Justin in Dallas Ya’ll {February 27-March 2}

I (Justin) generally attend one travel training each year and my director asked if I would be interested in going to the Deloitte Telecom conference in Westlake, TX which is about a half hour from where I grew up in Farmers Branch.  A few things were appealing to me:  a chance to be in Dallas and reminisce, time to hang with our good friends Ben and Laura Barlow, warm weather and sunshine, good BBQ plus a shorter travel time to Dallas versus the alternative Orlando. 

I caught an early Saturday morning flight and arranged for the Barlows to pick me just past noon.  It felt great to walk out of the airport in shorts weather.  We made a beeline to Marshall's BBQ in Farmers Branch.  We were regulars there growing up and it tasted just like I remembered - brisket, sausage, cole slaw and okra.  Ben and Laura were impressed as well though the piece of okra I convinced Laura (who hates vegetables) to try was quickly spit out.

We passed Jerry's donuts, which was already closed, but I had to take a picture.  My dad still references this place and how he and I would eat most of the donuts before we ever made it home. 

A quick drive through the old neighborhood brought back memories of my childhood.  The home of my youth looked old and worn down, the roof appeared to be almost falling in, and the lawn was nearly nonexistent. 

We headed back to the Barlows home, hung out for a bit, then headed back out with the kids for dinner in Roanoke.  I was grateful Ben and Laura so willingly obliged my desire to eat BBQ.  We ate at Hard Eight BBQ where you order meat by the pound.  I ordered a monster basket of fries to go with my pound of brisket and sausage.  I came away impressed, moreso than Marshalls. 

Babe's Chicken Dinner House, another popular local joint just down the block, was packed. 

Laura picked up some oh-so-good buttermilk pie at the pie shop for later.  

Ben had a daddy daughter date so I hung out in the movie room watching episodes of Arrow, my new favorite series next to Flash.  Ben came home and we had one of the more enjoyable evenings of watching basketball in a long time.  BYU lost a close game and then we saw the end of the Warriors-Thunder game which blew me away.  So amazed at the skills of Steph Curry.  He shot lights out, 12 3s from all over tieing the record for one game and setting the NBA season record with a third of the season left to play.  Ben and I both were in awe.  I ended up watching another episode or 2 of Arrow so did not get to bed early.

Sunday we attended 8:30am church where I ran in to a couple people I knew, ate some leftover BBQ for lunch and then I took a three hour nap.  I was exhausted.  

Ben and I had a good time making breakfast for dinner.  We made the omelette roll with hash browns and pancakes.  Laura thought we were the quite the spectacle. 

We enjoyed a family walk that evening and a few more episodes of Arrow meant less sleep once again.  

Ben dropped me off at the conference the next morning on the way to work.  I really wanted to get in a good run so decided to run the 2.5 miles to Babe's.  Only two options, half a fried chicken or country fried steak, with bottomless potatoes, salad, biscuits, and corn.  I went with the steak.  Very good.

Deloitte has a really nice facility there in Westlake.  The conference rooms are well done, the hotel rooms are great, a nice fitness room, and the all-inclusive food was better than average for sure.   I got runs in again on Tuesday and Wednesday mornings which I hoped would offset some of the food I was eating.   There were a few folks from work there.  We spent both evenings playing a bit of pool and shuffleboard and made one more trip to Babe's where I had my fair share of fried chicken. The sessions were about what I would have expected.    Overall I came away impressed.  

The flight home felt much longer coming home than heading to Dallas but scoring an exit row both ways made it easier.  I am definitely glad to travel for work only once or twice a year.  The time was short so I did not end up meeting up with old-time friends but it was great to be with the Barlows again and to be in the Dallas area. 

Phone Photo Dump

Drew often puts on other peoples shoes.

Trying on Justin’s new basketball shoes – crazy to think that some day my baby could actually fit into these massive size 16’s    

Abigail’s brown fuzzy boots    

When we go out to catch the afternoon kindergarten bus, Drew usually has on a pair of Katie’s shoes cause they are easy for him to put on himself, but not sooo big that he can’t manage to walk in them.

This is how we found Katie when we checked on her one evening before heading to bed.

Another term down in middle school for Carly and Abigail – Carly just missed a 4.0 with one A- both girls made Honors Society and Abigail continues with her perfect 4.0 academic record.  Megan’s mom sent me this picture of these two friends since I wasn’t able to make it to the awards ceremony.  Best of friends since third grade and pretty much twins – not a week goes by that someone doesn’t mix these two girls up.

We attended our first Boy Scout Blue & Gold Banquet on Thursday, February 25.  The hot dog dinner was a hit for the kids – pretty sure Jason ate at least three.  There were fun games…

One of the games was throwing blue ping pong balls (water) into the box strapped to a boys head (fire).

Another was building the tallest fire (stacking cups).

The surprise guest made Drew’s night!

The kids and I all had dentist appointments last Tuesday.  This was Drew’s first visit to the dentist.  They took him back first.  He sat in the chair, let them put on the bib, raise the chair into position and turn on “Mr. Sunshine” but when it came to opening his mouth he refused.   Not in a whiny way, he just sat there silently with his mouth held firmly shut. 

I suppose I hadn’t prepared him at all for the visit (5th child and all) so he and I switched places.  He sat nearby watching Despicable Me on the TV overhead and glancing occasionally at the hygienist cleaning my teeth.  Guess that was all it took cause when my teeth were shiny and clean, he and I switched places and he sat there mouth open and let the hygienist count and polish his teeth.

He kept sliding further and further down on the chair

Drew also let Dr. Paul poke around.

And then Dr. Paul helped Drew clean some teeth molds – future dentist? Perhaps.

Another sign that my baby is growing up was that last week that kid started zipping around the park on a scooter

And Katie advanced to a larger bike given to us by some friends.

Justin helps out a lot with dishes around here and while I very much appreciate his help I also ask that if he’s going to put dishes in the dishwasher he should probably just start the washing cycle – cause honestly people, I get serious anxiety if I have to fit in more dishes with this sort of randomness – anyone else with me??

This morning I mustered up enough momentum to go to the gym.  I got all dressed and ready and then as we headed out to the car we found we were carless. 

I knew the van was in the shop for new brakes (and apparently transmission work), but my memory often resembles that of Dory and it totally slipped my mind.  Not that I was at all disappointed to miss out on a workout.

Winter Sports Wrap-Up

Both Carly and Jason participated in our winter recreational basketball program these past few months. Justin was the assistant coach for Carly’s team this year.  Carly’s been playing for years and is quite the seasoned player.  This was her final year playing on the rec team and I’m excited to see her playing on the middle school team next year.  She continues to be aggressive and fearless out there - #10  Her team only lost one game though there were a few games in which her team was so far ahead they tried to even out the competition by either passing at least five times before shooting or taking a player off the court.

Carly also just wrapped up her first middle school soccer season yesterday.  Not a single picture to show for it and not a single win.  It can only get better next year – thankfully, she felt good about the season and had fun.

This was Jason’s first year playing basketball.  I was nervous his lack of experience would make it rough for him, but he caught on quickly and scored in many of his games.  His team wasn’t the strongest in the league, but that didn’t bother Jason.  He had a great time and is looking forward to playing again next year - #6

I’m too cheap to by a team picture so I took this with my phone on the sly

Abigail has her final two soccer games for middle school this week.  Again, no pictures as proof.  She’s played left forward for the past several years and this year – new team, new coach – she was moved to defense.  She’s great on defense (the only game they’ve lost so far was one she missed because of dental appointments), but we both miss the action and acclaim of her leading the team in goals.  This may actually be Abigail’s last soccer season ever as her fall league may be switching to Sunday games and the high school soccer season is the same as volleyball and she’s leaning toward volleyball.  Tough decisions to be made for a girl as athletic as Abigail.