Elijah got a Bunk Bed!

We had a crib for Elise and a toddler bed for Elijah before we left. It worked. Since we've returned, and now with another kid, we've needed a new bed. Elijah mentioned a few times how small his bed was and could we get him a big bed, and maybe a bunk bed, which is the ultimate. 

I started looking on OLX, which is basically craigslist of India. Praise the Lord, we found one in good shape and for a good price!

He was thrilled! He and Elise have loved playing on it and climbing up to the top bunk.

Sleeping on top is of course his favorite...the only negative is that he can't feel the fan much at all, which is a little ruff since it's so hot right now.

With Elijah's upgrade, Elise got one as well. She now has his toddler bed and Norah sleeps in her crib. She was just as excited to get a new bed as Elijah was :)

Only in India #56

Only in India does a man walk into a park with a hawk sitting on his arm.

We Love "She"

 "She" is such a peaceful woman whom we all love! She was the first national in Garden City that Elijah took to, hugged, and loved. She's a catholic and the first national believer I'd ever met, which I think is why it feels so different around her than others. We are so thankful She comes to our house to help me cook two days a week! All of us enjoy her presence - thank you Lord! 

When Elijah first met "She" in our friends home almost two years ago. He hugged her legs and she leaned over to embrace him and touch foreheads, which is such an endearing thing they do here. I've always cherished this picture and having her around, especially during those months when Elijah really struggled, but he always drew close to her. 

Sickness...& Craziness

One thing that tends to go hand in hand with living in India is sickness. We've never really been sick too terribly, praise the Lord. But, there seems to be something that's happening usually every month or every other month with someone. This time it's the girls.

Today was one of those days that just seemed like it couldn't get any crazier! The Lord was really great in keeping me calm though - praise Him!

I feel like I can't make this stuff up, which is why I'm writing it.

This afternoon I walk into Elijah's room to find him standing and peeing on his balcony! What in the world! That has nothing to do with sickness, but I couldn't believe what I was seeing. He's never done anything like that. When I asked why he did it, he replied, "I just thought I wanted to pee here." What?! Anyways...that's random. On to why I was writing this and about sickness :)

Neal left around 5:30 to go to a cricket match with a friend. It's his first match, so he was pretty excited. I was thankful he was getting to go!

It was me and the kids for the night, so we headed off to pick up some eggs from the near by shop for me to cook for dinner. I'm thankful for eggs because they're a staple food regardless of where you live!

 Elijah's really into being independent and walking on the sidewalk by himself without holding hands now. He's also really into helping me, so I let me carry our new bloom home.

Elise gets to be independent from holding my hand periodically, but only when the traffic isn't much. And of course she needed to wear her crown :)

After we returned from the store Elijah asked if he could take a shower before dinner, which he's wanting to do all the time now, no doubt a first. I think being in the 100 degree heat with no AC really makes you want to bathe. So, we all did our bathes/showers prior to dinner.

During that time I started smelling something and I looked around at each kid asking if someone was pooping. (The girls have had some really bad diarrhea over the last four days. It's come on really suddenly for both of them, so much so that Elise seldom makes it to the toilet before she's done half of it in her pants.) Elijah and Elise were shaking their heads and I looked down at Norah, and that's when I realized she was exploding some diarrhea in her little tub. I quickly got her out and double bathed her.

After I'd finished with each kid I sent them into my room to start putting on their lotion and pjs. As I was finishing cleaning out Norah's bucket tub, I looked out to check on the kids. Elise was standing with her legs wide open peeing on my rug and the bottom of my comforter! What?! Seriously? You and your brother in the same day just decide to pee somewhere random for the first time ever. I was in shock that she was doing that. So, I cleaned it up after getting everyones pjs on. Then off to make dinner.

After dinner Elise starts running into the bathroom cause she's having some diarrhea. Unfortunately she'd already started, so when she takes off her diaper and climbs onto the toilet it gets on other things as well. Then Norah kept crawling into the bathroom. I finally, after the second or third time taking her out, got Norah in her seat that she couldn't get out of. Then I gave Elise another half bath, cleaned the bathroom, and washed her clothes.

I get the movie going for Elijah and Elise and then go to pick up Norah...and I smell something. I realize that where she'd crawled into the bathroom some poop had gotten on the front of her pjs. So, I washed her hands and go to change her. Then I see where it's coming out onto her legs where she's had diarrhea again! Sniffing my own pjs I know it's gotten on me as well. So, Norah got a half bath and her clothes washed. Then I changed my clothes.

Whoo! So much can take place in just two and a half hours since Neal left!

Heal Elise and Norah Lord!

   

Revisiting the Local Park & CCD!

I took the kids to the local park two days ago. It's pretty close to our house, but still a little ways to walk, especially for their little legs. But, they were troopers and didn't complain.

Though the park doesn't look that nice, with it's dirt instead of grass, and run down equipment, it's still the nicest park in our area...kinda sad...but we're thankful. 

Elijah's always been a climber, and these bars have been a favorite since he was little. 

Elise put the bandaid on her head after putting one on my head. I'd had a headache the day before and she wanted to help it feel better. I asked her if she'd like for me to take her bandaid off before we went to the park, but she said "no." "No, Mommy, God's going to heal my head and then God will take me bandaid off." "Ok then, I'll let God take it off when He wants to," I replied. Love it!

And now Elise is old enough to climb the bars with Elijah. She's tried before, but it's always made me nervous. She's proved her climbing ability, so I let her do it now :)

Then this man walked into the park with a hark sitting on his arm! He was telling a couple of other men that the hawk has a bad wing and therefore hasn't been able to take care of itself, so he took him. Honestly, I didn't want him to come any closer to me because I watched that hawks face knowing it's still wild... and it had a very sharp beak! So crazy!

 And then off to the favorite Cafe Coffee Day (CCD). This particular one is located right down the street from the park, so it's a great place to get a cool drink after sweating from playing so hard.

Gosh I love these two! They are no doubt such a joy to be with. They've both matured a lot since we were here before, and for that I'm so thankful! Cuties!!

On our way home we passed by a veggie stand that I'd shopped at only once before. I didn't remember it being quite so nice with such luscious vegetables. I was really impressed and had to buy something! This is one thing I've always liked about living in India - the sellers on the side of the road with all the fresh foods.