TEXAS

Dreams came true in Texas last week. My BFF, Amanda, invited me to come for a visit, and we made it happen. It was glorious! Someday when our husbands get jobs in the same town, we will have glorious visits all the time. 

I brought Scotty with me, and Annie got to have a fun week with Grandma Dennis and Aunt Felicia. I had two roughly two hour flights on the way to Texas. I brought lots of toys and snacks for Scotty in a huge backpack. We ended up having the most success with coloring the dogs in the shopping magazine in the back of the seat. His toy cars were also a hit. Keeping that boy entertained was possible, but it was also one intense, full-time job.

Our first adventure with Amanda and kids was visiting the George H.W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum. We didn't get to see the library part, but the museum was excellent. We tried to watch the introductory video with all three of our kids. Ha! Then we enjoyed wandering around the exhibits. And it was great to do something really conservative while in Texas.

 The Presidential Car

 Barbara Pierce Bush's classy family photo from her growing up years. Isn't it beautiful? 

 This is a model of an aircraft carrier. Bush the Elder was a pilot for the Navy. 

 Barbara's classy wedding dress.

 Bush the Elder, Amanda the Elder, and Amanda the Younger at the U.N.

 Scotty was in awe of these soldiers at the Desert Storm exhibit.

 Scotty doesn't want to be president, and I don't blame him.

 Bush the Elder was ambassador to China. Fei cheng hao!

Nothing says Texas like a President Bush. Am I right?

I really enjoyed seeing this museum. It seems like George H.W. and Barbara Bush were really good people. There was so much in the exhibits about their families. Some quotes he said about his mother made me tear up. It was also uplifting to visit a place where there was a kind and respectful tone in regards to a president. We all tend to be uber-critical and sarcastic about our presidents. But they really do a service by taking on that job. It made me feel like we should be less critical and more supportive of these men (and hopefully someday a woman) and their families. I came home and read a few articles about Barack Obama's foreign policy and lost most of these warm, fuzzy feelings about U.S. Presidents. But I am trying to remember the lessons I learned at the Bush Museum.

On another day we went to a Texas barbecue place called Rudy's.

We ordered delicious brisket and smoked turkey. Their creamed corn was to die for.  And it was all served with this el cheapo store-brand bread. Very interesting. The kind of meal you hope you'll be lucky enough to taste again when you burp. 

Notice the broken horns. That's because this is the city of Aggies, not Longhorns. 

No trip to visit your best friend would be complete without a trip to the local grocery store. Amanda's happened to be the good 'ole H.E.B. They had tasty samples and friendly workers. One employee worked hard to sell us some bacon jam. Why cook bacon when you can just use bacon jam? 

The kid-friendly shopping carts at H.E.B. had two advantages over Utah kid-friendly shopping carts. First of all, the kid cannot easily exit the cart. Secondly, the kids are closer to you so you are able to stop the fight before there's any blood. H.E.B. also had parking for people with kids. Brilliant!

Of course we stopped at the end to use our Buddy Bucks, which seemed to be some method for teaching children the benefits of gambling. Such a family-friendly store!

Texas A&M was a university with a plethora of school spirit. And that's coming from a BYU girl who has seen a fair share of school spirit. But these Texas people were serious about their lifetime commitment to this school. Here are Amanda and I posing by the Great Aggie Ring of Power. Graduates of A&M can buy a slightly smaller version of these rings which, when worn, will connect their spirits to all other Aggies in the universe...or something like that. It's a big deal. 

One glorious afternoon, Amanda's husband watched the kids while Amanda and I went to a magical place called Half-Price Books. We wandered around for an hour talking shop and soaking up the atmosphere.  Oh! the happiness. 

On Sunday evening, Amanda arranged for us to have a chat with our favorite Mormon feminist, Valerie Hudson. She graciously invited us to her house, and we had a wonderful conversation. I've read her articles and books and gotten so many wonderful insights. It was amazing to meet her.

As you can see, Amanda and I had quite the party. She is a wonderful friend and mother and wife. People always ask if we're sisters. And I think we can honestly start saying yes.

P.S. Scotty and I did a four hour flight on the way home. The man next to me said, "You're a good mother!" The guy in front of me didn't yell at Scotty for kicking the back of his seat. The woman across the aisle said, "He's been a very good boy!" We were blessed. And I think Scotty and I bonded.