Friends, this will not be a light and happy post today.  I’m sure you’ve all heard the horrific news about the tornado in Moore, Oklahoma that affected so many yesterday.  I can’t believe the images that I’m seeing on the news, and my heart is broken for the victims.

I’ve been an Oklahoman my entire life, and, thought sometimes I have a contentious relationship with my state, I feel it very keenly when it’s hurting.  Growing up here, we learn early what tornadoes can do, and we always keep a very close eye on the skies from March to June.  Yesterday is every Oklahoman’s worst fears come to life.  Thankfully, all of my loved ones in the Moore area are safe and accounted for today, but the same cannot be said for so many.

Already we’re seeing local organizations mobilizing support for those affected.  For those of you not in our area, but would like to help, the following is a list of several organizations that could desperately use your donations.

American Red Cross

Salvation Army

Oklahoma Baptist Disaster Relief

These are the three biggest organizations on the ground.  However, there are several more working diligently.  For more information on some of the other ways to get involved, please see the full list here.

Please remember and pray for the victims today, and hug your loved ones a little closer.

It’s my first official day of summer break!  I’ve spent the day doing all kinds of exciting things like cleaning the house and grocery shopping.  Not to worry-I’m getting all of the not so fun things out of the way so I can concentrate on having some fun the rest of the week!  I have to make a small correction about something I said last week.  On Thursday I mentioned that John and I were gearing up for a quick trip to Colorado in two weeks.  Well, guess what?  Apparently, reading calendars is not a great skill of mine.  We’re actually going to be there next week!  We’re heading out on Friday for several days, and I am so excited.  You know it’s my favorite place on earth, and I can’t wait to spend a few days soaking up the mountains.

But that’s this coming weekend.  Let’s talk about the one that just happened!  John and I headed home to my mom’s on Friday night for a very special occasion.  My step-dad Joel graduated from college on Saturday, and we were on hand to celebrate!  The ceremony was held Saturday morning, and after a few quick pictures we all piled in the cars to get on with the really exciting part of the day.

A few months ago, we discovered an awesome Latin restaurant in Dallas called Gloria’s.  We’ve all become obsessed with it, and Joel tried to convinced all of us to skip the graduation ceremony and get right to lunch.  Unfortunately for him, we didn’t go for it!  By the time we were seated, we were all starving and dove right into chips and salsa and the most amazing bean dip I’ve ever had.  I ate more than my fair share, but I still had room to devour my entrée.

Yes, it was just as delicious as it looks.  I’m already looking forward to my next trip!  After we stuffed ourselves silly, we spent the rest of the day hitting some of our favorite spots in Dallas.

Of course I had to stock up on a few things at Whole Foods.  If one of these ever opens up within a fifty mile radius of me, I am in serious trouble.  The Dallas day also included not one but two stops at REI where Caite and I couldn’t resist modeling a little bit.

We made a full day of it, and by the time we got back to Mom’s Saturday night, we were exhausted.

Sunday included lunch with my dad and grandparents, and we had a great time catching up for a few hours before John and I had to head back to Poteau.  It was a weekend full of family and good food which are always the best kind!

Now it’s time to get to the highlight of my Mondays.  I love answering Friend Makin’ Monday questions, and I hope you all enjoy learning a little more about me.  Here we go!

1.  Have you ever been skinny dipping?

Yes, actually, and more than once

2.  If you could choose an exotic vacation destination today, where would you go?

I’d probably pick something like Greece or Egypt.

3.  Do you prefer to live in the city or the suburbs?

I think I’m a mid-size city kind of girl.  I would never survive in a big city, but I do like the conveniences of it!

4.  If you could paint, draw or illustrate any masterpiece in the world, what would it be?

I would create a masterpiece of my beloved Colorado Rockies.  That way I’d have them with me all the time!

5.  What is your favorite dish to cook when you’re cooking for one?

I usually always go with an omelet.  It’s easy to make breakfast foods into a single serving.

6.  Who has recently influenced you in a spectacular way?

I find my influences from books all the time.  I read a lot of non-fiction, and many times the adventures I find in certain people’s stories inspire me to try all kinds of new things.

7.  Have you ever considered dating a person who’s younger than you?  If so, how young would you go?

Well, when I was dating I didn’t usually date people younger than me, but I wouldn’t have been opposed to it.  I think it depends on the person.

8.  What do you typically wear when you’re at home with no plans to go out?

Yoga pants or athletic shorts and a hoodie.  It’s my uniform!

9.  Do you prefer a shower or a bath?

I definitely prefer showers.  I really don’t get baths.

10.  When you meet strangers are you outgoing or more introverted?

I am severely introverted.  Sometimes I think I have diagnosable social anxiety!

Alright, folks, it’s time to finish up a few chores and then get my Insanity on.  See you tomorrow!

Are you outgoing or introverted?  What was your favorite thing about the weekend?

Hello, Monday!  This week is going to be a whirlwind of activity in my part of the world.  The last day of school for the kids is Thursday (we teachers have to go on Friday), and there is so much going on this week.  Between graduations, class parties and trips, and, oh yeah, getting the entire library ready to close for the year I’m going to be one busy little bee. That’s alright though because this time next week, I’ll be free and clear for three months.  (And I swear that’s the last time I’ll rub it in!)  Do you all remember the feeling of excitment in the air at the end of each school year?  Well, that feeling is definitely permeating the atmosphere today.

But let’s talk about the weekend, shall we?  We had a Marvelous one, and I got to spend some quality time with some of my favorite people.  It was definitely the kind of weekend that deserves a Marvelous In My Monday recap.  Thanks, Katie, for hosting!

Mom, Joel, and Caite arrived Friday night for a quick visit to participate in a very fun and unique event that happens in our town every year.  Remember how Poteau is home to the world’s highest hill?  Well, every year the Chamber of Commerce holds a race called the Cavanal Killer.  You can enter as either a runner or a walker (don’t worry-the vast majority walk!), and people from all over the area come to conquer the 5 mile climb to the top.

Mom and Joel did the race two years ago, and Caite did the hill with us back in January so they all knew what to expect.  The four of us actually decided to walk the short distance to the start line from my house, and we were lined up and ready by the time the gun went off at 9:30.  Just over 300 people started the trek up the hill, and, even though I do this hike regularly, it’s always fun to be a part of the atmosphere on race day.

Joel and I jumped a little ahead of Mom and Caite, and we spent the time chatting as we made our way up.  Let me just take a minute to tell you how good I felt physically on this hike.  My legs felt incredibly strong, and I can honestly say I have never had an easier time doing Cavanal.  I completely credit this to the Insanity workout program John and I have been doing, and it makes me that much more excited to see how this new strength will affect my backpacking this summer.

Joel and I made the 5 mile climb to the top in one hour and forty-nine minutes.  I jog ahead slightly to catch him coming across.

Eight minutes later, Mom and Caite crossed over.  Have I mentioned how thankful I am to have a active family?

We spent a few minutes resting at the top, and look who we found?

John actually volunteers with the Chamber of Commerce so he was working the event instead of walking it this time.  He was on hot dog patrol to feed the famished trekkers!  After about thirty minutes or so, the four of us opted to make the walk back down instead of using one of the buses that were provided to shuttle people back to the starting line.  Overall, we ended our day with a total mileage of 12.5, and I think I managed to wear my family completely out!

I agree with you, Mr. Jefferson!

After taking much needed showers, we met back up with John and feasted on Mexican food.

I’m not sure how many baskets of chips we went through, but it was a lot.  Don’t worry-I still managed to finish this plate of goodness.

My family hung around for a little longer after finishing dinner, and then hopped in the car for the ride back home.  They couldn’t stay another night because my sister had to get home for a very important occassion.

Yesterday, Caite and Justin celebrated their one year anniversary!  I heard rumors of a secret fancy dinner out, and I can’t wait to get the whole scoop!

All in all, it was a really fun weekend.  However, I’m a little afraid my family is going to stop visiting because I always make them do something crazy when they’re here!

Before I go for the evening, I wanted to take the opportunity to say a public Happy Mother’s Day to the best mom a girl could ask for.  She heard me say it several times over the weekend, but I wanted to be able to share my special ma with all of you!

I love you, Mama!  Have a great evening everyone!

Do you have an event that’s unique to your town?  What did you do for your mom yesterday?

Do you want to know a little secret?

I would love to start something like this at school.  This particular one is structured for high schools in Maine, but I printed off their guide yesterday for some tips and ideas.  I’ve been dreaming about implementing something like this with the teenagers I work with for quite a while.  I especially want to work with teenage girls for a couple of reasons.  First of all, the number of women who backpack is much smaller than men.  It seems like every backpacking trip we go on, we see at least two or three groups of Boy Scouts out on the trail.  I’ve never seen a group of girls out there, and that makes me very sad.

I’m also convinced that backpacking or any outdoor activity can create an enormous sense of self-confidence and self-esteem.  There are so many young girls who lack that, and I would love to give back in a way that I’m passionate about.

Right now, the outdoor club is a dream that’s slowly turning into a possibility.  I even have a few girls interested in the idea!  I’m going to spend some time this summer trying to work out a plan, and maybe I can get it off the ground sometime during the next school year!

For now, let’s concentrate on a few immediate goals, ok?  It’s time to review April, and set some new challenges for May!  So how did I do?

1.  Read one “classic”

I’ll give myself a “sort of” on this one.  Shortly after making this goal, I felt the irrepressible need to reread Anne of Green Gables.  That, of course, led to reading the entire series again because you can’t just stop with book one.  So I did read a classic, but it was one I had already read!

2.  70 miles, 25 with pack

This one was an A+!  I did all 70 miles and 25 of them were with a pack.  It felt good to hit my mileage goal!

3.  Stay strong with my stand against banana chips.

Done!  Not a single one touched my lips during the month of April.  Once again, though, I still want them more than ever!

4.  Eat at least one meal this month with no worries.

This one was just a fail.  I stuck to my old habits and kept it completely clean all month.  Sure, I ate out a few times, but I always ordered the healthiest thing on the menu instead of what I really wanted to eat.  While I think this is good practice most of the time, I do understand the importance of letting go and just living a little.  I just didn’t let myself do it in April!

Here’s a few I have planned for May!

1.  Eat a treat meal!

I’m setting this one for myself again this month since I didn’t quite accomplish it in April.  I think I’ll have a great opportunity since we’re taking a little trip at the end of May!

2.  80 miles

I’m still keeping my monthly mileage fairly low because we’re starting the second month of Insanity next week, and I know it’s going to kick my butt!  However, we’ll be in Colorado at the end of the month, and I’m sure I’ll get a few day hikes in while we’re there.  Not to mention, once I get out of school I’ll have a lot more time to log some miles!

3.  Give 100% to the last month of Insanity

I’ve previewed the coming month of Insanity, and it’s going to be a tough one!  The first month was hard but so rewarding, and I want to be able to notice even more differences by the end of the month.

4.  Try one new Pinterest recipe a week

You guys know what I’m talking about.  We all do it!  I’ve pinned so many recipes with very good intentions, but I never quite get around to making any of them.  That all changes this month!  I’m going to cook/bake one recipe per week off my boards in May.  I think this one will be really fun!

Speaking of Insanity, it’s time to get after it!  Have a great evening!

Did you participate in any kind of outdoor club in high school?  What are your goals this month?