December - Winter & Christmas Season

 We're experiencing the winter season for the first time here in Texas. We are anxious to experience all the seasons this new state has to offer. We regularly compare other places we've lived and the temps and weather...Arizona, Idaho, California. Mid-December and its been great thus far, no complaints! We've had a handful of colder overnights dipped into the 40's - days have ranged from 60's to 80's but primarily 70's and just lovely out. We're told Jan into the first week of Feb is the coldest here so we shall see what the next few months bring us!

 The other day we were just talking about the summer and how it really wasn't a huge adjustment to make to the heat here as we've experienced high temps in AZ for a long time. The humidity we thought was going to be a bigger adjustment than it was - it truly wasn't that bad! Of course just like other places we've lived you have those really uncomfortable days but for the most part it was perfectly fine.  

So fall and winter thus far have let us wear light weight long sleeves and even skirts and tank tops!

Leaves are everywhere - the pecan trees around town went bare first and some of the oaks are still full of leaves, others are half bare. It definitely looks more fall-and-winterish here!

 To kick off holiday season, Christmas season, we went to our town's courthouse lighting and Christmas lights parade. It was spectacular. 

This last week we ventured to a town 30 minutes away for their two-day downtown Christmas event and did their drive-through Christmas light tour at the park which lasted an hour and was truly amazing. We did not expect it to be so large! We also went to our church Christmas dinner and were able to talk to new friends and get to know people even more in our new area.

And around here- piggies are still settling in. I love that I can go to our backyard and catch a glimpse of them. 

The holiday season this year is different for us - getting used  to being in a new place, new traditions, new  places to go. We don't have our decorations with us- so no tree this year, ornaments, lights. But we're together, we're happy and we have each other and nothing more matters.

And one more photo that was posted on our community group to share of our town lit up- 

Our girls are HOME to Texas!

 Its been a long time, so long since I've seen mine and my son's pigs. Our girls were boarded mid-March so that we could embark on our 3-4 month (possibly up to 6 month) RV travel trip. Now December - -  9 months later they are finally home. We had no idea when we left them it would be so long or that we would be relocating them 'home' to Texas. God is SO good and ensured their care, safety and bringing them home to us. Between having the most amazing caregiver for our girls while we we traveled, to our awesome new landlord who is providing space on his own land for a pen and cover for our girls, and the caring church family who lent us their trailer when we couldn't find one in time that would work. Miracles, blessings all along the way....and now they are finally home and here with us.

They traveled well, Scarlett better than Ro-Ro but they did amazing for a 2 day trip and an overnight all spent in a trailer.  They have never seen grass in their lives living in Arizona...and now they have green grass everywhere and a big tree above them. They are together, they have cow and chicken friends come over to say hello, they are happy - and we are happy!

I've of course snapped about a million pictures in under a week - they have my heart. A lot of people if you don't have pigs, and have never been around a pot belly pig don't really understand - but they are as bonded and close to our family as your family dog is. But they are smarter! Pigs are incredibly emotional creatures, smart and bond to each other as well as to their caretakers and family. Its a forever bond. When they got home and heard my voice they got excited and came over- they still KNEW me. I tried out their tricks/commands and they still knew all of them. My heart overflows, I love these girls so much. Now for some photo catch up below.....

Traveling from Arizona to Texas - 16 hour trip - 2 days, 1 overnight - - but they had each other!

Seeing grass for the first time and checking out their new home and pen. Cow friends came by to say Hi.

Settling in - getting their meals, getting used to their routine, and getting plenty of belly rubs!

Our happiness, our home. Life together as a family, with our animals, in this place and space, in this town, in Texas. We are just feeling so incredibly blessed.