Oh, Christmas Tree, Oh, Christmas Tree

Last Monday we decorated the tree in the dining room. This is a new addition to our holiday decor. I apologize in advance for the quality of the photos. The kids weren't exactly holding still much during this activity. 

Queenie helping to straighten the branches

 We bought an artificial tree from Lusaka--only way to go out here--and a few simple decorations to get it started. We're sure to have plenty of kid-made treasures to fill it up as the years go by.

Elias stretching up to wrap the lights around

Timmy and Christina helped the kids set up the tree and then Timmy supervised the decorating.

Nathan helps tidy the tinsel

He did a really good job of corralling 16 preschoolers and making them all feel a part of the experience.

Beauty and Theresa working together

Janet adding the silver beads

After a child or two  had a turn at stringing a garland 'round the tree, or adding a bobble or bell, Timmy would call for a round of applause.

Even little bitty Lizzie got to add something to the tree.

Putting the star atop the tree was the grand finale. Queenie was chosen for the honor and loved being hoisted all the way up in the air.

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Less than one week 'till Christmas. If you are as behind as I am, take a moment from the hustle and bustle to look on the lighter side of life on my side of the world:

Exactly One Year Ago: A Couple Giggles to Brighten Your Weekend

Exactly Two Years Ago: My Tatas are Tired

The Birthday That Won't Quit

My wonderful, hubby extraordinaire managed to copy some still photos off our camcorder footage. He won't share them with me though. To see them you'll have to hop over to his blog, Livingstone Man. But then hurry back and tell me how much you like them, k?

We ate the second half of my birthday cake last night. Remember I said it was chocolate, orange and buttercream? Which of those ingredients would lead to weird dreams? Sunday night, after eating cake, everyone had really strange and vivid dreams. I don't remember if I did because I slept really hard. Last night we ate it again and everyone that had some (Tom skipped it--he's still watching his figure), had weird dreams again--including me. I mean I also had weird dreams, not that I was included in everyone's dream worlds. Just wanted to clarify that. So, what on earth do you think could have caused that? 

And now, I will leave you with a shot of two of my lovelies

 Three year old Janet (R) plaiting two year old Moriah's hair.

Janet

Janet

Our Kids--Volume V

After taking in our first two orphans in October, 2007, we thought we had won the support of the community but a month and then two went by with no new children. A volunteer from the U.S joined our team and since she had come out specifically to help care for babies we felt we were letting her down. Our 10 cribs in the cheerful nursery seemed to mock us.

Then, Christmas Eve arrived and with it a man  whose wife had just passed away the day before after a month long illness. He had his 5 month old baby , Janet, with him. He had been trying to feed her with a bottle but as a poor fisherman he had no way to continue to buy formula for her.

This was the first time I had come face to face with such raw grief. It hurt to look at him. Because Janet was starting to show signs of dehydration I told her dad we would look after her for a week and he could come back to us with a decision about what he wanted to do.

For the kids in our care we become their guardians until they are 18 years old. The family is required to sign paperwork to that effect so that the kids don't have to be moved around at the whim of family members. Some orphanages have had trouble where a child will be dropped off but as soon as it is old enough to beg or work in the fields they want the child back with them. If a relative has a hard time making ends meet they might want to give the child up again. This is all very confusing for the poor children. 

We ask the family to carefully consider and then sign guardianship over to us. They are encouraged to come visit every Saturday so that the kids can learn about their family.

Grandma Connie, our wonderful volunteer, took care of Janet from the beginning.

Janet had a funny habit of blowing bubbles that caused spit to go over everything. We had a bib for her that said 'automatic sprinkler'. It fit her to a T.

Laundry baskets were the easiest way to hold small babies. The sides helped keep them upright so they could learn to sit up and there was plenty of room for toys.

Janet loved Grandma Connie and was sorry to see her go when her three months were up. Jasmine took over her care and Janet was very attached to Jasmine from that day forward.

The pool feels so good on hot summer's day

Janet is one of those kids that seems to have such an old soul. When she looks at you sometimes you wanna ask, "What do you see, darling?"

I'm really excited about watching Janet grow up and develop into a young woman. She has changed so much since we took her into our home nearly 2 years ago. Who knows what God has in store for her?

More stories about our kids:
Jennifer
Chola
Beauty
Peter
Queenie
Moriah