Another Trip to Texas

Two weeks ago today we were travelling down to Texas to see our kids.  Our “kid” Aaron went with us, somewhat compliantly until the morning we left.  The reality of actually leaving the house and his room and all his things was too much for him to handle gracefully. 

All during the packing process I encouraged him to downsize what he took.  For instance, I told him to take the one Handy Answer book he was reading…not five.  He won’t read five books in the next three years.  That’s because he will ONLY read at night before bed, a few pages, and nothing so far has ever changed that reality for him.  He agreed to this deal, but as I was putting something in one of his bags, I uncovered two extra Handy Answer books that he had hidden from me under some clothes.  I removed them, saying nothing.  He put them back, saying nothing.  HaHa!  We finally agreed on taking one extra book, which of course was never opened. 

We also let him use his money to buy a Nintendo game he had wanted.  He bought it two days before we left, but the game was in our possession until he walked into Kyle and Andrea’s house in Texas.  Call it bribery if you want, but we call it another of our clever survival tips for traveling with an autistic child.  Survival for us even more than Aaron.

Other than dragging Aaron kicking and screaming out of the house on the morning we left…not literally, but almost…he did great on this trip.  I’ll start my photo dump now. 

Happy Aaron blowing his straw wrapper on me at Quik Trip. 

Spending Easter morning at church with Kyle and Andrea.  A huge blessing!

Then giving Aaron the basket that Andrea made for him.  Sweet sister!

He helped Kyle gather sticks before their new fence was installed the next day.  Kyle is great about getting Aaron involved with activities. 

He fed the dogs every chance he got!

Our big outing was to NASA.  He was having a slow day physically and mentally, but he loves telling everyone about that day.

Our son, Andrew, was in town for an NHRA race.  He got to come over for dinner one night.  What a joy to have us all together, even briefly.

Gary, Andrea, and I went to the race on Saturday while Kyle stayed home with Aaron.

And on Sunday, their Monster Energy team won!!  Sadly, we were unable to be there that day.  ☹

I love the love that Andrea, Kyle, and Andrew show to Aaron.  I wish I had a picture of Kyle trying to teach Aaron to do push-ups while we were at the track. Or one of him the night we arrived giving Aaron the special game he bought him.  😊

The week was packed with much more, but I’ll end this now with a funny story:

Background:  For years my family has had fun with my association with cows, as in cow Patty.  I also go by Moo as much as Mom.  😂

On our way to Houston, we stopped at our favorite tourist center/rest stop in Oklahoma City.  Aaron was ecstatic that Gary told him he could buy me a little stuffed cow.

Aaron decided to explain his purchase to the clerk at the cash register.

Loudly.

“I’m buying this for my mom because she’s a COW!!”

I explained as best I could.

Then she pointed me to a bag of candy.

Cow Patties.  😂😂😂

Thanks for reading!  Have a wonderful weekend!

Author: Patty hesaidwhatks

I'm Patty and I write about our adult son who has Epilepsy and Autism, who still lives with my husband and me, and who is a package full of many surprises and joys and challenges and TALK! Lots of talking, which creates laughter and some other reactions as well. I also write about how God shows Himself to me in everyday life.

36 thoughts on “Another Trip to Texas”

  3. Oh Patty. What a sweet, uplifting story (after you survived the Handy Answer books saga). I had been eagerly awaiting your story about the trip though I got some peeks of it with your face book pictures. What a great Easter. You and Gary are blessed with 3 wonderful kids and 1 wonderful son in law and two silly, squirrel chasing grand dogs. I have loved getting to know all of them through your blogs and face book posts. Love you.

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  5. How wonderful that, in spite of challenges, the trip to Houston went well overall, that Aaron had so much to smile about during those two weeks. Look at those ear-to-ear grins in every picture–except when he’s focused on blowing a straw wrapper at you or on his next SKip-Bo (?) play! That’s a mighty cute cow he picked out for you. I see lots of love and affection in that gift! P.S. How’s the downstairs renovation coming along?

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    1. He really was serious in that Skip-Bo game. So funny! Yes, he did really well once we got him in the car and started driving. Ah, the renovation. Luke, our contractor, is building our kitchen cabinets on site and he’s made great progress. Bless his heart, he can’t find or keep good workers. I hear that same story from so many work places now. That’s why this project has taken so long but we’re well set here and it’s not a problem. Our template for the countertops was made on Friday and they’ll be installed on the 10th. We’re getting there! Take care, Nancy, and have a great week.

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  6. Oh Patty, your closing story made me laugh out loud! The love your children have for one another is clearly evident in the pictures you shared. What a gift the Lord has given you in your family:)

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    1. I’m glad you laughed, Beth. I sure did! 😁 I truly am thankful for our children. Like you say, they are a gift from God. A sweet gift and I love them dearly, including our son-in-law. Hoping you have a very blessed week, Beth!

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  8. So many great stories, so many great pictures, and I know “someone” is a challenge, but love how you show us negotiations can make things work. Love how all of your family loves well. The closing story is priceless! Oh Aaron…, oh cow patties! LOL!

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  10. ❤️❤️❤️Thank you for sharing yet another wonderful adventure with us. Felt like I was right along with you all — from the pictures to the description!! Beautiful family Patty (cow Patty should I say or maybe that’s only for the family😂❤️)
    p.s. I actually have a cousin who helps on a funny car team..I’ll have to find out which team it is!

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      1. My cousin is Joe Cannon..Kalitta Motorsports is who he was with for pit crew (I think they have different sponsors: DHL, MAC tools) …he did pit crew for a long time but mom and I looked on Facebook this evening and just in the past year he switched back to the shop building the motors…you’ll have to ask your son if he’s familiar.

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  12. So touching! I am glad Aaron felt more and more comfortable as the trip went on! You have a wonderful family! Great pics! I am from Houston. NASA is really fun place to go! I went to a space camp there as a kid. 😀

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    1. Thanks, Carly! So you’re from Houston? That’s awesome! There sure are many things to see and do there. Space camp at NASA would be amazing! Thanks for following my blog. I look forward to reading more of yours and getting to know you better.

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      3. Yes, it is and it continues to grow! I love Houston but it already is and will continue to be a hot summer. There are so many good restaurants in Houston as well. 😊

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