Downtown Greenville

Here are some pictures I took downtown when we were here house-hunting a few weeks ago.. I just came across them.. The downtown area is gorgeous..

Lots of pansies and tulips everywhere.. just beautiful!

In this picture look to the left where I put a green arrow.. to give you a sense of scale on this waterfall downtown, I put an arrow pointing to a couple sitting on the rocks.. this thing is massive!

All Settled In

some people have wanted to see the house since we're all settled in... enjoy
**(if the slide show is already over by the time you could scroll down, just click the "X" at the top right hand corner.. it should replay)

Familiar Ground

Today we visited Brookwood Church - a place that many random strangers we have met here(including the dogwood love story lady) suggested we try out. The church was oddly familiar, with a coffee shop, bookstore, children's pods - even the worship center looked very similar to Second's. Friendly people greeted us and directed us where we needed to be. The only difference and HUGE difference is that there are no Sunday School classes - they do small groups instead at some other time during the week. I'm not sure if I love that idea - but again, we are being open minded to differences in the details.. not differences in our beliefs. We also thought before hand that this church was possibly a non-denominational church (because of what someone told us), but that is not true (however, we were okay with it either way). It stated in the bulletin that it is a member of the Southern Baptist Convention. The pastor is very casual and relaxed. His messages are very scripture based with a sense of humor on the side - he doesn't have the same profound affect that Dr. Young has, but really, who does? Nevertheless, we liked it and more importantly, we left with a message and an assignment! He gives realistic ways to implement his teachings throughout the week.. pretty practical!

Again, Audrey had a blast in childcare - an interesting and high tech thing they do is assign you a bar code on a sticker - she gets one with her name on it and a code and we each get one with our names and the same code. When you are leaving the "pod" a scanner lady double checks that you did in fact take your child.. kinda neat. Oh and another thing is that they have coffee and donuts (no charge) before each service...YUM! They have three services and they are all very contemporary: 8:30, 10:00 and 11:30. We are going to contact someone about small groups and try one out just to make this large church feel a little cozier.. we know the drill :) Second has taught us well how to not get lost in a big church... We'll keep ya posted on how our "church hunt" goes! :)

Dogwood Love Story

An interesting woman approached our backyard yesterday afternoon. She said her in-laws used to live here years ago and she actually got married in our backyard! She reminiced about how beautiful it was and that her in-laws were the ones to plant all the beautiful trees and bushes here. She went on to tell me that after the ceremony they (she and her groom) each planted a dogwood tree in the front yard, hers pink and his white. She takes clippings each spring and scrapbooks them along with other anniversary memories... how special!

In loving memory of HEB

This is my new grocery store - with two big thumbs down! I am having HEB withdrals big time since I went shopping yesterday and couldn't find anything. The selection was so tiny... for example, I bought parsley and got one of the only two available. Same thing with bell peppers - I could count them - there were so few available to choose from... this is the case with just about everything there. Very little variety...and what you do have is pretty expensive - so weird coming from the best grocery store in the WORLD. SO SAD! I loved grocery shopping in HEB - I truly looked forward to it every time I went.

Audrey De-Coded

Here are some of the translations to Audrey's "words"

pitty - something that she finds aesthetically appealling, pretty

cuaya - an noun or verb - n. chalk crayon or marker, v. the act of using chalk crayon or marker, color

ah-side - the opposite of inside, outside

eyesshh - frozen water usually found in a drink to keep it cool, ice (this one must be said with a crunched nose and showing all of your teeth - go ahead, try it!)

mouf - the opening on the face where nourishment enters, mouth

kank kou - a response of appreciaton for something, thank you

fwuhaffle- a breakfast choice made with batter and cooked in a griddle with square indentations, waffle

obup - the opposite of closed, open

Iwikeit - a response to thank you, you're welcome

peas - an expression used when asking permission for something politely, please

mawk - the beverage made from a lactating cow, milk

uhsares - going in the direction of the second floor of a home or building, upstairs

fook - a utensil with tines, fork

foon - a utensil designed with a slightly cupped shape to hold liquids, spoon

I suck - (everyone's favorite) an expression used to describe getting lodged between two objects and having difficulty removing yourself, I'm stuck

happydow - (still don't know what this one means, she says it ALL the time)

MoMo - her mother's mother, MaMere

Packy - her mother's father, Cappy

DaDa - her mother's sister, Tada

I'm sure I'll have to update the list as it grows every day! :) She cracks us up..!

Relisted

Ok.. so the house is BACK on the market - the deal has officially fallen through.. We are kind of irritated at the situation because the couple STILL couldn't get approved. They dragged us through many weeks of extensions etc... and our house has been off of the market for quite some time. I know everything happens for a reason and maybe that was God's way of giving me a break (of keeping the house perfect for showings) so that we could move and be with Charles. Maybe it was so we could get a better deal later on.. Maybe it was just so we would "think" it would sell - so we would make a decision quicker and be able to grab the house we loved before it was gone.. Maybe it was just a huge mistake to move before closing (per their request).. who knows.. all i know is that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love Him (Romans 8:28)... Many of the signs were there from the beginning that this would happen, but we had hope that it would all work out - and it still will, just not the way we thought it would.. which is usually the case in most things. :) anyone interested in buying a house?

Getting out there

Yesterday I did a couple hours of research on the internet to find a church to visit.. There were so many to choose from - I looked at websites and what their beliefs were .. where they were located and what they had to offer as far as ministries and programs go... I was also looking for a contemporary worship service, since Charles and I prefer that type of music over the traditional.. We felt that it was important to find a church with people in our same stage of life and where they had oppurtunities to get invovled and serve... Ladies bible study was on my list as well as the big one: childcare. I stumbled upon Brushy Creek Baptist.. a little bit of a quirky name, but beyond that, it looked like they met all the criteria. We visited this morning and were very pleased. It is a large church for the area(which was a plus for us), but no where near the size of Second Baptist.. More like the size of Trinity Baptist (in Lake Charles). The sunday school class had very nice people in it and they were all so outgoing... The only major difference was that there were only 4 other couples in the class besides us!! The teaching was great though and very interactive.. almost like a small group where you can answer questions and contribute to the discussion.. it didn't really bother us that it was so tiny. I was invited to go to the Wednesday story time at the Library (they do every week at 10:00 a.m. with the little ones.. which all are around Audrey's age). They also told me about a Thursday afternoon play group they have every week also - they rotate houses each week. Boy! was I excited to hear that!! Audrey and I are definitely going Wednesday morning so that she can interact with some other kids and make some friends in her new town - maybe Mama might even meet some people here too! :) The service was great and so was the music - the nursery was fantastic, Audrey even behaved herself and didn't even cry when we dropped her off... (that would have been hard for me if she did) They have a huge thing on Wednesday nights, like most Baptist churches and get this, the chef is Tyler Florence's dad (Tyler F. is from Food Network). Their Wednesday night meals were even featured on the Food Network.. everyone was raving about the food :). Instead of a service they do a rotating bible study where you get in a six week class and after that is up they have more choices for another six week class and so on... they are starting up a new session this wednesday - but the only thing that stinks is that they shut it down for the summer. Oh another thing i wanted to comment on is how they dress their kids.. EVERYONE in the nursery is in smocked dresses or jon jons.. and monogrammed stuff is everywhere - so preppy!!.. audrey will fit right in! :) ha.. ha!
Anyways - we enjoyed it and are a little confused on what to do now.. we were fully prepared to church shop but not sure if we really want to - this one seems great. Yet another thing the Lord has worked out for us so that we don't have to. Thank You! such a blessing..

Super Mom

Just wanted to give a HUGE thank you to my mom who came to the rescue during this move.. She has done so much - everything from just keeping Audrey occupied to cooking, cleaning and unpacking for us. I honestly could not have done any of this without her.. I will be sad to see her go. Audrey adores her MaMere and has had so much fun with her. There's nothing like the patience of a grandparent, b/c I was definitely at my wits end with that little girl... Thank You Mom for saving me once again.

some of my favorite things about our new house

this is audrey's playroom.. before the toys got in there.. i think i like the room more than she does.. how cute is that tree on the wall?! :)

this is the back yard.. from the very back corner of the lot. the swing set on the left has a sand box underneath it - charles filled it with sand yesterday - audrey's still not sure what to do with it... I'm sure she'll figure that one out before long!

this cozy little spot reminded me of my dad.. he has always loved hammocks.. it is in a secluded little corner of the yard.. i didn't even know it was there until a few days ago..



the view from the screened in porch - ahhhhh.. like a vacation


tulips.. instantly reminded me of kenzie and sweet baby maddox - we have two random plants right in the front yard.. one pink one (for kenz) and one yellow one (for maddox) -

the deck.. it is amazing.. and huge - this picture only captures about half of it..

There are so many gorgeous things here - the rolling hills, the beautiful flowers and blooming trees everywhere - i love the many many azalea bushes in all different colors and so much more.. hope you enjoyed the pictures.. more to come later..

day 6

hey everyone!
Ok.. so I'm here - back in blogging world.. I feel complete now that my internet is hooked up and i have cable and phone - weird that we need the outlet to the world - but, i just do. So i guess i'll start from the beginning, last wednesday, when this mess all started. The movers showed up at about 9ish and I saw the truck rounding the corner... my eyes welled up with tears and my heart just sank - this was real and they were coming for me! the movers packed for three days straight - and repetedly (but humorusly) told me that we had too much stuff :) ha.. how true that was! seriously - no reason that someone our age that had only been married 3 1/2 years could accumulate this magnitude of stuff. We completely filled an 18 wheeler and then some of another second truck. Needless to say those three days were completely a blur. Cleaning like crazy and working tirelessly to empty my cozy little nest. Audrey definitely knew something was way wrong with this picture - she was acting all crazy and has been ever since. Ok.. back on track... Friday evening they finished everything up and then we stayed at a friend's house in Katy that night (thanks drew and lezlie!) and then got up bright and early to catch our flight to Greenville. The big question is, "How did audrey do on her first flight?" My big answer is: She did somewhere between bad and horrible. ha.. i can laugh now, but at the time i thought about tossing her out the window :) it wasn't fun for us or anyone in a five to six row radius - you get the picture.. Now we are in Greenville.. we are on day 4 of our upside down world and are now staying in a hotel suite where audrey has the front half and we have the back half.. She ran a fever that afternoon and was just not herself - making me feel super guilty for plucking her out of her happy home and predictable routine.. the next day she woke up just fine and we ended up going to the zoo (which she LOVED - she's such an animal person - and didn't get that from me.. ha) and that night had an awesome dinner at my friend shane and her husband jonathan's house - audrey was out of character again.. just super whiny and crying at the drop of a hat - demanding and really just annoying like she had been for the last few days... the next day was monday - the big day when our stuff finally arrives (day 5 of the move) at about 9:30 the oh-so-familiar 18 wheeler arrives with everything we own... and the unpacking begins. Y'all know how i love the kitchen - well, i unpacked it from 9:30 until about 10:00 that night - taking about an hour break for picking my mom - and absolute SAVIOR - up from the airport. Charles decided to cancel his trip to dallas/california as well as he saw the sheer volume of work come off of that truck.. praise the LORD - i think it would have just put me over the edge if I would have had to deal with that all by myself with an absolute impossible child.. she is gradually adjusting daily back to herself - but we aren't there yet. My mom got here around 3:00 that day and AMEN- she kept audrey entertained so I could get down to business and get stuff unpacked... Did i forget to mention that it was only 40 degrees outside and raining?? yuck! Tuesday came along.. (today - day 6) and we got a lot done and it is finally looking like "home." It will eventually be our home with time.. I love love love this house and enjoy being in such a beautiful place - but terribly miss our friends and family that are so far away... love and miss y'all.. christa

she Says - He Says

- Thanks mom for sending this.. exactly what I needed today (and everyday)

She says: (that's me) He says: (that's God)

'It's impossible' All things are possible Luke 18:27

'I'm too tired' I will give you rest Matthew 11:28-30

'Nobody really loves me' I love you John 3:1 6 & John 3:34

'I can't go on' My grace is sufficient II Corinthians 12:9 , Psalm 91:15

'I can't figure things out' I will direct your steps Proverbs 3:5- 6

'I can't do it' You can do all things Philippians 4:13

'I'm not able' I am able II Corinthians 9:8

'It's not worth it' It will be worth it Roman 8:28

'I can't forgive myself' I Forgive you I John 1:9 & Romans 8:1

'I can't manage' I will supply all your needs Philippians 4:19

'I'm afraid' I have not given you a spirit of fear II Timothy 1:7

'I'm always worried and frustrated' Cast all your cares on ME I Peter 5:7

'I'm not smart enough' I give you wisdom I Corinthians 1:30

'I feel all alone' I will never leave you or forsake you Hebrews 13:5

Gettin' Ready

tomorrow is the big day - the movers come and begin to pack us up - we are gettin' every thing ready - I have set up all utilities and cable/internet and phone service (good news - unlimited long distace calling!!!) and have all services scheduled for shut down here.. I have also taken everything off of the walls and puttied the holes and touched up paint.. Today my main goal is to pack us up.. for wednesday-sunday - and hopefully remember everything to set aside; b/c if it is out, they'll pack it! I have been so busy here - I like to call it a divine distraction - so that I don't have time to be sad or upset about going "bye bye." Don't get me wrong, I do have those moments of complete break-down... I am trusting trusting trusting that God will provide. LOVE Y'ALL! Christa

Best Dad EVER

Ok.. I have to brag on my dad for a minute - after a full day of work, he rented a U-Haul, loaded it full of HEAVY furniture and a matress & box-spring, drove over to Katy (from Lake Charles) arrived at 9:40 p.m. then woke up early the next morning, unloaded everything by himself and then he drove back to Lake Charles to return the U-Haul and get some work done.. GEEZ! I really cannot express how much that means to me. What a wonderful blessing it is to have a father who loves me so much to make these types of sacrifices without even batting an eye. I am so thankful for him ... It was a tearful goodbye, as I know that I won't see him as often as I am able to right now. Below are some pictures of Audrey and her "Cappy" playing after all of the furniture was unloaded.. Luv you Dad!

Allie & Audrey

We kept Allie & her brother Logan last weekend while their parents had a "date night." Audrey and Allie had SUCH a good time.. they are so girly! It was fun to watch them play :)
Logan was more interested in getting some teeth!

Busy Week

I'm officially exhausted and the "real" work hasn't even begun!
On a last minute spontaneous decision - I decided to go to Greenville to find a house. I drove to Lake Charles on Monday afternoon to drop Audrey off at the grandparents houses and got up the next morning at 2:30 a.m. to catch a plane in Lafayette. I arrived in Greenville at lunchtime and house hunted for about 4 1/2 hours and went to dinner with my friend, Shane and her husband Jonathan and a neat little sushi restaurant downtown... Then the next day house hunted some more and found "IT" signed the lease that day and then out to dinner with charles at PF Changs.. Got up the next morning at 4:00 a.m. - (that is 3 o'clock Houston time) and flew back to Lafayette, picked up Audrey in Lake Charles and continued on to Katy - got home today at 4:00... my head is spinning... but well worth it - here is our unbelievable (rental) home in Greenville - the atmosphere is very casual and inviting - so cozy and it has such a southern charm about it! :) I love it!

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