Bye Bye 2008 Hello 2009!

So in this post we've decided to mention some of our 2008 highlights! With the year coming to a close we find ourselves reflecting on some of the great things we experienced this past year! So without further ado....here it goes!

On January 13 we were blessed with a wonderful god-daughter Kaila! She keeps growing like a weed and we miss her more than ever. We enjoy seeing pictures of her and her beautiful smile.

In January we were also accepted into the Peace Corps! We knew we were going to the Caribbean but were unsure on which country and our exact departure date. We also spent an awesome weekend at a Bed and Breakfast where we did some snowshoeing and snowboarding!

February we tried out cross country skiing for the first time...I'm not sure it's something we'll do a lot of but it was fun to spend some time with the Overstreet's in peaceful Elk River. March was a trying time for both Will and I. My great grandfather passed away... I think about him often especially when times are tough- he gives me great strength and keeps me prayerful. Will's grandmother Betty Schumaker also passed away. She will be sorely missed by all- a reminder of saintliness and kindness.

April brought final preparations for graduation. Will was busy student teaching at Troy High School having the time of his life- traveling with the FFA program and inspiring high school students.

May was extremely chaotic! On May 5 we received the news that we would be heading to Jamaica for Peace Corps! 4 days later we graduated from the University of Idaho with degrees in Agriculture! This was a huge accomplishment for the both of us. We also went camping with Steve and Annie! A beautiful place in Washington called Lake Crescent. June we packed our apartment and left the University of Idaho and our cute little apartment. This time was spent with family and friends saying our goodbyes and preparing for Peace Corps. I traveled to Las Vegas to bring my near and dear friend Erin back to Boise to begin teaching in Idaho!

July we left for Florida for 3 days for Peace Corps staging. This was our last time in the United States- we departed for Jamaica on July 3. July was filled with training, sightseeing, and making new friends. August we found out where we would be living- Santa Cruz, St. Elizabeth. We also found out we would be working with an organization called RADA- Rural Agricultural Development Authority. We were also finally sworn in as Peace Corps Volunteers. A year from the time we applied for Peace Corps to the time we were sworn in as volunteers. September October and November brought many trying times. We struggled with integration, life as a volunteer, and daily life in Jamaica. We travelled around a little bit in Jamaica. We visited Lovers Leap, frequented Treasure Beach, and Dunns River Falls and attended the Shrimp Festival (needless to say eating shrimp since then has been non-existent) In September our godson-Matthew Kudrna was also born. We have yet to hold him and actually see him but thanks to his wonderful parents we get to see lots of pictures of the little man! Finally this past month we traveled to Portland for Christmas! We had a wonderful time with our friends Josh and Jesse along with Dave and Molly. We hiked to a beautiful waterfall, baked sugar cookies, cooked an awesome Christmas dinner, watched A LOT of movies, stayed in the glass house in Long Bay, visited Monkey Island, stayed at Ivanhoes guest house, and basked in the sun at Frenchman's Cove. All in all a fabulous time- will write more of this wonderful journey in the new year!

Alas we reach today... our 2 year anniversary! We've been married for 731 days...holy moly! We've had a wonderful time together and look forward to many more years to come. Just a little reminder of our wedding day....