World Refugee Day (June 20)

In her CNN interview with Anderson Cooper about a plea for support on World Refugee Day, Angelina Jolie got more than a little emotional talking about the children she has met in her work with the United Nations in war-torn areas around the world.

But one boy in particular stuck in her mind. And in ours.

"There was a young boy I met who was about 15 who had been shot in the back and paralyzed. And -- and his whole family had been killed. And he was completely on his own.

"And -- and, yet, he had this really remarkable, unbreakable spirit, a spirit beyond anything I can imagine having. The -- the things we complain about on a daily basis -- he had lost everything, and -- and was just so full of laughter and kindness. And -- and he passed away a few months after I was there.

"So I always wondered -- you know, it's those kind of young people that you meet. And you just think, God, in any other situation, if this person had been given a chance, what an extraordinary adult he would have been. How extraordinary for his country, for his family, if he had ever had a chance to have one. But instead, he had so many horrible things happen to him in his life.

"And -- but he taught me a lot about just the strength, the spirit. I think of him, and I can't complain about anything. I can't -- I can't do anything but be grateful for what I have. Because he was grateful and he had nothing and had suffered everything. So -- and there are millions like him. So there are many, many stories."

Crossroads Redux

Happy Moments with our Crossroads Family
Click on 'play' button below to view.

Nightime in Austin

Austin at nightime is something you just have to experience. The sights, the sound and the music. Very visceral and a melting pot.

Tristan's Beginnings (JD Rieve)

See you soon, JD :)

Tristan's 2nd Season

All I can say is " We survived ;) " And all y'all parents of gymnasts know what I mean! Have a happy Summer! :)

Peets Coffee available in TEXAS It's a start!

Peets coffee - Yum! is available in Randalls. For those new to TEXAS, Randalls is a grocery chain owned by Safeway. 

Man vs Food - Round Rock Donuts

Last night we did a family spur of the moment feeling. We saw this tv show and the host of the show was going through Austin and the best eating places in town. We had just finished dinner when the host went for dessert. And off we went. Picked up our car keys and went for a drive.

Good timing...check this picture out. HUGE donut and the best thing about it? It is soooo yummy, melts in your mouth, slight cake feel and the glaze...I am not a glaze person but I love the taste a hint of orange, very slight, not too sweet but ooooh!, one bite sez it all. Come try it out. I know we had a grand time. And if you are in hurry? there's Drive thru.

Where is this place? 

Round Rock Donuts 

106 W. Liberty  Round Rock TX

And if you check it out...tell them you found them from AustinGRRL.

Remember - Everything is always big in Texas ;)