There was an old woman.... That sat above the toilet.

Faith finally discovered the 'creepy woman' today.  We've been home 2 weeks today, and I'm surprised it took her this long to find her.

We got the woman statue as a hand-me-down, and couldn't figure out where to put her..   We were young and just married and as a joke, I thought it would be funny to put her up on the cabinet above the toilet, as if she were 'peeking' on everyone... It was just a joke, but here we are, 4 years later, and she's still there.  I think for several of those years, I've completely forgotten about her.  She's never been dusted, or cleaned, or cared for.  I only seem to remember she's there when some comes out of the bathroom saying "What's with the creepy woman above the toilet?"

Faith's been pretty good at following Deken's lead.  Since both my kids came home potty-trained, for Faith, it was just a matter of learning the whole 'bathroom routine' (turn on light, go potty, wipe, flush, wash hands, turn off light, etc)  Plus the investment of a taller stool for shortstuff over here.

(notice there are three stools... fun, huh?  The new tall one for Faith, is too tall for Deken, so I had to keep his stool there too.  And Faith needs one for the toilet, but couldn't move the big one, so she has a little one that she keeps next to the toilet and moves back and forth, every time she has to go... It's a whole big fiasco, but it works for us, for now, until the peanut grows a bit, lol..  moving on....)

Since about the 3rd day we had been home, she's been able to go to the bathroom all on her own, without my help (yeah for a 2nd quick learner!).  Only every once and a while does she call for help when she can't get the soap to come out...  But today!  Oh boy... was I laughing big time...

After asking to go to the bathroom, she went on her way down the hall, and all was quiet for about 3 minutes.  Then the whimpering came.  Then it started getting louder, and I wondered what she could have gotten in to now.....  As I made my way down the hall, she came running out, pants down, screaming!  Even at that sight, I started laughing, which I know is mean, but I couldn't fathom what the heck was causing my half naked child to run in fret!  

I walked her back to the bathroom and peered in asking what was wrong.  She sheepishly hid behind me, looked around my leg into the bathroom, and with her little finger pointing up said, "  Mommy, Jjaja!"  and then quickly buried her face in my leg.

HAHA! I couldn't stop laughing.  I looked down at her and saw such a mass of confusion in her eyes, I knew I was stuck figuring out a way to explain this one to her.... oh boy!

I climbed up the stool and reached for, none other than, the famous 'creepy woman'.

I know, I know, she is kind of creepy.  But I seriously had forgotten about her up there, for years!  Deken's never noticed her either.  After bringing her down off the shelf and dusting her off, Faith let out a wail and yet again ran out of the bathroom, down the hall with her pants down.  I ever so cautiously hoaxed her back and picked her up in my lap.  I tried to explain to her that the woman wasn't real.  She stopped crying but still wasn't buying it...  I tried knocking on the woman's head, saying "not real".  Somehow that was going over either.  I had to settle for explaining that the woman was a Nice Woman, and it's ok.  I showed Faith her pretty necklace and after a little more hoaxing got her to run her hand around the creepy woman's fake pearls...  She then gave the woman a kiss and smiled, followed by a "Mommy, ganda!" as she pointed back to the top of the shelf...

So, up the woman went, back to her dusty shelf (maybe I'll get to that one of these days...) and Faith smiled and continued on her way.  She made a very deliberate point of telling me all about the woman and her necklace the next time we went to the bathroom, but she seemed content..  Hopefully she will soon forget she's there.. just like I did....

Now to go work on some storytime.  As I type this, Deken is sitting on the couch reading Stuart Little, as Faith sits next to him reading my sewing machine manual...  There's never a dull moment over here!

There's 4 of us now....

I'd  post a picture, but the internet is giving me a hard time....  But, there's 4 of us now.  We couldn't be happier.

I know it's only been 10 days, but I'm already having trouble remembering what it was like as just 3 of us. 

Oh yah, I forgot, I can just picture home and I remember.  But soon my memories disappear and I can start to see the 4 of us at home, even though we haven't been there yet.

I wonder if Deken pictures home and thinks that when we go back he will still have it all to himself.  He's different now.  He's taller, and slender.  He looks 3 years older than I remember.  He's still learning the "help your sister" aspect, but he really gets the "go play with your sister part".  Sometimes much better than I had imagined.  They seem to be in tandem, the two of them, one right after the other, just switching off who the leader is, 24/7.

I don't think I ever had a better understanding of the whole "following God's Plan" thing, until I saw my TWO children together on the first day, for the first time.  It was as if they knew each other all along.  Within minutes they were calling each other by name, and playing together with their toys.  10 days later, it's still the same.  They play together, sit together, share food, and teach each other new things, all day everyday.

Even when they wake up before mom and dad, they play quietly in their bed together, whispering and giggling, as if it were Christmas morning, and they knew what was soon to come.  We've never asked them to be quiet in the morning.  We never told them to whisper when they wake up.  We never told them they have to stay in their bed.  They just do it.  They appreciate the little moments together in the morning, just them.  They love it.  And so do I.

I'm sure there is more to come.  The failure to share.  The yelling at each other.  The pushing, the shoving.  The typical sibling rivalry.  But so far, I'm enjoying the peace.  The relaxation.  The fact that we can give them something to do, and an hour later they are still entertained amazes me.  Best practices start from the beginning, and we've had a pretty awesome one of those.

Still figuring out a few things to come home.  We should know more sometime this week.  I hope it's sooner, rather than later, before the peace of being brother and sister ends!!

:)

Happy Birthday Deken!

I tried for 20 grueling minutes yesterday to get Deken to tell me what he wanted for Breakfast on his birthday.....  At first I don't think he was understanding that I was asking for TOMORROW's breakfast, because when I first asked he went and sat at the table like he was waiting to eat, even though he had just had lunch 20 minutes before...

Then, after going through the whole "what's tomorrow mean" thing, he finally said "I want Sausage and Noodles please"   hrumph....  Well, sausage and noodles is a dinner thing, and none of which I had on hand, which is odd, because that's what Deken asks for everyday for each meal.. You'd think I'd have the supplies on hand at all times....

Then I tried to hoax him with a " But it's your birthday, and you get to have something special for breakfast"  After that, all I got out of him was "Um, I'd like some candles mom"   Ugh...

At this point I realized that I probably had to list some things for him.  "Deken, you can have pancakes with chocolate chips, or mommy can make you eggies, or we can go to a restaurant and have breakfast? Any of those?"  (Slow shaking head)... Really? Not even Chocolate Chip Pancakes! Dad's not even home!!!

At this point Deken got up and slowly walked through the kitchen looking around.  Until he found it.  He looked at me, and looked at the box, and then looked at me again and pointed.  Really?  That's what you want for your special birthday breakfast?  A poptart?

Mind you he has a poptart basically everyday for breakfast.... (and by poptart I mean the whole grain organic with the slightest bit of sugar kind from Costco)..  I said "A poptart?"  And I got something along the lines of:

"WOOWHOO (Rocky arms in the air)  Yeah Poptart and Yogurt! (I always give him a probiotic yogurt in the morning too) Woo Deken's Birthday!"

Followed by Deken so desperately trying to get three fingers in the air... He's got two, and he can do 5 and 1, but 3 looks pretty arthritic... So he gave up, winked and eye, shot a thumbs up and said "Oh yah poptart"  But nice try big boy.  We're getting there goofball..

So, against my will, this morning I woke Deken up singing Happy Birthday, holding a cherry pomegranate poptart with a candle on top.  As I was singing he even had the nerve to say "Mom hurry, I want to blow the candle out!"  Really kid?

I can't believe that 18 months ago Daddy and I had no children, and now we have a big 3 yr old and a sweet 2 yr old.  Unbelievable to me...  And the sweetest present of all today was that the US G*v told us that we can bring your sister home.  :) 


What's that?  Popcorn for lunch?  Ok... I guess I can manage that... 

Happy Birthday Sweet Boy! 

(UN)Requested Prayer

When I lay fast asleep in my bed each night, a young man in Uganda is awake. Working.Laboring.Preaching.  A priest with a soft voice but a strong message.

A man, that without me knowing it, prays for me and my family, when he doesn't even know we need it.  His words are powerful.  And they are FOR me...  His words are eloquent, encouraging, and full of praise to our King.  And they are FOR me...

This morning Marty and I needed something really big to happen.  It was super important.  We prayed hard that it would work out, and chose to rely on God's grace for it to be so.  We were incredibly blessed by a small miracle this morning, and can now take the next step to bringing our sweet baby girl home!

This afternoon, while checking through all my emails I found an email from my saving grace.  15 hours before our 'big thing' this morning.  He wished us a Merry Christmas, and told us that he was praying for us today.

He prays for me, when I need it most, and he doesn't even know it..  What an incredible friendship Marty and I have been blessed with, in this wonderful man that thinks of us and prays for us.  Just.Because.

Did I mention, it's because of this great man, that Marty and I went to Uganda last year in the first place?  A trip where we met our son?  Setting a path that, a year later, brought us a wonderful daughter?

Today I'm so thankful for the little miracles that God brings us.  After our big accomplishment this morning, I told a sweet friend how thankful I was, that God not only provides for our needs, but surpasses our needs, with everything He's got... Just.Because.

I'm so behind on my surpassing...  He shows me how each and every day.  He shows a sweet priest, 8,000 miles away the same.  I.Am.So.Blessed.  I don't deserve it.

In 8 wonderful days, my family of 3 will be getting on a plane finally.  And in a few short weeks will be coming home a family of 4.

So.Very.Blessed.

Skipping Christmas

I absolutely love this movie... Actually, it started as a book called Skipping Christmas by John Grisham.  I read the book first, but I knew a movie was coming out and who the actor's were going to be, so it was really hard to read the book and not picture the actors saying everything.  It was still a hilarious book, and I watch the movie every Christmas season.  Love it!

However, I never thought I would say "We're skipping Christmas this year"   Ok, well, we're not totally skipping Christmas.... We're just not decorating...  We've bought presents (frugally) and we're attending all the Christmas parties, and we've been talking up the birth of baby Jebus to Deken like crazy.  But there's no tree in our house, or lights out side.  No swags on the mantle or garland in the archways....  Just two little elf candle holders on the table that were a gift from the other day and Deken and I cut out some snowflakes and a snowman from some coffee filters, to hang in the windows....

The reason?  We think we will be in Uganda for Christmas (YEAH!)  We're not for sure yet, still planning, but Deken's passport arrived the other day (yes, he's coming with us!!!) and we are on the last leg of our 'approvals wait'.  We are soooo hoping to be together, as a family of FOUR for Christmas....

We're not sure it will all work out (flights to Uganda at Christmas? Yikes!) But either way, it will be very soon, and we thought that lugging out the millions of Christmas boxes, from the already frozen attic, would be too much this year... Plus, we don't know how long we will be gone, and we don't want to come back to a dead and decaying tree with droopy decorations all over.. (yuck for cleaning up!)

Please pray for a speedy ending to our wait!  It's so hard to hear "Your baby girl needs her Mommy"  and not be able to jump on a plane that day to go get her....  Soon though, very soon...  I can't believe it's December 12th already!  We could be holding and tickling our baby girl in 2 weeks!!! Ugh! I can't wait!!!!

So long Christmas decorations.... This year there is a little girl about yeah high (imagine the arm motion) that is so much more important than you! (insert squishy face with tongue sticking out and a little nah-nah nah nah nah-nah)

Merry Christmas!!!!!!!

~K

Bittersweet

There were a few 'bittersweets' this week...

First, of course, leaving home, my husband and my son, yet coming here to UG to be with my daughter..

Then there was, finally being with my daughter, yet convincing her that I'm not a stranger.. hmm. that was a toughy.  Thankfully it only lasted a few hours.

This week was also the one year anniversary of Deken's homecoming to America.  Yet... I was here in UG, and not with him.

Now I have been here a whole week, and have had an amazing week getting to know this little bundle of joy of mine.  Yet, I think I officially miss my other bundle at home.  I missed him all along, but I don't think it was until I truly started to have fun and laugh and giggle with my little girl, on a regular basis, that I now realize how much I miss it at home too.

My little girl started calling me Mommy yesterday.  Before she used to swat at me and pat my leg to get my attention.  Now she sticks her face in mine and says "Mommy?"  Yet, it sounds different.  Their voices are different.  Their reflection is different.  If I was standing in a large crowd with Deken, I would recognize if he was calling me, over the rest in the room.  Now I have to listen for two sounds...  I love it, but hope I pay attention!

This week I had to do everything and anything to help my daughter settle with me...  Now we are starting to transition a bit.  It's for the best, but I kind of miss some of it...  She now will sit in her own chair to eat, yet it was kind of fun having her in my lap.  And a two days ago I got her to sleep in her own bed.  Tonight I got her to fall asleep on her own, instead of rocking her to sleep for 30 min.  It was a sweet time this past week rocking her to sleep...  But I'm glad we're past the screaming when I try to lay her down!  Tonight I laid her down first, and she stroked my face a bit, and then drifted off to sleep.  Progress!  I've been one tired momma this week.

Our moments have been sweet.   Some of them a bit bitter...  I'm so proud of her progress... yet sad that in just one week, I'm already watching her grow up and change so fast!  

Out to the village tomorrow!

~K

Sometimes

My little girl is 23 months old.  Sometimes I think she is 5, maybe 6, maybe my age....

She's sweet and funny, and super tiny, but living much older than any 23 month old should have to.  She wants to feed me and sweep the floors.  She always gives me her last bite.  She squeezes and holds me tight, then looks at my face and brushes the hair behind my ears.  If the strap on my tank falls off my shoulder she puts it back up for me.  If my shoes are on the floor she brings them to me and puts them on my feet.  I'm also pretty sure she tried to fluff my pillow last night.

I'm told by the people I'm staying with that she speaks better Lugunda than most 5 year olds. She understands my English, but can only respond in Lugunda..  After about 5 hours with me, I think she knew I couldn't understand her.  She started taking me by the hand to show me things, and pointing.  Sometimes while she's playing in the other room, she looks up at me, puts her toys down and runs to me to kiss my forehead.  Something a Mother would do while passing through a room, laundry basket in hand.

She tries to scratch my freckles off.  Today she took the end of a comb and tried to clean my toes with it.  She picks fuzz out of my hair all day long.  While I was laying on the bed reading she brought me a bottle of lotion.  I opened it and put some in her hands, and then to my surprise she rubbed it all over my leg.  Then she shook the bottle at me to open again and proceeded with my other leg.  When she was done, she put the bottle back on the table and went back to trying on the rest of her clothes (for the third day in a row).  Sometimes I can't help myself, but to let her do these things.  I've learned so much about her in just 3 days.  Sometimes I just want to cry...  Today she was picking her teeth from the pork we had at dinner, and then she tried to feed it to me... /Sometimes I forget that there was a time when she didn't have enough food to eat.. yet she still tried to give me her 'left overs'....

Sometimes I wonder how a child so young, could feel so much responsibility?  Sometimes I stop to think "Why doesn't she run around like a crazy child, play with toys screaming and yelling?  Sometimes I want to cry when she picks up the napkin at dinner and wipes my face with it....  Sometimes I want to cry when she stands in front of me and starts her own little interpretive dance... Had she gone that long without toys that she would rather wiggle around than hug and rock a baby doll to sleep?  Sometimes I forget that she's only 23 months old.  She may only be about 25 inches tall, but she stands about 25 miles high.

Sometimes I wonder why God put me on this path to be her mother.  What is it about me that HE thinks is going to be able to help this strong little girl, learn how to be a little kid?  How do you teach a child to be a child?  I've never known more patience in my entire life than I have seen in myself these last 3 days...  I never knew I was capable of something like this.  I already know what's best for her, and I've only known her three days.  I already can comfort her.  I already have taught her that when I say NO, I mean business.  I've already taught her that when she hurts, she can come to me.   I have to just keep telling myself that God thinks I am the only person in this world that can be her Mother.. But how do I teach her that the weight of the world is not on shoulders?  Oy vey...

Say a little prayer for my little girl tonight... Pray that I can show her that someday she will be a little girl, and just that.  And pray for my husband and little boy.. I miss them and their hugs so much...

Goodnight from Uganda
~K