Our FINALE

Today was officially our last day in NYC....as locals that is...I am sure we will be back again but probably only as visitors.

These past 2 years have been many things:

a wild ride
trying times
once in a lifetime experience
horizon broadening
marriage building
faith testing
a great adventure
culture shock
unforgettable (in both good & bad ways)

I could probably go on forever! We are truly going to miss this place - because well we just love city life and trying new things :) God truly blessed us with an amazing opportunity to share our lives in a new town, new city & new culture! His divine plans are sometimes challenging but almost always rewarding on the flip side. We can see the impact we have left behind and Praise God for His work in NJ & NYC!

I am still trying to fathom life without Broadway musicals, weekend trips to Boston, apple picking, trips down the shore, subway & train rides - just public transportation in general, working on Wall St, Christmas in NYC, Soupman, Nuts for Nuts, Dean & Deluca, picnics in Central Park, shopping at Union Square, day trips to Princeton, citylights, South Seaport dinners....its definitely going to be a change! But we will press on and enjoy life back in Texas with real Mexican food, real COWBOY Football, real families dinners & holidays! Its going to be great!

Today we completed our 2 year tour with a trip to St Pauls Chapel, Trinity Church, Stone Street, dinner at Spotted Pig in the West Village, dessert at Milk & Cookies!

Next stop DISNEYWORLD!

Top of the ROCK

Over the Labor Day weekend Chris had some time off work so we spent the afternoon touring the Top of the Rock @ Rockefeller! It was the perfect day! Beautiful weather and no crowds! We had such a great time soaking it all in. The views are just amazing and they really give you a feel for the size of New York City. Top of the Rock is definitely a must see!

Perfect Picnic

A few weeks ago Chris & I celebrated our 3rd wedding anniversary with a fabulous (and probably once in a lifetime) picnic in Central Park. The day was AMAZING! It was sunny, clear, dry & 80 degrees. I am certain it was the most perfect day we had all summer long. Earlier in the week I ordered a picnic "box" from a local gourmet grocery store & then we grabbed a sleeping bag and headed out. We found a great spot in one of the larger meadows and set up shop. The food was awesome & the company was even better! This will definitely be a hard day to beat on future occasions.

Sophia Alexis Jones

We are thrilled to have another beautiful niece! Sophie was born Friday, August 28th. She is just perfect! Chris & I are looking forward to meeting her soon!



Congratulations Brian, Sarah & big brother Ethan!

LOVE x THREE = YOU & ME

Happy Anniversary Chris!

Three years ago today I married the man of my dreams! I love you more with each passing day & I thank God for bringing our lives together. You truly are my life and my world!

Brad Paisley sings it best in his new song THEN:

I remember, trying not to stare the night that I first met you
You had me mezmorized
And three weeks later, in the front porch light
taking forty-five minutes to kiss goodnight
I hadn't told you yet
but I thought I loved you then

And now you're my whole life
now you're my whole world
I just can't believe the way I feel about you, girl
Like a river meets the sea,
stronger than it's ever been.
We've come so far since that day
And I thought I loved you then

And i remember, taking you back to right where I first met you,
You were so surprised
There were people around, but I didn't care
Got down on one knee right there once again,
I thought I loved you then

And now you're my whole life
now you're my whole world
I just can't believe the way I feel about you, girl
Like a river meets the sea,
stronger than it's ever been.
We've come so far since that day
And I thought I loved you then

I could just see you, with a baby on the way
And I could just see you, when your hair is turning gray
What I can't see is how I'm ever gonna love you more
But I've said that before

And now you're my whole life
now you're my whole world
I just can't believe the way I feel about you, girl
We'll look back someday, at this moment that we're in
And I'll look at you and say
And I thought I loved you then
And I thought I loved you then

MOM

Should I even say anything else, I think the word MOM speaks volumes alone! It has been 7 months since my mom and I last saw each other last - way to long if you ask me, way to long! A month or so back we finally got her flight booked and began the countdown to her arrival in NJ.

Last Wednesday we picked her up at the airport and the fun began! We took her to our favorite pizza place for dinner on Wednesday, caught the matinee on Thursday followed by Chicken n Dumplins for dinner, Friday morning we dropped Chris at work and headed to the outlet mall for some shopping & then had Omaha Steaks for dinner, Saturday we snoozed and then walked around Ridgewood and had Chicken Fried Steak for dinner, & Sunday we worshipped at Brooklyn Tabernacle, had lunch at Max Brenner & relaxed the afternoon and evening away - just taking in the last bit of time together! I love her so much! Its like detox this week to get back to life as we know it. She is a great mentor to me, my best friend, my free counselor, my nieces & nephews Mimi, my husbands fantastic MIL, a fabulous chef, & most importantly a lover of Christ! I seriously could not wish for more - she is the whole package people!

Thanks for taking time out to come see us, we loved every second of it!

Childhood Friendship

Today is the 30th birthday of a childhood friend of mine. So to celebrate a small post in her honor.

Leslie and I grew up together basically from infancy through college. Its crazy to think back to all the slumber parties, youth group get togethers, social club events, ski trips, family dinners & even recent times in Lubbock we have shared. We have had many experiences together. Her laugh is contagious and I don't even have to be in her presence to think of it! She is beautiful inside and out. It has been so fun to keep up with each other through the blogosphere and hear about what a great mom and wife she is. I could only wish we lived closer and could spend more time together. How blessed we are to have parents that brought us together so many years ago. Here is to more Espresso Shakes at Daybreak in Lubbock soon!

Happy Birthday Leslie!