April 6, serious, then not so much

not a big fan of the gloves...
Stylin in the black head band
Not so sure about the big pink bow
Julia and the little girl from her "class" that we share visits with each day
So, I can understand why going on a stroll in cold weather is a little frustrating for him

I walk to the baby house each day to visit Julia. It is about a one mile walk down a busy street. Typically, I enjoy the fresh air, and the freedom of walking without pushing a stroller. The last couple of days, this walk has turned into a time of deep reflection. See, the kind couple from Atlanta loaned me their iPod, as I did not bring mine. So, as I have walked the last couple of days, I have listened to my music and just soaked in the culture and my surroundings. I find myself feeling as if I am in a dream. Am I really on the other side of the world in a 2^nd world country alone with my toddler? Is this really happening? Why am I not fearful? This is me; I get nervous walking downtown in Chattanooga by myself at night. But, I feel a sense of protection here. I feel His shield about me, almost as if I KNOW I am being guarded, that I am safe. I know His eyes are upon me and that I am safe in His arms.

I will switch gears a little bit to the practical aspect of our day. Caleb and I had a great one. We had our usual morning fun of basketball and breakfast. Then baby house for me and nap for Caleb. I did a little grocery shopping and carried it back in my book bag; man did I look like an American, as it was not a black book bag, fun green instead. This evening we went to the Atlanta couple’s house for dinner and fun. Unfortunately for Caleb, the weather has turned colder, so gloves were a must for the walk over to their apartment. He hates his gloves, as evidenced by the picture I have included of him just laying in the floor after he realized he must wear them. The community here would stone me if they saw him outdoors with no gloves in 30 degree weather. Most kids are walking around in snow suits, he is lucky I did not put him in boots and snow pants. We had a great dinner of egg salad (yes, that is great here) and then took a taxi home.

We are now doing our visitation with another family who is here adopting a little girl that is in Julia’s “class”. The little girl had a big bow today that the caregivers put in her hair, I tried it on Julia, she was not a big fan. She did like the black headband though. Oh, and I tried a “zerbert” on her big belly today, she loved it. Something is telling me the caregivers here do not give out “zerberts”.

Ethan is due to fly out Wednesday, thank goodness for Skype as I am trying to tell him what to pack for court for me to wear as well as picking out some short sleeve shirts for me to wear.…I had him up in the attic going through rubber maid containers last night via Skype, holding up clothes to the camera for me to see. He is a good man J