Adios KA...Austin!

After over 280 posts in almost 2 years, it is time to turn this blog into a book as I have my others. Feel free to continue tracking our adventures, obstacles, and life lessons as we free range this world!


A New Beginning

by Troy Martin, Jr.

A little egg under her mothers wings.
Yet to be born into the world of things.
A crack and a pop out she came.
Old and new, it was all the same.

Well nourished by mom, she began to sing.
Ready to learn of life and everything.
Innocence of new, she started up her flaps.
Not knowing of life, and all it's traps.

Mother watched on, with a big chuckle.
As she sprang out of the nest, with no buckle.
Back and forth, she swayed, on the ground.
As her mother watched for danger, all around.

She tried and tried until that day.
Fly she did, but not in a graceful way.
The day came, like mother knew it would.
For her child to fly away, like she should.

Off towards the horizon, fling she went.
Mother watching from afar, knowing it was time well spent.
Many times, the hailstorms of life beat her down.
Sometimes in flight, all the way to the ground.

Lessons well learned, she still lost her way.
Fluttered home to mom, with nothing to say.
Under mothers wings once more, did she heal.
The grace of mothers, no one can steal.

By grace did she heal, down to the core.
Ready to take on life and its challenges once more.
She flew from the tree, mom proud to see.
She became the strongest sparrow, that ever would be.

The eagles bowed down, had nothing on her, by the way.
She flew, glided and God, did she soar that day!

Unlimited...

For almost 8 hours today, we enjoyed unlimited...teacup rides, go carts, putt putt, bumper boats, arcade games, pizza, and drinks at Austin's Park. Now wishing for an unlimited night of zzzzzz's!








Metro Rail

We drove downtown this morning for a quick peek at the latest light rail car. We played "remember when" from the days of Helsinki and then the kids begged to ride the metro. Since we were due to meet up with cousins, I promised them another day!





Birthday Balloons

A great way to start off a birthday morning...a breakfast picnic with friends and family, a gorgeous sunrise, and 9 HUGE birthday balloons!





Pandamania

We just finished up an amazing week at VBS! The kids had a blast with their crew and I kept busy taking all the photos and creating a slide show at the end of each day. Looking forward to next summer.




Check Mate

This has been the summer of Chess for us. The boys and I both learned how to play during our nights next to the RV. Now we can't get enough. You would think an afternoon visit to the Lakeway Swim Center would be filled with water slides and lilly pads. The kids would rather play the life size chess game in 105 degree weather! Good thing the pool was only a few feet away.






DIY ~ Weekend Project ~ Early Birthday Present

I finally got what I have wanted for a long time...wrought iron stair spindles. Not a typical woman's birthday wish but it looks gorgeous and I will enjoy it every single day. The best part is we did the project our self with some help from the kids. I measured, they carried, Daddy cut, they returned, I assembled. Real teamwork!







Baseball Fever

When I found out a high school girl friend was going to sing the National Anthem at a Round Rock Express game, I knew I had to cheer her on! As soon as the date was set I let each boy invite a friend and last night we traveled 40 minutes across town to watch the Express take on Memphis.

My friend did awesome! The boys had a blast. What kid wouldn't...making the jumbo-tron, wearing glow-in-the-dark necklaces, walking away with a foul ball, eating hot dogs and pop corn all night, and not getting home until 11:00. I love summer memories.





The Veloway

We loaded up the bikes this morning and headed to south Austin to explore The Veloway. 3.1 miles of paved lanes only for the use of people on non-motorized wheels. All traffic flows in a clock-wise direction so we tightly hugged the right lane. Grown ups on road bikes whizzed by us numerous times and were very accepting and happy to see some young riders out there. The kids did great and are ready to return again!