Rockford pt. 2

I'm back in Texas. I had a fabulous trip seeing old friends and small group kiddos. Tomorrow I head back to work.

Friday night, Amy and I went to Sarah (Hubert) Johnson's wedding. It was great, and she was stunning!!
Isn't she gorgeous?

Here's Amy and Sarah (better view of her dress!):

They had a dance, so Amy and I hid (I'm not kidding):

We couldn't help but act dumb, that's us:

Amy took this picture then said to me, "I wonder why nobody wants to date me?" hahaha!

Between the wedding ceremony and the reception, I got a good look at Lambeau field up there in Green Bay, Wisconsin:


Between Sunday and Monday, I got to see the majority of my small group kids. I thoroughly miss getting to be a part of their lives.
This is my lovely Nicole. I got to go to her graduation party:

Stephanie, Ashley, and I were chillin at Nicole's grad party:

This is Jacob Crenshaw. He's super cool:

And my lovely ladies, Cassy and Ashley:


I'm so glad I got to go and see everyone. I miss Rockford and Master's and friends. What a wonderful trip.

Christen

My trip thus far

I love Rockford. It has been a little surreal being here again. I flew into Chicago and everything was familiar. We drove into Rockford and everything was familiar. It's the same with the church and the Master's areas. What is not familiar is the people. Two years of students have come through here since I have been gone. They have experienced the same life that I lived here, yet we do not know each other. Somehow, despite our differences and space of time, we are family. We are connected at the roots by our amazing God and this incredible experience.

Great quote from this morning's worship: "I will not doubt in the darkness what you have told me in the light."

Last night, Amy's AC (accountability cell) had a slip n slide out behind the DTC (student housing). It was an absolute blast. We cooked out, and literally had every meat possible: beef, chicken, buffalo, sausage, salmon, and another fish. It was hilarious. So good though. Anyway, I thoroughly enjoyed throwing myself down the slip n slide; however, the bruises all over my legs would say otherwise. haha Enjoy a couple of pictures:

Me and Amy (pre-slip n slide):


And post:


Chris Robertson seran wrapped himself to make himself more slippery. It was hilarious!!


Tonight Amy and I are going to Sarah Hubert's wedding. She was my AC mom when I was here, so we were extremely close. I feel so honored to have the opportunity to share this day with her. I'll post some pictures later.

By the way, I cannot access MySpace here. Sorry to the faithful over there.

Miss you, friends.
Christen

Rockford

Tomorrow morning I leave for Rockford, Illinois for 6 days. I am so excited to see my friends that I have not seen in a whole year!! I'm coming for real...yay!! Originally, I was supposed to be seeing some small group kids graduate, but due to some miscommunication, I will merely be hanging out and spending quality time with them. I really am very okay with this. Plus, Friday night I get to see the very wonderful Sarah Hubert marry the love of her life. I could not be happier for her!!

Eli has been here for the last 2 days, which, for the most part, is wonderful except he's making everyone sick. I have a horrible headache and my stomach hurts. boo Other than that, he's amazing. He sits up, laughs, and is such a joy. I am so blessed to be an aunt!!

Life is bittersweet. Good and bad. I love the adventure of it though.

Christen

Best friends, boys, and better decisions

Tonight Alesha and I went to dinner (SOOO great to see her and spend some quality time) then headed to Books-A-Million. Back in high school, we used to go, buy Italian creme sodas, and look through bridal magazines. Now that she's engaged, we thought we'd pick up the tradition again (since there's a point now). haha I found some CUTE bridesmaid dresses, and she got some good ideas for dresses, invitations, etc, etc, etc.

What a fun week. Mr. Hamilton came to visit me this week before heading back to beautiful Colorado. We got some good movies in (Pride and Prejudice, Constant Gardener, etc) as well as Wednesday's Mav's game. We also ate some good food and just got to hang out. Good times. Sadly, Colorado is like a million miles away. If you think summer is going to drag on forever, raise your hand. *Raises hand*

So, I don't think I told you, dearest xanga. I won't be living in the fabulous house in the fall. *tear* I want to so badly, but it makes no sense economically, socially or academically. The house is 30 minutes from school, and I have cheer practice and classes 5 days a week as well as Saturday games. Plus, all my school friends will be on campus. Oh, and if you didn't know, gas is almost $3...yeah. Although I want to live with K-Ross, Jeanene and Shelby, it will be better this way. On the upside (and very, very exciting side), I will be living in Teeter, the new dorm. I'll be on second floor and will have my own room. woo hoo! Anyway, this whole thing is bittersweet, but I definitely think this is the best decision.

Okay- I'm tired and should sleep. I'm headed to Rockford, Illinois on Wednesday. I haven't really thought about it due to stress and busyness, so I'm just now getting excited. Can't wait to see you, friends!

Love you all!
Christen

Summer 2006

So far, so good. Last weekend I moved back to good ol' Longview for the summer. I haven't done much besides work, but in faith, it'll be great. I do like my new job at LAWL. I feel a lot more confident seeing clients, and I'm getting used to the routine, jargon, products, etc.

Friday night I helped throw a bridal shower for my cousin Brandy. I'm going to be a bridesmaid in her wedding (yay!), so Sarah (another bridesmaid) and I threw her a lingerie shower in Waxahachie. I actually cooked! I made little ham and cheese sandwiches with a dijon mustard glaze. They are warm so the cheese is melted. yum! Plus, I made chicken salad sandwiches, a veggie and fruit tray, and some fruit dip (from scratch). I felt like Suzie Homemaker. haha We had a cute little cake and a chocolate fountain with strawberries. Thanks to Mother's Day weekend, HEB had gorgeous flowers, so there were a few bouquets. It was pretty! I think Brandy had a good time. She received some beautiful things. : ) I didn't take any pictures of Brandy without her presents, so sorry about that.

Here's the cake:

And the food table:


In other news, dear xanga friends, I am dating a boy. His name is Scott, and we go to school together. We've been friends for a while, so it's been a nice transition. He's really great; you'll like him. Reference the post from Class Night if you'd like to see a picture; there's a few. haha Summer's no fun since he's from Colorado, but I guess that's what phones and the internet were made for, right? : ) Sorry to my good friends who are finding out through xanga. Feel free to message or call me for more detail. I'm a lucky girl.

And finally, I'm sorry I haven't shown you Eli in a while. He's 5 months and 3 weeks now, and he sits up and laughs out loud:


Love you friends!
Christen

Change

Life is changing.

I started a new job this week at LA Weight Loss. I've become the poster girl for success, which is pretty funny to me. I have my picture on the wall and everything. haha I'm really enjoying it. I'm getting to meet with clients, troubleshoot weight loss problems, give advice, etc. I really enjoy it. It's cool to be a part of the process of changing another person's life.

My brother, Mark, and sister-in-law, Sheila, are moving to Tyler next month. I am beyond excited. Last month, they resigned their church in the Houston area, and last night they told their kids. Their dreams for the future are incredible; I hope to be a part of them in some form or fashion someday. It might only be in prayer and support, but I'd physically be a part in a heartbeat. I really don't think I can convey to you how excited I am for them to be in Tyler. I'll get to see my little Eli grow up now cause I'll see them so much more!! yay!

New development in my life. I'll let you know when I'm ready to share it with the entire Xanga world, but it's good. : )

I wish next Tuesday would hurry up and get here.

Christen

Thoughts by Christen

Wow, I can't believe it's really over...again. I'm sitting on my bedroom floor against the wall staring at all my stuff. All my material possessions are sitting in boxes and bags which have been strewn all over the place. I'm diliberating whether to unpack them now or continue to waste time. Hmm...

I think a good word for the way I feel right now is melancholy (in the contemplative, reflective sense). I'm not necessarily sad that classes and stresses are over, but the things that I value, i.e. friendships and relationships, automatically get put on hold. Yes, I'll talk to people, and possibly see them, but I don't get to live life with them for the next 3 1/2 months. I'm glad to be with my family (this you know), but I already miss my other life. What a weird age I'm at. I'm caught between growing up and being a kid. I'll be a senior in college, so I feel this demand from the world to grow up and make something out of myself. However, everything inside me wants to rebel. I like the spontaneity of my life. I like change very much. Where is the balance of responsibility and maturity with carefree living? I haven't even started my summer job, and I already feel constrained and tied down. boo.

Sorry if I made you feel depressed; I didn't mean to. In an effort to redeem this post, here are some pictures from the last week of school:

I just love this girl. Christine and I have become great friends this year.


This is the night Jeanene FINALLY came home from Boston! yay!! Karissa, Shelby, Jeanene, Heidi, and I were just chillin outside of Regents.


Yay for Jeanene!! Can you tell I'm happy she's home?


I was just about to say "Aww, I love my roommates." But they aren't my roommates anymore. : ( Sad. Aren't they cute little graduates though?


Have yourself a wonderful week.
Christen

This Week

What a week! Finals are FINALLY over. I think I pulled all A's for the semester, praise the Lord! I'm really exhausted; I haven't slept much. Tomorrow night ALL of my roommates graduate. Congrats to Karissa, Shelby, Jenn, and Jeanene!! yay!! Saturday night I'm headed to Brandon Wells' wedding. Congrats!! Then, Sunday I'm moving home for the summer to work at LA Weight Loss. I really am excited to be home all summer, but it's bittersweet.

Interesting situation in my life. Maybe I'll elaborate later. Just know I'm a happy girl. : )

Have a wonderful weekend if I don't talk to you sooner. I'm sorry I've been slacking in my xanga devotion, but it should get better with all my free time this summer. haha Love you, dear friends.

Christen

What a good, random weekend:
-Two Birthdays
-Arab food
-Italian ice cream
-Good friends
-Shopping- new jeans :)
-Uno's Pizza
-Four Day Weekend- comedy...woo hoo
-More good friends
-Elizabethtown
-Jeanene
-Good time in Guynes
-Burnin' Grace Minutes : )

I thoroughly enjoyed my weekend. I'm sad this is the last week of school, and the last chance to hang out with my friends before summer. Though I have stuff to look forward to at home, I'm really enjoying right now. *sigh* Oh life, why can't you slow down for a second?

Christen