5 weeks till I leave! I’m really excited but sad. Moving feels sort of unreal. I am going to miss a lot about South Africa yet encounter new things along the way.
Some of the things I will miss are friends, the ocean, my teachers, and the wonderful people from church.
There are a few things that I am looking forward to about Canada. I can’t wait to see my grandparents, snow, go skiing and sledding. There are also loads of really fun parks and in their gym, they have water slides!
On our way, we’re stopping in France, England and the US. My grandma lives in the United States, so we are going to visit her. My cousins live nearby my Grandma, so I’ll see them too!
Can’t wait! Bye!
Elise
I have included a picture gallery in Elise’s blog – to capture some of her South African childhood. Hope you enjoy! Elise would love to hear from you in the comments. Nate’s blog will be posted tomorrow. Thanks friends, Michelle
This is what Elise looked like when we moved over. 5 weeks old!Naps are best with Dad!Beach baby!!Friends from across the ocean come to play at our ocean!!Elise’s absolute favourite book for years!!Can you tell where we went on the weekends?Introducing grandparents to the joys of South Africa – including ice cream on hot days!Life isn’t complete without a little mud pie!My little Zulu girl!!Bestest friends!Growing up in a tropical place, pools are plentiful!Elise and her very special friend, Alex…. This is going to be a hard good-bye.Elise had 3 surgeries while living in SA. Tonsils, ears, and broken arm.Growing up….Birthday funNew found love – field hockey!Ballet posingIt doesn’t matter what continent you grow up in, your brother’s stinky feet are never cool.Beautiful friends that will be so incredibly missed.Making memories!Enjoying Cape Town. We will miss you, South Africa!And we will miss all the beautiful people we have come to love!!
17 thoughts on “Elise’s thoughts – Countdown continues”
Great blog Elise! Lovely to see your cheeky grin through your growing up pics too 😉
Praying for you as you prepare to move – lots of mixed feelings I’m sure. Thanks for sharing with us 🙂
xx
Elise, You were so tiny the first time I held you! You definitely will not fit my arms now!! You have grown into such a beautiful young lady and I can’t wait to see you all. Have lots of fun on the way here. I love England.
What a big, exciting move for you Elise! So great that you have some particulars to look forward to in Canada. I know it must be extra tough since you don’t have memories of living here before. Even though it will be a tough transition I have no doubt you will make lots of new friends! How could anyone resist your sweet personality and sparkling grin? Enjoy this time with your SA friends! Love hearing your thoughts and seeing these photos!
I loved reading your blog, Elise. And I loved seeing the pictures. I didn’t get to meet you till you were older about 4 or 5. So seeing how you looked when you were little is a treat. I know you have made some wonderful friends there in South Africa and you will miss playing with them. But I am so happy you’re moving back to this side of the ocean where I will get a chance to see you more. Love you little girl. Great aunt Joyce
Elsie….I loved reading your blog and “seeing” you grow up in SA. Praying for you and your whole family as you say your goodbyes and say hello to a whole new set of experiences. May you walk in joy and peace and delight in the days ahead.
I don’t remember that first picture because I was too little, but we have lots of other great South African memories together. Love you, Grandma! Elise
Elise – you write very well and your thoughts about moving are wonderfully stated. I am impressed that you are able to tell us about the positive things that you look forward to in this move. I trust that God is going to help you find new and loyal friends when you settle in Canada. We are going to be very lucky to have you living near us. It is refreshing to hear someone looking forward to snow, skiing and sledding!
Thanks for writing such a nice blog, Elise. I know you will miss your special friends in South Africa, so I hope you will be able to see them again someday. We can’t wait to have you nearby soon, but we will have to travel a lot farther to go to an ocean! I was looking at some videos just the other day and saw one where you were taking some of your first unsteady steps, and another when you were doing a Zulu dance, kicking one leg high, here in our living room. We love you lots and can’t wait to see you soon. Nan
Elise, as you do aptly put it, there are things you’ll miss and things you are looking forward to doing with this big move. When my family first moved from SA, I didn’t know anyone in Canada. But soon you make good friends here too. And I feel pretty lucky because I feel like I have two homes…Canada, the home where I live and South Africa, my heart home! You’ll have great memories from both. I’m so glad you’ll also be able to skype your friends in SA. Hope you get to enjoy the beach a few more times before you leave. Can’t wait to see you!!
Great blog Elise! Lovely to see your cheeky grin through your growing up pics too 😉
Praying for you as you prepare to move – lots of mixed feelings I’m sure. Thanks for sharing with us 🙂
xx
Can’t wait to see you in England, Rachel, and spend some more time with you! Love, Elise
Elise, You were so tiny the first time I held you! You definitely will not fit my arms now!! You have grown into such a beautiful young lady and I can’t wait to see you all. Have lots of fun on the way here. I love England.
Paloma
What a big, exciting move for you Elise! So great that you have some particulars to look forward to in Canada. I know it must be extra tough since you don’t have memories of living here before. Even though it will be a tough transition I have no doubt you will make lots of new friends! How could anyone resist your sweet personality and sparkling grin? Enjoy this time with your SA friends! Love hearing your thoughts and seeing these photos!
Thanks so much!! I can’t wait to see you and do some Cadillac Ranch dancing! Love, Elise
I loved reading your blog, Elise. And I loved seeing the pictures. I didn’t get to meet you till you were older about 4 or 5. So seeing how you looked when you were little is a treat. I know you have made some wonderful friends there in South Africa and you will miss playing with them. But I am so happy you’re moving back to this side of the ocean where I will get a chance to see you more. Love you little girl. Great aunt Joyce
Thanks my Great Aunt!! I hope we can see each other again soon! Elise
Elsie….I loved reading your blog and “seeing” you grow up in SA. Praying for you and your whole family as you say your goodbyes and say hello to a whole new set of experiences. May you walk in joy and peace and delight in the days ahead.
That is very kind of you to take your time to write. Thank you! Elise
I will love seeing you on this side of the pond. We will have lads of fun. I so remember falling in love with SA in that first picture
I don’t remember that first picture because I was too little, but we have lots of other great South African memories together. Love you, Grandma! Elise
Elise – you write very well and your thoughts about moving are wonderfully stated. I am impressed that you are able to tell us about the positive things that you look forward to in this move. I trust that God is going to help you find new and loyal friends when you settle in Canada. We are going to be very lucky to have you living near us. It is refreshing to hear someone looking forward to snow, skiing and sledding!
Everyone should be excited to go skiing and sledding! Thank you for writing! Love, Elise
Thanks for writing such a nice blog, Elise. I know you will miss your special friends in South Africa, so I hope you will be able to see them again someday. We can’t wait to have you nearby soon, but we will have to travel a lot farther to go to an ocean! I was looking at some videos just the other day and saw one where you were taking some of your first unsteady steps, and another when you were doing a Zulu dance, kicking one leg high, here in our living room. We love you lots and can’t wait to see you soon. Nan
I also love watching old family videos – it is one of my favourite pastimes. Maybe you and I can do it when we are in Canada? Love you, Elise
That would be lots of fun, Elise! We’ll have to do that.
Love, Nan
Elise, as you do aptly put it, there are things you’ll miss and things you are looking forward to doing with this big move. When my family first moved from SA, I didn’t know anyone in Canada. But soon you make good friends here too. And I feel pretty lucky because I feel like I have two homes…Canada, the home where I live and South Africa, my heart home! You’ll have great memories from both. I’m so glad you’ll also be able to skype your friends in SA. Hope you get to enjoy the beach a few more times before you leave. Can’t wait to see you!!