Exhausted...

We are exhausted...  It has hit us hard today.  Tonight it was obvious the girls are really overtired and overwhelmed. Tomorrow Cullen, Geremu and Nasuuna will be back at school.  This will be good for the little sisters because they won't feel like they need to keep up with the bigger kids and can hopefully get some decent naps in and play around the house at their own pace.

If you are wondering what's going on with Cullen's hair in the above picture you are not alone...  I believe his hair was having a party and he wasn't invited.

Tomorrow I go back to work...  If I'm being honest I'm not even a little ready to leave the girls.  Nick is staying home until the beginning of May with the girls, then when he goes back to work I will be off again.  I know that the girls are in good hands with Nick and that this will get us pretty much through the end of the school year without needing child care.  I just feel like I'm missing out on too much and too many "firsts."  I'm also just really tired... Have I mentioned that?  I think I could really benefit from napping daily with the girls.  

The Trip Home and Life as a Family of 7

The entire time we were in South Africa I was waiting for some blip in the process.  We have been through the adoption process a few times and we have never had it go as smooth as this process has in country.  It was almost unbelievable how smooth it went, I couldn't bring myself to blog or write about it too much because I was worried I would jinx myself.  The original plan was for Nick to come home this weekend and for Corky and I to stay in South Africa until everything was completed.   But here we are all home via the same flights before Valentine's Day!!!

Corky had prepped the girls for the trip home.  When he came over he had brought pictures and videos of the airplanes to show the girls.  They were so excited (yelling, waving and licking the glass) when they realized that we were going on a plane like he had showed them.  

Sino really thought she was the in-flight entertainment.  She did very little sleeping (maybe 3 hours out of a 16 hour flight) and a lot of waving and blowing kisses to any and everyone who would look at her or walk by.  We were right by the bathrooms so she was busy.  She was so overtired and such a good comedian that she cracked herself up and would kill herself laughing at every move she made...

Philasande on the other hand was a great sleeper.  She fell asleep shortly after take off and slept a good 8-9 hours.

The ride didn't seem that long or maybe I've just already blocked it out of my mind.  We arrived in Atlanta excited and ready to dance...

We made it through customs and Nick switched his flight so he would be traveling with us the rest of the way.  We had a little time to introduce the girls to frozen yogurt, this seemed like the most natural way to prepare them for the cold they would soon be experiencing.

Then we headed to find our connection flight...

We arrived in Wisconsin and my Uncle Tom and Cousin Johnny met us at the airport.  These two came prepared with cameras, warm clothing for the girls, car seats, and some chocolate treats.  I know I've said it before, we are a part of the BEST family in the World.

Johnny drove my Uncle Corky home.  While Uncle Tom drove Nick, the girls, and I home.  During the drive Uncle Tom said, "I just need to make a quick stop, this will only take a minute."  He pulls off onto an exit ramp and my Aunt Maureen was waiting for us on the side of the road...

Aunt Maureen literally ran up to the car, said a greeting, gave us a gift and we were off again.  It all happened so fast.  After we got home and I slept a little I wondered if I had just imagined this all happening because I was so exhausted.  When I looked into my bag later I found the envelope Aunt Maureen had given us in the minute we saw her so I knew I wasn't hallucinating.

When we got home we cleaned up quickly before my good friend Michelle brought the older 3 kids home.  I wish I had some great stories for this meeting but the whole experience is a bit of a blur. I had fallen into a really deep (5 minute) sleep right before the kids came in.  When I woke up everyone was already in the house yelling together.  Michelle took some pictures thankfully so we have a something to remember the events by...

Michelle brought a "Welcome Home" box of all of our favorites.  She might be shocked to learn that the entire box of fruit is almost all gone...  Mmmmmmmm.

That evening my Aunt Kathy, Mom and Dad all came to help us out.  Some how the kids all got fed, cleaned and put into bed.  Philasande, Sino and Nick were in bed before 6pm for the night, I went shortly after them.

All the kids were awake by 5am on Valentine's Day!  I believe they wanted to fight with and over balloons share their love with each other.

It was really cold out yesterday but that did not stop the kids from going and playing outside.  Sino doesn't have cold weather breathing down yet so her time outside is short.  She pants like a dog making a noise on the quick inhales so she sounds totally out of breath.  Philasande and Nasuuna won the cold weather award staying outside the longest play in the snow.

The kids are all getting along great, they have just been busy playing with each other all weekend so far.

Granny Bird and Pop left early this morning.  My Dad hung up some of our new South African purchases and my mother helped me organize the kids rooms yesterday.  When we left for South Africa we really did not know how big the girls would be, so we had not started to get things together for them beyond what we were bringing with us.  Thankfully while we were away a few friends and family members dropped/sent some clothing once we had sizes.  We went through it yesterday and organized it all, then ran out to buy a few odds and ends that were needed.

Last night the kids wanted to sing a (totally made up) welcome home song to the girls.  So candles were added to the Valentine's Day Cookie and we celebrated the first day as a family of seven.  I just put whatever candles I could find into the cookie and we must have had some trick candles.  There was much laughter and confusion when Philasande was trying to blow out the candles.

Everyone was exhausted last night and went to bed early.  Since most of the kids wanted to sleep together this happened...

Cullen and I slept in a different room because we aren't that cRaZy.  Everyone manage to wake up extra early again today because nobody wants to miss out on FUN!

Thanks for all the calls, texts, e-mails, gifts, etc.  We appreciate all the love and support you have been sending our way.  You will be hearing back from us...  I promise!

USA or BUST!!!

Sino and Phila are both napping right now, and we are hoping to head to the airport about the time they wake up.  We have had a lot of fun in South Africa and plan to return here again.  It has been great getting to know the girls without any distractions. 

The girls are spectacular, honestly. We think the world of them and I think anyone who meets them will as well.  I'm not just saying this because I'm their mother. Their relationship with each other is amazing to watch. They depend on, watch out for, and love each other in ways I have never seen. 

Sino follows around and mimics everything Philasande does.  Everything.  She is constantly watching and taking queues from her on how to react. Sino really looks up to Philasande. It's easy to see why too, Philasande always has one eye on Sino. If I give Phila food she will bite it into pieces to feed sister. If I'm changing a diaper Phila keeps an eye on me to make sure I don't miss wiping a spot, and if I do she jumps in to help me out.  If Sino has gotten into something, Phila walks her to the bathroom to wash her up.  I could go on with more examples, this is so natural for Phila that I don't even think she realize she is doing it most of the time.  Nick and I are trying to teach Philadsande that will will meet their needs but honestly it's hard to beat Phila, she is so freakin' quick.

Both girls are strong willed.  Really strong willed. Which has been a great survival skill. Having parents and a family will take some time to adjust to but I can see the trust building a little more every day. I think the kids at home will bring out a side of them we have yet to see.  

I'll be sure to write more once we are back in the US.  We are having some power issues so the wifi keeps going out, I want to make sure this gets posted and not lost.  So I'd best wrap it up.

See you in the US, we're coming home!!!

Passports and Visas!

It was another beautiful and hot day in South Africa.  We walked the girls to the park this morning to let them play on slides that were way to hot to be going down.  The slides were actually soft they were so hot.  The girls didn't mind they just found other areas to play.

This afternoon we did a little celebrating by going out with our social worker!

I'm posting these pictures because I can hardly stand the cuteness... 

 Nick ate kudu today, he saw it earlier this week and wanted to try it.

It had a sauce over it that he said was a little spicy and it was grilled on the outside but was a bit raw on the inside.  He thought it was really good.  I'm not a meat eater, so I enjoyed a fabulous salad with couscous and a spicy dressing. 

I have NEVER traveled anywhere in Africa where we have not been pulled over by the police.  This trip was no exception.  Today we got pulled over, this was our second time this trip getting pulled over.  The police officer made it clear he wanted a bribe or our driver would get a ticket.  Nick was holding the money and slipped the officer some cash...  He totally over paid on the bribe (he gave him what would equal about $18).  Nick is no longer in charge of handling money matters in South Africa.  I haven't actually told him yet, but hopefully he reads this post and hands over all his money to me.

Yesterday we had our visa interview at the US Embassy.  It all went well, so today we went back to the embassy to get the visas...  

We now have the passports and visas in our hands and have moved our flights up.  We will arrive home on Friday afternoon to figure out and settle into life as a family of 7!

$55.00 Load of Laundry

I believe the standard size of the doors in South Africa are a bit shorter than the doors at home....

I know Nick is tall, but at home he doesn't risk his life (or forehead) when he walks through a door. He barely scraps by without shoes on, but as soon as he puts his shoes on he has to duck so he doesn't hit his head.

We are staying at a guest house that we have really enjoyed. I asked if we would be able to do some wash while we stayed here and we were told that it wouldn't be a problem. So after the first week, I asked where I could do my wash and was told to leave it on my bed. I explained that I really didn't mind washing my own clothes, I would actually prefer to do my own wash. This was met with, "It's not a problem at all, please just leave it on your bed."  When all was said and done I had a small load of clean wash (smaller than I do at home on our small cycle) and it cost me $55.00. Nick and I both through it was a mistake, so we questioned the cost but were told it was right.  Nick said to me, it's probably that expensive because they must have washed it by hand...  That theory was proved wrong when one of Nick's missing socks was brought to us, "I found this stuck to the inside of the machine."

Now anytime one of the kids spills on themselves or one of us Cork laughs and says, "Well that will cost you $15.00!"

Today we spent a bit of time at the embassy taking care of some stuff.  It was the hottest day yet since we have arrived.  The kids had fun playing outside with bubbles and water to try and stay cool. Here's a few more pictures of these two because they are just so darn cute!

***This is a follow up to the blog post.  After talking with our social worker, she also thought the cost of our laundry was high, then asked if it had been pressed.  We honestly didn't know, a little missed communication I believe.  We don't iron anything at home, we just rewash if something is wrinkled.  Upon looking at the arm of one of Nick's t-shirts we realized it had been pressed (as probably all of our laundry) for an additional cost. Needless to say Nick better be enjoying his pressed underwear because he is never getting that again!***   

Soweto

We toured Soweto today.  Soweto is where the girls have lived since they have entered the Johannesburg Child Welfare System.  The area also holds a lot of historical value.  

We started our tour with the last house that Nelson Mandela lived in, the house has huge walls built around it like all the houses in the area.  It is in a very nice area of town.  Outside of the gated walls are these plants with colorful stones all around each of them.  These stones are what people left after he had passes, similar to how we might leave flowers in the US.  

Our fist stop in Soweto was the FNB Stadium, this was built for the World Cup in 2010, and it is massive. Today it is still used for football (soccer games) as well as big ruby matches.  It is in an area of Soweto that doesn't appear to be too busy on a typical day but would be bustling on a game day. There is a train stop right outside the stadium as well as plenty of areas for public transport.

We checked out all different neighborhoods in Soweto.  It is a very diverse area both ethnicity wise and socioeconomically. We stopped and spent a bit of time at the Hector Pieterson Memorial/Museum.  If you are not familiar with Hector Pieterson he was one the first students to be killed during the 1976 Student Uprising in Soweto, he was only 13 years old.  He has since become a symbol of youth resistance to apartheid.

We also stopped and took a tour of Nelson Mandela's home that he lived at with his wife Winnie. This is a small house like all the houses around it, not to far (less than a mile) from where Hector Pieterson was killed.  This is the house Nelson came back to after being released from jail.  

 These are the Soweto towers...  People bungie jumping between them.

There was so much to see and learn.  Some of today was a bit heavy, it's so hard to believe that so much has happened in Soweto in just the last 50 years.  This area has really played a huge roll in the countries history.

Tonight we decided to walk over to Moyo's for an early dinner, this is a traditional African Restaurant.  The girls loved the food, the atmosphere, and the entertainment.  We even brought along our own finger magician...  Corky!

The meal I ordered was soooooo HOT!  My lips were tingling, I broke out into a sweat, and chugged so much water the waiter could not keep up.  It reminded me of an incident that happened yesterday at the Sunday Market.

Corky and I were walking around and there was a stand with cheese at it.  We slowed down to take a look and we were offered a sample of cheese.  The lady asked, "You like cheese?"  I believe I replied, "Yeah, we're from Wisconsin."  I take her cheese and pop it into my mouth as does Corky.  The next thing I know my mouth is on FIRE...  Seriously, 911 Emergency!  I'm looking at Corky and he cannot talk or stop coughing.  I debated scrapping my tongue when she hands me another piece of cheese.  I take it because I figure cheese is suppose to cool your mouth off and honestly it can't be hotter then the last piece- it just wasn't possible.  Corky's eyes are darting around looking for anything to drink.  I begin laughing because I just can't believe cheese can be so HOT and I can't believe there is no relief in sight.  We skedaddled out of the area before Corky could fall over from his coughing fit...  Good news, Cork found a Coca Cola, he didn't even try to talk the seller down in price to buy it.

Later on when we were discussing the market I mentioned what a good trick Cheese Lady played on us...  I'm not sure Cork thinks it's as funny as I do.

Stay tuned...  Tomorrow I will tell you all about our $55.00 (US dollars) small load of wash.

Sunday Market

We had heard about the Sunday Market and decided it was something we had to check out.  So after breakfast Corky and I made our way to the market ready to wheel and deal.  Our strategy was to first walk around, see what was being sold and find out prices.  Then we would do a second lap once we had decided what we wanted to buy and how much we were willing to spend on the items.  Everyone gave us the line, "I give you my best price because you are my first customer and first customer brings good luck."

We studied every item very closely to make sure we knew exactly what we wanted to purchase...

Corky liked to pull out the phrase, "I'm sorry it's all I have."  When he was wheeling and dealing.  At one point Corky got caught in his own lie.  When he reached in his pocket to take his money out, his pocket turned inside out, so all his money (which was way more then what he said he had) went flying, along with a credit card.  I was dying across the room watching Corky scramble to pick up all his money...  That he apparently didn't have.  I may have even yelled, "ROOKIE MISTAKE!" to make sure he captured everyones attention.  Corky just smiled and laughed.

As I sit here typing this Corky is still giving me tips on how I give in to easy and I don't talk the sellers down enough.  He just confessed that he "bought crap he didn't even need" because he talked the people down to a lower price then me and wanted to show me that I could have gotten it for less.

It wasn't just a shopping day...  It was another day with animals!  

The girls were exhausted from walking around in the sun, so late afternoon naps happened today. Which means the kids got to stay up and party a little later then usual.  Overall it was another great day in South Africa!