LIFTOFF!

That word holds so much excitement for us! After knowing we were moving for 15 months and waiting for the big move, we finally left DFW airport and headed east to D.C., had a brief stopover in Senegal and then landed in Johannesburg. Y'all know I wasn't overly thrilled about the nearly 24 hours of travel with three kids. I am happy to report God graciously answered your prayers! I KNOW people prayed us off because there is no way the trip could've been any better. Three kiddos, three airports, ten checked bags, five carry-ons, five personal bags and over 24 hours later...we made it to Camp Eden, our home for at least the next two years, God willing.

The trip really couldn't have gone more smoothly and I am so grateful for God's provision in that. All our luggage made it, the weather was perfect, there were no delays, the Cronins were soooo very awesome for making time to drive us to the airport just three days before their own nearly 30 hours of travel to East London (South Africa), there were no meltdowns on the plane and, BEST of all, none of the kids pooped the entire trip.

Let us all pause and give thanks for that.

...

Amen. 

Seriously. They are all very “regular” and, yet, not one of them made the long walk of Mommy's dread to the lavatory. The odds of all three of them...holding it in...if you don't believe miracles happen anymore... There aren't many instances where I'd be celebrating the kids holding it in but that right there is one of those justifiable moments.

And, believe me, with the stomach bug that hit over half the camp the very next week, I made up for all that irregularity.

Times 27.

And that is that about “regularity.” Onward, Christian soldiers.

Leaving you with some pics of travel day. See all the happy faces? Even despite the irregularity, I might add. Thank you, Lord Jesus.

Preparing to leave DFW.  And preparing to fall asleep on the way to D.C. if not in the middle of an Egg McMuffin bite.

This is Anniston, sitting on top of two carry-ons, in front of another carry-on, on top of a stroller as I hauled her across Dulles.  This is also me testing my theory that, if you wear all your clothing, you can pack more in your carry-on.  Thus, the brown t-shirt over mango long-sleeve shirt with a gray vest and green scarf look.  Hello, Michelin tire twin.  Apologies, America.

The secret to pleasant travel with kids?  Personal video monitors.  Anniston even tuned in to the Chipmunks.

Still smiling after crossing the Atlantic.

The boys check out South Africa for the first time.

First family pic in South Africa!

Proof that, while we may have lost our minds, we didn't lose any of our luggage.