Texas week 1

June 14th, Levi’s actual birthday, we left bright and early Texas bound. Marc and Papa Kerry drove the moving truck towing Marc’s car behind. And Papa Tucker and I had all the babies, and most of the snacks, in the mini van.

Me, my mom, and Maddi stayed up packing car essentials the night before. Covering all the snack essentials from chicken salad sandwiches on homemade rolls to fruit snacks and popcorn in matching bento lunch boxes. And trying to squeeze in just a little more time together. FaceTime is just not the same as a hug.

Then there were hours of driving, hours of Disney movies, and and the occasional pit stop.

There was a lot of emotions. Happy (to watch movies in the car and to be finally starting the next chapter that has felt ominous for so long) and crying (to go back home). Me too Hazel.
My dad and I shared a pair of ear buds and listened to Big Magic and discussed creative dreams while he drove and I managed the kiddos, their movies, drinks, and snacks.
Kerry and Marc had some great talks and shared some of their favorite podcasts together.
At pit stops we would try to run the kids a little and kiss Marc.

The first day we made it to Fort Stockton were we celebrated the ground we covered with chicken nuggets and a swim in the hotel pool.

Monday was only a 5 hour stretch- thank goodness! After a small lost-wallet search party, we were on the road again.

Thanks Dad for capturing this gem
A highlight of the drive was getting to “drive” the moving truck during a potty break.
My mom’s genius to tie down all of Levi’s car accessories so as not to loose them in the car.
Ruby was missing Abby…
Our first “Texas Family photo”! And we got our first official, “y’all have a blessed day” from the store clerk.

When we made it to our new place the heavy lifting started. Did I mention we live on the second floor? Our dads and Marc were All Stars carrying everything up those 15 steps (though by the end, Kerry was sure it changed to at least 36 steps). And I worked as fast as possible creating order from chaos in the sea of cardboard boxes. Thank goodness for Disney Plus that kept the kids entertained in their room.

Tuesday was more unpacking and organizing and the semblances of a nice home, complete with some hung family pictures, emerged by the afternoon. Kerry’s only wish was to have real Texas BBQ for lunch. And Marc and Kerry found us some dang good deep-in-the-heart-of-Texas BBQ. Mmm… and it was delicious.

My dad’s wish was to see the Magnolia Silos. Since we are now in the neighborhood, we made that happen too.

I cried again when our dad’s left us in their rental car. They were our last piece of Arizona to leave. Officially, we were Johnson party of five, alone in Texas. I made sure to give them all an extra squeeze.

The rest of the week we spent in the pool, checking out the neighborhood splash pad, and our final attack on the cardboard boxes.

We take unpacking very serious around here. Ruby thought it was a good idea to also jam out to Mr. Roboto. She was right.

When I went to the grocery store I wanted to fill my fridge with as many “normal” things I would have in Arizona. Pink yogurt for Hazel, avocado for everyone, our favorite snacks, and ice cream – for obvious reasons. Then our eating routine would be the same though the location was 1,000 miles different.

We discovered after the truck was emptied that the Denton’s snuck a special care box in with directions to FaceTime them when we opened it. Every member of their family had picked out a gift that was tied with a memory of my family living in the guest house. I have never cried over a large box of goldfish before, but I did. Almost daily in Arizona, Ruby and Hazel would visit Jenny who would happily chat with them, then send them on their way with a snack cup filled to the brim with goldfish crackers. We got a card game, a mini cupcake pan, activities, and more, but my favorite was a water painting Jenny had commissioned by Karli of our little Arizona home- complete with Moana water in the yard.

It hangs in a place of honor above the kitchen table.
Maddi is a real gem of a friend, and had dinner delivered to our apartment via Doordash. Hazel was a little skeptical, but I explained it was Mulan’s favorite dinner, then she finished two plates.

Cameron Park is in downtown Waco and it leads to the Cameron Park Zoo, and has statues of animals leading to it. The kids were amazed by all the giant animals.

We finally finished reading Charlie and the Chocolate factory so we had a family movie night watched the movie.

Marc and I are feeling really blessed. And I’m feeling I will feel less stressed after a few more Amazon packages arrive and I can get few more things better organized. But I’m happy to sleep in my own bed next to my own Marc and that won’t change no matter where we live.

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