Puerto Rico, Florida, Georgia

Gosh it has been a while since I have posted. Josh and I went to Puerto Rico for five days, Florida for two days to visit my family, and Georgia for a week to visit Josh's family. Our vacation to Puerto Rico was much needed and we had a great time! We were so thankful that we were able to go alone and enjoy one another before Josh leaves for Afghanistan on July 24.

Here are some pictures of our trips! (The pictures start backwards with Georgia, Florida, and then Puerto Rico). It is now starting to really sink in that Josh is leaving. July 24 and there after will be extremely difficult for both me and him. Please keep him in your prayers that God will guard him and keep him safe.



Me and Josh in his backyard
at his going away party

My sweet niece Katie

Natalie (Josh's cousin), me,
& my sister-in-laws Nicole and Kara

Kurt (brother-in-law) and Zach (nephew)

Me and Kara

Me and Josh being silly

Sunset at The Oyster Bar

All the boats at The Oyster Bar

Oil-ugh!

So sad!

My friend Rachel's son, Eli

Me and Rachel

My sister Hannah and hubs Randy

Hannah, Mom, me

Me and Josh

Pool at our hotel

The view out of our room

The Bacardi factory

Josh and I at the Bacardi factory

Beautiful view at sunset near El Moro


Top of the church near El Moro


Cemetery by El Moro

El Moro in Old San Juan

Josh and I at El Moro

View from a small restaurant near our hotel

Moving

I am not sure if many of you know but Josh is going to Afghanistan for a year, starting July 24. This is going to be a very difficult transition for both of us and there are so many emotions/stress going through our minds right now.

One of the main stresses we had was whether or not I was going to stay here in DC or move closer to family. While living in DC can be a "cool" place to live in, it is a very difficult place to live in with busy people, crazy traffic, and one of the most important things to me...no family. At the same time, I have been teaching at the same high school for four years and have began to finally find my "way" living here in this crazy place! I did a lot of talking to God, searching, listening, crying, and waiting for God to show me what to do while Josh is gone: move closer to home or stay here alone in DC where I have my job.

Every time I tried to make a decision I got the biggest pit in my stomach. I knew I had to listen to my heart and the Spirit of the Lord. After Josh and I sat down one evening and really talked without distractions, I could see where he was coming from, in that he wanted me closer to family. We talked, cried, and at that point after talking, I knew in my heart that I had to move closer to home. I honestly felt complete peace from the Lord at that moment and it was almost as if God was just waiting for Josh and I to sit and process everything. It felt so good to say that I was moving and to have complete peace. So, it is official. I am moving to Atlanta July 26 on full faith and trust in the Lord. I do not have a job but I am confident this is God's plan and I know He will provide.

I selfishly ask that you please keep Josh in your prayers as he is preparing himself (in all aspects) to go to Afghanistan. Please pray for his complete safety and that God will comfort him as he is far away in a very dangerous place. I also ask that you pray that God comfort me while he is away. I know this is going to be very difficult for the both of us. What I have to remember is that God is in control.

National Zoo

A couple of weeks ago Josh and I went to the zoo here in DC. We enjoyed our time there and here are a couple of pics that we took!


Fierce! I love this picture of the tiger!




He was cute playing with his ball!


Beautiful animals!


Me and Josh and our friend, the elephant!

The big ole' elephant

Spring Break in Atlanta

Josh and I went to Atlanta for about 9 days during my spring break. On our way to Atlanta we decided to stop by Lynchburg, VA where my best friend Hannah and her husband Mac had their first child, Elias Houston Lucero. I coordinated the surprise visit with her sister Charity. I even talked to Hannah on our way there and she had no clue! It was great! Elias is such an adorable baby and we were so glad we got to meet him and see Mac and Hannah!




Hannah, Mac and Elias
with her mom and sister.


Happy parents with Elias!


Hannah and Elias


Elias...unhappy.

Sweet baby Elias all calmed down
in his mommy's arms. He's precious!

In addition to surprising Mac and Hannah, we were also surprising Josh's mom. She had no idea we were coming to Atlanta for 9 days. We pulled up at about 2:30am and this was the story: My sister-in-law, Kara who lives in the same neighborhood called my mother-in-law, Brenda at about 2:25am and said she really needed migraine medicine because she had a horrific migraine. (Migraines are normal in the Walker family.) So, we pulled up at about 2:30 and walked in the door. When we peeped around the corner Brenda was getting migraine medicine for Kara. She thought it was Kara walking in the door but when she saw us she screamed and said, "What are ya'll doing here?" She was so happy and so were we! We spent a lot of time hanging out. We did some shopping, my nieces t-ball game, engagement party for some friends, eating and more eating! :-)


Josh and Zach--what a smile!

BB and Zach

Josh, Kurt, Zach --3 handsome boys!

Katie and Me -she looks adorable in her hat!


Katie sitting on her daddy's lap in the field


Me and Zach

Josh giving Katie a kiss

Josh and Katie

My mom also came up for two days and we were able to take her and my sister-in-law, Nicole to The Varsity, a famous hotdog/hamburger joint where they are known for asking what you want by saying, "What'll ya have?" You are also supposed to know what you want when you get up there. It is quite the busy place, but the food is good if you are in a greasy, unhealthy mood! We also went to the Georgia Aquarium, which was pretty neat.


Me and Nicole

Me and my mom

Nicole

Cute sea turtle

cool fishies!

Sweet little animal--shark :-)

My mom with some kind of big fish-Grouper maybe?

Whale sharks

Me, Nicole, and Josh

Colorful fish--how can people say God doesn't exist?


My best friend Kelly also came through Atlanta on her way to Augusta so we were able to see her, Ryan, and Colton (her first son). We ate at our favorite Mexican restaurant and really enjoyed being with each other for the few hours we had.


My niece Katie with my best friend's baby, Colton

Me and Kelly

Me and Kelly being silly

Ryan, Kelly, me and Josh

Kelly and Colton--isn't he adorable?
I love this picture!


Okay! I think that's enough! We had a lot of fun!