One Year Down: A Review of Texas

Well, it's been a little over one year since Matt and I moved out here to Texas. When I first got here, I wasn't as excited as I thought I'd be. Matt asked me to give it one year before I made any real opinions about it. We have reached the one year and I can officially say what I really think of Texas so I thought I would blog about it.

Ready?

Texas is not that bad. I have to say I like it a lot more now than I did a year ago. Here a few of my personal pros and cons.

Pro: The people here are so friendly! I mean genuinely friendly. I love that people still use "sir" and "ma'am" here. That is one thing that Matt and I probably picked up first, along with "y'all". At work we both noticed how quickly we started saying, "yes sir/ma'am" I still use it now even when I'm out shopping or on the phone. I really hope that continues to stick actually and I plan on teaching my kids to do the same. In both Fort Worth and now in Roanoke people are just so warm and inviting! We loved the people in our old ward and we are loving getting to know all of the people in our new ward! Matt and I both agree that the one really nice thing about living outside of Utah is that the church is a lot more close knit. Yes, in Utah there are LDS members everywhere, but outside of Utah, the members that are there are so much closer and the wards, in general, are a lot more united.

Pro: It is really green where we are! I love all the trees and green grass. I never thought Texas would be this green, but it's actually really pretty to drive by flat green pastures or see a thick wooded areas.

Pro: I can't talk about Texas without mentioning the food! Some of the best BBQ I've ever had as been here in Texas as well as steak! Texans know what they're doing with a slab of meat! Before I got pregnant I was starting to realize that I was going to have to make my workouts a little more hard core in order to keep my figure while enjoying all this awesome food!

Pro: Cost of living is really great here! We have driven around different neighborhoods and may have taken a flier or two of a house that was on the market just to see what houses around certain areas are going for. And we have been really surprised about how affordable it is to live here! We are always in awe of how big the houses are here and how many there are of them! But now we know, it's because it really is that affordable to have a larger than needed home. That's not to say that we are in the market or are going to be buying a mansion anytime soon (if we did we would also need to buy me some help to help me clean/maintain it) but at the same time, if we stayed here, buying a house wouldn't be too far away.

Now for a few cons.

Con: Weather. As much as people disagree with me, I don't think I will ever acclimate to the heat! I absolutely dislike the humidity. Walking outside and inhaling thick, muggy air, having my hair go completely flat and droopy and feeling wet all day is not and probably will never be my cup of tea. I love being outside! I hate that most of the days I have to be inside because it's too hot to take Kinley out in... even at 9:00 A.M.! And honestly, I really don't care to be out in the heat here much anyway. Enough of that. Bottom line: Humidity and Jamie are not friends. Also, (I thought I would never say this) I miss the snow. I miss having seasons. It's funny, when I lived in Utah I complained that it was too cold for too long. The winters last a little too long there, and now it seems like we have moved to a completely opposite climate. It's too hot here for too long! Hopefully Matt and I will settle somewhere with a happy medium.

Con: I know I said that I liked the scenery here for it's flat green pastures, but I miss the mountains so much! I think I took their majestic beauty for granted. I was so spoiled in Utah where I could drive through Logan Canyon, or gaze out at the beautiful Wellsville mountains. Even though I'm still pretty novice I loved hiking those mountains and looking down below into the valley. If we do decide to move, mountains are a must in our next location.

Wellsvilles

Con: As much as I am loving and getting acquainted with our neighbors and people in our "ward family" I really do miss our families. My parents like to remind me how far away I am as much as possible (as if I don't already know) and I understand why. They miss us and our new little addition. And I miss them and I miss Matt's family as well. I was really lucky because I grew up seeing my grandparents practically every day! I know most people aren't like that, and I would like Kinley and the rest of our children to know both sets of their grandparents as well as I knew and know mine. Those are memories I will always have and that I would never take back if I had the chance.

It looks like from my little list that I have more pros than I have cons. I will be honest and say that this wasn't the case a year ago. We still have so much more to explore in the lone star state and I'm excited to discover what else Texas is really all about. Yes, there are some things that I'm not so keen on about Texas as you have read, but I wouldn't change moving here. It's been a fun adventure for Matt and I; and whether we settle here or not, Texas will always have a special place in our hearts. It's where Matt's first grown up job was, it's where we became so much closer, because really we are all we have out here and last but not least, it's where our beautifully sweet daughter was born. =)

If anyone who lives or has visited Texas has some insights as to places to see, things to do,

or places to eat, let me know! I'm always looking for new adventures and tasty bites!

Kinley's Blessing weekend

Last weekend Matt and I had the privilege of having both our families out to Texas for Kinley's baby blessing. Our apartment has never looked so small with so many people in it! But it was worth it to see all the people who love and support us and our little girl! Kinley was blessed on Sunday, June 8th, 2014. Matt said the blessing and all of her uncles and her two grandfathers were able to be in the circle. It was such a neat experience to see all of them standing around her and to hear Matt bless her. It was a beautiful blessing and I've so grateful for honoring his priesthood so that he could perform that for her. I didn't really take any pictures during the week other than the day of her blessing. But we all had so much fun! Both Matt and I both stated how nice it was to have everyone here to celebrate and how we missed being close to both of our families. We loved seeing both of our sweet little nephews and introducing them to their newest cousin!

Here are some pictures from the day of her blessing. Hopefully in the next few days I can get her back in her dress to take pictures of just her in it. I had a laps of "mommy brain" and forgot to do that, along with a few other things throughout the whole week. Oh well! Also, a HUGE thank you to Matt's mom for making her blessing gown. It is absolutely beautiful and I can't wait to tell Kinley what a special gown it really is when she is older. =) I've had a couple of different thoughts as to what to do with it once Kinley is older. I think it would be really special to have a  piece of that dress sewn into her wedding dress, or just passing it on to her when/if she has a daughter of her own. Way too far off to be thinking about, I know, but still. I like the thought of her being all grown up. For now though, I'll keep her the way she is. I love her more than I ever thought possible.

some pictures from the week.

Kinley and Dad

Us and my parents

My family

Grandma and Grandpa Nunes

Gigi and Grandpa Glenn

Us and Matt's parents

Matt's family

All of our siblings

Gigi and Kinley. Gigi made her dress. Beautiful!!!

Me, Kinley, Aunt Sarah and Sawyer

Brandon and Kinley

Father's Day

Today on this special day I wanted to write a special post to 3 amazing men who have been wonderful fathers!

The first is my papa. He was an amazing dad to my mom and my aunt. He was an even more amazing Papa to my sisters and cousins. He taught me to laugh and to be silly and to never take yourself too seriously. He taught me to enjoy all aspects of life and to always be optimistic. He taught me that every situation or problem I had could be related to either of story of when he was in the military or a story about baseball. And he made sure to tell me those stories... in great detail, I might add. But I loved listening. He taught me that there are very few things better than a back scratch, someone brushing your hair, a good home cooked meal... and a big papa bear hug. I loved the days I spent with my papa. I'm so grateful that I had so many days to spend with him. I miss him all the time. But I can't wait to one day see him again and have him greet me with his famous Papa hugs!

file:///C:/Users/Matt/Pictures/gallery%20wall%20photos/Jamie-Papa%20Pic%203.pdf

Next is my own dad. Out of all three of us girls, everyone always said I was the daddy's girl. My dad taught me to go after the things I am passionate about and to follow my dreams. He taught me to be honest and about the importance of building a good reputation. He taught me to always work hard for the things that I want and that the things that are of most value in life require work, but the result is always joy! He taught me the value of an education, to always work hard in school, to never quit and to never stop learning. He taught me to stand up for the things I believe in and he showed me what a strong testimony of the Gospel looks like. He taught me to love and to be kind to others and that "two wrongs never make a right". He always believed in me and he made me believe in myself. I love my dad so much. I could never thank him enough for being there and for showing me what a great dad looks like.

Last but not least is my dear husband, Matt. Even though he has only been a father for a short time, he has been and will continue to be a wonderful one. Seeing the way he looks at our daughter brings joy to my heart and sometimes tears to my eyes. He loves her so much and is always in such awe of her. After he comes home from a long day at work ,the first thing he does is take Kinley in his arms gives her a big hug and kiss.

He has big plans for her and is always talking about things he wants to teach her and prepare her for and things that he wants to do with her later in life. He already says that he is the only man she'll ever need.  He loves holding her and watching her grow and seeing her beautiful smile. Kinley loves him so much as well! Her and I both are so lucky to have him in our lives.

Happy Fathers Day to all the fathers out there who have influenced my life. There are so many more that I could name, but these are my 3 favorites. I love each one of you.