Off, off, and away they went. Their time here went too quickly. We had a dear group of people join us here for about a week and a half. They're from South Carolina, and just the sweetest, kindest group of people I could imagine. They are dear friends now. I admire them tremendously for their hearts to serve and bless our friends here. It's no easy feat to come all the way over here. Long flights, Terminal 2, arriving to weather so hot that even your eyeballs sweat. And then, the roads, oh the roads. Even the dear old (former) SuperScreamer at Adventureland is lightyears smoother than the best road here. But came they did still. We enjoyed meals together, they even watched Eden and Isaaq so that Seth and I could enjoy a much-needed date together. They brought some treats from the homeland, and encouraged our hearts. It's so hard to live here sometimes, so far from family and friends and people who laugh at your jokes (I'm learning that American humor must be a bit different from other places:). I woke up this morning, a bit sad, because they were gone. On the long long flight back to the US. I just finished eating a Reeces Peanut Butter Easter Egg they gave us (along with a ton of other tasty candy that we can't get our hands on here), and it made me think of them. I gave Eden one of the granola bars today that they'd left for her, and she said "Aunty Kristi gave me!" Sweet little thing. They also taught her a knock-knock joke, which now has morphed to
Eden: "Knock Knock!"
Anyone who will listen to her: "Who's there?"
Eden: "ME!"
She's forgotten what the joke is actually supposed to be like. Now her newest thing is saying, "Hold you!" And then she'll sit down and try to hold you for a little bit. It's really cute. I love it when she holds me. For Father's Day she made Papa Clarkson a card and picked out a treat for him at the corner store. We also made a mold of Eden's and Isaaq's hands in PlayDough. For supper, we had a pancake extravaganza, and celebrated all the daddys (the group was still with us). It was a fun day. We also got to talk to our dads on Skype. Sweet blessing for sure.
In other news, we're getting acclimated to our new neighborhood. We are loving it. I'm making friends with all the ladies who own all the stores. They all want me to shop at their stores, which would be fine, except they all sell the SAME things! I think I'll buy meat and popcorn from Friend A, bread, flour, and popsicles from Friend B, and tomatoes and onions from Friend C. The highlight of Eden's day (other than our family tea times) is walking to the store with me. As soon as I tell her we're going to the store she screams with delight and runs to go find her shoes and head covering. I love our new neighborhood for many reasons. One of them is that it is so pleasant to walk to the stores. In our previous neighborhood we had a to walk through an area filled with trash and men peeing on the walls. In our new neighborhood we walk past our neighbors houses, and greet our friends along the way. It does something to the soul and its much more attractive to take your precious daughter out and about if you're not walking through a garbage dump in the meantime. She loves it. She's been on this kick of either sleepwalking or not wanting to sleep in her bed. Just about every night before I go to bed I find her sleeping on the rug, by the door, next to the dresser, etc. My children are such sweet blessings. Isaaq is movin movin movin. He tries to pull himself up on everything now, climbs over everything, and smiles like crazy. He really likes to look into people's eyes. This seems to be something especially important to him. He's eating a variety of solid foods now and is still breastfeeding like a champ. His favorite food? Oatmeal. No teeth yet (thankfully:), and he continues to bless us with his giggles, and sweet demeanor. perhaps I'll get around to posting pics soon. We'll see. Over and out!