A few digital memories

I accidentally placed the wrong memory card in my camera, so my number of pictures I could take was very limited. I left my big one in my computer here at the office, but at least I had an emergency spare one in my wallet. My mom and sister took a lot of pictures, and I'm sure I will be getting my hands on those soon, and I also have several on my iphone that I need to get off of there. BUT here's some highlights....

Kai and Poppa (my dad)

Kai and Dusty (one of my BFF'
s)

Dusty ("Crusty") and me after we got our tattoos...
My red face is because of a microdermabrasion that my mom did on me a few hours before this pic was taken. She owns a day spa, and pampers me when she can! =)

Tonya, Dusty and me... always a lot of laughing when I'm with these two! (although SOMEONE was missing!)

Dad talked me into leading a song with his team on Sunday morning at His church. He tried to get me to sing the whole set, but I have been trying to rest my voice in between my sets here in Illinois. He is the one leading with the guitar, my step mom is the one to the right, and I am to the right of her. Signing with my dad is an automatic comfort zone for me. It's where it all began for me, and it's where I will always go back to for inspiration with my music.

This angel is one of my oldest and dearest friends, Miss Sarah Ashley. She moved to Austin AFTER I moved to Illinois. She is in the top 5 list of my most favorite people in the world. She inspires me on so many levels and makes my heart smile deeply. We had such a beautiful conversation and genuinely felt each other's hearts. If my time with her was the only reason I traveled that many miles with a 6 months old in tow, it would have been totally worth it.

This is my precious English Bulldog Taylor... or "Baby Taylor" who was named after Taylor guitars, who my dad endorses for. I LOVE her. She's my favorite animal in the world. Ever. (Oh and she loves me too.)

This is Dad and Deb... Dad started off singing to Kai...

and then it turned into his first official guitar lesson. =)

Deep in the Heart of Texas

I have indeed been gallivanting around the amazing state of Texas.

I grew up in the Houston area, and moved to Austin when I was 22. My family and dearest friends all still live there so it's a journey I make several times a year.

Every trip always includes lots of good food and shopping until we drop.... lots of laughs and meaningful conversations... lots of catching up and reconnecting.

It was a very "spur of the moment" trip and I was so consumed with the thought of traveling that far with a six month old, I forgot to even mention it or tell everyone the blog would have a small break.

We had a very special trip and Kai could not have been any more perfect. He was a complete angel in the airports, on the airplanes, throughout every car ride and shopping spree! He of course charmed everyone hew saw with his gorgeous red hair, chubby little cheeks and his smile that could light up the darkest room! He is no respecter of people... he laughs and smile at absolutely everyone. He has the most pleasant disposition on any baby I've ever seen. All people kept saying all week is how happy he was. My family could not get over how "good" of a baby he was. I seriously don't think he cried once... maybe fussed a little here and there, but we all have our fussy moments don't we???

When I got home, my husband Seth had TOTALLY gutted our master bathroom and remodeled it! I was elated! It was the only room left in our house that needed re-done! He picked out the paint colors...tile...everything! (even down to the new LED nightlight!) What a man!!!! Brownie points for years to come from that one!

Here are some Etsy "Texas" finds... along with a little something I found while I was there this past weekend.

I wouldn't.... or would I????

If you would... you can find these here.



I love this...
Found here.



Trust me, just don't...

HERE.



I want this...

The "Yellow Rose of Texas" can be found, well... in Texas, but also here.

I'm back in Illinois now. I love my life here in the lovely mid-west, but I will always be a proud Texan. Who knows where God will lead us after our season here is at a close...maybe back to Texas? Florida? California? Maybe to Europe? Africa? How exciting it is to have a God who can do anything, and who's plans are far beyond anything we could ever imagine! I LOVE that in our life, the possibilities are always endless!

(don't do any freaking out, our season here is nowhere near being even close to closed! ...I just love to dream!)

Marked for life.

this too shall pass

As small as it may sound, this phrase, accompanied by the awareness of a sovereign God in control, echoing in my thoughts has helped me survive my darkest seasons.

I feel as though every time I hear it, it resounds in my soul and lifts me ever so slightly higher.

Small, but powerful words if you truly believe them.

Inked

I REALLY like this!

I love my treble clef tattoo on my foot, but if I had thought of this before, it just might have changed everything!

My brother-in-law is a very talented tattoo artist. I will definitely feature his work on my blog one day. (this is not his work btw)