Edinburgh for Jeryn's Birthgiving Weekend

Jeryn turned 8 in Edinburgh!  What a wonderful city - despite the horrible Scottish weather (35-50 mph winds, 36oF, and a crap ton of rain).  Fortunately we enjoyed the city with our wonderful American friends - the Johnson's of Tennessee.  Strange to think that we lived in the same city for 5 years, and never met until we moved to England!  Ha!

Happy Thanksgiving + Happy Birthday = Happy 'Birthgiving' Jeryn!

Jeryn is 8!?

Can you believe this girl is 8 (well, will be on Sunday)!?  We are so proud that Jeryn is growing up to become an incredibly thankful, kind-hearted, and wonderful girl - not to mention a fabulous big sister.

Here's a few photos from her party with 18 brilliant friends at a sweets shop in Mold, Wales today:

 

Here's a photo from each of her last seven years:

Age 7:

Age 6:

Age 5:

Age 4:

Age 3:

Age 2:

Age 1:

Age 0 (well three weeks):

Cape Town: Lessons from Robben Island

The tour of Robben Island was powerful and moving.  It's the dynamic story of South African history and Nelson Mandela.

Imagine being held captive in inhumane conditions...for 18 years because of something beyond your control.

Upon release, you become President of the country, and subsequently forgive all those that tortured you and your closest friends - all with the vision of uniting a country that is bitterly divided.  It is an incredible story, and many deep lessons of forgiveness to apply no matter what your circumstance.

This is a photo outside Nelson Mandela's home for 18 years.

The tour of the island is given by a former prisoner.  This was our guide: Zolile Mgijimana.

Cape Town: Baboons, Penguins, and Whales

Cape Town, South Africa is an amazing place.  The views are incredible, the food is great, and the weather is wonderful.  We were concerned about safety before coming, but haven't felt threatened at all. We felt more concerned for our safety in Barcelona than Cape Town.

It is hard to explain Cape Town.

• It's beautiful like Lake Tahoe, only not expensive.
• It's polite like England, only they don't respect traffic laws.
• It's common to see people waiting on the side of the road like Mexico, only the roads are paved.
• It's racially and economically divided like Missouri, only not everyone carries guns.
• It has wonderful hiking options like Colorado, only you can surf too.
• The shoreline is dynamic like San Diego, only you don't have to go to the zoo to see penguins and baboons.

Of all the places we have been fortunate enough to visit over the past three years, this is high on the list to visit again. If it wasn't so far away, it would easily make a wonderful place to live.