South Africa, Part 2

These pictures are out of order, but I'm too tired to care right now.

Two days after being in Jo'burg, we flew to Cape Town for four days. This is the holiday home we stayed in. It was amazing. (Except for the artwork in the house!) We were just yards from the beach! My sister-in-law, mother-in-law and I got in the hot tub each night and had some good chats. That was a lot of fun. It was cold at night, but as long as you were in the water it was just perfect. I'm pretty sure you could see every single star!

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We took a cable car to the top of Table Mountain. Words can not describe this place.

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There is a large penguin community in Cape Town. (Not on top of Table Mountain, ha!)

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Our first day in Cape Town was very cloudy and windy- they call this the Cape Doctor, when dark clouds roll over the mountain tops. It was very mysterious and interesting. It was cool to see, but I'm glad the rest of our time there was sunny and warm!

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This is the Cape of Good Hope, the South-Western most point of the African continent. This was probably my favorite place. It was extremely windy, I've got some crazy video of it too.

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And just for fun, here is our ORANGE plane we took to Cape Town on Mango Airlines!

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South Africa, Part 1

We are home! It was so good to see the girls, although Addison didn't really want anything to do with me for a few hours. After a few days of staring me down, I think we are friends again.

Enjoy some pictures from the first part of our trip:

Marc and his younger brother Jeffrey, ready to board in Atlanta.

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17 hours later we arrived in Johannesburg, South Africa!
This yellow creature is the FIFA World Cup mascot- the World Cup will be in SA in June. I think they were a bit sad we missed it by a few months!

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The view from Marc's parents' apartment. The weather was amazing! In the 80's during the day, a cool 60's at night. BLUE skies!

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Our first night there we had Christmas with them. Since it gets very cold in SA during the winter, we thought they needed some coordinating Snuggies!

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Headed Home

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I took this elephant picture from my side of the truck while on safari. It was so cool!

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What a beautiful place!

We have had a wonderful time with Marc's family and now it's time to head home to my babies! We fly out tonight! I am so glad we took this trip. It's been fun to be with family, not have Mommy and Daddy responsibilities and to just enjoy this beautiful country. But I'm more than ready to see my girls! We fly for 17 hours to Atlanta, then on to Dallas Tuesday morning. I just pray it's this warm in Dallas, but I'm not counting on it!

We Made It!

We arrived just a while ago in South Africa. We are exhausted, but thank you Jesus, our flight was uneventful. I made it through with no stomach issues, thank you for praying!!! We watched more movies than we've seen in months, I think Marc watched six movies!

I'm so happy to be here, although I'm missing the girls. And speaking of missing, my Dad and little brother have made it to the final game for the State basketball playoffs! They won last year and I was just sick I could not be there to cheer them on! Now would you believe it that they played last night while we were flying and won, so tonight is the final game! I'm so proud of them and hope they play well! I'll have to get up during the night and see the score or I might not sleep. On second thought, I probably will sleep, it's been over 24 hours since we left our house!

Goodnight!

South Africa

Well, the bags are packed- ours and the girls'. My mom and aunt will be at our house around 10am. One car will take us to the airport and the other car will take the girls back to my parent's house for the next 12 days.

I'm doing pretty good right now but not sure I will sleep much tonight. I can't really pinpoint my anxieties right now- it's all kind of wrapped up together. Okay, maybe I can. We've never left the girls for this long, I mean I think one night is all we've been apart from them. I hope they don't wear my parents out too much or this may be the last trip ever. Flying for 19 hours is not exactly my idea of fun, but I keep reminding myself that I'm happy about not having to wrestle three little ones for that length of time! I'm trying not to think about the fact that we will be in a piece of metal in the sky for that long, I mean how can they stay up for so long? Don't answer that.

I was feeling very anxious on Wednesday and on the way to Bible study I asked God for a "fresh word" from Him. I've actually never prayed that because sometimes I just think His Word is speaking all the time. Anyway. I was desperate and it just flew out of my mouth while driving. There was also a song on the radio with a line that said, "just cry out to Jesus" so I did! I got to Bible study and the video started (Breaking Free by Beth Moore) and I kid you not, she had some exact words for me about anxiety and praying. I was dumbfounded, then I cried. I just love it when I know He is speaking to me. Who am I that He would know my name? God is with me, I will not be afraid!

So, with that said, here are some things I would like to ask you to pray:

*For the girls to have a fun, safe time and that they would not be too sad. For the 12 days
to pass quickly for them

*For on-time flights so we won't miss our connection in Atlanta. (The flight is overbooked and
we do not have seats at the moment. First class anyone? YES PLEASE. Ha)

*For my stomach to be at peace in the morning (This is huge for me)

*That we would just soak up family time and enjoy every minute of this once-in-a-lifetime trip

Thank you so much. I'm very grateful for any of you who would pray for us. I'm not sure if I'll be blogging from SA or not. If I get a chance I'll drop in and let you know about our flights. Have a great week!

What We've Been Up To

I love this first picture- a big ole Texas sky, cloud-free, blue and beautiful!

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It was a gorgeous day last Friday, so we all played outside all afternoon! Addison loved getting to crawl around- the ground was dry after all the snow we had earlier in the week.

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"Should I go out there Daddy?"
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She got to turn her car seat around and she was excited about that!

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The cousins
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Since yesterday was her actual birthday, we celebrated with a dinner at Chili's using a gift card, this is Addison throwing a fit. Which she did most of the time we were there. Which made us question our sanity for taking 3 kids out to dinner at 5pm, the witching hour.

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Classic Bailey- in a mood
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We started packing for our big trip to South Africa. I am packing for us and then for the girls to go stay with my parents. I got a lot done today, but this is Addison saying "Don't leave me for 11 days Mommy!" (She crawled in there herself!)
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Rub-a-dub-dub 3 girlies in the tub
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Addison had her one year check up today. Her stats are: 30 inches long (75-90%) and she weighed 21 lbs 3 oz. (50-75%).

Marc and I drove down to Beaumont, TX this weekend to speak at a conference on Saturday night and Marc preached Sunday in the service. I got through my speaking part only through the grace and mercy of God! I am so grateful to Him! We met some lovely people (Hi Dee!) and they were so kind to us. I missed the girls who stayed with Marc's brother and sis-in-law but it was a good pre-cursor to our 11 day trip coming up on Friday!

I'll be back later for a list of things you can pray for if you feel led. If you know me, you know I am anxious about this trip for many reasons. Yes I know there is medicine for that. Yes I probably should be on some of it. Ha.

He is your constant source of stability, he abundantly provides safety and great wisdom; He gives all this to those who fear Him. Isaiah 33:6 (NET)

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified, do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go. Joshua 1:9

For your Father knows what you need before you ask Him. Matthew 6:8

Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings. My soul clings to you, your right hand upholds me. Psalm 63: 7-8

...and my life verse that my mom helped me memorize when I was very young-

For God did not give us a spirit of fear, but of love, power and a SOUND MIND. 2 Tim 1:7

Dear Addison

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Today you are one year old. I can hardly believe this year has passed so quickly. One year ago today, you were forced out of your cozy home. I'm sorry we had to kick you out, I know you liked it in there. After a year of observing your laid back personality, I'm not at all surprised that you were just chillin' in there for an extra two weeks. Your Daddy and I will never forget the calm way you entered the world- the midwife laid you on my chest and you did not make a peep. You just army crawled up to me and opened your big brown eyes and just stared at me. I thought it was so sweet but it almost looked as if you were saying, "This is it? I came out for this?" One year ago today, I was in labor in a room with 3 other laboring women. If I could see them now I would apologize for being induced last and going into labor first. I think it made them jealous. I would also apologize for being so loud- but if the midwife would have given me some pain meds I would have been a lot quieter. I would also apologize to the midwife that delivered you because I said, "Can you just leave me alone?" to her. I was horrified as it just flew out of my mouth, I do not normally act that way.

One day I will show you the video I took on our first day together. We were in a room with 8 other Mommies and Babies, so it was quite loud. You never made a peep though and slept through it all. I, however, did not. I will also show you the video of when you met your big sisters for the first time. Bailey said, "She looks English" and we still have no clue what she meant. One year ago today you rocked their world and they have loved you ever since!

One year ago today you rocked my world because I was not sure how I could possibly love another little girl as much as I love your sisters. I was so worried about it, but you stole my heart. Your sweet chubby face and little gummy grins helped me through some dark days of depression that I experienced, but you are so worth it baby girl! (That's another story for another day!)

We love you Addie Waddie and could not imagine our family without you! God has blessed us greatly and He gave you such a special personality. You are the most expressive baby I have ever seen. We have loved watching you grow this year.

Happy Birthday precious!

PS- You have 4 days to take your first steps or else you wait another 2 weeks. Thanks. I love you.

Mommy

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My Story, Part 2

My Story, Part 1

Even through our dating and engagement, the reality of living overseas one day never really crossed my mind. I had it all planned out. Marc was going to be a youth minister, so he was going to finish seminary while I taught elementary school. Then we would get a job at a church and settle into youth ministry life. It all sounded great except that one day Marc said he had no desire to work on a church staff. He wanted to work with young people, just not on a church staff. Marc was coming up on graduation from seminary (SWBTS) and we had no clue what was next for us. I was teaching 5th grade in Carrollton and enjoyed it for the most part, but was ready for a change. And by change I just meant teaching in a new school. Not moving overseas.

The Spring of 2002 we got an e-mail from Marc's mom telling us about a request for a young couple without children (preferably) to move to a small town in the Eastern Valley of South Wales to work with youth and children. The request was coming from some dear family friend's of theirs that had lived in South Wales for about 15 years. This was also the same family that Marc stayed with on a vacation through Europe when he was in high school and saw the need for youth workers. They got in touch with us and we planned a visit over my Spring Break from school to see where we would be living and meet some of the people we would be working with. I was scared out of my mind, but told God I would at least go and see what this was all about. We spent 4 days in Pontypool. I have to honestly say that I really didn't think it would "work out" for us to move there for 2 years, but I tried to have an open mind. During the course of those few days I began to feel like we should do this. Even though part of me was rebelling and wanted something to happen so that I could say no.

We met some lovely, kind, generous people and even got to see where we would be living if we said we would come. Now this I know was an act of God because after seeing the flat that we would be living in, I still felt like this is what we should do...

A tiny 2 bedroom flat in the attic of a small baptist church, surrounded by an ancient cemetery. They had raised money to renovate- and by renovate I mean add an indoor toilet and a shower. Wait till you see where the shower was...

Addison's First Birthday Party

Today we celebrated Addison's first birthday! My parents were here, one of my aunt's and uncle and my Nannie (grandmother) along with Marc's sister-in-law and the 3 boy cousins! My youngest brother was suppose to come too but at the last minute he scored a seat in a private suite at the new Cowboys stadium for the NBA All-Star's game. I forgive him.

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Marc had my favorite flowers delivered for V-Day, so it was perfect for Addie's party! I ordered the cake at Target, it's not the cutest cake ever but it sure taste good!

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I love this girl. And her new pillowcase dress from Etsy! When I ordered it last November I was thinking it would be perfect for Spring, but Winter is still here. It's still cute though.

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We came home from church, ate lunch and put Addison down for a nap before the party. She's still kind of waking up here.

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And not real thrilled about taking pictures!

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Here's a funny story- The plan was for my mom to make a pink teddy bear cake for Addison to smash. As she was getting in the car to drive over today, it fell off her glass cake stand. Not only did it break her stand, the bear suffered some injuries. Ha. She called me in tears, she felt so bad. She caught the bear with her hand-

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I told her Addison will not care because she's just going to smash it anyway. Ha!

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Her new face she makes all the time-

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I was so happy to be able to celebrate Addison's birthday here with our family! I made a bunch of dips- queso, bean dip, pico de gallo and guacamole, as well as Party Pizza's and we just hung out and ate. It was a great time!

I can't believe my baby is almost one.

Short Randoms

*Addison has her first ever ear infection. Poor baby. But I did find out she weighs 21 pounds!

*We will have her FIRST birthday party tomorrow on Valentine's Day. It's a week early but the only time we can get our families together. I'll post pictures after the party!

*How can Addie Waddie be ONE? It seems like not really that long ago I was overdue and miserable.

*The girls have been asking about death and heaven lately. Is this normal? Cerys wanted to know how many sleeps until we die and Bailey told me she would miss Liney (her Lion) when she dies. It's morbid and strange.

*Texas, I'm serious. I'm ready for some SUN and WARMTH. You have 4.5 months to make me
happy before I return to rainy Wales.

*What will I do for 19 hours on our trip to South Africa? No kids in tow. Read. Sleep. Watch a
movie. I might enjoy it just a bit. Apart from the sitting on an airplane part.

*I'm making chicken enchiladas tonight for our Valentine Dinner tonight.

*Can't wait to see Addison in her sweet birthday dress- a pillowcase dress from Etsy!
Posterous theme by Cory Watilo