We continue our streak of major things breaking/going wrong, but thankfully we are healthy and happy and able to afford the fixes. Our van was in the shop for 2 1/2 weeks due to a recall that took for.ev.er to fix. I'm not even sure we had it back for a full month when I got rear-ended driving home from Baylor one afternoon. I was fine, but the other girl broke her nose, and was uninsured. I just returned the rental car after 30 days while the van got fixed again. Thirty days! I have to take it back next week after the last part comes in! This is the third time in 11 months that one of our cars has been hit at no fault of our own; Steve's car got backed into when it was parked at his work, the van got backed into while it was getting an oil change, and now this. Does this stuff happen to other people? Adulting is hard.
In spite of our (minor) problems, we've had a fun and busy spring! A few highlights:
I had a fun girls' night at Wild Torch, a fundraiser event for Jesus Said Love, a non-profit that serves women in the sex industry. Among other things, they go into strip clubs and build relationships with the dancers, providing food, toiletries, and friendship. They provide mentorships, training, and support to those who want to leave the industry. So basically, they are Jesus!
One Sunday after church we got to have lunch and enjoy the water at the Baylor Marina. Our church always does a fun event like this once a year as a volunteer appreciation, and since Steve and I volunteer with the children's ministry, we got to attend! It was a beautiful day and so much fun kayaking. I was a little nervous about taking both girls with me, but they did great and I never felt like we were going to tip. I can't wait to go back! And, since we are both faculty, it's free for us to use!
I spotted these beauts at HEB (the largest grocery store you've ever seen) this spring. I, mean, they are pretty hard to miss! I know y'all are jealous, but you to could have a longhorn grill, if you live in Texas. I'm also happy to report that there were only two left last time I was shopping!
Steve made the news and newspaper this spring. They were finally able to move into their new building and had a grand-opening in April 2017, only four years after it was supposed to be completed. Gotta love our government!
We didn't get our mandatory bluebonnet pics this spring, but I did snap a quick pic of Ruby in a field of them one day at the park! They really are pretty magical!
I finished up another great year/semester at Baylor. I've been able to teach a freshman, Intro to Teaching course for four semester now. It's my favorite part of working at Baylor. We do half a semester of lecture/prep, and then go out into a local school and tutor one-on-one.
The other part of my job has been supervising Interns, or student teachers. At Baylor, students do a full year of student teaching so I get to work with my Interns as they teach and prepare for their own classrooms.
It's looking like next year my teaching load will be changing a bit. I'm excited I'll be teaching an Elementary Literacy course to all of the juniors. And I'm excited to have the summer off!!!
Steve and I got a fun date night with our small group in May. We went to dinner and then to see Rent at the Waco Civic theater. A couple friends from our church were in it, which made it even more fun to watch. It is one of our favorite plays, and they did a great job for a small theater in a super conservative town!
I also got invited to another farm-to-table fundraiser with some friends. Steve and I went to one in March out on someone's ranch where they roasted a pig. It was so fun and yummy. The one I went to in May was in an open air barn and the food was super fancy. I want to go again soon!
Now that the girls can both ride their bikes, they've been asking to go out, but I didn't have a bike to keep up with them. Steve got me one for Mother's Day! It was a fun day, with lots of treats, brunch out with our small group, and a family bike ride.
Steve also got some time away on a brewery tour in Austin with a bunch of guy friends. He was not a big fan of the new, sour beers, but I think he had a fun time with friends!
We've spent a lot of time with our small group from church who have all become great friends! We meet as a whole group about once a month, but the women usually meet weekly, and we often go out to lunch after church. There are four families and 11 kids so, yeah, it's a pretty wild group at the restaurant! We had a Sip-n-See shower for the newest little one, Ellie.
We've also attempted a little (much needed) landscaping in the front yard. We realized that everyone knows where we live because it's a fairly busy corner so it was about time we worked on the front yard. We've done a lot to the back (mulching, garden, and shed) so the front needed some TLC. Apparently the flowers we picked are drought resistant and should survive the wonderful Texas summers. We added a little flower bed by the mailbox and on either side of the front door to try to hide the ugly pipes sticking up and add some color. Hoping the plants will get bigger quickly!
I'll have take and post some pics of the shed soon too! We've harvested green beans, carrots, banana peppers, and kale so far this spring. I've pulled out a lot to make room for the tomatoes and cantaloupe that is taking over the world back there!
We don't have any cactus in our yard, but I saw these at the store one week and had to try them out. Probably won't get them again, but now we can say we've tried cactus!
So proud of who you are and all you do down in Texas!
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