Firstly, following onto the last blog post, which was deciding to leave our life in Cape Town, some exciting and surprising news popped up in the shape of two parallel lines. At the end of May, I was bathing Sophiya in the evening and Dana was getting ready for a job interview which was starting in fifteen minutes. After seeing these two parallel lines, I had to interrupt Dana's concentration and let him know that not only was our life changing in three months with the move to the USA, but it would be changing yet again at the beginning of February with the addition of another little girl to the family! Again, this is another example of life's way of throwing us curve balls when least expected, but we are absolutely thrilled and Sophiya is going to be a big (though still little) sister after she turns 2!! I've always wanted kids close in age though, so things have worked out very nicely!
We have been extremely blessed though after packing up our house and getting our belongings on an overseas shipping container, we moved in with our dear friends Andre and Rebecca for the last few weeks of our time in Cape Town.
Last Photos in Cape Town!! I was bummed to not have a last surf with baby bump, but here is Dana!
During this time, Dana was offered a position with Cultural Vistas (formally AIPT-CDS) as their Director for the Global Career Launch in Columbia, Maryland. He's very excited about the position and he's the perfect person for the job! He's been in Maryland for just over a week now, survived an earthquake and hurricane and all the while managed to find us a car and a place to live and started work this week! I know I married the right man!
I will be continuing to work for Projects Abroad from home, so happy to have this flexibility with the two little ones. It's very strange, but I actually lived in Columbia, Maryland for just over a year with my family back when my dad worked for Kraft in 1992! I don't remember much about the place when I was younger except for some vague memories from elementary school, but it's been ranked number 2 as Money Magazine's Best Small Cities to Live in 2010. I'll know more when I finally get there next week Tuesday!
Sophiya and I braved the long flight from Cape Town to Traverse City, Michigan a few weeks ago. All went as well as can be expected from a 30+ hour travel with a 19 month old, but needless to say, I was very happy to finally land in Michigan. I've spent the past few weeks with my family relaxing at their holiday home (excuse me, cabin, for all you Americans snickering) on Lake Michigan, eating delicious food, chilling at the beach, boating, jet-skiing, kayaking, paddle boarding and sailing.
Sophiya has kept very busy with her grandparents, Aunt Nicole and Uncle Jamie (weird!) and of course the dog Maddie. She's been digging in the sand, going on long walks, picking blueberries, eating popsicles and running around outside.
Swinging high with Grandpa!
Sitting nicely (for a total of ten seconds) with Grandma
Pretty in Pink
Blueberry picking is fun, she even knew which ones were ripe to eat!
Teeny bikini
Chilling with Mom and keeping Jamie company before paddleboarding
She was lucky enough to meet her great-grandparents (my Dad's parents) and we were able to get a four generational photo! It's amazing to think that my grandparents have seen their children grow and have children, and now their children have children! Oh the cycle of life!
It's amazing how age changes your perspective on a place. It's been 6 years since I was last at the cabin in Traverse City and being older now, I feel like I can really appreciate the place so much more now! Traverse City is the Cherry Capital of the USA, so fields of cherries are seen everywhere you go! It is a quaint, vacation hot spot for both Michiganers and those out of state!
Winery just down the road from our cabin, Chateau Chantal, great views of Lake Michigan and of course delicious wine!
Historical "General Store" - awesome pickles and root beer!
Quaint Food Stall on the side of the road
Sleeping Bear Sand Dunes
Lake Michigan has crystal clear waters with endless activities, the downtown has lovely shops and restaurants and long coastal walks line the shores. The peninsula where our cabin is situation is also gaining recognition as producing high quality grapes for wine making. The charm of the area and knowing that my children will have the blessed opportunity to spend summers in this special place is such a good feeling.
I certainly miss our life and friends in Cape Town already but it sure feels good to be home....
