Girls Day in Brooklyn

A couple of friends and I went into Brooklyn yesterday for a girls day. We experienced the Smorgasburg in Dumbo (on Sundays and in Williamsburg on Saturdays) for the first time, ate ice cream cookie sandwiches that were out of this world (Thanks The Good Batch!), and took Princess Olivia on Jane's Carousel. After hanging out in Dumbo, we took the ferry over to Williamsburg to the Brooklyn Flea, where we ate more food (I practically ran to the snow cone booth, ha!) and we did a little shopping. It was so good to get a little girl time in this weekend, especially in my favorite borough. 

Brooklyn, no matter where I live, you will always be my second home. A piece of my heart will forever stay in Brooklyn. 

One day at a time.

Moving...As you could possibly expect, life has been a little crazy around here lately. If you didn't read my previous post, I was offered the opportunity to relocate back to Texas and Luke and I are moving back in a little over 5 weeks. It took a few days for the dust to settle (we jumped straight into budgeting moving expenses, figuring out where we're going to live, etc.), but I'm feeling really great as everything is falling into place for the big move!

{Ha! This made me laugh. via}

Work...Everything is going great, but soon I'll be shoulder-deep in transitioning from my current territory in the northeast down to my new territory in the southwest. This will include me helping train someone new to take over my old position AND me being somewhat trained for my new position (although the latter should take less time). I've got a work trip to Vegas in September, one in New Jersey in October, and another in Florida in November. This girl is going to be on the MOVE! And this doesn't include my many shorter distance trips to Houston, Austin, San Antonio, West Texas, and the Rio Grande Valley throughout the fall. Summer is almost over y'all and this means work is about to kick into a whole new gear of busy! 

{via}

School...One thing I haven't talked about on the blog just yet is school. Back before we had any idea about being relocated, I decided that it was time for me to go back to school for my MBA. This is something I've always wanted to do, but the timing just hadn't been right until now. Back in June, I was accepted into UT Dallas' Naveen Jindal School of Management Professional MBA program. This program feels like it was created for my unique work and travel schedule. It might take me three years to finish it, but I can't wait to get started and to someday have my MBA!

{My sweet friend sent me this after she found out I got into grad school. Love her!}

Luke...This guy is amazing, y'all. I've been so grateful to have him by my side as we've decided to relocate back to Texas and make another huge life transition. He's wrapping up work in NJ and has already started the process job hunting in Texas. Please say a prayer for us as he goes through this process! God is already opening doors and we just want to be prayerful and faithful as we seek His will for this next step in Luke's career. Also, Luke is the mastermind behind all things moving (renting the truck, planning the route, budgeting the cost, etc.) and I'm so thankful for this! As you can see, this girl has A LOT on her plate as is. And at the end of the day, this guy lets me cry, scream, laugh, and just talk it all out as I self-induce panic attacks when thinking too much about all of these big changes.

I'm just taking it all one day at a time. But I must say, these temps in the mid-60s sure are helping make this week a lot less stressful. It's like a tease for fall, pumpkin spice lattes, and baked apple pie candles (I can't wait!).

Hope your Thursday is blessed. :) 

Here we go again! :)

I still can't believe I'm typing this, but if you've heard the rumors, then I'm here to confirm them as fact. The Hintons are officially moving...   BACK TO TEXAS!!!  

You're probably wondering why/how. :) 
Long story short, a spot on my team at work recently opened up in Texas and I was offered the opportunity to relocate. After weighing the pros and cons and praying about it, Luke and I decided that long-term, moving back to Texas is the best thing for our family and an opportunity we just couldn't pass up!   Ok, so now for some answers to a few of everyone's favorite questions:   1) When will you be back? In about 6 weeks. Sooo soon!!   2) Where will you live? This position is based in Houston, TX.   3) Will you still be doing the same job? Yup. I'll just manage a different territory.
And, of course, a few of the things we're most excited about with this move: *being so close to our friends and family again *authentic Mexican food, but most importantly: chips, salsa, and margaritas *a new city to explore (neither of us have ever lived in Houston)  *Baylor football season and homecoming *being able to conceal and carry (that's Luke's two cents, ha!) *and just being back in the greatest state that ever existed: TEXAS!!    Please be praying for Luke and I both as we make big transitions at work, pack up our apartment, and make that looong, 1700-mile drive back to Texas. We've got a lot going on, but we know that God will be protecting and carrying us the entire way.
See ya soon Texas!

City.

{Last night's view from the restaurant near Columbus Circle}

Evenings in the city will always make me think of this song and remind me of the 12-year-old Sara that first visited and fell in love with NYC all those years ago. No matter where I live and for the rest of my life, a part of my heart will always be in this city. 

Freefall to Fly...a story I want to share with all the women in my life.

A couple months back, a lady by the name of Rebekah Lyons visited our church here in New Jersey. I had no idea what to expect from her visit, but I'm convinced after hearing her speak and reading her book that God knew I needed to hear her story. Below is Amazon's description of Rebekah's new book, "Freefall to Fly: A Breathtaking Journey Toward a Life of Meaning."

"Women today are fading. In a female culture built on Photoshopped perfection and Pinterest fantasies, we’ve lost the ability to dream our own big dreams. So busy trying to do it all and have it all, we’ve missed the life we were really designed for. And we are paying the price. The rise of loneliness, depression, and anxiety among the female population in Western cultures is at an all-time high. Overall, women are two and a half times more likely to take antidepressants than men. What is it about our culture, the expectations, and our way of life that is breaking women down in unprecedented ways?

In this vulnerable memoir of transformation, Rebekah Lyons shares her journey from Atlanta, Georgia, to the heart of Manhattan, where she found herself blindsided by crippling depression and anxiety. Overwhelmed by the pressure to be domestically efficient, professionally astute, and physically attractive, Rebekah finally realized that freedom can come only by facing our greatest fears and fully surrendering to God’s call on our lives. This book is an invitation for all women to take that first step toward freedom. For it is only when we free-fall that we can truly fly."

I just finished reading Rebekah's book last night. And I wish I would have read it sooner. Our stories are so similar in some parts, it's scary. I've struggled with anxiety throughout my life, but about 5 months ago I experienced my first full-blown anxiety attack, heart palpitations and trouble breathing included. Like Rebekah, I have a family history that includes anxiety struggles and depression and I recently moved from the south to the northeast, which was not as easy of a move as I thought it would. And to be completely honest with you, I've questioned God over and over, similar to this author, asking, "Why can't this just go away?? Where are you in all of this, God? Just show me what you want! Please give me peace."

Through her struggles, Rebabkah has realized that she has a story to share with women across the world because so many women do struggle with finding meaning in life, discovering what their passions are and then cultivating them instead of giving them up, fighting anxiety/depression/etc, and living in a "perfect" Facebook/Pinterest world. 

If any of this resonates with you, please read Freefall to Fly. I promise you, it will be the best $10-$15 you spend today. Don't have the money? Email me. I'll send you my copy. :)

Back at it!

I'd love to partner with you!!!

The Hinton Hook-Up took a break from accepting sponsors/advertisers for a while. Between my new job, moving to New Jersey, etc. it was just nice to take a breather, ya know? But I'm back at it and making the ad buying process as simple as possible! I sponsor a couple of blogs myself and using Passionfruit for your ad selling/buying is one of the best things that has ever happened to bloggers, in my opinion. Just visit my "Advertise" page, click on the ad size you want, and Passionfruit will walk you through the process. And ads start as low as the cost of a tall latte!

Questions? Email me!

thehintonhookup@gmail.com

I look forward to working with you! :)

Blessed

I'm feeling particularly blessed today. Mine and Luke's move to Jersey has not always been easy. We've missed our friends and family in Texas and continue to miss them. There were definitely some growing pains that came with our new work schedules, new life routines, finding a church, and making new friends. And we still feel these pains from time to time. 

But today, I was reminded how grateful Luke and I are for...

• The church family we've found at Liquid Church and for the pastors and friends that have loved on us from this place. 
• The friends that Luke and I have made through the company we work for. A lot of people will tell you to keep your personal and professional lives separate and I agree with that to a certain extent, but Luke and I have built some great friendships with a few of our colleagues here in Jersey and I'm thankful that these friendships can bloom outside of our office walls.
• Our precious dog walker who loves our babies like her own and shows up during puppy emergencies when she doesn't have to (Bentley had a run-in with a fishing hook this weekend). She loves the Lord and this shows in the way she takes care of us. We are SO blessed by her!
• The little things...Our sweet neighbors that stop to say hello and pet our pups as we pass each other walking in and out of our apartment building, friends and family that continue to call and check on us from 1800 miles away, and the way that with each passing day, mine and Luke's relationship grows stronger as we walk this adventure together. 

You won't hear me say this often, but I'm thankful for New Jersey. Looking back, I wouldn't change our decision to move for anything. God knew what He was doing when He opened this door for Luke and I to walk through and so much growth was required from both of us. I've cherished these last 9 months, the good and the bad, and I'm excited for what His perfect plan holds for our future.

Thank you, Lord, for this adventure and Your many, many blessings each and every day.

Our July 4th (on July 5th). Happy birthday America!

We spent our first 4th of July "down the shore" and on the boardwalk with friends. The Jersey Shore was actually better than I expected! I knew the company would be awesome (we do love our friends!), but when you've grown up near "the beach" your entire life and then you go to "the shore" for the first time, you wonderful how different/similar things will actually be. Guess what peeps--a beach is a shore and a shore is a beach. Whew! Glad it worked ok. ;)

We laid out, played soccer in the sand, dared to dip our toes in the freezing cold Atlantic Ocean, ate some amazing fresh crab legs and shrimp, danced, and celebrated America's birthday with traditional fireworks. We had a blast! *pun intended*

Happy birthday, America. We are proud to live in the land of the free and the home of the brave. 

Our 2nd anniversary trip, Pt. 3

On our last day at Sweetwater Farm B&B and Grace Winery, we took our time waking up and getting to breakfast. Since check-out was at noon, we wanted to make the most of the last few hours of our anniversary weekend.

Once again, breakfast was wonderful. Scrambled eggs, tomatoes, and caramelized onions on an english muffin and coffee. Seriously, I've got to get better at cooking breakfast, ha! After breakfast, we took a walk through the vineyard. It was so fun to see the grapes growing, even if they weren't ready to pick. 

After our walk, we went back up to our room and finished packing. But before we said goodbye to our anniversary/getaway weekend, we had to stick with tradition and take our 2nd anniversary picture! We decided to take this one in front of the red barn where we did our wine tasting the first afternoon. 

I'm so glad that Luke and I decided to spend a weekend away from New Jersey and everyday life to celebrate our 2nd anniversary. Someday, trips like this won't be easy. I've cherished so much these first two years that Luke and I have had as husband and wife without kids or too many big commitments. I know that someday I'll look back on these early years and be so grateful that we took the time to invest in each other and just be "us."

If anyone is ever looking for a cute place to stay with your husband/wife, get the family together, or even have a fun girls' weekend in or near Glen Mills, PA, we definitely recommend Sweetwater Farm B&B! :)

Our 2nd anniversary Trip, Pt. 2

The best part of staying at a bed & breakfast? The FOOD! Sweetwater Farm's breakfast was amazing both mornings we were there. Orange, cranberry, and apple juice...coffee (my fav!)...scones and muffins...fresh fruit...and two main courses you can pick from (different each morning). YUM! Luke went with the french toast  and sausage for his first breakfast and I chose the veggies/potatoes, eggs, and sausage. If I had the time to cook breakfast like that every day, it would probably be the only meal I'd eat. We were so full afterwards!

After breakfast, we took the house dog, Brogan, with us on a hike. This dog was so awesome! All you had to say was, "Brogan, walk?" and he would take off towards the trail. We hiked the trail twice, we liked it so much. The most beautiful creek runs through the trail about two-thirds of the way through and we stopped both times to enjoy the view, take pics, and just listen to nature. 

After our hike, we drove down to the Brandywine River and rented a canoe for an hour and a half canoe trip. The canoe company made us wear lifejackets (a little laaame), but we still had a really great time! Luke decided he wants a legit canoe now and I don't hate the idea. :) Maybe for Christmas?

After our canoe trip, we were ready to go back to SWF and relax. We laid out by the pool for a little while and then headed back to our room to get ready for dinner. The funny thing is, once we got to our room, we were even more tired! So, we took a short nap and then decided that instead of dinner, we'd catch a movie and just eat popcorn. I mean, it is vacation after all, right? We saw World War Z (bleh), which I had no idea was about zombies or I would have protested. It was still fun to see a movie though.

At this point, I couldn't believe our weekend was almost over!