LAUGHTER IS ALWAYS GOOD!!

This brought a smile to my face - OK a big laugh - Laughter really is contagious

Blogger Definitions

It has been over 10 days since my last blog (WOW - I feel like I am in confession). Just thought this may be of interest to all the bloggers out there.


Blinking Also called b-linking" or b'linking. - This is a synonym of blog hopping, or moving from blog to blog by clicking on the links on the page, often links found on the sidebar

Blogiversary - The anniversary of a blog's founding

Blogoholic - A blogger addicted to blogging, to such a large extent that it detracts from other areas of the blogger's life.

Blurker
1. A reader of blogs that leaves no trace of the visits behind. (blog + lurker)
2. A reader of blogs who has no blog of his or her own. See also "blog voyeur."

Momosphere - Describing blogs written by mothers

WHAT YOU MAY NOT KNOW ABOUT ME

I HAVE BEEN TAGGED

I have been tagged by my sister-in-law Michelle to reveal 6 things you may not know about me. Here it goes - ENJOY THE LAUGHS.

1) I am the biggest procrastinator. (I think I thrive on the chaos and busyness of last minute).

2) I love to find cute things for the day (or month). When I was in Africa the cute thing was this 4" x 3" x 2" little bag of sugar. It looked exactly like a 5lb bag of sugar that you would buy, but micro. I am still trying to figure out why anyone would buy such a small bag. Other things items I loved have been the small binder clips, a single flower, my daughter saying that our dog Riley is clever, Alex saying out of the blue - Mom I love you as high as the moon and back, anything that is a small replica of something.

3) I love to watch cheesy chick flicks and cry at them all. (the latest movies have been Step Up and The Holiday)

4) I hate doing garage sales - yet I am having one this Friday.

5) I am obsessed with fresh breath - I will brush my teeth about 6 times a day along with mouth wash if I can. (But you will never catch me flossing).

6) I have texture issues - I love apples and the pie crust, but I can not eat apple pie. The worst texture food item is definitely bananas. Peanut butter (I can not stand it when people suck the top of their mouth because they have PB on the top). I will not eat lettuce salad if it is wet. Sand is also the weirdest feeling in my toes, under my nails - AHH.

I think I have issues, but the cool thing is - it makes me me and I know I am loved.

I would love to tag - Denise (Eight is Enough), Katie (Me & My Boys), and Aunt Marva.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

Happy Birthday to my husband and my best friend

Yes, Scott turns 34 today. This is a little dedication to him for being such a great husband and dad. I couldn't ask for anything better. He puts up with all of my craziness!! I remember back in the day when he wrote the sweetest cards that would make any girlfriend melt - Like the time when the movie Show Me The Money with Tom Cruise was big - Scott wrote in a card that "you complete me" and of course I told him "shh ... you had me at hello" - What funny memories (we laugh hard about that card). He still can write the sweetest of cards. (Sorry if you get crap for this Scott - everyone was bound to find out that you are sensative). I just want to say THANK YOU to him for everything he does for me and the kids. We all love you very much. I hope you have a great Birthday.

Scott and his other best friend Riley

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAD - WE LOVE YOU!!

AND TIME IS FLYING BY

As I figured out how much time we had left before our official date of departure, I typed it in 3 times because I thought it was wrong. Then as I came to reality - I can not believe how fast the day is approaching. It seems like just yesterday we found out we had this great oppurtunity to follow a different path that God has put in our lives. As I am typing this the tears keep coming. I had no idea what an emotional rollercoaster this would all be. I am torn between the excitment of moving and doing what we feel is right and the extreme pain and sadness of leaving all the dear family and friends behind. I know it will be OK. I am always thankful for the wonderful people God has put in my life to love.

Other information: HUGE MOVING SALE AT MY HOUSE MAY 11 and 12 &

I have changed the settings on my blog so anyone can comment (sorry about that while I was gone - I am new to this blogging world.)

AND THE TRIP COMES TO AN END

AFRICA

SOUTH AFRICA

THE GATED, SECURITY, DEVELOPMENT


THE NEW HOUSE

And so our trip comes to an end - It is offical - The owner of the house will be here at Seattle Coffee in 20 minutes to sign a 1 year lease on the house. AHHH We also think we have narrowed down a school to Charis Christian School. (Click on the Ministries tab and then School) It is 10 minutes from the house. The wierd thing is it is almost like driving from our house to Dutton Christian, but only a much busier road.


Becasuse our day ended early and of course the sun decided to NOT come out today - we all went bowling and if you look closly LOOK WHO BEAT THE TWO BOYS - Great Game



Scott and Darin have a couple meetings tomorrow (Thursday) and then off to the airport to come home to our loving family and friends. I am so ready to come home. I am also excited that God truly has blessed our trip and guided us to the right places and people we were meant to meet. I am so at peace and excited (yet sad) to start our new adventure as a family. ALL I CAN SAY - WE WILL HAVE A SPARE ROOM TO WELCOME ALL OF YOU!!!

HERE ARE A FEW THANKS:


Special thanks to Darin Fey who traveled with us and helped us find our way around. It was a huge help to Scott and I.


Special THANKS to ALL the Seattle Coffees for allowing us to sit at their tables (even if we didn't order coffee) to use the internet.




THESE ARE PICTURES FOR MADDIE AND ALEX TO SEE THE PARK/CLUBHOUSE/POOL


In ground Trampoline and the pool is behind the fence


Tennis Courts


WELL, UNTIL WE GET HOME - CHEERS FROM SOUTH AFRICA

IS THIS THE HOUSE?

Impala we saw while eating breakfast

A Women selling smoked corn on the side of the road

Scott, Darin and Quitin looking at a Hydraform House

Yesterday was a blur – I am still waiting for my day of rest. Scott and Darin and I spent a lot of time with a guy named Quintin from Hydraform. (The block building company that is helping Scott). We drove around looking at different houses and fences built by Hydraform brick. Boring to me, but definitely worth while for Scott.

IS THIS THE HOUSE?

We are quite exhausted looking at houses and schools, but all of it is paying off :) We feel this may be the house. Looking for the right house has not been so easy. I was in tears (OK I really cried) – It seems that everyone has an opinion on what areas are safe. Scott and I are having a hard time with this Silver Lakes subdivision (this is where our realtor told us was the safest area )but we came across two issues– 1.) Out of our price range and 2) when we tell people where we are looking for houses they are getting the wrong perception of us Americans. The houses in Silver Lakes run from $1,500 a month to almost $7,000. Scott and I feel that we do not need to portray to his employees and to the people we are in contact with that we are the rich white Americans. We then were walking through the mall and came across another realtor and I stated we should call. She was so excited that she came across a new listing not even on the market yet that she would love to show us - and we were greatly surprised. GOD IS GOOD. We really like it - It is in a safe community - the school is nearby - has a great park and pool for the kids, and just what we had in our head. WHAT A GOOD FEELING. We still looked at other houses today, but they were either not safe, too big, too old, or out of our price range. Let me know what you think?

BACK OF HOUSE

The Top balcony is part of the master suite

INSIDE (Don't mind all the random people in picture)

One of the bedrooms

Looking out of the top balcony

The street inside the secured gated subdivision (the park is across the street with the club house)

We are also learning more about the schools. The one we were thinking of we are coming to find out that the Primary (Grade 1 – 12) is a public school and you need to live in the area. We then visited the school while they were in session and the lady told us of the christain school that a lot of these kids go to instead of the public school. We then checked that school out - Tindley Park - GREAT SCHOOL, Very Friendly, AGAIN ANOTHER GREAT FEELING. There are also 2 Other christain schools that we are looking at (You can never investigate enough to be sure) Hatsfield - No openings unless maddie can test into Grade 1 - and the last school we will visit in the morning.

WHAT A GREAT RELIEF ON EMOTIONS - UP _ DOWN - UP - DOWN. I am sure glad we had a chance to do this now, rather than later.

We really feel that God is truely helping us to check all options, before decisions. He has blessed us with great people that we have been in contact with - VERY HELPFUL.

We are all exhausted. We will be back soon - THANK YOU FOR THE PRAYERS - WE MISS EVERYONE. LOVE YOU