Pyjama Day

Today we had a pyjama day - although not the kind you would expect on Day 4 of a five-day-long weekend.

Truth be told, when we decided to keep our kids in their sleepwear as we roused them out of bed at 05h30 this morning, we didn't think they'd be in them all day. We simply thought it was easiest and most comfortable for them to be kept warm and undisturbed when we bundled them into the car and head to Home Affairs to get their biometrics for their passports.

Thank goodness I packed toys and something to eat.

I stood in the queue outside the building for two hours before it started moving. It was 06h00 when I jumped out of the car at the traffic light, and joined the line snaking around the first block (it would be around another full block before the office would even open). It was dark and pretty cold, so Andel stayed in the car in the parking lot with the kids. Someone nearby me counted that we were around #175 in the queue. Apparently the guy at the front was wrapped in a blanket as though he had spent the night waiting for golden circle concert tickets. Except, of course, he wasn't. By the time I made it to the mall entrance around 08h00, Andel was waiting with the kids, who had already watched Captain Underpants on his phone, and were characteristically starving. I took pre-made sarmies from my bag and watched them devour that along with an apple each. Had I known how much longer we'd still be there, I'd have rationed their portions.

The already 110m-long queue at 06h00 this morning

It didn't take long for us to make it to the passage outside the DHA offices, and at that stage I was both optimistic that we'd be out before it was totally uncool for my kids still to be in pyjamas, and pretty chuffed that despite waiting three hours already, I had not yet lost the plot or my testimony. Little did I know, we'd be there four painstakingly long hours more before we were even allowed inside.

The physically shorter but other wise as long queue inside

I feel it's necessary to mention here that today was a South African school holiday. The powers that be (correctly) decided that one day of school between two public holidays and weekend was definitely not going to be productive, and allowed everyone the day off. It was not, however, a holiday for Andel, who was confident he'd make it to work more or less on time. This was not to be. It was around 14h30, when the system went offline for the third time, that Andel decided he had to get to work (meaning that he would have to work a closing shift), and although I stayed - with the help of my aunt who came to my aid (bless her soul) - I already knew our mission was over and unsuccessful.

Already feeling over the wait - only half way through

When we arrived home around 15h30 without nothing but three exhausted kids to show for our nine-hour long experience, we were almost more relieved to be back home than we were disappointed to have still not sorted out the passports. Almost. The sad reality is that we have to do this again sometime. All five of us. Again.

I now have feeding, changing and sleeping on the floor down

I could write about the lack of logic in the processes, the challenge of having and controlling three children between five years and seven months for nine hours, or the injustices we witnessed in the wait. Maybe I will still. For tonight though, it's enough that, even today, was unforgettable holiday experience. Never may it be repeated. Please. Ever.

Rugby Firsts

Not long ago, Andel bravely took the boys and two of their cousins (that's four kids between 8 and 3 years old) to watch some test cricket at Newlands. To say that it was a hit with them would be a major understatement, as they basically still haven't stopped talking about it. It was at the end of the season though, and so we weren't able to take them again, despite many requests.

This weekend, Andel was given some rugby tickets for the Super Rugby match between the Stormers and the Rebels, so we decided to take the boys.

The weather wasn't great. Just before we left home it started drizzling steadily, and I was not certain that walking the kids in the rain from the parking to the stadium was a good idea. I was even more concerned about where we were going to sit, and whether or not it would be in a steady stream of rain for the entire match. (I'm telling you: being a Captonian at present is hard! We are so excited about and grateful for every drop of rain that falls, and feel terribly guilty about any thoughts of it being an inconvenience).

Thankfully the drizzle was light and intermittent, so we were able to get the boys to the stadium without really getting wet. As we walked towards our gate, they shrieked with delight at being able to see the field, and for a moment, I took in their joy and excitement for something I have for a long time already taken for granted. We ended up sitting behind the try line - a great spot for Zac who wanted to see the kicks go through the posts. Sam, a little less interested in the rugby, still enjoyed being able to see the players scrum, and hardly missed a beat as we entered when he said, "hey, what's that I smell? I smell donuts!".

I think Andel's waited a long time for this

Full of excitement walking to the stadium

Sam getting in on the action as well

Before the game: wondering what we'd let ourselves in for

Zac giving his analysis - obviously

Sammy taking in the atmosphere

It was a good afternoon; everything you imagine when you think of watching rugby on a wintery afternoon. The boys were bundled up in their beanies, munching on hot chips, and treated to chocolate. Their team won, and they had to race each other to the car to avoid getting caught in the rain. When they collapsed into bed later that night, they were still smiling about what they'd experienced.

I suspect there will be many more such days in my future. I can't wait!

Pause

In an attempt to stay abreast of my blogging goals - and because I haven't one a post like this in a while - here's what's going on in my space currently:

I'm thinking about... the changes that are going to take place over the next few months. For one, I recently resigned from my job, and am taking up a new post elsewhere. It's been one of the toughest professional decisions I've ever had to make. I really have loved the environment, staff and team I work in/with, and I'm going to miss it terribly. I do think though, that the time is right for a move. Of course, this inevitably leads to a number of other subsequent changes - but I'm trying not to dwell on that yet; tomorrow has enough worries of its own, right?

I'm watching... The Good Doctor. It's just finished its first season both locally and abroad, and is based on a South Korean programme, I believe. It follows the personal and professional journey of a first year surgical resident who happens to have Austism and Savant Syndrome. I'm a bit of a sucker for medical drama anyway, however, it's really Freddie Highmore's exceptional performance as Dr Shaun Murphy that has me eagerly awaiting each episode.

I'm listening to... mash ups, mostly. Zac has this new thing where he combines - mid singing - different songs, with pretty impressive skill (and melodic process), I might add. I also have two ear-worms at the moment: So Will I (off Hillsong's There is More album) and Reckless Love (by Cory Asbury).

I'm loving... the relief from the unrelenting heat that we have been experiencing of late. It rained a bit last week, and then today all day. Cape Town desperately needs so much rain, I'm thankful even though it's a logistical nightmare at work. I much prefer Winter anyway, and it's a real treat being able to lay in bed at night with my tea, chocolate and babies.

I'm busy... among other things, I'm trying to get my kids' passports renewed. At this point I've completed the online applications (and paid for them), but I have yet to make that painful trip to the government facility to submit their bio-metric data. I fear it's going to take all day. There may be a separate blog post on that experience.

I'm going to... Mothers Day Connect again this year. It's a wonderful initiative by Embrace to serve and support moms in hospital on Mother's Day. In groups we spend an hour with these moms sharing experiences, giving encouragement, and just letting them know that they are part of a wider village of women looking out for the welfare of moms and children. For more information on this in your area, please visit www.embrace.org.za and sign up.

I'm battling with... what I think is a tummy bug. I know there's been a terrible one doing the rounds, I'm just not sure that it's that. I basically woke up feeling pretty lousy - belly aches, lack of appetite, toilet runs. Great for weight-loss! Not so great for everything else. I really hope it's one of those 24hour jobs.

I'm resolving to... enjoy the weekend. Thursday evening marks the start of a 5-day-long weekend for us, and instead of using it to catch up on work or clean the house (as I feel I need to do), I'm going to enjoy it with Andel and the kids. It would be nice to go away, but even if we don't (can't), I'm going to be deliberate with my time and choices, and focus on making good memories together.

Mother Luck!

Did I ever write about the time in my life that I thought I would never have children?

Basically, growing up, I was not the obviously girly and maternal type. Despite having many younger siblings, cousins and friends that I was left to supervise or babysit, mothering didn't seem to come easily or naturally to me. As a result, it was a well known joke in our extended family that I would likely send my kids - assuming I would be having any - to boarding school. Even though I knew it was that - a joke - there were many years it bothered me, and for a good couple years I figured I therefore probably wouldn't have any children.

Look at me now.

Granted, compared to the rest of the family, I began a bit late, giving birth to Zac just before I turned 29, I certainly haven't wasted any time since then, popping out two more in the subsequent five years. And perhaps in a parallel world, there would be room for one more. I think it's safe to say: this once disinclined-mother has become determined-mother #1.

I don't know if it's just having had three kids now, if it was the context around Bayley's conception, development and birth, but it's (only) now that I realise how much of being a mom is not just what I do, but who I am. And I wouldn't change it for the world. I was saying just the other day: if it were not for the fact that I need to work, I would gladly build a life around caring for and spending time with my kids.

My dear Peanut, Cooks and Bug, 

You will never know just how much I love you; how your mere existence has changed my life in ways I will never really understand or have any desire to ever undo. You are all beautifully imperfect and immeasurably precious, and you each have individual qualities purposed exactly for my teaching and development and refining. I am blown away by your unique designs, and how even though you are so different to each other, you are all the ideal fit for me. How amazing it is that when God created each one of you, He was thinking about me...

We won't always be as in sync and in love as we (mostly) feel right now. You will grow up, I will get old; and believe it or not, you will not fight each other for space next to me in the bed forever! We will disagree and clash heads many times along this path. But this you can hold onto, regardless of whatever storm we are weathering against or alongside each other: 

being entrusted with the immense privilege of raising you three is the greatest gift and blessing, 

and for all time you will have my whole heart!

Love Mom x