The Journey

6 weeks!

2010-06-12T12:58:00.000-07:00

Time is flying!!! You can see it passing even more with a little baby as each day you discover a little bit more of life through his eyes. He's getting soooo big, weighing in at 10 lbs 10 ou, 23 in. long at his 6 week check up! I'll try to capture as much of this time as I can, and share with you the highlights:)

Discovered himself in the mirror!

First time in his activity center

He really loves that mirror!

Soooo precious!!!

Jacob Gabriel Henderson

2010-05-27T23:46:00.000-07:00

For everyone who doesn't already know, our beautiful baby boy is FINALLY here! April 22nd, 10:24 AM, 7 and 1/2 lbs, 20 1/2 in, he took all of 44 hrs to show up!!!-hungry and healthy-he's growing bigger and better by the day! I've heard it before in theory, but know now how true are the words: "a baby changes everything". It's the best part of you, with that angel-fresh touch of Heaven mixed in. It's no work at all. Though you may feel stretched to your limit, you want to push it even farther. A baby represents a new chance at life, staring blank as a page full of innocence and hope for everyone around it. What you show and give this most precious gift must be perfect and pure because that's all it knows...and that's all you'll ever want him to know, if you can help it. Prayer means so much more, time, how I'm spending it...everything really! What a crazy, amazing, wonderful thing a this new little life is, and I know it's just begun:)

9 Months and Waiting...

2010-04-14T17:41:00.000-07:00

...The last few days (weeks?) bring a strange mix of feelings between wondering "come on already!" and then "oh my gosh, he's almost here! Am I ready?!" One wonderful thing's for sure: nothing will ever be the same again!

Surprise Visit!

2010-03-27T17:56:00.000-07:00

This last month has been crazy! I love it! Between last-min baby preparations and organizing new projects, we got a surprise visit from my brothers, Chris and John! They drove 2 DAYS here then back from MI! Long drive, part of gift. Fun times! Thanks boys:)

Life Is Wonderful!

2010-02-24T11:07:00.000-08:00

Snow in Austin, TX!!!...and though we're back to sunshine and 50 degree weather today, we were able to capture some of the highlights of a most random, wonderful day:)

Happy Valentine's: Sneak Peek

2010-02-13T22:08:00.000-08:00

Our most precious gift of love!

Super Bowl Bash!!!

2010-02-08T21:04:00.000-08:00

Friends, food, fun, and football-what more can I say? It was one happy, crazy night despite the loss of the Colts:(

Thanks for the sushi, Summer!!!

Best buds

Jono and Liz

17 pizzas!

One cozy kitchen:)

Crutching like a champ

oooh, ladies...

Team Jono and Sam

Team Seth and JD (cough...champions)

Joe and Vicky

BBF's, Marie and Rosie-so happy Marie made it here!!!

Summer's Birthday

2010-02-04T16:39:00.000-08:00

Just a few pic's from the birthday bash on TUE for my lady Summer! Girl, you rocked the volley-ball and the billiards! I love you and pray for your BEST year yet!!!

Happy "211", Summer, you hot old thang;)

Every-day Heroes

2010-01-28T22:20:00.001-08:00

Tonight Joe and I sat down with the most random group of people: from Police Officers, Hostage Negotiator, Banker, Immigration's Lawyer, to students-all with one thing in common, stop human trafficking. Yes, it's a problem in Texas, USA-biggest one being lack of awareness-and this is our first hurdle and reason for coming together from all kinds of backgrounds. "Evil flourishes because good men do nothing", and there's a LOT to be done! I was happy to be one of the "nobodies" in the room, just taking it all in and letting the big names talk (my voice is half-gone right now and I almost didn't go to the meeting). Then one of the spokeswomen of the group turns to me and asks if I can be the spokesperson for her, poor thing lost her voice COMPLETELY attending conferences all yesterday long...kinda put things in perspective. Christina Goode, your a soldier, sweetie. An ordinary mom with a tireless, fearless strength, despite personal set-backs and every-day difficulties. You're one of my heroes!

Joe and I with some of the board of Texas Anti-Trafficking In Persons and Child Sexual Exploitation Coalitions

Baby Joy!

2010-01-21T21:16:00.000-08:00

For those who don't already know, we are happily expecting our new little boy April 15th, 2010 (Names still pending...). I'm so overwhelmed and oblivious all at the same time. No matter if I've gone through every PG trademark, or the fact that little junior has crazy kick-boxing skills, it won't REALLY hit me until he's in my arms:)

16 weeks

6 months

9 MONTHS!

2009-08-27T00:12:00.000-07:00

Yes, of MARRIAGE! Crazy fast and Loving it! And, yes, we already posted a similar picture, but Joe's sleeping (ah-hah) and I love this one because of the "right now the world needs a hero" sign behind us-Joe is definitely the hero in my world:) Love you, baby!

Camping in Cali!

2009-07-30T22:22:00.000-07:00

Just about 45 min into the mountains, somewhere in between San Jose and Santa Barbara, Joe, John, Koari, Rosie, and I got to spend 2 days in a little hide-a-way by the beautiful coast! Though the water was FREEZING, beer, beer brats, A-MAZ-ING local burgers, hikes along the beach, quests for more campfire, and did I mention un-limited marshmallow roasting, was more than a very happy birthday kick-back for me and my man! Can't wait to go back next year!

NY!

2009-03-25T06:17:00.000-07:00

Thank you Santi and Karen! We had an AWESOME time! We love you guys! see you soon!

Little Joe

2009-03-04T22:38:00.000-08:00

We landed in Houston, and got to spend a couple days there visiting with family and friends. BIG THANK YOU to Jer for picking us up at the airport! It was nice to get to see Mila and the kids (they're getting so big) and be able to visit with little Joe, Ambie, and Jude! Little Joe had a great time getting to play with his little cuz, Connor (also just 1), Uncle Jason, Auntie Lori, and Auntie Rosie. We took about a million pictures of all the fun, so instead of posting the "top 20", just made a slide-show. ENJOY!!

Sonia and Jamie's Wedding

2009-03-01T11:27:00.000-08:00

We were happily able to attend the union of Joe's good friend, Sonia, with long-time novio, Jamie. Though just "la firma" part of the ceremony, there was nothing mundane about this gathering; elegant and extravagant, is more what comes to mind. Starting with entree's and pisco sours, guests enjoyed the live entertainment from Marinera dancers and caballo's del paso (dancing horses). After the speeches, ceremony, and toasts, we were all surprised with the bride's personal performance of the traditional Trullian dance, Marinera, and went on to feast on some of Peru's best dishes-THANK YOU Aunt Mary and crew! The servers started making whisky rounds, and then, it was all madness! It's fun watching EVERYONE pile onto the dance floor, tables shift, friends catch up and make some new ones, before finally calling it a night. Felicitaciones Sonia and Jamie!

Surfing in Huanchaco!

2009-02-13T09:20:00.000-08:00

"Huanchaco is a beach and summer vacation spot in the northern city of Trujillo, Peru. Huanchaco is famous for a few things but in particular for being a surfer's dream spot and its caballitos de totora. The most famous food there is the ceviche (which we LOVE!!!). Huanchaco is nearby the very famous ruins of Chan Chan" - From Wikipedia

Yesterday we went to the nearby surfer's beach of Huanchaco, and we were finally able to catch some surfing on camera. Rough as the pictures look, I was having a blast!

Sam's Haircut!

2009-02-11T21:01:00.000-08:00

2 min mohawk

Reef Bikini Competition in Mar de Plata

2009-02-07T14:41:00.000-08:00

Day of Arrival, this happened, but we weren't able to get any photos or footage-personally. Gentlemen, what a little research on You Tube can do for you;)

P.S. From Joe: "Chris, you asked 'How is South America', and here's your answer, little brother." Wish you were here!

Mar de Plata

2009-01-29T16:24:00.000-08:00

WOW! Imagine a land that's got miles of beautiful coastline, more beautiful bodies than coast filling it, live with sports in and out of the water, everyone and their Grandma sipping on that Yerba buzz...and that's just the toe-dipping into the "small city" world of Mar de Plata. We've just found our new home! I know we landed at peak-summer season, and all the locals were talking down the cold winter-winds and empty streets, but Mar de Plata is more than just the beach attraction. True, with 15 plus hours of sun-fun, you have to wonder, "What does one do in those other 9 months out of the year WITHOUT it??" Sun-out, night life-on! I first thought 9:30PM was a little late for a big dinner and a slow sun-down, but not with so much to do after dark. From Tango-class, to taking in live-entertainment on the street, or simply enjoying the good company of the friends we stayed with there at home, bedtime was rarely before 4AM. Life is refreshingly basic in Mar de Plata, Argentina. No one's dressed-out, made-up, or engrossed in their latest gadget. People here seem too busy being and expressing themselves to be concerned with popular opinion, and that's the crazy thing about it. With so much individuality, the popular opinion is your opinion, your conviction. It's you wanting more from yourself than the people around you, and that's an inspiring find in the rat-racing, selfish world of today. We are still putting together our team, and exactly what we want from it, but I'm excited to see what the Lord's going to do here! Of course I can't finish this post without including due praise and appreciation of the wonderful time we had with our friends here in Mar de Plata! It wouldn't have been the same without Clara and Esther's cooking, oh, ENDLESS portions of Argentine's best "carne" (changed my religion on meat!), John Michael's genius take on films and musical talent, Javier's crawling futbol-scoring skills in the sand, Danny's helpful tips on how NOT to make Mate-soup, and sweet Almendra and her equally charming kids, Fiera and Arcos! THANKS AGAIN EVERYONE!! So sad that we just missed seeing Luchi, Jess, Jo, and little Rapheal this time around, but here's looking forward to our return! Three days and too long before I get to come back to this little piece of paradise!

Enjoying a Veal Milanesa

Having a coffee

Casino-said to be the biggest casino in the world!

oh happy day!

Mate break at the Shell

...and more Mate

Daniel

$US - 1

lost in the crowds

We miss "Arcitos" (adopted son for the day)

bussing into town

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM!

2009-01-21T09:46:00.000-08:00

I love you! I'm so thankful to have you in my life! You will always remind me of a mother's perfect, crazy, constant love, but you're just a beautiful woman too! Happy New Year, Mom!

Vamos a Argentina!

2009-01-19T09:41:00.000-08:00

Let's rewind last 5 days: Day 1, Wake up Trujillo, Peru-go to sleep in Lima. 2nd day, Lima to Santiago, Chile; arrive just into Day 3 in Buenas Aires, Argentina. Day 4....didn't sleep through last night....Buenas Aires to Mar de Plata! Oh Happy Day! Day 5-today-got up 4 hours ahead of Peru at a healthy 1AM. We took the best long walk up the coast, I got my first Argentine gourd, and walked our way back as the sun set at 9:30PM! Loving this life!

"El casa del nino Jesus"

2009-01-18T17:17:00.000-08:00

El casa del nino Jesus is a place all the poor neighborhood kids of el Parque Industrial can come for some love. It's a project that's covered everything from providing them with food and clothing to teaching them useful skills, like how to cook. It used to be a center, but that's been taken over, so we're meeting this time in one of the kids' houses-if you can call it that. Dad and Mom Henderson have been helping some of these kids since they were babies, and now they have little brothers and sisters to look after too. Stephanie, all of 13 years old, is hosting the free lunch and movie at her home this time around. Stephanie looks after her younger brother and sisters while her mom's gone to work for most of the day. The floor in their house is, well, dirt, and somehow I get the feeling that their the lucky ones around. The free food and movie isn't much, but it's amazing to me how a little bit of love goes a long way. I look forward to seeing them all again.

FIRST PERU POST!

2009-01-09T08:04:00.000-08:00

Peruvian Temple of "Sun" and "Moon" and the Inca mud city: Chan Chan

So...."we just came for pictures" is said again, and the tour guide is ignoring us quite nicely, intent on describing every little imprinted ROCK, "yes"! We still had some fun though, and one has to wonder about their purpose in life after a tour like that. Imagine, 100 years A.D.: "Daddy, I want to be an honored sacrifice when I grow up"!?!

Christmas

2009-01-08T21:06:00.000-08:00

'Twas the most wonderful time of the year! Sharing lobster and steak with family in Houston (THANK YOU Jason and Lori!!), and flying out in time for presents around the fireplace in Michigan. There's no place like home for the holidays! It's the time for food and fun we never indulge in. Time for important words waiting for an important time to speak. There's never enough "I love yous", hugs hold longer, and evenings never seem to find an end. You remember why you left home...and why you'll always be coming back. And as full of a life we all can look back on, lightening strikes, and the love of my life takes my hand forever. I see Daddy's million dollar smile, mom's happy tears, and love makes a memory again. Long live Christmas all throughout this new year!