A trip to the Capitol!

Jerry had to go to the Washington DC area for a work conference so we decided to go down a week early and have a little vacation.  We both have been to DC before, but we were both children.  I had forgotten how close everything is.

Day One:
Jerry and I arrived at our hotel around 1ish.  We decided to grab lunch and explore the city.  We just started walking and ended up at Union Station.  Throughout the trip we became very familiar with using the train.  We continued to walk and ended up at the capital. 

The weather was perfect for most of the trip.  Which was nice because we did a lot of walking!  That night we decided to go to a National's game. 

The stadium was really nice.  Something that I found interesting was a party area that was right outside the stadium.  Because most everyone rides the train to the ballpark, there really isn't a way to tailgate.  So when you get off the train, the first thing you see is this party area filled with food trucks, games (corn hole, latter golf)and a band.  It was like a tailgate party without the tailgate.  :)

I also enjoyed the President's race.  It was pretty funny watching these buys on a Seqway. 


Day Two- Bicycle Tour!
We decided to take a Bicycle Tour.  This tour was awesome!  It was just the two of us and  the tour guide. 

 The capital:

 Washington Monument:

 Jefferson Memorial:

 FDR Memorial:

 MLK Memorial:

 World War II Memorial:

 Everything was in walking distance.  This is the view from one side of WWII Memorial:

 Lincoln Memorial:

The water in front of Washington Monument was being worked on.  Can't you just see Jenny from Forest Gump?? 

 After the tour we decided to eat some lunch at a place called Legal Seafood.  It was very yummy! 

That evening we decided to walk to the White House and enjoy the sites at night. 

 This is a picture of WWII Memorial and Lincoln's Memorial in the very back--- beautiful!

 That night we were walking around Washington Monument and President Obama's helicopter flew over us.  It was pretty cool. 

Day 3- Smithsonian's!

We decided to visit the National Museum of American History.  It was very interesting!  My favorite part was seeing all of the First Ladies' Inaugural Gowns.  This was Michelle Obama's--- beautiful!

 After the American History Museum, we decided to go to the Holocaust Memorial Museum.  All I can say is wow.  This museum is incredibly moving and it's hard to imagine this happened. 

After the museum, we decided to take the train to Georgetown.  Prior to the visit, I purchased a Groupon for an hour long boat ride down the Potomac River.  The boat ride was great time rest our very tired feet. 

 After the boat ride we walked around Georgetown.  Georgetown is very cute and has excellent shopping!  We also found Georgetown Cupcakes.  The line was out the door and around the corner... I was so not willing to wait that long for a cupcake!

Day 4- Baltimore

Jerry and I decided to take the Amtrak to Baltimore. When we arrived we went to the Aquarium and saw a dolphin show!  

After the Aquarium, we decided walk around the harbor to grab lunch at a bar called Pickles.  I felt like I was at a Tech football game.  People were everywhere and excited to cheer on the Orioles or Phillie's.  I liked the National's stadium better, but I liked the atmosphere at Camden Yards.  Also, while we were there Tommy Hunter, Chris Davis, Darren O'Day and Endy Chavez (former players of the Rangers) were all playing.  Chris Davis was one of Jerry's favorite players.   

I like how the stadium had the Baltimore skyline in the background. 

After the game we decided to head back to the train station.  Unfortunately, one of the station's power was out and they were not sure when they would be up in running.  The guy said it could be 2 hours or it could be 20.  This was obviously a problem because I had to catch my flight that next morning. 

We decided to split a cab with a guy going DC and got back at a reasonable hour! 

We had a great time on our trip!  I loved seeing the sites and sounds and exploring the city with Jerry.  We walked our tails off-- my feet need a vacation!!!

Segway Party!

Jane and Glenn gave me a Segway Tour of Fort Worth for my birthday! We had a blast!!!!

We started in the Stockyards and traveled to the Trinity Trails and Arts District.

Watch out!

 Police and Fireman Memorial:

 Hello, Mark Twain!

After our tour, we decided to eat at The Woodshed.  It is very tasty- I highly recommend!  Thanks Jane and Glenn for a wonderful birthday celebration! 

Happy Graduation!

After beginning grad school in January 2010, Jerry has earned his Masters in Business Administration!

WAY TO GO, JERR BEAR!

Chapter 3- Homecoming, Haunted Houses, Jars of Clay

As the weeks progressed, Jerry and I had a couple of conversations. 

Homecoming was just around the corner and I was hoping Jerry would ask me to be his date.  So I did what every typical high school girl does... I got my friends to to talk to his friends and his friends to talk to Jerry.   Well... my plan did not work out so well.... Jerry ended up taking someone else and I went with my friends.  Darn...

A few weeks passed and before we knew it it was October!  This means it was time for haunted houses!  We went on a double date to a haunted house. We had a great time!  Jerry of course was super shy.. He wouldn't even hold my hand.  However, this seemed to break the ice a bit.  Couple nights later, I  received a phone call from Jerry.  I paced the entire time we talked. 

 Jerry and I started hanging out (but not "going out"-- by definition- Going out means you were boyfriend and girlfriend... we were not there yet.)  Hanging out included golf practice, going out to eat with friends, meeting each other between classes, and haunted houses. 

About a month went by and on October 25, after a Arlington High football game, Jerry officially asked me out.  Worlds Apart by Jars of Clay played in the background during our "what are we" conversation. This became our official song. 




I feel like this song was perfect for us.  When we were in high school Jerry and I were very involved in our churches.  Aside from being on the golf team, God was the first thing Jerry and I really had in common.  I look back on myself in high school and realize I have changed so much.  This isn't a good or bad thing.. I'm just different.  I'm sure many people can agree that the high school version of themselves has changed/matured (hopefully).  This is a different post for a different day.  Now that Jerry and I were officially together, I enjoyed sending Jerry fun little notes.. Here are some good ones-

Notice the Arlington High golf bag- such an artist!

After school, I would go up to Shady Valley, where Jerry worked, and hang out.  Jerry was a bag boy.  This is an ideal job for a high school boy.  A bag boy's duties include picking up a club member from their car, loading up their clubs, and picking up the range balls.  In exchange for all this hard work, bag boys were paid minimum wage and got free golf.  It's a pretty good deal...

When Jerry was not busy at work, we liked to take the golf carts down a steep hill and slam the brakes..  Looking back, this was probably not the safest thing we have ever done... but I'm still breathing.... Every time I drive by Shady Valley, I smile. 

Graduation!

Well... I finally graduated from grad school! Hoorrraaayyy!!! No more writing papers! Here are a couple of pictures!

The Story of Us- Chapter 2- First Day of Junior Year

It is the moment I had been long awaiting... That August I was officially an upper-classman. I drove to school in my Ford Taurus, windows down,  Dashboard Confessional blaring.  I had just turned 16 two months prior so driving was still super cool.  I found a parking spot and set out for the 1 mile hike to class.  At Arlington High, student parking was far from school.  You had to walk from your parking spot, past the football field, past the cafeteria parking lot, to your class.  If your first class was in E-hall you better get their early. 





This year started off differently for me than my freshman and sophomore year.  In the spring of my sophomore year, I had quit my beloved sport-volleyball.  Since I was in 6th grade I played year round volleyball.  Fall was filled with school volleyball, winter and spring was dedicated to club volleyball, and the summers were committed to volleyball camps.  Volleyball was my life.  As I hiked my way to class, I had a huge lump in my throat.  Typical high school thoughts ventured in my head... Who am I if I don't play volleyball... I hope my friends don't forget about me... Did I make the right decision.... I hope everyone thinks this outfit is cute... Look at the freshman, they look so small...

I was finally there... my first period class.  Arlington High had a blocked day schedule- meaning you have 4 classes one day and different 4 class the next day.  The first day of school is always a joke.  We had a C-Day schedule, this is where the students have to go to each class and basically do intros 8 different times.  My classes included Algebra 2, English 3, PALS, Science, History, Golf, and two other classes that I can't remember.  My last class was golf, I was so thankful. 

I was walking in the door when I saw some familiar boy faces... then I saw mystery boy.  What was he doing here?  I didn't know he went to Arlington.  I sat down in a desk in Coach Schwartz's classroom and began talking to my friend Dena, while still keeping an eye on mystery boy.

Dena and had been friends for a while.  Her dad and my dad knew each other and we also played club volleyball together.  She was also a member at Shady Valley, so we would go play 9 holes together.  When we played golf it was mainly goofing around and talking about anything but golf.... sorry Coach Schwartz...
I noticed the mystery boy talking with Grant as he left for the next class.  Everyone knew Grant... he was the guy that was friends with everyone.  Hmm... the wheels starting turning...how can I get introduced to this mystery boy.

I asked around to see what this mystery boys name was and I found out his name was Jerry.

The Story of Us- Chapter One- Where it all started

I just finished reading The Pioneer Woman.  If you haven't read it, I seriously suggest you do!  It's an excellent, easy read.  She also has a blog that is filled with excellent recipes.

After reading the book, I felt very inspired to tell the story of Jerry and I. 

In the summer of 2006 I decided to get serious about my golf game.  I saved up my babysitting money and purchased a brand new set of  Wilson's Fat Shaft golf clubs.  When I went shopping, I had the pro's watch my swing.  Turns out I have a very strong, fast swing.  As a result, the pro's recommended I purchase a senior men's set of clubs.  I'm not really sure why, but this made me feel super cool.  I was ready to go!  New golf clubs-check, cute golf bag--check, red golf tees--check,  flamingo head cover--check, golf shoes, khaki shorts, polo shirt, and matching hat-- check!  At the time, my parents had a membership to Shady Valley Golf Course.  I was able to go play or hit balls whenever I wanted.  Looking back, I did not take full advantage of this. 

One day, I decided I needed to work on my swing so I went up to Shady Valley to hit some balls at the driving range. I drove myself in my awesome 1995 Ford Taurus. 

  I pranced down to the range with my matching outfit and bucket of golf balls in hand.  To my surprise there was a very cute guy hitting balls too.  He was wearing a pair of khaki shorts, orange polo shirt, and golf hat.  My stomach dropped.  I thought to myself, "Who is this guy?"  I strategically placed myself a couple of spots away from mystery boy.  I didn't want to be too forward by selecting the spot right next to him, but didn't want to close the door for conversation by selecting a spot too far away.  I began stretching and taking a few practice swings.  The entire time wondering who this cute boy at the driving range was.  I thought to myself, maybe he'll see how great I am at golf and ask me to play a round with him!

It was time to show off--- I mean, the pro's said I had an excellent swing that required seniors men's clubs... I go through my usual pre-swing rituals--- stretch neck, shrug shoulders, wiggle knees up and down.  I was ready to show the mystery boy my beautiful swing!  I took the club back, swung it fast and hard, and completely topped the ball.  For those of you who are not familiar with golf terms, this typically means you looked up to see where the ball went before you even hit the ball.  The result of topping of golf ball is a horrible whacking sound and the ball basically goes 15 feet in front of you. 

Alright.... take two.  That was my first swing, so what if I topped it.  I was bound and determined to show off my skills to the mystery boy.  Once again, I went through my pre-swing rituals, to the club back, and topped it again.  In my head, I'm screaming, "What the heck! Those stupid pro's sold me the wrong clubs!"  This went on for several strokes, until I started slicing the the ball.  A slice is when you make contact with the ball but it curves way to the right.  This is usually a result of your swing getting sloppy and leaving the head of the club open. 

Meanwhile, the mystery boy is hitting each ball perfectly and finishing up his bucket.  In a pathetic attempt to start conversation, I commented on the weather.  It was one of those dirty dancing moments... you know where Baby says, "I carried a watermelon."  Mystery boy was not interested in talking.

He went on to play a round of golf, while I stayed at the driving range cursing the pro's that sold me the new clubs (it was all their fault that I couldn't hit the ball- haha), blaming the weather, wondering if mystery boy thought I was an idiot.