Here’s to 5 wonderful years of loving you! Happy Anniversary, Craig and Christina!

How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.

Craig and Christina 2003

A huge thank you to Kathryn Krueger for making this anniversary so memorable!
http://www.kathrynkrueger.com/

The longest post ever! But every word is pertinent! :)

Hello my fellow bloggers! Life in the Crenshaw household has been especially busy this past month, but I can already feel the winds of change blowing in a slow summer breeze.

At the end of April, Craig went to Vietnam and Hong Kong as part of his Baylor MBA program. He and his classmates toured various international companies, studied foreign economics, and did a lot of shopping!

Craig bought way too many ties!
hmm? Pretending to listen?
Precious little girls in Vietnam.
War Museum



On May 17, Craig graduated with his Master’s in Business. I am so proud of him! These past two years, he studied, wrote, and presented his tail off—all while working over 40 hours a week and walking in life on life fellowship. Craig is the first to admit, and I’m the second, he did not work nearly as hard in undergrad, but I think he really wanted to soak up all that Baylor had to offer and then apply it to relevant work-related situations. Way to go, Craig!
Craig's parents

To celebrate his graduation and our upcoming 5 year wedding anniversary, we took a trip to San Francisco. We spent 3 nights in San Fran and 3 nights 45 minutes north in the wine country where his sister and her family live. While in San Fran, we rode a 6 mile bike ride to the Golden Gate Bridge and along Fisherman’s Wharf, shopped, ate, ate, shopped! We also went to the beach, a winery, and spent good down-time with family.

Craig's nephews

The beach was cold! Not a SoCal beach!
Napa Valley

San Fran bike ride
Starbucks... it's my biggest vice.
And this is Craig's!

Anthropologie-- for Sarah B.!
"Ben and Yerry's"-- for Jeff B.!
The Golden Gate! (Why is it called "golden" when it's red? Anyone know?)



This week was our last “fishnet” lifegroup. Once our roster neared forty, we knew it was time to multiply!

A little over half of our previous lg.

Starting this Wednesday, Craig and I will be leading with Greg and Laura Hopkins, a sweet, newly married couple from Norman, OK who are living in Waco to do the training school. We already have a few people who have committed to our lg, and we’re looking forward to future friends joining us on this journey. Please pray that we would daily hear from the Lord on how to lead and equip this precious group. We want our leadership to be zero percent us and one hundred percent the Lord!

Speaking of prayers, those of you with whom I talk on a regular basis know that Craig and I have been diligently seeking the Lord’s plan for our lives. We have prayed, fasted, read books, read scripture, and sought Godly council from anyone who would listen and share. We sought Him in every which way we know how! A friend of ours suggested rather than seek the Lord for answers perhaps we should seek Him for who He is. In other words, draw close to the Father, and He will make himself known. “If you seek the Lord your God, you will find him if you look for Him with all your heart and with all your soul” Deuteronomy 4:29.

You know you’re too old to pull an all-nighter when…

At exactly 9:03 p.m. CST on Thursday evening, I was approximately 200 pages into my 300 page book and 0 pages into writing a 6 page paper in which I was expected to originate constructive, enlightening thoughts about the book. Both were due in less than 12 hours. I had at least accomplished one thing: I had successfully reverted back to undergrad. What is one to do when he or she comes face to face with imminent defeat? An all-nighter, my friend.

I am currently sustaining—barely— on 31 waking hours, but I am officially too old to be doing so. Contrary to what Common Grounds may allege, sleep is not overrated, and here’s how I know…

First, upon getting dressed for a day that had no definitive ending or beginning, I dressed myself in two pairs of underpants. I do not normally wear two pairs of underpants. Somehow I had forgotten that I already had on one pair, a discovery not realized until I was in the bathroom stall at work.

Then, I could not figure out why the stupid Coke machine would not take my dollar. No matter how hard I shoved, the dollar would not slide into the exasperating slot; it would not even try to grab for it. At just the moment I was about to relent, a sweet, soft-spoken freshman who had patiently been awaiting her turn said, “I think the problem is that the slot you’re using is for a student ID card. Like, if you have Bearbucks that deduct from your card.” To quote Ecclesiastes, “there is a time to weep and a time to laugh.” Well, I nearly wept.

And lastly, not five minutes ago, I received an email from my History professor, for whom I was reading and writing all night, and she informed me that the paper I had submitted via email at 8:07 a.m. was actually my annual household budget. Evidently, instead of attaching my 6 page doctoral History paper, I attached the Crenshaw annual household income, budget, and savings spreadsheet. I don’t know how, so don’t ask. Thankfully, I had saved my actual paper to one of those stick things that Craig gave me and brought it to work. I immediately emailed the correct attachment.

Ugh… how much longer until five o’clock?!

Tag team back again. Check it, wreck it, and let’s begin…

Tagged by my grandma.

So, I probably get a chain email/tag from my grandmother at least once a week, and I never actually answer or forward them on to others. In fact, I recently brought this to her attention: “Mema, no one sends out tag emails anymore,” I asserted. Without missing a step she replied, “All my friends still do.” Okay, she’s got me there.




Here is her latest email/tag:

“List your top favorite songs from each genre/category with a short explanation. Choose songs that best reflect you, your personality, and your life.” (How can I choose just one?)

1. Rock and Roll- “American Pie.” Don McLean. This song is such an epic in its own right. It just represents middle America so well.

2. Pop- “Daughters.” John Mayer. John, I am so sorry; I know that you are not a pop artist, but where else on this list could I possibly place you? So, sadly, I think he had me in mind when he wrote this song. How could a young (presumably self-consumed) male possibly have this much insight into the fragility of the female heart?

3. Country- "Strawberry Wine" - Deana Carter. It’s a sweet love song, and when I hear it, I suddenly become reminiscent of young, naïve summer loves.

4. Alternative- “How to Save a Life.” The Fray. I read a Rolling Stone review of this album a year ago. The band is pretty interesting, and this song is a true story. The song also makes me want to write a book.

5. Christian- “Tears of the Saints.” Leeland. This song reflects my heart for social justice. “Blessed be Your Name” is my favorite worship song.

6. Rap/ Hip Hop- Anything Alicia Keys. I have no substantial reason for this choice. “California Love.” 2Pac. R.I.P

7. Classic- Classic or classical? – “In My Life.”The Beatles. (Craig would be so proud of my selection.)

8. Christmas- “O Holy Night.” Tracy Chapman. Her voice is so strong, so commanding. For me, this song prompts my heart to the holiness of Christmas.

9. Love- “Wonderful Tonight.” Eric Clapton. Okay, it’s not my favorite, but since Craig did propose with it, we did dance to it at our wedding, and Charis did say it is the most embarrassing song on her Ipod, I have to put it down.

10. Party- umm… Love Shack? Kidding! Ugh! Anything Justin Timberlake. JT and I have been dance-off friends since college.

11. Currently on air- “Love Song.” Sara Bareilles. I heard it this morning, and I think it’s catchy.

12. Your pick- My pick, huh? How about best Broadway Musical Song? “Seasons of Love.” Rent.



I’m tagging people who need an update: Sarah B., Carson, Lauren S., Julie M.

Time Efficiency Expert

I find myself with a few free minutes on my hands, and I thought what better use of my time than to blog about how great Jason Castro is? I mean, really, can you think of a better use of 4.5 minutes?! (Yes, I am just that ridiculous and that ridiculously bored.)




1. I have been pretty impressed with this young man for several reasons. First and foremost, he seems to genuinely have a relationship with the Lord, and he’s fairly open about it too. That he is willing to use his American Idol platform as an opportunity to demonstrate what it looks like for a regular guy to run after his dreams while representing Christ well is such a testament to his maturity.

2. Additionally, and vying for the spot as the most significant reason I like Castro, he’s an Aggie. True, he may not go back after Idol, but I’m sure A&M would be proud to make him an honorary graduate. http://www.tamu.edu/

3. He’s in AMC (Aggie Men’s Club) A (pseudo) Christian fraternity. Craig was in this organization for 4 years, and I’ve been most impressed by the young men who have earned membership; most are honest, good ole boys who love the Lord. http://www.aggiemensclub.com/


4. He is so humble. Nearly every time I watch him perform this verse comes to mind, “if you are pure and upright, even now he will rouse himself on your behalf and restore you to your rightful place. Your beginnings will seem humble, so prosperous will your future be” (Job 8: 6-7).


5. Speaking of humility, the boy never mentions the fact that he had no voice training prior to American Idol. In fact, wasn’t he a drummer for a number of years? Hasn’t he performed like only five times before the show, and most of those performances amateur? http://www.americanidol.com/contestants/season7/jason_castro/


Anyway, last night’s performance and a few free minutes were the catalyst for this blog. I’ve never been an American Idol voter, but I think I’ve just been converted! Enjoy.

A few months in a few pictures

I don’t really have too much to write or even much time to write it. So, to catch everyone up on our lives (hi, Mom!), I thought I would just post a few pictures with captions from the past couple of months.

In January, Craig had his 30th Birthday.



In February, I got re-engaged! I somehow "chipped" my diamond engagement ring, but luckily it was covered under insurance. After many, many talks and prayers, we were able to buy a new one. Craig got down on his knee and re-proposed…aww. I still have my same wedding band.



In February we had our Lifegroup retreat. There were about 30 of us who all stayed at Kyle's family's ranch house.


A few weekends later, the Crenshaws, the Hardys, and the Atkinsons all went to the Houston Rodeo kickoff! We stayed with Ashlee's parents who were the BEST hosts ever! We also got to see our good, sweet friends Beau and Allison Egert. Baby Grace got to meet baby Ellie.








In March, I went up to Dallas to visit my family. It was short but sweet time with my mom and sister. I also got to have coffee with the beautiful Lauren and the beautiful, due any minute Tracy.

(Christmas 2007)

(another Christmas 2007)

A couple of weekends ago, Katy had a birthday. It wasn't a major event in our lives, but Katy is a major influence in mine! :)

After months of praying together and individually, Craig and I felt like the Lord gave us a peace about me starting a doctoral program here at Baylor University. We very clearly heard the Lord say two things: I need to be faithful in the little so that He can move in the big, and above the pursuit of any degree, I am called to pursue the Lord in whatever capacity He may call me. So if a job relocation or motherhood interrupts the program, that’s A-okay!

(I do not know these people.)

Yesterday, Craig had his fourth interview with IBM Austin, and he says it went well. He has been asked to interview with IBM Dallas, Houston, and Kansas City (what?!). I think he still has a round or two of interviews to go. The problem is, we just aren't sure we want to move yet or even ever! We are praying through it and trying to be open to what the Lord is saying.

More to come... :)

Hello.

This is the first season that I’ve gotten “in” to American Idol, and boy am I in! The real irony here is that this is the first season of my life that I truly do not have three nights a week to offer as a sacrifice to my new idol. Thank you, America, for Tivo.

Last night David Cook, one of the contests, covered Lionel Richie’s “Hello,” and it was hello-amazing! I required Craig to watch it with me 2.5 times. (In the middle of the third viewing he got distracted by the primaries…gesh.) It may very well be my first American Idol Itunes download.

Incubus has also covered this song in a very similar arrangement, but it is not nearly as good. Perhaps David was pandering to the public, but his dirge is much softer and melodic.

I need a blog!

Man, oh man! This past month has been crazy busy for us, and I need a breather! Craig and I are in the throes of school and work, but the light at the end of the tunnel gets brighter every day! Craig graduates in May. In April, he takes a 2 week trip with Baylor EMBA program to Hong Kong, as part of his curriculum, and then he’s pretty much done. Hallelujah!

Next week (or maybe it’s the week after that), he has a third or fourth round (what kind of wife am I?!) interview with IBM in Austin. While we both recognize the amazing possibility and potential of this position, we are just not sure whether we’re ready to leave Waco. On the one hand, to pass up an upper management sells position with a fortune 500 company is professional suicide. And no doubt, it begs the question “If we’re not going to move cities and climb that corporate ladder, for what reason did Craig go to grad school?” On the other hand, have you ever lived in Waco? It really is a remarkable community.

And that leads me to my post: The reasons I love Waco. I suppose, in a way, the following are my pros from my pros and cons of moving or staying list. Fellow Wacoans, if I missed anything, add ‘em!

10. Common Grounds. I don’t even go there all that often, but I really like that a fun, hip coffee shop exists. It seems to have such a groupie following, and I love that!
http://www.commongroundswaco.com/

9. Baylor. Now, before you accuse me of being a bad Ag, or even think for a second that I don’t practice my Aggie incantations nightly, hear me out—I appreciate the variety of academic, cultural, and athletic events that a school like Baylor can offer. Plus, they are the biggest employer in town. http://www.baylor.edu/


8. Our neighborhood. So, technically, we’re on the cusp of Castle Heights. (aka Castle Crest) However, I feel like I live in Castle Heights! Really, I just enjoy going for a run amidst the beautiful old houses or stopping by to say hello to the Gaines, Griesmers, or Murphys.

7. Ninfa’s. Need I say more? http://www.mamaninfas.com/

6. Gold’s Gym movie room. Okay, so I wouldn’t necessarily stay in Waco for it, but boy do I utilize the heck out of it!

5. Our Lifegroup, our next door neighbors, and our friends. How could we ever replace them?

4. No traffic. When we first moved here and had to ask our neighbors, David and Stacy, for directions every time we needed to get around town, they would inevitably say, “Oh, it’s just about five minutes from here...” And we would think, yeah right! But every place is just five minutes away!

3. In a town of less than 200,000 people there are 6 Starbucks, 4 trendy clothing boutiques, and 1 Pei Wei. That’s enough for me!

2. Simplicity of life. Whether you want to own your own business—and just off the top of my head, I can think of over 10 successful Waco business owners under the age of 30, or even if you want to be a stay at home mom, Waco gives you the financial freedom to live out your dreams.

1. Our church. Antioch. Walking with a community of like-minded believers who love the Lord has forever changed my life. http://antiochcc.ccbchurch.com/

Divine Romance

Ever since my college years at A&M, I have been so intrigued with the concept of the Lord pursuing us romantically. (Song of Songs 4:7-9) I don’t know about you, but perhaps I simply missed this facet of God’s character when I was growing up in the church, and I do not recall it being introduced to me until about the time I became engaged to Craig.

Upon our engagement, or soon before, we both read Tommy Nelson’s Song of Solomon, which beautifully depicts the church as the bride of Christ. As believers—from all ages, from all countries, for all time—we are presented to Christ as His bride; what an extraordinary, incomparable relationship He allows us to experience! His love is a redeeming love, a love that brings salvation, a love that bestows grace, a love that covers all sins: "...even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him..." (Eph 1:4).

Last night at the Phil Wickham concert, I was again reminded of Christ’s desire to romance and pursue me into a deeper relationship with Him. Phil’s song, Divine Romance, is the prayer of my heart this morning—thank you, Lord!

"The fullness of Your grace is here with me
The richness of Your beauty’s all I see
The brightness of Your glory has arrived
In Your presence God, I’m completely satisfied

For You I sing I dance
Rejoice in this divine romance
Lift my heart and my hands
To show my love, to show my love

A deep deep flood, an Ocean flows from You
Of deep deep love, yeah it’s filling up the room
Your innocent blood, has washed my guilty life
In Your presence God I’m completely satisfied"


http://www.myspace.com/philwickham

30 Reasons why I love Craig!

Today is my husband’s 30th Birthday. He is such a nut about celebrating his birthday; he absolutely loves having a birthday party. In fact, I am throwing him two this week! (I’d also like to mention that he has requested a huge MBA graduation party in May as well!) BUT, I love my husband, and I am happy to celebrate him. So in addition to his numerous parties, I thought I’d pay homage to the most important man in my life with the top 30 reasons why I love him.

30. He is the happiest person I know. He just wakes up in a good mood—every single day!
29. Craig loves to sing, and I love to listen. I especially love his “O Holy Night” and “Rushing Wind.”
28. His patience is ceaseless.
27. Impressively, he manages to juggle 50 hours of work, 20 hours of school, 15 hours of church community, and a wife all in one week.
26. I am humbled by his heart for missions.
25. He has taught me to be more content in the daily aspects of life.
24. Craig is the only person I know who has never had an enemy, not even in elementary school.
23. When Craig was in elementary school, he would throw “welcome home from a day at school” parties for his older sister. I mean, how sweet is that?
22. He seeks after the Lord with wild abandon.
21. The fear of man is something with which he struggles very little. (at least in comparison to most people I know.)
20. This number is the tender age at which I met Craig. Fell in love almost immediately.
19. He’ll one day be an amazing father. Call me prophetic, but I think our kids will want to hang out with him more than me!
18. Aggie until the day he dies, he is relentless in his efforts to recruit A&M fans.
17. For our engagement, among other things, he tried to recreate the coffee shop in which met.
16. Although he can’t remember the words without looking them up, he wrote me my very own song! (He said it was inspired from watching Labamba one day—how funny is that?)
15. Craig challenges me to love others the way Jesus loves.
14. His smile melts my heart every time I look at it.
13. If it’s within his capacity, Craig will do it for me.
12. I never have to ask Craig to make the bed; he does it every morning.
11. He does all the laundry because I loathe it.
10. He cooks way better than I do.
9. Numbers 13, 12, 11, and 10 may imply that I contribute very little to this marriage, and yet he still loves me!
8. Craig supports me in my endeavor to obtain another ambiguous Master’s degree.
7. He is my best friend.
6. He is romantic, sentimental, loving, funny, and the best date I’ve ever had.
5. Craig loves to travel, and I get to reap the benefits of his adventurous personality!
4. Snowboarding, running, weight lifting, and dog walking are just a few of the activities that Craig has mastered in the five years that we’ve been married.
3. He plays with my hair. True, I sometimes have to ask for it, but he does it!
2. Craig has a deep conviction about the need for community and accountability, and from the get-go, it has made all the difference in our marriage.
1. The number one reason I love Craig is because he desires to lay down his life and is willing to count the costs for the sake of the kingdom.

Happy Birthday, Craig!

Happy 28th Birthday, Lauren!

See Tracy's blog! :)
http://www.preskenis.blogspot.com/