some days need a little adventure...

I woke up on Oct. 19th with all of this on my mind:

• I wanted to get out of the house and have a little adventure.  
• I wanted to enjoy my kid and give her so much attention she was actually satisfied. :) 
• I needed to clear my head and empty it a little of life's chaos.  
• I needed to see my sister.  
• I wanted to click my shutter a bit and see beautiful things.  
• I thought it sounded fun to reminisce and enjoy memories of my years on campus.

All of this together convinced me to try something new and give myself permission to enjoy a morning downtown in the midst of a busy week.  The only set plan was meeting my sister for lunch.

The kiddo and I took the metro-rail from Leander after dropping off the girls at school.  She loved the train!  It reminded me of my summers in NYC and Atlanta.  I don't often feel like I live in a big city, but if felt like that yesterday.

We explored campus a little bit and stepped into the Texas Memorial Museum.  This wasn't planned at all but it was open at 9am and I had time to kill before the art gallery opened at 10.  My girl loved the Texas wildlife dioramas and the "pretty" rocks.  I thought of how much my older girls would enjoy it.

We crossed campus taking in everything.  I was reminded of how pretty it is.  There was a lot of construction and it was tricky having a stroller with how many steps there were.  We went to the West Mall and sat for a bit with a snack.  We were parked near the "Save the Albino Squirrel Preservation Society" table.

I wanted to walk through the Harry Ransom Center where there was a photography exhibit.  My little one appeased me, but I didn't stay long.  I'd love to go back - toddler-less.

Rachel met me at a cafe table outside of my old dorm, Littlefield.  We ate lunch and caught up a bit.  It was much too brief.  Peanut colored Dora pictures and then refused to gift them to Rachel...so sad.

We caught our express bus back to Leander.  It surprised me how nice those buses are.  They are like motor coaches.

The whole day allowed me to clear my head...believe it or not.  I had a lot of walking and sitting (with a surprisingly quiet kid).  I think she was just so happy for the 1-on-1 time.  Our parenting life occupied my thoughts a lot and how I need to trust God with it.  Ministry at the church was on my mind and I was reminded of how I need to trust God with it.  I thought about my relationships and how I'm falling short in many of them...and that I need to trust God with that too.  Notice a theme?

Sometimes I need to take a holiday from my stresses and while it may have not sounded like a "relaxing" day...it proved to be a day where I could listen to God and be refreshed.