#13 Pad thai

I took one family to the US Embassy on tuesday for their appointment to get a visa for their little girl that they had just picked up. They invited me to have dinner with them at the Sheraton Hotel that night ( that is a super super nice hotel). I had Pad Thai (it had been two and a half months since I had had Asian cuisine and it was so good). I miss variety.

#12 There Was A Fire Fight

OK so it wasn't a "fire" fight per say but it was a water fight. The weekend before my birthday Phillipa had the boys and I over to spend the afternoon and night at her house. After lunch Aaron changed into his swimming suit and climbed into a bucket of water that had been sitting out in the sun for a couple of days. This took Phillipa and I by surprise and soon Daniel and Hannah changed their cloths to. The bucket was only big enough to fit one person at a time and only Daniel really fit. We then convinced Alemu to change his cloths but we couldn't talk Israel into it. Alemu climbed into the bucket but he didn't fit at all and only got up to his waist wet. Hannah then brought out plastic cups for everyone to have a water fight with it. It took Alemu a second to get the hang of it but he was dominating everyone within minutes. He wouldn't let Hannah get any water out of the bucket without getting her soaked so she grabbed a smaller buvket and filled it with freezing cold tap water and totally drenched him! When all the water in the big bucket was finished Alemu and Aaron grabbed smaller buckets and attacked Hannah- she was the typical 12 yr. old girl and screamed super loud in a really high pitched voice. I enjoyed seeing him have so much fun.

#11 Cold Bed

My bed is really cold now that Dari is gone. I was so warm sleeping next to her...now I have to layer again. This is just one of the things I miss now that she is gone. I miss her laugh when she is tickled. I miss her snuggling with me. I miss her running in races against Tamirat and Mattewos. I just miss her.

#10 Random Thoughts

Seven days until my sister and brother-in-law come to pick up my nephew!
The thing on my face is slowly disappearing. The pharmacist even noticed it yesterday.
There is a bacterial infection going around...most of the nannies and some of the babies have it...I am going to get tested just as soon as I have to poop.
Phillipa's husband came today to install a water pump...he's not finished.
I have a bacterial infection as well...but don't worry I am on antibiotics.
My siter arrives in 24 hours!!!!
They call a bedroom a class or house...I think it is hilarious and sweet at the same time.

#9 Rainy Season

It's not the rainy season yet it has been raining for the last 5 days. Luckily, it is usually only at night, this saves everyone from having to entertain 13 kids inside. Right now it is thundering and lightening right above is and raining so hard. I love the sound of rain on the tin roof and it pelting the windows so soothing.

#8 My Protector

Today I had all the nannies get stool samples taken. When we got the results back after lunch I knew I had to go to the phamrmacy...luckily there is one very close. I told Tefanesh that I was going to take Kanesa with me (he rarely gets to have alone time or time away from the house) they didn't object to the idea but they pleaded with me to take Alemu too. "Only Kanesa? Take Alemu please....please. Is is not good...Kanesa is small". Like Alemu would save me? But I took him to please the ladies. I asked him if he would save me if someone tried to take my purse? He laughed and said "yes". I think it's funny that they object to me taking a 4 yr. old but they are ok with sending a 10 yr. old.

#7 Birthday Bread

I turned 23 the other day. I don't feel any older but it sounds old to me. When Ilie was here in December she gave me money to take Tefanesh to get a massage. Since all the babies and children have been sick and then Tefanesh was out of town this was the first time we could get away. I asked her if she wanted to go on my birthday and she said yes. I called that morning and made the appointments for two one hour massages. Tefanesh has never had one so I was trying to explain what was goin to happen.When we got to the day spa I was amazed at how beautiful it was. I asked the lady up front if we could have women and she said of course...phew that could have been awkward. They took us down stairs to this dark peaceful lounge with rows of doors on each side. Inside my room there was rose petals all over the floor and candles with soothing music playing softly. The lady washed my feet and then left for me to change out of my cloths. Oh it was so nice and relaxing. Than you Ilie. We both really enjoyed it very very very much! On my way home Alizar and I stopped at the harware store and I bought faucets ffor the jerry cans. I asked the man for some caulking and he said that I didn't need it. Foolishly I trusted him...I should have made him sell me some right then and there. As soon as i got started on the project. Afer the children had their dinner and were in their pj's we sent them back downstairs for my birthday celebration. When I got to the living room there was popcorn, deep fried dough pieces (they are like a hard candy but taste like bread) and the biggest loaf of bread that I have ever seen. They make the bread round and cook it on the injera maker. Meseret put the number 23 in dough on the bread. We had that instead of cake. The boys ( Alemu and Israel) got me a small purse, which has come in handy so far. They all sang the worst rendition of "Happy Birthday" that I have ever heard. They kept singing for a long time. Finally, I had to tell them to all stop because they had sung it around 10 times. I will try to recreate it for you all. "Happy birsday Emily, Happy Birsday Emily, Happy birsday Emily". Over, and over and over again. Oh and they have a really hard time pronouncing the "th" sound. All of the chikdren had a really good time and they loved staying up later than 7:30. Thank you family for the birthday presents. Aunt Tammy-everyone here loves the movies. Thank you Mom and Dad for the cloths...I needed one more skirt for church. Thank you Autumn and Brian for the shirt and picture frame. thank you G-Rams for the card.