Hello, My name is Amanda Martin-Shaver married to James who were internet penpals for approx 3 years.

I am a New Zealander and James is an American, from Charlotte, North Carolina, where he grew up.
I traveled over to the USA back in 1999 to visit many of my penpals as possible in person. I had a wonderful trip traveling 11 States and a one day trip into Canada  while I was here.

I met James in person when he was living in Redding CA, and helped him to move up to Springfield, Oregon.

I went back home to New Zealand for a year and was a student graduating as Level 3 (LPN) Care Giver.
James and I became engaged and I flew back to the States where we soon got married.

James and I have many similar interests and definately similar in our humour and slant on life!  We both love the Lord Jesus Christ and have our own relationship with Him which is a little different as we are in different developments of our growth.
We are not affiliated with any church denomination as we are spiritual and not religious, and not comfortable with Church Denomination Doctrine which has many man-made attributes added to the mix. We believe in God Almighty, The Lord Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit - 3 distinct personalities in One.

I have two children from my 23 year marriage that ended in divorce. My daughter Kerie is 27 and for the past 8 years has been coming out to Colorado to work as Shuttle driver at Vail.The last 2 years she has been a snowboard instructor which she likes very much.

She has been doing off campus degree for School Teaching during the New Zealand winter months while also working full time. Now that she has earned her degree she is going to travel around more overseas after her winter season in Colorado, it maybe some time before I see her again.

My son Daryl is 25 now and was doing his apprenticeship in motor vehicles and was due to be finished in 2007. In August 07 he was hit by a van while he was taking the Round-about and knocked off his motorbike and sustained a bad leg injury as well and wrist, shoulder,  neck and back injuries. He has been in physio to help him weight bare as he can barely stand. The court awarded him $1,000.00 from the drivers fault! Not near enough to assist with his medical bills etc.

Daryl was going to come out with Kerie and work at Colorado with her and could not come. He may come out and spend quality time with me in the Spring which will be great.

Kerie and Daryl are both working in Vail, Colorado.  Daryl is very much enjoying his first time there as Shuttle driver.  They are coming to visit me 9 March 09 for a few days as at the end of their season they will both be travelling around to see more of US and other countries.

In 2006 we moved from Oregon to Wyoming and lived there a year before finally buying our first home here in Nebraska in 2007.  We live on 4 acres with our 2 dogs and two horses, 3 llamas and one chicken.

My husband James, is day cab Truck Driver (home every evening and weekend) and was working for Werner's nearly 5 years up until January when he had to quit to find more reliable work. Since November 08 there were far too many days where there was no loads, in January he did not have a load for 8 days - this does not pay the mortgage and bills.  He is now OTR truck driver and is away usually a week and has two days at home.  It has been a little difficult for me adjusting.  My puppy Koda keeps me company.

Sept 09 we moved to Georgia