This is going to be a LONG post! There is a lot to catch up on. 
To make it easier, I am going to break this post up into categories:
Arriving
The night before we left, Clark and I had not slept all night. WOW, I both like and dislike when we do that before trips because A. it’s fun, but B. it’s annoying to be so tired for the next couple days because of how much sleep we’ve lost and now have to catch up on. So, in the end it’s never worth it 
The Airport was BEAUTIFUL! There was live music playing and the air – oh my goodness. Texas Air is SO clean and crisp! When you arrive and speak to the locals, you can feel the pride they have for their home State. I love that. Everyone is so nice, and so far on this trip I have concluded that Texas is a combination of all the areas Clark and I both love: Utah – for the generally nice people and that ‘safe’ feeling you have there, California for the laid back attitude of people, the surrounding water and rolling hills and the weather, and Back East for the historic edge and country back roads. I LOVE driving here!
What really got Clark and I is we heard that Texas is known for their hamburgers and we found a place called ‘Dan’s’. When we arrived, it was like a place you’d call a ‘hole in the wall’ because of little window you make your order in, it wasn’t fast paced so you weren’t rushed to make any decisions and they cook up the food from scratch (no pre-frozen patties) and everything was home cooked. You could even sit there and chat with the chef himself! While there, someone did have a full conversation with the cook as he was preparing their meal. Everyone cares about everyone here – it’s awesome! It’s such a ‘Zion’ feeling where everyone sincerely wants to help the other person. While driving around this place, people aren’t in a rush. They’ll let you pass on the road, when you’re at an intersection they wave to allow you to go first – it’s hard not to feel the ‘Texas’ love I WANT TO BE A TEXAN!!! Can you tell?
Food
I already spoke about the first Hamburger joint we went to, the next place we went to – to eat out was the Brick Oven. Yummy Italian food and friendly service. I think Clark and I have the phrase “Y’all” down, lol! Everyone is giving us a “y’all from out of town” look and we assume that is connected to our Cali/UT accent. Hurray! Finally I feel like I have an accent, I love it. The next day we went to Long John Silver’s for lunch. I had Salmon w/ Veggies and Clark had Fish and Chips. Clark and I had a big smile on our faces as we sat in that Restaurant and were in awe with how many kids and families FILLED that place. It’s been awhile since we’ve sat in a restaurant and had it packed full of chatting kids and happy parents. Not that you can’t find that where we’re at now, but this was just a different environment. We hear that Texas has some awesome BBQ and plan to test that out later this week.
Clark was so sweet to take me to Whole Foods for our Grocery shopping for our Condo (thank you Mom & Dad for getting us this Condo to stay at! THANK YOU! We love it. Even though it’s haunted. YES – it’s haunted, and here’s why: Clark says he has heard the water turn on like someone’s getting a drink and then turn off but nobody is there in the Kitchen or Bathroom. I sat on the couch and the TV turned on. I wasn’t even NEAR the controller. Second time it did this, but the TV turned off while Clark and I were watching. No – the timer wasn’t set – I learned to check that from Ghost Hunters on the Sci Fi channel. Clark thought it would be funny to scare me while I was going to the bathroom. Totally freaked me out by peaking his head through the crack of what I thought was the closet – but was really a separating door to the guest bedroom. He and I busted up laughing because I’ve never been that startled before. I’ve been expecting to see a ghost appear out of nowhere – the whole time we’ve been here, and I totally thought that Clark was it! ) So yeah – Whole Foods here is HUGE!!!! It had digital price tags which was different, that’s smart. Friendly people there – of course.
Apartments
WOW! In CA we have a 1 bedroom with 1 den and 1 bathroom, NO washer/dryer hook-ups, 800 sq ft and we pay $1200 a month. Imagine my excitement when the FIRST Apartment we went to go visit was 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom, patio with storage, Washer/Dryer hook-ups, 1195 sq ft for $851 a month!!! HELLO! NICE and clean apartments with such great customer service. I can’t get over how nice people are here! Everyday locals who have no clue who we are, what we stand for, etc etc – everyone is just so friendly! We went to the Grocery Store and people just come up to you and talk to you! My kind of town.
Church
Another “WOW!” moment for me. Every LDS Church out of State or away from home I’ve been to has been filled with really nice people. That’s no surprise. It’s always the same wonderful experience no matter where you live or visit, you’ll always get the same genuinely nice members and same lessons taught and same service. But I just LOVE the Texas people. I’ve officially fallen in love with them. LDS People and Local people. I LOVE them all!
So, funny story about a couple we met at our 2nd (of 3) Church’s we visited today. They are from Los Angeles and used to be in our ward (Before we lived there). They sold their house to another couple friend of ours who happen to also be our Veterinarians. What are the odds?! Small world! They invited us to come boating with them in their backyard (Lake) and go out for some BBQ afterward’s! FUN!!!! They don’t even know us and they just say “Hey! Come to our house and come on our boat! HA! Can you see why I absolutely LOVE this place?
I LOVE YOU TEXAS!!!!
p.s. I’m loving your Toilet Paper dispensers, I’ve never seen anything like it. No toilet paper rolls here, they look like large tissue dispensers turned upside down! SMART! 
(picture below)
Coming Up…
Clark and I have a few more places we have planned to visit. We’ll be checking out more of the town and more Apartments. More pictures and more experiences to share coming up!
Pictures:
Click here to view picture slideshow…
Kitties
We miss our babies. Clark and I have chuckled that we are totally treating our Kitties like our kids – keeping them in mind while we look for an Apartment, “Do you think the Kitties would like this?” and “Oh! We could have the kitties bed here! They would love this!” Awww… we miss them
CA Friends
We also miss our L.A. friends and can’t wait to get back and play some games and have a LOST & Battlestar Galactica Party!!!
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