The Holidays and a Rainy Day

The girls have been on holiday for the last 3 weeks. It's been bliss! We even managed to drive to Jozi to visit the family last week. I'm blessed to be surrounded by Brett's wonderful family here, but I miss my Jozi family. Thankfully we always manage to make a plan to see each other every few months. It was so wonderful to spend a little little time with my family and see the girls play to their hearts content with their cuzzies. This time around we didn't race around from place to place. I'm still feeling so nauseous and tired and the thought of eating out makes me feel green. We pretty much stayed home and just relaxed together. The only person missing from my side of the family was my sweet mommy in the US. How we missed her! We managed to take the girls to Gold Reef City and they both went on their very first roller coaster rides. I was so proud of how brave they were. They had a ball. Daddy had to brave all the rides with the girls and their cuzzies. He was fearless and I was super impressed! I wasn't allowed on the rides this time. It was so weird having to stand back and watch all the fun as I remembered braving all the rides as a teenager, but to see their joy is what it's all about. My prize ... the best shwarma I've ever tasted for lunch. Finally something that didn't make me feel like gagging. The only bummer ... now I crave them and they don't have a store here in PE!!!!  

We also got to visit my sister and brother in law's new house. Such joy to see these blissful newly weds so well settled into married life in their gorgeous new home. On the long drive home we decided to sleep over at a little farm b&b. It was freezing but gorgeous. The girls even got to bottle feed a sweet little buck named Bambi. A real highlight for them after so many hours driving. 

This week the girls and I have spent in doors trying to get over a nasty dose of flu. And my word ... the rain is pouring and set to pour all weekend long. It's definitely hibernating weather!!! Earlier this week I was feeling very sorry for myself with no real meds to take, but as I woke up this morning I decided to remind myself just how blessed we are. It takes a rainy day where we are all snuggled up with blankets to remember how big the small things are in our lives. Shelter. Warmth. Food. Love in our home. These are all massive blessings that I never want to take for granted. 

So from me to you on a freezing rainy day ... I'm sending you big hugs and love. 

Janine