Anniversary Weekend at the Lake

After this post, I intend to blog about the highlights of the past year and then [hopefully] stay current.  Also, I need to post pics of our house in a big way.  We have done a LOT of work on it, and we're still nowhere near finished.  

We had a great dinner at the Melting Pot, per our tradition, on our actual anniversary earlier in June. [see:my handsome date above!]

Then, we went to Marble Falls for a weekend on Lake LBJ!! I cannot tell you how soul-refreshing it is to just get away with the ones you love.  We had the best time relaxing and reading on the porch, jet-skiing, jumping off the two-story deck and {on Saturday afternoon} hanging out with Jimmy's sister and her new husband.  My favorite part of the whole weekend was Saturday morning when Jimmy led us in a Bible/prayer time on the porch.  We read through a few chapters in Isaiah and were reminded of God's provision, grace, and the work He's done in our lives through each other.  It may have just been the two of us, but God showed up in a big way.  I left my good cameras at home, in an attempt to leave work behind.  The result, however, is a ton of rather lackluster iphone/point&shoot photos. Enjoy!

 

Year Two: Check!

Today is our second wedding anniversary!!  So this post is dedicated to Jimmy, who has lately been encouraging me to revitalize our blog!

Happy Anniversary, my love! Can you believe all that we've been through in just two years?! After saying, "I do" on June 12, 2010, we moved to Addison, I (Courtney) finished interning at Scottish Rite Hospital in Dallas and graduated from college in August of '10, you worked at IQ Apparel, we moved back to the Houston area, bought a house, you started a new job at Murmer Aircraft Services, became a pilot and helped me start my own photography business! Yowza! [I'm sure there's more I'm forgetting, but I think I hit the pivotal moments.]

Throughout our first year of marriage, I was always fearful that something terrible would happen to take you away from me.  I lived in fear for your safety ALL the time.  I was not trusting God at all in that aspect.  By no means do I think I have it all together with just one more year under our belts, but during this second year, I have stopped fearing that God will take you away, and started living with gratitude for every day and moment that I'm with you.  I hope I never forget the way you make me smile when you walk in the door after work, and how Aspen whines and begs for you to play with her while you make it a priority to hug and kiss me first.  Then you run around and play hide-and-go-seek with the doggy. :) I love your sense of humor and the corny jokes that never cease to make me laugh.  When you are in a good mood, you sing and whistle and hum constantly.  I hope you never stop doing that.  I love watching you fully relax into your role as my husband, encouraging me in the little things like bringing me flowers or dancing with me in the living room, even if it's just one round of "Just Dance 3", and getting up in the middle of the night when I think I've left the front door unlocked.  You are an amazing basketball coach to two middle school teams.  It blesses me to see you pour your time and energy into something you love.  This is one of the many reasons why I know you will be an amazing father, one day. 

I love being your wife and am so grateful that God chose me for that role.  I pray that over the next 70+ years I can bless you half as much as you've already blessed me.  People are always coming up to me and telling me how wonderful you are...what a great guy you are...and how handsome you are!! ;) With your humble example and guidance over the past two years, I have grown in intimacy with my Heavenly Father, as He has brought us closer together, too.

One of our very first dates, circa Christmas 2005

Fast forward

Hello blog world. I realize our last post was in June so let me catch you up with the highlights:

July -

Courtney was busy photographing weddings, newborn babies, and families.

I was working hard at the airport and working towards my pilots license.

Aspen learned some new tricks and learned to swim. Our little puppy reached 20 lbs

We were fortunate enough to have several of our friends come to visit before they set out on mission trips to Africa, Peru, and China.

To end out the month we finished our bathroom renovation and painted our bedroom.

August-

We finally finished our backyard overhaul, and just in time to host a baby shower for my Sister Laurie and our niece (almost here) Skylar! This picture is in the middle of all the backyard work!

For Courtney, the wedding season continued, and Courtney and her best friend refinished some old furniture and decorated her office. I helped on their projects by doing the "man jobs", but lots of my free time was spent flying. I flew several solo trips and logged a bunch of hours.

Aspen reached the 30 lb mark and has continued to bring us lots of joy.

September -

We spent a great weekend at Lake LBJ with Courtney's parents!

Courtney finished out her Summer wedding season and we look forward to her winter season as she post processes the last few weddings.

I've been busy flying or taking ground school almost everyday to get ready for my check ride on the 30th.

Aspen , our 5 and a half month old puppy reached a whopping 37.4 lbs, and is healthy as an ox

The last few months were busy but wonderful and I do not know how to close out a blog post so "here's to you kid"

- The Griffins

Here is a photo collage Courtney made of our weekend at the lake.

Aspen Chaco

We had a fantastic anniversary weekend, but I am so busy with work that I don't have time right now to do a full post about our weekend. But I can sum it up with this:

Meet ASPEN!! Our new 7 week old boxer puppy! She is so cute and cuddly and very fun!! I wanted to name a puppy Chaco (which ties into Jimmy's anniversary gift to me), but she looks too feminine to be Chaco, so she is Aspen Chaco, but we'll just call her Aspen! :)

Life Is Good

See? My mug told me so this morning! This is me working, and freaking out about allllll the work I have to do. So, friends, you will hear from me after our anniversary this weekend when I am all caught up with photography and have just partied like a rock star with the best husband-of-361 days so far-EVER!! (4 days until our anniversary!!) But life really is good--and my goal in life is not to please people, but God-so the freaking out stops here.

"I am the One who helps you, declares the Lord; your Redeemer is the Holy One of Israel." -Isaiah 41:14

"And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him." -Colossians 4:17

KLG

Do you ever watch Kathie Lee and Hoda on Today?

As I sit in front of my computer and edit photos, I usually listen to music or get so into my work that I tune everything out and realize I've been sitting in silence for 2 hours-BUT from 10-11 I am watching the fourth hour of Today with Kathie Lee Gifford and Hoda Kotb-woman. I love it!

KLG wrote a children's book called "The Legend of Messy M'Cheany" and came to Houston for a book signing on Saturday. My mom called me last week to tell me about it and asked if I wanted to go. Of COURSE I said YES!

I liked KLG from having watched her on "Today" every morning, but after hearing her speak and getting to talk with her--I LOVE her!! I did not know she is a Christian and gives God ALL the glory for her success. She was quoting Scriptures that she knew by heart and was SUCH an encouragement to listen to. During the Q&A I brazenly asked 2 questions: 1) What is your favorite Chardonnay? (She told me it was Gaia & Rey's Gaja Chardonnay) and 2) Do you find it difficult to be so open about your faith on television? To which she talked about how she told the producers her condition to coming back to TV was that she had permission to talk openly and quote Scripture as she felt led. She said she has talked with the crew of the Today show (including Hoda!!) about Jesus! How awesome!!

Because we bought our tickets so early, we were 2nd in line to meet KLG! We had a nice chat with her as she signed all of our books and even told my mom to come feel how comfy her pants were that she plugged on the show! (The second pic is KLG telling mom to feel her pants!) hahah!

Thanks for the invite, Mom! :) Which celeb should we try to meet next?

P.S. 6 DAYS UNTIL OUR FIRST ANNIVERSARY!!!

No More Funky Town!

Last post was way too depressing. I was in a funk. Part of me wants to delete it--but then I may forget the Lord's grace and redemption when I go back and read this (I hope I actually do that one day...)

We are happy and all is good on the Griffin frontier! I am grateful for the encouragement of my sweet husband. He always knows how to cheer me up and point me to the Lord when I need it most! It is JUNE!!!! HOORAY!!! This is the month we were married in almost one year ago!!! T-minus 11 days until our 1st ANNIVERSARY!!! :)

We are in the middle of totally renovating our bathroom--new tile shower, floor, tub surround--everything! Pictures to come! I've been so busy editing photos for the Strasburg Model Search that I haven't had much time for anything else!! Check out my new photography blog!!!! I did, however, manage to go for a walk this morning with my friend Elise and her 5 month old son Mac, which I desperately needed.

And just because I can't bear the thought of having 2 posts in a row without pictures--here are some pictures from Easter and Aggie Muster!! (I know, I'm way behind...and these are not in my usual collages)

Aggie Muster with the Griffins!

Jimmy and I made Easter baskets for each other, Lisa and her boyfriend Jerry since they stayed with us for Easter! :)

My mom gave everyone bunny ears in our baskets this year!! Isn't my husband handsome?

We spent the day at the Kemah Boardwalk with Jimmy's sister Laurie, BIL (brother in law) Patrick, and our cute cute niece Leila! (and McKinney baby #2 who is on the way) and Lisa and Jerry!! I had not been to the boardwalk in years! It was really fun!

The best part was the train ride!! Jimmy and Lisa photo-bombed this pic of the McKinneys!! :)

Lisa and Jerry took us out for dessert at the Melting Pot!! We stuffed our bocas and it was delicious!!