Deep in the Heart of Texas

One of my four college roommates hailed from Texas, so I knew I would be visiting the cowboy state for many years in the future. But I didn't realize which roommate I would be going to visit! Laura moved to Texas last year after a sojourn in California, and we were anxious to pack up our boots to see her new town! Ironically, we missed seeing Sally who had been in her home state only a few weeks before our trip.

Welcome to Nacogdoches, "The Oldest Town in Texas"!

Needed the picture to help me spell the name correctly!

Our trip was not just a vacation, but also an educational experience (at least that's how I sold it to Jason). Downtown was our first stop!

We learned about the important historical and cultural significance of the town at the Visitors' Center.

Fact: The flags of nine countries have flown over Nacogdoches.
Fun Fact: Nine Flags is also the name of a bar in town!

Fact: The Lumberjacks are the mascot of Stephen F. Austin University.
Fun Fact: Real lumberjacks aren't nearly as sexy as their cartoon counterparts.

Fact: You can be jailed for not wearing cowboy boots.

Fun Fact: Just kidding, although Laura believes locals view her as uppity when she wears make-up to Walmart.

Fact: Downtown Nacogdoches is full of historic buildings and quaint charm.

Fun Fact: It is also full of cute boutiques and yummy restaurants!

Fun Fact: Good food and drinks can be found at the home of our hosts, too!

The Meat Man

"Hot, sweaty wood!"

Drinks and a Dramatic Reading for our entertainment

Laura and Zach were lured to Nacogdoches by a teaching position at Stephen F. Austin University. We continued our educational experience with a tour of the theatre department.

We didn't want to limit ourselves to only a "city" experience. Lucky for us, farm life can be found right behind Staples!

We even met the mayor!

Onward for more learning! Mallard's Crossing is a somewhat inaccurate historical village that boasts a very hyper tour guide and lots of hands-on activities. I thought we had inadvertently stumbled onto a  theatre performance.

Beckers models the latest fashion

Practicing my homemaker skills

Doing the laundry

A new friend!

We even made it to church

After all our educational experiences, the photography portion of the trip fizzled even though there was more fun to be had! We traveled to Tyler the next day to visit Sally's parents, who thoughtfully provided lunch, early birthday cake, and a relaxing afternoon at the pool. A visit to the world-famous Marshalls of Tyler provided decorating inspiration for ideas to execute upon returning home.

Juan Valjean or Jean Valdez?

Java Jacks and Ron, Long walks and Vitamix Smoothies, Yoga Class and Orange is the New Black, Armadillos and the Name Game, Watching the neighbors and Touching lives, Hitting the town and Fessin' up, Lots of Giggling and Talking = fun, fun, fun!

Roomies, I'd throw my pie for you!

One Decade

One decade, one love.

One love, one family.

One love that enveloped four lives.

One love that became twenty toes and twenty fingers.

One love that has multiplied in a million unimaginable ways..

Of all the places we have called home...

Furman

Chapel Hill

Greenville

This family is our HOME.

Wedding Day

Five Years

Ten Years

Happy 10th Anniversary!

2 + 3 Months

Dear Sarah,

Your precious charm makes daily tasks fun. Sweet songs drift from the backseat, counting accents each step you take, and any surface can become a springboard for you to jump and twirl. You never get bored because there is always something to do: books to read, puzzles to finish, stuffed animals to arrange. You have already realized that you are adorable and offer an especially cheesy smile when you are trying to get your way!

We are continually impressed by the extent of your knowledge. Reading at 2? Clearly, you are brilliant. You can "read" the word Furman and several short books. You stack up a pile of books and will happily sit and read for long periods. You can count to 20 (with a few inverted numbers around 16), identify letters, numbers, colors, and shapes, hold a crayon correctly,  lace, sing entire songs, probably do many other developmental tasks I've forgotten, and TALK. You speak in full sentences with mostly correct grammar, and other people can generally understand you. If only one's success and future happiness was somehow related to her abilities at the age of 2...

Max continues to be the center of your world. "Where's my Max?" is a constant refrain. Max has cleverly honed in on your desire to be helpful. His willing servant will pick up his dirty clothes to put in the laundry basket, and he often sends you to fetch his drink or other required items. You also like spending time with his friends more than children of your own age, which is something I wasn't planning to worry about until your teenage years! 

"Here I come, Max!"

"Let's do it again, Max!"

Stubborn or independent? Our view changes depending on the situation. At the pool, you close the gate leaving me stranded on one side and you on the other, and proclaim, "You stay here. I be right back." You can happily play by yourself for extended periods (unlike your brother), but the temper flares when your wishes are not followed. Time-out has been utilized a few times, and you have sat quietly but been very upset about being separated from Mommy.  You are anxious to have a "big girl bed" and to jump off the diving board, but we keep holding you back, keeping you our baby a little longer. Of course, if you learned to use the potty, then maybe we could negotiate!

You are happy, happy, happy, and make everyone around you smile. We adore you, Sarah Catherine.

Love, Mommy

The Holiday That Wasn't

The 4th of July was supposed to be a big party at the lake. Except it rained.

Torrential rain prevented us from even driving up to the lake house that morning, so we decided to go to Moe's for lunch. Except it was closed.

We went to Panera instead so Max and Mommy could go to the movies together after lunch. Except a car backed into our car in the parking lot.

A last minute dinner invitation to cook-out provided some fun for the day. Except we had pizza because it rained.

The kids were looking forward to watching fireworks as we had promised. Except we weren't at the lake.

We packed everything to go to the lake on the 5th of July and encouraged our friends to still join us. Except the rain would not stop.

On the 6th of July, a few of our loyal and dear friends drove through torrential downpours and braved the dirt (mud) road to the house, assuring us they were glad to spend the day inside. Except the sun came out!

Happy 4th of July! Except we celebrated on the 6th.