On the road again.

Ok, so it's been kinda busy, which is why it's been so long since my last post. Here's the quick update on what has happened since our trip to Dallas...

First of all, Joseph found a place to rent while he's in Artesia, which is a real answer to prayer, if not all that comfortable. :) His boss has a travel trailer that he's letting Joseph rent quite affordably, and much cheaper than staying in a hotel. It certainly does the job, and we only get worried when those big summer thunderstorms come through, not to mention tornado warnings! Luckily he's close to shelter and can make it to the shower house if the weather gets too hairy. But let me tell ya, I'll sleep better when he gets to be back in Lubbock full time.

I flew up to Salt Lake City at the end of May for a client training for two days. It was good as business trips go, and I was really amazed at the beauty of SLC. I had no idea that it was such a pretty place to live. Guess I've only ever thought about deserts and the Mormon temple. Turns out there's a very large lake there, and really impressive snow-covered mountains. (If I'd been paying more attention in geography, I would have known that.) From SLC, I flew down to Albuquerque to meet up with Joseph and some of our other friends for a wedding over Memorial Day weekend. We had a good time, and I was also impressed with the scenery there, but in a different way. Albuquerque has some really great views of the mesa and Sandia mountain range bordering the city. The weather is arid, as expected, but slightly cooler than west Texas because of the higher elevation. I wouldn't mind living there either. Basically, I'm a big fan of arid weather, so anywhere in the west/southwest region of the U.S. works great with me. It was kind of strange to meet up with Joe in another city, and then go our separate ways, but I'm trying to get used to this summer arrangement of him working in another state. Of course it was wonderful to have the time together again.

I got back from Albuquerque, and immediately began preparing for my parents to come visit. They arrived late on Wednesday night that week, and stayed through late Friday night when they had to leave for Denver to catch their flight back home. (They were in Denver earlier in the week for a friend's graduation from the Air Force Academy.) We had a nice visit with them, and it was good to be able to show them around the area. We had a good time planting more flowers on the patio, and adding to the potted herb garden I've started. Joseph was able to get off work on that Friday, so he was able to spend time with them as well, for which I was very grateful.

The following week, we had VBS at our church, and I volunteered to lead a group of 9 children (ages 4-6) through the "water park", which was our VBS theme. I really like that age group, but things can get a little out of control when there's 9 of them at the same time. Good thing this is only one week in the summer...

...Which brings us up to this week. I'm in Midland this week, which is about 2 hours south of Lubbock. Joseph's company is holding a new hire training for him here at a hotel for the whole week. Since the hotel has direct internet access in each room, my boss graciously allowed me to come to Midland with Joseph and work from here, instead of home. I'm so very glad that we get to be together this week. Due to technology, I'm able to do all the same functions here for my job as I can back at home, even the phone! gotta love that VOIP.

Well, that's the update for the Pattersons. Hope you're all doing well.