Thankful

So, I am missing my hubby terribly. Since he hasn't ever had one of those travelling all the time jobs, I'm really bad at being away from him for more than a few days. We are having a good time here, but here's what happens...

We went with my mom a few days ago to the San Antonio Art Museum. It was wonderful, fascinating, and who else should have been there?... um, my artist husband who helps me appreciate those things all the more.

Yesterday, we visited the truly amazing San Antonio Missions. They are so beautiful and very well preserved. I had to keep reminding myself of how old they really are and that these are the real deal not replicas. The scale of some of them, keeping in mind their age, is mind-boggling. Abby was wowed too. She commented on their castle-like quality and how movies should be made there and how elements of them reminded her of scenes out of Lord of the Rings. (So sorry I left my camera in Dallas, I hope. Have we found it yet, Honey?)

We visited Mission Concepcion, Mission San Jose', and Mission San Juan. I was especially struck by the beautiful architectural detail like layers of high stone walls with gorgeous windows cut into them and each wall in front of a wall in front of another wall having a different window shape. There were perfect widely arched windows layered in front of skinny, pointed arched windows with blue bits of sky entering the layers where windows overlapped. The whole time I thought, "Greg needs to be here with his camera taking pictures for drawings, paintings, and just awesome black and white photos to mat and frame." I found myself trying to look through his eyes and enjoy the art all around me.

Today Greg is baking bread at his brother's house. I LOVE IT when Greg bakes bread. So I'm imagining the delicious, comforting smell.

Yeah, so I like the guy an awful lot. And I'm thankful for who I am because of his influence in my life. Truth is he needs me. He's been arriving to every meeting or appointment he's had over the last week like 30 minutes early. That NEVER happens when I'm around.

Pictures courtesy of my Dad and his camera who went to the park with us today. Thanks, Dad.

minivan moment

One of the many Texas blessings we are beginning to encounter is the opportunity to connect with old and dear friends and of course lots of family. Just to clarify - the friends are not old, just the friendships.

Today the girls and I travelled to San Antone and just arrived not too long ago. On the way, we stopped to get together with Ross and Christy who happened to be vacationing just south of Dallas. Greg went along before heading back to Dallas. Ross and Christy are those kinds of friends that you can't quite remember not having. We've known each other since before we were all even coupled off and married. They are so precious to us and have always been sources of tremendous encouragement. Thanks for the visit, y'all!

Thought I'd let you in on one of the MANY conversations that went on in a minivan full of females for 5 hours:

After a unique period of silence, Grace says with a BIG voice: "Abby, ARE YOU THINKING WHAT I'M THINKING?"

Abby feeling a little confused says, "Um, I don't know Grace. What are you thinking?"

Grace: "I'm thinking what you're thinking!"

Abby: "Oh."

After a little more silence, Grace says: "Abby, you're thinking about just me."

Abby: "Oh, I'm thinking about you, Grace? Is that what you're thinking?"

Grace: "Yes."

Of course.

The Bank

SOOO, today was the big day Greg and I needed to open a bank account here in good ole' Texas. It's a little different doing this without an actual address of our own, but we had the OK from very dear friends who also happen to be family who also happen to share (own) our current place of residence.
This would be interesting factor #1

Next, I realized while we were walking through the parking lot that we would need a recent piece of mail with our names plus our current place of residence address on it to show that we do, in fact, currently reside here. The ONLY such evidence I had with me was: a post card from the small town library we just moved away from letting us know that we have a fine due on a late returned book. EXCELLENT.
Interesting factor #2

A VERY NICE lady helped us. In the process, she asked, "Okay, so where do the two of you work now?"
A bit of silence...
"Well, nowhere just yet, we're in transition."
(Does everybody really have to hear THE STORY?)
No, she didn't, she was really and truly VERY NICE after all (she had red hair and will be moving to S.A.).
Interesting factor #3

And then we got to the referral credit part where we let them know about our dear friends who also happen to be family who also happen to bank there. This is when they get a small bit of cash, and so do we, for talking in nice ways about the bank. This is when the VERY NICE lady just needed to make quite sure that the addresses were correct..
"OK, so the very same address?"
"Yep, for now."
Interesting factor #4

No problem.

Foggy

Well, we made it. We are here in the Dallas area, currently living with dear friends who also happen to be family. I've been feeling just a little foggy for several weeks now - you know the kind of surreal, dream-like fog that spins all around you and you feel like you're watching a movie, but it's really your life and you're actually one of the main characters.

The good news is I went for a really wonderful 3 mile run today, and those of you who have known me recently know that this was a huge step in the reclaiming of my life from the fog. The fact that I could do it, and in fact, loved it means that this could be the beginning of the beginning. The weather was gorgeous. We travelled back in time, season-wise, and didn't miss fall in Texas. Those of you who know me, know how marvellous that is for me. And yes, the sky was deep gray with golden sun breaking through and glimmering on trees of vibrantly red, yellow, orange, and green leaves.

Thank You, Creator, I noticed.
And I'll keep you posted on where He takes us from here.

Hints from a moving mom...

Cover your kitchen table with newsprint paper and throw lots of markers and crayons and pencils in the middle of it. Surround the table with children who have little else to do, and they will stay happy indefinitely. O yeah, add a little Gracie who carries cookies and candy and bread around (without asking her mother first) to keep everyone from getting hungry.

Some dear and gracious friends who bought some paper to help us with packing had no idea how versatile it would be. Beyond stuffing, wrapping, layering... it also becomes the entertainment for the children in the house while their moms are helping me. Thanks, Lapps! And thanks ALL of you who are giving of your time and resources and energy and food to encourage and sustain us. You are amazing; I would be drowning without you.

Grace's morning song

The fun in our house is getting seriously sparse with most everything in boxes now, so the girls have been getting more creative in the simplicity. Several decks of playing cards were out yesterday and today for building card houses.

This morning, Grace sang this song while looking at the cards spread out on the living room floor:

I can't draw a 5
I think they are boys
But they are really wild girls...

(Long dramatic pause)
And I can't really draw 4 either.