Texas and Colorado

When I was 13, my parents gave me devastating news: we were moving. Now, we were a military family, so this was nothing new. Dad had retired, gone to seminary and I new this would happen eventually. But, we were living in Colorado by this point. And I had decided I was going to be a permanent Coloradoan. I loved everything about Colorado, had made friends, was trying my hardest to become popular (great goal, right?) and had become quite the skier. If you grew up skiing in Colorado, you would know there is one thing ALL good skiers from Colorado hate. Texans. Can't stand them. I mean, seriously, they come up with all their oil money, their big hats and try to ski. They talk funny and take over the slopes. Nothing worse than a Texan. So when my parents told me we were moving I was very upset, but when I found out we were moving to Texas I was mortified. How could they do this to me? I could never tell all my friends I was moving to the most hated place in the world!

Sure enough, my freshman year of high school I found myself living in Texas. I spent way too much energy that year hating Texas. I wrote Texas Sucks S*** on all my notebooks. I had complete and total disdain for Texas and Texans. I couldn't wait for the day I could leave this most horrid of places and return to Colorado. Graduation from high school couldn't come soon enough! And I did just that. I graduated in May and by late August, I was living back in Colorado. Never mind that I was 17, couldn't afford out of state tuition, was making $400 a month and living in an apartment with 2 girls I had never met. I was BACK. Which only lasted 4 months, but that's another story. By the time I was 19 I did leave Texas, for good.

My memories of my time in Texas are pretty negative. Considering that it was high school and I was in the midst of rebelling heavily, not much positive DID happen! I've pretty much managed to deeply dislike Texas. The thought of the place makes me cringe. There aren't great people there, the weather is horrid ... Even though my parents have lived there most of the time since I left, and my brother has never left, I managed to avoid visiting for many years.

Enter Facebook. I reconnected with many old friends. People I figured forgot about me completely and figured good riddance. :-) I was pleasantly surprised, well, even amazed that some of my friends are actually Christians. What? Seriously? Shock. That people from Texas grow up too! (A tiny bit of arrogance and stupidity on my part, don't you think!) I've even visited Texas twice in the last year and a half and truly enjoyed reconnecting with friends from so long ago. And again, pleasantly surprised to find out we really like each other, have much in common and are friends now!

So, to all my Texan friends, please forgive me for hating Texas and Texans for so many years. Ya'll aren't so bad after all! (And, no, I never say "ya'll".) Oh, wait, that's "all ya'll ain't ...". :-) It's been very fun to see everyone all grown up! And even though I reside in Colorado yet again, I will not become a Texas hater.

Although I still don't think it's the *best* state ...

Dreams of Running

Recently, I've decided I need to start running again. I miss it so much. It's time for me to unwind, think and pray. I come back with an attitude adjustment and am usually much more at peace with life. But, I'm still sick, so I'm waiting to be able to start running again. A couple nights ago I had a dream that I think shows how I feel about being able to run.

I dreamed I was going to go running, but couldn't find my running clothes. After a while of searching, suddenly I was dressed, but couldn't find anything to do with my hair (which was crazy long). Finally my hair was ready, but I couldn't find my running shoes. I never did find my shoes - I woke up! :-)

Promotion

Eric's promotion ceremony was Friday. I've been incredibly sick for the last week, so I drugged myself well and went. It was a great time! Packed house - we expected about 70 people, had at least 95. The General spoke and talked about how Eric's career has been pretty bizarre, not following any path he had ever seen, yet he's perfect for his next job. (The General who spoke is Eric's part time boss now and will be his full time boss starting in July.) The General managed to tick me off a bit and gave my mother and Eric's mother a slight heart attack when he said that once you make Colonel you hand over your keys to your life even more to the Air Force. Then he looked at me and said something about how I get to pick up the slack at home. Nice. Real nice. What slack??? Hello?? Thankfully this guy is never in town and won't see that my husband hates to work late. :-) I do anticipate Eric working longer hours, but I'm hoping he can still make it home well before the kids go to bed most nights. The General joked a couple of times about Eric's varied career and how the Air Force had a "plan". :-)

Which led nicely into Eric's talk. He got up and said that he didn't agree with the General's thoughts that maybe the Air Force had a plan. Instead we know that GOD has the plan. Then he outlined several career decisions we made - not with the Air Force plan in mind, but with God's conviction telling us what to do. It was a great talk. I kinda like this guy and am super proud of him! :-)

We had a reception after, which was nice. Left the ceremony to blowing snow! Crazy place. I don't have any pictures yet, but we had a photographer, so I'm hoping we get pictures fairly quickly.

I'm still super sick, so stayed home from church this morning. Had a wonderful time sitting outside in the sun, reading Sally Clarkson's book "Seasons of a Mother's Heart", spent some time in prayer. Ahhhh, great morning so far! If you have never read any of Sally Clarkson's books, I very highly recommend them. They are encouraging, convicting and speak to my soul.

Great Post

A great post by a fellow blogging friend. You must read this! Big Families are the New Green.