N.Y.C

View of the Hudson River from the Amtrak train



West Point



Last summer I started a new position at work on a new project to help implement a claim system between my employer and the sister company.  At the time the project started we knew there was potential for a little travel, but not as much as I have experienced in the last 8 weeks!!  I feel like I am an ol' pro at packing my suitcase and jetting to New York for the week and back!  Too bad most of my days are spent in the office and back to hotel to sleep (including a few trips to F!ve Guys, Chee$ecake Factory, wonderful Italian places, and the mall)

The first week we traveling, 3 of the ladies and myself decided to plan a longer stay and enjoy New York City for a few days.  We enjoyed a quick train ride from Albany to NYC and then an amazing weekend of beautiful weather in an amazing city.  We did everything one could possibly do in a day with 14 hours straight of sight seeing and walking and eating and walking some more.  We met 2 other ladies on Friday night from work and I had such a great time getting to know these ladies.   







Pear and Ricotta Ravioli at ReSette on 45th!  A.M.A.Z.I.N.G



The flowers at Rockefeller Center were beautiful and smelled like heaven.







911 Memorial- a breathtaking and humbling experience.

Battery Park-Ashley, Amanda, Laura, Alice, Judy, and Karen



Gelato in Litte Italy



View of the city from Top Of The Rock

 

Carriage ride in Central Park. 

Before heading home Sunday evening, several us of walked to Central Park from our hotel at 45th and 6th to enjoy the beautiful weather with a carriage ride in Central Park.  It was some of the best money I have ever spent!

 





View of the city from the Queens bridge as we headed to the airport.





For everything there is a season

Last summer I started a new position at work that completely took me out of my "box" and put me in a whole new world of projects and deadlines that I had never experienced.  There was a point when I asked to get out and move back in to my previous position, but something kept pulling me back to the "new" opportunity and telling me to push on. 

The little voice in the back of my mind that keeps reminding me that everything happens for a reason has now started to remind me that some things are just a "season" in our lives and will pass with time.  I am learning to accept my new "seasons" with grace and strength - be it miscarriage and grief or leaving my family for a week at a time or having to tell someone I don't understand how to do something , but these times will make me stronger and will create memories that I would have never.   

In the last several months I have been reminded that I am not in control and that He, my heavenly father, is.  It is often hard to understand the Masters plans for us, but it is my prayer every morning that I will take each moment in stride and not let things get the best of me.  That I will be accepting of the opportunities given to me and always be thankful for the countless blessings in my life. 

A Time for Everything

1 There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven: 2 a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot,3 a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build, 4 a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance, 5 a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain, 6 a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away, 7 a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak, 8 a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace.  ~Ecclesiastes 3~

By far this little lady has been a major part of my time to love! Both she and her Daddy get me through some of the tougher seasons in my life and for them I pray daily that I can be the best mother and wife possible; never taking them or the health or their love for granted.

 

Taken before I left for a business trip. 

Happy Easter and Happy Birthday

Matney dying her first Easter egg!



April 8th was a busy day for the Carpenter-Biggers-Crawford Families.  We celebrated Easter and two birthdays!  Part of the day was cool and rainy so we were worried we would have to hunt eggs inside, but it all worked out and the kids had a ball!












Matney is smitten with her Aunti Ab!



Abby (33) and Dady (62) showing off their birthday dinner!

 Mom coordinated a wonderful dinner of filets, scallops, salad, potatoes and more!  We were all stuffed!!

Kennon giving Matney her pink egg.

 

The cute little hunters!