Amarillo Texas

We spent 1 full week in Texas while Tanner completed a clinical at Amarillo College. While he was busy learning how to reconstruct faces using wax I got to spend all day with his family. I love Texas because the Carvers take the time to be together as a family and make us feel loved and special. Some of the highlights were:

• We made it to Texas in 1 day. We left at 6:30 AM and got there around 10 PM. The kids were great. Thanks to our friend Joe we were able to watch movies in our new van.
• Summer finished potty training while we were there!!
• Mom made some of Tanners favorite meals which are going to be added to my favorite list as well. Super cheesy chicken enchiladas, BBQ Ribs, dream bars, chocolate chip cookies, and coffecake made just how Tanner likes.
• Tanner went to yard sales with me.
• Dad introduced me to Hip Hop Abs and we both exercised in the living room while Dad gave me pointers. It was fun to imagine we move as cool as the people on the video but I know the truth. It was a good workout.
• We got to see Tucker and Trason in action performing. Tucker was in a short play and really stole the show. Trason emceed the highschool talent show and was so fun to watch. I laughed, I cried....not really, but I did laugh a lot.
• Dad built a fire and we roasted marshmallows and ate smores in the back yard. The mallows were so tough they bent the hanger when we tried to pierce them. The evening was perfect regardless. The air felt like we were on a beach, cool and moist.
• We enjoyed a couple late night talks while mom counseled us. It was such a treat to stay up late and sleep in because mom would sneak upstairs and get the kids when she heard them stirring. Thanks Mom!
• Grandma Peggy made lunch for Tanner everyday! I got to enjoy her delicious cooking on the day we left. Awesome pork chops and the best sloppy joes I have ever had. It seems like whatever Grandma cooks I am going to crave. Not to mention her amazing chocolate pie.
• Mom took me shopping and taught me how to accessorize better. She helped me put on a fashion show with my new finds and Grandma stuck around to watch. Grandma Peggy gave me the perfect purse to jumpstart my new look.
• Tanner surprised me while shopping and took the kids home for their nap so I could continue shopping...what a sweet guy!
• Mom and Dad babysat while Tanner and I went on a date and then babysat again so we could hang out with our good friends Erik and Kim.
• We watched the funniest episode of The Office called Cafe Disco. I love laughing.
• Blue Bell Ice Cream.....amazing!!
• Watching X Men Origins, Wolverine
• We planted a garden
• Mom helped with potty time, feeding time, play time, bed time and all the other times in a childs day. Mom and Dad both do such a good job loving on our babies.
• Getting to leave in the afternoon because our brakes were getting fixed was nice. We were able to take our time saying goodbye.

I could list so much but it boils down to there was great conversation, delicious food, and tons of quality time spent together. Sometimes I wish I could live in Texas or ate least closer to my Carver side. It's a place vastly different from where I grew up. Everything happens at a slower pace then I am used to but I like it. The church isn't huge and really needs active and willing members. It seems like one persons efforts can really make a difference. I always get butterflies when I think about visiting our family in Amarillo and when we are packing up to go home I feel so sad to leave. I have the best in-laws in the world. Last Thanksgiving Jess and I and the 4 kids drove down just to spend the holiday with them even though our husbands had to stay back in Utah. We stopped every 2 hours to nurse the babies and let Jordan and Summer run around. Being with the Carvers is always worth the sacrifice.