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Wow! I just started this thing and I'm already behind on posts!

Eddie and I celebrated our three year anniversary on the 21st! I can't believe how quickly three years has come and gone. As our anniversary approached, I started looking for the gifts you are supposed to exchange on your third anniversary. The traditional gift is leather and the modern gift is crystal. Totally different ideas with completely different reasoning behind the significance. Leather is supposed to represent the durability of your marriage after three years. Leather, as a material "is durable, warm, strong, flexible, and has a sense of resiliency to it. These are qualities that help marriages continue to thrive". And, crystal represents how a meaningful marriage can touch the lives of others.

Marrying Eddie is the best thing I have ever done. He brings so much love and light to my life. I am at a point where I feel our marriage is durable. We've faced our share of challenges both internally and externally. Before meeting Eddie, I had always felt like there was something missing. His presence in my life brings a very soothing contentedness.

I was chatting about Africa with a group of girls when one of them asked how long the flight over was. When I told her that there would be two, back-to-back, 10-11 hour flights she responded with: "you must really like your husband." The truth is-I do really like my husband. He is my favorite person to be around. I really don't like flying, but I can tell you that I would rather be on a 10 hour flight with him than be relaxing on a beautiful beach somewhere with anyone else.

Not only did our anniversary fall on a Wednesday, but we had a 70.3 in the not so distant future. So, we had a pretty relaxing evening. We went to dinner at a place I had been wanting to go to called Trulucks . I had been there quite a few times when I lived in Dallas and was really excited about having one here. It was delicious! And, the company wasn't so bad either.

Africa Itinerary

I've been toying with the idea of creating a blog before our trip to Africa and have finally come to the decision that it would be a great way to keep friends and family updated on our much anticipated adventure. Im still learning the blogging ropes, so bear with me for these first few entries.

I thought today would be a good day to start as we are exactly one month from our departure and we have received a fun package from the travel company we are using (Ker & Downey). The package contains two duffel bags, our final itinerary, country information, travel guidelines, safari packing lists, Malaria prevention information and airline baggage allowance information.

There are a few interesting country requirements in this package. Upon entry to each of the countries, we must have a minimum of two blank pages in our passports. Eddie may need a new passport! In Zambia and Mozambique, we must purchase a visa upon entering. And, here is my favorite: In Zambia, purchases must be made with "undamaged USD bills from 2000 or later no larger than $20". In South Africa, If one parent is traveling with his/her underage child, without the other parent, a letter of consent needs to be signed by the other parent and approved by the police. And, although laundry is included at many of the places we are staying, women's "delicates" will not be washed.

As excited as we are, there is still lots to do and I know this next month will go by quickly!