Life Lately

Not too much going on around Wacko.  I received my first update for Africa!! Unfortunately, it just told me I would need to get a few vaccinations (technically it only said one, but my lovely Mother wants me to get two).  NO FUN!!

 I have started going kayaking out on the Brazos with a lady I work with and it is so much fun!!  Here are few pictures from the last time we went out...

 

And this one from last night, with the rain clouds rolling in, the sky looked amazing!!

I also decided to make a burlap wreath...and thanks to my awesome cousin, Shyanne, I found out burlap comes in many colors!!

1 yard of each color, 14in. wreath, scissors, straight pins and ribbon.

I cut the burlap into 4in x 4in squares and pinned it

 Not too bad for my first attempt.  My cousin mentioned burlap flowers and found some on pinterest that will probably be my next project.

Hope all is well with everyone!!!

New Plans

Well, there has been a slight change in plans....I am having to hold off on the marathon run for a little while, BUT it is for good reason! This coming July I have officially been accepted to an organization and will be traveling to AFRICA for a 9 day mission trip in Kenya!!

This is something that I have been wanting to do for a few years now, but I was a little nervous at the thought of traveling there alone plus the timing was never right. But when this opportunity came for a trip in July 2013 everything seemed perfect.  I will have earned my vacation time at my new job.  It gives me a year to prepare for everything. And as for traveling alone, I picked up my entire life and moved to a city where I know absolutely no one and I'm doing alright, so I think I can handle 9 days in another foreign place.

The organization I'll be helping is called Adventures in Missions. (AIM) I don't have a lot of the details on what exactly I'll be doing there as of yet, but Kenya has been in a lot of turmoil lately and there are a lot of "camps" that have been established for those affected by it all.  I will actually be living in one of these camps and helping out where ever I can. 

"Beautiful Massai tribes and breath-taking big game demand exploration. With a population of nearly 32 million people, Kenya is wrapped in a history of culture deeply enveloped in tradition and honor. But poverty and corruption plague the people of Kenya. Kenyans have always struggled for independence with constant attacks and turmoil. Civil unrest following the 2007 elections tore the country apart, displacing thousands to refugee camps." AIM

I will keep you updated as I found out information, but for now Prayers will be greatly, greatly appreciated!

"God's call to each individual is unique and specific to them. He uses their upbringing, surrounding environment, and experiences and couples them with his vision, goals and desires, to shape them into a unique tool for His hands to mold and guide and use" (Ephesians 2:10). 

ScAtTeR bRaInEd

I have most definitely been slacking in the blogging department, but there has been so much going on I haven't had a real break (when I wasn't sleeping).  So it is time to make up for days missed! Here we go!

Well, It's officially time to start the countdown to the half marathon, this motivates me more than anything.  There are only 115 days until I run my first half marathon....eeek! I am signed up to run the San Antonio Rock and Roll Half Marathon....any and everyone should feel free to join! :)   I have been running here and there trying to keep changing it up a bit.  Some trail runs and some street runs.  Christie and I have decided to not let the heat keep us from running and we have doubled up on our water during the day and gone 3 miles right after work.  I am also playing volleyball for a city league and have been going to Zumba as often as I can.  I am about to throw in a few bike rides for a big change up here and there.



In other news, I have gotten back into my crafts!!  Pinterest has given me more ideas than ever!  I made a few little things for my bathroom...cheap candle holders, glass jars, and one pie pan. Super easy!!



I also have starting designing some new flatware...I saw this design on pinterest and LOVED it so I had to try and duplicate it myself...not too bad!



I am also in the process of repainting an old dresser that I had since I was little. It is a tall dresser and and I got a long dresser for Christmas that is black with silver hardware. I am hoping I can get the two to look like they belong together.

Also thanks to Pinterest, I have been baking more and more!!!

Homemade peanut butter fudge....this is lethal stuff!



For the 4th of July I made patriotic dipped strawberries...you can never go wrong with dipped strawberries and thanks to my cousins who had us dip them for their weddings, I am a pro :) 



And I have also been making homemade cookie dough!! I'd love to say homemade cookies, but seeing how I am just like my Aunt Stacey...not a lot of the dough makes it to the oven!



And finally, I have been traveling all over Texas the past few weeks.  I went to Stephenville for a fun filled day at a splash pad with part of my Dad's side of the family,  I made the drive to Breckenridge for a Sunday Funday of movies with my Grandparents.  My cousin Zach had a beautiful wedding in Lubbock.  Laura and I have a left our mark in San Antonio.  I have been to Rotan several times for various occasions and Jill and I tore up Hutto last weekend (literally).

My apartment has also been buzzing with company.  My Aunt Stacey and her two youngest, Allison and Tyler, stayed with me wed-fri while they made the drive back and forth to Temple. And when they left Friday, Jill came down for a few days!  And if I'm not mistaken, my parents will be here at the end of this week...whew.

So to sum everything up, life has been great!!