Favorites :)

So not too much has been going on here this past week. We've just been trying to get back to normal after everything that's been happening. Danyne had her baby - 9lbs 7ounces! He's so big and hairy and cute :) We've gotten a few new volunteers, so the house is fillin up. We're moving this weekend down the street to a really nice bed and breakfast type place that Danyne's husband owns. We're still trying to plan our safari. It's looking like all the other volunteers want to go as well, so all 7 of us might be going! Hopefully that'll work out...

Anyways, since nothing has really been happening here, I haven't had anything to update, but I thought I would talk a little bit more about my favorite kids. They're just too cute for words. I know you're not supposed to have favorites, but it's pretty impossible not to develop a special bond with at least one of the kids. I have a bunch of favorites. Walter was one... he was so precious. And there's Alima. She is teeny tiny and quiet and reserved, but when she smiles, which isn't too often, she scrunches up her little nose and oh my goodness it melts my heart. And Henry. He is four months old and is about the same size as Danyne's one week old baby! He's so small and has these dark little eyes and his smile just... ugh he is cute. And Matthias... he has some hearing problems and some volunteers were here earlier this summer that taught him sign language, so he is constantly telling me he loves me in sign language and he is the first one to run and greet us when we come in the gate or come down the stairs. He just comes running with his arms outstretched screaming "Auntie!!" with the hugest smile on his face. Ok I think I could go through every single kid here and tell you something about them, but I'll try to keep it to just a couple more.

Dan. If I had to pick one kid as my favorite, it's Dan. I ADORE him. I mean, this child... even when he cries it is cute. He throws tantrums in slow motion. His lips slowly turn down and his mouth slowly opens and then he starts to cry. If you're holding him and set him down he'll just lay down on the ground and pretend to sleep. He's a drama queen. But oh how he melts my heart. He says the funniest things. I have a video of him saying "cockadoodledoo" but I haven't been able to upload a video onto the blog, so I'll have to wait till I get home to put it on here. It's just adorable. He looks like a little hippo, so we've been calling him that and so now when he sees me he says, "Pippooooo!!!" And when you ask him who his best friend he pats his belly. He has a nice big round belly. Ugh he cracks me up. It is REALLY hard not to treat him differently that the other kids cause I am just in love with him. He has stolen my heart. I want a child just like him. I wish I could have him, but even if I were in a position to adopt him, he has family, so I couldn't anyways. But I wish with my whole heart I could keep him. Oh my, I love him to pieces.

Zurita. This little girl is probably 2 years old and can't walk or crawl. She scoots around the floor by shifting her weight and scooting her legs forward one at a time. She has a big round belly and tiny little twiggy arms and legs and the most beautiful little face. Her front teeth are rotten, and I just can't imagine the conditions this girl came from for her to be in this shape. But my goodness. Her little giggle... when she laughs it's hard to tell that she's not crying. She squinches up her face like she is crying, but she just giggles and giggles. She has the funniest little laugh. And it took me so long for me to even get her to smile. Now I just have to make a face at her and she just laughs and laughs. I adore this child. She is PRECIOUS!!!

Helene. I LOVE Helene. I WISH I could take her home. She has this funny tuft of hair on the top of her head. All around it she is bald, but this tuft is long and bushy and just so funny. And she is such a goofy baby. Everything she does has just captured my heart and I can't get enough of her. When I walk into the room her smile just covers her face and she reaches towards me and starts giggling. She is so happy and giggly and just absolutely adorable. I wish I could describe all the funny things she does and cute little sounds she makes, but just take my word for it. This girl is impossible not to love. If I'm having a bad day all I have to do is find this girl and cuddle her for a bit and I immediately feel better. She just lights up my day. In a perfect world I would take all three of these little ones home with me so they could complete my life and fill me with joy every day. I just cherish them and have no idea how I'm going to manage to part from them.

One of our little boys was supposed to go back to his family last week, but they wanted him to meet them first, so we took him today and he met his grandmother and saw where he is going to live, and I am just so excited that we are going to send a kid back to his family and he actually has a good situation to go to. His grandmother is very young and seems absolutely lovely. She was kind to him and welcomed him and seemed like she's going to provide him with lots of love. She lives in an actual house and seems pretty well off. It is so relieving knowing that he is going to a nice place. We're supposed to go visit the boy that I took to his dad two weeks ago and bring him clothes and check on him later this week. I really hope to find him happy and adjusting.

So God is continuing to challenge me and help me to grow. The kids are constantly filling my heart and bringing me so much joy and love. I am so grateful that I am still here and that I have 3 more weeks before I have to say goodbye. I love every second of it. I am loving teaching preschool. I love taking the kids on outings. I love taking them to church. I love spending time with the other volunteers. I love waking up to the sound of roosters crowing and babies crying. I love going to bed feeling exhausted and worn out and used up. I love the warmth and community I feel with the people I've met here. I love how hospitable and welcoming everyone is. I love looking out the window and seeing Lake Victoria. I love everything here and I appreciate all of you for supporting me and for taking the time to read this. I hope God blesses you and fills you up. Love!

Alea