about us

Kristen was born and raised in the panhandle of Florida, specifically the Pensacola area. Her parents raised her and her older brother in church and taught them about the Bible often. She lived in the same house from birth until she went away to college during her sophomore year. She attended the University of West Florida for her freshman year, then transferred to THE Florida State University to finish. During her junior year she led a Bible study through the Baptist Collegiate Ministry where she met this guy. He began to show interest in her, taking her to coffee 3 times a week before class and inviting her to an FSU football game in Jacksonville. He knew the way to her heart! They hit it off and began to date. She took time off from school during her senior year to pursue a job in Birmingham, AL. That guy didn't like being apart very much and popped the question after just 2 months apart. They planned a wedding for the following April, 2010. Shortly after being married, they returned to the panhandle, Panama City, to pursue a job for Trey. Here, Kristen was able to finish her degree and become a proud alumni of FSU with a degree in Business Administration. The following year, the two packed up their lives to move to West Africa. Two weeks after landing on a new continent, Kristen celebrated her 25th birthday and found out they are expecting a little one in March.

Trey was born in Texas, but calls Florida home. With his dad being a minister, they moved to several different states during his childhood, but most of the time was spent in Florida. Trey grew up playing all sports, but focused the most on baseball. He graduated high school in Panama City and spent his freshman year at a local community college. He, too, transferred to THE Florida State University for his sophomore year. During that year he joined a Bible study through the Baptist Collegiate Ministry where he was almost immediately attracted to the girl leading it. His parents put extra money on his on campus bank account and he decided to treat this girl to coffee three mornings a week with that money, then walk her to class. He knew she loved FSU football and really wanted to attend a once in a lifetime game in Jacksonville. He offered her a ticket to the game, which happened to be his dad's ticket, and she gladly accepted. His dad didn't since he knew Trey's feelings. Their first date was  a football game. Trey returned to Panama City to attend the FSU campus there and pursue a degree in Criminology, specifically Underwater Crime Scene Investigation (yes, that's a real degree). Trey traveled to Tallahassee almost every weekend to visit Kristen. During that year, Kristen moved to Birmingham and Trey knew he didn't want to be apart. After a month of her there, he bought a ring & waited for the right moment to propose. They got married the following year in April 2010 and moved to back to Panama City that August. Trey worked at a church while attending seminary. The following year, the two packed up their lives to move to West Africa. Shortly after arriving they found out they were expecting their first child in March.

Chandler entered the world March 13, 2013 weighing 8 lbs 5 oz and 20.5 inches long. She's growing quickly! At her 3 week check up she weighed 9 lbs 10 oz & was 21 inches! She was born in Pensacola, FL and spent her first few weeks of life around the

panhandle of Florida. She will head to West Africa with her parents when she's 2 months old. She's an easy baby, giving mom & dad 3-4 hour sleeping shifts at night. She doesn't hate tummy time and does a good job practicing holding her head up. She's only pooped on daddy once, so far :) She would much rather cuddle than suck on a pacie. She loves to look around and take in everything. She also loves to kick her legs and stretch out her arms, very active (like her mommy knew she would be). You can keep up with her by reading blogs just about Chandler!

We have two incredible families who have loved and supported us through everything. Kristen has parents who were married for almost 33 years. Her mom went home to be with the Lord in 2011. Her dad is incredible. She is completely a daddy's girl :) She has one brother who is four years older. He's married and they welcomed their first child in June of 2012. Her extended family doesn't live far away and they are very close. The family spends almost every holiday together. Trey's parents have been together since college and have enjoyed moving all over the country serving in churches. He has a sister who is three years younger. She attends Baylor University and will graduate in the spring of 2013. His extended family lives all over America and enjoys the times they get to visit together. All are very excited about Baby Fondren and cannot wait to meet it.