"and music is my air-o-plane"

So I am back in Washington. And surprisingly it is sunny and pretty weather. Maybe I brought it back with me.

Houston was gorgeous weather. I got to see my family and that was great, better than great, cause I miss them so much. But Leah and Michael couldn't make it down and that was a bummer. My dad and I went down to Galveston and had lunch at this place by the water and a pod of dolphins were swimming near by.

We also had a little chili cook off for my dad's birthday party, the findings were inconclusive. So for all those who were wondering, I made bean-free chili and my dad's was beaned.

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I think I might pause for a second and comment on flying in today's world.

It is almost a humiliating process these days. I had to watch men take of their belts and take mine off as well. Almost as if we were all undressing. And seeing everyone in their socks is weird. Like the status held in footwear has been taken away and we are all reduced to the quality and cleanliness of our socks and hosiery. After you go through the security check point, which now a couple of guys know everything you travel with, you have to grab all of your stuff and hop around trying to put your shoes back on and your id back in your wallet. This is crazy! Then some men just give up on the belt and walk around holding their belts. I mean, there has to be a better way.
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It was a really great trip. I wish it hadn't been so long in between visits. Washington is "fun" I guess, but there is something to be said about living near your family.

I have never wanted to be one of those people who never goes anywhere, never sees anything but their home town. I think it is important for young people to explore. It is in exploration that we find ourselves. Challenging ourselves to live with different people, learn new things, experience life in a different way than our parents showed us. Sometimes you might find that you like things your parents never liked. Like my dad and aunts were saying they never had black olives, why? Because MeeMaw doesn't like them. But now my dad eats black olives. What if he had never been introduced to black olives?

All this to say, that I felt weird about wanting to come back home and live in Texas again. I didn't want to be giving up and be living a sheltered life. But I see that you only have so much time in your life and I want to spend it close to my family. They are there for me through anything. Plus I could never get used to the weather up here.

Ps- Please pray for the Culbert family. They have lost a son/brother and it is really hard for them right now.