SOMEONE'S KNOCKIN' ON THE DOOR

Well we're almost there. Teresa is due 17 July which puts her at 4 weeks out. (She's ready for this boy to be born tomorrow though!) We attended a breastfeeding class last week and will go to a birthing class tomorrow. The room is painted, crib is put together, baby clothes washed and the diapers are ready to be applied to baby bottom....all we need now is a baby. Will predicts that he'll be a soccer star of some sort with all the kicking he does in Mama's belly. Lately we wonder who's skin type he have, what the features of his nose, eyes, ears will be, etc. Well more to come after the birth

1-yr Anniversary

"We've only just begun" Here's the one year update. There's been a lot happening...many changes, all for the good. One year down...a lot more to go!

Wedding
Well it's been one year since the big party in New Orleans. It was a joyous time with family and friends from both sides. Memories of the soft shell crab at Acme and second lining in the quarter will remain with us for a lifetime.


Bataan Lane
Since then we have moved to Andersen Air Force Base, Guam and will be here until June 2007. The weather is much like New Orleans...warm and humid. Will couldn't have asked for better golfing weather though! (it hasn't helped his score yet)


Halloween 2005
Many new relationships have been formed since arriving on island. Our time with the Bindschatels, Bashes, Veaseys and Greens has been wonderful/ Most of it was spent together during bible studies and family get-togethers. They have been great models of Christ-centered families to both Teresa and I.


The Etlers
Guam would not be the same to us without these guys to the right: Nikki, Jonah, Jeremy and Scott. Scott was Will's supervisor in Germany for 3 years and was a good friend to him there. In Guam they have been our closest neighbors (the kind where you can just walk right in their back door) and incredible friends.

Baby!!!
Caleb is due to come into the world on the
17th of July. The 2nd ultrasound at 18 weeks showed Teresa that he's gonna be a jokester, not anything like his Dad. Lately he hasn't been too funny, though. He gets his laughs by sticking his heel (maybe a knee) under Teresa's ribs. Frequent trips to the bathroom, weird food cravings and dilslikes have summed up the last months for T. Will has adjusted to waking up in the middle of the night as well :) Baby boy is right around 5 lbs. at the time and is expected to be 7 lbs. (give or take some) at birth.

Deployment

Will got to spend the first months of the year in Iraq. While it wasn't what we would have chosen, it was a chance for us to trust God with our best. "Those who know your name will trust in you, for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you." -Ps. 9:10 Looking back, we wouldn't have changed a thing. Teresa was able to spend time with her brother and sister as well as some friends from high school. She later stayed with her parents in Valdosta and even visited Will's family in New Orleans. Will loved the short stay in Iraq. The people, the work, the spritual growth and the free food! He spent his golden birthday in Sandland with those he'd only known for a couple of months--it was the best one ever and a great setup by his supervisor, Sergeant Murrell (the guy on the right). Shown above right are Matt, Jason S., Brian, Jason P., Will and Rick. They met weekly to discuss leadership issues regarding Common Ground (weekly bible study) and also to encourage one another.

Back Home

It was a wonderful reunion for us. Teresa didn't look the same from when Will had departed for Iraq...she had put on a little weight ;) It was a great time in Houston. We stayed with our cousins, The Pinedas, and were able to spend time with family we hadn't seen since the wedding and some since Will was in grade school! Erica and Alan were also able to come down and visit for a couple of days, even better we got to meet Big Al's fiance', Tracy, and get to know her a little bit.