Helping With Hurricane Harvey

Shortly after moving to Texas, this area was hit by a hurricane.  San Antonio and surrounding were supposed to be hammered.  But the storm stalled on the coast sparing us, but pummeling them.  Some of the worst flooding in American history took place.  And that left us with many opportunities to serve and to help.

Luckily we belong to a National(International really) Church.  Almost immediately people started to plan, organize, and strategize clean up and relief efforts.  Our family was lucky enough, and gritty enough to help for more than the next month, spending our weekends traveling 1-2 hours away to clean flooded, molding, dilapidated, mostly unsalvageable homes.  At least by my standards.  But alas the human spirit is resilient and people bound together with a common purpose can achieve great things.  Many miracles happened and my kids were a part of that.  Travis and I were too. 

Welcome to Texas...

If You Grill It...

I will eat it.  That's it.  It just tastes better.  Well food is awesome in general, but I do love a good smoky grill flavor.

Kody Toady Toddler is Double Digits

What's your favorite thing to do?

• Playing with friends, sports, and video games

What do you want to be when you grow up? 

• A scientist studying molecules and atoms

What is your favorite food?

• French Fries

Who do you like to hang out with?

• David and Braeden

What do you do really well? 

• Everything

What makes you laugh?

• Jokes, corny jokes

What is the best time of day?

• Language Arts

What are you afraid of?

• Supernatural

What do you like to do with your family?

• TV or board games

What do you like to learn about?

• Science

Where do you like to go?

• Pennsylvania

What is your favorite book?

• Stone Fox

If you could have one wish, what would it be? 

• To have five more wishes

The River

When Travis's family talks about the river, they are referring to the Medina River.  His mom inherited some property form her dad that is primo.  It has fields, a camping ground, the dam, a beach entrance, places to swim, rope swing, kayak, and barbeque.  It's ideal and so most Memorial Days and Labor Days, the whole family goes with all the good toys too including the 4 wheelers.  Travis's dad makes the best grilled goodies and his mom lovingly and thoughtfully covers everything else.  And then any other time, we get time, we head there too.  It's perfect!

Beach, Beach, Beach, Beach

As a total beach bum, it took me all of a week before we made our first day trip.  Just over two hours including a stop for food, we got to the beach.  We went to Corpus Christi, where there is a sheltered bay area.  The waves were small, the water super warm, and it was close to parking, soft sand, and perfect.  I can't wait to do many more trips next year. 

Oh yeah, we pass lots of cotton fields on the way there and back.  It's crazy awesome.  And of course the kids sleep as soon as we are driving. 

Summer Vacation Concluded

With a cross country move in the summer, sometimes I can't even remember how my days were spent.  Several trips back and forth to Texas, but lots of fun.  Then once here, we toured our little town, registered the kids for school and sports, unpacked a lot of boxes, and got to know the library, the square, and some of the culture.

The Friends...

The worst thing and the best thing about moving is the friends.  Leaving behind friends you've had for years, can share anything with, and have a long history is one of the most heartbreaking things.  But moving always mean another group of friends waiting to be made, more share experiences, girls nights and trips, and all the other amazing things that come from women friendships.  My heart still aches thinking about who I'm leaving behind, but there is joy to be had in knowing I was so richly blessed.  To everyone who housed us, fed us, visited with us, cleaned with us, packed with us, I cannot say enough...Thank You.  We love you!