Back at it

This week has been back to the rush and bustle.  I'm sure most of you have picked up where you left off before the holidays by now.  One week back felt like 2 for me, there was so much to do.  

Some highlights of the week:

* I joined the choir at church.  This is the Parish choir, not to be confused with the Chancel choir.  The Chancel choir is mostly professionals, which around this city means mega talent.  I joined the peon's choir.  We just like to sing.  It seems like a lovely and fun group -- snacks are a regular part of practice; these are my people.

*We had snow this week.  Still not a really "big" snow, but it has stuck around.  There's still snow covering playgrounds and little yards.  All of our winter clothes that we got for Christmas have been put to the test and have passed.  

It snowed just some flurries on Tuesday, but this was my view from school on Thursday. 

 Today, we still have snow outside.  No temps. above freezing means it just stays around.  It's kinda weird for me to see it still out there.  I'm used to snow melting away within hours of falling.

 *We had fun with friends on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Happy hour on Friday with some of my coworkers...birthday party for Ben Stratton and co. on Saturday night. We bonded deeply over cards against humanity and catch phrase. Tonight we are going back to the Stratton's for a Golden Globes viewing party. Fun! 

*We got a stove top grill for Christmas and for dinner on Friday night Matt successfully grilled two amazing steaks for us. He got creative with his technique (the bowls trapped the heat), which looks silly but delivers stupendous results. Matt is so happy to have a grill to use now since that's what he loves to cook. This is apartment living!

There's not much else to report.  Stay warm everybody!

"Never Go On Trips With Anyone You Do Not Love."

Gosh, I haven't blogged since last year....I know it's been a few weeks, but Matt and I have just been having too much fun (read: I've been taking full advantage of my break and was super lazy!!).  I didn't even take many pictures to document all that we've done.  Oops.

Here are the Sinks' 13 Days of Christmas Break:

1 - number of Nutcracker performances seen (the Charlotte Ballet with Mom and Hannah - it was great!)

2 - number of new family members to celebrate Christmas with - Nick and Hannah

3 - number of Christmas mornings Matt and I experienced (one with Matt's parents, one with Mom and Nick, one with Dad and Lou)

4 - number of books that I read during the break

5 - number of gingerbread houses Matt and I decorated

6 - number of pounds gained from lots of eating

7 - number of times we had to load and unload alllllllll of our stuff into and out of parents' cars between our travels.  We packed waaaaaay too much!!

8 - number of states traveled through during the holidays (NY to GA)

9 - average number of hours of sleep I got each night - bliss!

10 - number of hours spent driving to NC.  Ernest Hemingway is the source of the quote in the title of this post and he speaks the truth.  For anyone out there wondering if your significant other is "the one," travel with them and you'll know.  It brings out the best and worst in people.  Luckily, we didn't have any "worsts" on this trip.

11 - pairs of socks we got (whereas socks are usually a gift that makes you groan, we loved getting lots of warm socks and other winter gear for the cold weather that we are currently experiencing : )

12 - number of episodes of the "Serial" podcast that Matt and I listened to on all of our travels.  If you haven't listened, you should check it out!!

13 - number of days that we didn't think about work!

We did a lot, much more than I can write about tonight, and really enjoyed our time down south.  Coming back, though, to the city felt like coming home.  We were glad to return back to our apartment.

As 2015 dawns, I think back to what the last 12 months has brought us.  We feel so fortunate to have made the huge decision to move to NYC.  There have been ups and downs, just like we expected, but we are happy and our marriage is stronger than ever.  Charlie is healthy and happy and a joy to us everyday.  We have amazing friends and are adding to that number as we meet new people here.  We are healthy and have good jobs.  We have found a church home that is becoming a source of fulfillment and inspiration.  And man, we eat some good food around here.  There is truly much to be grateful for, and we are.

Looking forward, the upcoming year will bring more changes, ones we aren't even aware of yet.  We want to continue striving for a better work-life balance and decrease stress.  We want to continue making friends.  We want to get to know our city better and experience all it has to offer.    

No matter what else life throws our way, we are happy that you've been along with us on our journey.  We hope that you will keep in touch and visit any time you are here in the city.  May you have a blessed and fruitful new year!

Much love,

Anna, Matt, and Charlie