Merry Christmas folks. After two and a half years apart my sister-in-law's husband, eight-year-old and three-year-old have finally joined us stateside. Our little house has upped its number of occupants to 6. They are in America to stay. One day I'll tell you the story of their trip, but it included a bus breaking down 600 km away from Johannesburg on the way to meet their plane. He hitchhiked with the two kids and 3 bags all the way to South Africa and made it to the plane in time. After 26 total hours in a plane and 13 total layover hours (not to mention the 18 hour bus/hitchhiking experience) they are together at last. It's truly the culmination of years of work on everyone's part.
Merry Christmas!