what I have been up to this summer??

hi friends...

I have been asked by friends what I have been up to this summer...or what do I usually do in the summers off due to being a teacher? good question...well, this summer I went to Alaska with my mom. I know crazy. It was amazing. We went on a cruise that left out of Seattle. It was a seven day cruise that hit Juneau, and a couple of other cities in Alaska that I can't spell, and then the last stop was Victoria, B.C.- this had to be one of my favorite cities. It is so clean, historical, and beautiful. I have to say this was such an amazing trip for a few different reasons- 1. I got to spend time with my mom (you can never get time back) 2. The breathtaking beauty that surrounded us the whole time (made me just worship my creator and the creator of these beautiful sights all the more) 3. It made me appreciate taking a deep breath (something I take for granted every day). you can see my pics at http://doesntgetmuchbetterthanthis.shutterfly.com/

I was truly blessed by this trip and it will go down as one of my favorite times of my life. But honestly I have a lot of sweet moments this summer. I got to have my nephew 2 whole days and one part of a day. He is growing so fast and he just keeps getting more and more precious I can hardly stand it. I love him so much. Its for sure hard to be 3 hours from him.

I have had the time to catch up with friends, which I for sure take for granted during the year- and this is a goal I have every summer. I have also had a ton of friends who had babies towards the end of the summer and that has been awesome to get to hang and meet these new precious lives. I have a feeling next summer I will also have quite a few babies to meet and hang out with.

Right now I am getting to take care of four kids ages 9, 11, 14, and 16 while their parents are in Africa (yes I am getting a paid a little bit). But its neat to feel like I am a little part of their Africa experience even though I am not getting to go this year. They live in a really beautiful part of Wimberly, TX and its been so nice to sit on the front porch or walk through their neighborhood. I have come up to several deer...they are so funny. But, I have just enjoyed the peaceful moments and the beauty of this area. I just feel truly blessed.

Life is sweet...

so places I recommend going to if you get a chance...
blue hole in wimberly
zdt amusement park in seguin- its relatively cheap but clean and the people are nice- great for kids under 12
any snow cone place...realized how amazing joy it can bring a kid...
seeing an old movie at the Paramount...its a neat experience
the symphony on Sundays
gruene hall such a fun place to see a show and I just love gruene


so books I recommend....

A praying Life by Paul Miller...its has been life transforming...oh my goodness I want everyone to read it

the above the line series by Karen Kingsbury...yes she is a little cheesy but I so love her heart and what this series is talking about

so I ask your prayers as I begin this year. We have some new staff on my team- for them to feel part of the team. Lots of new adjustments in our district...that we can all roll with the punches. and most of for connections with my students- that I will listen and really hear their hearts and look past what they are reacting and see their hearts.

also, thinking about starting a part time venture with a friend...just that I will listen to God and not go before Him and be wise...more details to come with that...excited about the possiblity.

and that I will continually trust God and believe His immense love and his plan for my life.

thanks friends and family for being in my life. I just stand amazed how gracious God had been in my life thus far...

So, I am not Oprah but I have a few favorite things I would like to share...

So I finally did something on my list!!!! Yeah very exciting. I went kayaking and it was amazing just like I remembered…and of course I was thinking why don’t I do this more often. My friend Sarah went with me and she had never been before so of course it made it even more fun and we took a double kayak, which is always an adventure. It was so incredibly peaceful and tranquil. We did go at ten in the morning before there was a ton of people and it was a perfect Texas spring morning. So, go and do it!!!

I don’t think I am Oprah or anything like that. But, I do have a few things that I would love to share with ya’ll. A lot of people ask me different things like where do I find all these good deals or music or my hair products (surprisingly that happens a lot). So I thought I would make a blog of them.


Deals and Steals
We all know how crazy the economy is and we are all looking for the best deals. I pride myself in being the queen of finding steals or the best offers. A few of the websites that give me those tips or deals.

1. www.couponcravings.com- it’s a blog and if you sign-up to get emails you will get an email from her everyday with all the best deals on groceries, free stuff being offered, and just about anything where there is a deal. I promise you will not regret signing up for this.

2. www.groupon.com - I have gotten so many deals and if you sign-up and get your friends to sign-up and use you as a reference you will get a $10 certificate to use on your next purchase. They also do a daily email.

3. www.livingsocial.com - Again just like groupon but offers slightly different stuff but equally is good.

4. If you live in Austin, TX get a golocal card. You can buy them wherever you see go local. Check out their website www.thegolocalcard.com

5. And for hotels I use www.hotwire.com the only thing with it is like priceline you can’t see the hotel name until after you buy it but trust me if you go with a 3-4 star hotel you won’t go wrong. I have gotten some amazing deals on there.

6. Also, if you think those membership cards at local stores are not worth it I am going to have to argue with you. For sure if you at all like the movies get the Regal card. I get free movie tickets and concessions all the time. Also with Borders books you get great coupons weekly and I love books. They now also offer free wifi. So check it out.


Amazing Non-Profits who are changing the world!!

1. I have to plug a few organizations that are doing some amazing work to help our world. One is called Music for The City. I am really partial to this one as my friends are the ones who created it. But, check out this video:
http://vimeo.com/11561817 and go to www.musicforthecity.org


2. The next ones have to do with trafficking of humans, which gets my blood boiling. These two organizations are doing amazing things to help put a stop to this horrific crime. I happen to have met the founder of the not for sale campaign in Africa this summer. He sat around and told us stories that broke my heart. I just want there to be more awareness of what is going on with this. So, please check both of them out because both are truly amazing.

http://www.sctnow.org/


http://www.notforsalecampaign.org/


3. And the last but not least organization is the March of Dimes. They do so much for helping newborns especially ones who are born with complications. I have gotten to see first hand how they help when one of my friends babies was born early just last month. It is truly amazing. So please support them. www.marchofdimes.com



Music and musicians that I adore quite simply!

Hey if you have made it this far I greatly appreciate it! So, music… here are five local Austin bands/singer/songwriters that I think everyone should know about. Okay so they also happen to be my friends…but seriously they are incredibly talented and Austin is truly blessed to have them here.

1. Betty Soo…simply put fun and amazing lyrics…and fantastic voice. Check her out at www.bettysoo.com! Go see her live you will love her!

2. Miranda Dodson…incredible voice and songwriter and about to have a CD release party on June 11th at Stubbs in Austin. She is at www.mirandadodson.com

3. Jordan Whitmore…sweet sound that you will love! http://www.myspace.com/jordanwhitmoremusic

4. Trees of Lyres- again amazing…they are cute married duo that I really like. You just gotta find them on facebook.

5. Alpha Rev- they are getting to be big time and don’t really need me top plug them…but check them at http://alpharev.com/index2.php


Other blogs and websites you should check out for other amazing things that can enrich your life and…

1. My friend and pastor Jonathan Dodson has a great blog…. www.jonathandodson.org

It will challenge you and just simply want you to be living and exploring what the gospel means in your life.

2. Jonathan Dodson’s wife and my friend is incredibly talented and has great store on Etsy (and if you don’t know what Etsy is go on it! www.etsy.com) She designs clothes and its so fun- you might even see me modeling a few dresses. http://www.etsy.com/shop/Parsimony

3. My friend DeeDee does a blog and its awesome…http://www.adoredaustin.com

4.My friend Shawnda also does a blog. She is my hero and inspiration…because I really want to adopt one day and she and her husband have such a true Godly heart for adoption and it inspires me. I also happen to be in Uganda at the same time she was adopting the latest addition to the Kovac family. It was incredible and really special. Check her out at www.james127.blogspot.com and see what adoption is all about.

5. The amazing church I go is also one to check out... www.austincitylife.org


I hope you have enjoyed my top favorite things! Seriously, I love giving shout outs to people, places, and things I believe in.

Finally, I am going to Alaskan cruise this summer with my mom and I can’t wait to come and share about that.

But, if you are in Texas and looking for a sweet short trip- go to Fort Worth and check out the amazing museums and the zoo. Texas Cowgirl museum is awesome and so is the Modern Art Museum. And you can check out Groupon and Living Social to see if there are any great deals happening there when you want to go.


PS. I use Pantene pomade on my hair…amazing and sometimes Garnier surf hair. They are cheap and awesome!