Texas update

Things are somewhat calming down.  We are getting into a routine and it feels somewhat normal. 

Our Monday through Thursday is pretty chaotic and we are constantly on the go.

Bob and I have about a 45-50 minute commute each day.  So our routine is pretty strict in order for us to be home with the boys and get everything done. 

Last week was really hard on my kids and I, I think we had 3 nights where we cried.  The truth is we are homesick, but this is perfectly normal I guess.  This week I'm feeling better.  For the longest time I felt like I was abandoning my kids, because they no longer go to my parents, they are with people they don't know, in an enviroment they don't know. 

We have been attending a church since we got here and completely love it.  I'm so happy that we are starting a church life with our kids.  Its been so good to us and sometimes when you need that extra boost in life, church is a good place to get it. 

We are finding our way around this crazy state.  Its hard, because not everything is RIGHT here.  Target is 20 mins away and I'm not use to that.  There is so much here its kind of overwhelming, I haven't found Old Navy yet or even a mall, I plan to conquer that this weekend.  There are tons of outlets here and tons of shopping places, but I haven't had time to figure out where to go or anything.  Thats this weekend.

There are a ton of eating places around here.  So far we've been to Springcreek Barbecue, Mexican Inn, Cici's Pizza, China town Buffet, Texas Pit Barbecue, Cheddars, Cottonpatch and many fast food ones that don't exist in Utah.

The worse thing that could possibly happen since we got here, did!  Bob accidently deleted our hard drive with alllllll my pictures on it, I'm talking over 15,000 pictures on this drive and some I have backed up on a disc, but not everything.  I'm completely bummed and devastated, but thankful for FB where I put a good portion of my pictures and thankful that I'm somewhat up to date on my blog.  Now I have to start over.

Instagram Picture update:

 

Crazy hair day at school for Ashton.

 

This made my heart melt and there are no words to describe how it made me feel.

 

Ashton ready for church

 

Jaxon after a long hard day cuddled up with Daisy

 

Officially Lex favorite fast food place, not sure if its the hat or because she is on a cheeseburger kick.

 

My three babies who make me smile each day.

 

Nova doing what Nova does

 

Poor Daisy got into the fire ants

 

This is NOT winter here, its like spring, but hotter.  70s and 80s, so crazy.

 

My girl

 

Our sad moment.

 

Boys go to school super early and so its awhile until lunch and they are required to bring a snack each day.

 

Lex ready for church

 

The only way Jax can fall asleep these days.

 

Lex playing with one of her Xmas gifts, such a girl

 

Jax with his Bible my Grandpa gave to him when he came during the Summer.

 

Lexi being LEXI

 

My Grandpa has a pecan tree, I cracked a bunch and took them to work, so good.

 

A Texas storm, not like a Utah storm, totally different.

 

So things are good, we are finding our new normal and making.  Love to all!!

Dinosaur Valley State Park

The one thing I remember most about being a kid is going out and seeing things.  My parents were always so good about getting in the car and going.  I've seen a lot in my 29 years of life, a lot more than some people can say. 

This is the one thing I hope to pay forward to my kids.  Every weekend, we try to do something new.  Discover something new or go somewhere we've never been.  This time is was Dinosaur Valley State Park.  There are no mountains in Texas, some may call their little hills mountains, but me, I don't call that a mountain.

This place was beautiful though and for a moment I felt like I was home. 

 

Dinosaur print in the river

 

 

Following Grandpa over the rocks in the middle of the river

 

Great Grandpa doing what he does best, showing my kids the world and teaching them things, I should've listened to him more.

 

Great Grandpa didn't give Lexi a choice on walking back over the rocks.

 

Lex looking at the Dinosaur stuff.

 

I'm so thankful that my kids have this opportunity to spend time with their Great Grandparents and learn about the things that my Grandpa loves most.

A few more things...

One day I'll start using my camera more often, for right now.  Things are still trying to get in order.

 

Boys started their new schools out here in Texas and I am very impressed already.  The curriculum is far more advanced here than Utah, so my boys will have some catching up to do, but I have no doubt they'll get it.  They both have very good and understanding teachers.  I've met them both and was quite impressed with them.  My boys are happy and that's what matters.

 

 

Bob and I celebrated New Year's at my cousins.  I'm so happy they live close and they have kids my kids ages.

 

 

Lex has been so busy with life that one night she went from going full speed to passing out in no time.

Lex in her new room.

 

Lex wearing her jammies SHE picked out.

 

Just Nova thinking that warm clothes out of the dryer are his to lay on.

 

Trying out a new pizza restaurant

 

Bob and Ashton eating frog legs and crawfish.

 

Lex started preschool this week.  It was a sad moment for me.  She is my baby and she isn't such a baby anymore.  I've never left my kids with a babysitter or anyone I didn't know and well I just did on Monday with my baby.  I'm happy to report she absolutely loves it.

Lex taking a bath in the BIG BATH TUB

 

Ash got a map for Christmas from his Great Grandma and he loves it and was so proud of it.

 

I'll have pictures of the house soon, once I feel that its 100% put together.  The boys both got new beds and mattresses.  I'm quite jealous.  Lex will be getting a new bed next.  We had to buy a new desk and lots of other things we didn't really plan for.  Moving is expensive and moving to another state is REALLY expensive.

 

I miss my Family like crazy, its been quite an adjustment, I can't just drive to my Mom's when I want or call up my sister on a Saturday to go shopping.  I'm trying to stay strong knowing that soon I'll get to see them.  

Texas Stockyards

The first weekend being in our house was all hectic, we moved on Thursday.  Bob and my Grandpa unpacked everything with the help of some people from Church.  I was at a meeting for Lex daycare and I felt so bad.  So by the time Saturday came, my kids were stir crazy and wanted out of the house.

Fort Worth has Stockyards where they take the longhorns down the road and you can watch it right there on the road.  They also have all these different things to do.  We only had time to watch the longhorns and for lunch, then we had other things to take care of.

Before they went down the street, we walked into all the shops and the kids played around on some of the fake horses.

You can tell who had the most fun as always.  Ashton always puts some life into everything.  He has an imagination like no other.

 

By the silly dressed up cow.

 

Waiting for the Longhorns to go down the road.

 

The guy leading the herd says "Come on COW!" over and over and over again.  Its very interesting how this all plays out and its over in 10 mins, but worth it.

We'll definitely be going back to do some of the other fun things.  After we went to a burger place and it was so dang good.