To Texas We Go {Again}!

 

Our sweet friends Sarah and Rose gifted us a trip to visit them in central Texas recently in September and we had so much fun just being together after three years apart. :)


Jessica and I enjoyed our flight and Jess had fun taking pictures of all the clouds from the plane (last time it was too thick of clouds to get good pictures).

Texas is a second home to us, and I don't think I'll ever get tired of seeing the land again. It's so welcoming, and big, and wide-open compared to the busy city area's up north.





 We enjoyed catching up with Sarah and Rose {and our Texas Mom} at Chili's. Jessica and I shared the baked potato soup I'd been dreaming of since the last visit, and a plate of assorted taco fixings. Yummy!

Running errands and on the hour drive to their house we were covered by not just one, but TWO beautiful rainbows of promise. It was as if all of creation wanted us to feel at home and welcomed to Texas! :D

 This trip was mainly about spending time doing normal things together: living so far away from one another, we can't hang out or go on a sporadic shopping trip, or help each other with little projects, or even meet the other people in our lives (you know, besides our family). ;) Last visit we traveled all over Texas from Fort Worth down to San Antonio and it was a blast, but this one felt more personal and special to see what Sarah and Rose do every day and see the things they talk about on the phone.

Taking walks on the dirt road, sewing and beading, playing games and watching the new Cinderella and Beyond the Mask, laughing, talking, spa nights...treasured moments.

This visit we volunteered at a few of the Holman's regular ministries. The first was Shephard's Heart, a ministry offering free food to families in need that the Holman's have been involved in for a number of years now.

The bags are made up the day before and placed on large carts to hand out. We arrived early on Saturday and sorted out all the boxes of fresh fruits, vegetables, and bread items, then they are set out on tables. Jessica was able to help sort and lift and carry - she was a big help! I have carpal tunnel, so they made sure I didn't lift anything heavy (but I snuck in and helped when they weren't looking where I could). ;) The second time I was able to help check people in at the computers with Rose and Sarah!

The second ministry we volunteered at was the Austin Disaster Relief Center and Thrift Store [top and bottom right photos]. I could finally put my OCD skills to good work - AhHa! Jessica and I worked about 3 hours each week organizing, sorting, labeling and relabeling. Then we'd sit in the back (reading and using the Wifi) where there is a big warehouse for storing the clothes, and offices for the call center and employees. I think I found my calling in that thrift store. ;) lol.

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We met lot's of people this trip! Texas is such a friendly state that you feel at home and welcomed by everyone you meet with. Of course this gave us plenty of opportunities to let go of our "northern "coldness" and be friendly ourselves!

One of the day's Sarah's writing group from Waco, Tx drove down to spend the  afternoon with us. We ate lunch and delicious chocolate cupcakes and pink lemonade. Then we chatted and filled up water balloons and had a water balloon fight!!

All the girls are writer's in some form. Not all are published, but they enjoy books and the passion of writing down their stories. Kelsey's stories are the only books of whose I'd read before (and it's absolutely lovely!).

 

The Waco Contingent, The Holman's, and Us!

It was such fun to meet such godly young women with various likes and things that make them each unique. 

The Holman's introduced us to their new friends and adopted brothers, the Larkin's{Left to right: Michael, Scott, Ian, and Drew}. Ian, the oldest, had volunteered and visited at the house a couple times, but we hadn't met the others so we met up first at Walmart and talked in front of the ice... ;) And then we moved to Dunkin Donuts and stayed out late talking (and eating donuts of course). They are such fun and made Jessica and I miss our two brothers just a little more. :) Scott (the one photo bombing in the back) works at Chick-fil-A just like our brother Nathan, so it was fun to swap a few stories.

The best part was meeting up with longtime friend Emily and her mother. We were able to spend a week with the last visit and I was so happy they could come spend time with us again. We met up at Schlotzky's (they

 have the BEST sandwiches!). It was wonderful to catch up and visit together again.

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A day at the Texas Capitol!! We really looked forward to visiting at the Texas capitol again. It's such a beautiful building, and it's a perfect spot for picture taking! ;)

Sarah photo-bombing our sister shot. ;)

It's amazing all the detailing that was put into the Capitol building. Stars are everywhere you look, and there are even details on the elevator doors, windows, floors, and the door HINGES!! :O When asked, our friends said, "Why not? It's Texas." ;) If you've not heard, they have a lot of state pride. *cough* ;)

Senator Larry Gonzales gave us a private tour! 

AND, we were able to go out on the house floor...so neat!

Meet Pablo and Antonio...our pet longhorns. ;) 

I had one last visit and Jessica bought one this visit.

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It's always nice to have some great friendship pictures, so Mikayla sweetly took these pictures for us (though I think she had fun using our Nikon camera, so that helped). ;) She's a great little photographer - thanks KK, you're the best!

{Laughter}

As much fun as it was to visit our dear friends/sisters, it has been great to be home again. :) It was a wonderful trip full of wonderful memories of being together.

Thank you Sarah & Rose!

*All pictures were taken by Jessica P. and Mikayla H. 

Please do not copy.