Texas Trip Retrospective

We're just home from three weeks in the Lone Star State.  The first two and a half weeks were lovely - busy, but things flowed and seemed (relatively) easy.  Babies slept.  Big boys played outside, even in 105+ weather.  Adults enjoyed extra hands and eyes for managing the kiddos.

Boy Artho Cousins

Memaw and Papa A with the passel

This position was assumed frequently
with my mom during our stay.

We saw parents/grandparents, sisters, brothers, (great) uncles and aunts, cousins, second cousins, college roommates, godparents, high school classmates, former coworkers-cum-good friends.  We splashed in a wading pool with cousins; watered gardens; attended a parade; grilled hot dogs over a "campfire;" picked and ate garden-fresh tomatoes, cucumbers, peaches, cantaloupe and watermelon; and played in the sand.

The future irrigator/civil engineer at work

With Cousin Haley

Sweating it out for Belton's renowned
Independence Day parade

With Cousin Zane

Papa B's watermelons

Beerwinkle second cousins

With Will

Lovin' on Papa's peaches

We ate Mexican food (Rosa's Cafe), German food, Korean food (FW's Samwon Garden), Texas-style barbecue (Clem Mikeska's), and had the best (Mexican) vanilla malt I'm betting Austin has to offer.

With Cousin Adam at Phil's Ice House & Amy's Ice Cream

With Godmother Angie

A small sampling of Artho second cousins

Gideon lost his first tooth.  Graham cut his first tooth.  Both in the same location - lower left.

And then the fever hit.  And hit hard.  A super-strep bug we're still recovering from.  Gideon, who'd developed a farmer's tan virtually overnight "helping" my dad in the garden our second week in Texas, was laid out on the couch for our last few days in Texas.

That meant we didn't get to do a few things.  We didn't get to spend hardly any time in our old neighborhood in FW - one brief hour that left Gideon's appetite whetted for more but his poor body totally wiped out.  We didn't get to hang out with our old play group members, celebrating 5 years together this year.  And we didn't get one extra day with cousins in the area, as planned.  

It was so hard to be the voice of reason, the one looking out for long-term and public health, instead of short-term enjoyment.  It killed me being within the same city limits as so many close friends and not being able to see them.  I hated breaking Gideon's heart by telling him we just couldn't risk getting sicker and getting others sick by visiting cousins he sees only once a year usually.  We had to leave feeling sad and unfulfilled, not knowing when the chance will come again to visit those family and friends.

Even so, our last days did include as many domino games as the invalid could muster the energy for and blowing bubbles into a lovely, unexpected, mid-summer's downburst rainstorm and an introduction to - and solid first showing in - badminton.  We were so thankful to be able to relax and recuperate in the comfort of homes of hospitable family members.

Fear not, Texas family and friends, this trip confirmed there's no doubt where our hearts reside.  Thank you to all who hosted us, drove to visit us, showered us with gifts and hospitality.  Trust we're merely counting the days until our next trip, whenever that might be.