rain, rain, go away

Last night was filled with loud rolling thunder and thousand strikes of lightning. Jon and I woke up around 3:30 am from all of the thunder and lightning; I was just waiting for a tornado to roll through but no signs of a raging train were seen last night.

*Flooding outside of the apartment...water just kept coming!*

*The tennis court flooded and walkways too*
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I woke up this morning knewing there would be some flooding in Houston, I showered, dressed and left for work. I began driving on Jones Road towards 290 and the water was everywhere! Luckily I have a SUV so I made it through to only be forced to enter 290. The service roads were closed completely because of the flooding. I eventually made it to work, but knew that most of the front office people lived in places that can flood really bad. I was texting Jenny to see who was going to make it work, then texted Tammie and she told me no one can make it! Everyone is flooded in! Man, so now I'm sitting at home watching the news aand seeing how bad the flooding is all over Houston, especially near Katy and Jersey Village area. Eeek! I hope everyone is being safe and not trying to drive through this craziness!

*Sitting in my car goofing off waiting to hear about work*

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*Flooding in the little reservoir right by the apartment-- about 8-10 feet of water*

blah blah

Jon and I started our official search for a new apartment today. We visted 5 different apartment complexes. The first one was right off Westheimer inside the loop, it was pretty pricey but so conveniently located for both Jon and I. It was really small though, and for the price it wasn't worth it. The second place we visited was called Old Farm Apartments and we both LOVED it! It reminded us so much of the apartments we live in now, it's also located off Westheimer but outside the loop; and only 9 miles away from TWU and Jon's work. The apartments were really cute and I really liked the grounds and the amenities. The third place was a nice complex but we didn't get to talk to anyone because they were so busy. The last 2 places we looked at were in the medical center and we didn't really like the area. It was more convenient for me, but we didn't feel safe driving around it even though it's near the Med Center. So, now we have Sunday to look at a few more places. I'm so confused about where to live. I've looked at apartment ratings online and the one place that we both loved doesnt' have very good ratings on this website; i don't know if I should trust it. I guess all I can do is pray about it and hope that God will provide me the right decision. I know he is always with Jon and I and has done so much for us already so I know he will be with us during this decision.

Venue Searching

So Jon and I took a weekend trip to Austin to search for venues. We looked at several and each place had it's own theme and feel to it which made it much more difficult to decide which one I liked the most. This place was called Villa Antonia, it's located in the hill country and has a far view of Lake Travis far off into the distance. It's a beautiful house with several different areas within the grounds. I really liked it here and think it's absolutely beautiful.

This is a view from the Top of The Oasis. It's a part of a famous restaurant in Austin that Jon and I frequently went to over the summer's he would visit me in college. It's a beautiful place to hang out and have some drinks, but we weren't too impressed with the colors within the hall we would have our reception. But the environment and view is awesome, we are thinking of having our rehearsal dinner at The Oasis.

This place was called Barr Mansion and was located far off in Southeast Austin. I thought it had a really sweet and romantic feel to it. The outside of the venue is all glass and has tall ceilings. It was a little too far from where the church we are getting married at is, so we already ruled out this one, i think.

The last place we visited was a place called Nature's Point in Lago Vista. As you can see it's located right off Lake Travis. It was absolutely beautiful. Modern and chic but still romantic and I loved the color of the deco! It has space for moving both in and outside the venue which I love and it's view from the deck is amazing. I really hope this is the place! But we will see!

Ode to My Savior

My daddy was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma in late October of 2008. He started his first chemotherapy treatment on my birthday, Nov. 11th, 2008. He went in for three different days, each day receiving different things. His treatment was called R-CHOP. R-Rituximab , C-Cyclophosphamide, H-Hydoxydaunorubicin, O-Oncovin (now called Vincristine), P-Predinosolone (steroid). Now those all sound fancy and all well, but the effects it had on my dad were absolutely amazing; both good and bad.

I consider my dad to be a super hero, nothing could hurt my dad and my dad could overcome anything. Growing up my dad was invincible! He was my hero, my knight in shining armour, no bullets could penetrate his shield. He was my papi.

The first week of his treatment was a week of waiting and of guessing; guessing to see what all of these chemicals are going to do to my dad and how it was going to make him feel. That weekend of his treatment my parents came to Houston to watch my old high school's football team play in the HS playoffs. I didn't know what to expect when I saw my dad. This image of a hairless gimpy person just popped into my head and I held back a huge emotion and tears when I saw him at my front door. I gave him a big hug and kiss and told him I loved him. He just smiled at me, but I could see it in his eyes he was tired. That's the only word I can describe him as being; tired.

We went off to watch Cedar Park lose and began heading back to Jon and I's apartment. I did not know what to expect. My dad quickly looked extremely fatigued and was already feeling the effects of his treatment. Any food he ate tasted like metallic, his body just felt like it had been beaten hundreds of times, his face looked drain of any life. I will never forget what my dad looked like that weekend.


Sunday before leaving to head back to Austin my dad wanted me to help him shave his head, he didn't want to go through losing his hair on his own. So, that's what we did!

March 25, 2009- My dad had his check up after being done with his first 6 rounds of chemo. The doctor gave him and my mom the best news: He is in Remission!!

So this is an Ode to My Savior, for watching over my daddy and being with him during those moments where no one else could be. I believe that he cured my dad, he provided strength for my mother, and filled my family with hope and love for one another. This experience has only affirmed my faith in him.

There are lyrics from a song I feel describe what my Lord has done for my daddy:



Mighty To Save

By: Hillsong

Everyone needs compassion
A love that's never failing
Let mercy fall on me

Everyone needs forgiveness
The kindness of a Savior
The hope of nations

Savior, he can move the mountains
My God is mighty to save
He is mighty to save

Forever author of salvation
He rose and conquered the grave
Jesus conquered the grave

So take me as you find me
With all my fears and failures
Fill my life again

I give my life to follow
Everything I believe in
And now I surrender

The Engagement

Jonathan and I took a trip to beautiful Sedona, Arizona in December 2008 (We had decided last year that every year we would take a trip to somewhere other than Texas; last year we went to California). On Friday, December 12th, we went and had a Pink Jeep Tour (because I thought it would be so fun--i love jeeps!). We arrived to the Pink Jeep Tour site where we signed in and got all of our info. We heard that no one else had signed up to do the exact tour we had chosen, so we would have a private guide- just the two of us and our tour guide dude. We were both really excited to be able to have a guide on our own and not have to share the jeep (well, maybe I was a little more excited)! The tour began and the sites were beautiful- I had never seen Red Rock before, it was just amazing!

There were 2 stops during the tour and I was eagerly awaiting both of them; we could get out and walk around with our tour guide dude and take tons of pictures. The first stop was beautiful, we got out and got to climb up these huge rocks (we were both winded once we got up to the view). We took pictures and I had wanted to stay a little longer just to take in the scenery and the spiritualness of it all. Our tour guide dude quickly said "ready to head out, we can beat the crowd." I hadn't read in to what he said (but now looking back he was pretty sneaky). So we climbed down the rocks, headed back into the Jeep and set out to drive over more cliffs, rocks, and stopping at our second stop 'Chicken Point'.

We drove up to our second spot, our tour guide dude tells us we can go out and walk around on our own, we beat the crowd so we had it all to ourselves. I was pumped and excited, whipped out my camera and set out to take as many pictures as possible! Jon and I walked out, climbed over some rocks and began trekking down to 'Chicken Point' (a dropdown cliff-so beautiful). I was taking pictures and didn't notice Jon cooing me to come with him down to the point. I replied "these are our memories, don't you want the memories!" I evetually put the camera down and climbed down to the cliff -'Chicken Point'. As soon as I got down there the view was so beautiful I just HAD to start taking pictures again. Picture after picture, i was determined to catch every angle and cliff to the tee. Jon put his arms around me and we looked out into the mountains and cliffs (it was so amazing this feeling) and As I bombarded the area with flashes I noticed Jon had stopped hugging me and stopped talking -being very quiet behind me. I turned around and saw him down on one knee! "What are you doing?" (and if you know me, this was said in my smart ass, get up off your knee silly voice) -- I thought he had fallen or something! I quickly saw a box in his hands and covered my mouth with my hands! This was it! This was what I had dreamed about since I was a little girl! My eyes filled with tears as my dream came true- my best friend, the love of my life was proposing to me. Simple words and phrases came out of his mouth "Marcie, I love you- Will you Marry Me?". OMG YES! I can't explain how happy I was, this man-my life is wanting ME to be his wife, HIS life. I will never forget this wonderful moment in time, 12-12-08 will be a day to remember forever. After he proposed and after the many hugs and kisses we climbed back up to the main area of 'Chicken Point'. My eyes were still red from the moment, and here comes walking our tour guide dude, "SO.....?" He Knew!!! Random people had come up telling us both Congrats and asking to see the ring and I'm just thinking "everyone knew??" Our tour guide dude explained that EVERYONE knew, all the other jeeps and their guides and riders knew! I was so amazed! As we drove throughout the rest of the tour, random jeeps would drive by and give Jon and I a thumbs up or would clap and say Congrats! It was pretty cool to be the center of attention, I was a Princess!

So all I have now are my many pictures and memories of this moment, and I Thank God for giving me this man, for giving me this wonderful and amazing gift of love and life-I'm so blessed!

So-- I am getting married!

Let the planning begin!

Beginnings

Well, this is my first blog post!
I am eager to begin keeping track of all the exciting things that have been happening in my life and the new exciting things that will be happening in the months to come.
The past few months have been amazing, with the news of my acceptance into Graduate school - to becoming engaged - to hearing that my daddy is officially in remission after going through 6 grueling months of chemotherapy.
I am excited to share all of these great and sad experiences that are-My life!
So Enjoy --