Village Park Preserve

One of my favorite things to do on my days off is to go exploring. One of my "go to" places is the Village Point Park Preserve across the bay in Daphne.

A couple weekends ago, JP and I went back to Village Point. It was supposed to rain off and on so our trip to the beach didn't seem worth the time on the road.

 My hiking, history loving companion.

 The first direction that we headed was to find the primitive burial site... It was primitive alright. It was a dead end at a swamp. :)

 Our first "stop" was at the Bayfront Park. They have a building there that is used as a meeting place for rent. There was a large family reunion going on, so we only made a swift stop at the gazebo and pier.

 View of the bay and downtown Mobile from the end of the pier.

 We headed back to Village Point by way of the boardwalk. Yes, that says do not feed the alligators.

 If you look reallllllly  carefully, you can see the only alligator we saw for the whole walk.

 One of my new favorite places. Its a small trip of beach that you can only access by going on the boardwalk. We were the only people there. It was so nice and peaceful. Considering making it one of my new beach spots because it is much closer than Orange Beach/Gulf Shores. You can see downtown Mobile way off in the distance.

 On the way back towards the D'Olive Cemetery, we took a side trail at the Gazebo to go to one of our "spots". We have been here once before to the Live Oak and wanted to get some more pictures.

 This tree had fallen at some point and had rooted in 2 places.

 Here is the Live Oak. It is absolutely beautiful. They have it completely cased in to protect the tree and roots.

 I think next time we might need to bring a picnic. There are several picnic tables that were built by the boy scout troop who redid the trails a couple of years ago.

 The D'Olive cemetery

 Little raccoon buddy!

 We took the "turtle trail" back to the parking lot. Below are 2 of our snapping turtle trail mates.

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3 years ago today I showed up at BAE systems for my first day of work. 
I had been told it was an office job but when I got there they asked me where my "tools" were. Much to my surprise, and absolute terror, I was hired to be a scaffold builder. I remember taking a deep breathe as I strapped on a borrowed harness and tool belt and made my first trek onto a ship. I was in a completely different place in life than i ever expected, scared to death of the unknown and still trying to keep up a front that everything in my life was "ok". 

Though I had no idea why God had places me there at the time, He showed me how much of a blessing in disguise it was. It didn't provide much financially but it provided enough. I learned I was physically, mentally, spiritually and emotionally stronger than I ever realized, I fell in love with boats, I learned about skilled shipyard trades and terms which helped me get the job I have today and I met a blue eyed, blond haired, gentle hearted JP. I think the first thing he ever said to me, weeks after I met him, was that he could tell I was struggling and whatever it was he would be praying for me and that "His grace is sufficient". So thankful for a Father who gives unlimited amounts of strength and for learning "it's ok to not be ok". 

Transparency is so much easier than keeping up a front and didn't make me weak, it made me realize the magnitude of His love and grace.

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MARCO

It's a "tradition" of sorts in our family to play Marco Polo. Whether it's through text messaging, phone calls or walking through the door to our parents house, we have the tendency to call out "MARCO" to inquire as to who is there and where they are.

No one has called "MARCO" for where I am in the blog world but I am still here. I have actually really missed it. I don't know how consistent I will be but I do plan on blogging to journal and document special memories. Life is good. I am still working as a recruiter for a marine and industrial contracting company. I love my job, the people I work with all along the gulf coast, and that I spend my days getting to help other people find work. It's stressful, but I am beyond grateful. I am still living in Mobile. I have found a church but it is in Pascagoula, MS. It's a little bit of a drive on the interstate but I am enjoying it. I still plan on staying in my women's Bible study group in Mobile when the next class starts.

I adore my family. Nothing has changed there. ;) I am going home this weekend to the beloved BRT to watch a Night of One Acts. D'baby wrote a one act play and will be performing in it.

Coach is still my perfect lil man.

I found out last fall that my eczema is irritated by being allergic to my sweet pup. I can in NO way ever consider getting rid of him. At that point, I had already had him for 3 years. He just got his first summer haircut. He was unsure of the clippers. And not the least bit excited about it. Except note the adorable tongue licking action when he saw I was giving him a treat. Poor thing didn't know what was coming. The shorter hair seems to be helping some of my allergies. Coach looks like a dalmation mix with the shorter hair, black spots everywhere. 

I have spent the last few months with weekends consumed by trips here and there and/or moving. This sweet man now lives in Mobile, so no more 5 hour long distance relationship. Makes me(and my gas budget ha) much happier.

There's my little sum up of life. Is anyone else still out there reading? MARCO....

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Honey Harmonies

Yesterday afternoon Honey( Heather) and I hit the road for New Orleans... or more accurately LaPlace and Kenner. We met our oldest sister, Rachel, at La Carettas for some thing Mexican food for dinner. I had to laugh at this picture. Honey is leading across the table and the napkin behind her looks like is tucked in her shirt. Haha

I just love spending time with my older sisters.

Honey and I. Gotta love blurry iPhone pictures

Rachel and I

Heather and I wandered around for a while before hearing to the theater. Rachel was on the tech crew for Legally Blonde The Musical and got comp tickets for the two of us. We still had some time to kill before the party started so we walked around the quaint blocks surrounding the theater. It was adorable. Unfortunately, 8th was to dark for phone pictures.

The theater was small but very nice. The overall production was great. Because of some ticket confusion we sat up in the overflow seating.

After the play, Honey and I hit up Cafe du Monde for beignets and so she could have a coffee.

 It was a long day but a good, short trip. Honey and I always enjoy road trips together because we love singing together - Honey Harmonies!

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