Africa & the Zoo!!

Look at me actually keeping up with the blog!! :)

On Friday, one of my best friends, Emily, came into town to visit us before she goes on a month-long trip to Africa. She is traveling to Ethiopia with The Mocha Club- an awesome organization that you can support for the price of 2 mochas a month (hence the name). I am so proud of her for following God to the ends of the earth to share the gospel and encourage women in need. Anywhoo--we had an AH-MA-ZING weekend!! Friday night we all played Settlers of Catan with Jimmy's brother Josh, and Saturday . . . (drumroll please) we went to the ZOO!!!!

I have been dying to go to the zoo for over a year!! Unfortunately, I thwarted Jimmy's plan to surprise me with a much-anticipated trip to the zoo for our anniversary (less than a month away!), but it was the perfect weekend for the zoo!! We loved the giraffes, the elephants, and especially the new baby monkey! The best part was spending the day with some of the 2 most amazing people in the world! After the zoo, we had a picnic lunch at the park, Jimmy played golf with the boys while Em and I went to the new Sienna pool. Maybe we utilized "adult swim" to go down the slides while the kids watched from the side. Maybe... ;) And to top the day off, a bunch of our friends came over to grill hamburgers and hang out on our patio. It was probably one of my favorite, most relaxing, fun days of all time!! I give it a 10! :)

Here are some pics from our trip to the zoo! And yes--Jimmy and I each carried our Camelbaks with us the whole day! We Griffins do not take hydration lightly! :) And lastly, the picture on the bottom right of me and Jimmy as monkeys-probably one of my fave pics of us EVER!

Loyalty

I love 3-day weekends!!  I especially loved this past weekend because I got to see my dear friend EMILY twice!! ...and in 2 different cities! Here she is in front of her cute new house in Austin!

We met up with her in Arlington on Saturday for dinner at my all-time, absolute, in-any-weather, most deliciously FAVORITE restaurant ever - CHUY'S - then for dessert at Pinkberry!!   Pinkberry in Texas = a good thing!  The first time I tasted the yummy goodness was on me and Emily's trip to Los Angeles over a year ago!  Obviously, I had to include the flashback pic next to the remake!

Sunday after church, the Jimster and I headed to San Marcos for some shopping at the outlets and to visit Jimmy's sister Lisa.  We had so much fun floating the river and hanging out at her apartment!  Thanks for having us Lisa! :)  On our way home we stopped in Austin to see  Emily at her cute new house in Hyde Park!!  I was so jealous of all the Chacos, bike-riding, and vintage living we saw.

Lately I have learned so much about what it means to be a loyal friend and how richly true friendship can bless your life.  Emily makes it so easy to be her friend.  She gets what it means to live the gospel and give grace abundantly.  I want to be that kind of friend.  I want to exude truth and mercy, to love with abandon and not be addicted to myself.

Then Jesus told his disciples, "If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. -Matthew 16:24


A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. -Proverbs 18: 24