I'm Back

Well, 21 days later, I am back. I have mixed emotions about this. One one hand, it's going to be SO nice sleeping in my own bed tonight. On the other, I think I'd be happy living the life of the perpetual traveller. I've really enjoyed the past few weeks. It was a rare opportunity to (for the most part) "unplug" from life. At times that was difficult, but ultimately it was amazing. We had a great time and there are many blog posts and pictures to come.

In the mean time, I will leave you with the fortune I pulled from my fortune cookie in Memphis. I think that we all find this to be true when we take the time to unplug.

Houston

The second leg of our trip was an overnight stay in Houston. We left Caddo Lake early Wednesday morning in order to make it to the 1:05 Astros game (actually, in order to make it in time to see batting practice, etc. at 11:30). The game was fun, as always. I love the colors and the sounds of the game. Also, as it turns out, we unknowingly saw Lance Berkman's (one of our favorite Astros) last game before being traded to the Yankees. Boo. But I guess that was pretty cool.

After the game was over, we headed back to the hotel.

This was the view from our hotel room. Aaron was thrilled when he opened the blinds to see Minute Maid Park!

I hate to say it, but Houston was not really a high point in our trip. Our hotel was very beautiful, modern, and cool... but kids don't really care about that. All they want is a pool and a bed they can jump on. Or places to go. But we had to pay a lot of money to park, so we figured we'd just stay in the downtown area for the evening. I think we were all tired and a little cranky that night. I think after walking all over downtown, we ended up at the food court at a mall with just about everyone crying. Ha ha! Once we made it back to the hotel, though, all was made better by snuggling in bed and watching TV the rest of the night. Everyone had the chance to hit their "reset" buttons, we went to bed, and started anew the next morning! Off to Galveston!

Goodbye, Houston!

Caddo Lake

Okay, it's time to get down to the business of documenting our summer travels. I'll begin with the first leg of our family vacation, Caddo Lake. It was everything I hoped it would be.

I had seen Caddo Lake on an episode of Texas Country Reporter years ago. It's the only natural lake in Texas, and it's unlike any other Texas lake I'd ever seen. There was something about it that intrigued me, and for years I just couldn't forget about it. So, finally we decided to make it happen.

We booked a cute little cabin just off the lake and I was thrilled to get going. I had slight reservations when I learned that because of the thick mud and the alligators, you can't swim in the lake. But still, we went...

The drive there (we drove from Howe) was relaxing and gorgeous. We spent most of the drive surrounded by the tall pines of East Texas. It was a great way to start out a vacation. We arrived in Uncertain (that's the name of the town where we stayed) to find that our cabin was comfy and cozy and just what we had hoped.

It had a little kitchenette, sleeping space for the four of us, books and movies, and the most amazing screened in porch complete with porch swing looking out into the woods. We went "into town" (it's been a long while since I've legitimately been able to use that phrase) to buy groceries for the next couple of days, then came back and settled into a much needed, very peaceful few days in the outdoors.

It was fabulous.

We checked out the State park, went on walks, and spent lots of time playing dominoes, reading, and talking on the porch. Our favorite activity, though, by far was canoeing. We'd only been once or twice before, but fell in love with it and have always wanted to do it again. The owners of the cabin gave us the use of one of their canoes, so the four of us piled in and paddled through the lake. I thought the lake was beautiful before, but you can't possibly even comprehend it's beauty and mystery until you're out on it. I think most of those pictures are on Aaron's computer, but I'll have to post them soon. The cypress trees and spanish moss, the giant lily pads, the vast array of beautiful birds and wildlife... even the deafening silence that comes with being far from it all. There were times when we would stop paddling to sit in awe of it all. It would literally take your breath away. It was a beauty that, even in this moment, I feel can't be captured by words or even photographs. I feel silly even trying to write about it. I'll just say, everyone should go there at least once in their life.

All that to say. Part one of our vacation was wonderful, relaxing, memorable, and everything I hoped it would be, and I'm dying to go back again!

Playing dominoes with Abby. She had so much fun!

3 Weeks

And we're off... well almost. Today begins (at least for the kids and I) a 21 day road trip of sorts. I'm excited (and totally nervous that I'm going to forget something)!

This week is Master's Camp, our final youth event. Aaron will be there all week, but the kids and I will be leaving Tuesday so that...

On Wednesday we can leave with my Mom for Mississippi/Tennessee for a family reunion. A few months ago without ANY reason or rhyme I woke up in the middle of the night with the strongest desire go go to Mississippi (where my great grandmother is from). Later that day, an invitation arrived to a family reunion there. We'll be spreading the trip out over a few days, visiting other special places like De Valls Bluff, AR, where my grandmother grew up, Hot Springs, AR, Memphis, TN, and Drew, MS where GanGan (my great grandmother) grew up. I'm excited! Here's our trip iterary. Because I'm a dork like that and like to map these things out.

When we get back, the kids and I are going to stay a few days at my parents' since we need to be back in Dallas by Saturday for a wedding I'm shooting. Looking forward to a few laid back days back home.

Saturday is the wedding, then Monday the four of us head out for our family vacation. I'm really looking forward to it! Not sure that we've ever really taken a vacation before that didn't involve working or visiting someone. I found a neat cabin at Caddo Lake where we'll spend a few days. I've never been to Caddo Lake before but I've always been fascinated by it. It's beautiful and mysterious and I'm so excited to go! We'll be grilling, relaxing, canoeing and having lots of fun. From there, we're going to Houston for an Astros game (because it wouldn't be a Powers' vacation without baseball). Next day we're heading down to Galveston for the last leg of our trip. I haven't been there since 4th grade. Looking forward to the water and the waves!

We'll be in touch along the way!

Cousins

Today Natalie and I got to have lunch with our cousin Michelle at Willie's. The kids had a great time hanging out with Mason and playing in the sand. The weather was beautiful and the conversation was nice.

After lunch, we came home and began to tackle the ever-mounting to-do list. First task - laundry. In an attempt to make that pill easier to swallow (I hate laundry), Abby and I decided to watch a movie. As I flipped through all the choices, I re-discovered Wild Hearts Can't Be Broken. I loved this movie as a kid, and I have to say I loved it even more today. It has everything that a good movie should... inspiration, romance, adventure, and the icing on the cake is that I can watch it with my kids without having to fast forward through or mute anything.

The rest of the afternoon was spent playing with the neighbors (the kids are starting to make some good friends in the neighborhood), trying to kick the 3-day headache I've had going on, and a "wrestling match" between Aaron and the kids. They thought that was thrilling. He's such a good daddy.

After the kids went to bed, I headed up to my office to knock out the last of my work before I leave for my 3-week run of excursions. My husband, being the awesome guy that he is, has been sitting up here with me for at least three hours now in order to keep me company. I guess I should close up shop for the night. Have a great night!

The Evening in iPhone Pics

Aaron had one final camp meeting tonight so I got to hang out with these munchkins. We had a good night. After chowing down on French Dips, we hopped in the car in search of rocks. That's right, rocks. I've been wanting a little something to spice up our flowerbed, so instead of going to the nursery and dropping $50 or so, the kids and I drove out towards Medina Lake. We enjoyed the beautiful scenery, the sprinkling of rain here and there, and the fresh air as we drove with the windows down. It was great. We finally found a great little spot off the beaten path where we discovered several really good rocks. Doesn't that sound thrilling? I know it doesn't, but it was fun anyway. Then we came home and while I arranged rocks in a "natural" sort of way, they rode bikes, yelled far too loud throughout the neighborhood, and made impressionistic works of art on our driveway with the crushed chalk that got left out and run over yesterday. Now that everyone's had (another) shower, it is finally time to say goodnight to a really nice day.

Righteousness

Yesterday there was a verse that I couldn't get out of my head. I hadn't read it recently or heard it. It just popped into my head and wouldn't leave.

"Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness..."
- Matthew 5:6

Then today in my QT, part of my reading was Psalm 1..

"Happy are those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or take the path that sinners tread, or sit in the seat of scoffers; but their delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law they meditate day and night. They are like trees planted by streams of water, which yield their fruit in its season, and their leaves do not wither. In all they do, they prosper... for the Lord watches over the way of the righteous..."

I get the distinct sense that, although I've felt "good" about my walk with God, I am missing the fullness of what it could be. What is righteousness? How do I go about pursuing it? What will it look like to others? (Does that matter?)

A lot of questions that I don't have answers for. But I know that this is something God is stirring in me, and so begins the pursuit...