A Long Weekend in Lubbock

For the past month or so, my good friend Diane has been in Lubbock, after moving there when her husband found out he was accepted into the MBA/graduate program for architecture at Texas Tech. Since Joe's (Diane's hubby!) program wont begin until the end of August, and at the end of August= no more paycheck, he decided to stay in Dallas and continue at his job while Diane began her job in Lubbock. This means that she is living there by herself :(

My friend Pepa and I decided to take a short 55 minute flight to visit. I had never really been to Lubbock before, so I was satisfied with being a 'tourist' in this flat land. Both Diane and Joe completed their undergrad at Tech, so it wasn't like she was completely out of her element, but, she was still so happy to have us visit.
Our first night: Triple J's..kind of like a Texas Roadhouse. Eat the Nachos! Delish!

Rachel (Di's old college friend/co-worker at the hospital), Diane, Pepa, and me!
After dinner, with FULL bellies!!Buddy Holly was born and raised in Lubbock..we stopped by for a photo-op outside the museum dedicated to her. (It was dark, and my camera was having troubles, sorry for the quality!)
Saturday was decided to devote our time to the SUN! The Tech campus opened an enormous rec center, complete with lazy river, water slide/diving area, lap pool, sports pool (v-ball/b-ball), and lounging 3in deep area. It was GREAT! It also helped that the weather was amazing, a cool change from the 108 degree heat. The 90s were pleasant.

Diane in I floating by in the Lazy River. Very Cool, literally!

We ate at another local eatery called Gardski's Loft- YUMMY! I had Chipotle Chicken and Di had Parmesan and Artichoke Chicken- both were delicious! After dinner we treated ourselves to Wine and Dessert at a place called Manna. They had Wine Flights and the very best Lemon-Coconut Cake I have ever eaten. True Heaven in your mouth, for sure!Sunday Di took me around the Tech campus, which was really beautiful. We saw all the 'main' points including the Stadium, and The Masked Rider.

One of the highlights of the trip: The Flagship store for United Market Street. The original! So neat! I think we went there 4 or 5 times over the course of 3 days!
Although there is really nothing to this city, I still was really able to enjoy myself!

Some pros of Lubbock:

• Absolutely no wait times at any restaurant!
• REALLY good food at all the local places
• Everyone is delightfully helpful and sweet
• Texas Tech is a beautiful campus
• You can see the sky for miles! Watching a thunderstorm roll in while sitting on the patio of Gardski's was one sweet light show! The storm was miles away, but we didn't miss a second!
• And, of course, Diane lives there ;)
  

Photoshoot: July 2009

It was such a beautiful day! Jordan and I had such a great time taking pictures (again) with the incredible Jennifer Jennings. It was a nice break from all this business called life. She does such a great job! She has continued to get better and better with each picture she takes. I love each and every pose. Jordan was being extra 'fireman-like' and caused me to crack up the entire time we were out there, making for some great candid shots! Enjoy!

A Day with Aunt Jenna

While Jordan and I spent the weekend in Austin, Daphnee and Brittany stayed behind with their Aunt Jenna ;) Jenna is such a good Aunt! She took the kids to our good friend's, The Kirkpatrick's, and let them run free with their kids! All was quiet in the backyard until Daphnee decided to do a nose dive into the pool. She LOVES the water! So, all the dogs and kids followed her lead and took a dip for relief of the hotttt summer weather.

Daphnee and Caroline, testing the water (post nose-dive)

No holding back for this girl, is there?

Taking a break: doggie-bathing

Libby and her new found friend, Daphnee

On our way home from The Massey's house after Sunday dinner. This girl was worn out beyond means. I lifted up the towl we had covering the kennel, and there she lay.

Thanks Aunt Jenna for keeping us and showing us a great time!!

Update..Are You Ready for This?

This weekend was one the most bizarre couple of days I have ever been through. Actually, I may take that back. It was the number one most bizarre weekend. EVER. I have to warn you, this post will be long. After reading my previous post, you can see that my family is one of disfunction and plain drama with a capital 'D'. My 3 brothers and I have never really witnessed any affection or display of true love (or my idea of it..) between my parents. Most of this stems from my mother's addiction to alcohol and my father's depression and mood disorders. **I cannot believe I'm actually being up front about this..but I feel like to get the real idea of the freakish events that took place, it has got to be mentioned.**Please do not get me wrong- I grew up cared for and loved deeply by my parents (Even though not so many 'IloveYou's were said, it was always shown in their own way) and never quite witnessed or understood the severity of their issues together and individually until I was much older. My youngest brothers, however, have been through a storm of emotion and drama in their youth. For some reason my mom and dad stopped 'hiding' it in the past 10 years or so. Things had gone from bad to worse to disturbing. I have seen some things, that even still , I am convinced was all a dream. This also means that my 12 and 17 year old brothers have seen these things, too, but at a much younger age. I have been through some crazy times, and Jordan has been through his fair share as well.

So, fast forward to the last week in June -> Here are the details in a nutshell:



**My Mom had fallen of the deep end (not really any surprise there)..my Dad rushed Sam to Dallas..Dad reports loosing his job on this same day..Dad back to Austin..Dad rescues Mom..Mom and Dad back to Dallas..INTERVENTION..Mom agreed to rehab..Mom and Dad back to Austin..Mom checks into Detox in Austin (second time in 18 months)..Dad never misses a visiting hour..Dad decides to fall in love with my mother like they were 22 all over again (????)..Dad receives a job offer..Mom out of detox..and here we are.**

WHEW. There are some details here and there in between, but the gest is there. Ok, so now that is all over with. Like I said in my previous post, my parents have been living separate for the past 18 months. My mom was living in Round Rock and my dad in Austin. After my Dad had decided to be there for my Mom and take care of her (??) he requested that Jordan and I plan on coming to Austin to select some things that we wanted to take back to Dallas from my Mom's house in Round Rock since it will now be on the market to sell because my Mom is moving back to Austin so they can be together (??). My grandmother had beautiful furniture and silver and all this is in my Mom's house. Now, without the room for all of it, my Dad has allowed Jordan and I to 'inherit' things of our choosing. The next month is going to be crazy busy for us, and there is not much time to wait before the house sells, so last minute we decide, 'hey, lets just go this weekend!' Friday my Mom was released from detox, so it worked out that we go for her support as well. So, after Jordan got home from the station on Saturday morning we loaded up and headed out. From the moment we arrived it was plain wierd. My mom and dad greeted us holding hands (..huh?!) From there forward it was laughing, joking, affection, love- just an enjoyable time. I kept looking around for the 'You're on Candid Camera' crew to come out..I knew this could not be really happening. I have seen my Dad cry twice in my whole life- once when I was about 13 years old, and the next time was this past weekend. He was crying of joy when he talked about my mom coming home to him. Let me just say, I have been faithfully praying for my family for years, and my Dad finally said to me this morning 'Amber, your prayers have really worked. You have been an amazing rock for me and your family'. (Sidebar-my parents are not faithful followers of Jesus) I wish someone would have had the camera on me at this moment. My face was classic, I'm sure. So, here we are. I am skeptical, but hopeful. That is all I can be at the moment. Half of me is waiting for this all to just blow up in my face and go back to drama, drama, drama. Who knows. This could be the turning point for my mother and her addiction and my father and his motivation to help her instead of being angry and bitter. She begins rehab on Monday- 9 weeks long of 4 days a week, 4 hours a day. I honestly was worried to even attempt to being my camera with me..but I pulled it out, and here are some pictures from this weekend.


Sam, Mom and Myself before heading out to dinner

Mom and Dad- my Dad has never really had this facial hair..so, aside from the weird, yet comforting fact that he requested a picture with him and my mother, and they are both smiling in it, I think the beard is alright. :)

Jordan and I at Sonic for lunch on the drive home. We talked to whole way home about how strange, yet, uncommonly enjoyable the weekend was. I LOVE my husband. The love he has for my family is a true example of unconditional love.

Daphnee and Brittany had a busy weekend at their grandparent's house (Bree and Roy!) Here she is on our way home after we ate Sunday dinner with the Massey's. Plain worn out!

My grandmother's silver, after Bree and I polished it for about an hour!
Thank you all again for your prayers. God truly has His hand in everything and this weeks events were no exception. I pray for all this to not be a 'phase', but for my parent's relationship to flourish and for both of them to seek help with their own individual problems.

Also, thanks again for listening to me go on and on about all this. This is one super long post! It actually feels good to have gotten it all out, though. I can truly see the light at the end of the tunnel.

Just Like Any Other

So..this past weekend felt like any other weekend..

There has been so so so much going on in my life just in this past week- personal stuff. My family has a fair share of problems and issues and occassionally these issues rear their UGLY heads and start a fire of emotion and stress. This time was no exception. To make a long story short, for the past 6 months my youngest brother has been living with my dad (separated from my mother; they are not divorced-why, I have no idea.) Sam is 12 years old and was tired of dealing with her and her problems and lack of motherly care. So, he made an adult decision, at the ripe age of 11, to move in with my dad. This was a blessing!! So, now, any time their is an issue (it is so easy just to call them issues, but, gives no credit to what they really are.) Sam gets very uptight and anxious. My dad brought Sam up to Dallas last Tuesday to stay indefinitly until things smooth out a bit in Austin. This past week with my sweet brother has been so much fun. Although I am still stressed, an easy conversation with him makes my smile, always. So, this weekend came and went in a blur- and with it, Fourth of July came and went. I cannot honestly say that I watched or even heard a single firework. Poor Sam. But, he did have a great time that day! Jordan was at the fire station, so I took Sam up to visit and he got an earful and first hand experience with some of the equipment.

Light and Sirens

Learning about the difference between the Truck, Ambulance and Engine.
Being sneaky-placing a popping firework in the hitch of the door, so when it closed it would popBreathing O2

Gearing up- Flippy Flops and all!

What a CUTIE!

My husband-> life-saver

After the fire station visit, Sam and I rented some movies and went home to our house full of dogs! We were babysitting the Massey's dog, Libby, over the weekend, so it was a full house!

Sam and Daphnee posing well for the camera

Sweet Girl

I just ask that my family as well as myself be put in your prayers. It is a tough time at the moment that has done a number on my heart and spirit.
Thanks to my sweet friends that have been there for me and listened to me cry- you are greatly appreciated beyond words can express. Love you- you know exactly who you are!