2013....a challenge it was!

So it's almost over, I think myself and Ian will remember this year as our toughest yet. It's been a gruelling 12 months of long hours of hard work, utter dissapointments, sadness, fear, heartbreak and this past friday after a pressure cooker exploded in my face also hurt, and alot of it. 

Our year started with my mother-in-law being gravely ill, this started actually two years ago and just got progressively worse over the months, with the help of Ian's sister she bought and we renovated the house next to us to move them closer and give mom some freedom back in a bigger wheelchair friendly home. This transition as a young married couple having parents next door has been a challenge in it's own but seeing mom getting stronger by the day makes it all worth it. 

Then renovations started at Matota which was a huge blow to our finances...thereafter the fall with my bike...the break-in at our house...our kids both in hospital for ear operations (Alex twice!)...the missing passports...the break in next door...Ian's car accident hitting a guinea vowl...the pressure cooker incident...my canaries both dead upon return from holiday...our kids nanny going into labour at full term 2 weeks after we only get told she's pregnant..Annie & Cayote, our oldest two pugs both having to be put down....the game viewer we are still trying to get fixed....the list goes on and on and on

In a sense I feel like Job, it is afterall one of my favourite books in the Bible..Job is a story of faith and trust and when you have nothing more to give to keep on believing only to be rewarded with two-fold. I like Job.

There comes days now when we'll sit by the fire and we'll just giggle, the struggle we faced this year will not let us down, we will get African Monarch off the ground, we will get the funding in 2014 and we will help thousands of students reach their dream in the years to come...

Last year this time both our families packed to go to the coast, this year the four of us are staying behind, we are going to be home, spend much needed quality time as a family, re-connect and recharge to face 2014 head on!

We will however go visit Matota at the end of this month for a few days, so keep your eyes out, It's rainy season up there and we're sure to have some fun in the mud!

To end this year was the greatest lost of all...our Hero...our nations father..Madiba may you rest in peace and may your long walk to freedom be a lifelong lesson to us all.

Merry Christmas, remember what this day is about and keep the faith!