Hidden Cove Park & Marina

So I just posted about the going's on around here over the past few weeks but wanted to follow up with some pictures recently taken on our weekend adventures!.

We found a great park here called the Hidden Cove Park & Marina...

Licenses, Friends, Warm Weather and a TX living

Wow, what a crazy few weeks it's been. I'm officially the proud wife of a Texas Licensed Electrician!!!!

Michael has been studying hard, taking practice tests and prepping for his Texas Journeyman's License test. On Thursday February 17th he sat for the test and passed with flying colors. He starts training for a temp job with the electric company tomorrow which will take him through the end of May.

Another wonderful thing! Thanks to our good friends from home Rich & Carly, we've met a wonderful couple, Sally & Fred, and have started a great friendship! They are truly a blessing!

Our Driver's licenses finally came in the mail and we discovered the walking/biking trail behind our complex.   We're settling in and getting used to the area. We've been here almost 2 months now! We've scoped out the best grocery stores, shopping and food. Speaking of food... for all those who come to visit us, this is where we'll take you!!! BEST CHICKEN DINNER IN THE WORLD!!!!

Babes Chicken Dinner House Frisco
they have Smoked Chicken and Fried Chicken.... Family style like Wrights from home but 8 million times better and CHEAPER too!!!

We have lots of family headed our way in the next few months and can't wait to see everyone!!!.

Love you all!
More exciting news to come!

Possibilities- Starting new traditions

This week we came to some realizations that have been hanging in the shadows since we announced our move to Texas. Things will happen this year in ways that we've never experienced them, life will go on for us and our families but in a pattern none of us are used to, but change doesn't have to be sad! Change is good and every newly married couple encounters the "how do we spend the Holiday's" questions. The happy thing about our challenges will be that our choices are not driven by crazy in-laws or bad dinners like some of the couples we know. Ours are strictly distance related. Here are some of the ones we'll change up this year. Starting with a small one...

Next week on Valentines day I can't just show up at my parents to find the red, cellophane wrapped, heart-shaped box of Russel Stover Chocolates and card that makes me tear up from my Dad. Something that has happened every Valentines Day since I can remember... but that doesn't mean that this Valentines Day will be any less special then the years before. Just because we aren't there in person doesn't mean my Dad loves me any less, or that I love him any less. This year in addition to my dad's love I get to celebrate it with my wonderful husband too! Because this year Michael and I celebrate our first Valentines day as a married couple. <3

Easter will find us Celebrating in our new Church here in TX and sharing that experience with my parents and sister as they come to visit us, and a friend who is also transplant here in TX.  I'll take my first shot at Easter dinner- planning Bourbon-Brown Sugar Pork Tenderloin, Garlic Chive Mashed Potatoes and green beans. We'll see how good I am at southern cooking!

Both of us will celebrate birthday's this year without the traditional family birthday dinner. But for Michael its a milestone birthday. This year he'll be 25. I'll do my best to decorate the apt, invite our friends and make his favorite meal but know it wont be quite the same. Hopefully we can do a birthday sing-a-long on skype :-)

The biggest Holiday change for us this year is not being able to go home for Thanksgiving. With Airline tickets fluctuating so much and travel around the Holiday's Ticket being so expensive (prices are showing around a $1000) just for the two of us.We had to give up one major holiday and Christmas wasn't going to be it. If we manage to find super cheap airfare then we might be able to make it happen. If not...I've gotta practice my turkey making skills- who knows maybe we'll fry one...

We're glad that family will be visiting in rounds during the spring with Michael's parents coming first, then Tony and then my parents, that we'll get to spend quality time with them. Also we'll get to travel home in summer and at Christmas time to see the folks who haven't visited yet.

Every change can be a positive one if you keep your mind open to the possibilities- 2011 will be a year of great possibility for us.


p.s. The state of TX approved Michael's paperwork and he will be sitting for his license exam in about 2 weeks!