Our New Orleans memories

I have been so shocked and saddened by the recent events surrounding Hurricane Katrina on the Gulf Coast. We have relatives from James' grandmother's side of the family that live in Gulfport, Bay St. Louis, Maben and Water Valley, Missisippi. Thank God they are all safe!

Over the Christmas Holidays we traveled to New Orleans and the Mississippi Gulf Coast to visit and for me to meet for the first time several of these relatives. I was 5 months pregnant with James and sick as a dog during this trip. After the long train ride home, I really had regretted going on the trip at all. I felt that due to the circumstances, I did not get to see the "real nawlins". Boy do I feel differenly now. That was the first and last chance for me to see what New Orleans looked like for so many years and experience that famous culture . I am certain it will never be the same. At this point is is difficult to imagine what the city will become. When I first met James (JR) during our first phone conversation we talked about New Orleans. I knew in my heart at that time that some day he would take me there. He did just in time I guess!

My thoughts and prayers are with the people in the area. Here are some photos from our trip last winter