Sad....

(Just like Erin is carrying Claire, Kim has carried me...hypothetically of course!)
My dear friend is leaving. Another American here on our SA journey is saying Good Bye! Kim and her family have been such a huge part of our lives here, it is amazing the bonds that we have created in the short time we have been here. She has served as such a support system for me; someone who understands the sadness of being so far away and someone who understands the heartache of having a child with special needs.
Kim, I will miss you more than you will ever know!
(This is the best pic I could find...shows Kim giving advice to newly pregnant friend Kristie, as she so often does)

Group shot of kids at local resort!

Good bye my sweet friend!

Helping....

Taylor and Hunter with a truck full of books!

Pat recently had an opportunity to help out this country that we live in; which needs it so desperately! Through work they where given the opportunity to participate in "Rally for Reading", a local gentleman has started this program here in South Africa. Basically through donations, they provide some needed schools with books and even some with computers.
Pat was able to take our boys, Taylor and Hunter. What an experience! They left on a Friday, and spent the weekend with the team! They visited two schools in a very rural area, delivered the goods and spent some time with the children!
Both schools welcomed them with open arms and ceremonies!
The following descriptions are from Taylor, age 12.
The first school was much better off than the second; the community has rallied around this school. The mommas encourage the children, and the fathers help out with security....How normal, you say? No, unfortunately many of the schools here in South Africa do not function this way and the children usually have no parental support. The children are usually lucky just to be able to afford or get a uniform to go to school. At first this school seemed OK, but after the visit to the second school...the first school was much better off.
The second school had holes in the roof, the preschool room also served as a garden shed and kitchen. On windy days, the teachers take the children outside in fear of the walls falling.
After the presentation of the books, and a tour of the school the kids got to play with the school children. There where 5 kids in this group, so to be able to go outside and interact with the kids was so important. In Taylor's words.."Kid's should not take anything for granted, these kids play soccer with a popped ball." They played soccer together, took pictures. The school children loved seeing the kids(some had never seen a white child before), one school was chanting "Hunter" as the cars pulled away!
I was unable to go on this trip, but I know that it moved my kids! They where so proud of being able to help, in fact the last night on the trip they had the opportunity to give a speech. Both boys willingly spoke of their experience; as a mom I hope that they carry this forever! Not only do the children who where visited gain, but my boys gained! What? They gained a love for the unfortunate, a love for helping; and the insight to know they have MUCH better!
I often get sad to be away from home and experience the things that are going on there, but then I listen to my boys retelling these stories and look at these pictures....and I know I am raising children that may make a difference. Children that have been witnesses to injustice, but have been given the tools to help! Then I think... what school book could teach this?
Cars loaded and ready to deliver!

First school introductions...

Outside school 1...


Loved looking at their pics on Hunter's camera...

The Mommas (women of community are called)

School 2...

School 2, outside...

Momma dancing and singing with girls (It is very traditional to have cultural dancing and chanting at most occasions)...

Boys dancing...

School 2 classroom...

Preschool classroom, also shed and kitchen...

Boys playing soccer with school kids...

Soccer is HUGE here!


Homemade goal...

Taylor impressing the ladies with dancing skills...

Taylor

Hunter

This is my favorite pic of all, it shows how happy Hunter was to do this!

Happy Mother's Day!

These three made my day!
I am so lucky and blessed to call these three mine!

I Can Not Wait...

Now that the tickets have been finalized and days are rushing by...I am giddy! I am so excited to go home!
When I think of my parent's home in the summertime... I think of nice air conditioned coldness(been without ac for too long), chicken salad, All My Children, the smell of sunscreen, bathing suits, lazy afternoon naps, sitting in the sun room, my dad teasing my mom, my mom cooking; and the best thing since I have grown older...the sound of my children laughing as they run in and out! This is what I am looking forward to most, just being home! Time to soak all of it in, remembering the little things that I have forgotten. Oh, how I will want time to stand still! I want my kids to have these memories, I want for them to yearn for family as much as I do!
When I was little I do not remember my grandparents being a part of my everyday life; they where always so far away, and when we saw them they never had very much to do with me when I was little. How lucky my children are that they have two sets of grandparents that love them dearly, and who want to be with them! To make memories with them.
Although this distance has killed me; the lesson it has taught me is...make the most of every minute with family! We have been so lucky to have both my parents and Pat's parents come and stay with us for a couple of weeks each! Now it is our turn to visit them! I hope to get the most out of every visit. My mom asks me what I want to do; I do not really want to do anything but hang out! I want to sit in their sun room and laugh, I want to eat home cooked meals and be stuffed, I want to watch my dad take my boys fishing, I want to go shopping with my mom to all of the best shops, I want to visit my friends, I want the kids to see their friends, I want to sit and laugh around the McKain's kitchen table ...I want to just be! I want to feel like I am at home, not just visiting! I want to go to Florida and eat up Disney World! I want to head to Tampa and see my kids get spoiled by another set of grandparents, I want to have the kids do crafts with Grandma Lou, I want them to go the aquarium, again I want to just be! I really look forward to Pat and I to sneaking away for coffee...and Mike to make fun of my fu fu coffee!
I can not wait, I can not wait to go home!

Taylor

My baby turns 12! I can not believe Taylor is 12 today, it feels like yesterday that he was little! Time goes to0 fast!

Taylor has SO many qualities that I am so proud of...he is a great big brother, he is a great sportsman, he is dedicated and persistent, he has a huge heart and he definitely has an awesome future ahead of him!

Happy Birthday!

Blogged Too Soon!

Claire is now sick, and me too! Oh well, would not have been a complete school holiday without someone being sick EVERYDAY of it!

The Latest...

We ended our first school term with a bang! Both boys competed in a triathlon at their school; Taylor completed his individually while Hunter was part of a team. They both did awesome; Taylor rocked his! He was behind some of his buddies after the swim, but nailed them on the bike and running! Way to go boys!

Taylor finishing bike...

Completing run...

Hunter getting to his bike...

Such determination...

We did a bit of traveling over the holidays, back to the same National Park! This time we shared a cabin with some friends, and another group of friends stayed next door. We had a great time! The kids had a ball; there was a total of 11 kids!

We arrived home just in time on Saturday to prepare for the Easter Bunny! On Sunday after opening Easter baskets, we headed to church! Instead of cooking we joined some of our friends at an outdoor brunch...very nice! On our way home...Taylor puked in Claire's Easter basket! Lovely, needless to say Claire was pissed!

Kids dying eggs, Taylor in charge(of course!)

Easter Bunny left his footprints everywhere!

Easter Bunny brought new jammies!

Too busy eating candy to put dress on!

Over this two week school break, there has been at least one sick child with a short lapse of about 3 days! Started with Hunter, now Taylor. Lets just hope Claire does not get it!

Other news...We got a jungle gym. I finally talked Pat into it, and the kids LOVE it!

Our sweet kitty, Carson...

Claire eating MORE candy!

I have been reorganizing my office, and I am determined to start sewing and crafting!

And the best news...We are planning our trip home! I am giddy just thinking of getting to go home for awhile!

To come...Taylor turns 12!