Our Favorite Spot

Brooklyn turned a year-and-a-half on Friday. If you’ve been following Brooklyn’s running journey, then you know that a year-and-a-half is a big milestone! This is when her growth plates supposedly close, making it safe to run her longer distances without injuring her bones or stunting her growth. In short, that's when she formally becomes my running partner. (I know, I know, I've cheated with short distances the last two months.)

Friday we went all out. We went back to our favorite running spot, White Rock Lake Trail! It is 9-11 miles (depending on if you take the cycling roads or running trail) around the lake. I decided we would do a mixture of walking and running and tackle the whole thing. This would have been a challenge in and of itself, but 1.35 miles in I discovered that my car key had detached from my keyless entry (which I was still holding tightly). Retracing our steps led to us adding about two miles to our route. But I found it! Instead of panicking, I decided just to enjoy the gorgeous scenery and go back over our steps.

After the slight detour, we continued our route around the lake. There are plenty of water stations, so we were sure to stay hydrated. Since dogs can’t sweat to cool off their bodies, I sprayed Brooklyn with a spicket more than once. I also found a fishing spot that had easy lake access, so I let her cool down in the water.

I can’t tell you our exact mileage, though I believe it to be around twelve miles. I do know for a fact that Brooklyn and I ran our first 10K together! I was afraid to push her past that, so we walked the remainder of the trail.

Here are some snapshots from our time!

Hey, Babe

Six years later and I love you more.

2008

2008

Last year's 6/21 celebration

Fun together!

(No, it's not our wedding anniversary, but it's our "going together" anniversary!)

I'm Addicted to Books

I have a confession to make:

I’m a binge reader.

I am all in or not at all. Granted, there are some books that I work through slowly. Some books necessitate that. I’d say Dickens’ Bleak House is definitely a qualifier. 

For school preparations, I am currently reading A History of Western Music. It is entirely interesting, but quite long (near 1000 pages!) and detailed. It is the text for my Music History placement exam. I am trying to work my way through steadily, while taking notes, so that I have time to review it a second time before my exam in August.

I am also slowly working through Nancy Pearcy’s Saving Leonardo just on my own time. Every page is so rich that I don’t want to speed through it. If you’re at all interested in culture, philosophy, or apologetics, I highly recommend this read. (Her Total Truth is another good one, but it’s even more dense.)

We don’t watch TV. Our friends were teasing us that our TV can’t even be considered a large computer monitor. In actuality, I think it’s twenty-two inches. We currently don’t have wifi at home, so we don’t even have access to iTunes rental downloads. We have, however, discovered a video rental (yes, you read that correctly) store just down the street. This place is retro. Their computer is from the 1980s. Given the fact that rentals from the store require planning (wow, what a novelty!), my go-to entertainment is found in the pages of book.

When I’m stressed, I read. One example of this is the fact that I began reading the Harry Potter series for the first time during my college finals. Two other prime reading times where when I was battling anxiety about school decisions and then again when overwhelmed by packing.

While waiting to hear from SMU in late March, I read all three Hunger Games books back-to-back. During the third book, I only got out of bed for necessities. Brooklyn is a good napper, so we didn’t have any issues there. The house, on the other hand? Let's just leave it at that.

During our moving preparations, I read all three Divergent books in less than a week. (I was waiting to borrow books from a friend. It was definitely good for the well-being of my family that I had to wait twelve hours before getting my hands on the next book.) I’m sure you’ve heard of these books; the first one was recently released in the movie theatre. While dystopian young adult literature is not my go-to, I was really intrigued by these books. The first one was published in 2011 by a girl my age! This is Veronica Roth’s first book series, and it hit the New York Times Bestseller list instantly. And they’re already being made into movies! Crazy! Unlike The Hunger Games series, these books were much less political in nature and primarily about the character development of the protagonist, Tris. The themes in these books provide great conversation starters and discussion platforms. Everyone I’ve talked with likes each of the three books progressively less; for me, it was the opposite! While I thought book one started slowly, I flew through books two and three.

(I took a short reading hiatus after these books so that our family could actually make the move to Dallas. A cross-country move just would not have happened if I had been in a good book.)

After the family returned to Orlando, I picked up The Flames of Rome and re-read it in a few short days. This was a required book for Sonlight Curriculum in the eighth grade. My mom and I have since gone back and purchased our favorites from the years we did Sonlight together. (Side note: I loved this curriculum!) This is a spectacular book on the reign of Nero and the growth of the early Christian church, as told through the eyes of one close to Caesar. Based on the author’s detailed notes, I believe this to be historically accurate. It’s a novel, yes, but all the characters are real-life persons who experienced historical events. All the places that are quasi-speculated are noted by the author. I love Roman history, and it was a treat enjoying this all over again.

Next I re-read Safely Home by Randy Alcorn. This is a fictional novel about the underground church in China. I read it once many years ago. I enjoyed this book for the hard questions it forces you to ask yourself. While the style and dialogue are not my favorite, Alcorn definitely has a tale worth telling...and reading.

Yesterday I picked up a much thinner book with the title, A Walk to Remember. Talk about middle school flashbacks! I have read several of Sparks’ novels, and while I do love his easy-going, down-to-earth, Southern style, I can only handle so much sentiment. It was a perfect late-afternoon and bedtime read. I especially love the note Tali Rose inscribed when she gifted this book to me for my seventeenth birthday: “I hope your life turns out this romantically (without the death at the end…)” Oops, should I have placed a spoiler alert? Come on, you lived through the early 2000s; surely you at least saw the movie. You know, the one with the Switchfoot soundtrack?

So now I need a new binge book. I was considering picking up some more old favorites. This made me think, “What are my favorite books?”

That may be one of the hardest questions ever.

To help me decide, I consulted Lewis. C.S., of course. I feel like we’re old friends.

His advice:

“No book is really worth reading at the age of ten which is not equally - and often far more - worth reading at the age of fifty and beyond.”

Well, I’m not fifty or beyond yet, but I do know that my favorite books are those I have read at different stages and still loved. I’ll tell you about the fifty thing in a few (long) years.

“You can never get a cup of tea large enough or a book long enough to suit me.”

I’d insert coffee, though I do enjoy tea on occasion. I have found that when I love a book, I don’t notice its length. The story is all that matters. In some cases, I dread the final pages because I want to stay immersed in the story as long as possible. 

“Eating and reading are two pleasures that combine admirably.”

Especially if one is eating ice cream or chocolate. Or both. Together. Just sayin’.

“I can’t imagine a man really enjoying a book and reading it only once.”

Ah. This may be the tell-tale sign. The books I keep coming back to. Over and over again. The ones that seem to change me each time I read them, even though the text remains the same.

So what are they?
In no particular order, I’d have to say:
A Tale of Two Cities by Dickens
Dracula by Bram Stoker
Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte

A few runners-up: Jane Eyre, The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, Pride and Prejudice

What are your favorite reads - recent or old faithfuls?

I do need a new book!

Actually, what I need to do is have a long date with A History of Western Music before “Strategy Games with Seminary Students” (aka Game Night at Snyder’s) tonight!

Old Friends in New Places

I have heard tale after tale of loneliness from those who have picked up roots and relocated their families. With two fantastic, supportive, and giving families and a Gospel-minded church family just down the street from us in Florida, we weren’t in a hurry to move away. As we were reminded in church this week, the people of God must remember and share - time and time again - stories of God’s faithfulness. Our story of moving to Texas is only unravelling, but even so, the evidences of God’s penmanship are indisputable.

In our short time here, we have already been blessed by incredible friendships. In addition to meeting wonderful new folks, we are thrilled the have some of our oldest and dearest friends nearby. My best friend, Tali, is in the mid-cities area visiting her husband’s family this summer. She and Garrett helped us unload the moving truck! While we spent many formative years together, our time in the same city has grown more and more scarce over the last few years. What a treasure it is to have some face-to-face time with her before she returns to the northwest, especially during this season of transition. She gets me. And she’s only a half hour away.

Then there’s Snyder. Talk about faithful buddy. He has been friend to Tyler (and me!) for many years and stood with our bridal party. Typically he is traveling the world or pursuing higher education across the U.S.; on the rare occasions he was back in Florida, we managed to grab quality time with him. As it is, he is currently attending seminary, only a few miles from us! One of our new favorite “traditions” (meaning we’ve done it twice now) is Friday night strategy games at his apartment. It is a blast! He has included us in his world since we arrived: on move-in day he brought along two of his best friends to help. They are becoming our friends, too! This past Sunday we had the privilege of attending church all together and enjoying good food and conversation.

Our sweet, longtime friend, Hannah, is also in the area. We snagged some time with her at game night last week before she drove back to Florida for the summer. Looking forward to seeing more of her in the coming months, too!

These are love notes from our Heavenly Father. He definitely didn’t have to arrange these “coincidences.” While new friends and old friends in new places cannot replace our everyday friendships in Florida, they are gifts for which we give thanks!

Brooklyn in Dallas

I don’t know much about moving to a new city. I’m a rookie, for sure. But I will say that relocating to Dallas has been considerably fun because of Brooklyn.

When you own a dog, you have an excuse to…

…walk the streets of your new neighborhood.

…sit a while in the backyard.

…enjoy the patio air at a restaurant

…ride the historic trolly

…explore the local parks and trails

…take a drive with the windows down

…stay home and study?

Alright, the logic breaks down there, but Brooklyn is a great study buddy!

For Far-Away Fathers

Missing some special dads on this special day! Thankful for technology like Skype and good ol' phone calls! Wish we could be eating good food, chasing kiddos, and watching golf with you. Sending our love from the Lone Star State. As they say, everything is bigger in Texas. Consider this our BIG THANKS for you.

Xoxo.

Paper Bags & Provision

It’s no secret that moving across the country is a costly endeavor.

From the beginning it has been clear that this is the LORD’s doing, not our own. Seemingly impossible or unlikely events have fallen into place for us in our new home. He has been faithful and will continue to be faithful to us.

Today I am thankful for His provision. I do not take this for granted:

A week's worth of groceries!

The Weimaraner gets to eat, too!

“…aspire to live quietly, and to mind your own affairs, and to work with your hands, as we instructed you, so that you may walk properly before outsiders and be dependent on no one.”
-1 Thes. 4:11-12

“And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. To our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen.”
-Phil. 4:19-20

Drip Coffee and Dallas Believers

Yesterday I went to a new favorite local coffee shop and enjoyed drip coffee and good conversation with a Dallas resident. In first-day-of-school Kindergartner fashion, I immediately told Ty, “I have a friend!”

Let me back up.

Sunday was a miracle. Truly.

We had been researching churches online for a while. One church immediately caught my attention, back in the fall, before we were even actively searching. We listened to a few sermons and loved everything we read about this community of believers. The more we broadened our research, the more discouraged we felt. Big church. HUGE church. Social Gospel believing church? Far-away church. High church. Ah! Overwhelming, to say the least. (Not that all of these are bad things.)

The more Ty and I talked, the more we felt we need to be somewhere on the small side, where we could be known. Without accountability, we’d both be tempted to clam up and choose tasks over people. Because of this, we made a game-time decision to try KP. Additionally, we had just found out that my bestie Tali knows the pastor and his family - his son was one of her close friends at college.

When we arrived at the rented facility, only four cars were in the parking lot. (We both have the problem of arriving too early!) With about ten minutes to service time, we finally walked in…to a small room of about fifty empty chairs, an electric piano, a small communion table, and a few children chatting. In a matter of minutes, the room began to fill and we were warmly greeted by every member. (The pastor was beyond thrilled when he found out I was Tali’s best friend!) No, I’m not exaggerating. Okay, okay, so there were a few latecomers we didn’t meet. If you ever want to feel like a celebrity, just walk a Weimaraner or attend a small church service.

After a beautiful, simple, Gospel-centered service, the conversation just continued. People across the demographic board showed us incredible hospitality. The small community all broke down the room and then most everyone headed to Fuddrucker’s. (Did you know they have GF buns?!) Pastor W bought our lunch and spent some time asking our stories. We heard the church’s background (it’s a plant in year three of launch) and chatted with one other family in particular. That mama kindly asked if I needed a place to do laundry and offered her home and grand piano as study/practice space, as well. Oh, and did I mention they already provide GF communion bread for one member and said they’d be willing to do the same for me?

Michelle is twenty-something I met on Sunday. Before leaving service, she asked for my contact info. On Monday she invited me to coffee this week. Turns out we have many commonalities and interests: she started her undergrad degree in music at SMU, she’s a seminary student, she loves C.S. Lewis, she’s an INFJ (Myers-Briggs - I’m an INTJ), she’s a recovering perfectionist, and she’s been married two years. What a blessing it was to hear her story and share mine. So many times I felt as if she was telling my own story. Post-coffee, I texted a few of my small-group girls. One asked, “Are you sure you weren’t looking in the mirror?”

So much for blending in and walking the sanctuary incognito. How thankful we are for God’s family that is everywhere. The common bond between believers is such a blessing - one that we don’t take for granted.

So where do we go from here? We are going back to KP on Sunday. We are going to be intentional and see where the Lord leads. He has made each step clear as we have needed guidance. In this, too, we trust Him.

The Fam Takes Texas

Hi, friends!

Sorry for the long absence. As you might have guessed, we've been a bit preoccupied with moving our family across the country. Thankfully we have had quite a bit of help - both with packing and unpacking!

Only some of the crew!

Friends! This one is for the fridge...for sure!

Farewell dinner with the fam!

Kisses from Alice and Brooklyn (she's not jealous at all!)

Three's a crowd - especially in a moving truck!

Day one of the trip went fairly smoothly. It was just long. Louisiana seemed to never end. It didn't help that out hotel in LA did not have a parking lot that could accommodate our truck. That left us driving around Baton Rouge at 8PM in search for a dog-friendly, truck-compatible, not-too-disgusting hotel...post thirteen hours in the car and pre dinner! Needless to say, I was a bit grumpy. Thank you, family, for your forbearance. 

Sunday things were looking up! For one, we made it out of Louisiana. I was battling a migraine, but I couldn't contain my excitement.

Our new state!

Love my Mama!

We made it to our new place. Word got out that there was a party.

Actually, we just have the coolest friends, who also happened to be in Dallas. Our friend, Matt, even brought along four extra helping hands. Yes. Two lovely strangers helped unload our junk. God's family truly is everywhere!

Brooklyn was happy to get out and stretch her legs...

...even if the backyard is small.

On Sunday, our trailer hitch was stolen. Or should I say Budget's trailer hitch. In all the unloading craziness, we left it unattended for too long. That was hard to swallow, but we have much for which to be thankful!

For one, the piano was successfully unloaded Monday afternoon. And it looks great!

It began to feel like home once our familiar artwork was on the walls. Ty's dad just happened to be in Dallas for a business trip, so we put him to work! :)

Here is my finished coffee bar! Ty's parents inspired this idea with their own design. Ty's dad also refinished and painted my dad's old baby dresser for the main piece. I love it! Also a huge thanks to Mrs. F, who gave me a Hobby Lobby gift card as a wedding shower gift. I've been saving it for this special purpose.

Speaking of Hobby Lobby, Mom and I had a "Welcome to Dallas" moment on our way back from the store. We accidentally got in the HOV lane...and couldn't get out for seventeen miles! When we finally found an exit, we had to drive seventeen miles back the opposite direction to find our way home. Phew! That was a time-consuming mistake! I'm loving my coffee bar so much that I think I'll admit it was worth the extra-long drive to complete my coffee station.

We had to show the fam some of our favorite locations. We don't know much about our new home yet, but we like what we've seen on our previous two trips. White Rock Lake is definitely a favorite! There is a nine-mile trail around the lake. It's especially popular in the cycling world. We are looking forward to lots of running and cycling here!

Taco Joint has been another favorite spot! I'm sure there are much more authentic places to eat, but these tacos are just so darn fresh and so darn good!

Sorry, Orlando, but I beat you to the Trader Joe's! This may or may not be in "spitting distance" (said the cashier) from our house. The prices are much more reasonable than Whole Foods or Fresh Market.

Take these GF oats, for example. $3.99, people!

Wednesday was SMU tour day. Now that I'm officially registered for classes, I feel like I can claim the campus as my own!

I can't wait to spend my days here!

Did I mention Ty got a job? God has been so incredibly good to us! Within twenty-four hours of our arrival in Dallas, Ty had secured a job doing exactly what he loves at the shop he most desired. He starts tomorrow!

We were planning just to drive by (so as not to embarrass him too much before his first day), but his service manager saw us and hospitably showed us around the shop!

On Thursday, Mom and I hit up a local coffee shop and cafe for breakfast. (Ty and I are at a different local coffee shop right now, taking advantage of the free wifi. These things are all over the place!)

Later that morning, we all got lost downtown together. Finally we found the McKinney Ave historic trolley. Did I mention it's dog friendly?

We stopped for lunch at a little burger bar downtown called The Canine Cantina. It's a brilliant business endeavor, really! It's an outdoor patio restaurant built on a dog park. It's surrounded by city apartments. Dog owners can pay a monthly membership for their pets to play in the park and be watched by an attendant. While they're there, they can grab a burger and a beer.

Brook just stayed on the patio this time.

No yard? No problem.

Thursday evening, Ty's great-aunt Sharry took us out for a special treat at a local theatre. She's heavily involved there, so she pulled some strings to get us into a rehearsal of The Titanic, the musical. It was a fascinating experience, and the actors/singers were incredibly talented. We can't wait to see the whole show, complete with costumes and orchestra.

Friday morning came early, and we took the fam to the airport. Our drive on the way home looked like this - a city just about to wake.

We are incredibly grateful for a week with our wonderful families. As a sender, I remember how helpful it was to visit friends and see the places they visit every day. It made it so much easier to visualize when they shared details. I'm so happy some of our family could see our everyday places. We can't wait to show them to everyone else!

At this point, my tea cup is completely empty and the sun is going down. Better not overstay our welcome at this shop if I plan to be a regular! Then again, there are so many more to visit!