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.