The Heart of Texas

A little late, but Brian, Jake & I took a mini vacation to our state's capitol right before school started.  We have lived in Texas for 22 years and I was ashamed to say that we, with the exception of Tyler, had never been to Austin.  We live close to the coast so driving north west was a treat!  The hills were beautiful and it was a nice change of scenery.  (Although I'm a swamp girl, and my ears started popping as soon as we reached Bastrop!) We stopped at "Little Mexico" on the way and had a little fun!

After checking into our hotel, and of course taking a couple pics, we headed to the campus of The University of Texas!

UT's campus is absolutely beautiful!  Brian was interested in seeing the infamous "tower" from where a sniper went on a rampage many years ago.  I enjoyed the beautiful landscaping!

Then we headed over to the State Capitol and the Governor's Mansion.  Truly beautiful and Jake loved the historical aspect of visiting the Capitol grounds.  I, again, enjoyed the beautiful landscaping!

 

We finished our evening off under the Congress Street bridge for the nightly "bat showing".  The bridge is home to the largest bat colony in North America.  Estimated to be between 750,000 and 1 million bats!  Wow, it was a sight to see!

 

 

Day 2 we headed to Inner Space Caverns.  We went 40 feet below the ground. 

The cave was very beautiful and it's amazing what Mother Nature can do!

 

 

After the Caverns we did the one thing Brian really wanted to do; eat at Top Notch Burgers, a hole in the wall joint that was featured in the movie Dazed & Confused.

 

 

We then rested at the hotel before heading out to beautiful Lake Travis for dinner!

 

 

Day 3 we took Jake to do a little kayaking on Lady Bird Lake, then we went to brave the cold waters at Barton Springs Pool.  The water was about 58 degrees in the middle of August!  I wasn't too impressed, but evidently it's a big hit with the town folks.

 

 

We finished off the day by having dinner and a movie!  We saw We are the Miller's, hilarious movie!  We crammed a lot into three days, but it was a lot of fun!

 

 

We only wish Tyler could have joined us!

My Beacon of Light

Today is my friend's memorial service. Bill Stephens passed away at 1:10 am on Sunday, September 15th, 2013.  The service honoring him will be held at 7 pm at League City United Methodist Church. 

 

William Robert Stephens

10/22/55 ~ 09/15/13

He leaves behind his beautiful wife, Donna, his precious daughter, Hailey, and his faithful K9 Carli.  I know he will be with them every step and breath they take.

He recently wrote this note to me via his wife's facebook.

6/9/13
Donna and I cannot thank you and Bryan for all the incredible things you do for us. You taxied Donna to and from the various hospitals when I was ill, cooked many meals for Donna, cleaned our pool 50 times, mowed our yard, shoveled mulch to our flower beds, fed watered and babysat our dog and was a great listener for Donna through all of her and my sickness. Some people volunteer to help others, hoping that they do not call them in for help.  You and Bryan show up to work and do not accept no as an answer. All of this help and you still go home and raise two incredible boys and tend to your household needs.  If there is ever a place to enter you on a list to become a saint, you and Bryan would be a shoe-in. God has blessed us with your friendship and we will be forever grateful.  Bill

The things I do for them are nothing compared to the things he has brought to my life.  He gave me strength when he really had none to give.  He has given me hope, humility, and perspective.  Hope for all things wrong to be all right.  The humility I needed to remember that I am small and God is big!  Perspective more than anything.  His life really helped me keep my life in perspective.  On the days I was dealing with my own heath issues, I thought of him, and how he would be happy to have my health issues.  On the days I was having a bad day, he would have traded one of my bad days for one of his good days.  On the days I didn’t feel like doing my chores, I knew how he wished he could mow his own lawn or clean his pool.  On the days I complained about eating “healthy food” opposed to junk, I thought of him wishing he could eat a salad and carrot sticks!  On the days I felt life was too busy to do what I enjoyed, I thought of him and knew he couldn’t do anything he loved such as golfing, hunting, and fishing.  He kept me going.  His love for his family and his daily fight was my beacon of light.

He taught me the true meaning of faith, love and hope.

Soar high in Heaven Bill.  I will look

to the stars for my beacon of light!

 

 

 

I love you and will miss you!