Goodbyes in Texas

The days leading up to moving day were very surreal. In some ways, it was hard to believe that our 3 years in Waco were coming to a close.  

I thought about it as I folded residency scrubs for the last time, and knew our "normal" was about to shift.

The wives got together for one last get-together. There is just something to be said for people that "get" you. These girls understood all to well what on-call meant or what a medicine month looked like. No explanation needed for what it meant for daddy to be off a weekend or what a bad rotation looked like. Thankful for women to go through this season of life with. 

 (Amanda, Kate, Stephanie, Whitney)

Sweet Melissa was a lifesaver the last few days we were there. She was our main babysitter and Owen and Collin loved her. She really was so great with the boys and played hard with them. She will be hard to replace.

Then there is Paul, our dear neighbor. Owen loved Paul from the first time he met him. They had a little special bond. We will miss living beside him!

Glenna had always had a special connection with Owen. She took off an entire afternoon and spent it with Owen. Owen loves Glenna as do all that know her. She has loved us well and been there from the beginning of this residency journey.

Kat and Paige took me out to dinner one of our lasts nights in town. These friends were some of my first friends in our original life group. I always appreciate their honesty and real conversations. They have taught me so much. 

Owen graduated from Harris Creek preschool

We are so thankful for his awesome teachers, Ms. Cathy and Ms. Marsha. 

Kate and Margaret stopped by the day we left and saw us off with big hugs and we let the kiddos run around one last time before we set off on our journey back to Alabama.

bluebonnets

Round Top

It had been on our list of things we wanted to do while we lived in Texas. The Round Top Antique show is twice a year and the most well known being the spring when the bluebonnets are blooming. 

And finally resident work schedules and kiddos aligned and we were able to take the day and go with each other. I told Brittany that I could have spent the day in Walmart with her and been happy, but to have the day to our selves and be able to take our time and do something that we could only do here in Texas was really special. 

We had so much fun wandering the aisles and looking and chatting. We even found some treasures along the way. 

And met some characters as well. 

I really didn't know what to expect as far as the show was concerned. The Round Top Antique show consisted of the big red barn, and two tents outside as well as the Carmine Dance Hall down the road.  But all along the way up and down the road from their were plenty of places to stop and explore as well. 

I came home with two of my own treasures... an antique Chinese ginger jar and a little cheap copper pot ; ) 

I am so glad that we went. We will always remember going together and our time together was really sweet. Brittany understands this residency journey better than anyone. We have been on this road with our husbands and little boys and we always have plenty to talk about. So glad we were able to take some time and celebrate this season in Texas and the changes ahead. 

roadrunner

We often see this roadrunner on the backroad near our house.

So weeks ago, I turned the car around and grabbed our good camera to hopefully catch a shot of this little guy.

He was right where we had left him…in the road. They call them roadrunners for a reason. They quickly run across the road.

Always fun spotting this little guy.

Granddaddy visits

My dad flew to Texas for a quick visit last weekend.  

Collin got some snuggle time in.

We tried the famous kolaches from the Czech Stop in West, Tx.

We enjoyed some good meals and are grateful granddaddy made the trip to see us!

Fourth of July

So we set out this morning to meet up with some friends at the Castle Heights Fourth of July parade.

We tried to snap of quick picture of the kids in our crew. That is always easier said than done. 

I think it's fun to watch the progression of images. Liam on the right was ready to make his move.

I mean really…getting 6 kids 3 and under to sit and look at the camera is just too much!

 There are too many other important things going on. But these mamas humored me when I said let's meet up at the parade this morning. We like to add a little fun to these days in residency. And these two have been along for the ride with me these past two years.

That's right. We have entered the 3rd and final year. These boys are growing up so much.

So this pretty much captures the whole parade. It's small ; ) 

A few rescue vehicles, old cars and then anyone else can file in behind them on their scooter, bike, wagon, etc. 

So Owen was all excited about being "in" the parade. Excited to decorate his bike. We went to the Dollar Tree and everything to get supplies.

But y'all, he wasn't feeling it. A little overwhelmed. I could tell you he was part of this lovely patriotic event, but that wouldn't quite be the truth. He went about 5 yards down the road with David by his side the whole time.

But hey, who cares? He did have fun running around with Finn and playing with someone's huge leaves off some bush in their yard.

The Sheriff enjoyed his time in the parade.

This little one seemed to enjoy her ride as well. 

Collin was there being his chilled out happy self. 

We stopped by the gorilla on Austin Avenue.

They paint him for various holidays throughout the year. 

 We ended our day with a cookout/swim party with our life group. We had the huge treat of getting to hang out with our friend Hannah. She and her family are doing mission work in Haiti but are home for a little break right now. I was so glad she got to meet Collin and have really enjoyed catching up with her the past few days.

And no Fourth of July is complete without a big slice of watermelon. 

At least that's what our buddy Caleb would say ; )