The first week in Texas

After 16 hours of driving, an overnight stop in Mississippi with friends, and many stops along the way, we finally made it to Texas on July 21st. We were so sad to leave our families and friends, but so excited to get here and get settled. The movers gave us a window of 4-14 days of when they would be here with our things so we had to be here in case they showed up. After several calls from the driver saying he was "delayed" and ten nights of sleeping on the floor, our things FINALLY showed up on Tuesday. We were so excited to see our things and have our bed to sleep in!! This is what our apartment looked like for almost 2 weeks!

While we waited for our things to arrive, we explored the city and got familiar with the area. We also got lots of things done including registering our cars and getting our new Texas license plates and drivers licenses.

We also had to return our SC plates to the DMV and that was a little sad :-(

While exploring Waco, I took several pictures to share with you. I think I have sent most of these to our families already, but wanted to document them on the blog as well. 

This is Pat Neff Hall. This is one of the main buildings on Baylor's campus. When Baylor wins a game, the top of this building (which you can't see in the picture) lights up green. 

This is me with Judge Baylor, the founder of Baylor University.

They just built a new Science building which is AMAZING and huge. This is the clock tower on that building

This past Sunday, we went up to Cameron Park, a local park here in Waco. It is really beautiful and has lots of biking and hiking trails. The Brazos River flows through Cameron Park. Here are a few pictures from our day.

After we left Cameron Park, we went back over to Baylor to walk around. The campus was like a ghost town but that will all change in a couple of weeks when students are back! The Brazos River also flows through Baylor's campus and this picture was taken from over by the baseball stadium.

Dad, I took these pictures for you :-) This is the baseball stadium. We are hoping to get tickets to the games when you come and visit!!

Dad, this one is also for you. I hope you like Chuy's as much as we do because we sure have talked it up! 

You know how everyone says everything is bigger in Texas? I am really starting to believe that is true! Everything just seems bigger here. Everyone drives a truck or SUV, The stores are bigger (The Target here is called Target Greatland!!), the sky is bigger and football is REALLY big here in Texas! There is even a magazine specifically for Texas football

This is a MIDDLE SCHOOL stadium! Yes, middle school. 

Big flags :-)

All in all, we are doing really well and we really like it here in Texas. While we are really missing our family and friends, we are making new friends here and are excited about all of the new adventures that we are going to have here. Grant starts at Baylor in a couple of weeks and he is very excited about that. There is a new faculty dinner in a couple of weeks and we are excited to go and hopefully meet some people who are in the same situation that we are in. Although I have enjoyed this time off of work,  I am very anxious to start working again. I have applied for several jobs at Baylor and have made several contacts here in town for other possible job opportunities. Last but certainly not least, Bella is doing really well. She is happy and seems to be adjusting well. She is such a trooper :-) 

Things are new. Things are exciting. Life is good.  We miss South Carolina dearly but are adjusting well to our new home :-)