What We've Been Up To

Roger and Merry Ann (Grandpa and Grandma Malcolm) + the Malcolms at Tasha’s

We’ve been running around this corner of the world quite a bit the last few weeks. Brian’s parents, Roger and Merry Ann, came to visit us just after my mom departed for home. We have loved getting to introduce Phindi to everyone and showing them around (for the second time)!

Phindi and Roger on the Cape Wheel

We really enjoyed having Roger and Merry Ann visit because they had come visit last time we were here six years ago. We didn't have to hit the same spots, so we were free to visit some new ones and throw in a few days at home as well.

Nelson Mandela’s cell on Robben Island

One of the really powerful things we did do was visit Robben Island. We tried to go last time we were here, but were unable to make it happen. This time around, we made it work. Not only was it compelling to ride around on the island and hear about the history, but we got to go on a walking tour led by a former political prisoner who had actually been imprisoned on Robben Island!

The entrance to Robben Island prison

It was easily my favorite thing we have done here. Nothing can beat a first hand account of what it was like to live on the island and to be imprisoned for fighting for the freedom of your people. It was incredibly moving.

Dinner without power. Thanks, Load shedding.

Roger and Merry Ann also got to enjoy load shedding a couple of times while they were here. The first time meant we had to quickly cook a roast in the oven before six (when the power outage kicked in). The second time was when the Robben Island excursion took much longer than planned and we got locked out of the house because we didn’t have the right key and the garage wouldn’t open. Once again, load shedding is my nemesis.

My kids, putting up with a photo. (Haha!)

We went to a place called the Giraffe House that has a ton of animals, including—you guessed it—giraffes. The highlight of that trip was when the workers changed the huge branches while we were there and all six of the giraffes came right over to graze on the new leaves. It was so neat to see them all and to be so close to them. They’re one of my favorite animals, so I’m always glad to get to see them.

Cape of Good Hope, South Africa

We took a day to drive down the coast of the Cape and visit Cape Point and the Cape of Good Hope. They have a funicular you can ride up and down the mountain to the top of Cape Point, which is a fun little ride with a great view. We were especially lucky and saw many animals this trip: zebras, baboons (with a baby!), bok (antelope), ostriches, and seals.

Baboons picking at each other. NATURE!

Merry Ann faithfully whisking away.

While the Malcolms were here, it was Brian’s 41st birthday. Hoping to make it feel a little more like home, I asked Merry Ann to pack a box of angel food cake mix, a container of vanilla icing, and her angel food cake pan. She was kind enough to oblige my odd requests and she and I worked together to whisk the angel food cake mix into existence. Whisking was a much more muscle-inducing experience than the usual hand-held mixer experience I have. Thankfully, it came out perfectly and we all enjoyed the cake, especially the birthday guy!

SWAG from Kids Day and from Tisetso’s savings account!

Tisetso and Brian went into Cape Town on a mission to get new shoes. They hit up somewhere around 5 or 6 shoe stores and found Tisetso a sweet new track suit. He had a great time with his dad.

Department of Home Affairs on Friday

Department of Home Affairs on Monday

One last little bit of news before I wrap up this post is that Brian got news that Phindi’s passport had arrived at the Department of Home Affairs (DHA). He waited until his parents had departed for home, then headed into the city on Friday and stood in line for 5.5 hours only to be the first person in line to be turned away at the end of the day and was told to ‘come back on Monday.’ He got up at 4:30 on the following Monday and stood in line from 5:30 onwards. At 12:30, he had her passport in hand! This is huge news! This is the step we were told could take 6-8 weeks and only took 3. We are so thankful.

Brian stopped at Truth Coffee before heading home for a well-deserved nap.

Our Ashwood Home

Today is an exciting day. We close the sale of our Ashwood home today. We lived in this home for years. It was our first home together. We loved having our friends and family spend time in our home. We loved this home. It is a big day to pass the keys along to someone new. 

As we were packing up a few last things yesterday, I remembered the goodness of God that our son, for whom we spent many hours praying for him in this home, was walking around in the living room and playing on the porch. He has never spent a night in this home, but my love for him began in these walls. 

This kid has more sass than I know what to do with sometimes!

I am going to miss our Ashwood home. It's the place I met my husband. He was hosting a luncheon and I couldn't help but notice how gifted he was in hospitality. It was the first thing I admired about him. Well, that and his rugged good looks.

Right where we met for the first time.

We love our new home, but our Ashwood home holds a special place in our hearts.

We asked Tisetso to take our picture in front of the house. For the sake of disclosing real life, here are a *few* of the photos that followed (he took about 50 within a one minute time span).

We know who the photogenic one is in our family.

Our Ashwood home.

Tisetso's Firsts

We’ve been home for almost four months (a little over six since we became a family). With our arrival to America, we’ve had many opportunities to experience Tisetso’s firsts in many things. I think his favorite so far has been snow.

Before (Making Hulk Smash gestures)

We got a light dusting the weekend, but I wasn’t willing to count it as his first snow. A few days after that, we had the big, sticky, fluffy flakes that he could actually play in. To be honest, this was one of my favorite firsts, too (despite my aversion to snow and cold). Seeing his joy while running around in the icy flakes, I just couldn’t contain my own joy. We had fun throwing snowballs at Brian’s car (he had the audacity to leave the party for, you know, adult things like work). Then we turned on each other. 

During

The fun was short lived a Tisetso became super cold not too many minutes after Brian left. I demonstrated my true mothering skills by taking a picture to document the end of the occasion then ushered him quickly inside. I'm pretty sure I qualify for Mother of the Year now.

After

It’s been fun experiencing firsts with our little guy. We haven’t had the traditional ones, so the untraditional (first Dunkin Donuts experience, for example) seem bigger than they may actually be. Regardless, I am thankful for the firsts we get and excited for many, many more!

Little Things

We've been asked by many if there are any updates. Simply put - nope. Nothing. All is quiet on the adoption front. In this quiet, I find small glimpses of things to come in the little things. I wanted to share a few of them with you.

I found these sweet, kid-sized kicks at a garage sale for $1! For those of you who have never set eyes on my husband, he's practically a walking advertisement for Puma. I joke with him that I think his endorsement checks are getting lost in the mail. I saw these and instantly was able to envision our child wearing shoes just like their dad.

Last week in Knoxville, my mom did a treasure hunt with my nieces and nephew. They were sent to hunt for chocolate coins imprinted to look like actual currency. The only coin they didn't find was a coin from South Africa. My mom saved it for me. It was a sweet reminder to pray for our kid(s).

The last little thing was a set of Transformers letters I found at a thrift store. I sent Brian a text while I was at the store to see if he wanted me to get them. He replied enthusiastically that he did want them and that he used to have the 'M'. When I brought them back to the house, Brian proceeded to transform all 26 letters of the alphabet (he had a little help from the Oneal kids).

I've noticed and have been thankful for these little things throughout our days. I've currently got the kid Pumas sitting under the glass in our coffee table. It reminds me that, Lord-willing, those shoes will be filled some day. We are very much looking forward to that day!