Friday, October 30, 2009

To My Readers...

Sorry I've neglected to blog for almost two weeks now! We ran out of bandwidth halfway through the month and so we've had to cut back strictly to e-mails only as each extra gig costs a fortune. All that to say, I haven't forgotten you and I'm looking forward to posting pictures and telling you what I've been up to the past while....so hang in there!

Monday, October 19, 2009

Play-Doh!

Some pictures of the fun things we made...







Wednesday, October 14, 2009

Children

How far you go in life depends on your being tender with the young, compassionate with the aged, sympathetic with the striving and tolerant of the weak and strong. Because someday in life you will have been all of these.--George Washington Carver

When I approach a child, he inspires in me two sentiments; tenderness for what he is, and respect for what he may become.--Louis Pasteur

Bitter are the tears of a child: Sweeten them.Deep are the thoughts of a child: Quiet them.Sharp is the grief of a child: Take it from him.Soft is the heart of a child: Do not harden it.--Pamela Glenconner

Photo of the Month!
Oooohhh they're just too adorable in this one. This picture got the most "votes" from people in the home. I love the adoring look Brendan is giving himself!


Brendan trying to hide under the desk.

Kiara seems to be into goofy smiles these days. Brendan looks like such a goodie-goodie boy with his hair combed to the side.


Trying to escape down the garden path...

Kiara and one of the smaller eland.

Tuesday, October 13, 2009

Fun Weekend

We couldn't find the pool balls...only one red one! So we invented our own game--African style. It was a lot of fun, and rather tricky too. The gourds were light, and too fat so they kept bouncing out of the pockets.



Celly showing off the "cutest, tiniest coffee maker ever"!
Tina was out bellydancing but she and Christo joined the fun once her show was over. We played "Kings" for a long time, maybe till 2:00!

Thursday, October 8, 2009

Sick Ones

Today was such a different day with the kids.--A "let's-play-hospital" kind of day. Kiara has a tummy bug and is "oh so sick". Brendan is teething; he has watery eyes, looks flushed, and is very tired. Kiara threw up a few times this morning. The poor thing tries so hard to use the bucket I brought for her...but it's not easy when you're only three. Brendan meanwhile looks at her with a strange look, he's probably thinking something like, "What? I thought we're not allowed to spit our food! Why does she get all the attention?". But I told him to pray for Kiara so he cups his hands and makes his respectful face. What a sweetie! I put Brendan in his bed and made a bed in the classroom for Kiara. I read her stories while Brendan slept. She was so quiet and sick she just wanted to stroke my arm or hold my hand. When Brendan woke up watched a little video together. He seems to be doing a lot better but Kiara is still quite sick and throwing up. Please keep them in your prayers!

Tuesday, October 6, 2009

My Work = My Life


“Life becomes harder for us when we live for others, but it also becomes richer and happier.”-- Albert Schweitzer




On our walk to see the zebras..

Kiara looking prim and proper.

The smile that melts my heart...:)
My little orange-juice-aholic! If you give him a cup of orange juice he'll down it in no time pausing only to breathe.

Monday, October 5, 2009

Good Days 'n Different Days

You know how some days are good, in every sense of the word ( you got a lot accomplished, made someones day, didn't lose your temper and snap at people, had Word time, maybe exercise...), and then some days are bad or just plain difficult and downright annoying!
This last weekend was good, I made it through Saturday and I was healthy and alive enough to spend the evening with friends. I "woke up" after a few beers, and it turned out to be lots of fun! Sunday was our day off, it was so relaxing..and I slept in till 10:00. Joyce and Liz invited us to their place and we had dinner with them, plus a lot of talking and laughing of course.
But today was one of those bad/difficult/annoying days! It was one of those "straw(s) that broke the camel's back" days. Besides having my name plastered all over the schedule, I ate something for breakfast that apparently did not agree with me. It decided to give my mouth an allergic reaction: something like when you burn your tongue, except it's my whole mouth! Turns out I also have a camel's back--as it decided to give up while cooking dinner. But all glory and praise to God because dinner turned out to be a success even though I was hobbling around like Quasimodo while chopping the vegetables and stirring the pot, (you get the picture). Anyway, I shouldn't say much more about all the little straws as I'd rather not glorify all the bad stuff.
Now that the day is over I can pretty much laugh at the things that were driving up the wall. If I take time to look back on the week or the past month I see things in a different light. I guess even though it seems so bad at the moment, I'm thankful for the "bad days" since they really help me appreciate the good days! Hmmmm, maybe I should stop calling them "bad days" and just call them "different days". What do you think?

Thursday, October 1, 2009