26 Years

Since I do milestone updates for the kids, perhaps I deserve a blog dedicated to my birthday? My birthday was on friday and David was able to get the whole weekend off! I took Friday off and we decided to go on an adventure. I have lived in Austin my whole life and never been out to Hamilton Pool. Since it had just rained for days on end, the water quality was not safe enough for swimming but we thought it still sounded fun to go for a hike.

After dropping the kids off, we headed out to the Hill Country. The water fall and main pool is just about a half mile hike (downward.) I got a call from my office and lost signal mid-conversation because we had hiked so for down. Basically the pool area was a cave who's top had fallen in- it is pretty cool! What's not cool? Freaking snakes.

On our hike down to the pool all of a sudden David sticks his arm out in front of me and says "STOP!" He didn't yell but he was serious and I knew there was some danger. But I didn't hear or see anything. I kept asking him "WHAT? WHAT?" and he kept not answering me and was looking around. He finally just moved me and THEN poined out a snake. I think we both instictively tried to see if it was rattling. The snake was looking right at us and had his mouth open- pretty frightening. He was just a couple of feet from us but since it was frozen David ushered me along and said "C'mon, let's go." Luckily, the snake stayed still and let us go past.

I was freaked out and my eyes were now GLUED to the trail. Not 10' away a baby snaked slithered right in front me accross the trail. Awesome. Then we got to the beautiful pool and water fall. All of a sudden it was a little cooler and there was lots to look at. There were little pools, lots of greenery and cool rock formations. We walked behind the falls (all the while watching for snakes). When we came out it would appear that the same freaking snake had followed us down to the pool because it was yet again in the middle of the path. It wasn't moving but there was no other way to get past it. Instinctively David reached for a large stick (in case it became agressive) but what he thought was stick was another freaking snake! Now we were really screwed- two venomous snakes in a 10' radius and there was no way out. I kept my eye on snake #2 while David watched the one in the path. This went on for a couple of minutes and finally snake #1 slithered off. We quickly took the opportunity to walk past!

On our way out we past a couple with their photographer- probably taking engagement pictures. They were all dressed up and in sandals so we warned them and then a girl (obviously a model) who was in a bikini and flip flops and with her photographer. I guess they didn't get the memo to wear sturdy footwear. We stopped at the guard post and inquired as to the kind of snakes that are generally in the park. He said mainly moccasins (the entire trail is on a stream). Since they are agressive snakes he kept saying things like, "WOW!" and "YOU ARE SO LUCKY." Geez.

Then we drove into Bee Cave for a snack and shopping. We went to James Avery and Bath and Body Works. When we got back into Austin we got my car washed, and then went to Things Celtic. We had a whole list of things to do sans kids ;) Things Celtic was awesome. David and I have some rings picked out there. Before picking up Emma from school we went to Cavenders and David and I picked out new boots. That night we were headed to Walburg for dinner with my parents and friends! It was so much fun!

Saturday morning we went to breakfast and then had a family birthday party. That afternoon we recharged before our friend Mark's birthday party. We spent the evening at their house enjoying awesome food and beverages and watched some UT football ;)

Sunday I slept in and David and Cody fell back asleep in the recliner so we missed church. We had brunch with my parents at Trudy's and I had a three hour nap this afternoon while Daddy and Cody spent some quality time together (Emma spent this afternoon at my parent's house and took a nap w/Grammy).

I had an amazing weekend! It was very busy but I love our life! I LOVE David and appreciate so much him making this the best birthday! I'm just so blessed. I have everything I've ever wanted. A healthy daughter and healthy son. A husband who I love more than anything. I'm working hard to give back as much as I can and share my blessings. Praise God from Whom all blessings flow!