"You can kiss your family and friends good-bye and put miles between you,

but at the same time you carry them with you in your heart,

your mind, your stomach, because you do not just live in a world,

but a world lives in you"

-Frederick Buechner

Fact 1: This is my 100th post.

Whoa. I didn't know I had 100 posts in me!

Turns out I do.

Fact 2: We have some exciting news!!

We have officially booked our flights!!

"Where?" you might ask...

well, take a look at our first 3 destinations!

Any guesses?!

NEW YORK CITY BABY!!

and...

GREECE!!!

and....

ISRAEL!!

Whats all this for?!

Its the kick-off of what we have dubbed "The grand adventure of 2012!"

The darling and I are heading out and around the world! We will be spending 12 months travelling, eating, serving and loving.

We have different ministries around the world that we will be working with, doing a variety of things.

We leave in 8 months (its seems like FOREVER away), after the hubby is done all his schooling.

and Im not excited.

Im jump-up-and-down, squealing-like-a-child-bouncing-off-the-walls, so-excited-I-cant-eat-sleep-or-think-of-anything-else ECSTATIC!!

Heres to you dad!

I am thankful everyday for your life!

You've taught me to be kind and generous, soft-hearted and willing to cry for people.

You've shown me that God can use our weaknesses for strength and that laughter is necessary.

I've inherited not only your astigmatism, but also your joy.

Thank you for all that you have done and still do for me.

Happy Fathers day (and Happy Birthday too!)

I love you papa.

Announcement:

I am a doula!

Some of you might think "What is a doula, isn't that a fuzzy handled spatula or something?!"

Well no. Not at all actually.

A doula is a labor support person.

Someone who is with the labouring woman (and her husband) throughout the stages of labor and birth.

And I am trained and roaring to go!

I was so privileged to be apart of my sister-in-laws birth a few days ago, and then got to go take my doula training! What a labor-filled week!

I am so excited to for the many births that are happening around me in the next few months.

(seriously, there are 10 pregnant women in my life)

I have such a better understanding of Gods intent for labor and birth and am so excited to help woman through one of the most amazing experiences of her life!

I did not know that birth could be so empowering and healing for a mother, nor did I expect birth to become one of my largest passions.

But it can be and it is.

(So if you know anyone who needs a doula, Im willing to do it for the small fee of a cuddle with the new baby)

Life is sweet!

Welcoming a new member of the family!

What an incredible week its been!

The real fun started on Weds morning, at 1:30am.

The phone rings, its my sister-in-law squealing "My water broke! Meet us at the hospital!"

(Swear, happiest woman-labor-ever!)

So off I went, singing the whole way!

(Im one of those annoying people who wake up instantly and happily. Sorry.)

Amanda needed an antibiotic (she has Strep B and needs in IV every 4 hours during labor)

and once the antibiotic was done, we went and Amanda laboured at her moms house.

Pause.

Have you ever been with a woman in labor? What a beautiful thing! I was so in awe of Amanda, of her strength and focus. She was so amazing and strong. It was incredible to be with her, to catch her eye and encourage her. She was so natural and in touch with what her body was doing.

It was awesome, just awesome.

After a couple hours, the contractions were 2 mins apart and getting heavy.

We headed back to the hospital to get her 2nd dose of IV,

and it was time for baby to come!

(Note: I am skipping some details about the hospital that were frustrating, so there might be some gaps in this story)

Cody Samuel was born at 11:06am,

weighing 7 pounds 2 oz.

He is breathtaking, with a full head of beautiful hair.

I didn't know I would love him so much.

This experience has forever changed me. I have such respect for Amanda, for her body and for the process of birth.

I have read countless books on natural birth, midwifery and the such, but to experience it first-hand was beyond belief.

I floated out of that hospital and was on cloud 9!

(not only because I was running on 1 hours sleep in 48 hours....)

Uncle (And godfather) Andrew, fell in love immediately!

Sam was beaming, so proud of his wife and his new son!

What a precious little soul that we are entrusted with.

I am so proud to be his auntie (and Godmother).

Welcome to the world little one.

We are so happy you're here.

We had a wonderful detour last week!

We left at 4:30 am(eep!) on wednesday, drove, then took a ferry, then drove more, then took a boat taxi for an hour! Yup, a bit of a trek! But oh so worth it!

I present, Camp Malibu!

It was so beautiful, even with the rain! Andrew worked the whole time we were there, but at least I got to see him! It was fun to be his assistant.(Which meant clean up empty boxes for him...)

Plenty more pictures to come, but right now, Im off to have lunch with my mama!

In one year we've had lots of yummy food.

we've drunk alot of yerba mate,

we've had many family dinners.

In one year we've had lots of laughs,

we've had very few tears

we've been to two other countries together

we've made a home.

In one year we've gotten closer to doing missions,

we've read books together,

we've acquired Camille.

we've prayed often together,

we've had lots of cuddles.

In one year we've grown closer and stronger in God and in each other.

we've had many good morning hugs,

we've had lots of kisses,

we've gotten closer to having children,

we've gotten closer to meeting God.

In one year, I cant imagine another without you.

Happy (belated) one year anniversary Andrew.