grapevine botanical gardens

the weather has been so nice lately + the fall in Texas this year, has actually been stunning!! we have been taking advantage of it, and heading out doors as much as possible. the other day we met up with some dear friends at the botanical gardens in grapevine. I had never been before, and it is seriously a hidden gem. it's very small compared to the one in ft.worth, but we loved it! and it honestly made it easier to keep up with the littles ~ lots of enclosed areas that they could explore, without me being worried that they could run off and get lost. I can't wait to come check it out in the spring!

^^I am working on a  friendship photo-book for sparrow's Christmas gift, so whenever we are out with friends I am trying to remember to snap pictures - and these of phoenix + sparrow are just too much for me. they love each other so much!^^

                   ^^my sweet friend Brandi + her beautiful little ones, Wren + Phoenix^^

                                                   ^^these two! my heart is so full!^^

    ^^and here are a couple of little Wren, she is the sweetest little girl. and she tries so hard to keep up with phoenix + sparrow, it's so precious to watch!^^

i have had many adventures.

i have gone hiking on some of the most beautiful mountains.
i have been to many musical festivals. and danced in the rain.
i have swam in the coldest ocean.
i have gone fishing.
i have seen a pink dolphin.
i have snowboarded in banff, canada.
i have gotten to ride horses. even while pregnant.
i have crowd surfed.
i have been to peru.
i have wished upon falling stars.
i have taught art to 300 hundred middle schoolers in lima.
i have been to machu pichu. and witnessed many americans seeking healing from a famous shaman.
i have gone canoeing on the amazon river. and almost lost my life.
i have swam with sea lions.
i have been para sailing over st.john.
i have volunteered in an orphanage in india. witnessed tremendous courage and sacrifice. and my heart fell for 200 beautiful souls.
i have been camping in the woods.
i have experienced an eco-tour, including hiking, kayaking, and snorkeling with the most colorful fish and massive sting rays.
i have worked with disabled children in mexico who were abandoned by their parents.
i have stayed in xilitla - a remote mountain village, met people with such beauty, and encountered the magical place known as las pozas - extraordinary surreal architecture designed by artist edward james.
i have sailed all across lake taxoma. and even met ross perot.
i have been to st.thomas. and ate the best ceasar salad i have ever had.
i have (and continue to) help girls come out of sex trafficking.
i have lived with many beautiful girls and had too many dance parties to count.
i have made the best homemade ice cream in georgia with my nana.
i have been a waitress, proffesional ice cream scooper, and personal stylist.
i have moved out on my own to pursue my dreams.
i have designed murals, kitchen backsplashes, and even worked in an art gallery in dallas.
i have been a  photographer for a dance company.
i have worked for my dream company-anthropologie.
i have zip-lined through forests.
i have done graffati on trains.
i have stayed in a hostel in chicago.
i have gone ice skating over a frozen lake. in canada.
i have stood by my best friend as she commited herself to the man of her dreams.
i have been cliff jumping.
i have traveled by train. alone. and with friends.
i have road-tripped to california with one of my best friends.
i have married the love of my life. the man i met when i was 16.

and now, i have sparrow. the best adventure yet.