Last Saturday was Faith and Family night at Minute Maid Park! I knew we had to get tickets when I found out the concert before the game was Stephen Curtis Chapman. Eight of us went, mom, dad, me, Jimmy, and Jimmy's brother, his wife and their two boys. Before the concert started, Lance Berkman (Astro's 1st Baseman) gave his testimonial. One thing he said that I really liked: "All my life I have dreamed about playing professional baseball. Being in my position, you can have anything you want. Everything you need or want is given to you. None of that compares or even matters to knowing I have a relationship with Jesus."After Lance's presentation, Stephen Curtis Chapman performed. He was awesome! He talked about the loss of his daughter, his family and sang some of his best sons! I loved it!!!We had about two hours between the concert and the game. Instead of eating inside the stadium and spending a ton of money, we brought a picnic and had a "tailgate party." To kill more time, we walked over to Houston's new downtown park, Discovery Green. It is a pretty cool place and the boys had a great time!
The game wasn't great. I don't remember the score when we left, but lets just say the Diamond Backs had two grand slams, a few other runs scored and people on base. The Astros had 1 run. Oh well...it was still a great night!
So, tonight, when talking about how a diver's family moved from Florida to Indiana so she could be close to her synchronized diving partner, the announcer said, "...Its very important for synchronized divers to train together." Really? You think so?
One of my very favorite musicians is Stephen Curtis Chapman (and Michael W. Smith, but this isn't about him). I remember going to Six Flags Over Texas in Arlington when we were in elementary school to see Stephen in concert on their "Faith Weekend." I remember Kasey and I singing his song, "The Great Adventure" at the top of our lungs in the car with my dad. (If you haven't ever heard that song, go download it now - its still one of my very favorites.)
Last year, Jimmy and I saw Stephen Curtis Chapman in concert at the Woodlands Pavilion and, of course, he was awesome! (We also danced to one of his songs, "I Will Be Here" for our wedding.) So, needless to say, I have been a huge fan of Stephen Curtis Chapman's all my life and tonight only solidified that.
At his last concert, he talked about how is family had adopted three little girls from China over the past several years. One of the girls' names is Maria Sue. In May, her older brother was pulling in the driveway and accidentally hit her, she was pronounced dead at the hospital.
Tonight, the Chapman Family was on Larry King Live talking about their story, their faith and this tragedy. They explained that when Maria Sue saw her brother pulling into the driveway, she came running from their playground in the backyard to greet him. That's when he accidentally hit her.
One thing that bothered me about the show tonight was Larry King saying things like, "So, who are you really angry at? You must be on medication or getting psychiatric help. Haven't you lost your faith?" I was in awe of this family sitting there with 100% certainty that their little girl is in heaven watching them give an interview about her while sitting on Jesus' lap. They said they may have more questions about why things happen, but never once has their faith been shaken or have they doubted God.
Wow. To have such strength. I only pray that I can develop that kind of faith.
Larry King asked the oldest Chapman son, Kaleb, "So, how do you live your life now?" He responded by saying, "The night of the accident, we gathered around Mary Sue's body, held hands and made an oath that we would honor Maria by honoring the One who gave her to us and so, the way I am going to live my life from here on out is not to be ashamed of what I have been created to do. And that is to share the Gospel, share Maria's story and by sharing Maria's story, I get to share the hope that I have found through tragedy."
At the end of the show, again, Larry King asked Mary Beth (the mom), "Don't you ever doubt?" She said, "I have never doubted where Maria is and I have no doubt that I will see her again." Apparently, he doesn't think that is possible so, he had to ask it in a different way and said, "You have never questioned your beliefs?" She responded, "I tell my closest friends that when it got to the darkest, darkest point and we were as far down as we could go, we might have landed on our face, but the foundation was solid and we landed."
This video is really his music video for one of his more recent songs, "Cinderella." (They obviously made a few changes for the memorial version.) He wrote it before Maria died. Tonight, they said they still sing it in their concerts, but at the end, instead of saying "...The clock will strike midnight and she'll be gone..." they say, "...The clock will strike midnight, but the truth is the dance will go on and he'll dance with his daughter again..."
Last weekend, Jimmy and I headed to New Braunfels with some friends. We went with Kelly and Jeremy, our neighbors and Lisa and Kyle, a friend from high school who only lives three streets away - weird. Anyway, the trip started out as a get-a-way weekend for our anniversary, but how fun is it to float the river with only two people?? We left on Saturday and drove straight into town. Before we went to the house, we had to stop at Clear Springs for yummy dinner!
Jimmy and Jeremy waiting for our name to be called at the restaurant. So happy we are out of the car! Kelly and Jeremy, our neighbors. We packed up Sunday morning and headed to the Guadalupe. I went to school down in this area, but never floated the Guadalupe. We always went to the Comal or the San Marcos. Turns out, I like my rivers better than the Guadalupe. The water was 62 degrees!!! Whoever took this picture has obviously never taken one before. Either that, or they didn't know who was supposed to be in the picture. (The kid on the right looks like he is posing, too) They found a waterfall and had to explore. Water cameras are horrible. This is the only picture we have of the 6 of us though. Cooking dinner for us on Sunday night. This is after a long nap and hot shower. Happy Anniversary! This is us outside Grandma's house on Monday morning.
Naeglin's Bakery...so delicious! Its the oldest bakery in Texas - can't go to New B without stopping at Naeglins! Kelley, Jimmy, Jeremy and Kelly on Texas State campus. I didn't realize how much I miss this area, until we went back there! Monday night, we ate our cake top! Jimmy being goofy!
The dogs really wanted some cake, too! Turns out, the cake was so good!!! We have been eating it all week! I decided to share, since they didn't get any on the big night. So handsome!
It was a great weekend!! I think we are going to make it an annual anniversary trip!!
Yesterday, July 21, was our 1 year anniversary! I will post pictures of our super fun river trip later, but first, I just wanted to relive the wedding! (I miss it!!)
The girls
The guys
Careful not to see each other!
Having fun before the ceremony!Me and dad
The ceremonyFirst kissWho is the boss here?Gorgeous flowers!Me and the boysDancing! This night was so much fun!!Trying to sneak a peek before we leftJimmy is crazy!On our way out... This past year was so much fun! Of course, there were ups and downs and we are still learning more about each other everyday, but it was awesome! I still cannot believe we have been married a whole year!! My grandma said the first year is the hardest so the next 49 should be no problem!
Last Saturday was Faith and Family night at Minute Maid Park! I knew we had to get tickets when I found out the concert before the game was Stephen Curtis Chapman. Eight of us went, mom, dad, me, Jimmy, and Jimmy's brother, his wife and their two boys. 
Before the concert started, Lance Berkman (Astro's 1st Baseman) gave his testimonial. One thing he said that I really liked: "All my life I have dreamed about playing professional baseball. Being in my position, you can have anything you want. Everything you need or want is given to you. None of that compares or even matters to knowing I have a relationship with Jesus."
After Lance's presentation, Stephen Curtis Chapman performed. He was awesome! He talked about the loss of his daughter, his family and sang some of his best sons! I loved it!!!
We had about two hours between the concert and the game. Instead of eating inside the stadium and spending a ton of money, we brought a picnic and had a "tailgate party." 
To kill more time, we walked over to Houston's new downtown park, Discovery Green. It is a pretty cool place and the boys had a great time!
The game wasn't great. I don't remember the score when we left, but lets just say the Diamond Backs had two grand slams, a few other runs scored and people on base. The Astros had 1 run. Oh well...it was still a great night!
Me and dad
First kiss
Who is the boss here?
Gorgeous flowers!
Me and the boys
Dancing! This night was so much fun!!
Trying to sneak a peek before we left
Jimmy is crazy!
On our way out...
