Texas Trip Summary

We just returned this week back from our month long adventure in Texas. The kids and I traveled with the three dogs all the way to Jackson, MS by ourselves. I actually feel quite proud of myself for that feat. We actually had a very good time. We made each stop fun and exciting. Even an ordinary gas station was fun because we all went to the field behind it and ran around. I actually felt very free.

When we arrived in Texas I was able to attend the Heartbeat Conference which was a great vacation for me. I love the people in the pro-life movement especially my friends from Option Line and Heartbeat. They are my closest friends and I feel at home with them no matter where on the globe we are located. In fact, a couple of weeks later when Mom and Dad offered me a trip to where ever in the continental US I wanted to go for the weekend - KID FREE - I chose Columbus to see them again even though I had just left them a couple of weeks before. It was a great weekend.

I also was able to go to both of Mom's center banquets which was neat to experience another center's banquet and get to share in the "family business" as a family. The first night I got to go with Dad in the 3000 GT which of course was Michael and my "getaway" vehicle from our wedding and the banquet happened to be at the same hotel we drove to after the wedding. It was very nostalgic and sentimental. Dad I talked about how we wouldn't have been able to predict that my life would be the way it is if you had asked us to while planning the wedding. Dad did say though that he's not surprised because our plans were always changing and we were always transient. However, the experience makes me want his 3000 GT even more (hint, hint Dad).

Overall we had a great time in Texas. I was glad to see the kids get to bond more with Mom and Dad and get to know GG and Papa Geno better. Unfortunately, we didn't get to see Michael's Dad because of logistical and timing issues. I'm not sure that I'll do that again with Michael away though. It makes it harder to return home because not only am I lonely now because I miss Michael but it also solidifies that having family nearby is nice (even if a bit frazzling sometimes).