It's almost time..

..to say 'goodbye'




We have been busy packing boxes, throwing things out, and spending a little more time with our friends before we leave. Things that have been good?...

* A trip to Queens for Columbian food with Ralphy and Sharon.

* Taking a breather from the packing and going to the beach for the day with my two favorite guys/Charles first time at the ocean!


* Finding $10.00 in an old pair of jeans before throwing them out

* A cooking lesson with Gloria (red beans and rice + her famous soup)

* Past episodes of The Office- never fails to make me laugh out loud

* Corner Burger with Ashley

* Answers to prayer

* Talks with my husband of the future and God's GOOD plans for us

* Celebrating Chris' birthday with friends, food, and cheesecake


* Tea Lounge date with Lindsay


* All church picnic


* Dinner, fellowship, and views with people who mean so much to us



Chris is driving the truck out with a friend and leaving Monday morning. Charles and I will be flying in on Tuesday. Please keep us in your prayers as we travel.

Weekend Adventures

Getting ready for a move across country is a big task! First thing on the list? Downsize! I was just going to take a bunch of stuff to Salvation Army but a friend of ours is moving as well so we decided to pool our stuff together and have a stoop sale first. One thing I have learned about Chinese culture by living in this neighborhood is that they don't really buy things that have been used. If it's free, regardless of the quality, they'll take it, but used? nope. With that being said, we knew going into it that it wouldn't be a big money maker, and it wasn't.



On our second day, which was also our last, we decided to make a huge sign that said FREE for the last hour or so to see if people would take stuff and lessen our load of things to haul to the Salvation Army. Worked like a charm! We got rid of almost everything on our table as well as a lot of the clothes. Everything left over fit into a few boxes/bags in the back seat and most importantly, we got rid of a bunch of stuff! I am sure there will be a few more trips to Salvation Army (as well as some postings on craigslist for some larger items) in the next few weeks, but it feels good to make a dent.

On Saturday we headed for the upper west side to take in the Museum of Natural History. Some people feel obligated to pay the full amount of a suggested donation admittance, I however am not one of them. I paid a dollar a piece for the three of us (which would have cost us $32) and we spend the afternoon at the museum with our friends Dion and Janet and their new baby Samuel. Charles loved the fish, animals and dinosaurs- although walking into the room and seeing the herd of Elephants was scary at first!


(I apologize for the poor quality of some of these photos- they were all taken on my phone)







 


We had a great time with our friends.


Afterwards we headed to the Shake Shack. Ohmygoodness. Awesome burgers and one of the best chocolate shakes I have ever had. Ever. No wonder the line is always out the door!

 
We will definitely be going back there again before we move home- though I am really looking forward to finally consuming a famous Jucy Lucy at Matt's!
And to top off our fun weekend our friend Nate was in NY and we got to spend Sunday with him. Here he is with Charles who is shamelessly giving his girlfriend the flirty eye. Boy did he love making her smile! He is such a charmer!

Whew..

The past week and a half has been FULL! Busy and fun, but full.
My dear friend had her baby girl last Tuesday in a delivery very much like I experienced with Charles- praise the Lord!



Last Wednesday my parents flew into Boston and spent two days there before taking a bus into New York City. We met them in midtown and from then until Tuesday night we had a great time stoop sitting, talking, eating, tromping around the city (I love tromping), taking in the views, looking at fish, and enjoying the time together. We went to the NY Aquarium at Coney Island, DUMBO, the promenade, and as a surprise to my parents we gave them tickets to a Broadway show- which they have never been to. While they were at the show Chris, Charles and I hung out in Central Park.



I'm so happy we could do that for them, they really loved it.

What else did we do?

Stoop sitting and birthday celebrating..


Taking in the views..




Tromping..






Looking at the fish...
  

Eating..





Being together..



My mom has some really good photos on her camera too, once I get them I will post a few of those as well. It was a really good time together- thanks Mom and Dad for the fun visit! Charles keeps asking 'where's Nana? Where's Papa?'

Signs

Remember a looong time ago when I was occasionally posting photos of signs? No? Allow me to remind you...
Now do you remember? I know, it was a long time ago. Well, I'm bringing it back!!!
I saw this on my way to a job last week and just had to share it with you.




so sweet! I hope she said yes!

Feeling HOT HOT HOT!

This week has been a hot one. Filled with days in the pool and sprinkler, ice cream on the stoop, and generally trying to stay cool. The first official day of summer isn't until June 21st but I am here to tell you that summer has arrived in Brooklyn!

My friend Sharon and I set up the pool in the backyard a could days and let the kiddos play till their heart's content. Seriously, for hours, they were entertained in the water and kept cool. One of those days we let them finger paint for a while before getting in.



Chris had Monday off so we headed to the city for some fun. We went to South Street Seaport to see the boats and search for a playground a friend told me about. Couldn't find the playground so we headed to Battery Park instead where we watched the street entertainers, walked around, and let Charles splash in a fountain.


 

It's been a while since we have been to Battery Park. There are new benches, trees and paths near the water. Charles liked watching the boats and of course, this great view of The Statue of Liberty. ('I can see the Statue of Liberty already! it's very small of course..' name that quote!)




And of course, Mister Softee on the stoop- the perfect end to a hot day!