TEXAS - we're here!

WOW!

TEXAS IS BIG, LARGE, HUGE, BIG, GIGANTIC, BIG, BIG!

Everything in Texas is just plain old BIG!

The truck pulled into the Lone Star State last week. It was loaded on Tuesday morning and by mid-day (3ish) he was on his way.

The loading went well. We only filled half the truck. That evening and the next day we cleaned and cleaned and touched-up and got the house ready.

We said good-bye to lots and lots of friends and family! One can not image the treats, books, activity pads, CDs, gifts and snacks that were sent our way! WOW - thank you! The kids thought they were riding in Santa's Sleigh.

As many know, we drove both car & truck out here. I worried the night before that I would fall asleep at the wheel; I tend to do that occasionally (that's when Glenn & I would switch)! Well, there would be no trading for the 1100 mile trek! The excitement was great on Thursday morning and we traveled nearly 700 miles to Midland TX (with a few stops along the way). On Friday morning we continued the travel and arrived around 3pm. We swept up a few things at the new house that evening and off we went to stay at the fancy Hilton Hotel in downtown Dallas (courtesy of http://www.hotwire.com/ -- highly recommend it)! We jumped on the beds and swam in the pools. On Saturday, the truck unloaded and by noon we were residents of Frisco Texas. WOW!

Ben & Zach traveled with Glenn and mostly read books and did Power Point presentations on Glenn's computer. Nick, Chris & Emma rode with me and we sang so many songs, I'm STILL singing them today! Some of the favorites were "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang" and "The Mambo #5" and of course listening to the "Star Wars" theme song, over and over and over!

What's Texas like - well it's definitely BIG! Here's a few bits of information that I've picked up over the first week in the Dallas area:


The state was an independent nation from 1836 to 1845. So, when Texas was annexed in 1845 it retained the right to fly its flag at the same height as the national flag. (This is probably the "oddest" thing to see... driving by these incredibly BIG auto lots, to see the two flags flying side by side. Or driving by these BIG banks and BIG churches of every faith imaginable and seeing the flags, side-by-side.)


Dr. Pepper was invented in Waco in 1885. The Dublin Dr Pepper, 85 miles west of Waco, still uses pure imperial cane sugar in its product. There is no period after the Dr in Dr Pepper. (That tidbit of info was specifically for Uncle Brent! You guys need to come visit to get the REAL stuff!) There is even a Dr Pepper Ballfield nearby.

The state's cattle population is estimated to be near 16 million. (But we haven't seen one yet. We have seen more and more diggers and construction equipment than one can imagine. Christopher thinks he's died and gone to heaven!)

Texas includes 267,339 square miles, or 7.4% of the nation's total area. (I guess that's why everyone thinks BIG out here!)

As for all of us - we're doing just fine! The house is beautiful,but then one must not forget that stucco to Phoenix (Mesa) is like brick to Dallas (Frisco). The area in which we live reminds me much of Ladera Ranch (newness, colors, and currently beautiful temperatures). Glenn did do well and there is plenty of floor for guests. (I'm on the look-out for some furniture.)

The boys were off to school on Wednesday and as we get to know our neighbors and members of our church, we're beginning to realize that most of us ARE NOT TRUE TEXANS, and that's okay, y 'all! :)