The Day Came & Went

Des headed off to the States yesterday morning and after traveling nearly 24 hours (flights & layovers...those can be a killer) he arrived safely home. Thank you to everyone who was praying him through his travels, we really appreciate you lifting Him up before our Father.

It would figure my first night on my own we would get the wind storm of the year! We've had some pretty bad wind storms so far this year, but nothing like last night. They are calling for more heavy winds throughout the day and again through the night. Will need to batten down the hatches. I'm surprised our Internet antenna and satellite dish are still attached to the pole.

Tonight I have G.L.O.W. so I'm looking forward to that. I haven't been the last 2 weeks as I was wanting to spend as much time as possible with Des before he left.

Des...if you read this...I Love You to pieces and I'll see you in 3 short weeks.
Mrs. Linda...Thank you so very much for collecting Des from the airport. I know it turned into being a very late night for you and I want you to know I really appreciate you going out of your way for us!!

~Jess

The Day is Soon Approaching

Two weeks sure did fly by. I think I just blinked and now the day Des departs is on the doorstep. But I have to tell you, the friends that God is blessing us with are so great. All have them have opened up there homes and have offered there support to me while he is away. It has been such a tremendous encouragement to me, I just can't thank Him enough.

Another blessing from this is that I get to come home for Christmas! I'll be home for 12 days and am so looking forward to seeing everyone. Nothing beats being with those that you love and cherish for Christmas...it's a gift in and of itself!! And to top it all off the place I work for has decided to give us Christmas week off so I will only have to use 3 of my vacation days...isn't that wonderful! That'll allow me extra time to come home throughout the year for long weekends, which I hope to do about every 6 weeks or so.

Des has worked so hard over this past week getting everything repaired, sorted, and setup for me while he is gone. He's just the best. Our home is fully insulated so I can be warm (our little place doesn't like to keep the heat in except for during the summer months). I've also got outside lighting now so that when I come home from work I won't have to come home to a dark house (I don't care for the dark)...it's great! He also got me satellite TV so that if I get bored in the evenings I can tune into some of my favorite shows....home/cooking programs!!

Wishing you...

Hope it is or was a good one...would love to be there to celebrate with you!

A Hurdle Ahead

Des is returning to the States in 2 weeks to pursue his citizenship, however the hurdle we have ahead is that I am staying here in Ireland for the time being. I am under contract with the company I work for and need to stay here until that is up. Also if I leave I jeopardize my residency status here and my chance for citizenship. I will however be making regular trips to the States during the time we are apart. It has come as a blessing that we don't have rent or mortgage to be responsible for as we can use that money that we set aside for airfare. This will, I know, be a very difficult time, but also a time of growth for the both of us. Many, many couples have times where they need to live apart for a short period of time and we are blessed by the fact that I can travel every 6 weeks or so to be able to be together. And thank goodness for the Internet and web cams!! On the flip side of things, if in fact it all does become too hard and unbearable than I can always give my months notices and return home. Time will tell and we are praying for God's will and discernment. We both feel that as of right now this is what we are suppose to do, that doesn't mean it's going to be easy, but looking ahead this makes sense. I will be home for Christmas!!!! Have to get those tickets booked before fare prices sky rocket through the roof. I know there will be a few people that simply just don't understand why this decision has been made, but I hope in time they will, and will accept that we are doing what we feel is right.

Matthew Turned 2 October 7th

Most everyone knows the story of our sweet little nephew Matthew. He is truly a little miracle. Matthew is a twin. Little Jack didn't make it. They were born I believe it was at 24 or 25 weeks. Jack died after being with us for only a few short days then he went up to heaven to play with Jesus. Matthew however is here and is such a blessing to everyone. The road ahead is not going to be easy but he has come so far. He just learned to crawl over the summer and is now already pulling himself up all by himself. Des is Matthew's godfather and we are just so proud of this little guy.

Afternoon in Skerries

While we were out geocaching Des took me to the seaport town of Skerries for lunch and to walk around the harbour

Geocaching Day 2

The very next day we went out again! This and the next few shots were taken at Laytown Beach (about 8 miles from where we live). This was a relatively easy find.

1st Time Geocachers

...And it was so much fun. What a great fun thing to do together that really doesn't cost any money (once you buy the GPS gadget)!!

Our First Find...Newgrange View

The Trail

The Cache!

Des on the hunt...can you tell he's enjoy this??!!

Speaking of the Camera Cable

...it has arrived. I will post pics as I sort through them.

I Promise Pics Coming Soon

I haven't forgotten we just haven't received the cable for the camera so that we can upload the pics. I had to order it from the UK because I couldn't find a shop here that carried what we needed. Once we get the cable I then have 250 pics to sort through and decide which ones I'll post.

Des has off again this weekend (hooray!!). I'm not sure what we'll get up to, but hopefully something fun and if it's nice maybe touristy. I'd love to go to Trim Castle or something and walk around and have a picnic (sounds nice!).

We've had a fairly uneventful week. Which they are nice to have every once in awhile. Des is still working on putting insulation up in the mobile home. He's finished the underneath part but is now working on the inside (which means my little house is in major disaray!!).

Under the Big Top

We went to the circus last night and had an absolute blast! I've never been to a big top tent circus before and it was a really neat experience. There weren't many animals, but loads of acrobatic routines and I can't forget to mention the clowns, they were hilarious. I'm disappointed I didn't get to take any pitures (was too dark).**Update to entry...some of the pics actually weren't too bad...not great either but atleast it's something - right?!***

Des' mom and cousins (The Murray's)

Brought a Smile On =)

Cutest Baby Laughing This will make you smile.

Just for Fun...

October Bank Holiday Update...

Well, did we have an eventful October Bank Holiday weekend! I've got tons of pictures but we've somehow misplaced the cable to upload the pics to our PC, so I've ordered a new one and as soon as it arrives I'll have pics to put up on here.

The table quiz at The Village Inn was really fun. The questions were really hard, but we had a good laugh (our table came in last...there should have been a prize for the table who got the most questions wrong!). All the money that was collected will got to an MS fund here in Ireland. Aimen's (the friends that invited us, Veronica & Aimen) brother has MS and it was his family that organized the event.

The men's breakfast that Des organized went okay, only two of the guys he invited showed up, but they had a great time just talking and catching up. Des is now planning a men's movie night. I think it's a great idea. There is always women's studies and get togethers, but the men don't really seem to plan time to get together and do guy stuff. I spent the morning getting the house tidy and ready for our visitors. The dinner was a hit, especially the desert (thanks to Paula Dean!!).

Sunday was a fairly relaxing day. After church we went over to Des' parents for dinner. Brigid always much such a nice Sunday dinner, was a treat not to have to make the dinner. Later that afternoon Des and I decided to go for a walk and make it our first geocache. We went geochaching down around Newgrange. It was a bout a mile and half walk into the cache and then by the time we found it and logged our visit it was already dark so the mile and half walk back out was in the pitch black. We had a blast though and we are officially "addicted". Monday we went back out geocaching...went to Laytown Beach, Balrothery (which we couldn't find, going back to so some more hunting as some point), Ardgillan Castle, and Lusk Towers.

Yesterday the church organized a game night for all the children in the church. It gave the children an alternative to going out on Halloween. Some came dressed up as princesses, superman, mermaids, and even a pumpkin. My game for them was pin the nose on the clown and ended the evening with balloon animals (that was a hit). As everyone left they all got a bundle of sweets (candy). It was really fun (even for the adults)!