the world now knows...

As most of you are aware by now, we are expecting our first child! As of today, we are 14 weeks (see pic on right) along in the journey: baby Tack is now the size of a lemon :)
The reason we waited 'til now to share the news was because originally we had planned to announce it in person to our parents... but due to several reasons, those plans fell through. So we did it the old-fashioned way: 3-way conference calling via Skype. Yep, we shared the excitement while Jonathan was in Ecuador and Charisma was home in Virginia; to our families in Ohio and Illinois! God bless technology!



Jonathan is now on his way home after 5 weeks in South America. Charisma is tracking his flights on Flightaware.com to check his progress as we speak, eagerly awaiting to see that little plane show up flying somewhere over Texas once it enters US airspace.
Five weeks and two days is the current standing longest separation we have had since engagement, and although it is certainly difficult, we remind ourselves that there is always another couple facing a bigger challenge, and we are blessed with the job Jonathan has to provide for our growing family. God never gives us more than we can handle.
Some have said to us, "I don't know how you manage being apart for so long. I can't hardly go one night without my spouse," And to them, our challenge seems enormous (and it's easy to feel that way too!). But then we say to them, "five weeks is nothing compared to the military families who go weeks without even communicating with each other, and months-sometimes years-before seeing each other." At least we usually have internet and Skype, and/or phone every day, and our time apart is measured in merely days or weeks. We have much to be thankful for!

Once Jonathan returns home, we'll spend the week here in Virginia. This will be Jonathan's first time in our new apartment, since we moved across town while he was out of the country! We are very much looking forward to the reunion and time together again.

And then the travel bug bites again...

• NORTH CAROLINA Next week, we're off on yet another round of office work in Winston-Salem, NC. The plan is to be there about 2 weeks.
• ALASKA Then, once finished there, we'll hop back home for a whirlwind of packing and seeing friends before we leave for Alaska! August 23-September 1st we will be teaming up with Kingdom Air Corp, which is about 75 miles NE of Anchorage, to help out on the ranch with whatever needs they may have. KAC's purpose is for training aviation students in missionary and bush country environments. Jonathan spent several summers at this ranch for flight instructing.
• OHIO But wait! The fun doesn't end there! Upon returning from our trip to Alaska, we leave immediately from the DC airport and drive up to Ohio for Labor Day weekend. Our wonderful friend, Emily Jackson, is getting hitched to Aaron Lehman! Charisma is helping with their photography, and Jonathan's going to play the piano. What a priviledge to be a part of their day! We'll end the Ohio trip with some family time, and perhaps a baby shower if we can work it in :)

Then, we'll come home, pass out, and pray for no emails or phone calls from Dynamic for at least a week before they try to steal Jonathan away again on another trip ;)