Stop #2 - Austin (Part 2)

Austin, continued...

My fortune cookie on St. Paddy's day weekend - very appropriate!!

On Sunday morning, we went to the Central Market in Austin for lunch with our cousin Richard. The cafe had a huge outdoor patio, playground, and walking trail around a fountain and a lake - it was amazing!! We had a great lunch and morning there!

It was hard work to feed himself his lunch, so Aunt Katie helped him out with his bottle. Lazy boy!!

Barrett and cousin Richard

We enjoyed pointing out all the turtles and fish in the lake 

and pretending that Barrett was looking at them too. :-)

After lunch, we headed downtown for a few photo ops. I ran in my first 10K in Austin on a course that went around the Capitol building, so I was excited to take Barrett there too! 

(Not to mention the fact that it's also the capitol city of Texas...)

My little boy in Austin, Texas

(This picture turned out exactly the way I hoped it would! LOVE it!!)

The next morning, my "designated wingman" and I headed up to north Austin

Canyon Ridge Middle School is where I spent my first four years of teaching. I moved to Austin straight out of college and didn't know anyone there except the people I worked with. This school helped to shape my teaching career, as well as my coaching career, and my life in general. I taught 7th and 8th grade math; I coached volleyball, soccer, and track. I qualified for a CDL driver's license and drove a big yellow school bus for the athletic teams. After my brother passed away, the staff and students were my support and motivation. Later on, they listened to my endless stories about Travis, the amazing guy I had met from Del Rio. Travis then proposed in my 8th grade classroom in front of those same students and staff. Needless to say, this place is pretty special to me and will always be a fun place to remember!

Susan Sullivan, my first boss and principal

I made quite an impression on the first day of work by crashing into the metal gate outside of the school and completely shattering my windshield. (I was so nervous about starting work!!) I was just going to worry about it later, but heavy rain was, of course, predicted for that day. Susan, along with some of the other assistant principals, not only came out the parking lot to cover my car with a tarp, but also located a repair shop and helped me get there later that afternoon. Such a wonderful group of people!

Carie Kinder, the 7th grade department leader who was an amazing friend and coworker

Brenda Edwards, my coaching mentor

April Chauvette, my teaching mentor

I would not have survived my first year of teaching without her!!

Carla Kind, one of the best listeners I have ever met! She let me sit in her office for hours and ramble on and on (...and on!) about Travis and was always excited to hear stories about him! She also had lots of great insight into military life, and I had the privilege of teaching her son, Trey. I still miss her dearly!

The Millers - our host family for the night

Kristina was another math teacher at the school who came a few years after I did. She was a new teacher too, and it was so fun to work with her! We really hit it off and taught together in 7th grade for a year. She is now teaching 8th grade math and is thinking about a high school job. Her daughter Naomi is an absolute joy to be around, and I was so grateful for the opportunity to catch up with her! I love this dear, sweet family so much!

Our final stop in Austin was to visit with two other math teachers who are now stay-at-home moms to some of the cutest kids ever. Kristen Anderson (on the left) taught 6th grade. Her daughter Kenzie (pink bow) is four, and her son Dawson (who had to stay at home sick) is two. Kristen Gohean (on the right) also taught 7th grade, and her daughter Meg (on the right) is two. Annie, her four year old, was at school that morning. We keep in touch through our blogs, but it was fun to catch up with them in person!!

It was very hard to drive away from Austin that day. I love and am grateful for the wonderful life that Travis and I are building together, but my time in Austin and the memories I have there will always have a special place in my heart.

Next stop: Fort Worth!