Great Grandparents are the Best!

I didn't get to know my great-grandparents. I really wish I would have. My parents love to tell me how amazing they were and how loved they felt by them. Unfortunately Anna won't get to meet her great-grandparents on my side either. Before this gets to be a depressing post...Anna is able to know her great-grandparents on Travis' side and I am so thankful for that! They are all so wonderful and have taken me in as one of their own. I love them so much. One of the best moments of Anna's first Christmas was having her meet her great-grandparents. Their faces lit up when we brought her in to their houses, they giggled with eagerness to hold her as we pulled her out of her car seat, and they loved on her like only a great-grandparent can.

"Thanks, Great-Grandma Phyllis, for patting my bottom. I just love laying on my tummy. It's so hot I had to take my shirt off!" Anna's words, not mine ;)

"Ahhh, the joys of Great-Grandpa Roger and his recliner!" :)

Aren't they just a beautiful couple?! I love hearing stories of their marriage, such an inspiration!

"I love you, Great Grandma Virginia"

From generation to generation. Just beautiful!

day 1 down, 15 more to go!

We survived the first day and with minimal tears! --when we said our good-byes doesn't count, I was an absolute wreck! Anna and I spent today in our jammies, played, sang, read a few books, and caught up with a great friend on the phone. Plus Anna seems to be feeling better! 

Day 1, I would say, was a great success!

Bless Her Heart

Dang you, RSV, you couldn't have come at a worse time! My husband leaves the country in less than 48 hours and you just had to rear your ugly head on my poor baby girl. Thankfully the airlines worked with me and now Anna and I will be leaving Thursday instead of Monday free of charge! Continued prayers would be greatly appreciated!

Thailand, Please Take Care of My Man

I've been waiting to write this post mainly because I just wish it wouldn't happen. My husband is leaving for Southeast Asia on Monday and will be gone for 16 days (SIXTEEN DAYS!!!). When he first told me about the opportunity to go to Thailand and a few other countries over there (I cannot say for safety purposes) I told him he should go for sure.

But Anna will only be 3 months old; I'm afraid I'll miss something, he said.

But, Travis, this is a trip of a lifetime, the entire Urban Eagles staff is going, and you'll be training hundreds of sports ministers. How can you not go?! 

Now that this trip is only 5 days away I'm beginning to question why I told him to go...of course, all for selfish reasons.

I really am so excited for him; he may even get to ride an elephant--totes jelly! I know the Lord is going to do some amazing things over there that will strengthen Travis' faith even more, and I can't wait to hear all the stories when he returns. I just wish he could take me along.

While he's riding elephants, eating authentic pad thai, and sweating in 95 degree weather, Anna and I will be shivering in the freezing cold air of Ohio. That's right, she and I will be heading back up north to be with family to keep us distracted from continually thinking about Daddy. I don't think I realize just how hard it's going to be not seeing, touching, or talking with him for 16 days. I'm trying to savor every last second with him before we leave one another, I'm trying to allow him to spend as much time with Anna before they leave one another. She can't receive enough kisses from her Daddy in the next few days. Ok, I need to stop, I'm going to make myself cry before it's even time! 

Please pray with me. Pray that the Lord would speak through Travis and the other guys going. Pray that these sports ministers who are being trained will be encouraged and take what they learn and use it for God's glory. Pray for the people who these sports ministers are ministering to, that they would come to know Jesus through the sport of soccer. Pray for health and safety for my man and the rest of the team. Pray for Anna and me.