Baylor bowl game...NOLA style!

Part of the kids Christmas present this year was tickets to the Sugar Bowl in New Orleans, Baylor (no 7) vs Georgia (no 4).  The kids were so excited for our "mini" vacation for 4 days.  We figured if we wanted to make sure we saw the parade and game, we might as well spend a few nights to see the culture as well.  We started our adventures heading to Avery Island first to the Tabasco factory.  Cade was in Heaven seeing the history behind how it was created and especially loved being able to purchase the "family reserve" Tabasco that was on sale for a limited time.  These bottles were actually aged in oak barrels for 8 years versus the typical 3 years for others.  He also was able to get lots of the sampler bottles for his lunches which made him one happy little boy.  Ha!  Once we finally arrived in New Orleans that evening, we settled in to the hotel and then walked to the Pythian Market for dinner. 
New Year's Eve started with breakfast in bed from the hotel and then exploring around Jackson Square.  Both kids loved seeing the art and street performers.  Walking around did cause us as parents to have a chat about how we have to ignore things around us that may not be central to our beliefs.  That being said, when you see or hear things around you, you have the opportunity just like others to turn away if that is not something you agree with.  The kids also witnessed many homeless people and even children having to work for food or money.  Simply put, we are blessed as a family and should never forget that.  Both kids also donated their own money to those performing and homeless.  It definitely makes me proud of their heart and how mature they are growing.  Right after lunch we found a great spot on the wall in Jackson Square for the Sugar Bowl parade.  Daddy went and stood in line for almost an hour to get us all beignets at Cafe Dumond and we were able to finish those while waiting on the parade.  Both kids enjoyed watching the parade and catching beads from the floats!  After the parade we finished sightseeing and found a few geocaches on way back to hotel.  We relaxed for about an hour before we headed out to the Baylor Letterman's dinner to celebrate and then back to Jackson Square for the Flor de Lis drop at midnight.  We rang in the new year and decade holding hands, surrounded by a lot of people and watching the fireworks.  It was perfect way to end 2019 and start 2020. 
On New Year's day we slept in knowing that with the bowl game starting at 8pm we would need some sleep!  We spent the afternoon just walking around sightseeing different parts of the city, the Boardwalk, eating char-grilled Oysters and Felix's Seafood, and geocaching.  Once back at the hotel and decked out in our Baylor gear, we headed to the Sugar Bowl to watch our Bears play.  Although it was not the ending we wanted, the entire night was filled with memories.  We played games pregame, dancing to live music, watched the pep rally, took funny pictures, and ate way too many unhealthy snacks.  Ha! 
We were very sad to leave today as Louisiana was such a blessing for our family and gave us new memories.  We learned to try new things together, loved eating new foods, met new friends, rang in a new year together, and watched our Bears fight hard to win.  We are excited and ready for this new year and all the surprise blessings that it holds. 

Having 20/20 vision...

I think it is important to rewind a few years.  2018 focused on choosing JOY so that I did not miss the MORE in every moment.  That year the verse "TODAY is the day that the Lord has Made," Psalm 118:24 was one to remember.  It was perhaps one of my biggest years of personal growth.  I learned (many times the hard way) that happiness comes first from within, not other people.  This past year 2019 was focused on drawing closer to Jesus daily, James 4:8.  I set a goal to read the Bible again in a year. I did this most mornings on the way to work or between campuses as part of my daily walk.  I was not perfect and still have 2 months left before completion, but that is ok.  The point is that I still have not given up on a goal!  I also strived to uplift others daily who were in the midst of struggles based on learning to choose joy in 2018.  Ephesians 5:16 was a big part of 2019 which states to "make the BEST use of time".  I wanted to focus on making sure that GOD was the center of my day and never forgotten with all the things that pour into our lives and can take away our focus.  In thinking about 2020, I want to strive for 20/20 vision in finding BALANCE.  Balance for my spiritual, mental, and physical well being.  2018 was the word JOY, 2019 was the word DAILY, so it is only fitting that 2020 is BALANCE.  I want to maintain joy as well as daily time with Jesus, while applying balance.  Balance is such a small word with a big meaning.  I am praying that through this year, God can teach me about finding the right balance in all I do!