Smile!

Charlotte has a new smile today.

She got her braces off!

for a while at least...

they will have to go back on in about a year

after some new teeth come in, but she is thankful for the break.

On the Mend

This one picture just about sums up our week.

Pathetic!

Our family likes doing things together.

This week was no exception.

Everyone has fallen ill except Meredith and Charlotte.

Pneumonia, bronchitis, respiratory viral misery... but we are on the mend!

Blueberry Scones

A trip to my garage freezer this morning reminded me 

that I still have four huge gallon size freezer bags 

filled to the brim with blueberries from our blueberry picking adventure 

earlier this summer.

That post is here.

We got tired of blueberry pancakes and blueberry smoothies 

and blueberry muffins and blueberry pie...

In fact, we took a break from blueberries for a bit.

so today I looked for a good recipe for something else blueberry.

How about blueberry scones!?

I found a beautiful post and recipe HERE at the Vintage Mixer

and judging by how quickly they disappeared

we're all in agreement that this recipe is a keeper!

Big, soft, flaky, fruit filled goodness

Mmmmmm Mmmmmmmm!

Texas...Home Sweet Home

It has been a full year since we arrived in Houston.

We settled so quickly, by the grace of God, that is some ways

it feels as if we have always been here.

Yes, we feel at home in Texas.

It is, indeed, home sweet home.

We've embraced our new home - it surely has been a process!

Four of my five children now own cowboy boots.

Peter joined the party just this past weekend buying his first pair

with saved Christmas money.

I have to say he wears them well!

You remember the girls got matching red boots earlier this year

 Country music has become the favorite of household members 

between the ages of 10 and 17

There is also a new found fascination with pick up trucks.  As far as ownership

NOT GONNA HAPPEN!

My girls say "Yes, Ma'am and No Sir."

and a few of us have been heard saying, "Y'all" on a regular basis.

It about fainted when I heard one child declare

 "all y'alls...." the other day.  What in the world!?

Next we'll all be carrying conceal and carry handgun licenses

{just kidding}

Ian has made it to the shooting range, though.

Do church men's group do this as a group activity in other states?

Just wondering!

Meredith wears boots with jean shorts

and with sundresses and skirts to tea parties and church

Go figure!

The dogs are even dressing a bit different since settlin' here. . .

and they sure like chasing squirrels again.  

We've had our first taste of football in Texas -

intense, for sure, but a heck of a lot of fun!

Can't wait for the fall season!

We've experienced the Houston Rodeo

and will surely make it a part of our winter repertoire!

We've seen the Alamo and gotten our dose of Texas history

{though school officials were uncertain at first our older two would ever survive without

7th grade Texas history on their transcripts...we think they'll manage okay!}

Charlotte has taken up horse back riding again

and is sure she is going to own a horse of her own one day.

In the hill country.

She made the switch from English to Western a few months back

and well, she hasn't yet switched back.

We've picked blueberries for the first time ever..... 

and love all the nearby family farms for fresh and local produce!

Those German farming folks that settled here in Spring are like kin to us!

We've driven out into the country and beheld the beauty of the bluebells

They really do take your breath away!

We did as the locals do and experienced our first crayfish boil in season

and decided that was a pretty fun date night.

We've learned how to enjoy Texas style BBQ

We've also tried our hand at some new recipes, popular in this here region -

like a Muchas Leches Cake with Sugared Almonds.

We still don't know what the fascination is with snow cones,

but they are everywhere here.  

Cute little shacks along roadsides and stationed in parking lots...

rolling carts on crowded street corners and big events.

Of course it is plenty hot here...and they do taste good on a steamy day! 

And then there are the donuts and kolaches

....I think there is a donut and/or kolache shop on every corner in this city.

We've driven to Galveston and taken the ferry.  

We've learned about all the new options for colleges 

in this here state...

TCU and Baylor are top considerations for Meredith.

It's looking like she will stay in Texas for college....who would have guessed that!? 

We sure appreciate how patriotic Texas is.

Flags fly in neighborhoods all year long

and on special holidays, the streets are lined with huge flags in front

of everyone's homes.

They are crazy patriotic

and God fearing, too.

We were so touched to see thousands of people stand for

God Bless America

at an outdoor concert on the fourth of July.

That does not happen everywhere!

 And of course, they are proud of their state flag, too.

You'll see it flying just about everywhere!

Painted on barns, and mailboxes

planted on hillsides with flowers....

Texas shaped crackers, cheese blocks, windchimes and sunglasses.

IM NOT KIDDING.

There is Texan pride everywhere you look!

Texas - 

we've learned a lot in our first year.

And we've unraveled some mysteries

like the Texas Turnabout lanes....took me awhile.

It is home.

A bit far from family,

but we're trusting God that he'll redeem that disappointment.

He planted us here.

He planted us well.

Our school and our church have been a tremendous blessing

in our feeling at home here.

We're blessed beyond what we ever could have asked or hoped for!

Come for a visit y'all.

We'd love to share all things Texas with you when you come!

Tea Time

Our Church's Women's Ministry planned a delightful tea

in a historic tea house in Montgomery, Texas.

We had such a wonderful time with girls young and old

sharing tea and fellowship!

Enjoy the photos of our day together.

These girls are all precious friends.

We're so thankful for the gift of each one!