Christmas, Texas Style

Merry Christmas from the Petering Household!

And from our newest members:

Figaro...

And Piccolo...

Zoom, Zoom

It's been 12 years since we bought a new car, so it was time.
Behold - the Mazda 5

Our van was having too many mechanical problems - to the point that we couldn't
trust it anymore.  The 5 is a little smaller, gets great gas mileage, and is loaded with features at an affordable price.

Zoom, Zoom.

Camping Trip to Garner

A few days ago we took an extended-weekend trip to Garner State Park in southwest Texas.  Garner is the number one camping destination for all of Texas.  We had not gone camping for two years, so we were over-due.  This time, we went with four families from our small group at Hope.  We hiked together and explored the Rio Frio together.  We were blessed with beautiful weather as we enjoyed the wonders of creation that our Lord has given us.

Braces Free!

Abby had her braces removed today.  She has been waiting for this day for quite some time - counting down the days.  Look at that million dollar smile!

1st Day of 4th Grade

4th Grade: new school (Windsong Intermediate), new teachers, new friends...learn well Abby and Emma!

Goodbye Old Friend

Our dog, Mercedes, died today.  She was 12 1/2 years old.  She was our first dog.  Sheri and I bought her from a German Shepherd breeder when we lived in Tennessee (before Seminary.)  I don't remember her mother's name, but do I remember her father's - Ace of Spades.  I remember her father because he was very impressive - a huge, sable German Shepherd.  Thus, Mercedes had good genes.  And she demonstrated that fact well all of her life.  She was smart, I usually say, "too smart for her own good."  She was super easy to train.  I think we had her housebroken after only one or two accidents.  She picked up the game of fetch in just a couple attempts as well.  And once she understood that I was the alpha male of the house, she would always come with my whistle.  Mercedes was an excellent hunter.  I've never kept a perfect tally, but here is the record of her kills: 1 rabbit, at least 4 squirrels, a couple of rats, 2 opossum, and one bird that I witnessed her jump up and grab in midair.  Of course, she followed the instincts of her breed and always felt the need to herd something.  Whenever she came inside, she would always check to see where all the cats where.  I think she tried to herd the girls as well when they were just learning to walk.  She was always protective of them and the whole family.  She always kept watch - guarding the backyard in the four houses we called home during her lifetime.  Mercedes was the epitome of loyalty and faithfulness.  Whenever I was anywhere in the house or the yard, she was always right by my side.

During the past year, her health degenerated.  As German Shepherds are prone to do, she developed severe arthritis and weakness in her hindquarters.  She developed major problems with incontinence as well.  In the last of her days, she was in quite a bit of pain.  She lived a very long life by German Shepherd standards. 

Goodbye Mercedes, our loyal friend.  You will be missed.   

Livin' Right in the Lone Star State

We have lived in Texas for just over six years. In that time, we have become more immersed in the culture of the state. Yes, Texas has a culture all its own. We have discovered some "requirements" of calling Texas home. Here is a list of citizenship requirements I have discovered so far:

FOOTBALL - The most blessed sport ranks very close to the Divine in Texas. The state requirement is to participate in some capacity: play it, watch it, coach it, discuss it, etc. Your level of participation does not matter - little league, high school, college, pro - it's just important that you do it. Extreme team loyalty is expected, and encouraged.

BARBEQUE - This is the state food, really, state meal. There is but one proper menu, as follows - smoked beef brisket, baked beans, cole slaw and or potato salad, bread, sliced onion, pickles, iced sweet tea to drink, and for dessert, ideally peach cobbler. No variance or substitutions allowed. The state meal is almost universally served at any large gathering of people. Other meats may be smoked or grilled, but the previous menu is the only true Texas barbeque.

TRUCKS - Pickup trucks a versitle vehicles, that are very useful in many situations. If you have the means to afford and maintain a truck, it is highly recommended that you acquire one - even if you live in a metropolitan area. Brand loyalty (Chevy, Ford, Dodge, etc) runs high and is a source of personal pride.

HUNTING/FISHING - The hunting of deer is an annual event in Texas that almost knows no bounds. Everyday life and activities cease to exist at the opening of the season as equipment is purchased and prepared, trips planned, and weapons locked and loaded. Speaking of equipment, be prepared to open your wallet. That 100 or so pounds of deer meat will be the most expensive piece of meat you own once all costs are factored in. But that doesn't matter, it's all about the experience. Fishing, particularly along the Gulf Coast, is a year-round affair. It can be a less expensive means of recreation, unless you buy a boat, then your costs will exceed hunting exponentially.

RODEO - Not just any rodeo, but the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo.  It's the largest in the nation.  Every early spring all of Texas gathers together for this 3 week event.  And it's not just cowboys riding bulls. There's acres of vendors selling their wares, amusement rides, agricultural education opportunities, and music concerts every evening.  No invitation required, just show up.

BOOTS - Cowboy boots are the required footwear. They go well with trucks, barbeque, and well, pretty much everything on this list. Just go buy a good pair.

BLUEBONNETS - the Bluebonnet (Lupinus texensis) is the state flower of Texas.  It blooms all over most of Texas in the early spring as wildflowers filling open fields in a sea of blue.  They are beautiful to see.  What is required of all Texans is to photograph your children sitting among them.  Your photos are to be placed on your wall or mantle, or on your Facebook page.

BUC'EES - It's a gas station and it is a required stop for all Texans.  A number of their locations are huge.  We're talking something like 40+ gas pumps, 30-50 thousand square feet of everything you can imagine for sale inside.  But the real reason you must stop at Buc'ees are their bathrooms.  We are talking stalls that go on to the horizon.  Buc'ees is the perfect stop before or after a long day of football, hunting, fishing, or rodeo.  And here's the best news: soon we will be able to fulfill our state requirements without traveling halfway across Texas!  They are building their largest facility, 60,000 sq. feet, in Texas City - but 15 miles from my home.  How awesome!

Texas friends: am I missing anything?  Let me know!

Milo...RIP

This morning, we had to put down one of our cats, Milo. He died of possibly cancer, or a gastrointestinal disorder. This is his story: Milo blew into our family in 2008. He literally “blew” into our neighborhood during Hurricane Ike in September of that year. Nobody had seen him before the storm. But there he was - a stray, but very affectionate cat. We asked all around if he belonged to anyone, but no one claimed him. So we added him to our family. At first, we called him “Ike” for obvious reasons. But once we got to know his personality, we had a better name in mind. He was very much like Milo in the movie “Milo and Otis.” He loved to get into everyone’s business. He antagonized our other cats to no end, and was always full of mischief. So, the name stuck. He loved to play – especially under the bed sheets while you tried to make the bed. He was always ready to eat just about anything. When startled, his backside jumped farther than his front, almost flipping him backwards. He was certain the random pencil or piece of thread was a clear and present danger and needed to be subdued. Milo liked to get in the way of the TV or computer monitor while you were watching. He just wanted attention and love, and he got it. He will be terribly missed. The Lord gives, and the Lord takes away. Blessed be the Name of the Lord.

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