Are You and Your Family Craving an Outdoor Adventure in Texas State Parks? Look no further! With its scenic landscape and unparalleled natural beauty, Texas provides camping enthusiasts an amazing outdoor adventure - especially camper owners! In this blog post we'll examine when it's best to enjoy Texas State Parks as camper owners with family or dogs in tow! So pack up those bags, leash up those puppers, and prepare yourself for an amazing camping trip across this Lone Star State!

While the image above is not quite a Texas Campground with the mountains and pine trees, it still invokes the feeling that every camper gets when they set up beside a lovely lake with family.

Texas may be notorious for its heatwave summers, but don't despair: There are certain months in each year where camping conditions are ideal. Let's dive into each season to determine when is best suited to our camper adventure!

Spring: The Texas State Parks make for an amazing camping trip experience during spring! As temperatures heat up and nature starts blooming with wildflowers and lush greenery. Additionally, weather during this season tends to be mild and pleasant making this an excellent time for activities like hiking, fishing and wildlife spotting; among the popular parks to consider in Texas during this season are Pedernales Falls State Park, Enchanted Rock State Natural Area and Big Bend Ranch State Park.

 Fall: For camping enthusiasts looking for cooler temperatures and stunning autumn views, fall camping trips offer many advantages over summer excursions. When the heat of the day subsides, Texas State Parks become tranquil havens, welcoming outdoor enthusiasts in search of peaceful natural settings like Palo Duro Canyon State Park, Guadalupe River State Park or Lost Maples State Natural Area to experience unforgettable photo opps aplenty! These parks should all make up your fall itinerary of parks that should feature on it.

Texas winters may not be as harsh as other regions in the U.S., but that doesn't stop you from enjoying camping during this season! With cooler temperatures providing a refreshing break from summer heat and making for easier exploration in Texas State Parks' winter camping destinations - with less crowds and peaceful atmospheres like Davis Mountains State Park, Balmorhea State Park or Caprock Canyons State Park being great choices to bring family members or furry companions alike for an exciting winter camping vacation getaway!

Summer Camping in Texas State Parks can be challenging due to high temperatures and increased visitation, yet with proper planning and precautionary steps it can still provide an unforgettable camping experience. Camping near water bodies to alleviate heat can help, as can booking your campsite well ahead of time - popular parks include Garner State Park, Inks Lake State Park and Lake Whitney State Park for summer explorations.

 No matter the season, Texas State Parks provide camping enthusiasts with many exciting camping adventures. From vibrant spring flowers and picturesque fall scenery, tranquil winter retreats or exciting summer excursions; Texas State Parks have something special in store for every camper adventure. Be sure to review park regulations in advance, especially during peak times and weekends when making reservations is advised for  - then pack up the camper, grab your family, load it up with beloved furry companions, and set out on an incredible journey through beautiful Texas State Parks with your beloved furry family - Happy Camping Y'all!

Do you get outside with your teens?! 

You should!

 If you're unfamiliar with Charlotte Mason, she was a renowned  British educator in the early 1900s who knew  the importance of nature in a child's education. Her methods have stood the test of time, and continue to inspire educators and parents alike. 

Charlotte Mason believed that children should spend ample time outdoors, engaging with nature and observing its wonders firsthand. According to Mason, nature study not only cultivates a sense of awe and wonder but also nurtures important skills such as observation, attention to detail, and curiosity.

Adapting Charlotte Mason's approach to nature study for teenagers  is no harder than doing nature study with a younger child, in fact it can be easier because they can carry all their own stuff!

Let them take the lead. 

Allow your teen to choose the topics they want to explore. Whether it's birdwatching, botany, or geology, giving them autonomy will ignite their passion for learning. You don't have to tell them what to look for, just simply ask "what do you see?". Their ability to observe will be fine tuned as they learn to look and listen to the world around them. Maybe they want to go check out the beaver dam they recently noticed at the local pond, or see if that nest in the back yard has eggs hatching yet; letting them get excited to go find out more is a big part of the importance of nature study. This is after all a homeschool, and children are persons. They may be interested in snakes but you would rather them look at flowers, let them lead.

 Incorporate technology.  

While Mason would not have known about cell phone apps or internet searches, integrating technology can enhance the learning experience for teens. Encourage them to use apps, online resources, or photography to document their observations and research. 

 Get drawing.

Journaling is an excellent way for teens to reflect on their experiences and observations. Encourage them to write about their findings, sketches, or even create digital journals to capture their thoughts and discoveries. This can be as simple as a pencil sketch, or as elaborate as a brush drawing.

 Field trips and group activities. 

Organize field trips or join nature study groups to provide opportunities for socialization and shared learning experiences. A coop that has a specific nature study class can be a great help if you are just not sure what to do when it comes to nature study- partner with some other families that share the love of the outdoors and let another parent guide the conversation. Sometimes teens just want to bring a friend along, and sometimes mom or dad wants to chat with a fellow adult too!

Consistency is key when it comes to nature study with anyone. Establish a regular homeschool routine that sets aside dedicated time for outdoor exploration and observation. If life is busy, maybe set a goal for a once a week outing to a park or creek. This routine will help them develop discipline and a lifelong love for nature. 

After all, education is an atmosphere, a discipline, a life.

Get mudded

Corey and I along with friends from church, his dad, brother and Uncle completed our first Warrior Dash! This was also my very first 5K. I was motivated by a friend of mine that did one earlier. Her family and mine were very much involved in Advocare (wonderful products!) and I needed the motivation to get back into shape after Finn, my crusher. 

I am still over my pre-preg weight and wasn't feeling so great about it. Bring on the mud!

We had so much fun we are already signed up for another one in March and are going to (actually) train for a Spartan in May. Our goal is to get ready for a Tough Mudder. That is a 12 miles (half-marathon?) But I say give me a good year for that one. 

So for Christmas, we cancelled our Dish subscription and are going to get a YMCA membership so Lily can dance, momma can Zumba and daddy can pump some iron.

 Of course, this is what we saw when we pulled in. We decided not to call Corey's mom at that moment in case she told us all to come home instead.

 They have a beard contest which my husband and Father- In- Law were sure to win, had they actually stayed to enter.

 The mud and the metal proves I finished 

 This is my friend from church that joined me. She started running before this and lost 30 lbs in the year leading up to this, I am proud and motivated by and of her!

 Yes, we washed off in a truck of water hosing the crowd. And it was cold. But clean (ish)

 We did it!

The proud men

Where is your heart

Our Pastor has been preaching a series on the heart of man and it is speaking volumes to me, and in those I see around me.
Out church is in a major transition right not: we are renting a ballroom on Thursday and Sunday service dates until we get our building. Ministries are rearranged, we have kids in the back of the sanctuary with a curtain between us and them!

There are great things that are coming out of this though. 
 Our children are learning to worship with their parents because they come in during the praise and worship portion of service. My girls come home singing songs that I sing at church (being a worship leader, they know more church song than many kids anyway). 

People are learning to work, or remembering how. People are connecting with others in a personal way because we have to.

We are evangelizing like we used to...the message of hope is going out into the city of Austin...which is the most important part!

But in all of this, there are those that don't see what God is doing. They see what he is "not " doing for them. Or what the church isn't doing for them. Some people have lost their love for the church because their heart is only full when they are In a position of leadership. 

These people forgot that leaders are servants. 

Some people have not only left the church, but actually discipled people to themselves and taken people with them. You can tell where their heart is: on themselves and chasing after a trophy.

Are you sold out for the ministry and church God has you in, or do you only love it when you are in a position of influence or when you are noticed?

Breakfast challenge con't

We are in week 2 of the breakfast challenge.
So far, eh. I keep forgetting I am making a change.

So I put a reminder in my kitchen.
1. Get kids in bed/tucked in/prayers/read story by 10:00pm
2. Wake up at least 1 hour before they do
3. Meal planner (this is a must must must)
4. Coffee in the morning (not really a must, but a strong desire)

Week 1 of the Breakfast Challenge

Well, I am not doing to well with rising before the kids, so I am going another way:


Going to be earlier!


I am trying to get the kids in bed by 9 (failed last night) 
and get myself in bed (asleep) by 11. That gives me 2 hours to myself to prepare for the morning, clean, read my word, spend time with hubby etc.

Breakfast Challenge

Some things I am starting today:
Waking up BEFORE the kids. I was hoping this would mean 1-2 hours before them (ie 6:30 or 7am).
For some reason, I can't seem to get up when the alarm goes off. I think it is because I don't HAVE to.
I dont HAVE to punch a clock, drop anyone off or be anywhere at any set time in the mornings so I don't make it a priority to be up early.


And it shows.


One of the blogs I am following is starting a morning challenge that I am determined to participate in.


Sure enough, as I am trying to get this blog typed up so I can follow my own progress, the kids are asking to be fed, for milk and a cup. Which is frustrating because the baby is sleeping on the bed and I don't want him to be woken up because I can't fix breakfast yet because I am nursing him, but then the 2 year old is crying that she is hungry, and I did not finish the blog because I was interrupted and they are already pulling toys out of the room...


It goes on and on and on and if I start the day frustrated by little people instead of calmed by The Holy Spirit, my whole day seems off. Not to mention I need to start preparing myself for homeschooling Lily in the fall.


So today is day 1 of rising before the kids. It may not have been early, but it was still before they got up!