Dallas and Camps!

I am currently in the middle of my 3rd week of camp. I am actually really enjoying it and we aren't out on the fields ALL day. The way the schedule works, we get a little bit of a break each day. This week I am working the day camps and I am training the two groups of 13-17 year olds, and then I train the goalkeepers the last 45 minutes of the day. I have a 2.5 hour break inbetween the morning and afternoon session, which is enough time to rejuvenate, etc. Everyday, we have gotten new t-shirts to wear at camp...so technically I have enough shirts to last me for two weeks! Pretty sweet deal, for sure. It's also been good for me to be gaining experience coaching different topics each day and then being able to practice them or try new things each week.

This past weekend, I drove up to Dallas to see Kass and her husband, David. Kass and I met playing college soccer together and have been friends ever since. We had a blast. Kass and I went to the Stockyards in Ft. Worth and walked around, and even got to sit on a Longhorn steer! That was pretty cool. We also saw the movie Green Lantern and definitely had some downtime where we rented movies and just hung out. It was so good to see her and David. They have been such good friends over the years. I also had the opportunity to visit with my friends, David and Marie Hinckley, and their children. They just bought and moved into their first house this past Saturday! I went to church with them on Sunday then visited with them for a little bit after church. So good to see them. David was my home teacher when I lived in Provo and became a very good friend during that time. :)

This trip has definitely been a blessing in many ways...and I feel myself growing in ways I never expected to. Three and a half more weeks to go

Memorial Day and Austin, Texas

Over Memorial Day, I flew home to see my family. On Friday, I spent the afternoon with Tyler (I talked him into going to my favorite place to eat...BJs! And we shared three mini pizookies!!!). That night and Saturday morning, we spent some time with his kids. When we picked them up, Tyler told them that they were going to have some fun with Aunt Marla, and then Leah said, "Golden Spoon!" And Laura said, "Golden Spoon with marla" and all three started chanting at the same time, "Golden Spoon with Marla!" I know, I'm the cool aunt, what can I say? :) I had a blast with those three! On Saturday afternoon, Tyler and I headed to the condo where we spent the day with mom...and took naps, and enjoyed the warm weather outside, and Sunday, Mom and I just lounged around before heading home that night. Monday, Scott and Tyler BBQed steaks and I got to see my new niece, Madison Sophia!" She was born on April 27th! She is so cute!



A little over a week ago, I left for Austin, Texas...I have seen a little bit of it! I arrived here last Saturday night and stayed with my good friend, Sam Minty, his wife, Kim, and their 16 month old, Cameron...and Cameron is now my little buddy! Sam and Kim were great hosts! They made dinner and breakfast for me, we went to lunch on Sunday at a place called TacoDeli that has a huge list of tacos to choose from! Then on Monday, Sam and I went to explore a little bit of the city, including a park, a natural spring where the water is always 72 degrees, and the botanical gardens. and we went to this place in downtown called Hut's Hamburgers. THE BEST HAMBURGER I HAVE EVER EATEN!!!! After lunch we headed to Whole Foods, which had the BIGGEST dessert area I have ever seen!!! I had to take pictures! That night Sam BBQed steaks! SO GOOD! They totally spoiled me! On Tuesday, I packed up my stuff and Sam took me down to UT-Austin to check into soccer camp. I will be staying at UT for two weeks working the soccer camps. Sam made sure I was all settled, and then I was off to start work! My dorm room overlooks downtown which is pretty cool. I have really enjoyed the week. I had a great group of girls....SO coachable. My first night here, I had the opportunity to meet the head coach of Texas and his staff. Another staff coach and I were trying to find the coaches meeting and they all drove past on a golf cart and offered us a ride but they had to stop by their offices first. The head coach invited us up so we could see how they do things there....yeah...this is how they do things here...$$$$$$$$$!!! AMAZING facilities. WOW. And the football stadium....my mouth dropped open when I saw it. The Texas staff are very friendly, and so are the other coaches working the camps this week. Today, with my day off, Sam and Kim drove down from North Austin and they took me to lunch at BJs, then we went to a baby store so they could grab a few things for Cameron. When I got back, I did laundry, then I decided to go explore the UT campus a little and take a few pictures. I have five more weeks here!