the matts:

Chris and I have decided that 2009 is the year we will finally make it to Africa. The dream has been in our heart for years (in mine ever since I can remember) and we think that the time is coming. We are planning our next pregnancy around the trip so I am not preggers while we are there (for health reasons). I also know that I am going to have a REALLY hard time leaving one baby for a week, so I highly doubt that I could leave two.

Please be in prayer for us… that we would be on the right trip, that finances wouldn’t be an issue and that God would prepare the way in advance. Getting money together for Italy was a nightmare. It brought many small miracles in the journey, but we are hoping next time that we aren’t scrounging for pennies up until the day before we leave. Also, the church will probably take several trips to various parts of Africa next year, and we need to be on the right one. Pray that nothing comes in the way of us seeing those precious orphan faces.

And now, more Pres pics!!!

We took an impromptu beach trip this past week to Gulf Shores and it was WONDERFUL! We will be missing our Destin trip in September as it conflicts with Chris’ new job training, so we planned this one in about two days. The baby slept like a champ (but has not since then), we got a lot of rest, we lounged by the beach, but most of all we just hung out, relaxed and enjoyed each others’ company. It was great!

On the weight loss front, we are still moving forward! I have lost all the baby weight plus 10 or so more pounds. Chris is down like 14 pounds now or something ridiculous. We are sticking to the diet still and I am still committed to working out, but we are allowing ourselves a small treat from time to time. Life is not about deprivation!

Chris starts his new job tomorrow and we are so excited. The next few months of training are going to be difficult. He has books of information to learn and be tested on, and until he starts making commissions money will be, well… interesting. But in the long run, this job is the opportunity we have been waiting years for and we are SO EXCITED! Chris has an amazing new boss who totally believes in him and has already empowered him to be a star at the company. It’s going to be great! SUCH a blessing… Praise God!

The pastor from Watoto is speaking at services this weekend and he brought along pictures of hundreds of children who need sponsorship in Uganda. Many are orphans, some abandoned by their families, some left alone by the AIDS epidemic. We are honored to be sponsoring a little 2 year old boy named Martin who was found abandoned on a balcony when he was just a year old. Watoto raises up children in loving, Christian homes and equips them to one day be leaders. I encourage you to pray about sponsoring one of these precious children. This is such an easy way to truly change a life. I know finances are hard right now for many of us (this family included), but Pastor Dino really challenged us to sacrifice because we are all really truly blessed. Read about it, pray about it, and let God speak to you about your involvement.

Now check out some pics from our trip!

Since we made the decision for me to stay home with the baby, we always knew Chris would have to start making more money, which really isn’t possible with his current job. We have been searching for the right one for months, with a lot of emotional ups and downs. This Monday he was formally offered a great job with an amazing Fortune 1000 company called Paychex. He will be going back into outside sales and we could not be happier. He will be back out in the field doing what he loves, and we can pay our bills comfortably. It’s a win-win! We went out to Fleming’s the other night to celebrate and had the BEST time. That place is incredible and the service cannot be beat. And to help us celebrate, they gave us some chocolate covered strawberries to take home with us. If you’re ever there, ask for Crawford. He was hands-down the best server I have ever experienced.

Life is so good and God is SO GREAT!

So I have pretty much never seen a kid drool like this in my life. It’s like a steady, flowing stream all day. Then we have random bursts of screams in pain. This has been going on at least a month, probably more. The poor things gnaws on anything she can get her mouth on, leaving huge puddles of drool, which often end up on me. When are these teeth going to break through!?

We had an awesome weekend with family and friends as we got to dedicate Presley at church Saturday night. She wore a gown that is over one hundred years old. It was my great-grandfather’s and many people in our family have been baptized in it, including me! After a very special service, my mom and step-dad held a beautiful reception in her honor. It was a really great time. We also got our pictures that David Song and his lovely assistant, Lauren Song, took when the baby was 3 months. They are her god-parents and are so special to us. Here are some of our favorite pics for your viewing pleasure! There are quite a few, but we had almost 200 to choose from!

Things have been crazy around here so I haven’t had much posting time but I had to show you some pics of Pres. She’s growing up so much!!! We have family coming in town this weekend for her dedication at church tomorrow night. We feel so honored to be trusted with this amazing baby and want to declare our intentions to raise her in a strong Christian home… and we want to show her off! She is going to be wearing the gown that I was baptized in, so it’s very special. Pictures of that to come later, but for now, enjoy these: