An Hour at Cafe Classique

The view from this quaint little cafe is nice. If it weren't for the big tan building in front of me it would be even better. I can still see the ocean on either side of the obstruction. It is a chilly day and quite foggy over the ocean. I'm adjusting to the cold. As soon as I do that though I will be going back to the Texas heat. I am quite alright with that though. But for now I will enjoy the cool breeze, my hot cappuccino, and tasty chocolate chip scone.

I desired to walk closer to the beach but I decided against that plan since I am unfamiliar with the area and unsure of the safety. I have already had the opportunity to see the ocean closer and take a few pictures and I know I will more especially as we head to San Diego :)

A sweet lady and two children walked up to the cafe - talking as if they were close friends of a woman working inside. The lady left her dog attached to the fence post right outside the cafe (I love how normal that is to them) then the children proceeded to excitedly run inside.

Earlier I had a conversation with two older gentleman that went a bit like this:

*After they couldn't decide when school let out*

Man 1: Do you know when school let out?

Man 2: Is it June 7?

Me: I'm not sure. I am already done with school and I am not from here.

Man 1: Are you home schooled? (I guess he was taking this from the fact that I was already done).

Man 2: Where are you from? Does school start back earlier in August then?

Me: Yes, I was home schooled. I am from Texas and I actually just graduated and I am not sure when school starts back.

Man 2: You're graduated?! (In complete disbelief)

Man 1: Did you finish early?

Man 2: How old are you? Sixteen?!

Me: I'm actually seventeen.

Man 2: Seventeen. That's what I said. (Obviously trying to be nice.) Wow... You will be carded for the next twenty years when you go into bars... if you ever do.

*I laughed*

They continues to ask me where I was going to college, what I wanted to study, and what kind of doctor I wanted to be. They were interested in all I had today and when they left "man 1" wished me luck in my career. They were very friendly people and provided a nice conversation this morning.

Back to the sweet lady... I realized they were calling the woman inside "mommy" and the lady they were with "grammy." It was a sweet grammy out with her granddaughter and grandson.

Well, it's been a nice time here. I think I am going to take a couple of pictures and walk home!

Trip to Alabama =)

The last week of December and of 2010 passed by quickly. We arrived back at home, had a few days to settle back in, have a new years eve party and leave again.

This is Ethan, Ash, my Memaw, me, and Mom =)

This last trip was not expected, but needed. My Memaw (great-grandmother on my moms side) lives in Alabama along with cousins, aunts, and uncles. My Memaw's sister-in-law passed away in November on Thanksgiving and her brother passed away a few weeks later right around Christmas. My mom decided it would be best if we went to see Memaw and just comfort her so my mom, Ash, Ethan and I took the trip. I helped drive which was fun =) It was so good to see all my family. It wasn't an easy trip because I was ready to be home but I'm glad I got to see everyone.

While we were there our friends, the Stapletons who we haven't seen since March 2010, from Tennessee came to see us. We spent a whole day together walking around the mall (and Target), playing cards and catching up. Hopefully we wont have to wait that long to see each other next time! =) That was definitely the highlight of my trip and I am so thankful it worked out.

Me, Ash, Haley, and Matt found an empty spot in Target and talked for a couple of hours while our moms were in the Starbucks talking and our little brothers ran around. We had so much fun in there (check out the Facebook pictures).

All the kids crammed into the back =)

Matt, Luke, Ethan, Johnny, Ash, Me, and Haley!

There are so many more pictures (lots of funny ones too) so go look at them on Facebook! =)

Christmas Vacation

Just a little recap from vacation...The night we got there included trying to push the car up the driveway to no avail, resolving in ordered pizza for dinner, and stuffing us 4 kids on one couch under piles of blankets to watch a movie because the heater was not working. A cold yet exciting night. The next few days was a mix between sledding, building a snowman (notice the singular-I was the only one who built one), playing games and reading. On Wednesday was our first day of skiing! It was cold, snowy, and fun. Taking lessons was very helpful and the next two days we were going down all the greens and blues! I think we caught on pretty quickly and all of us can't wait to go again =)

The third day of skiing, also our last, Ash and I wrote this hilarious note and hid it up on top of one of the lifts. We tied it to a branch and covered it with snow. 2 weeks later our friends, Blake and Brandon, went up to ski at Wolf Creek too. We showed them on a map and even talked to them on the phone while they were up on the mountain to guide them to it, but they didn't ever find it. It was a sad treasure hunt!

Here is a compilation of pictures and videos from out trip =)

We definitely had an amazing vacation and made lots of memories. Thanks dad for taking us :)

Different doesn't always mean bad =)

This was a very different Christmas. A good different, but still a little challenging. I have never been away from home on Christmas. I have never been without my big sis on Christmas. I have never went to bed without the excitement of waking up to gifts underneath the tree and knowing the day will be full of festivities.

I experienced all of that not happening this year.

And it was probably the best thing for me. As I laid in bed on Christmas Eve I thought about how much we change and our lives change. I realized that sometimes were going to be away for the holidays (Who knows where each of us will be just 5 years from now-Rachel is already a few states away), sometimes the people we most love are not going to be with us on every special occasion or holiday (especially as we get older), and sometimes a present does not come in the form of a perfectly wrapped gold box with a big red bow. Although I "went without" those things, I still had a lot of my family and made memories for a lifetime up in the mountains of Colorado. God really spoke to my heart that night. My family has always set the focus of Christmas to Jesus. We wouldn't have it if He did not come into this world. So what is the point of celebrating if we don't truly remember why it is such an important date? There isn't one. We still do gifts and in the recent years that has been a little different. Last year I explained what we get and why. It is still gifts we like but they have meaning in one way or another. =)

So even though we had a different Christmas the meaning stays the same and after a little struggling I was able to embrace that.

Truly A White Christmas

We are leaving in 3 hours to go to Colorado! Yes, it is 2 a.m. and we are leaving at 5 a.m. Am I trying to pull an all nighter? Yes. We have had so much to do and I would rather hold out a few hours then try to wake myself up after a short nap.

We will be in the car for about 16 hours (give or take..depends on the weather) in just a little bit. I will probably sleep the first half of the trip and enjoy the scenery the next half. It is going to be snowing when we get there so we are bundling up and praying for a safe trip.

Most of the time we will be playing games, watching movies, and just spending time as a family. 3 of the days we get to go skiing! It's an amazing Christmas present. I will probably fall. Get up. Fall again. Get up. And finally ski! It's my first time so I am a little nervous but it will be fun no matter what. I am sure there will be a lot of hot cocoa and wrapping in blankets once we get back to the cabin. =)

We are still planning on having a huge Christmas feast! Mom and I have been working on pulling together a few ingredients and making a grocery list for when we get there. We have to have at least some of our traditional desserts and of course yummy ham, sweet potato casserole, macaroni, and other fun feasty foods. =)

Praying my mouth will heal up soon so I can eat real food...it's going to be an interesting car trip. Lots of applesauce! :)....:/

We will be gone for 9 days! I am sure the trip home next Sunday will not be as exciting as the trip there, but be looking for some pictures after Christmas. I will start taking those in just a few hours =)

Well I pray everyone has a wonderful Christmas. I'll be missing everyone especially my sister and brother, Rach and Joshua, who will be thought about every day of our trip! It will be good though.

Merry Christmas!

Oh the holidays!

It's Christmas time again. I love the holiday season for many reasons; family time, no school, enjoying friends, and the joy that seems to be so evident during this time. Today began that season for me. School is officially over for a month and I have a busy yet relaxing break to enjoy.

Saturday we depart for Colorado. We will be on vacation for 8 days with no internet or phone service..it's going to be a nice family trip. My dad is taking all of us skiing for Christmas. This is our first time to go so we are all excited!

For one reason I have mixed emotions about this vacation. This is my first Christmas without my big sister, Rachel. Joshua and Rachel are staying in California this year and we are all bummed that we have to be a part. I just keep telling myself God's plans are good and He works all things together for the good of those who love Him. I don't know when the next time I will see her again (it has been 7 months...the longest I have been without seeing her). I am praying God provides a way for us to be together soon. I miss them terribly and look forward to when we can all spend some time together.

It is going to be a great Christmas nonetheless, and I will probably take way too many pictures of the piles of snow and beautiful mountains. I pray this is a blessed Christmas for everyone and that we all remember the reason we celebrate it. =)

Spring Break Part 2 - Camping!

After a week long trip in Tennessee we headed to go camping! It was sunshiney and beautiful Friday. Saturday and Sunday were cold and rainy but we still had fun. Friday we celebrated Blake's birthday by having a huge football game, an egg toss, and ate dinner together then enjoyed cake and icecream. :) Saturday we watched movies and played cards and did other fun things in the camper. We did make it out to go on a bike ride. We bundled up and endured the cold. Lydia had a crash and we all prayed for her and carried her back on her bike...that was an adventure. She was okay about 30 minutes later! The weekend was so much fun and we can't wait to go again. It is definitely a fun group of people.

We were watching a movie :)

I think his partner might have thrown the egg just a little too hard!

Jordan, Lydia, Me =)

"Pain is weakness leaving the body"....Lydia's quote all week :)

Football!

The Weekend before Thanksgiving...and Thanksgiving!

So I get behind on posting sometimes...:)

The weekend before Thanksgiving was a blast. Friday started out with going to the Triple Threat Christmas Concert in November with friends at CAIA. They did great! It makes me miss being a part of it, but hopefully I will have a car next year(praying fervently) and can drive myself to class!! =)

Saturday we just hung out around the house and packed for our trip to Alabama! Saturday night I baby-sat three adorable, little children! Tons of fun!

Sunday morning we were up bright and early to drive to Alabama. We made good timing and had a blast while we were there! We cooked and ate! Played lots of cards and four square outside tons! Watched plenty of football...Go Cowboys! Sorry A&M! Rolltide Bama!

I did have an allergic reaction to my cousin's cats so the last few days of the week were a little tiring because my body did not respond well to it, but overall the week proved to be worth it!

We took tons of pictures, but I will probably just add a link to those! Easier for me than posting here. =)

I dont know what to name this post....

Wow! It has been super busy and I have not had time to post anything on here for a few days. Our computer broke when a tornado came through Fort Worth a few days ago!!! I didn't know until the next morning when the computer would not turn on and mom said there was a tornado. Kind of scary... Also, we had our performances for Snow White this weekend which went amazingly! I cannot believe it is over though. Telling everybody goodbye last night was so sad. =( Those would be my excuses for not posting...mainly my "What's Going On" post. I definitely plan to soon though.

Well, nothing much has happened other than Snow White. Hannah, my lovely friend, came over Saturday after she watched my performance and I enjoyed that! I pretty much just listened to her sing and play the guitar. :-) I love it! She is really amazing. We went and got Snow Cones on Sunday when we took her back. I am telling you that is the perfect treat on a super hot day!! I found out that I love banana snow cones!! Delicious! I worked today and am on the panel at the New to Homeschool Workshop tonight. I think it is so much fun! Thursday I babysit, Saturday we leave for vacation and will be back the Sunday of the next week, and then school starts the next day. I cannot believe August 17th is less than 2 weeks away. My excitement for our vacation to the beach though is growing every day!

Anyways(haha, that always makes me think of Anne of Green Gables), that is what is going on right now.