haiti | wall's guest house.

Two weeks ago, I had the incredible privilege to join two dear souls on a quick trip to Haiti. It was a wonderful five days, full of all our favorite things and people, and I'll never be able to adequately express my gratitude having gone on this particular trip. We travelled via a different airline/route than normal, which gave us the opportunity to stay in Port au Prince overnight instead of Fort Lauderdale/Miami. We spent most of our time resting, chatting, and exploring the grounds of Wall's International Guest House. Because of Hurricane Maria that had just blown through the Caribbean, we were the only guests there that night. We expected to be hanging out with other missionaries and have the chance to make some new friends from all over, but in true its-because-Anna-was-there fashion, plans changed. We did enjoy the peace and quiet, though!

It was also exciting to be able to FaceTime with TJ and Braxton from Haiti, something we've never had the opportunity to do before. Yay for WiFi! Seeing their faces a few more times before not hearing their voices for the few days that followed was just what my heart needed.

With baby girl on the way, it will be at least a couple of years before I get to see my Haiti family again, which is a big reason why I'm so grateful I got to go on this particular trip. There is always a takeaway (or a few) upon returning home, and I'm still sorting and praying through things that God revealed to me. Haiti has a way of stretching you, both while you're there and after you're back home, and I'm always better for having gone. This time, even though short, was no different.

pretty place | hike it baby.

Two weeks ago, a dear friend I met within Hike It Baby and I toted our toddler dudes up to Rainbow Falls on our backs. One we got there, we had an inkling for more adventure, and we were curious about a particular off-shoot of the trail. We overheard a couple of guys who came from that direction talking about it, so I asked them how the terrain was. He was really nice, but when he noticed that the girl who was inquiring was toting a little dude on her back, he simply said, "It's really difficult. There are steep slopes and some areas where you have to climb a rope to get up. I don't think you'd make it carrying that extra load. *insert chuckle*"

That's all he had to say.

Hilary and I looked at each other as if to say "challenge accepted," and we recharged under the falls before blazing some more. I didn't take many photos during our trek up because of the obstacle course-like nature of this particular trail, but boy, was it an adventure! After finishing the trail portion, we walked down the road about half a mile before reaching the chapel. It was worth every huff and puff. Oh, was it ever! Our boys laughed and played and jumped from the steps and "read" the plaques around the half-moon. All four of us were in heaven, even after our pleasant trip came to an abrupt stop (our little secret) and we began the trek back down the mountain.

Ten miles and eight hours later, we arrived safely back to our car. Whew! This wasn't on our bucket list before we were in the middle of it, but we were both so thankful that we took the challenge. It was the perfect day with the perfect company, and our boys even behaved after being carried for so long. Hallelujah!

I don't know if I'll ever do this particular hike again, but I sure am glad that I've at least done it once in my lifetime. Such a fun, exhausting, exhilarating adventure!

Pretty Place 2013

rainbow falls | hike it baby.

Monday was a day I'll never forget. It was my fifth trek up to Rainbow Falls, and it was Braxton's third. We are in the middle of a Hike It Baby 30 Challenge, so I added this hike to the Greenville branch's calendar to help boost our miles mid-way through. Only two of us braved the big climb, and we even carpooled to Jones Gap since we live so close to each other. I've said it a million times and I'll say it again: this group is about so much more than hiking, which is a huge reason I love it so much!

We made it to the waterfall after stopping once to break (not enough breakfast always translates to a light-headed me), and enjoyed some lunch as we enjoyed the view. The boys ran around, climbed fallen trees, and threw rocks into the water, and we surrounded the perimeter to make sure no one took a tumble (#motherhood).

Typically, this would be where the story continued with us heading back down the mountain. This time, however, our thirst for adventure took us in another direction. More on that tomorrow. For now, I'm giddy to share what the first half of our day looked like.

Like I said earlier, a day I'll never forget.

One final thought -- how beautiful are the leaves when fall is just around the corner.

Rainbow Falls 2015 || Rainbow Falls 2016

lake conestee nature park | hike it baby.

We hiked through one of our local favorite parks Thursday, and it was one of the best days we've ever had on the trails. We joined our Hike it Baby family, and so did nearly FIFTY other mamas and babes! I don't know for sure, but I don't think we've ever had such a great turnout. So exciting!

Braxton became instant buds with a little dude who was only eight days younger than him, and they were just too cute. Seriously! They stayed close to each other the whole time, and they held hands off and on. When we got in the car to go grab some lunch, Braxton said, "Mommy, when am I going to see my friend again? You know, Ezra?" I was giggling with joy as he chatted to me about his new little buddy.

He wore his brand new Carolina Panthers hat the whole time (side note: he still hasn't taken it off), and he was so proud that his shirt said "hiker" on it. He's so big and independent, and I love it so much. Yes, it's equally as heartbreaking to watch him grow up, but the pros definitely outweigh the cons. I am enthralled with seeing his little personality come to life, and I pray that he never gets tired of hanging out in the woods. I, also, pray that he would always be known for his kindness, just like he is right now.

We sure are grateful for the friendships we've made since joining in on our first hike nearly two years ago. I hoped it would be a great community for us to be a part of, but it's become even more -- these people are family now. Even Braxton knows that to be true.

bearwallow mountain | hike it baby.

As of today, we are halfway through our September 2017 Hike It Baby 30 Challenge! Last September, Braxton was just starting to hike on his own two feet for longer distances, and now he's practically a hiking professional. I carried him up the mountain on this adventure because it's a steep mile, and he was pumped to be able to run through open fields at the top. We saw cows, played with our friends (mamas included), reminisced about how big our babies have gotten since we trekked up to this gorgeous place together last year, and took pictures like it was our job.

This is one of my most favorite places, and I always turn into a giddy schoolgirl as we pass through the final brush before emerging out onto the mountaintop. This time, our third, was no different. Braxton even said multiple times, "Mommy, you think this is pretty?" because I kept saying it over and over. The way the sky meets the land makes my heart beat fast and leaves me breathless, and I am confident that it always will. When I hike, I'm reminded of the creative, mighty God I serve, and that's why I love it so much. Being surrounded by beauty upon beauty is hard to let go of once you've experienced it, and that's where I found myself all those years ago when I bought my first pair of Chacos and started climbing mountains for fun.

I hope that Braxton looks back in ten, twenty, thirty years and remembers how his love of nature and the great unknown began. I hope he remembers all the friends he made, all the leaves he picked up, all the trees he shook, all the things he saw and miles he beasted as just a wee little one.

*last photo was taken by my precious friend, Hilary!

Only fifteen days left to meet our goal of hiking/walking thirty miles in thirty days! The next time we participate in a challenge, Lord willing, another little one will be in tow. I have a feeling that Braxton will be doing a lot more hiking/walking on his own two feet when baby girl arrives...unless I learn to tandem wear, that is. Oh, the excitement for such a wonderful change!

April 2016 || September 2016