Mommy & Daddy's Vacation

Since Andrew was having so much fun with Grandma and Paw-Paw, we decided to hop on a plane (or two counting our layover) and fly to Jamaica. On the left you see the view from the airplane window as we left Atlanta. On the right, you can see the two most excited lovebirds on the plane.

We arrived in Montego Bay around 8:30ish and our shuttle driver was ready and waiting to load our bags... and offer us some of Jamaica's most popular "export". Needless to say, we declined, but we did purchase a margarita for the ride! Here's my crude illustration of our trip. The original map is from The Commonwealth.org website, and I added the red stuff. (Also needless to say, my husband, the mapmaker, doesn't approve of my simple map.)
When we arrived at the resort, we went straight to the Treetop cafe to eat a very late dinner (by then it was about 11). I had lamb chops on recommendation from the server and Chris enjoyed a Jamaican classic, the Jerk pork. Dee-lish! We walked along the beach and met another couple that had arrived earlier that day. Once back in our room, we realized the air conditioner was broken, and the rest of the first night was not such a blast.

We woke up bright and early to see the view from our room, eat a big scrumptious omelet by Jerome, and then we hit the beach. here is the view from our balcony.

After sunning for the entire morning, we headed back to our room, which was still sweltering. Chris "negotiated" with the manager, and when Chris informed him that our bags were packed, a new room with a functioning AC opened up next door. Ahhhh... air conditioning is amazing. Here is what waited for us in the new room as an apology. A nice little towel arrangement, a bottle of champagne, and some chocolate dipped treats (there were strawberries and biscotti, but the strawberries didn't last long enough to photograph).

Though we loved the new air conditioning, we spent most of our time outside, which is fitting since we were in paradise. We sunbathed, Chris played volleyball, I swam, and we had a couples massage right at the water's edge.

At night, we at many delicious meals from steaks to swordfish. The resort had bands nightly and one evening they hosted a beach party. We had a scavenger hunt (guess who volunteered?), and watched some pretty amazing acrobats!

We had some more fun pictures for our catamaran cruise, snorkeling, and laying on the pool deck, but they were digital. Scan them, you say? We tried, and they were super blurry. You will just have to imagine them. Although, I would be happy to take you to Negril and recreate them.

:)

Anne

Andrew's Vacation

Andrew packed his bags and told us he was spending Spring Break with Grandma Sharon and Paw-Paw. What were Chris and I to do? We felt is was best to let him be independent... so we let him go.

They had loads of fun digging dirt, raking leaves, and visiting the Ft. Worth Zoo. He even got a new hat!

Since Andrew, Grandma and Paw-Paw were busy, Chris and I decided to take advantage of the time alone. So, did we do chores, run errands, or get caught up on home improvement? Heck no! We hopped a jet to Jamaica, mon! We had an amazing time, and I can't wait to upload pictures with the camera cord I finally found. Ironically, now I can't find my camera. You will just have to wait to see the amazing-ness of Negril, Jamaica and our beach bodies until tomorrow!

:)
Anne

PS:
I didn't really lose my camera. I just forgot it at work. It's in my desk drawer because all I did was show people pictures today.... when I wasn't hard at work, I mean.

PPS:
Here's a teaser, though: no matter how far we travel, we always run into old friends...

God is good.

Shortly after Andrew's second birthday, Andrew and I shared a very special day, our baptism. The journey to our baptism began almost one year ago on Palm Sunday when we first visited First United Methodist under the recommendation of my good friend, Kathryn. Chris and I had been searching for a church home, and she thought that her childhood church, FUMCR, would be a perfect match for our beliefs.

Nervously, we slipped in the side door and were greeted by several very friendly people. I asked the first man, "We are visiting for the first time, so what should we do with our son"? (Andrew was on my hip at that moment.) The man replied, "You can drop him off at the nursery. The ladies in there will just love him. Or, you can sit him on your lap. We like to start 'em early."

About ten minutes after signing Andrew in to the nursery, the service began. The friendly gentleman who told us our options stood at the front of the church in robes and held his Bible ready to preach. We had already met our Pastor, Dr. Oliphant.

After months of warm welcomes and touching sermons, we decided we wanted to "make it official".

The conversation went something like this:

Anne: I think we should join, so we don't have to keep checking "visitor" on the attendance log.

Chris: Yea.

Anne: So, what do we do?

Chris: I don't know. (He reached forward to the pew in front of us, and we began frantically reading pamphlets on how to be "real members".)

Chris (pointing to the bulletin): I think we can join next week, but we have to contact this person.

We contacted the this person and found out that church members must be baptised. Chris was baptised as a child, but he went with me to my baptism class, so we could both understand the meaning a little better. According to our church, "It is the gift of God's Grace (unearned love and mercy). It is a sign of acceptance by God and our entrance into the Body of Christ, the church."

Andrew and I will each have a different understanding of our baptisms. For Andrew, he will probably not remember being sprinkled with water (the picture on the left) or being showed off to the glowing church members behind him (the bottom picture). For us, Andrew's baptism was a promise to raise him as a child of God. He is loved by us and, more importantly, by God. We hope that we fulfill this promise, so by the time he is old enough to understand, he will appreciate it.

To the right: I am kneeling as the Pastor baptises me.

For me, my baptism was my statement to the church, my family, my friends, and my God that I believe in Him and Jesus as my savior.

This day marked the beginning of our family's journey to learn more about our faith and our God who has provided so richly for us.

We are truly blessed.

:)

Anne