spent some wonderful time outside with the kids--hiking, climbing, camping, and skiing. Most of all, though, 2011 was the year of the road trip. We enjoyed wild Texas during spring break at Canyon of the Eagles in the Highland Lakes region of Texas. In July, packed in our minivan, we braved 22 states in 29 days and were blessed to visit some of our favorite places and reconnect with so many of you! The main part of our trip included spending a week with Billy's family at Long Beach Island on the Jersey Shore celebrating his parents' 40th wedding anniversary! We also packed in the minivan again at Thanksgiving, driving 17 hours (each way) to Colorado to see friends and family! I say, the family that road trips together, stays together!

Climbing at Enchanted Rock State Park

Vanishing Texas River Cruise, Canyon of the Eagles, Texas

Guadalupe State Park, TX

Long Beach Island, NJ

Skiing at Loveland, Colorado

In the midst of all of our adventures, Billy stayed busy teaching at Hays High School. He taught sophomore English (the most noble of all) and a teen leadership class in which he uses experiential education to foster life skills and build community. He is loved by his students and they seem to really take his lessons to heart, especially when he teaches Orwell's 1984. Notice the art work by one of his students...a striking resemblance, no?

This year, Billy also had the opportunity to present professional development workshops to faculty and was more involved in curriculum development as well. Though he doesn't yet have administrative ambitions in public education, his leadership and skill set is being recognized more in his district. Billy is also the faculty sponsor for the Hays High School Ultimate Frisbee Club (no shock there!) and the Gay/Straight Alliance, no small feat in a fairly conservative school district! The students who don't always 'fit' in the traditional, big Texas high school setting, seem to gravitate to Billy--somehow sensing he was once one of them. :) Along with work, Billy continued running, and finished the Austin Marathon in February! He also enjoyed time climbing, hiking and birding with the kids.

Austin Marathon Start!

Hiking at Canyon of the Eagles, TX

Climbing at Enchanted Rock State Park

Most of all, Billy is a loving and devoted husband, father, and uncle...whether dressing up in 'futuristic' garb for the Girl Scout Daddy/Daughter dance, visiting his new niece upon her birth, or going out on 'date nights' with me, he is always supports our family and keeps everyone grounded and grateful.

Getting ready to leave for the Girl Scout Daddy/Daughter Dance!

Uncle Billy with Baby Zeina

Date Night!

Mahalia is in 4th grade and turned 9 (!) this year. She has a zest for life, shown by her playfulness, wit, intellect and love of adventure. This picture says it all...

Mahalia stayed busy this year with soccer practice, games and tournaments! She played academy soccer in the spring, and rec soccer in the fall; though she finally decided in the end that soccer is not for her. We were proud of her efforts and perseverance (though relieved not to have to be soccer parents anymore)! :)

Along with soccer, Mahalia took up dance and theater, and has decided that she would like to attend the Juilliard School and study acting after high school. Hilarious that a nine year old could have that much clarity, but it will not surprise me if this is actually the path she pursues. She can be quite determined (understatement). Whether cooking new recipes while playing Chopped, performing messy science experiments in the house, figuring out how to do math problems in her head or staying up late to finish reading a big book, she amazes me with her focus and tenacity! Here are some pictures of a few of her 2011 adventures...

Bridging from a Brownie to a Junior in Girl Scouts

Finishing the swim during her first triathlon!

Celebrating her performance as Berlioz in the Aristocats at theater camp

Boogie boarding at Long Beach Island, NJ

Horseback riding in Manchaca, TX

At the Alamodome to see Katy Perry in concert

Will is in 1st grade and turned 7 this year! He is becoming a terrific reader and loves getting outside riding his bike, skateboard or scooter or playing war games with the neighborhood boys! Will does Tae Kwon Do and loves practicing his kicks and punches in the living room--often narrowly avoiding his baby sister's head!

Will absolutely loves nature and went camping with me at Guadalupe State Park this summer. He has also taken to bird watching with his dad. He even got a bird book and binoculars for his 7th birthday. They go around the lakes in Plum Creek or to local trails, and he is getting quite good at identifying birds that we see!


Will also attended basketball camp at Texas State this summer, gearing up for this winter's season. Though still growing, he is scrappy, and is developing a love of the game. Could a parent ask for more?! :)

Will is a kind boy who is very curious about the world. He has a lot of insight about human suffering and fairness (though he will be the first to rip a toy out of his baby sister's hands)! Ah, the paradoxes of human nature. Much like his sister, he is happiest outside, climbing trees, playing and finding adventure. Here are some special moments of Will's year!

Rock climbing at Enchanted Rock State Park

Enjoying the climbing wall with Mahalia at Mid-South AEE conference

Canoeing with dad in the BWCAW

Tree climbing in the neighborhood

Wendell Jane is now 18 months old and into EVERYTHING. Good lord! She is that child who must stick her finger in the light socket and put stuff in her mouth--rocks, cat food, dirt, you name it! :) She is curious beyond measure and loves being outside and climbing things like her big brother and sister. She has mastered the art of the shrill 'death scream' but also delightfully sings her ABCs, Elmo's World and the Barney theme song. She loves her big sister and big brother and is also tormented by them. Here are some photos from 2011 that seem to capture her essence...amazing how young one's 'essence' emerges, eh?

Future Princeton Tiger?

Hipster
Mischief!

Play time!

Exploring nature in the BWCAW

Enjoying the sand at Long Beach Island, NJ

At Mi Tierra in San Antonio

On the slide at Will's birthday party!

Our big girl at Christmastime!

Finally, our holiday update would not be complete without news of Gadie (my mom's grandma nickname)! She continues to live with us and help us with the kids, laundry, cooking, cleaning, and life in general. As we have said over and over, "Everybody needs a Gadie!" More than that, however, she remains one of our best friends, and we love sharing adventures with her too!

In a blizzard in Central Park

On the porch with Will & Mahalia

Giving Wendell a bath in the sink!

Relaxing with Wendell at Cypress Creek

It's obvious that we have much to be grateful for...most of all, one another, our health, good jobs, quality education and healthcare for our children, and the basics, like food and shelter, that so many people do not have, especially in this very tough economy. In the midst of much turmoil, war and activism in the world this year, we have tried to do good in our own small corner. We have tried to role model caring for the world in our work, our volunteerism, our involvement in our church and by taking care of one another. Still, it feels we fall short and lose perspective so easily at times. It also feels like the problems of the world are insurmountable. It is here that we turn to our faith and those things that inspire us. And this leads me to Harry Potter...

While this was the year of the road trip, it was also the year of Harry Potter. On our travels, we read books 1-3 and then spent the fall reading books 4-7 (and watching all of the movies). It was time well spent as a family and led us on a journey about friendship, adventure, bravery, purpose and above all, love. The kids, of course, took on the personas of Harry and Hermione for Halloween (note that Wendell is a unicorn, the purest of all creatures).

As a family, the amazing stories, places and tales embedded in the Harry Potter books have become part of our lexicon, and we are reminded of the words of Albus Dumbledore this holiday season and always: "Do not pity the dead. Pity the living, and above all, those who live without love." This is indeed a hard world we live in, but we have an Eternal example of love given to us this Christmas and always, and we have no other alternative than to follow that example of love-- Christ's example of love--forever. Even in the face of suffering and fear. It is our hope.

We love you and wish you joy and peace in 2012. You also inspire us...

With love,
Christine, Billy, Mahalia, Will, & Wendell Norton