We are here!! With only a few mishaps, the trip went very well. We couldn’t have asked for better kids. They played, slept, and ate what they could of the airplane food. (We forgot to order kids meals for the plane 72 hours in advance). We were at the airport in Amsterdam and the big gossip around the airport was how much snow Joburg had. It was cold (50) when we got to Joburg, and I thought oh I can not wait to get to our bed and breakfast into our nice warm beds. Well – I forgot that they do not have heat in most places - sooo the nice warm bed was freezing cold. Maddie woke up this morning and I asked her how she slept and she went on about how cold her sheets were until she cozied them up. The lady here stated that this has been a cold winter so far – and she talked about how the snow covered their cars. They should come to Michigan some time.

Both kids were amazed to see that the roof of where we are staying is made out of thatch (straw). By the way it was almost midnight when we finally arrived at the bed and breakfast. We had to wake the owners up and they stated they did not have us down until tomorrow. I almost lost it (so tired)!! They were very nice and they were able to get us in and we all slept pretty good. We are now on our way to our new home to meet the guy who rented it to us. He is going to help us turn on the power, and get all the stuff we need to get into the complex.

I will post more later, but I thought I would let everyone know that we are here and the kids are well and excited to go to the new house and pick out their new beds today. I want to say thank you to everyone for all of your help in the past few weeks and all your prayers and words of encouragement. Thank you to all of you who were at the airport, It meant a lot to us to see our family and friends there. We love you all. Here are a few pictures. (If you can believe it I even got a kiss on the check from my brother Dan – Thanks Dan – I love you). In some of the other pictures do not mind the ugliness of my sobbing face.
Post more later!! Love and Kisses – Mom and girls – Have fun and relaxing time at the cottage.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MADDIE

MADDIE TURNS 6!!!! SHE SURE IS GROWING UP



It was Maddie's 6th birthday on June 13. We spent the day at Michigan's Adventure with our friends the Reitsma's and Donker's. (we usually go on our annual camping trip to Ludington, but this had to do this year) What a hot day. Maddie loves the roller coasters and the best was the water park. We ended the day with ice cream and presents. Maddie had a great day. She also celebrated her birthday along with Grandma's Birthday and Father's Day. What a fun time spending it with family. God Bless you Maddie with many more great and exciting years. Just think next year you will celebrate your birthday across the world. ALL OUR LOVE MADDIE!!!


On a spinney ride with Alex, Zoe, Ella, and Justin



Enjoying the water park


Of course the day would not be complete without a ride on the carousel


Maddie and her friends Justin and Zoe


Taking a ride on the Frog Hopper with Dad, Alex, Justin and Zoe
Can not have a birthday party without ice cream!


At Grandma's Pool




Maddie enjoying time with her cousins



Maddie opening her gifts (Did I mention she is a precious gift to us!)

I HAD TO ADD THIS PICTURE - THE TRUE MADDIE

Maddie's true passion - CATCHING TOADS/FROGS!!

Emotions

You may be wondering what is going on in Lia's head in these last final weeks. I can sum it up into a bunch of emotions. It amazes me how many emotions you can have in a single moment.

Happy – that the house has sold, that God is showing us that this is the path we are suppose to take, for a wonderful husband who puts up with my many spur of the moment emotions, for all of those who are taking care of loose ends while we are gone, that our dog Riley will have a great home, for those who have blogs to help me stay connected.

Sad – the people we are leaving behind, our dog, our church family, everything that is familiar, that Madison’s stomach hurts every night because she is nervous,

Exhausted – Physically, mentally, and emotionally

Excited – Wow what an adventure - New culture, new food, new people to meet, an opportunity to witness, New furniture, going to the Pretoria Zoo, to take my passion of GEMS to a whole new part of the world, the new bonding of our family and marriage,

Nervous – I am nervous about the unknown – What is it really going to be like? Are the kids going to like it? Will we all adjust? What about a good church family? Am I going to feel so alone? Is this too far out of my comfort zone? Is Scott going to get his job/new company going?

Blessed – I have always realized how blessed I am, but these last few weeks, I have really seen all the blessing I have – Family – Friends – Kids - Scotts job, Church family

Loved – I am feeling very loved and encouraged by family and friends.

Angry – that I can not seem to get myself to pack up the house. Who in the right mind waits for last minute!!!! As I say – I am the most productful when the push comes to shove.

Comforted – Knowing that God’s hand was and is in every step of this process. He was there at the GEMS Convention when I stated that I would go to Africa to help the GEMS clubs there (little did God know that I was joking – or so I thought), He was there when Scott and I decided to put our name in the “drawing” to go to South Africa – He was there in the room when Scott’s work decided we were the ones to go – He was there when we told our family and friends our big decision – He was there through the process of getting papers filed, shots administered, etc – He was there on our pre trip – He was there for the selling of our house – He is here during the last few weeks of preparation – and I truly believe that he is in South Africa in our new home preparing the place, people, school, and Scott’s new job. He will continue to be with us and he will also be here with those that we leave behind. What a comfort! God is good!!!!
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Please continue to pray for us as the date is fast approaching!!

SHOTS

Oh, yes today was the day to bring the kids to get their shots. A day that I was wishing would never come. A few weeks ago Scott and I received our shots for disease prevention in Africa (Yellow Fever, Hep A, Typhoid, etc). About 2 hours after we got the shots, I called Scott to see how his arm felt (hoping I was not the only whimp). We both could not lift our arm for the rest of the day. It was painful. I actually almost fainted (did I mention I do not like shots). So anyway, I now had to convince Maddie and Alex that it was a piece of cake and that it didn't hurt. Alex was OK with it, but Maddie knew better. She was telling Alex - "It does hurt, I remember when I was 3 like you and it does hurt!" So I had to prepare them (and bribe them with candy and dollar store gifts if they were brave). We arrived at the doctors and they asked who wants to go first and Alex raises his hand and says ME ME ME! OK he gets his first one - all his says is OUCHY and that was that - bandaide on - sucker in mouth. Maddie was a little weary, but OK with the first. Then we had to go to the Travel Doctor to get the last two (also the most painful). Again Alex ME ME ME (he was so excited to get a spiderman bandaide). He did not like those too much, but again only a little cry and done after the bandaides were on. Maddie on the other hand did not like the first and was certain to not get the next two. She hid behind a chair and was holding on to it for dear life (MOM is so sad here). After prying her from behind the chair, I sat her on Scott's lap. He held her tight and I also was holding her very tight. SCREAM SCREAM SCREAM. It was so much torture for her. After the shots were done, nothing was going to help her. The funny thing is (if there is anything funny about putting your kids through this) there were two people in the waiting room who could obviously hear Maddie's bloody murder screams. We went out of the room and Scott told them, "It really isn't that bad" So Maddie is still crying and Alex is showing off all of his bandaides and ready to go. WOW, Mom is at a verge of a massive breakdown (not just from the shot episode, but from how real this is all becoming) Scott took the kids with him and I had to drive to work. It is a good thing we can wear sunglasses so no one could see the tears. I felt so bad for Maddie and Alex and all the stuff they have to go through for this trip. I just love them so much, I hate to see them cry. But the day is at an end and Maddie and Alex are sleeping. Tomorrow is another day. Little does Maddie know she will have to get another shot in South Africa before she goes to school. I will wait for another day to tell her. :) Well, another thing checked off our list of things to do before we leave.

Alex still showing off his bandaides - Spiderman, Sponge Bob, and a "regular" one.

Maddie exhausted from the crying - takes a little rest.

MADDIE GRADUATES KINDERGARTEN

MADDIE AS CATINA CAT

IT WAS THE CUTEST PROGRAM

"My Name is Catina Cat and My Favorite Words are......."

Maddie and her friend Zoe

Phoebe -- Maddie -- Emma

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Maddie sure has grown this year. She loved kindergarten!!! She is sad to be leaving behind her friends here, but she is also excited to meet new friends. I have loved watching her blossom this year. The best is when I walk through the house and I find a note saying "Maddie and Mom Love" She is learning to read and write. She loves to take a book off the shelf and copy the words. She has been truely blessed by her wonderful teachers. They wrap their arms around our children and give them so much love.

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The Kindergarten Program was so great. They sang songs that I did not even know Maddie knew. There is nothing better than hearing your daughter sing your favorite song "Amazing Grace" She has grown and learned a lot at school. She truely is a blessing to us. What a Gift!!! CONGRATULATIONS MADDIE ON YOUR GRADUATION!!

OUR DOG RILEY

Along with saying goodbye to family and friends, we are also going to have to say goodbye to our 72 pound Golden doodle - Riley. He brings many smiles to our family. (and there are many times he can make me so mad! like when I tell him come - and he runs the opposite way, when he is missing for a while and when I find him he decided it would be fun to rub himself in a dead carcass ) The kids absolutely adore him. When we come home from anywhere they are always shouting "Where's my boy? Where's Riley?" It will be hard for them to go into a new routine without him. We are not allowed to have a pet in the house we are renting. Riley will be going to Scott's sister's house while we are gone. I know they will give him the same love we do. We will miss him!!

Here is Riley before his haircut for the summer:

And here he is after his haircut: