South Africa: Hello there, Cape Town

So we're starting our trip to South Africa this time by staying in the hotel where Leigh's best friend works as the purchasing manager. It. Is. Incredible. But seriously. It's amazing. Nicholas even had this waiting for Leigh when we arrived: 

It's a cold six-pack of his favorite beer. Look at the beautiful view and the beautiful room.

We had an incredible time seeing Jade and visiting Pa, who lives with Jill's brother Michael and his family. We haven't seen all of them since Ma passed away, so it was really special to spend time with Pa. He is hilarious and still has jokes. The food was, of course, incredible, as is always the case when we are in South Africa, and the company was, of course, even better.

News on Ma

Ma was released from the hospital today to go home. At this point, she will receive hospice care. There isn't much left that can be done at the hospital. Jill is going to go home, and we are so grateful for that. This is a really tough time for Leigh and his family. Please pray for them and for Ma.

Prayers for Ma

Today Leigh's grandmother, Ma, was put in the trauma center (sort of like ICU I think) at a hospital in Cape Town, South Africa. She's been in bed for several days, which is absolutely unlike her. She also has cold hands and feet. Please say a prayer for her.

Ma is Jill's mother. She and Pa met Mia for the first time when we were there in June. As usual, Ma and Pa were hilarious. Ma called Mia a twit, which might have been the funniest moment of the entire vacation. They loved on Mia the whole time. It was really special.

Hello Cape Town!

We arrived this morning in Cape Town after another easy flight with Mia. We flew on a local carrier - Kalulu - and I have to say, this is the most impressive airline I've been on. We arrived 25 minutes early and our luggage was on the belt before we even got there.

We visited the Mother City in 2007 but didn't have much time to walk around the city, so we spent lots of time doing that today. It was so fun, and it was great to see Cape Town in detail. We visited Green Market Square and the beautiful downtown gardens. The city is full of fashionable shops and fashionable people. It's a place for the weird and wonderful and young. And of course we couldn't pass up a chance for seafood on the Water Front.

It was the first time for Mia to meet Jade, and it was love at first sight. Mia only spent a few minutes warming up before Auntie Jade won her over. It was so awesome that they finally met. Oma Jill is here in Cape Town, and she was happy to see Mia after a long, long, long two week separation. It's a battle to see who will cuddle Mia more - her grandmother or auntie. The two of them bought her an outfit to keep her warm during the winter here. It's a little grey bear suit thing, like the outfit Max wears in "Where the Wild Things Are" except grey. It might be the funniest thing ever. What's cuter than a cute baby? A cute baby that looks like a koala.

Mia also had the chance to meet Jill's parents, Ma and Pa. Pa is about to turn 90 and Ma is in her late 80s. It was really special for them to meet Mia. Until Ma called her a twit. Mia wasn't warming up so quickly and Ma didn't care for that at all. (These are the same grandparents who called me chubby when we met in 2007. haha Great.) Jill tried to convince me twit was a term of endearment, but I don't buy it as a difference in cultural interpretation. But I guess when you're that age you can say whatever you want.