The Stars at Night Are Big and Bright.....

...Deep in the Heart of Texas. Problem is – I haven't been able to see the stars because of all of the rain we have been getting here in the Dallas area. I've actually enjoyed the rain because it was a rare occurance in Arizona.

My mom, dad, and I made it back to the DFW area around 8 p.m. (local time) on Saturday night. Talk about EXHAUSTION!! It was very exhausting. I've slept until 9 a.m. yesterday and today and I never do that....EVER! I've been in disarray recently because most of my stuff is still in boxes on my floor. I spent about three hours today getting things in order so life is starting to fall back in place. I'm one of those wierd people who doesn't make good decisions and can't think straight when my house is looks like someone dropped a bomb in the middle of it.

Yesterday, I went for my first job interview and have a follow up interview today. I also received my CPR (adult, children, and infant) AED certification yesterday. It is one of those things you hope you never have to use, but in the event you do, you are prepared and will be able to respond appropriately.

I'm back in business now and will be blogging more regularly now that I have Internet and a computer to access.

Texas A&M Welcomes Reveille VIII

WHOOP!!! Today, Texas A&M named the university's eighth mascot -- Reveille VIII. She is a collie from Topeka, Kansas. Here is a link to the story as well as pictures of the new Rev. I was very pleased today when I heard the university had selected a collie to continue the tradition. It seems like yesterday we were at Easterwood Field welcoming Reveille VII to Aggieland. I'm looking forward to seeing the First Lady of Texas A&M during march-ins at the football games.

#4 -- Why I'm (NOT) Excited About Moving Back to Texas

My friends here in Arizona.

I'm changing gears a bit and using one of my Top 10's to tell why it will be hard to move back to the great state. I've realized over the past two weeks that I've had the chance to meet and form relationships with some amazing people here in the Valley. From work to YoungLife to baseball and everything in between, there are many people that I will miss once I leave the Valley on Friday.

Friendships are very important to me and when you have the opportunity to be surrounded by people who encourage you, laugh with you, laugh at you, are there to listen, and love doing crazy things just like you, it's hard to let go.

To all my friends here in the Valley (and you know who you are), I will miss you a BUNCH! I will miss working with you, serving alongside you, having dinner with you, coaching your son's baseball team, and having the chance to see you face to face on a regular basis. Don't worry...I plan to keep in touch and hope you will too!!

Moving to Arizona was not an easy transition, but the relationships I formed have made my time here in the Valley sweet.

#5 -- Why I'm Excited About Moving Back to Texas

Billy Bob's Dance Hall -- The World's Largest Honky Tonk

YEAHAW -- Put on your pearl snap shirt, cowboy hat, boot cut jeans and cowboy boots and let's go two steppin'.

Nothing says "only in Texas" than a night of country western dancing at the local dance hall. Billy Bob's is world renown and a must whenever you visit The Stockyards in Fort Worth. My cousin has asked for me to teach her how to two step before she heads off to A&M so there might be a dance lesson in the works next week. I can't wait!!

# 6 and #7 - Why I'm Excited About Moving Back to Texas

Continuing my series of posts on why I'm excited about moving back to Texas....

#7- The Landscape....tall trees, green grass, rivers, big lakes, Sunday rain showers, hot summers, mild winters. I'm one of the few people that actually enjoy the natural moisterizers that come from humidity. It makes me feel like I've worked out really hard after a long run. :) I'm ready to see green after living in the desert the past 1 1/2 years.

#6- Blue Bell Ice Cream with Dr. Pepper-- Seriously, the best ice cream in the world and the best soft drink in the world is made right in the Lone Star State. And word on the street is that my uncle is a huge ice cream fan. I will definitely be enjoying a bowl right along with him and it will not matter if I'm training for an upcoming race or not.

Grand Canyon = BIG/ Me = small

Yesterday was another big reminder of just how big God is!!

Feeling adventurous and realizing that my time in Arizona is coming to a close, I decided to head north to see the Grand Canyon. I could start listing grandious adjectives to describe how unbelieveable it really is, but I simply do not have enough room. I've seen it many times in pictures, but seeing it in person is a completely different story.

I drove to Flagstaff where I took an old steam engine train north to the Canyon. We had three hours to spend at the Canyon before we returned home, so I was only able to get about 2 1/2 miles down into it. Next time I want to hike to the bottom, spend the night at a campground and then raft the Colorado River. Who is coming with me?

Enjoy the pictures from my trip

#8 - Texas Aggie Football

The beginning of August signals one thing -- summer is drawing to a close and college football is about to commence. Today, USA Today released its Top 25 Coach's Poll and although my Ags were not mentioned I'm not too worried. We are going to take everyone by surprise and be the last team standing come January. Let's be honest, we might not win the national title but I think we will surprise some people. We have very little expectations coming into the season with a new coach, so all of the pressure will be off. If we end the season with 9 or 10 wins, I will be absolutely elated.

I'm planning to be back in Aggieland several times this season with the games. If you've never been to College Station on Gameday Saturday, you should take some time out and go. It is an EXPERIENCE!!

In less than 30 days the Fightin' Texas Aggies will take to Kyle Field to begin another exciting football season. Whoop!