Bearings.....

Now that we have been here for three weeks, I can almost say we have our bearings.  We have figured out some of Pretoria and we were even brave enough to venture out of our little city this weekend and play.  First we went to a dam market...note the word...it's DAM not the other one!  I feel like my dad when I say that...he used to tell us about a dam family going to the dam market....etc, etc.  This is where we bought our first and probably only skin pillows.  Aaron kept looking at the zebra rugs and giraffe mounts...but seriously...where would we put that?  He even started telling me how cool it would be to be the crazy family down the street with the giraffe mounted to the wall????  After the skin store...at least that's what I call it we went to the Hartbeespoort dam market.  That was crazy!  As soon as we entered the market people were trying to get us buy things from thier stall...but everyone had almost the same things.  We bought a couple things but not a lot.  We didn't last long as being pulled five directions at once was not fun...and it didn't help having kids say...oh, look at this...I want it!

Today though we went to the Rosebank Rooftop Market.  Now, that was cool!  No one pulled us towards their stall and everyone was unique.  We had to make a few trips to the car, let's just say.  They only have this market on Sundays...so today was the day.  We made up for not going to church by visiting the outside of the temple and going to see the MTC and visit Bryce McChesney. 

The temple is really pretty on the outside!  It reminds me of the Chicago temple but done in all brick...which I don't think I've ever seen a temple done in brick.  We had no clue where the MTC was so we luckily ran into some people at the temple grounds and they moved our gps map around a little and said....it's here!  They kept telling me it was in Florida and I was sure I was hearing it wrong.  But nope, sure enough the MTC, CES building and South African Mission Office is in Florida, Johannesburg. 





We then got in our car drove to the MTC. When we got there we up to the door and here's what it said:



We got a laugh because we were seriously, on official business.  Bryce needed American food!  I would call that official business.  The lady at the office was from Utah and really nice.  She actually pulled him out of a movie and brought him to the front lobby.  It was so funny to see his reaction.  He looked at us like, Wait, I know you but I don't know you!  I explained who my mom was and I think he figured it all out.  He seemed to like what we got him and even got a little teary eyed!  I'm sure he misses home.  I told him how I just talked to his mom the night before and how she loved the letter.  He seemed to miss her too as the first thing that came out of his mouth was...tell her I'm doing great and I'm loving every minute.  He's very busy, he said...so I'm sure that helps with being home sick.



Anyways, here's some more pics what we got today.  At the bottom is a link to our new house.  I'll post more pics of the house once our shipment arrives and we make it more....OURS.

We got each kid a tree and Bryce, just a little smaller version, so he could carry it around in his suitcase.


Our new skins...obviously, one giraffe and one zebra.


I love this purchase.  The lady custom makes her pottery and may even make me an 8 piece setting.  She is making me a sample and they will be ready in two weeks.  Love it!


The link to our house...OUR HOUSE

Here is one picture from our house that I have to show.  Young women...cover your eyes and scroll down!



Aaron said he wouldn't get the house unless it stayed...let's just say...it's already, obviously off the wall.

Here are also some random pictures...

These are known as Jacaranda trees and Pretoria is famous for them.  I guess they say if a pettle falls on you then you get good luck.




One of the men that just stand in the middle of the road....either begging, selling things, or handing out flyers.

We made it!

Hello everyone!  I am sorry that I have not posted sooner but it's been really difficult trying to get the internet here.  They don't really have unlimited access like they do in the States and the temporary housing we are staying in has a very bad connection.  Luckily, Aaron got an aircard (wi-fi) from his work and we are back in business.

The flight over was great.  The kids were excited to be on an airplane for the flight from Detroit to Atlanta.  So they were wide awake and taking it all in.  They loved how everything started look like ants and that we were up in the clouds, like the birds.  Our second flight took off from Atlanta at 7:15pm.  It couldn't have been more perfect.  The kids watched a movie, ate dinner, watched a little more movie, and the laid their seat all the way down and fell right asleep.  They woke up with about 3 hours left of the flight and of course they ate again and watched more movies. 

When we arrived we were greeted at the airport by Aaron's boss with a cell phone and a map.  They had arranged a van to take us to our temp housing.  Luckily, they were able to fit all 9 suitcases as well as us in that van.  The suitcases were filled to the top but they made it!

Later that night it was around 10 pm and I started to get really tired, as well as everyone else.  I kept thinking this was way too easy but we got everyone dressed for bed and laid down.  We all fell asleep...but then we all woke up around 12am.  So we were sitting in our driveway, trying to reach the wifi, with the kids pretending to be airplanes down the strip of colored lights.  I have since found out that no one heard us out there...which is amazing.  We finally went back to bed at 4 am and made ourselves wake up at 9:30.  We were tired but we ventured out to the mall and explored a little. 

The next day we went house hunting.  That was an adventure in and of itself.  I think I got overwhelmed by house number 5, the kids checked out at house 4, but our realtor was bound and determined that we were going to see 7 houses.  The houses are different here.  They are built with brick in the middle of the wall and cement as the walls.  The floor is cement with tile over it and very, very few houses had carpet.  The houses, generally, do not have a/c or heat.  Neither does our temporary house.  There have been a few nights that have been really hard because it's been really hot.  Right now though, it's really nice and cool.  Perfect for opening up the house and letting that breeze in.

We didn't find a house our first day.  Although, I'm sure you've heard I really liked a house on the golf course. We ended up picking a house that was more in our budget and it just shouts "I'm a home, not just a house."  Hopefully by the 29th or 30th we can move in!

Here are some pictures of the first few weeks.

This is where we are staying now...and hopefully not much longer.  Kylie took this picture!



I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this picture!  Josh was so funny after getting off the airplane.  He had no idea that the flight attendant had given him such cool stuff for the plane trip over.  So, before he went to bed that first night, he put on everything he had!  Who knew that this stuff was sooo exciting???  Note the blind fold and slippers.


I think Ky is a little tired here...



Our lovely room!


Here is Josh's 1st grade classroom.  In case you were wondering, he's in Ms. Carole's class.


Josh's playground..soccer field is off to the right and the swimming pool is on the left.  You can see the gate to the pool in the picture.



Circle time!  They have it every morning at 8am.  They introduce new students, go over the agenda for the day and most importantly, what's for lunch!


The outside of Ky's school.  You have to go down a long alley that is not marked to find this place.  It took us a while but I guess I'd rather have them safe.


Here is my little Pre-K girl.  She was so excited to go to school.  She still asks...Mom, can I go to school tomorrow!


Just so you know...my kids do not go to school here!