Book Quote

She fed CDs into the stereo, singing aloud to keep her thoughts at bay. She would have time to deal with them soon enough. [Falling Home by Karen White]

Traveling: the perfect opportunity to get wrapped up in music.

And to think. Or not to think at all.

"Meet Me In St. Louie"

That song Judy Garland sang in some movie or another is what pops into my head first when I think of St. Louis.

Oh, and this:

Sometimes you just can't explain the things you do with your roommates. That was one of those times.

I'm gearing up to fly to STL in less than 12 hours. A school in the area is bringing me in for a 2nd interview and a visit.

and so begins the career.

This. Is. IntenseExcitingScaryFun. [Teagan, I'm so glad you taught us that beautiful art. So useful!]

~"So come on, here's your chance. Don't let it slip through your hands. Get ready for the ride of your life." [-"The Ride of Your Life" - John Gregory...Thanks to Karen for that one!]~

All That I Can Do, Too

"All That I Can Do" by Bethany Dillon came on my iPod at the end of a trying day...and it fit so well...

I ran around the room again
I ran outside and ran back in
And I just couldn't get away from myself
I don't care what tomorrow brings
I won't back down for anything
I want to think that I was made for something else

[Bridge:]
I can't wait anymore
I'm ready to reach
So I'm closing the door behind me

[Chorus:]
All that I can do is hold onto You
And follow where You lead
Where You're leading me
All that I can do is hold onto You
And let You bring me through
It's all that I can do

There are days I think I don't need You
There are days when I can't see the truth
I need You to save me from the lies
Because every thought that's in my head
And even when I draw my next breath
You knew it all before there was time

[Bridge]
[Chorus]

When the waves begin to rise
And all my hope fails
In confidence I'll close my eyes
Trusting you'll be there

[Chorus]

Life Barrages

Some days the only way to really sum up the day a good cry.

It's like our body has too many emotions to handle and just needs to overflow to make room for all of them to fit.

~"Oh, child...Don't ever discount the wonder of your tears. They can be healing waters and a stream of joy. Sometimes they are the best words the heart can speak." [-The Shack]~

Blessings in the "Blugh"

For all the things today had to offer amidst the yuckiness...

humor amidst tough love -- having to turn your face away so your preschooler doesn't see you laugh after he says he's "too weak" to tell her why he's there ...after he's already said he's "apprehensive"...

a much-anticipated (and feared) haircut -- a guinea pig session for the lady cutting my hair as another stylist taught her how to do it...on my head...and i feared for the worst before it was over!

many laughs with my fellow student teacher -- as we made a mini night out from the haircut endeavor.

getting to wear cowboy boots at school all day -- and seeing the kiddos dressed up, too, for our cowboy cookout. and knowing i get to repeat it tomorrow. :)

getting past the toughness and fear of being honest -- goodbye, frustration. hello, game plan and happy heart. take that, fear. friendship first. ♥

booking my ticket to see David -- the countdown started already. eagerness. happiness.

being loved -- by preschoolers. by friends. by God.

Hey. Thanks, God. You're awesome.

~"Come move in us, come hold our hearts." ["Lift Us Up To Fall" - Tenth Avenue North]~

Texas Living

We didn't have school today (thanks, U.S. Presidents!), and I have no good khaki pants anymore. That's what happens when you haven't bought any since high school and have not stayed the same size since then. Off to the outlet mall we went. Let me just tell you that it is so foreign for people to have their a/c on in February, or to be walking around in an outdoor mall in February and being happy to have a breeze come through to cool you. So, so weird.

The drive there and back was great, though. Windows down, music up, and back road driving. [amazing]

The county we're in, Harris County, actually has the highest horse-to-person ratio per capita in the United States. [I would've taken pictures along the way, but I was driving.] I love seeing horses and fields and all of the different styles of homes around here. It's just so different here. Every time we go somewhere, there's something new to see. And it's always beautiful in some way.

I want to soak in as much as I possibly can in 2 months. I don't think I'll ever get the chance to say "I live in Texas right now" again. I want to live in Texas while I'm here.

~"Your living is determined not so much by what life brings to you as by the attitude you bring to life; not so much by what happens to you as by the way your mind looks at what happens." [-Kahlil Gibran]~

(Part 3:) The [Family] World In Me

my wonderful nephew.

mom&me.

my stepdad and minnow, his kitty.

papa russ and his girls.

bob and holl, part of the siblings. :)

grandpa dave&grandma bev taught us what it means to love someone forever.

my bubby and me.

dad and 1 L shel.

sometimes we're crazy together. ♥

special hot chocolate: it's a twin thing.

i love my aunt!

parker's baptism day!

daaaa bears game with my daddy.

holiday tradition: peanut brittle.

today and yesterday helped me miss home a little less as i went through the myriad of pictures i have and as i remembered how many people have helped me become who i am today and whose wisdom and love i carry with me daily.

because sometimes i have those "i just wanna go home" moments. even though i wouldn't trade where i'm at, i miss the comfort of being home, of being around these wonderful people.

this is the world in me...these friends and these family members.

love and miss you all, and thanks for getting me to where i am today.

and thank you for letting me carry you in my mind and my heart.

♥