Life in Texas

As Tim likes to say, "Head West until you smell it...head South until you step in it." That's what we did three weeks ago today :)! I truly cannot believe that we have been here that long already. It has been a very busy three weeks! After we arrived in McKinney and unloaded our things into my grandmother's garage, we spent the following week helping my mom move into her new house, which is where we are currently living. I have never been so tired of moving and I know we will have to do it again once we find a house for us!! In the meantime, Tim studied hard for his insurance licensing test and passed it this past Saturday. We are really excited about his new job. He starts training tomorrow and will be working in the field with another agent very soon! I, on the other hand, am still looking for a job. I have several things in the works right now and am also still researching what it takes for me to be a teacher. I have applied to be a volunteer at the local elementary school (where my mom's friend teaches), so that I can sit in on some classes and get an idea of what a full day is like. I am looking forward to doing something that I will enjoy, but I can't say that being off work hasn't been nice!! I'm not one to get bored easily...if only we didn't have pesky bills to pay :)!

We went to Abilene the second weekend that we were here to go to homecoming events and to see my brother. It was great to watch Tim play his trumpet with the band during the homecoming parade and then see Tim and my brother, Darren, stand on stage with the choir at the chorale concert and sing "The Lord Bless You and Keep You," an ACU tradition. ACU is having one of the best football season's ever, so everyone was really excited. I think they are 7-0. Tim and I also attended a dinner for his 5-year reunion. It was nice, but a little awkward for me since I didn't know anyone and Tim's closest college friends weren't there. Now I know what he will feel like at my 10-yr. high school reunion this year!

Speaking of high school reunions, my mom just had three of her closest friends from high school come to stay with us this past weekend. They were people I had heard of all my life and it was great to finally meet them. Tim was studying, so I spent a lot of time hanging out with them and my mom (maybe strange to some of you), but I thought it was great hearing them reminisce and finding out how many people I know that they know. It's such a small world!

Tim and I have visited two churches so far...one was Greenville Oaks located in Allen, which is where my mom, grandma, aunt, and uncle go. Yesterday we visited Farmer's Branch. We haven't had a bad experience yet and may end up at one of these two, but we aren't through looking just yet. That's what happens when you actually have choices...you spend time trying to find the right church that meets both of your needs. I am just ready to settle on a church and start making friends!! In some ways it can be easier church hunting with someone so you aren't sitting by yourself and alone, but on the other hand, it can be challenging because you want to find a place where both of you can be happy! I just pray that we can find a place soon.

Well, we have our first visitors coming this week!! Steve and Karin will be here on Thursday and we can't wait to see them. They flew into Dallas this past Saturday, but have been in Branson, MO all week with Karin's mom and her sisters. We are looking forward to catching up and showing them around!

I guess that's all the big news I have to report so far. I'm sure I've missed things, but maybe I'll do a better job of blogging now so I don't have to try to remember so far back. Hope all of you are doing well...would love to have you come visit and stay with us anytime!! Love and miss you all!