I was thinking today about what our lives were at like this time last year.  James and I had just returned from our Central America backpacking trip.  It was by far the best trip I've ever taken.  We each had a backpack of things we needed...no extras.  1 pair of pants, 1 pair of shorts, 3 or 4 shirts....soap, a couple books, and money...that's about it.  It was our 1 year anniversary trip.  And a couple of weeks later we would find out I was pregnant.

Today I'm getting ready for our trip to VA, PA, and NYC...with a baby.  Now it's a challenge to fit everything we need into 1 car!

Our lives have changed so much in just 2 short years.  I wouldn't say we had a bad marriage starting out, but we definitely had (and still have) a lot of learning to do.  I have had to learn to let James be the leader in our home...which was hard for me (because I'm stubborn).  And James has had to learn to be the leader...which was hard for James (because he's so laid back).  And we both have had to learn that God's way really is the best and right way.  I thought I knew it all...I don't...but God does.  And these are things we have to work on every day.   Through our church community we have been able to grow so much, and I couldn't be more thankful for the people God has put in our lives.  I thought I respected James when we got married...now I know that I respect him.  And I know that he loves me.


Volcán Masaya...just outside of Managua

Isla de Ometepe...Nicaragua...Our favorite stop...and the hammocks we slept in.


Panama...and James is somewhere under all that hair...

And now we have a son...