Deep in the Heart of Texas: University of Texas

One of the things of Carter's and Damon's bucket list was to see parts of the University of Texas while we were there.  I was searching one day and found where we could take a tour of the stadium so that quickly became a MUST on the list.  It was WELL worth it I must say.

While we waited for our tour, Carter loved seeing the big posters of former UTexas stars.

On the tour, Carter kept his eyes open for anything and everything, but he especially LOVED seeing all the Colt McCoy and Jordan Shipley things.  He told our tour guides (who were just college students) more than once how Colt got robbed for the Heisman!

LB kept saying ALL of this would be so much better if it was Alabama!!!

She cracks me up! 

The BEST time of all was when the tour led us through the tunnel and out onto the field.

Our sweet tour guide even played the Texas fight song so Carter could run out just like the big guys!!!  He thought he had arrived!!

He thought running out of the tunnel was great until he realized they had a REAL jersey AND helmet for him to wear!!!!

More Colt in the trophy room....

If the boy had been born 4 years later - he would have been Colt instead of Carter!

Deep in the Heart of Texas: San Antonio

When we found out we were headed to Austin, I quickly checked to see how close we would be to my old stomping grounds, San Antonio.  Before moving to Henderson when I was 14 years old, I called myself a Texan - I was born in San Antonio and lived there for 6-7 years off and on. (Got to LOVE being an Air Force brat child)  So, you know I was THRILLED when I found out how close we would be!  I must say how even more special this trip was having Damon's brother's family - Dustin, Rebecca (yes, there are 2 Rebecca Welches), Johnathan and Addison - with us!

Our first stop - the Alamo!

Not necessarily what you would think or where you would think it would be, but I love this place!

There's something about it that gets to me.  Carter had read a few books about it before we went, so I enjoyed seeing it through his eyes.

Our second stop - The Riverwalk!!!

Oh the memories from this place!!  We strolled up and down for a little while and then took a river cruise which the kids (and adults) just LOVED!!   Then, we settled in for dinner at the oldest restaurant on the Riverwalk, and the one that holds the most memories for me - Casa Rio!

How they still had room to eat, I don't know, but ice cream for everyone!

And a couple of great pictures I am glad I have!

Deep in the Heart of Texas: Gruene

In October, we boarded a plane and headed towards Austin, Texas, to celebrate Granny Welch's 90th birthday.  While we were there, we took advantage of seeing part of the country we normally would not be able to see.  So we loaded up the rental cars and headed in the direction of San Antonio.

Everyone had told us to stop at the Gristmill to eat, so when we got to Gruene, Texas, we made a pit stop that was WELL worth the stop!

We all felt like we had stepped back in time when we arrived in the quaint little town.

We walked up to the old mill that was settled right on the Guadalupe River and we were seated right under the shade of big beautiful trees.  

If San Antonio had not been our goal, we could have stayed the day in this wonderful place!

It is a FOR SURE stop if you are ever in the area.

Third Place in District

For the first time in history, the CCJHS girls' soccer team made it to the district tournament.

They had to play TCA again in order to win third place in the district and they would have to do it on the road at JCS.

Each girl got introduced before the game....

 A prayer was said...

And a hard fought game began. I don't have many pictures from the game because I was a little overwhelmed by everything!  However, here's the shot when they realized they had won the game!

They always walk across the field together arm and arm after a game.

 LB has been blessed in more than one way by playing soccer this year. 

However the friends she has made are some of the biggest blessings of all.

Fall Ball - Generals Style

We thought we would be at the football field this fall.

However, if ANYONE says, "Baseball," to Carter - 

he is there.

So we found ourselves at the ball park again this fall and loved seeing the boy in action.

He played a little short, first, pitcher but he was MOST excited about playing catcher.

I love watching Carter play any sport, but there is something about him playing baseball.

You can see the love for the game in everything he does.

Here are some of my favorite shots of the season.

Book Review: A Matter of Heart

Anytime I have the chance to read and review a Tracie Peterson book from Bethany House, I jump on it.  I have always loved her work and this one set in Texas (a favorite setting of mine) did not disappoint at all.  A Matter of  Heart is set in Texas and centers around Jessica Atherton, a wealthy young woman who has been born and raised in Texas.  Jessica immediately faces the challenges of a young woman who is seen as spoiled.  She comes to realize that maybe these accusations are true and we see her throughout the book fighting to overcome this image.  Not only does she face this challenge, but she is unmarried in a town where all of her friends have settled down with families of their own.  She struggles to find what her heart wants - Harrison Gable, a wealthy young lawyer who can give her whatever she wants, or Austin Todd, a Texas Ranger/former Secret Service agent who is running away from his own past.  In this book there is romance, mystery, a little suspense and the theme of fighting the odds to overcome obstacles with God on your side.  This is a great read and I can't wait for the rest of the series.

Book Review: The Princess Within

Awhile ago, Bethany House sent me the book The Princess Within by Serita Ann Jakes to read and review for them.  I apologize for it taking so long for me to write the review.  I really liked the book and plan on using it with my daughter as a study this year.  The topics of self-esteem, friendships, family situations, shames and many others (there are 17 chapters) are right on target as to what teenage girls are experiencing or will experience during these difficult years.  In each chapter the author puts so much scripture (which I LOVE) in with each topic in order to bring you back to God's word.  I also love the "Playlist" she gives in each chapter so the teen can have songs to help them think about and listen to as they are going through the situations faced.  Also at the end of each chapter is a chance for the girl to respond to what she has studied in that chapter.  Usually this response is encouraged to be a prayer to God using scripture.  I would recommend this book to any mother to read first before sharing with their daughter.