a little different down here

We moved to TX the end of May so we have been here about 6 weeks or so. There have been a few things that are a little different that I have noticed verses the upper Midwest.

>The grocery store closest to us is an H.E.B. Plus. This may mean nothing unless you are a true Texan. This place has a huge variety of everything including but not limited to… electronics, toys, housewares, grilling and outdoor, party supplies, clothing, fresh sushi, butcher, organic/natural items, jewelry, floral shop, bakery, and much more. The first time we went in here we just walked around and looked at everything in the grocery store for well over an hour! And to keep our kids entertained long enough to be able to do that says something. = )

>I know that coming from ER, GF, and B doesn’t count as coming from a ‘city’ so moving to SA was truly a wake-up call in regards to traffic and city life. There are so many interstates, highways, and access roads it is enough to drive you mad (no pun intended, hahaha). I have truly become dependent upon my google map app on my phone to get me from point A to point B. The city is essentially set up like a wheel with a loop running around the central area of the city then another around the outer city. Then there are several that run right through the city. So traffic is alright if you know how to navigate 1604, 410, 35, 37, 10, 90, 87, & 281 just to name a few.  In addition to the roads there are also 3 military branches that have recently merged to add to the confusion.

>I had the privilege of experiencing a few substantial rainstorms but a few days ago we had a thunderstorm. And HOLY SMOKES. I heard the loudest thunder I have ever heard in my LIFE. The kids were running around the yard with their swimsuits on enjoying the rain while H and I were on the porch. The thunder was so loud and so long poor little H probably should have had ear protection on.  I can’t even describe how loud it was. It was unreal.

>The customer service down here is also unreal. When we go shopping (anywhere… Target, WalMart, H.E.B., CVS, Walgreens, etc, etc) associates are always asking if they can help or how our day is going or they stop and chat with the kids. In ND or MN I never had such amazing customer service. The people working down here actually like their jobs! Weird right?! 

>Last but certainly not least, people seem to enjoy seeing our family out and about. Now I know everyone is entitled to their own opinion but our family is what it is and we would not have it any other way. But let’s be honest. We have a big family and it is not very often that a couple in their early 30s have six kids. It is almost unheard of. Naturally there are always the nay-sayers and debbie-downers but we have not come across any down here (yet). Up north I would frequently get rude comments from complete strangers about my family size but down here we have got nothing but compliments.