Weeks 36-40

Week 36


September 4, 2011 – Today we got on the Royal Carribean “Allure of the Seas.” This ship was a LOT cooler than the last cruise ship I was on in the Mediterranean – it has a miniature golf course, ice skating rink, zip line, diving show, park, theater with “Chicago” playing, and more. This week, we sit. We eat. We relax.


September 5, 2011 – Today we were in the Bahamas, and this was my view out the back of the ship. Wow. We spent a little bit of time walking around in town, but for the most part we just stayed on the ship.


September 6, 2011 –Today I played some miniature golf with Shane and Cassandra. So fun on a cruise ship! Also, I suck at miniature golf.


September 7, 2011 – Today we were in the U.S. Virgin islands, and this was our sunset. So beautiful. I have been doing a lot of reading here, and that is just about it. Perfection.


September 8, 2011 – This was my view today. Amen and amen.


September 9, 2011 – Our waiter, Abdurrahman, has been very friendly, and he keeps bringing me free glasses of wine. I’m not complaining.


September 10, 2011 – The moon was so pretty over the water tonight.

Week 37


September 11, 2011 – I spent September 11 on an airplane, coming home from Florida. It’s kind of weird being in airports and on airplanes on the 10-year anniversary of 9/11.


September 12, 2011 – I’ve been painting letters for Kate Baesel’s room. I love painting letters for baby rooms, especially when that baby is super-special and beautiful like this one.


September 13, 2011 – When I get up in the morning, Maggie doesn’t waste any time taking my spot. I’m not going to lie, I would kind of hate them if they weren’t so darn cute.


September 14, 2011 – Today I received word that my friend Sara is dying. She’s in hospice care and she should be meeting her earthly and heavenly Father soon. I am devastated but also relieved for her – soon she will no longer be in pain. This is the canvas she made for me that hangs on my wall. I will miss her like crazy.


September 15, 2011 – Venti Pumpkin Spice Latte today. There are worse ways to drink your feelings.


September 16, 2011 – Today we went to Humble so Jack could be a guest judge at Master Henderson’s testing tonight. He respects and admires Master Henderson so much, so it was an honor to be invited here.


September 17, 2011 – This morning Jack was a guest judge at Master Henderson’s mini-tournament, and after that we headed back home.

Week 38


September 18, 2011 – On The Pioneer Woman’s cooking show, she made “eggs in a hole,” and Jack got all excited, so I made him one using my little “Ninja-bread men” cookie cutter.


September 19, 2011 –Still waiting on Sara to go home. It has been a rough couple of days. Got a lime slush today… her favorite.


September 20, 2011 – Today I went to the taekwondo school to help Jack with a few things. I love spending time with him, even though we’re usually working during that time.


September 21, 2011 – Jack has been so good to me this week. Picking up dinner, cleaning the house, doing the dishes… he’s taking care of everything. And on top of that, I came home today to such a sweet note from him. I am so blessed.


September 22, 2011 – My brother and sister-in-law heard the baby’s heart beat today! I’m so excited.


September 23, 2011 – The day we found out about Sara, I went home and immediately booked a flight to Indiana to see Ellyn. I didn’t want to go to Iowa for Sara’s funeral after so many trips that fell through to see her when she was alive, and Ellyn wouldn’t be able to go because of her kids. Sara would have wanted us to be together, so together is where we decided to be. Amie decided to join, and today we got this email from Ellyn. I am so, so excited to see them. I need it. We all need it.


September 24, 2011 – Today Sara met Jesus. This is a picture of today’s beautiful sky. She’s finally breathing fresh air.

Week 39


September 25, 2011 – Today Jack and I watched movies. That was it. Did nothing else. Just movies.


September 26, 2011 – Today I had to work the front counter at the school. It’s not my favorite job in the world, but I love being with Jack, and he loves it when I’m there.


September 27, 2011 – I’m just about done with Kate’s letters!! I’m so happy with how they turned out.


September 28, 2011 –I came home from work this afternoon to watch Sara’s funeral webcast. I am so thankful for technology.


September 29, 2011 – Today was Sara’s memorial service, a more informal service where people talked about her and sang worship songs and laughed and loved. Again, I am so thankful for technology.


September 30, 2011 – I arrived in Indiana today, and after having lunch with Todd and Jenni Hufford, I headed to Fort Wayne, where Ellyn, Amie, the kids and I went to the county fair. We had so much fun, and I got to carry this sweetheart around (wear him, I guess?) until it started POURING and we had to leave. We had such fun though, and homemade donuts have changed my life.


October 1, 2011 – We spent today just hanging out with the kids and taking pictures, and tonight we released some lanterns for Sara, ate frozen Oreos, and drank Moscato in her honor. It wasn’t the Gitzapalooza we had planned, but I am so thankful to have spent it with these girls.

Week 40


October 2, 2011 – We had to go back home today, but we spent most of the day at the Huffords’ house with Rachel. It was so cool to get together – all of us, minus one – and actually eat together and laugh together and have the kids play together. I will cherish this weekend.


October 3, 2011 – Today my co-workers and I flew to Houston for a business trip – tomorrow we have to film an event. We had a really fun evening eating dinner and doing some shopping together. I kind of love business trips.


October 4, 2011 – Our job is a LOT of “hurry-up-and-wait” time. We had to be up VERY early to set up, and then, like always, we waited. And waited and waited. Brenda took advantage of the time and laid down on her camera platform.


October 5, 2011 – Finally, I’m back home with this guy. Jack came to lunch with me today at our favorite lunch place, Jason’s. The days when he comes to have lunch with me are some of my favorites.


October 6, 2011 – Came home from work to find this at my doorstep. Oy. This is small business ownership. I think the sparring gear is here.


October 7, 2011 – Today we sort-of had a video shoot – basically we supervised another guy doing a video shoot at our office. It was pretty much the easiest shoot I’ve ever been involved with.


October 8, 2011 – Today Jack and I went to the new Dairy Queen for lunch (THERE IS A DAIRY QUEEN IN MY TOWN NOW, HEAVEN HELP US ALL). We ate outside in the beautiful weather, and then Jack played with Maggie for a while (who could not for the life of her figure out WHY WE COULDN’T JUST GO INSIDE.)

Weeks 34-35

Week 34

August 21, 2011 – I did a LOT of cooking today. Mesquite brisket. Garlic croutons. Banana chocolate chip muffins. My house doesn’t know what to smell like.


August 22, 2011 – Today my friend Erin brought in an entire garbage bag full of jeans and pants she didn’t want any more. And they ALL FIT. I mean, woah. This was a good day.

August 23, 2011 – Oy, summer. You are Texas; hear you roar.


August 24, 2011 – Well done, painters. This is the “Loadin’ Zone” indeed.


August 25, 2011 – Jack has still been reading the Bible to us every night, and my goodness he is cute with his reading glasses on.


August 26, 2011 – Today Jack surprised me with a crème brulee torch!! I fell in love with the idea of making crème brulee on the Med cruise, and now I can! Let’s just hope I don’t burn the house down – Jack’s a little concerned that I will.


August 27, 2011 – Tonight we went to our friends John and Amanda’s house to celebrate Amanda’s birthday with some friends. We had such a good time with them. They are so fun.


Week 35

August 28, 2011 – Uhh… I think I may have a slight problem putting away my shoes.


August 29, 2011 – Ahhh, Salata. This is one of my very favorite lunch spots. I just can’t get enough of it. So. Many. Options. It makes me feel powerful.


August 30, 2011 – Skyping is always fun, but when I get to see my sweet godson, Coen, through that screen, it’s even better.


August 31, 2011 – Today Jack gave Madeline her first paycheck ever. So obviously I had to make them feel all awkward by taking a picture of it.


September 1, 2011 – Staff meeting day! We got Macaroni Grill for the staff and enjoyed a nice little dinner meeting with them. We’re so blessed to have such a great staff.


September 2, 2011 – Anthropologie is OPEN!!! I am just so excited. Everything is beautiful. I love it there. Jack bought me a rug for our pretty kitchen – it matches perfectly and I just love having an Anthro item in my house! I have a feeling this won’t be the last!


September 3, 2011 – Today my parents and I flew to Fort Lauderdale, Florida to meet up with my brother and sister-in-law for a Caribbean cruise. This cruise should be a LOT more relaxing than my last. We got to walk on the beach after dinner, and shortly after I took this photo of my mom, Shane and Cassandra told us all that they’re having a baby, due in April. We are all SO EXCITED!

Weeks 30-33

Week 30


July 24, 2011 – This morning I made red velvet pancakes with a cream cheese glaze. Holy yum.


July 25, 2011 – I am finally packed for this ridiculous 2-week Mediterranean trip (and I think I’ve been PACKING for it for 2 weeks!), and this suitcase? 49 pounds exactly. I am a packing GENIUS.


July 26, 2011 – Today we travelled ALL DAY. I actually don’t even know what day it is at this point. Where am I? WHO am I? We flew from Dallas to Atlanta to Venice today. This is us on the terminal train in Atlanta (pretty early in the trip!) Fortunately, I got a whole row of seats to myself so I could LAY DOWN AND SLEEP for most of the trip. I mean, woah. That was fantastical.


July 27, 2011 – Today we spent as long as we could exploring Venice – we landed in the morning after having travelled for 24+ hours, so we powered through and tried to stay awake when it was light out so we could get used to the time difference. I have to say, Venice is beautiful. Traveling by water amongst the beautiful architecture is absolutely enchanting. And the hotel we’re staying in? WOW. I would love to bring Jack back here sometime. We went to a few museums today and saw Basilica di San Marco (Saint Mark’s Basilica). I could barely stand up by the time we were finished. I fell asleep at 5 p.m. and slept until 6 a.m. the next day. Now THAT was a GOOD night’s sleep.


July 28, 2011 – Today we boarded the ship (our room has a balcony! Holy wow!) and met a lot of the staff and talent with whom we’ll be travelling, including the Women of Faith ladies. They were so sweet. We had a staff orientation on the ship and some good food. It’s going to be a good trip!


July 29, 2011 – Today, Eric, Owen and I had a BLAST in Venice. It was our last day in Venice, and we did some HARD CORE exploring. We had Italian gelato (YUM), Owen bought a ukulele from a little music shop we found (and I bought a cool computer mouse with an Italian flag on it), we saw Rialto Bridge (and a lot of others!), we enjoyed an incredible Venetian lunch by the canal, and we got ourselves so lost that we nearly missed the deadline to get back on the ship. Amazing day. Amazing.


July 30, 2011 – Today we spent the day in Split, Croatia. It was a beautiful port (where they had wifi!). We saw Diocletian’s Palace, had some gelato, took a lot of pictures, and called our spouses on Skype WAY earlier their-time than they probably wanted us to.

Week 31


July 31, 2011 – Today we were at sea. First of all, I kind of have a crush on Steve Green. Don’t worry, I also have a crush on his wife. Gosh, what sweet people and oy, that voice. But my favorite part of today was at midnight, when we went “below decks” with the crew for a really, really informal worship session where Owen was asked to give a short message. And he did an AMAZING job. I haven’t been that moved from a worship session in… I don’t even remember how long. What a beautiful night.


August 1, 2011 – Today we were in Athens, Greece, and I was a bus captain! It was an INSANE day. We took the groups to the Olympic stadium, the Parthenon, and Mars Hill. The crowds were insane and it was incredibly hot, and I literally lost a couple people from my group and another lady nearly passed out. But I saw some beautiful, amazing, historical places and I’m so thankful for that.


August 2, 2011 – Today was our first day in Istanbul (not Constantinople (oh man, we have been singing that song SO MUCH)). We explored the spice market, walked from Europe to Asia (or at least, we thought we did… turns out we got the wrong bridge), and enjoyed an incredible dinner with friends on the water tonight.


August 3, 2011 – It’s day two in Istanbul! And you know what we did? We sat in a wifi area all day. I’m not going to lie… it was kind of amazing. It was great to just unwind and be a little bit connected to the world once again. (And to talk to my favorite boy again –MAN do I miss him!!) Tonight was more preaching and sound checks and shooting… I love my job.


August 4, 2011 – Ohhh, Mykonos. You are LOVELY. Today we explored and took a lot of pictures of beautiful Mykonos, Greece. I put my toes in the sand on the beach, and then we ate hummus (MY FAVORITE!) right on the water at sunset. WOW. It could not get better than this.


August 5, 2011 – Today we started the morning early and headed out to Ephesus. I was a bus captain once again, and this time, I didn’t even lose anybody! It was an incredible day – I got to see places I’ve read about in scripture and walk where Paul walked… I mean, wow. I’ll never read the Bible the same way again. Oh, and tonight, back on the ship? WE DANCED THE NIGHT AWAY. It was so much fun. See also: I am not a cool person.


August 6, 2011 – Today was Santorini, Greece. I have been looking forward to this stop since the first time I saw the itinerary. It’s just. So beautiful. We decided we would REALLY do Santorini right, and we rode the donkey up the mountain. Oh my gosh, I almost died. I mean really, this donkey was suicidal and kept trying to jump off the cliff. We spent the day taking pictures and shopping, getting lost and seeing beautiful things. My goodness I love Greece.

Week 32


August 7, 2011 – Today we spent the day in Katakolon, Greece. Eric and I headed out to Olympia to take some pictures, and it was nice hanging out with him and having some really good conversations. Eric and a new “friend” took a run from the first Olympic running block and stood on the first Olympic victory stand thing. It’s humbling seeing this kind of history in person.


August 8, 2011 – Today we spent a LONG day in Eric and Owen’s room editing our slideshow for tonight’s “farewell” sermon. It has been a long, long trip, but I am thankful that we got to do this together.



August 9, 2011 – Hello beautiful United States!!!! I’m finally home! Jack picked me up from the airport tonight and I don’t think I’ve ever been that happy to see him. It is GOOD TO BE HOME.


August 10, 2011 – I woke up with these two this morning! My goodness, I missed this.


August 12, 2011 - Today I tagged along with Jack to a testing in Sulpher Springs, where he had been invited to be a guest judge. It’s so much fun watching him be big and important at these kinds of things!


August 13, 2011 – Recently I figured out that cutting up melons and putting them in these cereal Tupperware containers is really efficient because I can just pour the pieces into a bowl like cereal. I know it’s lame, but this is the kind of stuff that gets me kind of excited.


Week 33


August 14, 2011 – Today I made Pioneer Woman cinnamon rolls, and this is the amount of butter it takes. It’s really best not to talk about that, though.


August 15, 2011 – Today I went to Buffalo Wild Wings with the video boys (because they refuse to let me go to Wing Stop because I’m a girl). Owen ordered this drink, and I just had to document its girliness.


August 16, 2011 – Tonight I fried pork chops. I had never fried pork chops before, but hey, I do what the Pioneer Woman says, and she is never, ever wrong. Yum.


August 17, 2011 – I’m not going to lie, I love this view. Since I’ve been working at the taekwondo school, I’ve had the privilege of watching Jack teach more, and man do I love it. Today, he told all the kids step back into a ready stance with their weapons and say “Waaaaahhhhhhhh!” And they all did it. It was awesome.


August 18, 2011 – Now THIS is a beautiful salad. Yay, lunch.


August 19, 2011 –Jack started reading our Children’s Bible out loud to us tonight. It’s so fun to listen to him read, especially since he does different voices for the character. You should hear his “God.” It’s awesome. Heh. Awesome God. Get it? Get it?


August 20, 2011 – Tonight we went to Top Golf with the Wildmans. It was fun except that I REALLY REALLY suck at hitting a golf ball. I actually missed the ball most of my swings. I have a feeling I’m not going to the Masters any time soon.