Summer of 2013: All You Need is Love. And a Dog.

I'm a firm believer that people come into your life for different reasons.
This story is a perfect example:

In 2011, I knocked on my new neighbor's door, to invite her to a jewelry show at my house.  We had never met, so I knew it was a long shot, but I wanted to extend some neighborly love.  To my surprise, she ended up coming over, and we became instant friends.  Natalie soon introduced me to her husband, Logan, and informed me that they were pregnant with their first baby.  Then, I had the pleasure of meeting their sweet lab.

Meet Cab!

Hey Buddy!

I'm a big time dog lover, and I instantly fell in love with this 120 lb. ball of energy.  I mean, he was massive and when he jumped up, he was as tall as I am...and I freaking LOVED IT!  Anytime Natalie and Logan had to go out of town, I would look forward to taking care of this good boy.

Unfortunately, earlier this year, they told me they were going to have to find a new home for Cab.  They were traveling too much, and with the new baby, they weren't able to give him the time and attention that he needed.  So I immediately started brainstorming about who I knew, that could give this sweet big dog the perfect new home.  I don't know why I felt the need to take part in this transition, but I just did.  I loved him like he was my own dog for crying out loud!

After running it by Justin, (and truly considering taking him!), we decided a third dog would just be too much in our house.  Over the next month or so, there were multiple people who were interested, however when they saw how big he was and how much energy he had, they decided against it.

One day I was taking care of Cab and I was on the phone with my mom, who lives in Nashville, TN.  I have definitely developed my love of animals through her.  She has had labs pretty much since I was a little girl, as well as any other dogs and cats that wonder onto their 5 acre property.  She lives on a quiet street in a historic home, on what used to be a horse farm.  You can literally feel her love for these animals, and if I was a dog and happened to walk by this place...I would quickly want to make it my home too.  Her last lab passed away over a year ago, and a new one hadn't come across her path yet.  Until now.  The conversation went like this:

"Mom, I'm taking care of this sweet lab, and I'm so sad because the owners have to find him a new home.  But, I've been thinking, and I really feel like the reason he hasn't found a new home yet is because he is YOUR dog.  I really feel like you two are meant for each other."

(Mom laughing) "Really?  He sounds so sweet!  I just don't know how I would be able to get him here."

"If you want this guy, I will drive Cab to Tennessee to bring him home to you."

"Ok, well, let me think about it."

At that point I hung up and said a prayer.  I don't know why, but I knew from the bottom of my heart, that Cab was my mom's dog.  I just had to hope that my step-dad would be on board with the decision.  

About 10 min. later, she called me back.  She told me that as soon as we got off the phone she started to tell my step dad the story about Cab.  She never said that I mentioned that he should come live in TN, nor that I had offered to drive him to them.  When she was finished, my step-dad looked at her and said,

"Lisa, that's our dog.  That dog belongs here with us.  You tell Tavia that if she can get him here, we will buy her a plane ticket home." 

I started crying I was so excited and I immediately started planning when and how I was going to make the 13 hour drive from TX to TN with a massive, 120 lb. lab.  

It actually worked out perfectly.  I rented a car for the day my sisters were scheduled to leave TX.  We were going to put Kathryn on the plane, and Jacqueline had decided to make the road trip with me.  I was pumped!  

So when the day came, we loaded the car, Natalie said her good byes to Cab, and we headed on our way!  (I could tell that Justin was sad to see Cab go too, and part of me thought he was going to say cancel the whole thing...we are keeping that dog!)

On the Road!  

He spent the majority of the trip with his front paws and head on the center console.  Sweet guy!

I enjoyed passing the time, singing and chatting with Jacqueline, and Cab.  He would constantly put his nose on the console, or his paw on Jacqueline's shoulder.  He had no idea what was going on, but he was happy to be with us :)

Two days and 920 miles later, we finally arrived!  There was enough dog hair in the back seat to build a puppy, and my butt was killing me...But when he jumped out of that car, and started running around the property, it was all worth it!
When my mom and Cab met, it was pretty much love at first sight and Cab was HOME!!!

Hey Y'all!

Playing Fetch

Best Friends

Doggie Heaven

The kittens LOVED him!

All American Boy

Cab now spends his days running, swimming in the creek, playing in the hose with my step-dad, cuddling with kittens, playing fetch, and going on 2 mile long walks a day.  He lost 12 lbs the first month that he was with my mom because he was getting so much exercise, and I'm pretty sure he is the happiest dog in the world.  Mission Accomplished!!!

So Happy!

Thank you Lord, for bringing Cab into our lives, Natalie and Logan, for giving him to my mom, Jacqueline for making the road trip with me, and thank you Mom, for giving him the perfect new home.

Now that's what I call a Happy Ending!

Summer of 2013 Part 3: Hey Girl, Hey!

On Tuesday, June 11, 2013 Austin, Tx got a little bit louder.  I was so excited to welcome not just one, but BOTH of my beautiful sisters to fly down from Nashville, TN to stay with us for a week!  Last summer, Jacqueline came to visit and it was one of the most memorable weeks ever.  So I was really looking forward to getting to share my wonderful city with Kathryn for the first time, and make Jacqueline fall in love with Austin even more.  Seriously, I started planning this trip in like, January!  

I can't explain how important and special these times are for me.  Since my sisters live with my mom and step-dad in Nashville, I hardly ever get to see them.  However, luckily over the past few years we have been able to spend some quality time together, and grow closer.  There is honestly nothing in this world like having sisters.  I love these girls so much that I tear up when I think about them, and I feel like they are some of my best friends in the whole world.  I would do pretty much anything for them.

Therefore, I was looking forward to showing them a good time in the ATX...

Our week was full of shopping, eating, floating, eating, shopping, movies, and concerts.  Needless to say, I think it was a success!!!

They each received a gift basket in their rooms when they arrived :)

We did some Shopping on South Congress

Visited good ol' TX State (She's a natural bobcat y'all!)

 ADPi Love!  

Tap Room.  Nothing like a side of cigarette smoke with your burger!

No trip to Austin is complete without  floating the RIVER!

 We ended the week at the Randy Rogers concert!  So fun!!  

(P.S. I love that Kathryn is throwing her arm up in every picture.  She is totally my sister!  Haha!)

Fun Girls

Chillin with the Randy Rogers Band

I have to say, that my goal is to convince them to move to Texas!!!  Just get here already girls!

So, usually when a close friend or family member leaves I get really sad, but I didn't have to this time because I knew I was about to spend another week with them in Nashville!  

(Stay tuned for the next blog post!)  

Needless to say, I knew Justin was looking forward to a little peace and quiet :).  

Summer of 2013 Part 2: And so, it Begins

The weekend after school was out was pretty much an eventful, action packed, great jump start to summer.

It went a little something like this:

Saturday:  Hunter's Graduation in Houston.  Congrats Hunter!
I don't have a pic with Hunter in it, but I do have a fabulous pic with my beautiful niece, Madison and my sister-in-law, Nicole.

She currently holds my heart!

Sunday: Momford and Son's Concert in Austin

Blankets on the lawn, bare feet, cold drinks, and great friends= Perfect start of the Summer!

Good People

Monday: Wine Tour in Fredericksburg

There's a bit of a story to go with this one.  I set up this wine tour MONTHS in advance.  People took off work, schedules were re-arranged, and baby sitters were hired.  Yet the day of the tour...our limo company STOOD US UP!!!  I was dumbfounded.  I mean, HOW RUDE!!  So with 10 thirsty people at my house, (and no one jumping up to volunteer to be the Designated Driver), I was about to break down.  Luckily, my super organized, problem solving friend Kara went into Manager mode and started calling other companies.  She pretty much saved the day, and before we could say, "Mimosa", a super cheesy stretch Hummer was pulling in to our cul-de-sac on a Monday morning, to take us on a fun filled vino extravaganza.  Crisis averted!  Thanks for being a grown up and taking care of business Kara!

Subtle...

Love these crazy people

"Everybody do something funny in front of this winery...cause that's normal."

Panoramic

Now if I could only learn how to NOT join a wine club on every one of these things, I'll be set.

The summer was not off to a bad start!!!

Summer of 2013 Part 1: A Few Good Men...er...Kids

I had great expectations for keeping up this blog over the summer.  Unfortunately, I failed miserably.  From the day after school let out, I hit the ground running.  And what I didn't think, was that I would be having so much fun and soaking in every minute, that I wouldn't even CONSIDER spending time in front of a computer.  So now, as this unforgettable summer break is coming to an end, I'd like to catch up and reflect on all the amazing memories and experiences of the past 2 months.

Rewind to June 5, 2013, aka, THE LAST DAY OF SCHOOL

I have to say, that usually I'm welcoming the last day of school with open arms and a fist pump.  My ritual includes, but is not limited to, dancing a jig, praising the Lord, and looking straight ahead to a summer full of lazy days, bikinis, and cocktails on weekdays (cause that never happens during the school year :).

However, this year was a bit different.  Don't get me wrong, there was still the celebratory dance and maybe a cartwheel in the middle of my cleared out classroom, but I was actually, genuinely sad to see my class move on.  And while I love every class for different reasons, this group of kids really touched my heart.

For one, I was lucky enough to have many brothers and sisters of students that had been in my class two years ago, so therefore, I felt that I had grown close with not only the kiddos, but the families.  Also, The parents were kind and trusting, and I felt like there was a mutual respect between all of us..parents, teacher, and students (Which is a BIG DEAL).  It helped that I was (and still am) blessed to work on a strong team with deep rooted beliefs in education, that I can collaborate with.  But most importantly, the children were (and still are) extremely smart, made me laugh out loud every day, and had some of the kindest souls I've ever known.

Don't get me wrong, no one is perfect, and there were certainly days that I would feel like I was going crazy, on the verge of an anxiety attack, or just like I was an all around horrible teacher. (Teachers, can I get an AMEN?!?)  However, I still found myself coming to school each morning and leaving each afternoon, with an overall peace and joy about my job and my class.  I think it mainly had to do with the fact that I felt like our little classroom community had developed into a family.

Now, suddenly it was time to say good bye.  And while I had many wonderful plans for my own summer, part of me wasn't ready to cut the 4th grade cord.

This is what I gave each kiddo on the last day of school.  I got the printables and ideas online, and added a few parts myself.  

It included:

A reading log

Bookmark

Gummy "book worms"

A picture from field day

An addressed and stamped envelope to me, with a cute card inside.  

I told each of them to write me over the summer if they finished a book, or just to let me know how they are doing.

After shedding some tears at our end of year celebration, as my students, buzzing with energy and excitement, began to pepper out to start their summer breaks, I hugged each of them and said the same prayer:

I prayed that they will always remember this year with a smile on their face instead of a scowl.
I prayed that they left my classroom with a love for reading that they didn't have when they walked into my classroom for the first time in August.
I prayed they built true relationships with at least one, if not more of their classmates, and they will be able to lean on each other through tough times in Junior High and beyond.
And most of all, I prayed that they remember how much I love them, care about them, and how proud I am of the people they are and the people they have the potential to become.

I told every one of them that they have the power to change the world, and I absolutely meant every word of it.

I'll always remember my class of 2012-2013, and I hope and pray that this coming school year will be just as great!

I'm so lucky to work with such amazing educators and administrators! 

**Disclaimer**This was not taken on school property

Field Day

Yay for Summer!