It's Official!
Kagiso is ours!!! (or we are his...not sure which way this goes...)
We had a crazy morning with coffee spills (explosions) and glass breaking and all sorts of mishaps (the nerves of "new" parents?!?!). But...we made it to the court on time and all the details were all taken care of. We were extremely fortunate to be in the Benoni Family Court. It was run well and everyone we met could not have been more gracious (our attorney assured us that this is rarely her experience).

Here we are on our way into court...

Jeff wore his sport coat so Kahee wanted to wear his jacket too...which was--of course--a Nike (silky) jacket. Perfect. He is soooo Olsson.

We had the same court time as the other American family. Here is a group photo with Debbie our attorney in the middle...

Kagiso and Julia..the new "South African Americans"! :)

This is Beverly. She has overseen Kagiso's care for the last two years...they are very close and she has been amazing to work with...

And...finally...the Magistrate stamped and signed the order and we are officially a family of five!
Interestingly enough, many of the court employees remembered Kagiso from when he was a newborn. One Magistrate referred to him as the size of a "rugby ball" when he first came to the court. She was amazed at his health and good fortune to be placed with us. She assured us that his first foster mom was an incredibly good mother and that he has had excellent care. We were honored by these dear people and blessed by their personal interest in our family and our son. Wow...the hand of God has been so evidently on his life.

We're done...off to a celebratory lunch at "Wimpy!"

We are hoping to take a few days to travel starting tomorrow. Our dream was to head to Cape Town, but we do not have the correct paperwork yet to travel by plane with our little son. So...plan B is to drive to Durban. We'll see! We here it is beautiful there and that there is the possibility of swimming with dolphins...something that has been at the top of Zinnia's wish list for a long time.

Six hours in the car with a feisty three year old? Lovely. 

Well...today's blog is going to be Kahee Quotes...

1. While brandishing a knife at dinner he randomly pointed at Zinnia and me and said, "I need to cook you breakfast!"

2. We picked up a "baby book" of his from Oasis Haven today and enjoyed looking at all of the baby pictures. It is so weird and surreal to try to piece together my own son's first three years. Jeff was driving as we gazed at the pages in the back seat. "I must show daddy my book!" he exclaimed. (*note Oskar in that back of this photo in a "time out" with his iPad!)

So...babies were on his mind when he said to me, "If you gave me a baby...I would carry it on my back." He then tried to get brother on his back. Hmm....that didn't work. At least Zinnia could handle the payload.

3. We were discussing riding on an airplane back to our house which at first he thought was a great idea then he said "no." Well, we inquired, how would he see all the people from his book (the photo album we sent months ago with our picture which he refers to protectively as "his book")? "Grandpa is coming here," he stated, "and he is going to sleep in my bed with me!" I am not sure how 6'7" Wally is going to fit on his little cot. Now THAT would be a photo! ;)

4. Jeff bought a banana yogurt drink today (who thinks this looks good in the grocery store!?) and it has been a big hit. All the kids love it. Tonight at dinner we gave Kahee a teacup full. He took a big gulp and raised his fist in the air and proclaimed, " this is ni---ce...oh baby!"
This is a picture of Kahee and Mannie with said beverage:

(Side note: we went with Mannie to his church "God first"last night. They hold their services in a night club. It was just great and fun to worship with such a vibrant group. After the service we met up with Mannie and his girlfriend Andi. I think Kahee is in love...he wanted Andi to hold him and I think he was planning on going home with her...the player!

5. We are still working on the diaper/toilet dilemma. I asked him if he needed to use the toilet tonight and he smiled and replied, "No...I make a poo right now." Great. Just great.

6. Just in case you are wondering, Thomas the Tank Engine maps are not for actually playing trains...they are for making beds for your sister..she is "so tired."

7. Kahee found Zinnia's pink and white bikini in the laundry pile today. "Who's swimsuit is this?" he asked. "Zinnia's," I replied. "Hot," he said.
"I am going to wear this tomorrow!" (This coming from a boy still afraid of the pool...hmm...fashion show?)

We met our wonderful lawyers Debbie and Ruth today. They are on top of it! We got a huge binder of details and a plan to meet them tomorrow morning before we head to court. They tried to let us know that the "system" is not perfect or fancy. Really!?? Are we in Africa?!?! This should be interesting and--perhaps--a bit anti-climatic.
At any rate, the chef-baby holder-yogurt loving-pooer is ours tomorrow!  Yipppe!

We were able to get dressed, get out of the house and get to church ON TIME this morning!!! This rarely happens at home! ;)
We attended a fantastic service at Mosaiek Church. Kahee went into his "class" and had a ball. They reported that he especially enjoyed the chips (that's my boy!).
We visited Jeanetta, Gert and Gary's new home. It is a work in progress, but will be a palace when it is done! They have used "re-purposed" materials in many spots and they are beautiful...amazing what a creative eye and a budget can do. They spent their first night there, but it is still a bit like camping. We hope to stay with them toward the end of our African "season."
That is what is feels like today--a season: a season of change, a season of family, a season of restlessness. Seasons change, of course, and this one will not last forever, and we will likely look back and marvel at the color and remarkable characteristics of this time.
Tomorrow we meet our attorneys face to face. One is Debbie and the other is Ruth (a tad confusing when I am also using one of her phones..ha! Someone named Frank texted me some XOXOs..interesting!). They will answer our questions (hopefully) about court on Tuesday and the rest of the adoption process.

I am attaching photos from our morning...

Well...if I were to post a photo of today (which unfortunately I can't because my camera got left behind), it would be of Oskar riding in the stroller with Kagiso on his lap through the Johannesburg Zoo.

It is a lovely zoo, but our group was pretty lazy. Kagiso, Oskar and Gary all took turns in the stroller! We saw lions and elephants, rhinos and hippos...camels, zebras, crocodiles, a tiger, gorillas, monkeys and so much more. We also saw an amazingly diverse cross-section of families that comprise the beautiful and colorful people of South Africa.

This afternoon "Kahee" decided to refer to us as "Jeff" and "Ruth." I told him I would hence refer to him as "Mr. Olsson." Oh no, he replied,  his name is "Superman." Perfect.

When I tucked him in tonight he said that he doesn't like daddy. "Why?" I asked. "He uses two wipes" was his reply. Translation: Jeff is very thorough in his nether-region clean-up which is not met with joy. I, of course, am his favorite (a one wipe wonder). All part of my master plan.

A little snapshot from yesterday when we went to "Gold Reef City." The theme park has a gold mining theme--complete with a restaurant called "The Dig Inn" (ha!).

We met up with another American family that is adopting a little girl. We have the same court date and it was fun to swap stories and get to know each other.

I know I have been extremely tired, but I look like the walking dead in this photo. Sorry! :)

Today has been a more relaxed day....lots of hanging around. We spend some time with Jeanetta and Gary at Mosaiek Church and now Gary is with us at the house (swimming!)

Kagiso (we are trying to call him "Ka-hee"because it is so much easier to say and he responds to it) is enjoying his new clothes--especially his new track suit (thank you Aunt Sue!)...

*Jeff and Oskar think he looks like Kenny "the Jet" Smith :)

He also loves his PJs (thank you Nana!)...

Thank you for your continued prayers. As wonderful as everything is going there is a baseline of stress that feels overwhelming. We are happy but homesick too.

At 5 o'clock today I was frantically running into an upscale grocery store with a three year old who had just minutes prior leaned over in the car and said to me, "I need a toilet," (and was not--unfortunately--able to hold it). I had a plastic bag under his bum, poop running down my arm, shouting to the woman at the "info" desk, "where is the toilet!?!?"...
"Upstairs," she calming answered.
Are you kidding me?? Upstairs!?

To rewind a bit...we had spent the day at Johannesburg's equivalent of Cedar Pointe. Oskar is a thrill ride junkie. He woke at 6 am in rabid anticipation. Thus, we crossed Jo-burg in pursuit of the "Anaconda!"
Mom (me) did not pack enough "nappies"(diapers) and there has been a bit of regression and runny-tummy with all of the adoption transition.

Hence, as we were about to leave the park and had our last visit to the toilet (that is...Kagiso and me...we spend a lot of time in the bathroom), I tossed the wet nappie into the lost-forever-disposal container in the stall only to realize that was our LAST ONE. Crap. Literally. What is a "new"mother to do? I wrapped his darling bottom in toilet tissue and prayed he would not have to poo. No such luck.

Anyway, we are back at Corlia's now...Kagiso is bathed and in bed snoring like a freight train. He fell asleep with his arm around my neck. How cute is that?

We were invited to a lovely dinner last night at Corlia's friend Ronet's home. Her house has a rooftop deck on which you can see all of Johannesburg and the surrounding area. It is quite breathtaking...although a thunderstorm chased us off the roof too early for our liking!

Kagiso had his first bath (in our care) in her spacious tub facing a wall of glass with another drop-dead gorgeous view. Of course he was more interested in the measuring cups and the tap controlling the flow of warm water than the vista!

We dined on a gourmet meal, enjoyed conversation and laughter with our new friends and Oskar even found the controls for the music and led a small dance party in the kitchen ("I gotta feelin'....that tonight's gonna be a good night...")

We stayed out too late and the little guy fell asleep on my lap during the car ride home.

Today has been soccer, swimming and (for the older two) a complete and utter disregard for any school work. Can we say "summer school?"

We miss home but are being very well cared for!

(Herman with Jeff and Kagiso at Ronet's house)

(Mommy and her boys)

(Zinnia and Ronet)

(Jeff and Kagiso in matching shirts)

We had our first night as a family of five...little man was a great sleeper and is an expert tooth brusher :)

Today we have been hanging around the house...there is always a lot going on here.
New brothers photo:

So today we picked up Kagiso and said good-bye to the only family he has really known. Lots of tears--happy ones and gut-twisting ones.
Our new family photo...

They asked what we wanted them to pack for him. We thought that only his "favorites" or things that he might want later should be sent along to our house. Funny, this is all that was in his backpack...

After wrestling him into a nap (literally)...Jeff took Zinnia and Oskar to the Crocodile Park.
Oskar wrangled a snake and Zinnia cuddled a croc:

Yesterday was our "party" at the children's home where Kagiso lived...

The kids had a wonderful time...

We bought a flamingo pinata for the occasion...it was a big hit (ha, ha)...

Thank you, thank you for your prayers. My health today is a bit better. I am on several medications and have been able to be "up and about" for most of the day.

We picked up Kagiso from the children's home today for the last time. He is now with us 100%. Wow.

Yesterday we had a party at the house for his birthday (even though it was on the 6th). It was lovely being with all of the kids--there are 9 other children that he has lived with for the past year and a half. They are all incredibly special kids...ranging in age from 2 to 15.  When Jeff returns from the Crocodile park with Zinnia and Oskar (and my camera) I will post photos from our party!

Thank you again for your prayers for my health and continued prayers for our "new" family. Corlia keeps reminding me that what we are doing is an "extraordinary thing" and I am fully cognizant that the enemy does not want us to flourish in it. 

Hello everyone this is Zinnia(your guest blogger)! Just wanted to let you know that my mom is very sick and is not doing well as of earlier this afternoon. Her body is very achey and she has a super high fever, and nausea.  A doctor and our friend are getting some medicine and are coming over for a look, so we should have an update soon. As a request of my mom we ask that you PLEASE PRAY for for quick recovery and that she will feel better and be more like herself soon!(Especially because my new little brother, Kagiso, moves in with us tomorrow.) 

Thank you for your prayers! They are greatly appreciated!-

We took Kagiso to the Lion park today. Yes, those are baby lion cubs playing with Zinnia and Oskar! Kagiso and I stayed at a safe distance.
The larger lions were just outside our car window. The sign recommended not getting out of the car or rolling your windows down (I suppose dangling a raw steak is not a good  idea either...duh).

A very fun day,  but we are still quite tired.
Tonight...maybe a movie!

We got caught in a traffic jam today...Africa style!

Wow...today was a full day.
Jeff went with our host Herman to a school to pass out Bibles at 7:30 am (they had a great time) and then we picked up Kagiso around 9:30. He is doing much better health wise. He was waiting for us on the porch wearing a big grin and a baseball hat!

He was--however--quite a handful today. Not only is all of this totally overwhelming, he is also testing us. Are we really here? Are we really here for HIM? Will we love him no matter what? Will we still be kind and love him if he is naughty? Whew. This transition is not a bed of roses. And, of course, no one said it would be.

As you can see from the photos, he is absolutely adorable and his little "formal" English accent slays us. He even says "yesh" instead of "yes." He understands everything and can be very verbal if he chooses. He can also count, name colors, etc. He is one smart little cookie (ha! see above mentioned note on naughtiness...nothing gets by this kid).

We met us with Jeanetta and Gary and ran the kids ragged at a restaurant play-place. Kagiso fell asleep in the car (see above) and we returned him to the children's home tired, dirty and--likely--a bit confused. Actually, I returned back to our place that way too!!! ;)

A dip in the pool, a lovely dinner and a movie...oh and updating all of  you...now who knows what tomorrow might bring? Rumor is...lions!!!

This morning I took Kagiso to the doctor (with the house manager and one of his caregivers). The doctor diagnosed him with dehydration because of a stomach virus (which hopefully I am not now getting...yikes). He may also have a little infection, so we might need an antibiotic.

He was very lethargic and a bit more unsure of us today. We did not stay long after the appointment at the house. It felt so strange to just leave him like that.

It was 32* C today and now the African rains have come upon us. Wow--it is breathtaking. Maybe it will cool off a bit.

Apparently now this afternoon Kagiso is doing better and our plan is to take him for the day tomorrow. We'll see. One day at a time...we are learning patience if nothing else.

We covet your prayers.

Per Uncle Scotty's request...an updated family photo taken on Tuesday just after our meeting.

We just got a call that Kagiso is sick today. We are hoping to get him in to see the doctor soon. Poor little guy. Perhaps his little body is overwhelmed. 

This is David and Martha. They have been Kagiso's parents for the last 14 months. They are dear, dear people and they love him immensely.

This transition is very hard for them. They know that it is wonderful that we are here to adopt Kagiso, but I can tell that it is breaking their hearts. I hug Martha long and hard when I see her. I tell her that I know this is terribly difficult for her. She is the one my boy clings to when he is scared and snuggles with when he is tired.

David is a beautiful man of God who has a passion for street kids and has experienced an incredible healing from cancer. He is a slight man with big love and I am so grateful that Kagiso has had two parents who have exhibited marriage and family and stability.

This, of course, means that tearing Kagiso away from his South African family is that much harder. I feel this today and pray for David and Martha. 

Yesterday I hit a wall...probably one built with blocks of jet lag, but I fell hard. I could hardly finish lunch before I crawled into bed. Jeff and I went for a run after waking and I asked him if my exhaustion was jet lag, physical or emotional. He thought all three with the jet lag exacerbating everything!

We had  an amazing dinner with Corlia, Herman and Mannie (their son who is in High School). They are wonderful to us and our gratitude is hard to measure. We mentioned that we might get Kagiso as early as this weekend and asked if they were ready--I told them that they are adopting too!!! Having a three year old in the house will be a big change. Corlia is worried about the swimming pool. Perhaps we will get little guy some swim lessons. 

We were able to spend the morning with Kagiso...he really liked "mom's glasses!"Tomorrow we get him for the whole day. 

My three kids.
Aren't they beautiful!?!

Miss Zinnia posing in front of our "home away from home!"

Arrival at the Johannesburg airport! I am not sure who looks more exhausted Oskar or Gary! Blessings on the Basson family for picking us up...four tired bodies and a mountain of luggage.

Sunday morning at the Grand Rapids airport...
Living with Oskar is never boring...traveling with him is downright entertaining.

We have arrived in Johannesburg after over 20 hours of travel. It is 80* here and we are tired but happy. Gert, Jeanetta and Gary picked us up at the airport and we are settling in to the home of our friends Corlia and Herman.

We need some serious rest...BIG day tomorrow!!!!

Well...tomorrow we fly to Africa. So far we have lost one iPod, weighed and re-weighed our four enormous suitcases and we are packing more snacks than any four people could eat in one year of transatlantic flights.

The focus today seems to be on all the things we need to gather for the trip...yet my heart is stirring for this little boy who will soon be ours. What is he doing right now? How aware is he that we are coming?...we are coming...

Last night our extended family gathered for a precious time of laughing, crying and praying (often all three simultaneously). We huddled in a multi-generational circle and spoke of this new family member; we pondered aloud about how much we love him even though we haven't met him yet.

After learning that we are pronouncing his name incorrectly (the "g" sounds more like a throat-clearing "h"...heaven help us), I am thinking of him simply as "my boy," "my son," "my African love."

Peace be with you.