A lot of New!

A quick two years have flown by since my last blog.  I'm not even going to try to recap that time, but pick up where life is now.  However, big highlights I am now a CRNA and Ben just accepted a job that he is absolutely loving.

We have just relocated to the Houston area and I cannot express how incredibly excited we are about being back in Texas!  Ben started his new job March 31 and has been very busy since, but he loves it and that makes my heart happy to see how much passion he has behind his work.

St Lucia Pitons

Babymoon

Ben had one full week off between jobs so we decided to go on a "Babymoon" during this time.  The trip served many purposes actually.  It allowed us to celebrate 4 years of being happily married, the new job, my graduation, and most importantly, the upcoming arrival of our first born child.  We really thought labeling this vacation as a babymoon sounded kind of silly, but I would HIGHLY recommend one. The outlook on this vacation was unlike any other.  It was the last time Ben and I would be kid-free or kid worrying free outside the country.  We had time to just relax, read, and enjoy  "us" as we know it right now.  The last year of our life has been so crazy with moves and living apart for a while it was wonderful to have that quality time with him.

Mud bath

Since I went on this trip 6+ months pregnant, we decided we would just mainly relax.  However, one day we left the resort and went on the Joe Knows Tour.  We took a boat ride to the Pitons, visited a volcano that had erupted, played in the mud bath, went to a waterfall, and went snorkeling.

We couldn't really see much snorkeling but it was refreshing to swim around in the warm ocean.  Overall, it was a packed day but we really enjoyed it.

Playing in the mud was probably my favorite... it was pretty sweet watching Ben draw a million things on my belly.   I love hearing him talk to her or about her.  He is going to be such an awesome daddy for sure.

The entire trip was just awesome... but there is one special memory I will cherish forever.  (sappy alert)

Our first full day, Ben scheduled us for a couples massage.  We usually always have one, but this time was unlike any other. When the massage began Whitney Houston's "I Will Alway Love You" - began playing softly in the background. How appropriate is this!?  I'm beside my groom that I am still so in love with and we are celebrating a huge life changing event. Eventually I got lost in the massage, the music and the amazing spa smell.
Towards the end, my therapist began lightly massaging my feet, Kennedy began moving around in my tummy and "It's a Wonderful World"  by Louis Armstrong begins to play
 By the end of the song, they had us laying there hand in hand, Kennedy still moving around, and this song finishing in the background.  Sweet tears began falling from my eyes.  All I kept thinking is how awesome is our God!  I am so thankful for His unfailing love and faithfulness, for the man he placed right beside me, and for this blessing moving around making her presence known in this very moment.  

Over the last two years we have had several frustrating circumstances.  We have wondered what God is trying to tell us and how to remain obedient in our direction when it was all so unclear.  My human nature began questioning what felt like His complete silence, but a dear friend of ours reminded me God's timing is perfect.  It spoke volumes to me then and it still does today.  In fact, I'm not sure how much she realizes this little message has carried me through my own jumbled thoughts and questions.   

Within the next month or so.... we should be closing on a house, finally getting the nursery in order, and I will be starting my first job as a CRNA all in TEXAS.  In less than 90 days we should be holding our baby girl.... God's timing truly is perfect.