Banaange!!!!!

Time is flying by so quickly. I feel so attached the kids here already! I don't know how in the world we're going to leave. I actually am looking in to staying a little longer. Nikki and Natalie will be going back on September 10th as planned, but I'm considering staying until November. I have no job to go back to, no school, no rent to pay, no commitments of any kind... so why not? I am just loving it and don't really see why I should be in a rush to get home! I'm just waiting to see if there's room for me to stay. A lot of other volunteers are signed up to come in the next couple of months, so we'll see!

Our days are so full here. We start working with the kids at 8am. Like I said in the other post, I've been with Baby A. The "premies." Really just the babies under a year old. I am so in love with them. A bunch of them have these horrible blistery rashes, though, so please keep them in your prayers. Up until today that didn't seem to bother them, but the two that have it the worst were extremely fussy today and just inconsolable. I felt terrible. But somehow, even with their ear splitting screams that sometimes don't stop no matter what I try, I still have this overflowing love for them. I have all these precious babies that fall asleep in my arms every day. How could I not love that?

Every night, regardless of which baby room I'm helping in, I've been going into the toddler boys room before I call it a night. One reason is because it's my favorite time of day with them cause they're super cuddly and want hugs and kisses, which they run away from most of the rest of the time. But another reason is because I have completely fallen in love with this one particular boy with the biggest smile and the biggest belly you've ever seen. And I LOVE putting him to bed. When he sees me coming his huge smile spreads across his face and he hides in the corner of his bed and laughs and laughs when I sit on his bed and tickle his belly. Then he asks for a hug and I hug him and kiss his forehead and say goodnight and he says "goodnight" with his enormous lips and adorable little voice. And tonight he said "I love you!" and my heart basically just melted and I haven't quite recovered. I can't tell you what an impact this little boy has had on me. The other day I was feeling really down and I went out into the yard where all the kids were playing and he ran up to me asking to be picked up. Eventually I had to put him down and he just cried and cried. I was gone for at least five minutes, and I came back to find him in the exact same spot still crying, with Natalie next to him trying to comfort him. The second I picked him up he stopped crying and I just held him for a while on the tire swing and found so much comfort with him in my arms. I just adore him. When we took the toddlers on our special outing yesterday to get milkshakes and brownies I took him. He drank the milkshake so fast I didn't even get to share it with him! And he didn't make it halfway through the brownie before his tummy started aching... "Auntie, my belly's hurting."

You probably really don't care to hear anymore about this little boy so I'll spare you more stories, but o how I wish I could take him home. Seriously, this little boy is probably the highlight of my days. Aside from little Helene. She's my other favorite :) She is one of the happiest babies I've ever seen and has the funniest little smile that distorts her whole face (which I sadly haven't been able to capture on film). I adore her.

I could go on and on about each individual kid, but it would take forever and you most likely wouldn't care. They each have something soooo special and lovable about them. At the end of every day I feel drained and exhausted, but at the start of every new day I can't wait to pour out more love than I ever thought I could possess on these darling little children, most of whom will never know what it's like to be part of a real family. It's hard to remember they're orphans when you see how happy they are. I'm not going to tell you right now about all the times my heart has broken for these kids and their horrible situations, but my tears are always quickly stemmed by the next adorable thing that they do or say. They have so much joy, you'd never know the awful situations they've come from or even that they live in an orphanage.

I hope you all are doing well. We REALLY appreciate all your love and support!

Love love love,

Alea

Our special outing with the kids... the restaurant brought out toys for them to play with!

My LOVE.

Jinja.

Helene! Somehow she managed to steal my glasses...

Precious little Benja.