6 Things About Texas so far and some thoughts.

Some things I've learned about Texas so far.

1. Everyone says "Yes M'am, Yes Sir and y'all" I just love it! It sounds so respectful and makes me hope that my kids start to incorporate some of this in their vocabulary. I catch onto accents very quickly. I remember visiting Georgia when I was younger and leaving a couple weeks later with a southern drawl.
2. People are not in a rush here. Not on the road, not in their work life, not in general. Which is much different than New York. And refreshing.
3. Don't wear short shorts to the riverwalk. Ok... this has nothing to do with Texas but when we were at the Riverwalk last weekend, I got stung by a bee right on my buttox....and let me tell you, it was NOT fun. I've been stung by white-faced hornets, wasps, bees etc...but whatever the heck type of flying demon this was stung the heck out of my ass and it is still sore days later!! Yowzers.

4. People think that 50 degrees is freezing. If you have seen my Instagram Stories, then you know how this does not cease to amaze me. We are the only "crazies" with our windows cranked down and t shirts on in 60 degree weather. And yes, people look at us like that too. ha ha.

5. People are very friendly. Everyone waves here. I had to drive Ty to work for a whole week so we could use his truck until my suv was delivered. When I would drive by some of his co-workers, apparently they waved and I SWEAR I didn't see. So Ty comes home to tell me that his co-workers said I need to learn some southern hospitality!! lol. And as my husband joked, when we wave in NY, it's usually just a finger....lol. All jokes aside, it is totally funny how different states have their different quirks and I am loving Texas' friendliness.

6,  It's obviously warmer and the air here is different. Maxwell was sick this last weekend. He got a cold which suddenly turned for the worst Friday night. He could't breathe at all and we ended up taking him to the ER. He wasn't responding to nebulizers or a couple different medicines. It was scary. Although I have been there before with Scarlett, and in worse circumstances, it never gets easier to see your child hurting. Thankfully the children's hospital here is amazing and they had him feeling better in no time.  They think that the air here might have had an affect on him since this has never happened to him before. A lot of people gain allergies here that didn't have them elsewhere. And while I think this happens everywhere, we aren't used to this environment and these molds/spores, so it makes perfect sense. Here's to hoping this isn't a reoccurring event in his life.

The great thing about seeing new places is that you appreciate what you have that other states don't and it makes you enjoy the things that new places do have, that you don't. I'm taking in all the sun and hospitality while missing those Autumn colors and my friends and family. We are enjoying our time here in Texas so far. There are so many things I love about Texas already. The more I travel, the more I want to see new places. It's addicting.  I know there were probably a few people that didn't understand our reasoning for coming here to Texas and thought we should have kept the kids settled in NY where we were. Although I don't feel the need to explain, here is some perspective. I grew up in the same town all my life. I didn't see new places outside of New England, besides the occasional trip to FL, and I didn't experience new things. I grew up thinking that where I was was where I belonged and I don't necessarily know if that is true. I think had I seen other places, my life might have taken far more turns and been deeper than it was. I'm not saying that I regret anything or blame my parents for not exposing me. I'm saying that there is no wrong or ideal way. I'm letting my kids experience new things and new places. I hope that they are able to adapt more easily in life because of these experiences. Not only that but maybe they will be able to choose where they want to be in life without fear of the unknown. I know they are little but make no mistake, kids pay attention way more than we realize. For instance: When we were packing to move to NY, I took all of the kids toys and sent them on their way in the Pod. Maxwell asked where the toys were. I explained that they were headed to Texas. The next time that he Skyped with Ty, he asked, "Where is my room?" and Ty showed him his room. I never told him that we were moving there but he instinctually knew that with Ty being gone and in a new place, that he was moving there also. When we got to Texas, our pod had not arrived yet. The first thing he asked was, "Where my toys?" At 2 years old this kids put all the pieces together. They figure things out and know way more than we allow ourselves to believe they do.

Another interesting thing that happened to me this week. Our POD came.....praise the Lord!! Anyhow, I was unloading things and trying to organize what I could. Mind you, we have been living out of 2 suitcases worth of stuff for the last 2 weeks. As I began filling cabinets and drawers, I started to feel really overwhelmed with everything. There was SO. much. stuff!!! So I stopped unraveling bubble wrap and started to leave things in boxes. I just couldn't stock all the crap into our house.

I've come to the conclusion that living more simple is really less stressful. I don't need 40 plates and 20 mugs! I don't need as much as I thought I did. I really only need the basics and my family. And please don't misunderstand, I'm not talking about clothes. Because....I can never have enough clothes lol. But when it comes to everything else material related, I'm over it. So I took out the things I need and left so much of the stuff "I just couldn't live without" when I was packing in NY, in boxes. Funny how perspective changes things.

Riverwalk photos to come...