A lifetime of missed events!

When you are living thousands of miles away from family, one of the things that most stands out is the fact that so many life events go by without you being there.

For the past 15 years, I have missed out on my niece's and nephew's lives and many of their firsts.

It's upsetting and it's heartbreaking and it makes you cry and want to go home, but it's also something you learn to live with.  Not that it gets easier, but you learn to accept that there is nothing you can do to change it and you live vicariously through the photos and updates on Facebook and through emails and phone calls.

But it's never the same is it?

Now I have one of my nieces and nephews here and it's been wonderful seeing them every day and talking to them and learning who they are, their likes and dislikes.

Knowing that I will be witnessing many of their firsts in this new journey in their lives, makes me so happy.  I may have missed out on the earlier years but I will be here for the older ones as they set out into the world.

One of the biggest accomplishments for a teenager is learning to drive, and that's exactly what my niece Tiffany is doing.

You see, back in South Africa you have to be 18 to get your driver's license, so she would have had to wait a few more years. I can't even explain to you just how excited she is and to be driving her Uncle Curt's big truck.

She looks so tiny in that big ol thing LOL

Uncle Curt is very patient though and loves teaching so she's loving this.....and I'm loving the fact that I get to witness this first hand, such a big event in our lives :)

Only thing that would make this better is if I had all of my nieces and nephews here with me, but, maybe one day :)

We've had two days of reprieve from the fire haze and the smell of burning, and the farmers have been out there plowing and enjoying the fresh air without all the ash.

Unfortunately today, we are back to hazy, smoky, foggy skies and a horrible stench. I feel so bad for the firefighters who have been battling these fires for days now, I pray that the fires subside and soon.

It has made for some stunning sunsets though as it's turned the sun a bright red ball in the sky.

Anyway, I wanted to come in and give you a quick update of what is going on in my side of the woods.

Have a super busy day with bill paying, grocery shopping, errands to run and hair cuts for all the boys, so I better get finished with my grocery list and start waking up kids, takes forever to get everyone ready to head out the door.

Have a wonderful Thursday everyone :)