from Arizona to Texas- Update!

The last two years in Arizona were.....an adventure! There were really good times and really bad times. I think we went through some of the hardest life-stuff you could go through all packed in about two years. We lost loved ones-both friends and family, went through car accidents, hospital visits, and somehow managed to live off of $1800/month in the 6th largest city in the nation!

The second year we were in AZ, we got closer with some amazing friends and made sure to travel around the beautiful states of Arizona and California. Good times for sure! Without these good times, I have no idea how we would have made it through! We were able to see the Grand Canyon, Sedona, The Apache Trail, Flagstaff, and lots of cool stuff in San Diego. We made it a point to do Friday Happy Hours with our ASU friends. It became a highly successful way to get grad students together on a weekly basis :) Gosh we had some great times with the ASU friends!

Summer 2011 was pretty great! We were stressed trying to find jobs, but we were able to spend lots of quality time with good friends and family in Arlington/Houston :)

Now we are living in Salado, TX.....a very small village (that is what they like to call it...) just North of Austin. It has been a fun place so far. We have made friends quickly! The last couple of months have really been amazing....financial stability, a reliable car, no sickness, just pure happiness :) We are beyond thankful. Salado is so beautiful- lots of deer, a golf course, blue lake.....just so nice. I am working a few part time jobs. I teach voice, piano, and guitar lessons. I am a music therapist with 2 clients who are great! I also work part-time at a Bed and Breakfast here in Salado- it is a pretty place that stays pretty busy! Sean is a music minister for the Methodist church here in town. So far, he is building up the choir rapidly! I don't think there have been many Wednesday nights where we haven't gained a new choir member! One of our choir members is Holly Dunn, a country singer that has been nominated for Grammy's and is in the country music hall of fame!

Salado is a fun place to be :) God has blessed us for sure.

We're moving to Salado, TX!

The Hale's are moving to Salado, TX! Salado is about 50 miles North of Austin, 50 miles South of Waco. It is a small town off of I-35 full of Bed and Breakfasts, antique shops, and wild life. 

Sean will be the music minister at the Methodist church (pictured above). He'll be their first full-time music minister. The chapel of the church has been around since the 1850's!

Mary is currently looking to start a private practice with music therapy clients and also teach some music lessons. Her website is: http://musictherapymary.wordpress.com/

Here is a pic of the rental house:

Mary and Sean are excited for their next leap of faith in this charming, small town :)