IF NOTHING EVER CHANGED, THERE'D BE NO BUTTERFLIES

You know that feeling you get when you are changing, I mean really changing? Not just something in your life, but something deep inside you is fundamentally evolving, when you feel yourself moving into more of who you are; when you have figured out another piece of yourself, how you fit in the world, what is important to you and what you believe in.

It reminds me of getting caught in a storm; how in an instant the sky turns dark and the temperature drops; the smell of impending rain fills the air, you can hear thunder in the distance and the wind begins to swirl madly.

It's exhilarating and scary at the same time. There's a sense of chaos; an impulse to run for cover. It's powerful, an awesome sight to behold. It can make you feel small and vulnerable against the forces of Mother Nature but also defiant in knowing you won't dissolve or be blown away. Proceed with caution; pay attention.

Then the rain pours. Whipping your head around to catch each instance of lightning slicing the atmosphere, bones trembling with thunder, eyes wide with anticipation, every sense on alert, maybe you get soaked; maybe you stand in the downpour and yell at the sky; maybe you huddle under an eave to assess the storm.

Then it passes. The earth is still turning, the sun still hangs in the sky, a rainbow appears. You see the world freshly bathed, bright and shiny, from your new perspective.

be strong and courageous.
do not be terrified, do not be discouraged.
for the lord your God will be with you,
wherever you go.
joshua 1:9

STILL PLAYS SUPERHERO AT THIRTY ONE

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY BRO!

TOTALLY TUBULAR

Here are some pics from our day at the lake a few weeks ago. We had a lot of fun tubing! Aaron is the best at driving the boat while pulling a person on the tube. We all got some mad air; Scott did some acrobatics. Angela was the brave first tuber; but everyone was too fascinated watching her skillz to take any pictures of her on the water donut.

Floating

Mr. Fancy Pants Scott

Sargent Sass Taylor

Captain Aaron

Proof I WAS there

Miss Pods

Baby Peters

Miss Pods and G

HAPPY THOUGHTS

Rainbows, Pink Cupcakes, Sunshine, Hugs, Lake Travis, Fireworks, Big meals with dessert, Snuggling, Someone saying "I Love You," Frozen drinks on the beach, Cozy fires, Silence, Smores!, A good book, Date night, Being up high looking down, Open windows, Duck Face, A clean house, Lip gloss, Soy Lattes, The Star Spangled Banner, Recently highlighted hair, Changing seasons, Ice Cream, Knowing that people are waiting for me to come home, Long kisses, Daisies, Waxed eyebrows, A clean car, Wagging dog tails, Sunrise, Walks on the beach by myself, Breakfast with friends, Spring Cleaning, Strawberries & bananas, Giggles, Bluebonnets, Butterflies, Warm blankets, Fun-colored pens, Love notes, New shoes, Garage Karaoke, Clever t-shirts, Pancakes. . .

TUESDAY TURNIP

a little weekly fun from mental_floss

SUMMER TOUR 2007

Summer Tour 2007 was a success. More pictures to come as soon as I gather them all.

complete with Tour tees



a gnome to watch over you


a really old mountain range


20 hours of car time


there's a big white house up here on the left

IF A TREE FALLS AND THERE'S NO ONE TO HEAR IT

I'm not sure exactly when this started, but I've been talking to myself for a while now, and it seems to be getting worse. Sometimes I silently move my lips along with my thoughts, and sometimes I'm actually mumbling aloud. Lately, my boss will walk past my desk and laugh because she heard me say something like "My band-aid came off" and she knows I'm not talking to her. Aaron has become a little frustrated with me at times because he can't tell if I'm talking to him. It goes something like the Brian Regan joke where you end up yelling some meaningless thought:

Angela inaudible mumbling: I need to remember to get mustard.
Aaron: What?
Angela slightly more audible: I need to remember to get mustard.
Aaron: What? I can't hear you.(!)
Angela loud and clear: I said I need to remember to get mustard(!)

So yesterday, I was driving home and where the freeway bottlenecks and usually adds 7 to 10 minutes to my commute, traffic was flowing along freely. When I came upon this afternoon-traffic anomaly, there in the confines of my little Accord, all by my lonesome, I let out a little "Woo Hoo!" Literally - that was the sound. I know I write Woo Hoo a lot, so when I heard myself actually exclaim it out loud I cracked up. . . and continued to cruise at an easy 55mph merging down to one lane with no problemo.