Farewell to Africa

We're packing. Our life here fits into 2 large suitcases, 2 large duffle bags, 1 small suitcase, 2 carry-ons, and 1 personal item. It seems to be less than we came with, but we know we've accumulated more since we've been here. Can't explain it. One of our carry-ons is full of warm clothes to pile on when we arrive in New York's predicted 32 degree high. In Africa it's sunny and warm with a slight breeze to keep things comfortable. It's perfect. But we are so looking forward to the imperfect. It doesn't feel like Christmas is 2 days away when we're wearing shorts to the zoo and swimming with friends just a few days before. We want sweatshirts. We want hot chocolate. We want crackling fires, big cozy blankets, and cuddling. We want FAMILY. And we feel so blessed that we're going to get it. We fly out Christmas Eve and arrive in NY Christmas morning. Thanks to one of the most incredible ladies ever, our apartment will be stocked with {American!} food to get us through the day and a Christmas present from Santa for Bryn (not to mention a ride home from the airport on Christmas morning!). The next day we'll board our flight to CA (apparently 18 hours of flying the day before just isn't enough for us) to visit our families. We pretty much feel like this about it all: We've had an experience of a lifetime here in Africa. We've been able to do and see all that we wanted (much left to blog). We've met wonderful people and made lasting friendships. But every international experience I've had results in the same two appreciations: (1) an appreciation for the people and culture of the new place I've visited; and (2) an even greater appreciation to be a citizen and permanent resident of The United States of America. I love it. I can't wait to be back. So farewell, Africa. Farewell.

A New Phase

She's entered the climbing phase. Uh oh.

Heavenly

Last month Justin and I celebrated our 5 year anniversary. We left Bryn overnight for the first time with her best friends (Canden and Aivley) and their amazing mommy, Holly (Thank you SO much, Holly!). Knowing she was having a great time and being well cared for made being away from her for the first time heavenly. Justin surprised me with a half day at the most incredible spa. We had a bubble bath in a huge tub (big enough for two...ow! ow!) with rose petals all around and in the tub. We had a couples massage. We had an amazing 3 course meal. We lounged in the peaceful, beautiful grounds and pool for as long as our hearts desired. It was heavenly. The remainder of our weekend was filled with fun, food, and laughter...heavenly. The most heavenly part of the entire anniversary celebration though? The fact that the fun and love we enjoyed was nothing out of the ordinary. For the past 5 years I have been privileged to be in the most incredible marriage I have ever known to exist. Special weekend get-aways or average, blah Wednesdays, being married to Justin is HEAVENLY.

An expat Halloween

Halloween goes mostly uncelebrated here, but we managed to enjoy a couple festivities.

We enjoyed a treat of cupcakes covered with eyeballs, snot dripping noses, and brains:

I found a store that was selling pumpkins for a pretty costly price, but was willing to pay it in the name of Patriotism.

We carved it on a day when Bryn's friend, Canden, was over at our house. I tried to convince them to stick their hands inside to pull out the ooey-gooey pumpkin guts, but neither one was interested.

Bryn opted for gardening instead.

Our Jack-o-Lantern masterpiece

A family shot on Halloween night. We're looking forward to costumes and candy next year!

Wacky Wardrobe

Mismatched yet still adorable. Man, I wish I could pull that off.

This is Bryn's favorite stance: bent over, looking between her legs. While doing it at church one Sunday a woman said to me, "Oh, you're going to have have another baby!" When seeing my surprised and perplexed expression at her declaration, she explained the old wive's tale that when your child starts looking between their legs like this, it is time to have another baby. Is that just an African wive's tale? 'Cause I've never heard it before.

Nursery

Bryn is 18 months old! And in the Mormon world that means...NURSERY! The nursery teachers let her attend 2 weeks early. The first Sunday she went she walked away, hand-in-hand with her BFF Canden, and didn't look back. I cried. (I cried?? I know! It was totally lame. In my defense, it was just a little crying. I sucked it up and then tried to remember what to do in Sunday School without a baby to tend to.) I must admit, I was pretty happy when I saw one of the nursery teachers in the doorway of the Sunday School classroom with my tear-stricken Bryn in his arms wanting to be with Momma. The next week I went to nursery with her. With the comfort of Mom in the room, she was able to enjoy the songs and activities, and realized that nursery is way better than adult Sunday School. The following week, her first official week of nursery, she stayed the whole time all by her self. And I didn't cry. We've all converted...nursery is awesome!

Durban

About a month ago South Africa celebrated Heritage Day, which meant to us: 3 day weekend! We took a trip to Durban, a city on the Eastern Coast about 5 1/2 hours away. We had a great time.

We arrived earlier than hotel check-in time, so we grabbed some lunch and took it to a park where a group of men were dancing and drumming traditional African music in honor of Heritage Day. It was pretty awesome.

We spent a day a Ushaka Marine World. We watched a dolphin show and went to the very cool aquarium. In the photo, Bryn was leery of the dolphin, but was willing to give a little wave to say 'hi' anyway.

We spent another day at the beach playing in the sand and wading in the Indian Ocean.

Africa's Santorini. Hopefully we'll get to go to the real Santorini someday, but until then...

Daddy and Bryn searching for sea shells.

Momma & Bryn

There was this huge wall built to create a pool of the ocean water (note to Chicoans: like unto One Mile). Justin swam through the pool to the wall. What a stud.