This one's for my daddy

So this one is for dad.  Dad and all those other readers out there that read my blog to catch up on my life.  Sorry I haven't kept you updated!

Some things I learned about Texas.

It is incredibly boring to drive through. 

Everyone said I would fall in love with Austin.  It was nice, but I wasn't in love with it.

San Antonio is beautiful.  The fire department found me - naturally - I don't know what sort of medical/emergency/fire personnel magnet I have in my body, but it needs to stop.

The missions were humblingly beautiful to tour.  So rustic, so simple, and so full of historic character. 

Galveston was beautiful.  It makes me wonder why I don't pack up my bags and move to the coast.  Even Annapolis.  I need to be near the water.  I blame Stone Harbor for putting this into me.

Marriage fever:  It seems that everyone is getting married these days!  Definitely, I am not the kind of girl that gets all sentimental and upset worrying about when I am going to find someone to marry.  But the weird thing is that I don't get all nervous and freak out when people tell me they are getting married.   It seems to be getting less scary.  Not sure if this is because I see more and more people doing it, or if I realize that my mom and dad (although crazy as they are sometimes) rock at this marriage thing, or if I'm just warming up to the idea, but I am not the big marriage freak out anymore!  (sidenote: this does not mean I am looking for a ring or a husband tomorrow.)

Summer is here!  And along with that means: skydiving, the beach, Younglife trips(?), sundresses, FIREWORKS, open windows in the Jeep, tanning, running outside, swimming, leaving work at 3pm just because, and long days, fireflies, baseball games, swinging in the hammock, long grass, creeks, outdoor concerts, and country music!

Work is hopping.  Like really hopping.  Like my life is crazy and things are challenging and stressful.  And for all the bad I could say about it, I have at least that much good.  So I'm happy.

I run a half marathon in four months.  That is not very far away.  But I am excited to run the streets of Philly and prove to myself that even 13.1 miles is not impossible.

And... Younglife.  This has definitely been a year.  We have had ups and downs, ins and outs, and through it all - I have been awed.  It hasn't been easy, and I am definitely looking forward to a summer away from the stress of planning clubs and contact work (although I expect to hang out with my kids a lot!) so that I can hit next year completely energized and ready!

(I'll post pictures for all this stuff as soon as I have a free minute at home.)

Life is so good.  And I do believe, it's getting better <3