So, I'm bouncing around a lot this summer. I have already had such a great time visiting with family and friends, and it's just going to continue from here until I finally settle back in at home. Here's a quick recap of what's been going on...I'll have to post pictures later because I'm using my mom and dad's computer, and my pics are on my laptop. We're going to attempt to make their house wireless, but we've got better things to do in the mean time (like go to Ross, the post office to mail Will the best package ever, and meet my dad for lunch).

-As previously mentioned, I had a wonderful weekend away with my sis and s-i-l, along with Corrie, in the Austin/Lake Travis area. Alicia and Charla have already posted about it, which makes me entirely unmotivated to post more! Ha ha. Let me just say that these are two girls who needed a break and a time of fun and fellowship with family. Mission accomplished.

-I have spent countless hours staring at, holding, and playing with my sweet niece Hannah Grace. She is simply amazing. Instead of wanting my own, I think I'll just take her! (The amount of people that would like to claim this child for their own is astounding, and it's causing my sister to consider microchipping the poor girl.)

-I was lucky enough to be in town when an old friend got married, and while I wasn't exactly invited, my friend Erica was, and I was her date. We had such a great time catching up with a few high school friends, our high school youth pastor, and even more parents of our friends from high school! Erica and I have been friends since the beginning of our sophomore year in high school, but it seems like I've known her forever. We have stayed in touch throughout the years (thank goodness she was a Sooner and not a Longhorn, or that might have turned out differently), and get together every chance we can. This wedding was no exception - we had a blast being together, talking non-stop with everyone we saw there, and feeling 17 again...Plus, we witnessed a marriage that was a God-ordained and blessed union. Not bad for a Saturday night.

-I'm spending some time with my parents. It's funny to come "home" to a place that I have never lived, but it's the company that makes it home, right? Well, this company includes my parents and 5 dogs! My two are here, and have made themselves a part of the family. If at all possible, I'd like to capture all 5 in one photo, but that might be asking a lot. It's a motley crew.

Well, we'd better get on with our day. It's hot as can be and as much as I'd like to spend all day right here in the a/c, we've got places to go and people to see.

Well, the surprise girls' weekend went off without a hitch. A night downtown Austin, endless conversation, a day at the pool on Lake Travis, a dinner al fresco with live music, a night in a room with a view...So. Much. Fun.

However, I'm still catching up on sleep, so I'll update with pictures and details later. For now, it's good to be home in Texas, and it's soooo good to get to hold that baby niece of mine.

Mom and DadHere's to 30 years!

Love you.

I miss my puppy dogs - they're spending summer at the grandparents' house. My mom and dad are gracious (and brave) to host our pups so that I can travel this summer without having to board them. It sure is quiet around here without them...quiet and CLEAN. I enlisted the help of my newly-turned-10-years-old neighbor (who owes us chores for losing Will's basketball a few months ago) to really vacuum the furniture. This is the first time in a long time that I haven't had to swipe off with the lint roller before leaving the house!

So, I made it to day 6, then skipped day 7 (which fell on the 4th)...However, I went to the gym yesterday and today and I feel pretty good about it. I had to exercise on my own though these last two days because they don't have Sunday classes, and I didn't make it to the 8:20 or 9:30 classes yesterday morning. I did the elliptical machine followed by the treadmill - I wanted to stick to that one hour time frame, which is how long the classes are...The setting I use on the elliptical is 28 minutes, followed by a 5 minute cool down. I did 2.4 miles yesterday, and bumped it up to 2.7 today. The treadmill is much harder for me. I really don't like to run. Yesterday I just walked really fast, but did stay on for a full 30 minutes. Today, I decided to push it a bit and see if I could run (okay, jog) for .5 miles. Doesn't sound like a lot, but I am NOT a runner/jogger at all. Period. Surprisingly, I didn't die. In fact, after I jogged the .5, I walked (quickly) for .25, then jogged the last .25 of mile #1. After this (it's amazing how much farther you can go when you jog vs. walk...novel concept) I still had time to walk another mile before the gym closed. I really enjoy the elliptical, especially being able to switch directions as well as grade and resistance, but I felt that the treadmill was more effective for getting my heart rate up!

I was amazed that I didn't quit on myself, not having the peer pressure of being in a class. That prayer, I tell you what - it works! I have not dropped a single pound in these 8 days, but I feel good, and I have been sleeping GREAT (not usual for me). Health, endurance, and overall feeling good is my goal - weight loss is a side benefit. I have never felt bad about myself, even at my highest weights, and I think that comes from having a family that has always valued so much more than physical appearance. I know some people think I should be working out to lose weight - Who wouldn't want to be thin, right? But, I have seen vanity suck so many women away from their value in Christ, and I am so thankful that I am surrounded by many more people who love me for me, and encourage me. I hope that exercise makes me stronger, happier (love those endorphins), helps me meet new/different people here, and gives Will and I something else to do together. I want to be able to hike, explore, kayak (next summer, honey?), fulfill my purpose (whatever that is now, and whatever it will be) and just enjoy it all, and not get worn out. I think I am on my way there, and I am looking forward to finding new ways to exercise as I travel this summer...as long as it's inside, because I have grown accustomed to highs in the low 80's. We didn't make it much above 70 today.

I know that your prayers have helped me make it to day 8, so THANKS, and keep 'em coming! It also helps to be in a gym where Christian music blares, where the trainers are kind and encouraging and clothed, and where there are people of all sizes, shapes and abilities. It's a great atmosphere, and I couldn't be more thankful. The TVs on the cardio machines help, too. ;)

Homegrown.

I tried to reign it in a little bit this year with my planting - last year a couple plants grew so well they took over the whole planter box. This year may be the same story, even though I tried to prevent it from happening. I planted my mints in pots so they wouldn't creep...I have been cutting back my cilantro and parsley...But, holy cow! The zucchini (back left corner)! This thing is HUGE - I was worried that the silver splotches (top right corner of picture below) on the leaves were some type of mold, but it turns out to be normal markings on healthy, mature leaves.


My remaining tomato plant is also growing well (right side of planter box) - much better than our tomato plants from last year. We lost two tomato plants (a Roma and a grape) to a late cold snap.

I did plant an eggplant, but it isn't growing much. It's totally dwarfed by the zucchini anyway. I also planted lemon cucumber again (last year it was very prolific and delicious) but it died back in the cold snap, too...It seems to be coming back, but is small.

Will loves sugar snap peas, so this plant was for him! The first pods have been ready this week, and they are oh-so-tasty.


And last, but certainly not least, are my peppers! Last year I planted them in the big planter box, but they did not produce much at all. I read that the soil temperature needs to stay above 70 degrees - so no wonder they didn't come through for us last year! This year they are in a pretty pot that is not too big, and it is right in the sunlight. Already they are starting to make their appearance!

I have grossly overestimated my fitness level, which is, I think, normal for someone who used to (read: pre-wedding) exercise regularly...but now does not.

We joined a gym in February, but it just opened on Saturday. Something about construction delays due to all of the rain/wind/sleet/late snow. I have been every day since opening, praying that the "it takes 7 days to make something a habit" holds true. Luckily, this gym offers two of my favorite classes from Gold's Gym in College Station - Body Pump and Body Step. For me, group fitness is the only way to go. I have tried time and time again to have the personal will power to exercise and it just does not happen. Now, I'll walk the dogs and call it exercise, but I won't exercise the way I need to on my own. Once I get in a class, it's a different story - I won't wuss out and leave early, even when I want to (like today).

So today I decided I'd take it a step further, or greener, and ride my bike to the gym...and take the longer, scenic route to avoid busy streets. Um, yeah. Totally overestimated my level of overall fitness, as previously mentioned. I had a few minutes to rest before a 25 minute ab/back class, then Body Step. The WHOLE time I was dreading my ride home. Ugh. I did not take the scenic route home.

This was day 4. Pray for me, y'all.