Texas is so much more than just home to the most beautiful women in the free world, Dr. Pepper, and King George (well, the only King George that matters anyway). Being a Texan is a lifestyle and by God, you’re proud of it. If you aren’t, well, you left when you were young or we don’t claim you either. Being Texan is a lifestyle all it’s own that includes (but is not limited to): - Learning Texas history in a separate class than American history. It’s vast and worthy of its own hour in school, dadgummit. - Yessir / Yes ma’am. Learn it, use it, love it. - Homecoming mums and garters. Why ruin a brand new shirt with a giant, 25 pound corsage with bells? Tradition, that’s why. - Cowboy hats and boots. With tuxes? Absolutely. With slacks? Sure. With jeans? Oh yeah. To work? Yep. But these are NEVER the same. You acquire enough that there’s a boot hierarchy in your closet. - Insane drives. Christmas in Amarillo where it snows and a beach house in South Padre y’all! Be ready for a 12 hour drive, though. For perspective, a 12 hour drive North of Amarillo will take you through four states to Sturgis, South Dakota. Other states mock our state pride, why would they understand? It’s our blood and sweat that fought for this land and it’s our traditions that we maintain. “You may all go to hell and I will go to Texas.” - Davy Crockett

There is a very special little girl in my life that in the very beginning, was only supposed to be passing through; her presence only temporary before a more permanent home found her. She was just a newborn baby when I first saw her at the hospital. Even though I had my hands full with my brother that day, I vividly remember seeing Aubree because she was so tiny in the NICU machine and looked so much like a prune that it might be funny if it wasn’t so odd for babies to be that size and color. Aubree is my little sister and that day was August 26, 2005. The day we found out my step-mom was addicted to methamphetamine. That was the beginning of a 5 month, uphill battle. We were warned every day of the problems she would have. She left the NICU and has survived 16 years without a single deficit. This is a girl who has visited her mom in prison countless times and when her mom is out and living with her boyfriend, Aubree does a sweep of the house to confiscate drugs that she finds so her youngest brother (4 years younger) wont ingest them on accident. Aubree, our brother, and I have “family dinner nights” every week at my house and each week she amazes me more with her maturity, purity, grace, and soft heart. She tells me I’m the closest she’s ever had to a mom and she appreciates what I do, but I don’t have the heart to tell her that it’s her who is healing me. Reminding me that in this crowded and broken world, God is still here and he is so good if we will all slow down and listen.