The Newest Texans

What a wonderful couple of months--lots of new adventures and loads of blessings!

1. I went back to work the beginning of April while Dan played Mr. Mom. We both have a greater appreciation for one another. :)

2. A few days later we had spring break so we flew to Houston to find a place to live. There was so much to learn in such a short period of time, but we found some really nice areas.

3. The next weekend my amazing hubby graduated Cum Laude from BYU in Chemical Engineering. My wonderful mother walked Benny around the track for two hours so I could watch Dan graduate. I was so proud of him. He has excelled in his studies and in his role as a husband and father. (I'll post pictures on the next post)

4. The Westergards and Demaris' came down that weekend. It was so good to spend some time with them and see Cierra for the first time. We sure miss them. Khara decorated this impressive cake for Daniel.
5. That same weekend Tanner went through the temple and we were able to have all of my brothers and sisters with their spouses, my parents, all my grandparents, and many aunts, uncles, and cousins together in the temple for the first time. What a joyous occasion. We snapped a family picture--the last one with everyone in it for at least 2 years. :(
Here is Benny with his Great Grandma and Grandpa Watkins.

And our own little family picture. 6. The following weekend Dan took one more trip to Houston to secure our home. Then it was a busy month of preparing to move and finishing up my last school year of teaching.

7. Dan's parents, Jared, and Michelle came up from Dallas to visit on Mother's Day weekend, so we of course played some basketball and boardgames. Toby and Camille blessed Orry that Sunday so we were able to get together with Dan's extended family, that we're going to miss so much. We even were able to talk to Tricia on her mission in Mesa, Arizona. Here are Carter, Benson, and Orry on Mother's Day.
8. On Memorial Day, we had one last get together with some old roommates and celebrated Amanda's birthday. Joy snuck out before we snapped the picture. :(
9. The next weekend we packed up my classroom and I locked the doors to Rees Elementary School for the very last time. :( I'm going to miss that place. I made some wonderful friends and learned so much teaching there. 10. While our apartment was being boxed up, Grandma Foster came down to say goodbye. (We think you all should just move to Texas with us.) We took a picture of her with Benson.
11. We stayed with Holly and Hal those last couple days while cleaning the apartment. They were so helpful--taking care of Benny and being our chefs and chauffers.

12. And then we flew to Dallas where Benny played with his Grandma Foster, Aunt Michelle, and Uncle Jared for a couple days.

13. We then drove down to Houston, closed on our beautiful house, and have been settling in since then.
14. Dan started work last Thursday at Exxon Mobil. He is excited about his new job. Here he is playing with Benny after his first day on the job. Do I not have the two most handsome men in my life?
I love recording our lives--whether it be in a journal or a brief record on our blog. I end up feeling overwhelmed with gratitude for all I've been given and eager to pay it forward. Thank you all!