Texas... Finally!

So my time in Texas ended up being wonderful. I was kinda nervous about the whole thing, but I realized that my heart is with my family. Not that that's where I need to be right now, but they have a piece of my heart. And there is a comfort that comes with being with family... no matter where you're at.

When I first got there Thurs night we had dinner in Dallas and drove into Athens that night. By the time we got there it was dark and I had NO IDEA where we were. (Big surprise right?) When I first walked into my parents town home all I could think... this stuff doesn't belong here. Everything around me was familiar, yet different. Needless to say I had mixed emotions about that. The next morning we got up and took our time getting ready. It was Jessi's b-day and my pretend one (mine was a week later and we were all together... one of my moms things to do). Then we went riding. And when I say riding... I mean we drove for HOURS and I don't think I saw the same piece of land twice. We saw where they are building the church. We saw Matt's land... and Cliff's land... and Cliffs dad's land... and this man they knows land... Needless to say we saw A LOT of land that day. We had lunch at this cute little shop in dtown Athens. And then it was time for fishin! Where my parents live in Texas there are a lot of lakes. I think it's even called the land of lakes or something. Mom correct me here. So we went to a Trout Fishery (where they raise trout I think). And we saw the UGLIEST cat fish. They were HUGE!!!!! And we fished and just hung out as a family. I caught a catfish!!! My dad had to take it off the hook of course... but still... I did it!!! =-)
We then went and saw the land my parents bought. I can't get over that they're building a house in a gated community. I know this is common for Texas... or Athens I think... but NOT in North Carolina where I'm from. Mom cooked a WONDERFUL dinner that night and had the best wine I think I've ever had and of course I can't find it here in VA. Then we opened presents and hung out.

Saturday was spent in Tyler at the zoo with my cousin and his family. He has 3 little girls and it was fun to see the zoo through their eyes. Then we came home and chilled as a family.

Sunday we went to church. I liked their church. Small, but nice. And then we had a long lunch with some family friends that I've known since I was 3 or 4. I love Mark and his family. Mark is like my big brother. I am so glad that if my parents have to be in Texas... at least they're with Mark and Lisa. And WOW... their kids have grown so much. It was so cool to see how mature they are. It's always weird when kids you've watched grow up become teenagers... there was a lot of that this weekend. =-) After lunch we all went home to take naps and do whatever... then Mark and Lisa and the kids came over to my parents house and we sat for hours talking about stuff. This was my favorite part of the weekend. Just sitting laughing... being with people I love. It was WONDERFUL!

Monday we spent the day shopping and driving into Dallas... It was D-day, the day of departure back to VA. We just spent even more time together... and then that night we flew back to g-boro. And I've already talked about the delays... man that wasn't fun!

The weekend was A LOT of together time. It was a lot of us doing things... or just just sitting talking... but we were TOGETHER. That was the best part.

I realized after my time in Texas... I don't hate Texas anymore. I don't love it... but I don't hate it either. Do I want to move there... not really. But do I want to be closer to my family? You'd better believe it!