Lessons Learned

We've learned a few things about Texas since we moved here. In case any of you have the strong desire to move to Texas, let me offer some helpful advice.

1) Even if you have gone through the hassle of changing your married name over two years ago, Texas doesn't care. You still need to prove you're married when you want to get a Texas driver's license. Even if you have a new Social Security card and a current license with your married name on it. So bring your marriage certificate with you wherever you go.
2) You need to have your car registered in Texas BEFORE getting your driver's license. AND... you cannot do both of these at the same office so be prepared to drive four lights down to the tax office only after waiting in the DMV line for an hour.
3) The DMV is so small that the line goes outside. You'd think that in the hottest state, they would think about this when building DMVs. Thankfully they put some chairs inside for pregnant women.
4) The GPS doesn't work the best in Texas because of frontage roads. The GPS gets very confused, which means you get confused. Now, you could pay to update your GPS but it's doubtful that will help.
5) Mosquitoes come out in full force roughly 6-7 days after a rain storm. They like to hang out by the front door. Buy Cutter Mosquito repellant BEFORE this happens or else you have dozens of mosquitoes inside your house.
6) Always carry an umbrella with you. Random storms come when you least expect them, or at least at an outdoor volleyball tournament where there is one tree in the entire park.
7) In Texas, you can either enroll in a driver's education class or be "Parent-Taught." This fully explains why Texas drivers are crazy. The apple doesn't fall far from the tree. Enroll your children in drivers education for my sanity please.
8) Buy the energy efficient, room-darkening curtains. The price at the store makes you think twice. But then when you hang them, you realize how useful they really are.

You can tell what we've been up to based on the lessons we've learned. Good luck if you decide to move to Texas anytime soon.