Gulf Shores was amazing. The whole Howard family was there, and it was wonderful for Stephen to get to see all the things and places I have told him about. I thought I would include this picture because it sort of looks like a TV Soap Opera DVD Set cover. Don't you think? Maybe it just reminds me of The OC Cover.
As soon as we got back from Gulf Shores, we moved to Houston! Unfortunately, I was a complete shut-in last week due to a terrible cough/cold, but am finally feeling like myself again! Our apartment is really shaping up and most of the unpacking is done with a few exceptions, which I keep promising Stephen I'll get to. He, of course, had all of his stuff unpacked and most of our house/kitchen/misc. stuff unpacked within 48 hours. He kept opening boxes and forcing me to tell him where everything should go. I whine, but I'm glad he is somewhat OCD and determined to get things done quickly; otherwise, we probably would have nothing unpacked. I've been having some fun with DIY projects as well and will post photos later of both the apartment and my projects. We even have a mini-garden complete with herbs (mint, oregano, and a huge basil plant) and some flowers. I feel so domestic these days.
I'm getting used to the city, and it really does feel like such a big city after Waco and suburban Austin. Almost had a heart attack driving into the city on our moving day and have promptly avoided any highway driving since. However, we are beginning to find our own little niche in the downtown south/West U/Bellaire area. My aunt (who lives 5 minutes away in West University) has helped out a ton! Everything really is so convenient that you don't even have to get on the highway to get anywhere you need to go. Except IKEA, which Stephen drove to for our first trip. I am needing to make a second trip, so I'm sure I'll be pulling out my trusty Garmin soon and relying on it heavily. If only it had a built in tranquilizer for my nerves on those massive 6-lane highways. I know it's a cliche, but the term "urban jungle" always comes to mind.
In other news, I had my first job interview for a 5th grade teaching job in Clear Creek on Monday! The interview went great (in my opinion) but I didn't get the job offer. I feel encouraged to have gotten an interview in such a great school district, however. It was just what I needed to feel like hope is not lost. Honestly, I know I couldn't bring myself to turn down a teaching job, so I hope and pray that the one I am offered will be the place God has prepared for me. Trust trust trust. That's my motto these days. Also with meeting people since I feel like I haven't met anyone yet! We are going to try our first church here this coming Sunday, so I'm hoping for community there.
We have so many visitors coming this next month, which I'm so excited about. I'll post soon with apartment pictures.
