More Shenanigans in TX

So, as promised, here are some of the highlights of my 6 days in Highlands, TX, the town where I grew up and where most of my family still calls home.  I'm just gonna jump right in...

My 5-year-old niece Isabella is one of the most adorable and hilarious kids I've ever met.  If you know me at all, I'm sure I've subjected you to countless stories and pictures of her.  I try not to be "that girl" but sometimes I just can't help myself.  Knowing I was flying there on Thursday, on Wednesday night, Bella and her dad (my brother-in-law Kyle) made the cutest sign and Bella greeted me at the airport with it.  Well, kind of...she held the sign up for about two seconds when she saw me and then threw it on the ground and ran to where I was. Cutest. Thing. Ever.

I had a few interesting conversations with Bella while I was home, the first of which was in the car when she was telling me about her Elf on the Shelf.  (If you don't know what that is, click here.)  His name is Friendly.

Bella: "Friendly really loves me, even if I do something really naughty."

Me: (sensing the opportunity to turn the conversation toward something spiritual) "Kind of like Jesus, huh?"

Bella:  "Yeah....and Santa."

That'll teach me to try to get deep with a 5-year-old.

Alecia, Kyle, and the kids had to leave on Christmas afternoon to drive to the Dallas area and spend time with his family.  I was pretty bummed about this because it meant I wouldn't get to see them again before I flew back.  When it was time for them to go, I pulled Bella up on my lap and gave her a big hug and kiss.

Me: "I'm really going to miss you!"

Bella: "And I'm really going to miss Maverick"

Maverick is her little friend from church that she sees like every day.  Haha, thanks a lot, kid.

Some other notable moments:

One of my favorite times of the Christmas season is going to the Christmas Eve candlelight service in the church where I grew up.  I have never missed it a single year of my entire life.  Not only is it really amazing to get to worship on such a special night in a church that holds so many memories for me, it's also kind of a homecoming of sorts.  It's when all of my oldest and dearest friends come home from all corners of the world and end up in the same building, even if just for an hour.  It is truly one of my favorite nights of the year.

One of my oldest friends, Erin

Sitting with my folks and our candles

Another really cool tradition that my mom and a bunch of her friends started when we were kids is annual mother-daughter tea.  I think I was six the first year we had it, which means this is like the 23rd or 24th year we've done it.  It started with 11 moms and their daughters getting together every year for a tea. We'd all get dressed up and make a bunch of cookies and whatnot, meet at someone's house, sing some Christmas carols, read some stories, and things like that.  Over time, it's become a pretty cherished tradition for all of us.  It's expanded to include daughter-in-laws and a third generation of girls.  Also, one of my favorite days of the year.  It's a lot harder to get everyone together for it these days, as we are all spread across the country, but we can usually get a good number of us together.  This year we did it at my sister Kristi's house.  Here are a few of the highlights:

Yes, my eyes are closed in this picture, but I had to share this picture of my beautiful friend Rachel.  You can't tell it from this picture, but she just so happens to be pregnant with TWINS!  Two new girls to come to the tea next year. :-)

Another friend named Rachel.  Our parents live across the street from each other (although they didn't get this bright idea until we were adults, haha)

Brynlee (Rachel #1's little girl) and Bella listening to my mom read the story

Me, Brynlee, and Debbie (Rachel #2's mom)

Bella and my mom singing Christmas carols

Alright, a couple more random pictures and I will stop bragging about how awesome my family and friends are. :-)

I know I already shared this on Facebook, but this pretty much describes my hometown perfectly.  That is someone's pet pig in their yard.

Me and my best friend Shahla

Me, Shahla and her husband David, my sister Kristi and her fiance Corbett, getting our grub on at Taste of Texas (best steakhouse EVER)

Sweet girl - Bella and me

Sweet boy - my precious nephew, Cooper, who is more savvy with that thing than me.

Hallie and baby Jude - their mom and dad are my friends Philip and Lacey

One more adorable shot of my nephew

So needless to say, I had a great time in Texas, but was surprisingly ready to come back to my life in New York.  I miss a lot of people back home, but I don't have a single doubt that I am right where I'm supposed to be. :-)  Plus, I am going back to Texas like 3 times in the next 4 months, so I won't have to miss it for long.

Happy New Year, all!

<3 <3 <3
Janell