Land that I love

Being a non-American mother of two Americans I feel like I want to immerse myself in American culture to create proud and patriotic citizens.  I come from a family of patriotic loyal people, and it is important, I think.  I fell in love with the USA before we even came to live here.  Leaving South Africa was gut-wrenching.  After months of tears and emotions I remember Glen and I getting on the plane, and as the wheels lifted off African soil we both burst into tears.  A very strange feeling to leave your homeland on an adventure to create a home in another country.  Nerves, uncertainty, minutes of "movers remorse".  But also GREAT excitement after a thoughtful, careful decision on what we felt was best for us and our future family.

Despite moments of homesickness caused by missing weddings, childbirths, illnesses, and of course most recently World Cup Fever, we are so happy about our decision and believe it was the right decision for our family.  We LOVE our new home.  We've made wonderful friendships, and started wonderful traditions, and I feel like I am enjoying this new culture more and more.  A lot of that comes from the joy of seeing my children and the life they are given here.  What a blessing.  What a luxury that I am so proud to be providing for them.  As we instill in them curiosity and connection to our African roots, we also are filling them (and ourselves) with a new patriotism to our new homeland.

On 4th of July weekend we went away with friends to Angels Camp.  SO beautiful.  Sun, lake, pool, relaxation, laughter, late nights... just exactly the break we needed after a busy crazy first half of the year.  I LOVE the 4th of July festivities.  It definitely brings out the patriotism in everyone and makes me think a thousand times that day how happy and how thankful I am for this country and the little American kiddos I have.  We made a beautiful discovery when we decided to go to a fireworks display at Ironstone Vineyards.  Wow!!  Amazing grounds.  Such a pretty setting.  (Good wine, too!).  And it was one of the best fireworks displays I have ever seen.  Hannah LOVED it.  Oliver fell asleep during it!!!  I suppose when you have kids used to going to bed at 7:30pm that have to wait til 9:30pm for the start of a show, getting through to the end of the show can be more than they can manage!!  Especially after a day of swimming and sun!!  It was a perfect American day.
Waiting for fireworks: