Day One Travels = Long but good

These pictures are in no particular order, but they capture our first day of travels.  Yes it was looong, but couldn't have gone smoother.  Samuel did awesome!  Our internet time is short, so we'll write more details soon.  We're in South Africa tonight and leave for Mozambique in the morning.  

 

Here We Go....

We're packed and in a few short hours will be headed to the airport.  The "countdown" sort of got away from me this week.  You were right, Shanna!  Now here we are, ready to go for it - four 50 lb. bags, two backpacks, one carseat, one stroller, one travel crib, and camera bag later.  We're off to bed and hoping to catch a few z's before our taxi service arrives.  Thanks everyone for your prayers.   We'll be in touch along the way.   Love you all!!

We've seen Him in the Details- Countdown to Africa (4 more days)

This tent/travel crib has a little story behind it.  As we've been figuring out what we will need to bring with us, we learned there would be no crib or pack in play where we'll be.   For our own peace of mind and stress reduction we really wanted to have something crib like for him to sleep in while we're there.  At first we just planned to lug our 30 pound pack n play with us to get the job done.  Then the more I thought about it the harder that was looking in my mind considering everything else we'll be bringing, so one morning early I did a search online for "lightweight travel crib."   By the way, not much comes up.   

However, this Graco Pack n Play "Sport" came up but was very scarce not to mention expensive.  As I kept reading I found out they are no longer sold in the US (only in Europen and Canada).  It did get rave reviews and many people were looking for one.  I saw one on ebay and none on amazon.  I think the one on ebay was in Europe.  Did I mention it folds up really quickly and only ways 12 lbs.!  It has it's own little carrying bag with a strap.  

Obviously, you see we're now proud owners of one.  So where did we find it? and how much was it?  After finding this rare gem online, and searching as many places as I could to no avail.  I said to myself, "What are the odds I'll find one posted on C's list in my area??  Pretty small I'm sure."  I was willing to give it a chance though, and low and behold not only was there ONE listed, it was about five minutes from our house for a fraction of the price I was seeing anywhere else.  The woman had listed it just two days prior.  I had the thing in my hands about two hours after I began searching.  We were amazed.  This was about six weeks ago, so we've been having Samuel sleep in it as his main crib to get used to it.  We thought it would be great for there to be as much "familiar" for him as possible when we get to Africa.  He loves this and sleeps like a champ in it.  He calls it "payhouse" since it has a tent cover on top.  

This little story has been really encouraging to us as we've been preparing to go.  It's just another way we've seen God in all the details.  It makes me more certain that He cares even about the tiniest details in our lives.   I'm sure he's not worried about where Samuel will sleep, but cares enough about me to say, "Look, I'm going to take care of you" when I needed a little affirmation.  Gives me the faith to keep moving forward.  Four more days! 

They Made It - Countdown to Africa (6 More Days)

Our passports with our visas stamped inside completed their round trip visit to the Mozambican Embassy.   We're ready!  It seems like things are falling into place.  I'm so tired tonight, I'll try to share more tomorrow. :)

Let the Packing Begin- Countdown to Africa

One week from today we will be on a plane six hours into our fifteen hour flight to Africa, so today begins the daily blog "Countdown to Africa."  I hope to kick the blogging into full gear beginning today and through the rest of our trip.  

We asked some friends to watch Samuel for a few hours on Saturday and got serious about packing.  This is what our living room looked like as the packing commenced.  The whole time we were packing we thought we were allowed to check one fifty pound bag each (Me and Tyson), so there was tons of organizing and strategizing going on.  We actually managed to  a.) stay friends and not become enemies and b.) do a darn good job.  The funny and great thing is that after we felt we accomplished this goal, I called the airline to double check and we're actually allowed two fifty pound bags each since it's an international flight.  I do have one more airline to double check w/ before I can really breathe a  sigh of relief, but I'm hopeful.

After packing our clothes we're madly in love with the vacuum pack bags.  Those things are life savers!
They're somewhat expensive, but they do their job well.  Let me tell you.  See the sweet baby doll in the photo below?  She's going to the preschool in Africa along with the rest of those craft supplies.
We volunteered to take as much as we could fit for the folks already there and had a great response from friends.  We've got lots of goodies to share when we get there.   We mainly have simple items like craft sticks, stickers, and crayons.  In my opinion,  it's almost cruel to show up with anything more elaborate that the children would get to play with briefly and then not have the means to continue getting.  You know?

Can you see the excitement on my husband's face??  Okay we're waiting and praying for our visas and passports to return from the Mozambican Embassy in DC.   Long story short, I sent the wrong return envelope, but got it all straight late last week.  Expecting UPS  ASAP!!   I know it will work out.  These things happen.  

Check back tomorrow as the countdown continues...

"Shakin' the Feet"

Listen to him towards the end and you hear "shakin' the feet!" We're plenty entertained around here.

Newborn Photography

My good friend, Jackie recently had her fourth child.   Yesterday, on his one week birthday I had the opportunity to practice my photography skills on sweet John Andrew.   So precious!  
I think so far, newborn photography is my favorite.  Any of you expectant mamas in the Raleigh area, let me know if you're interested.  I'll be available once we get back from Africa.  Enjoy admiring this adorable little bundle. :)