Choices

CORRECTION: I was so excited to throw myself a pity party that I forgot Heidi's mom spent a week here shortly after Henry was born and Heidi's dad spent a day here when he was passing through for business. My bad. Maybe I was just thinking of my side of the family.

Heidi went to Utah this past week to see her brother off on his mission. During this time several people have asked me why I did not go. Setting aside my disdain for Utah culture it would have been nice to escape the Houston heat and humidity, see family and friends, and enjoy the mountains. However, we have a few trips planned and I can only take so much time off of work so I had to make a choice. I could have taken work off and gone to Utah but I would have to go without one of the following three planned trips:

1. Next week Heidi, Henry, the dogs and I are going to New Orleans to meet some friends for four days. During that time we hope to eat fried dough in the most corrupt city in the country, go to the D-Day Museum, check out the local Dog Parks (a ritual we do on every vacation), ironically go to a BYU football game and enjoy one of the most unique cities in the country.

2. In October Heidi, Henry, the dogs, and I are going to Austin for a few days. While there we will participate in the charitable event "Walk for Farm Animals," go to the LBJ Presidential Museum, eat at Mr. Naturals, go to Red Bud Isle Dog Park (only the coolest dog park we have ever seen), and perhaps this time we can check out one of Austin's many musical venues.

3. In December Heidi, Henry, the dogs and I are driving across the American Southeast to get to Florida for Christmas at Pop-Pop and Gaingi William's home. While there we hope to see the manatees, check out a School of Asian Medicine, go to some dog beaches, and enjoy the plethora of fun outings available in the Tampa Bay area.

I look at that list and can't believe I am second guessing not going to Utah! I feel like I made the right choice. I mean sure the mountains are great but Texas has plenty of outdoor opportunities. I do miss my family and friends but they rarely came to see us in Vegas and other than the Andersons nobody has come here so until they put in a little effort to see us down in the Lone Star State it is hard to reciprocate.

But what do you think? Did I do the right thing? It would have been nice to see Andrew's farewell talk (I really am proud of him for taking this huge step in life) but I only have so much time and money at my disposal. What would you have done? By not going well probably be able to have one other short trip in November, something we would not be able to do if we had spent all that time and money going up to Utah. I don't know, maybe I'm just a jerk, but life is too short to keep going back to the same place I have been so many times before.

P.S. I sure do miss Heidi and Henry...they are my best friends.