So happy to be home!

Ella & Isha

Ahh so much has happened even since we have returned to Luanda. The kids are constantly doing things I think would be so funny to blog about. We have had so many wonderful  outings and a wonderful Christmas.

Since I know I won't be able to remember any of the things I wanted to share before now that I am actually writing I will just start with today.  Today Ella, Teg and I went to the Orphanage to check on the children. Ella is actually excited to visit this year and loves helping me with bandaids and other things in the clinic like Malaria testing ... Just kidding.  Teg is in heaven because he has  loads of older kids to carry him around and show him things. Unfortunately the one thing he really wanted to see was the "puppy" which is a really sick dog that lives there. 

 It was the cutest thing today little Isha who I think is 5 and not much bigger then Ella was hauling Teg around on her hip,  he probably weighs at least 30lbs now I don't know how she did it. 

There is a little boy there that is new, he is beautiful but looks like he has lived 1000 years already. When he  came in I guess he would growl and bite people because he had been so badly abused and neglected. He is 4 but weighs less then Teg, maybe 20lbs. He also has so many scars on him. I can't imagine what he has been through.   The other children have done amazing things for him with their love and kindness he is a totally different little boy now. Today I spent extra time cuddling and holding him. He longs for it and I know all he wanted to do was fall asleep in my arms but just couldn't I am sure he does not sleep well any time.  When we left he tried to get in the car with us. It broke my heart he was so sad. 

We also went to the orphanage for Christmas, they sang some songs for us and then they had a Christmas party and we handed out gift for them. It was the best thing when they all finally got to open them, you could just  feel the happiness.  I remember feeling bad when we were wrapping the gifts a couple days prior, thinking what a waste of paper/trees..., but the children treasured everything even the Christmas paper, many of the children folded it up and kept it. My little angel boy took forever to open his gift, I am sure it is the first present he has ever opened. He clearly was unsure what to do. He tore the paper open in one little area and kept peeking in then putting it back together. I tried to show him how to take some of the little cars out of the packaging but he would just put them back in. Finally when he opened his big gift he was so excited and ran around showing everyone.  BEST MOMENT THIS MONTH and totally made my Christmas.

We also got to see the children we are sponsoring to go to school and the girl my dad is sponsoring.  They are wonderful. Today the girl my dad sponsors wanted to come to our house, she didn't leave my side all day, I think she is beyond happy that we are helping her go to school and really care about her. 

My Angel

It was one of the best days we have had so far, even though  Teg is fighting a bad ear infection and has been beyond cranky, the kids were wonderful tonight and Brett is home tomorrow. Yeah!!!