2nd Anniversary Trip

May 16th marked our second wedding anniversary. We had a nasty cold and didn't feel too great that day, but luckily we celebrated the previous week when we went to New York City...

We arrived late on a Friday night, so we weren't able to do anything until Saturday. Big Apple Greeters are an organization in NYC that take you around the city. You apply to get a greeter, and like a job, you just wait and hope they pick you. Well, we were picked! So we had a great morning in the city. We spent half of the morning visiting different neighborhoods and the other half checking out Central Park. We passed this building on the way to Central Park, the Dakota, the infamous building where John Lennon was shot.

Central Park by the fountain

Central Park is so beautiful in the spring! The tulips and azaleas had bloomed. It was a nice change from Seattle, where it feels like we're between winter and spring (and have been) for months.

Tulips in the British garden

We went to the gardens in the park. I love tunnels of trees! There was a British, Italian, and French garden here.

Joanna, our Big Apple Greeter, and me in front of the Italian garden

Grand Central Station--I love the hustle and bustle of the city!

Times Square is a madhouse, which is why this photo was taken from the Minskoff Theater.

There's a new park in the city, The High Line, located in the Meatpacking district. It was the most unique park I've ever been to or seen. It follows the train tracks where meat used to be distributed to various businesses.

You can see how the train tracks go through this building.

You can see the Statue of Liberty in the distance. This was taken from The High Line.

View of the Empire State Building from our hotel room

Another view from our hotel room overlooking the Hudson River

Manhattan Bridge

We walked the Brooklyn Bridge. It was designed with pedestrians in mind. We walked in the middle of the bridge, with cars on either side of us.

On our last day we went to the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

We went to one of Mario Batalli's restaurant, Del Posto. It was one of the best meals we've ever consumed! We were given an amuse bouche for dessert and one for an appetizer as well, so we had a five-course meal.

The dessert I ordered, chocolate ricotta torta with olive oil gelato...yummy!!! We had a great anniversary trip!

Houston

Things have been crazy around here due to family issues. Last Monday I left for Houston, TX so I could visit with my family. In case you don't know, I am from there so my extended family lives there, and my parents just moved back there. My grandparents (mom's parents) are both sick now, and I wanted to visit them before anything was too bad. My grandpa has bladder cancer, but doctors think he will be fine after surgery. Yesterday he went in to get another biopsy with an oncologist specializing in the procedure recommended for him. They found out he had blood poisoning due to his catheter, so the biopsy won't be done until tomorrow. My grandma has Alzheimer's, so that adds more stress to the situation. Please keep them and my family in your prayers. But all in all, it was a good visit. I saw family, friends, and ate some good Mexican food and Barbecue! If you ever go to Houston and want to know about some places to eat, I'll give you a list.

Here are some pictures from the visit...

My mom with her parents

Me with my grandpa and grandma

Jean, Mary Jane, and me at Beth Moore's Bible Study on James. They're some of my mimi's friends.

Bible Study was packed! Kari Jobe was the worship leader for the night. It was an amazing night!

Jimmy, Grandpa and Elmer

They love music and have frequent polka jam sessions.

Welcome to Texas (and the Greers' home)...haha!

I was able to visit with Shannon, my best friend growing up. We grew up across the street from each other. And she has family in Atlanta, Huntsville, and up north. We've always been connected even when we're living far away from each other, and it seems as if it's going to stay that way!

Apparently we stalk TLC reality TV stars, but this house was easy to find...look at it! It's very unique! This is Bill and Jen's house from The Little Couple.

The color and the dolphin weather vane gave it away! It's huge!

God Is Good!

God is good...again! It may not be surprising, but it's definitely true. Today I met with my professor about my issue with tutoring, and she was very understanding. So I'm able to get everything done in a timely manner. 

On another note, I can't believe how quickly time is passing! Tomorrow is April! This means that we have lots of wedding and school stuff to complete. It also means we have only a month until the wedding and school is over! Time really moves so quickly. I know, I sound like an old person, "___ will be here before you know it," but it's so true.'

Anyone who knows me knows that I am a huge dog lover. All dogs, all ages. Well Christopher and I are planning on getting a Boston Terrier in the next few months. We are currently on a few waiting lists for a puppy. We're looking for a black and white female (they can be red/white, seal/white, or black/white). I've been receiving a lot of e-mails about puppies being born. I am so excited about our future puppy and can't wait to see pictures of it! I love being a dog mommy! I will definitely post pictures when everything is finalized. 

I realize that I don't take enough pictures, and that is definitely something I need to change, especially since Christopher bought such a wonderful camera. Last night I was craving something sweet and chocolaty, so I looked around in my refrigerator to see what I could create. I found strawberries and semi-sweet chocolate, so I made some chocolate covered strawberries. They look great but taste better. Though I am not a photographer, I am learning how to take pictures that look photographer worthy.

I hope everyone who reads this has a wonderful day!

-Christie

Crazy Love

It's been a while since I have written on here. I wanted to share a book that is transforming my thinking and hopefully, my life. Crazy Love by Francis Chan is so relevant to life today. God has this crazy love that is unconditional, everlasting, unchanging, etc. There is not way I can accurately describe God's love for us in words. I highly encourage everyone to go to this website and watch the videos (everything but the chapter ones first unless you're reading the book). After reading this book, you will never be the same again. You will go from a "lukewarm Christian" (if that is even possible) to a passionate Christ follower. I want people to think I act at least a little like Jesus, and I have to transform my life to do that. I can't wait to finish the book! And if you ever get a chance to see him speak, go! God shines right through him.

On another note, the break was good. Christmas time is always really busy and stressful. Next year, I'm going to be prepared and will learn to enjoy Christmas. We also went to Houston to visit family and friends, which was really fun! I saw some old friends, and Christopher was able to meet them along with my family. We also ate lots of great barbecue, Tex-Mex, and Shipley's! Then we went to New Orleans for the Sugar Bowl...enough said.

I'm glad to be back, but a lot of going on. The final touches to the wedding must be made. I have to make lots of appointments and decisions, which as many close to me know, is really difficult for me. I really don't enjoy planning, but I am beginning to get excited since a lot is coming together. I can't wait for the day to come, but I'm not looking forward from now until May 16th because of the planning and school work. I have to take the COMPS on February 16th, and I just found out two days ago, so that was scary news. I've got lots of studying, traveling, planning, and celebrating to do, so I better go do some work so I won't fall behind.

-Christie