"And all at once, Summer collapsed into Fall"

Saw that quote this morning and thought it most appropriate for today's blog post!  There's a definite change in the air and although Autumn takes a bit longer to reach Texas, you can tell it's on its way. The sun is still super strong but there's no humidity and there has been a nice breeze in the air the last couple of weeks. The change from Summer to Fall is subtle but tangible.

Football is in the air, too.  Friday we made the 30-minute trip to the Allen Eagles stadium for the Hoover game.  We have been incredibly impressed with all of the high schools we've been to since moving here and Allen did not disappoint.  Seriously folks.  Everything really is bigger in Texas. Every one of the high schools KJ has played lax or volleyball at has been state-of-the-art and Allen was by far the nicest facility we've ever seen. And, it wasn't just the beautiful football stadium, it was the people. The citizens of Allen were incredibly hospitable to the visiting team.  We went out to dinner before the game and had a guy stop at our table to welcome us and wish us luck (KJ and I were wearing plain black shirts but Coach was wearing a Hoover polo so he was more easily identifiable).  Of course we explained that we haven't lived in Hoover for over 3 years now but he was genuine and sincere when he said Allen was excited to play Hoover.  We parked our car next to some Eagles fans and they wished us luck as did the police on the Segway, the lady at the gate who took our tickets and the volunteer who was on hand to direct me to the ladies room during the lightening delay.  It was just easier to smile and say "yes, it was great, thank you" when repeatedly asked "how was y'all's drive in?" rather than explain we live in Texas now. Some guy even clapped Coach on the back and said "we sure are glad you're here and hope Everyone's been treatin' you well."

We've had such a wonderful summer filled with many blessings  ... a beautiful baby (great) niece was born into the family last weekend, our beautiful niece is getting married this weekend, and our nephew got engaged!  So incredible to watch the next generation growing up and carrying on.  We are all so so excited about the wedding this weekend!  We haven't really seen Coach's side of the family since his mom passed away January 2015. And, of course, I can't wait to see T and Johnny Frat Boy!!

KJ had a great first week of school.  I can NOT believe this kid is driving herself to school each morning. Each Friday from now until after Homecoming (basically the entire football season) is dress-up day. Last week was Hawaiian day, this week is Fisherman Friday, I know there's a nerd day in there somewhere, a twin day, a super hero day, a jersey day, etc.  She has finally decided on a career path and has joined a couple of clubs to reflect her choice and she's got a couple of scheduled college visits coming up. Yikes. And, of, course, she's counting down the days until her Costa Rica trip.

T-bone is loving her new job, her nice paychecks and her cute apartment. She loves her location and is always tickled when she runs into people in the darnedest places. She goes to yoga regularly, the farmer's market each week, catches a baseball game when she can and has dinner with friends.  When Frat Daddy comes into town they rent bikes and explore. She has a couple of girlfriends in T-town for grad school so she sees them regularly and a bunch of them recently met in Nashville for a friend's birthday.  She and Johnny Boy have also had a couple of weekends at the beach.  Yep. She's got it made. My friend LCM has always said, "T is a rock star and I wish I had her life." She is 100%  right. T has always done things her way and has always had a ball doing it.  She's a combination of Mary Tyler Moore, her friend Rhoda and Carrie Bradshaw all rolled into one. #CosLife

Sweet Sweet Summa Time

Everyone measures time differently . . . some measure by the seasons, some measure by school years, some people have great memories and can remember exact dates.  I am none of these people.  I can barely remember what I had for breakfast.  My memories are usually based on a couple of things -- where I was living at the time and who else was with me.

For example, the girls tease me all the time because I have an incredible memory for some things, others, not so much.  I can remember what little outfit the girls were wearing but can't remember exactly what grade they were in or exactly what year.  But I can remember if one of them was "in the stroller."

So here we are . . . our 2nd summer in Texas and KJ is about to start her JUNIOR year of high school.  How in the hell did that happen?  I mean seriously.  How in the hell did that happen?  She finally got her driver's license in June (after her cast came off) and her daddy took care of her and bought her a cute bright red convertible.  She's been baby sitting and house sitting a lot this summer and had fun volunteering at the Aquarium each week.  I think this is her "summer to remember."  That golden summer measured by days at the lake, driving around with the top down and hanging with friends at Six Flags.  Such a different place from where we were at this time last year.

We had just moved here, I was up to my eyeballs in boxes and we didn't know a soul.  She had just finished freshman year in Maryland, we road-tripped from Maryland to Dallas with the dog in tow, closed on the house, buzzed to the pageant, she went out west with my folks, came home for 1 night and went to volleyball camp, came home for 1 day and then had high school volleyball try-outs.  This summer we had T's graduation, moved her into her new apartment, had some family visit this summer and had some new friends to celebrate the 4th of July with!   We had summer lax 3 nights a week (when I say "we" I mean Coach and KJ), we did a couple of day trips and have enjoyed working on our tans and lazy days by the pool.

And now our baby is about to start her JUNIOR year of high school.  How in the hell did that happen??