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I don’t often post articles, but seeing this in print has made me quite weepy today. Watched my husband win many of these, never once letting myself think something like this would be a possibility for me. Note to self and everyone: DREAM BIGGER.
THE NIGHT OF THE TRIPLE PLAY AWARDS — I’ll be hosting & bringing as much estrogen as i physically can to this incredible group i get to share the stage with. A portion of proceeds from every ticket sold benefits the @cmafoundation, which is near and dear to my heart. They loved on my hometown last year so let’s sell this out. K, cool? (link in bio cuz duh.)
TEQUILAVERSARY — one year ago today I was tucked away at @theonsitefoundation completely unaware of the groundswell that the dropping of this songbaby would cause. it was groundswell — turned earthquake — turned “how do they know all the words when it isn’t even on the charts yet?” — turned “now I have a new song to end every writer’s round with” — turned “wait, they’re playing it on The River?” - turned “what should I wear to the Grammy’s?” ➕ ➕ ➕ LINK IN BIO to hear the anniversary acoustic version @danandshay dropped today. SWIPE RIGHT to see the nostalgic email from the day @jordankreynolds sent @dansmyers & me the demo. Makes me ask myself what I’m chasing down doing today I’ll be thankful for in 2 years...
yesterday she gave her a haircut. today @sydneyclawson gave her a private painting lesson. when she gets done showing her how to draw that Willie over their shoulder, she can teach her how to grow a garden, cook her own recipes from scratch, kill a deer, shoot a bow, make a killer cocktail, ice skate & treat everyone with kindness. all i really have to do is pay for college and she’s set. #sistersister
ICT»»BNA — dare I say our easiest travel day as a family ever. no delays. no tears. no puke. no rain. no strollers. no problem. i’m declaring this an omen for all travel in 2019. *celebratory dance for making it through the toddler years*
THE WORD FOR 2018 WAS DERIVE. — it wasn’t the sexiest sounding thing, but it made for an incredibly attractive year. and it felt like the natural successor to 2017’s REAP. in hindsight, my favorite version of DERIVE is “to create by changing the shape”. for me that looked like firsts. first year for my scholarship. first new pub deal in a decade. first time to London. first time to play the Opry. first everything Glinda. but another definition of DERIVE is “to flow freely from the source”. and none of those firsts would have grown as gracefully had I not gone back to the original source of their creation: same old me. it started Jan 3, 2017 at OnSite by bravely reintroducing myself to some parts of me that I had forgotten about. and when i found that girl again, I ultimately said that I wanted to make things I love —inspired by things I love. it was that simple. and that happened. and i’m just so joyful and proud of that. mostly proud that i let myself celebrate without guilt, shame or fear of future heartbreak. I keep reading a lot of “can’t wait to top it all next year’s” in my feed. I can’t honestly say i’m looking to top anything. but i’m most definitely ready to add to it. more new. more same. more joy. more pain. which leads me right to my word for 2019 which is — EDIT. whatever is coming next, i fully intend to “preside over and be the boss of” my next trip around the sun. REAP, DERIVE, EDIT. (starting to sound like chapters to a book. 😉)
where seldom is heard a discouraging word...until the battery pack needs more juice. #kansmas
NOW OPEN: Charlie’s Fixing Hair Style Salon. ten bucks for a whole new you. has already trademarked her chocolate chip frosting nail polish. says her slogan is “put pretty things all over the pretty things”. #kansmas
been watching a LOT of Home Alone. #imademyfamilydisappear #kansmas
1ST GLINDA CHRISTMAS — years of executing a vision for how we could honor family traditions of the past — while also creating a moment for just the 4 of us — came into fruition today. we did the crazy, beautiful, three loud christmases with cousins. and this morning we woke up to nothing but silence, then footsteps running for Santa gifts. Some have more than me. Some have less than me. But few are more thankful for what they have than me. I hope when God looks down/up/within/whatever u want to call it, He knows that even when i’m losing my patience bc I cut my finger opening another toy - that I am still at my core just feeling an overwhelming “thank you”. For the little people who don’t sleep. For the family that defines dysfunctional. For the husband who wears matching jammies without putting up a fight. Merry Christmas from THE LAND OF CLAWS. ✨
Dear Ella - Here’s a picture from last Christmas, (the last time most of us got to see you). Today, we all talked about how beautiful you are. And we gushed about how proud your daddy is. We will continue to champion you and stand for love, because you are one of us. And Galyon’s will never EVER stop fighting for each other. At the end of Christmas tonight, there was one unopened gift left sitting in the corner that said “To Ella, From Great Grandma Galyon” in 90 year old cursive. Unfortunately life is short, but our love for you is deeper than any amount of darkness could ever undo. Someday i hope you’ll see this, and you’ll know you were loved. Proud to be a Galyon with you, girl. Love, Aunty N❤️ (btw, your daddy is incredible.)