Everything's Bigger in Texas

Drilling rigs dot the barren landscape of southwest Texas interspersed with cattle ranches, men in cowboy hats, boots, and pick up trucks. The cowboy is still alive and well in these parts. 

We are making our way to Austin then San Antonio to visit long time friends of ours stationed there. I have witnessed this family make many moves with the Air Force the most recent of which is San Antonio. I can finally connect with my girlfriend when she talks about the culture shock of each new state, meeting new friends, learning a new town, only to leave again. As we explore Texas I'm assuming this state comes with a little more cultural adjustment than most. To understand this one only has to wander into a gift shop and question the meaning of Texas slogans like, "Come and take it," "Don't Mess With Texas," "Everything's Bigger in Texas," and my personal favorite, "You may all go to hell, and I will go to Texas." Say what? I vowed to get to the bottom of that one. 

We made our way toward Austin and set up shop for a few days on Travis Lake in Pace Bend County Park. We hadn't camped with grass and oak trees for quite some time. While relief from the desert was welcome, the prison bathrooms at this park had us ready to split. After hiking within gorgeous Hamilton Pool State Park and celebrating the super bowl with friends, we departed to McKinnley Falls State Park.

Hamilton Pool

A gorgeous hike from the pool.

We found this fossil and many more on our hike!

THIS is the place to be. Hiking and biking trails, all suitable to young kids, kept us busy for days. We celebrated Chance's birthday on Valentine's Day and Daddy spent an evening with each daughter. Their date included Chick Fil A, a new book from Barnes and Noble, and Ski Ball. Just a few of their favorite things. I never want to forget the girls as they got ready for their "date." They helped one another, lent one another accessories, and complimented one another. More often than not sibling dynamics confuse this only child, but that, that I want to remember forever. That and the way they look at their Daddy. They each departed on his arm with giggles and a skip in their step totally in love. Whoever feels a mom plays the most important role in their daughter's life has never watched a daughter skip away with her man praying she marries one just like him one day. 

This handsome boy turned 10!

Mud pies and fairy houses!

Another reason I love roadschooling.

Each date night I got a night at home with the other child complete with a dance party, makeovers, pizza, and a movie. It was precious time I will cherish forever. We spend EVERY day together, but time one on one was such a great reminder of how important it is to make this effort. Time alone allows me to familiarize myself and fall in love with my child all over again. It allows me to see the child as themselves, instead of in their role as a sibling. Something tells me this evening with my eldest child in particular was very needed. 

After the Valentine Extravaganza we decided to explore Austin. Everyone who's ever been to Austin will tell you to go to Zilker Park. Zilker Park is that part of a city that makes you claim, "Oh, I could live here." It is massive, complete with a swimming area for dogs, a natural springs pool, kayaking, paddle-boarding, and even the Zepher - a little train to take you around the park. Yes please. After our ride we strolled to the volleyball courts and Shawn tried to find his way into a game. He realized too late one has to put down a shoe to get in line. Clever. In the meantime we just watched the young play, flirt, and do a gorgeous Saturday afternoon in the park. We watched with a bit of longing for days gone by. As they packed up so did we. They on the way to a nap before heading out at 10, us to dinner and bed. Those were the days. 

Austin

The Zephyr!

I love when a new book holds them captive!

On Sunday we did what we do best, find a random church. Although this time my search wasn't so random. When in Austin... go to Jen Hatmaker's church. She was not preaching that Sunday, which actually made me feel less like a stalker. Afterwards we hit downtown Austin. We loved touring the city as well as the state capitol building. It was beautiful and fit perfectly with our study of the branches of government. Next door, the visitors center is beautifully done with a tribute to writer O. Henry, aka William Sydney Porter, and Texas history. 

I found many answers to my slogan dilemma here. We now fully understand why this is the Lone Star State and why we can "Come and get..." their flag. This state does indeed have a fascinating history, and I love the fierce state pride found here. My girlfriend told me her kids say a state pledge to the Texas flag every morning in school right along with the Pledge of Allegiance. 

We would have loved more time exploring this visitor center and the rest of Austin, but we got wrapped up in school and a research project and the time got away from us. Before we knew it we were headed toward our friends, fun times, and a HOUSE! Visiting friends is always reason to celebrate for this crew! Our sweet friends welcomed us with open arms, let us do a ridiculous amount of laundry, let us shower... daily, fed us, and even organized a babysitter for an adult night out! Hallelujah! Our first in 8 months. Is there some kind of hospitality award? 

We fell in love with their city, San Antonio, as we toured The Alamo, were entertained with a reenactment, and I learned from Davey Crockett himself that while others may indeed go to hell, he would go to Texas. Slogan mystery solved. We cruised the beautiful downtown Riverwalk by foot and by boat and ate lunch outdoors on the river. The weather and the day could not have been more perfect! 

The next day we hit the Saturday Farmers Market at an up and coming neighborhood in San Antonio, The Pearl. If I were in my late 20's this would be home. Live music, local wares for sale, open spaces to play, trendy shops, local coffee shops, a quaint book store... seriously, home. Another great day!  

We allowed the kids plenty of time to do what they wanted most which was to stay put in a house with a backyard. With two girlfriends they'd been counting the days to see, we didn't see them much! The daddies stole a few hours to find a beach volleyball game to join and this round Shawn didn't have to lose a shoe to play. 

On our final day with our friends the husband was called to the Air Force base for a work emergency. Take us with you? As it is a daily part of their lives our hosts didn't think touring the Air Force Base would be of interest, but we convinced them! When does a civilian ever get to explore a base? We loved it! We have such a deep respect for our armed forces. To see where Air Force families live, train, work, and play was an honor. Their lives are shaped by their commitment to serve and protect this nation and our lives. We left even more proud of our friend and quite humbled. 

As we leave our friends there is much talk of where they will be stationed next, and we can only hope it will land them closer to us. In the meantime, they are loving being temporary, proud Texans where apparently everything is... bigger?