A Mini Richmond Reunion!

Last weekend we spent some time in Austin finalizing some plans for the youth mission trip that we are leaving for on Sunday (more to come on that) then we headed up to Dallas again. We ate at some of our favorite spots, had dinner with and watched "Harry Potter" (for the second time already!) with our friend Marshall and his girlfriend Kristine, and ran some errands before meeting up with Jon and Jessica Bess. Jessica was one of Lindsay's very best friends through middle and high school. They share many memories and funny stories including embarrassing moments that Joe and Jon shake their heads at. It had been since May 2008 that they had spent some time together. Since that time, Jon and Jessica got married, packed up and sold their house in North Carolina, and moved to Wichita Falls, TX. Jon is, as Joe calls him, a "BAD man" in the Air Force which is why they now live in this glorious state. When we asked them how they liked Texas so far they both said instantly, "It's HOT!"

We had planned on meeting in Dallas for the Rangers vs. Twins game that night as Jon is originally from Minnesota and Jessica lived there for awhile as well. We were all decked out in our team shirts and actually got several comments throughout the day about how we shouldn't be together as we were rooting for opposing teams! We met in the afternoon, several hours before the game, and decided to head downtown to the JFK memorial and museum. We were all amazed at the sights and the information in the museum and we fully intend to go back another time as there is so much to see there. As we left for the game, we even started making plans for our next get-together in Dallas.

The Besses has never been to the Rangers ballpark so we spent some time before the game walking around, checking out different seats, and continuing the everlasting search for a red "Kinsler" shirt for Lindsay (we were told that her size always sells out within a day or two of coming in - eesh!). Jessica and Lindsay spent most of the game catching up on all aspects of their lives and didn't even really see much of the actual game. Even though the Rangers lost, it was an amazing day that was extremely fun and refreshing, especially for Lindsay.

The infamous Book Depository where Lee Harvey Oswald "allegedly" shot JFK
(6th floor, far right window)

"X marks the spot" where JFK was shot in his limo
(this was taken from the "Grassy Knoll")

Lindsay and Jessica sweating like crazy in front of
the grassy knoll

(The grassy knoll is under the tall tree in the background over
Lindsay's shoulder, the "x" is behind the lamppost)

Since we have gotten home we have searched everywhere around town for the movie "JFK" as Lindsay has never seen it. We can't find it anywhere. I guess we'll have to search online...bummer.

Fun times in Dallas

We have had several opportunities to head back to Dallas this summer which is always so much fun and so refreshing for both of us. Early in June we were there for the wedding of two of our good friends Ashton and Belina. They were married in a beautiful church in Highland Park and then had their reception on the top floor of a hotel right downtown. The wedding and reception were fun for many reasons including the fun Albanian dancing that took place all night. Belina's family came to the States for the first time and many of her friends from Albania live in and around Dallas for various reasons. One of the most amazing things was that we sat at a table (we were the very first to arrive at the reception and chose our own seats) full of Albanians who are on staff with Campus Crusade for Christ! This was fun in itself as Lindsay spent a few years on staff with CCC at Michigan State. The other fun thing was that one of the couples is on staff in Istanbul, Turkey!! They are currently in the U.S. because the husband is finishing up seminary and they are raising support. They have already lived in Istanbul and love the city. Joe had a blast speaking a little Turkish with them, comparing notes about their favorite spots around the city, and sharing stories and their hearts for the place and the Turks. Overall, while we enjoyed seeing our friends be united in marriage, it was also very refreshing to spend time with others who love the Lord and have a heart for some of the same things and places that we do! Praise God for "randomly" seating us together for the evening!

The beautiful ceremony in a beautiful church

The view from the reception

The Roddens and the Tassins!!

We never ask people to take our picture...weird

An Albanian dance

We have been to a few Rangers games this year already but at the beginning of the summer we enjoyed a game and an amazing fireworks show with our good friend Marshall and his girlfriend Kristine. She is from the Cleveland area and actually grew up in a church that some of our friends now do ministry in (yeah Andrea...that means you! Can you believe it?). She also attended Miami University in Oxford, OH which holds a very special place in our hearts as it is the place where Lindsay started falling in love with Joe. Needless to say, we are proud of Marshall for choosing a Midwestern girl! It was a really fun night in Arlington!

June Visitors!!

One of the highlights of the summer was a visit from Lindsay's parents! They came to Baytown for a few days in early June and it was a great time. Joe and Frank played a couple rounds of golf and Lindsay and Becky spent time getting scorched on the beach at Galveston, pampering themselves, and doing a little shopping. It just happened that the Houston Astros were hosting the Detroit Tigers that weekend so we took the opportunity to see our Tigers play. Frank and Becky had never been to Minute Maid park so as we walked around before the game we randomly ran into some familiar faces...from Frank's small college in Michigan! A few of the guys were some of Lindsay's Uncle Tom's (Frank's younger brother) best friends. It was funny to hear several of the guys tell us how they had always looked up to Frank and how amazing he was as an athlete. We always look forward to spending time with our families. We will be traveling to Indiana in October for Lindsay's high school reunion and then again in November for her brother's wedding.

Ready for the Tigers game in the Houston heat!!

I think this ball was really hot to sit on!

All dressed up in our Tigers gear watching Batting Practice

Our buddy Jim Leyland - he was kind of busy

Better late than never!

Once again we are very sorry for the lack of updates. It isn't that we haven't had anything to update about, we have just not taken or had the time to sit down to tell you about it. So, there are many fun events that took place over a month ago but that doesn't make them any less important to us. It has been a good summer and, while we don't want to wish it away, we are looking forward to moving into the Fall and some sort of normalcy...it has been at least a year since we have had that!