Before I catch everyone up on everything current, I have got to finish out telling you about this summer before my memories all fade into counting Box Tops.

(prequel – Brian is a dream. He and Julia drove with Riley and Mary Alice. Nate stayed behind to help me with Sebastian and we flew home. We had a few extra days with my family in Texas. My dad asked Nate if he’d like to take a trip to College Station and we all jumped at the chance. It’s only a short 1 hour and 15 minute drive from my parents home and the weather was perfect.

We started off at St. Mary’s Catholic Church. This is the church where I converted to Catholicism. I spoke on Aggie Awakening #50. After we were married at St. Thomas Aquinas, we held our reception in the Fellowship Hall. Nate was so gracious and I showed him around and pointed out every spot that held a memory.

So many dear friends have become priests and sisters. Two of our priest have become Bishops. St. Mary’s is a special, holy place passionate about walking with others on their path to heaven.

Next, we took a trip to ‘bottle cap alley’. When Julia was tiny, I was working one Saturday and Brian’s parents took her out for the day. They have a picture of her in her car seat in about the same place.

The last time I ate here was the day we announced we were expecting Nate! Brian’s sister had just gotten married and we were driving back to Denton. I teased him because that drive was exceptionally long. We kept having to pull over because I was so sick with morning sickness!

These are the dorms Brian and I lived in. Brian was on third floor just on the other side, and I was on the fourth floor across the courtyard. Our rooms faced one another. Just looking at these dorms made my heart skip a beat. We used to sit on the stairs and talk for hours. I’m more madly in love with him today and he still makes me giddy.

Our trip ended at the George Bush Presidential Library. It was so perfect. I told Nate that I was the first graduating Political Science class after the Library opened. It’s so funny how we live a lot of life before our kids that they don’t know about. Trips down memory lane are such a fun way for them to see a little glimpse into more of how we are.

Mom and Dad watched the SNL skits with George Bush. They are still just as endearing and precious.

Thank you, Nate for making it possible for me to stay a few extra days and soak up time with mom, dad, and grandma.

Thank you, Nate for your smiles and hugs and encouragement.

You are such a special young man and I can’t believe I get to take you home with me.