Lots of items to report

We've been quite busy around our house for the last few weeks. AND it's been doing more than just baking bread in the fabulous bread machine, although that happens regularly now. (note: I'm sparing you a numbered list on this post, although I have/had serious qualms about doing so) We made our first visit out to a village to check out life there and to practice our language. It was an awesome trip. We absolutely loved the village and were very well received there. We spent the entire day out, and I don't think there was a single complaint the entire day from anyone in the family, even though it was HHHHHOOOOOTTTT! We also did not have any serious repercussions from eating the food, etc. We did take our own filtered water, but luckily one of the guys who accompanied us very kindly explained that our American stomachs were just not up to drinking the village water yet. We were so grateful, especially because Jonathan had suffered the previous three weeks with a pretty bad case of giardia. The village was very clean, and the homes were very cool looking. They were made of mud and clay with some really cool paintings on the walls and floors of each compound. We really envision ourselves eventually living in a village like this, but I was really struck by how DIFFICULT that kind of living would be. Really. tough.

We also were privileged to attend the Special Olympics held for the children of the local blind, deaf and mentally handicapped schools. It was so much fun, and somehow we had been slated as special guests, so we got to hand out some of the trophies and such. We were thrilled!

In other news, the boys started back to school today! Yes, the school year here is really, really different from the timing back in the states. So, C started the equivalent of kindergarten (a little early) and JT started the equivalent of 1st grade (a little late). School has been, by far, our toughest adjustment since coming here. It's just different - everything about it. So we've been really remembering the boys and the coming school year. Today when they arrived home - they were both happy and excited. JT was the most excited because . . . in first grade you get to start wearing a UNIFORM. Nothing makes this kid happier than dressing up in something, so for him, the school uniform is perfect. Yes, the uniform is all white (except for the shoes), and no I don't understand it either.

For Easter, we are having a special party tomorrow on Good Friday. We're going to play some games, make some crafts and share our traditions with some of our new friends and neighbors. Since we've experienced so many traditional things since arriving here, it's going to be lots of fun to share some of our traditions too. I hope everyone has a great time.