And so it begins....

Ok - we're not really moving to Hicksville, TX. It's Ropesville, Tx, thank you very much, and we really *are* excited about it. My husband has always wanted to live in the country, and I've always wanted my boys to go to school in a small town, so that's what we're gonna do! I've already seen how it's affecting my boys, even though we haven't moved out there yet. (We're moving my grandparent's home to some land we bought, and well - THAT is a whole nother blog by itself) I've seen my eldest start to regain some of the confidence he lost being bullied at his school here in town, and my youngest actually doesn't hate school with the blind passion he's exhibited for the last 4 years. That in itself is a blessing.

I'm also looking forward to being a part of a smaller community. Of course, it may take a while before the locals really accept us "big city types." I'm hoping that having family out there already will help some. And it turns out that a girl I went to high school with, has also moved *her* family out there. Our oldest children were actually in the same daycare when they were little. How's *that* for a weird coincidence? So maybe that will help. Once we get moved, we'll be able to visit the churches (hey - this is west Texas - EVERY town of 500 has at least 3 churches - Baptist, Methodist & Catholic. Although I hear tell Ropes actually has 4 - but only because they're down to one Church of Christ church now.) and hopefully get back to going regularly. I've really missed that.

I grew up going to church - every Sunday morning, every Sunday night, every Wednesday night. And it just feels weird when we aren't going. Oh - it's *easier* - without a doubt. But weird. And I worry about the boys not having that foundation. We found a church we really liked in Lubbock - but it was across town - and while 20 minutes may not seem like a long drive to you REALLY big city types, it was such a major ordeal to get everyone up and ready and over there in time for church...

Who am I kidding? We got lazy. There' s no excuse. We should be going and we're not. I can say it's a long drive, or that I'm not up to getting the boys up and ready and over there by myself during hunting season or whatever. It's still just me taking the easy way out. It's so easy to get caught up in secular life in town - I'm hoping being out in the country will help us *all* to get closer to God. Focus less outside our family and more on it. We can hope.

Wow - this is turning out to be alot longer than I planned. Not that anyone knows it's here - but if anyone happens across my little corner of the net, hi! Welcome! And for pete's sake - comment so I feel loved and noticed ;-)!