Leaving...but not quite yet.

Turns out that the night before you leave on a trans-atlantic flight that you should not eat a big meal that could mess with your stomach. Which is what happened with us, well to Spencer. The poor little boy got sick in the middle of the night and just couldn't stop "being sick" all night. We were leaving the next day at noon, and were not sure yet if he would be over the stomach bug or not, so we waited. He had stopped throwing up, but still had not had much sleep, and looked very much like this picture. (so sad, right?)

He had gone for 3 hours without any type of being sick, so we headed to the airport to see if things would just be able to work out. I mean, we had a 17 hour flight during the night, so at least he could sleep through all of that right? Well we start getting all luggage and us out of the car, and Spencer starts saying his arms and legs hurt and he starts crying which in turn makes him throw up in the parking lot of the airport.

Yep to the right of this picture that is where we were. Luckily it was mostly water, so it wasn't gross. But he did that, Tyler and I looked at each other and said, yep we are not going today. So I repacked the car, Tyler went inside to change our tickets and we started our way back home. Before all of this I was so nervous about flying, and felt so bad for Spencer to have to travel for 29 hours while being sick. He just wanted to sleep and lay down. I was a mess also because I was so sad to be leaving everyone here.

We said good-bye to our flight and went back home and Spencer just headed straight to his bed and laid down to watch some Avatar the Last Airbender.

The blessing out of all of this is?? First, I'm really happy that we didn't try to travel while he was sick, it would have been miserable for me and him. Secondly, I feel that I'm more ready to leave when we do now. It gave us a little extra time with Tyler, and to just be ready to leave. I really didn't feel ready to leave when we were going to. So, now, we have had a night of 12 hours of sleep, and Spencer is slowing getting better. At least he is eating some bread!!! I hope he feels 100% for our next trip, so we can finally get our summer in the States underway. He can't wait either now.

It seems as though Zimbabwe had one more adventure for us to go through before we left...now I think we're done. :)

Farewell Zimbabwe

Spencer and I will be leaving Zimbabwe this week, and we are going to miss it!! Spencer has already informed me that he will be coming back to Zimbabwe when he is a grown-up and that it's okay with his wife to come. I don't think he realizes how much he will miss Zim, but I know he will tons, as will I. It's different leaving here than it was with Congo. In Congo we had made friends but the place we were living in was not fun at all. Here it's been beautiful weather, wonderful people, no wars going on, and many more wonderful friends to be had. Our highlights of Zim are as follows:

-Our beautiful home, that had it's many struggles, but still we feel like it was home.

-Spencer's first day of Kindergarten.

-Spencer's first day of 1st grade.

-Spencer calling himself an African boy because he would walk outside in his bare feet all the time.

-Tyler learning and enjoying golf, and also getting Spencer into it.

-The many thunderstorms during the rainy season, I won't miss the lightening, but the pitter patter of rain helps you get to sleep sometimes.

-Seeing amazing wild animals up close.

-Having once in a lifetime experiences.

-Seeing one of the seven wonders of the world-Victoria Falls.

-Riding elephants and bonding with them.

-Going on safaris.

-The A-MAZ-ING sunsets. I will forever miss the African sun.

-Having the opportunity to share where we live with family.

-Again another once in a lifetime experience- petting a cheetah.

-Holding lions at the Lion and Cheetah Park.

-The beautiful landscape of Zimbabwe (Leopard Rock).

-Visiting other parts of Africa- Cape Town, South Africa.

Here are some pictures of our house all packed and ready to go.

-We will definitely miss our wonderful staff!!

This is Bridget with her two daughters, Blessing and Mary.

And here is Cosmas with his wife Beauty and daughter Ashley.

We will also miss the many friends we have made here, in which I don't think I got enough pictures of them! So here are a few of our friends.

Erica cutting her yummy, delicious homemade carrot cake.

Kate showing off her belly....she's having a girl!!!

Some of our wonderful Young Women.

Tyler and Spencer with some of our great young men.

My canasta playing girls!!!! I will miss the Nield family and their own families so much, and also the Lane family (which I kinda include with the Nields).

We have had so many great experiences here, and have loved our two year stay in Zimbabwe. Hopefully we will be back to visit again, and be able to enjoy more time with our African roots. I think this time it is also a bit harder because we are not only saying good-bye to a great place to live but to the whole country of Africa which we have come to love so much. We will always have Zimbabwe in our hearts.

First Grade Graduation

Today was Spencer's graduation from first grade!!! He still has a week of school left, but they celebrated early so they could get everyone there.

All smiles at the beginning , he was so ready!

Congratulations Spencer!! That is his teacher Mrs. Ferguson.

Looking at his class picture that was in his little recognition paper.

Spencer and two other of his classmates are moving away, so they did a little good-bye thing for them. They had each of their best friends stand and say something about them and tell them good-bye. One of Spencer's best friends is Olle, and so he stood up and said that he hopes Spencer has fun in America and good-bye. This was them hugging it out. SO CUTE!

Then the first grade kids rocked it out with the guitars they made and songs about bones (their last unit was about the human body). They were all rocking out!

After everything the kids got to drink juice boxes, the parents got to visit, and so did the kids. Spencer with some of his friends.

This is Ms. Rust who was the classroom aide. She is leaving also because she is getting married.

Mrs. Ferguson, Spencer's GREAT first grade teacher. She always looked out for Spencer and knew when to be firm with him in the things he did. She is an awesome teacher.

YAY for Spencer finishing first grade! But wait....then that means...we have a second grader now!!! oh boy! :)