Big Cedar Lodge with the family

Before I get started on posting about our vacation..I went back and added pictures to the last 2 posts. Make sure to check them out! There are a few from events we've gone to this summer.

Josh and I just got back from a wonderfully relaxing week at Big Cedar Lodge, which is just outside Branson, MO. This trip is somewhat of a tradition for my family, as we've always stayed at Big Cedar after picking up from Kamp Kanakuk. I used to go to kamp there, and Olivia just spent her 4th summer there. We had such a great time with my family and really enjoyed the time relaxing by the pool, on the lazy river, and the day we spent out on the boat. It was also a lot of fun going back to K-West to pick Olivia up! Here are some of the highlights from the trip:

Olivia and I are finally reunited at kamp!
This is just before her all around event.

At Kanakuk you specialize in a sport, because it is a Christian sports kamp (get used to kamp being spelled with a k...that's just the way it goes with Kanakuk!). You can specialize in soccer, basketball, volleyball, dance, cheer, tennis...and I'm sure some others...OR you can do all around which gives you the opportunity to do more electives. That is always what I opted for, and what Olivia has done as well. When your family comes to kamp the first night your specialty puts on a show to demonstrate what they've done for the past 2 weeks. This year, all around did blobbing!

Here is Olivia about to jump onto the blob.

Olivia and her cabin.

Every year the kampers are given a bible verse and 2 words that describe them. The counselors talk about the qualities they saw in each kamper and how they have seen each of them grow in their relationship with Christ over their 2 week stay.

Morning of the tribal ceremony with the chiefs and princesses.

Kampers are split up into 2 different tribes. On the guys side there are the Cherokees and Choctaws, and on the girls side, Kickapoos and Kiowas. At the beginning of each term new kampers are put into their tribes. If you have family members that have already attended kamp, you'll be the same tribe as them. I am a kickapoo, so Olivia is as well! Each term the tribes compete in different activities to determine the winner of the term. This year Kiowas won.

The horse on our carriage ride.

Mom and Grandma on our carriage ride.

Most of the afternoons were spent by the pool relaxing and working on our tans. But, one afternoon mom scheduled a carriage ride for us girls. It was a nice ride around the property.

This is a picture of "Devil's Pool". Just to the left of the pond there is a pool and restaurant.

Big Cedar is a Bass Pro Shop lodge and this big fish is part of their little putt putt course. It is the final hole.
We saw a ton of turtles on logs while on our carriage ride...

Wednesday was spent out on the lake. We went tubing, skiing, and bluff jumping. Table Rock lake has some amazing bluffs! It was so nice to be out on the water! I'll have to put pictures of the bluff jumping up later. I was doing the jumping, so there aren't any pictures of that on my camera.

Me and Olivia on the boat.

Mom and Olivia tubing!

On our way to dinner the last night.

Dad's birthday was Friday, the day after we left the lodge, so we surprised him with a cake at dinner the last night! The weather was gorgeous, so we sat out on the patio for dinner, it was SO nice in comparison to the heat of Dallas!

Me and Josh at dinner.

Mom and dad at dinner..it was obviously a little sunny!

One last picture of the lodge...the flower gardens around the main building are absolutely gorgeous, so here is a picture of the main entrance to the registration lodge.

We're now back in Dallas and getting ready to move!! We are moving out of our first apartment together and into a really cute little duplex. We'll have a yard, a garage, and a cute little vintage kitchen and bathroom. Once we move in and get settled I'll post pictures!

Summer is Here!

Summer has officially started and boy can you tell here in Dallas! Most days are in the high 90's...if not 100 degrees. The good thing is, I'm not really out in the heat much...since I have an indoor job, BUT it doesn't really cool off at night either. It just stays HOT. Last night the sun set around 9 and it was still around 93 degrees. This is pure craziness for June! Summer activities are also in full swing. The YMCA is busier than ever, with summer camp on site, 2 camps off site, swim lessons all day long, families coming to the pool, and our normal crowd is here too. I'm working my usual hours at the YMCA, but I'm teaching Art Think Jr. for the little ones at 2 day camps. Art Think Jr. is basically the same thing as the Art Think I taught during the school year..except it is geared towards elementary students instead of high schoolers. I must admit, I love those little kids!! They have such fun, interesting answers to the images and they don't complain like the high schoolers do. In addition to showing slides, we also do a little art project at the end...which I find super fun. Hands down, love the little kids!

Josh on the other hand...is not loving the little kids. He is working with summer camp at the Y this summer. And though he is getting VERY tan, he isn't enjoying the fact that they aren't allowed to really discipline the kids.

We've had a few fun weekends, with Beth's Wedding, a Motorcycle Race Watch Party, a Frisco Rough Riders game (they are a minor league team that feeds into the Dallas Rangers MLB team), and in a couple of weeks we will be joining my family at Table Rock Lake in Missouri for a much needed week vacation! We'll be picking Olivia up from Kamp Kanakuk and then spending time at Big Cedar Lodge, one of the most relaxing places on earth. I can't wait to relax with the family..and SEE them! I haven't seen my dad or sister since OCTOBER!!

Here are some pictures from Beth's wedding and the Rough Riders game. Unfortunately, my camera died at Beth's wedding, so my pictures are limited.

Beth's Wedding

Though a little blurry, this is a picture of all my dear college friends! Left to right: Jackie, Sarah, Beth (the beautiful bride), me, Shay, Emily

Two of my college roomates, and bridesmaids in my wedding
Me, Jackie, and Sarah

Sarah, Emily and me

The wedding party, post wedding pics.

Rough Riders Game
Self photo before the game began.

Picture of the field from our awesome seats!

Deuce, the team mascot...not quite sure what animal he is.
The other mascot is Daisy, the female..she was cute too!

Joshua and his helmet of Dip 'N Dots, a baseball tradition.

One thing we both definitely enjoy about baseball games is the food! Nothing can beat a hot dog, coke and some Dip 'N Dots...or funnel cake in my case!

Week of my birth!

This coming week has a lot of exciting things going on...including my birthday! Though birthdays aren't quite what they used to be (meaning..no big sleepover party)...I still get so excited for birthdays. I love celebrating others' birthdays, and I love celebrating mine as well. It is that one day a year that can be totally focused on that individual...which I think is so special and wonderful. Joshua and I don't have anything exciting planned, as we're leaving the next day for ATLANTA!! We'll be heading out for Beth and Ramsey's wedding! I can't wait to celebrate with them and see all my beloved friends. Since that is going to be our big cost for the week, we're going to do a small dinner, just the 2 of us.

Joshua, Ashley, and I went over to see Kristi and Greg yesterday and did a mini birthday celebration for Kristi. Greg is in school with Joshua and Ashley, and we've all become pretty good friends. It's always nice to have another married couple around! Kristi's birthday is today, and she is on bed rest due to her pregnancy...sooo, we took her some Yogilicious (mmm, so good) and balloons. It was great to see both of them and be able to spend some time catching up with Kristi. Joshua and I plan on taking them dinner in the near future, just to help out while Kristi is out of commission.

I also got my haircut yesterday! It's pretty short..above the shoulders. I really like it though, it is the perfect summer cut. I'll have to post a picture later!

As promised...here is a picture of my new hair style. It has grown out a little since the original cut...but still pretty much the same!

Week of rest...

This time last week Joshua and Van (my father-on-law) departed on their 9 day trek to Vegas and back! It has been interesting...and a little lonely...living on my own. I've gotten to catch up on all of my girly tv shows, which include...but are not limited to...Gossip Girl, One Tree Hill, and the new episode of the Bachelorette! Last Monday I totally vegged in front of the tv for all 3 of these shows, it was awesome! I've also spent some time reading, cleaning, resting, and exercising. Last week I walked to the grocery store to grab dinner, something that was actually really rewarding. The weather here has been so gorgeous..so I've tried to spend as much time outside as possible. After teaching on Thursday I spent some time relaxing pool side, getting a start on my summer tan.

I was also able to catch up with some dear friends! This week I had some lengthy phone calls with Sarah, Emily, and Hawley!! I definitely don't get to talk with these girls enough, so it was nice to be able to sit on the couch and chat with no time limitations. Haha, that makes it sound like Joshua sits there and times my phone calls..totally not the case. But, when we are home together I usually don't answer my phone and just enjoy my time with him.

My weekend was spent being a total bum. I rented "The Reader" and the old "Marie Antoinette" film with Kirsten Dunst and also watched a few movies that came on TBS. "The Reader" was very interesting, though I have to admit I fell asleep towards the end..it got a little slow. "Marie Antoinette" was SUPER slow..and though the costumes and music were awesome...it was kind of a waist of a rent. I did get some exercise in this weekend, which is always good. I also spent some time by the pool, and then Sunday I went in to work.

Though I've enjoyed the time alone...I defintely prefer living life with Joshua and having someone to spend my time with every evening. 9 days has definitely been a little too long to be seperated, but I'm glad Joshua and his dad were able to take this trip together. I know it'll be a great memory to look back on.

Well..that's it for now! Next week I head to Atlanta for Beth's wedding!! I can't wait to be there for her and share in such a special event. I'm also really excited to see all of my dear friends from UGA! I'll also be celebrating my BIRTHDAY next Wednesday! Woo hoo for 24!

Optimisim

There was an AWESOME special tonight on ABC called Michael J. Fox: Adventures of an Incurable Optimist. As everyone knows, Michael J. Fox has Parkinson's disease...but rather than keeping him down, Fox's optimism and positive outlook on life has kept him going. Yes, he does have great resources for the best doctors, the best medicines, etc...but without that positive attitude, who knows how well he would be doing now. This special explored optimism, not only in the United States, but also world wide. And you know, it was just a great reminder...a REFRESHING reminder to live every day with a big smile on your face, loving life, giving thanks for all that you have, thanking our Lord for all the gifts he has provided, and just generally enjoying life.

I've have be stressing a lot recently...mainly focused around finances...and this little special reminded me to relax, take a deep breath, and focus on the positive. Though Joshua and I don't always have the funds to do everything we desire...we DO have each other and that is the biggest thing to celebrate every day! So rather than continuing my stress on finances, I am going to focus on the good stuff...friends, family, free fun, and the Lord.

Ok...so that is all for the moment. Hehe, just wanted to share a breath of fresh air. It's always nice to see someone so happy, that has reason to be so angry. Thank you Michael J. Fox for your inspiration!
Oh...and as a last note, Michael J. Fox has a book out: Always Looking Up. I am definitely putting that on my list to read!