Living in Texas. A Coloradian and Oklahoman

The hottest summer ever recorded in Texas was this summer 2011. What a joy that Travis and I got to share in this record...not really. We didn't have rainfall from May(ish) to August. Texas almost broke the record for consecutive days with temperatures over 100 degrees...but I ruined it..but really. For my birthday-August 25- I asked the Lord to give me rain for a birthday present cause I just love rain. I prayed and expected. August 25th I woke up and screamed when I looked out the window and saw lightening. I saw it in the distance and was thankful that at least some of Texas got my birthday present. Then went downstairs to drink coffee with Travis. All of a sudden, he yells, "NO WAY!" and runs to the balcony and opens the door to a pouring rain. Tell me how this happens on the hottest summer ever recorded with temperatures making 100 feel cold and almost breaking the consecutive over 100 record.... you can't explain it. Its because the Lord blessed me the most on my birthday and answered my prayer in a mighty way. Pray with expectations.

We have been doing really well in Fort Worth. Travis is still working for Dale Properties and got transferred to the SWAT team. Sounds fearsome. Its because my husband is muscle man and can handle anything. But what he actually does is leases in a different area that only certain people were selected to take part of. He is amazing.

I am working at Kelley Orthodontics as a Dental Assistant and have been working there since June! I absolutely love it. Let me give you a glimpse of my working environment:
-Wake up at 6 a.m and get to the office at 7:15 a.m
-Patients are seated at 7:30 a.m
-I put on my mask, snap my gloves on, and tell them "everything is going to be ok, I am new at this and just guess which instruments are used for stuff and you will bleed.." just kidding.
-I can do about half of the appointment usually...my knowledge is still increasing everyday!
-I get to meet new people and KIDS! I love it!
-Lunch Break for an hour and 15 min. Tuesdays and Thursdays our staff (minus Dr.) go power-walking through the mall. Yes, its a great picture...all of us in our scrubs power walking, power talking through the mall and an occasional drop off to see a store.
-I am the youngest person on staff by 10 years. I love working with Moms that take care of me, grandmas that are so hilarious and awesome and everyone asking what a Twitter is and how to do it. Its an incredible environment. I think its so cool how I am the youngest there and I am used to being with people alot younger than me or my age- Fifth and Sixth graders. The Lord is stretching me in beautiful ways.

Travis ESPN: Rangers. Go.

Tricia's Randomness: We recently went to Colorado for Carole Anns Wedding! (Travis sister) It was gorgeous and absolutely filled with joy from the Lord. I just love Travis' family. When I see them, I honestly feel like they have been in my life as long as the Lipperts or Alabacks have. I tear up seeing them and tear up saying good-bye. They are so close to my heart. I am so blessed to have the best new family.

Tuffy Tales: Well, I just can't help myself sometimes. Mom and Dad left me and my first thought was to go up to the bathroom, get into the trash can and spread out Moms female products all over the bed. It made sense to me.. Mom was gagging and grossed out when she saw..

Joys and Pains of Learning: Travis and I just laugh a ton. We recently just dropped tuffy on our friends -the Hamons- porch and rang the door bell and left. They came outside to a barking Tuff and no us. It was funny. We came back and just hung out with them. We decided we love just being random and laughing. Encourage you to do the same!

The Napping House

There was a book my parents read to us when we were little called,The Napping House. "In the Napping House where everyone is sleeping..there is a.. (and this is where I add my story) dog laying on a girl, a girl laying on a bed, a boy laughing at the girl...in the napping house where everyone is trying to sleep." This happened today, Travis and I love our Sunday naps that last 2-3 hours. Tuffy kept looking at us from the floor holding his toy duck -Tuck- and wanting to be on the bed with us. When I give in, thats the key for him to jump up and lay right in the middle of Travis and I...our 85 pound lab. And he chooses to lay his head on me and sprawl out on me. My parents told me that their Dashound-Hans- used to sleep in the middle of them at the beginning of their marriage and that made me think...I bet that was alot easier to deal with a 15 pound dog doing that!

We are going to see the final Harry Potter tonight with the Watsons. No, we are not dressing up. Little late for that, not to mention weird. Cough Libby Francis.

Travis' ESPN: When is the TCU football stadium going to be done?

Tricia's Randomness: I love my jobs. Working with 5/6 graders and training to be a Dental Assistant in the best Orthodontics office ever. And I am getting braces...I will look 13 again.

Tuffy's Tales: Well, I went to Grandpas house to swim. I stuck two paws in and froze. I don't know if I can swim for a long time from my surgery. I might have Hydrophobia.

Joys and Pains of Learning: Heard that the first year of marriage is the muscle building year...definitely could see why. Building the foundation for years and years to come. My friend Alison Kelley told me, "God gave us two ears to listen, one mouth to speak.." Think and listen before you speak.

A Beautiful Refresher

Pictures: Travis and I's date when we went to paint and then of course Sweet Sammies after!
Me and my 3 best friends from high school, Meg, Libby, Maddie
Tuffy and his inflatable protector so he doesn't lick his scars.

We had a refresher this week from our drought. Rain. It was beautiful. Travis and I were sitting in our kitchen and I saw through the crack of the closed blinds a little of the sky and go, "Oh my gosh its cloudy!" And sure enough we got some rain and how amazing it was not to be in the 100's! Thank you Lord

Travis and I are having a relaxing weekend. We actually held out for one week to eat Sweet Sammies on Friday night. Saturday, we went over to our friends the Watsons to watch Harry Potter. Never watched the HP movies until we all decided to see them and they are ok. Probably wouldn't be a nerd and dress up for the movies, cough Libby Francis. :)

Travis went over to play video games with some of his guy friends last night. Manly. He won..what did he win? His answer: Pride.
My hero.

At church today we are starting to study Nehemiah. What I love about our pastor is that he dives into scripture giving us Godly qualities to pursue and challenge us with. For example, Nehemiah was very compassionate. The Lord searched for someone with a heart that is compassionate. Compassion is:
Asking someone "Really How Are You Doing!? Don't flippantly ask...truly ask how they are doing as a whole.."
Weeping about someones hardships or pain
Praying for others
Relating with others-humbling ourselves
Hopes for others

Do we have confidence in God's love and mercy?
Confidence in Gods Faithfulness?
In His Power?

Compassion risks it all for others..

Do you feel like you are a compassionate person?

Loved the sermon, as always convicting.

Travis ESPN:

Tricia's Randomness: I popped a bracket this week on a girls mouth as I was taking off her colored bands on her braces. I didn't tell her I did it, but I told the staff. I felt pretty bad cause it is just another couple of steps to take in order to put the bracket back on. Dr Kelleys response, " Tricia, sadly that won't be the last...you will have many more of those." What a great boss. I love where I work and what I am doing!

Tuffy Tales:Well Mom took me to the Vet again. As we pulled up to the clinic, I started howling cause I was so excited to see everyone...kept howling in the little building at everyone...got everyones attention and mom kept trying to shh me and put her hand over my mouth..kept howling...made sure everyone knew I was there. They thought I was a beagle by my bark. Oh and I think the said I might have torn my other leg and get surgery...again! NO! The squirrel population is going up and I am not there to take care of it because I am on a leash and restriction.

Joys and Pains of Learning: I just want to take this moment to tell you all how wonderful my husband is. I have been working 60-70 hour weeks because I am doing full time ortho and christ chapel hours. And Travis has never once complained or that he didn't want me to go hang out with kids on week nights, he even leaves the house when girls bible study comes over, he cooks dinner, cleans the house, the laundry and always asks me "what can I do to make it easier on you?" So selfless and I am so blessed. That is a joy in learning for sure, how to serve one another selflessly....hard but incredible.

Burns/Bowles Weekend

This weekend we have Travis' Cousin Brooke and her husband Doug Burns kids-Mary Beth and Austin staying with us! (I need to learn how to do apostrophes..who wants to correct and teach me?) The Burns lived in Costa Rica as missionaries for 4 years. It was such a blessing to have them close to me while I was in Costa Rica to go get filled up with family time and love. They are truly an amazing family. Yesterday, we went and saw Captain America, went to our favorite BBQ spot-Coopers- and then of course topped of our night with delicious Sweet Sammies. We walked into Sweet Sammies and were greated by the owners-Kelly and her husband Dan- and Austin asked us how we know them...uh its because we go there all the time..Regulars. Then we got them hooked on Lost and watched that till midnight.

Today we are planning on splitting up and MB and I going shopping and the boys something with sports and getting hurt or whatever.

Travis' ESPN: Every College Football Player reported to their camp on Wednesday. TCU ranked number 15 in the country, CU has the toughest schedule in the country, OSU could be the dark horse in the Big 12, shaping up to be a great football season.

Tricia's Randomness: Went to Tulsa/OKC last weekend for Libby and Ali's Nursing Graduation from OU and then Ali's bachelorette party at White Water Bay. So fun, I love my friends. Crazy story though. We were leaving White Water and heard screaming and turn around and a woman was having a massive seizure, eye rolled back, foam out of the mouth and then she hit her head so there was a pool of blood around her. Ok...so my fear is fainting. Even when people roll their eyes that makes me weak. So this was frightening in the least and shook all of us up for awhile. But on a happier note, Ali and Matthew are getting married the last weekend in August and they are just an amazing, Godly couple that we are so thrilled to walk alongside of them in marriage.

Tuffy Tales: Well, I am still on this leash thingy and don't like it. I made a new bestie last night, her smell was like fresh bones, they call Mary Beth.

Joys and Pains of Learning: We went on a unusual date on Wednesday. We went to this place called Painting with a Twist. You bring your own bottle of wine and go learn how to paint the "object" of the night. We painted a sunset and it was so fun for us to go do something different! This week take your hubby or wifey on a date and do something different!!

June July Journey

Pictures: Us and the Watsons rock climbing. And Andrew and Raelyn Munneke out to dinner in Grapevine!

Well, it has been a long time since we have written, and thanks to my grandma-Grams- I am updating!

Updates:

We have been praying for a married couple that is our age to spiritually walk alongside of and the Lord graciously answered this prayer quickly! Tim and Brittany Watson are our new married couple friends. They also met at Kanakuk which is awesome and fun to share. Travis and Tim get lunch weekly and Brittany is actually pregnant now which is a blessing. We have loved getting sweet sammies with them, going rock climbing, hanging out and all the joy that comes from that.

I (Tricia) have a new job! I had been searching for part time jobs to go alongside of my Christ Chapel intern job with 5/6 and literally a job fell in my lap. The Kelley family is one of our closest families here that we absolutely LOVE. I think I go over to their house 1-2 times a week.. The mom-Alison- has been a great mentor to me this past year and I am close with their daughter-Rebekah- from 5/6. Anyways the husband, John, is an orthodontist. After my whole teeth accident(shout out Emily Travis!) I got interested in the whole process of reconstructing teeth. I shadowed John last semester out of curiosity and he called me in June asking me if I wanted to apply for a dental assistant "in training" job they had open! I went through the interview process with all the lovely ladies that work there and I have been working for over a month now!! I work 7am-5pm Monday thru Thursday and am training to be a Dental Assistant. I love it! I have learned SO much and am exhausted mentally and physically each day from it, but thrive from it! Therefore, I am working there full time and Christ Chapel for 30 hours a week...ya its just a season of craziness.

Tuffy had surgery 3-4 weeks ago on his knee. He tore two ligaments in his left knee and the bone was rubbing against the other bone. They put a plate in there and now we are taking care of our non-insured dog that we love oh so much.

We went on a roadtrip at the beginning of July! We drove through NM, CO, KS, OK and then back to TX. NM was gorgeous, we stayed in Santa Fe and really got to know the city. Its not huge like I thought it would be, its actually small and the buildings don't go higher than 3 or 4 stories! We went to Colorado for the 4th and celebrated with the Haynes. We all went over to Travis grandmothers house for most of the time to hang out there. Love love seeing all of the family. Then we went to Wichita KS for my good friend Briannas wedding. So many great friends were there and it was such a special time. We drove back after the wedding to be in our own house and arrived around 3 am Sunday morning.

We have been burning up in Fort Worth. We had about 15 days in a row with triple digit weather.

We are staying in our townhome for another year.

Travis ESPN: Well, I have gotten into golf lately..

Tricia's Randomness:I am leading a girls bible study for the 5/6th graders every Tuesday night at our house. We have been covering the fundamental truths: Why JESUS had to die on the cross, who we are as humans-sinners, the Holy Spirit, How can we be saved...and I love the questions I get from it. Its interesting how we underestimate kids and what they think or know. They are smart and they are thinking. A question I got was, "Do angels have a choice like we do?" Another girl said, "I know that people say we put Christ on the cross, but I really really wouldn't if I was there at the time.." precious. priceless.

Tuffy's Tales: Well, Mom and Dad did something to me knee and they don't let me get excited or chase squirrels anymore, they even put this rope around my neck to hold onto me when we go outside. Life is changing in sad ways right now.

Joys and Pains of Learning: We have learned so much in these 7.5 months. We are blown away by God's love for us and try to love each other the same way. We are learning about understanding. For example, if I (tricia) had an issue with Travis that I wanted to bring up...its his job to make absolutely sure he is understanding everything I am saying and feeling by asking questions before he can address the issue. Understanding first will save alot of miscommunication awaiting.

Picture Post

First Pic:
Travis, Peter Bay and Jason Bradshaw asleep watching sports at Port Aransas.

Second Pic:
Just a fraction of my precious 5/6 graders!

Third Pic:
Aunt Trese, Barbara and I celebrating the Royal Wedding with royal food :-)

Spring time is here

Many times to catch you all up on!

We spent our Easter weekend rejoicing with our family down in La Grange, Texas at the Ranch. Trav's Moms sister and her husband live on a ranch and had many family members come in for a blessed weekend. Some of our favorite memories are: hanging out with Mary Beth and Austin Burns playing basketball, listening to music, playing no sun softball, Tricia riding a dirt bike for the first time, Uncle Butch's ribs, 80 brownies that were eaten, pool time= tackle travis time and many conversations.

Beach weekend at Port Aransas with some Klife Staff. We drove 6 hours to get to the Texas Coast to stay in a free beautiful home on the beach. We had so much fun playing cards, games, football, walks on the beach, laying out, watching NBA games, going to the grocery store a million times, and laughing.

Anna Alaback our sister came this last weekend. We went shopping at the Allen outlets, ate sushi at our favorite place, Blue, worked out and sat by the pool with Aunt Trese and Barbara, ate lunch at Central Market with family, watched movies and saw friends. Loved having her here!

We have found a church-Hope Works- that we love. This is a church that stretches us and reaches to the unreached people of Fort Worth. Its smaller and the pastor preaches always on scripture which is amazing. We go to a "home group" or small group on Monday nights. There is about 3 other married young couples and 4-6 singles that come. Cool story... an atheist has been attending and is intrigued that we believe Satan tempts you to do certain things and how marriage is set up in the Bible. Pray for Raleigh with us that he continues to come and seek the truth!

Travis' ESPN: Never thought this day would happen... but I think I am becoming an OKC Thunder fan...Go Thunder!

Tricia's Randomness: Travis and I have picked up Tennis. We play often because there are courts at a park within walking distance from us. We played with one of our new, wonderful, married couple friends- Tim and Brittany Watson. We met them through KLIFE and they have been such a blessing to us. Travis and I dominated and got Sweet Sammies (favorite Ice Cream/Cookie place) out of the victory.

Tuffy's Tales: Well at the Ranch, I found this grey looking shell that moved (armadillo) and tried to play with it and got scratched up on my nose and my leg..bad idea. I also found a furry squirrel and tried to smell it (possum) and Dad yelled at me..another bad choice.. I found some new Hispanic friends at the park while Mom and Dad played Tennis. There was a party going on and I became the center of attention. Hispanics love me.

Joys and Pains of Learning: We learned about the Matthew 5:5 verse "Blessed are the MEEK for they will inherit the earth."

Meek means:
Those that let the Lord control
Those that care about unity that being right
They don't have to be recognized for being right
They are just as happy for someone for an accomplishment as they would be for themselves
Those that care for the overall good of the cause rather than over all good for themselves
Those who know they stand under grace and extend that grace to others
Those that can listen and learn from constructive criticism

We know we struggle with this and we encourage you to strive to be MEEK. Personally, I thought that Meek was quiet, gentle and not outspoken..so this was awesome to learn. In everything you do, strive to be MEEK.

Love to all and thank you for reading!
Tricia, Travis and Tuffy the Lovester