Wednesday, May 14, 2008

I'm packed and ready to go!

I'm not kidding you, and you know that huge list of To-Do's????? All done LOL

There's no holding me back now, all that's left is the laundry that I'm washing right now, I'll throw whatever else we need from there into the luggage and pack the toiletries and that's IT!

We have to be up at 3am so I'm wondering if maybe I should just not even bother going to sleep, I'll have plenty of rest on the super long airplane rides. The kids WILL be going to bed because last thing we need is overtired and cranky kiddos.

I have a couple of errands to run today, just last minute stuff, then I have to pick up Jasmine at school (it's her last day), come back home and clean the house. Am I the only one who can't go away without leaving everything neat and tidy? I've had people tell me "why do you bother cleaning, you're not going to be here for a month?". Well actually that's exactly WHY I want to leave things tidy, can you imagine returning from that exhausting trip at night and walking into a dirty and messy house? It would be enough to send me back out the door LOL



Remember the baby bird from yesterday? Well this morning we found him dead. The kids were heartbroken. The problem is that it seems the mom came back and then took off again and didn't return so the little thing must have been starving and cold and scared all night long. It's so sad.

Right before Jasmine left for school, the kids wanted to bury him, so that's what we did. Buried the bird at the foot of the tree, then they place a mound of pretty white rocks on it and they even put flowers on there. How sweet is that?

A few minutes later I heard Nicholas talking about the baby bird being gone and Jasmine said "He's in heaven now Nicholas, now he's happy and he's not alone anymore"......to which Nicholas replied "YEAH, he's with God, he's lucky". It is a wonderful thing to see and hear, knowing my children already understand these things.



I guess I need to get my errands started, so I'm heading out. I'll come by and visit everyone before I leave and then I'll update the blog as soon as I can so you know we made it safe and sound there.

Don't forget the Slow Cooking Thursday post tomorrow, I'll have it up for you all but then you won't get another one until I get back, I know you understand :)

Hugs,

25 comments:

Mississippi Songbird said...

I'm so sorry about the little bird.. it was touching about how the children reacted though..
I hope you have a wonderful trip and a safe trip too.. A long plane ride.. How exciting all of this will be for you.. Stay safe and have a blast! Bunches of hugs...

Anonymous said...

Have a nice trip and enjoy your visit here.

God Bless,

Mrs. T (South Africa)

Jill said...

Oh, Sandra- I know how much you've been planning and axiously awaiting this trip. I'm so happy everything has fallen into place and can't wait 'til you're there safe and sound. I know you'll have a wonderful trip. God Bless your family and SAFE TRAVELS! (PS-I have to clean my house before I leave on a trip, too!)

Michelle said...

have a wonderful and safe trip! Can't wait to see all of the great pics I know you'll be taking.

I also have to clean before going anywhere - for the same reason, who wants to come back to a house you have to clean after vacation?!

That is sad about the bird :( It was sweet what the kids did with burying the bird and giving him flowers.

Renee said...

Have an absolutely marvelous trip!! So sad to hear about the little bird.

Knit-Wit said...

Wow! Glad to hear everything on your list is crossed off. That reduces the stress level quite a bit! Sorry you had to go through a funeral, though. You're such a good mom.

Lavinia said...

Sandra, you are about to embark upon a journey of such happiness and love....many blessings to you...
I am glad that everything is all set and ready....especially the passport!

I totally understand the need to clean before departure...I am the same way...nothign like coming home to a clean and tidy house...

Thanks for stopping by my blog to say bye and give me a hug...I return the hug *and* a big hug for the kids and the dogs! I love pugs!!

Please, be safe...I will pray for the safety and security of your family as you zoom through the air and travel far and wide....

Looking forward to your return!

BON VOYAGE!

Mari said...

I'm so excited for you! I'm the same way about having the house clean. I sure don't want to come home to a mess! We'll miss you when you're gone but I know you'll have a great time!

Bonnie said...

Oh that poor little birdie ! I hate it when things like that happen. Makes me sad. I tried to rescue a baby bird in highschool. I fed it baby cereal. It died after a couple of days. Poor little guy ! It is neat that your kids have such an understanding of what happens after death already ...

I'm so excited for you to go on your trip !! I am just like you ... I am packed and ready to go at least a day before it's actually time to leave. And then I feel like sitting on my suitcase until it's time to go because I'm too excited to do anything else !! ha ha.

I probably wouldn't sleep either ... who could sleep with all that excitement !?!

Can't wait til your first post from your homeland !!!! Have a great time !!!

Cheri said...

The baby bird is so sad. I hate it when that happens.

I can about feel your excitement through the computer.
Have such a fantastic time- enjoy every second of it!

Susanne said...

Have an absolutely wonderful trip and visit with your family!

Anonymous said...

I'm all for cleaning the house before vacation as well. Have a great trip!

Anonymous said...

I'm all for cleaning the house before vacation as well. Have a great trip!

Andrea@Sgt and Mrs Hub said...

Have a wonderful trip over! Enjoy every second.

I am right there will you on the clean house thing - I CAN NOT leave a messy house. Absolutely can not do it.

-Andrea

Jen said...

I cant wait to hear from you. Enjoy this time away and remember to take alot of pictures...have fun. Relax and love on your family. You so deserve this Sandra....be safe and we will talk again when you return.

Anonymous said...

I'm sorry to hear about the baby bird. Your children's reaction was very heart warming, a sad learning experience.

You must be so excited! Enjoy the visit with your family. So glad your passport arrived!

AlaneM said...

How beautiful to hear your kids talking about the Lord like that, what a blessing!
I am so glad for you, getting that whole list done - superwoman :)
Have a wonderful trip, I look forward to seeing your experiences.
I'll pray for traveling mercies & that your kiddos handle the flights well.
Blessings to you all!

Sheila said...

Have a wonderful trip!

I always clean before I leave, too. I just can't bear the thought of coming home to a messy house, when you have all that junk to unpack and you're exhausted to boot. Better leave on a good foot, because then you start off on a good foot when you return!

And may your children sleep on the plane, and may you get upgraded to first class!

Visit To Love, Honor and Vacuum today!

La Dolce Vita with LeAnn said...

Have a wonderful and safe trip. I'm so looking forward to all the great pictures and stories you will be bringing back with you. Blessings, LeAnn

Anonymous said...

"Oh Sandra,

I already miss you!! I am so sorry I have been a really bad commenter. I have been so busy in my "little world" and do apologize!!

I hope you and your family have a wonderful trip away, please enjoy yourself and relax..we will hold the fort down for ya!!!

Keep in touch (via) email OK!! Drive carful and Bon Voyage!! I will look forward for your safe return!

xoxox~Jeannene

Christina said...

I just read your post about receiving your passport and was so happy to hear that once again God is faithful, but didn't we already know this. I am so excited for you and your family. What an awesome experience this is going to be. It will even be and awesome experience for your bloggers who may never get to experience South Africa up front. I can't wait for more pictures. Have a safe trip and God Bless you all.

Anonymous said...

I know I'm a bit late to say this but have a wonderful time!!!

Hugs n' love

heidi @ ggip said...

I hope you have a wonderful trip!!!!

threesidesofcrazy said...

Have a safe wonderful trip. I always clean before we leave. Who wants to come home to a dirty house? We were just gone for 3 weeks and I know the dust alone during that time is horrible. You're already bringing a ton of laundry home with you. I even change the sheets and towels, empty the dishwasher and do all the laundry before we leave.

smilnsigh said...

Wish you would be able to make an update post here soon... You leave for SA, and violence breaks out. -sigh-

Please update, when you can.

We worry.

Well, _I_ worry.

And now I've got to go *poke* my long-time Net friend in SA, and ask how things are, in his area {Margate}...

Hugs,
Mari-Nanci