7 de Agosto...

Today is our 9 year anniversary! Let's see if I can document the craziness of our lives for the past 9 years.

~ 8 days after we got married we moved to Pensacola, FL so that Derrick could finish Bible School.

~ May 2000, we went to Cameroon, W. Africa for a month.

~ June 2000, we lived w/ Dwayne & Angie for 2 months.

~ August 2000, we moved to Guadalajara, Mexico for 4 months.

~ December 2000, we moved back to Georgia and lived with Keith & Sarah.

~ February 16, 2001 we found out I was pregnant with our first baby. We also moved into an apartment over some stables in the boonies of Douglasville, GA.

~ August 2001, I was put on bedrest and we were named Youth Pastors at our church.

~ October 2001, Our son was born.

~ November 2001, we moved into a house, laid off from other job b/c of 9/11, starting working odd jobs to survive.

~ August 2002, Derrick goes to work at LCA.

~ August 16th, 2003, we found out I was pregnant with our second and Derrick starts working at Heirway.

~ April 2004, Our little girl was born.

~ June 2004, Derrick starts working for Pettett & Sons Printing.

~ November 2004, we move in with Derrick's parents.

~ January 2005, we began to slowly work ourselves away from the Youth.

~ August 2005, the Lord speaks to us to move back to Mexico in January 2006.

~ January 2006, we moved to Mexico and lived with the Pricers.

~ March 2006, we began language school.

~ April 2006, we moved into the apartment next to the language school.

~ July 2006, Rachel moves in with us.

~ August 2006, we GRADUATED from language school.

~ December 2006, we moved into our salmon-colored house.

~ March 2007, Kristin, our intern, comes to live with us & Rachel.

~ June 2007, Rachel & Kristin leave us and we are living alone for the first time in years.

~ September 2007, we found out I was pregnant with Israel and made a visit to the most beautiful place in the world, Prince Edward Island.

~ January 2008, Derrick started the Bible School in Guadalajara.

~ May 2008, Baby #3 was born in Hospital Espanol in Guadalajara, Mexico.



OUR WEDDING DAY...AUGUST 7TH, 1999!



My BFF, Sarah aka "Anne", dancing in our wedding!




Our first kiss! Yes, we waited until we got married to kiss.




Weren't we beautiful? Check out those skinny arms. Those arms were sooooo before carrying around 20 lb. babies.




Me and my gorgeous Gabby-Goo! She was the perfect flower girl.




Us with Gabby & Luke. They were so tired but they were such troopers.




What is heart-breaking is that this is Gabby & Luke now...13, best friends and BOTH are taller than me!!! AAAUUGGGHHH! They are precious teens that love Jesus with all of their hearts.


I could go into how wonderful the past 9 years have been and all, but I think most of you that know us know how wonderful it has been. If you don't know then just consider this...we live in another country, with 3 kids and we are usually together 6 days a week, give & take meetings and other random events. With all of that time spent together we are still insanely in love and we haven't killed each other :-). Here's to 9 years, baby!

10 years...

Ten years ago today Derrick & I went on our first date! I've never been able to use the word "decade" up until now...I've been with Derrick for a decade :-). We had a wonderful courtship with lots of fun times. Stay tuned because we have another anniversary coming up in a few days.




This picture was taken about a week after our first date.




(Jo, do you remember this one?) My friend, Jo, took this picture after going out to eat with us to get to know Derrick. What's funny is I don't think he's gained much weight from that picture and I could still carry him on my back if I needed to :-).

I remember how smitten I was 10 years ago when we began our courtship. I felt like there was so much that I didn't know about him and I was so ready to learn. Even today I have moments where, as well as I know him, I feel like I still have so much to learn about him...mainly as he changes, and we change together, growing older and more in love. See that man up there in those pictures? I just love that man! :-)

3 Books & "Get Smart"...

I am currently reading 3 books. I guess that makes one for each kid. I think that also equals that much less time to read each book because of the time that I spend with each kid. But somehow I am managing it.

Derrick's parents are here for a short visit. That means that we get to have a date night. We are going to see the movie "Get Smart" tonight and we are going to see it VIP. VIP costs about the same as a regular ticket in the States. It's stadium seating with leather recliners and a waiter to take your food order. The food is delicious and the seats are so comfortable. I'm looking forward to it!