Mom, IRL

Maybe you've seen funny pictures on the internet of laundry fiascos, wardrobe malfunctions, or messy kids with the hashtag "moms IRL" or something similar. Those moms may be the real deal, but nothing is better than a visit from your mom in real life!

That's right! Mommy came to Dallas for a spontaneous mid-semester visit, and it couldn't have been better! Last time my family visited was Thanksgiving, which was wonderful in its own way. I gave everyone the official school tour then, but campus was a graveyard over the holiday weekend. Since Mom flew in on a Wednesday morning, she tagged along with me at school and took part in my everyday life! It was a blast introducing her to my professors and classmates, and she even got to see me perform in Caruth (our main concert hall) and rehearse with my trio!

Highlights of our time:

1. Performing/playing for Mom at school!
2. Eating out at our favorite restaurants!
3. Flash card mid-term review with Mom (she makes up the best goofy connections to remember mundane facts!)
4. Parish Feast! Our church's quarterly Friday night dinner just happened to be over Mom's visit, so she spent some extended time with our church family.
5. Meals with the profs! We had breakfast together with two of my main and most influential professors. (Of course we forgot to take a picture!) We also had breakfast with another one of my favorite professors, who heard Mom was in town and invited us out. SMU profs have class, and they genuinely care about their students. So blessed!
6. Watching all our favorite murder shows together on a lazy Saturday!
7. More trips to Sprouts than I'd care to admit!
8. Coming home to find my laundry done, my house cleaned, and ice cream in the freezer. Mom are just the best.

Performance class!

Rehearsing Café Music

Curry and Pad Thai from The Mint!

Taco night!

Pizza night at Fireside Pies -- our new favorite GF pizza place!

Selfies with the Weim

Flash cards

More flash cards 

"This my grandma. I keep her."

Mom sent me this picture while I was at school.
She stayed home to relax and read one day, and Brooklyn kept her company.

Breakfast with Professor M and MA!

Parish Feast! 

I love you, Mommy! Thank you setting aside your own daily activities to enter into mine for a few days! I love that you got to be part of our life here with church, school, the crazy Weimaraner, and many grocery store runs. Come back again soon! Xoxo!

Breezy

October is here! That's hard to believe! Weren't we just in Colorado soaking in the mountain breeze?!

Is it just me, or does this time of year seep with nostalgia with even a hint of sadness? My first major spell of homesickness hit this time last year, and I'm feeling those pangs again this season! Maybe it's the change in the air, the longing for Gator football with my dad (IT'S GREAT TO BE A FLORIDA GATOR!), the missed Disney outings, the pictures of the nieces and nephews growing way too fast, or the thought of warm chili made by Mama or Mommy.

I love everything about this time of year; but while I'm reminded of just how blessed we are, I'm also feeling the loss of having family nearby. It's a strange reality, but we're simultaneously rooted and uprooted. We are surrounded by a community of believers who care tremendously well for us. For example, while we were sick last weekend, six different friends/families checked in on us and asked how they could help. We are convinced of God's will for us here, at least for now. And yet, I feel separated from part of my own heart, and that hurts.

I decorated for Halloween on Friday, and it was good for my soul. That might sound odd, but I can't remember the last time I've had an hour to spare during the school/workweek. I took my time exploring World Market, enjoying the festive displays, dreaming up my home space, and feeling human again. Did I mention my mom is visiting this week? Wednesday can't come soon enough! And after that, we're looking forward to Giving Thanks with Ty's family on Turkey Day! The thought of these visits is more invigorating than the 60-degree Dallas air!

One of my childhood friends moved to Dallas recently. Our schedules and community circles are different, but the times I've spent with her here have been encouraging to my heart. Her visit today was well timed!

I don't have a conclusion. Just thankful for time to muse here, while my theory textbook remains opened and untouched.

The New Blog

Hi, family and friends!

I'm happy to announce that I've started a new blog! Brook Runs Happy is a blog dedicated solely to my running adventures with Brooklyn. I'll share our running stats, favorite gear, pointers for training a four-legged runner, and tips for Dallas runners.

Click here!

I'll continue this blog for sharing our family's journey, so don't forget to check back here, too!