African Zumba???

This past Sunday night we all decided to check out this free family night at a local hotel. We ate at another pizza place. (I am so ashamed at the amount of pizza I have consumed since I have been here) Leaving there we haled a taxi. There were 17 of us total! One couple had their own car so they took the bigger kids and a couple others. The rest of us tried to squeeze in one taxi. Oh If only you could have witnessed this!!!! We first climbed in one car and it wouldn’t start. We then found another and piled in. Tim and our friend Lawrence had to sit in the very back. It was hilarious!!

Look Mom, proof Tim and I haven't killed each other...yet!

We began traveling up this steep hill and suddenly began rolling backwards. Our taxi RAN OUT OF GAS! He pulls to the side and we all basically fall out of the car. We then decide to just walk the rest of the way. As we walk away the police came and give the taxi man a ticket. So we hike up the hill…baby and all.
The family night was very cool. There were a ton of African dancers, a band with some interesting instruments and even singing. They kids just watched and loved it. So did I! I kept thinking man this looks like Zumba!!! I got some great video to share later. Towards the end they had all the kids come out and dance with them. They let the kids introduce themselves and even formed a circle to let them dance alone. Moses dance like his Dad, unfortunately. It was a lot of fun! Enjoy these pictures of it.

It is official! We are a family of six. The Judge granted us legal guardianship of both boys and we couldn’t be happier. Tim and I were both so nervous this morning, but everything went great. Here is our first picture after leaving the court room.

We left there and celebrated at Nando’s Pizza. Moses loves pizza! They both seemed very happy today. Moses keeps asking “Are we going to America tomorrow?” Very soon…I hope!

Friday Fun

Friday morning we had to get up pretty early to take the kids to their medical testing. In order to get their Visas they have to have this. Our appointment was at 9:00 am. After a little trouble finding it we arrived just a few minutes after. The security guards there tell us to wait in the waiting area and they will call our name. Oh, the waiting area was this shelter outside! So we wait. And we wait. And we wait some more. The children did fine but Kristi and I were getting very tired of sitting there. On three different occasions we asked various people if we were in the right spot and what was taking so long. I understand we are in Africa but THREE hours waiting with five children and two cranky mommas is just ridiculous!!! Finally, Robert goes a finds someone and come to find out we were waiting in the WRONG area. The doctor said he had been waiting on us all morning. We were fifty feet away!!! They decided to still see us, thank goodness. After doing a lot of paperwork and a ton of medical questions that we had no answers to we were finally were seen. The doctor explained that he would get their measurements and give them a TB test but we would have to return Monday to get the test read and finish the exam. I guess at least Monday we know where to go! Micah still weighed 20lbs (almost 21) and Moses weighted 63lbs!!! Moses didn’t even flinch when he got his TB shot, Micah on the other hand screamed like crazy. Hopefully we will find out more Monday.
After that fun time we went to this mall where we heard we could find an American cheeseburger. Oh man it was YUMMY!!!!

I didn’t care if it was really made of beef or not. It was great! Then we headed to the Friday Market. It is like a huge flea market held only on Fridays. It was full of different kinds of souvenirs. We got some great items that I can’t wait to share :0)

Micah passed out while shopping.

We finished the night off with a UNO tournament. If you know me then you know how this went down. I was on my best behavior since I was with people I hadn’t played with before, but let me tell you…..tonight IT IS ON!!!!!

Happy Birthday to ME!!!

I hate my birthday. I always have. I usually cry every year for some reason or another. I know it sounds stupid but it is what it is. I know I should grow up and get over it but it is the same year after year. I guess that is something to work out in therapy.
But, this year I woke up in the beautiful country of Uganda! I was awake for thirty minutes and my mom Skype me. She stayed up late to be able to wish me Happy Birthday. Then I got to talk to Nicole too! Harriet, the house maid here, made homemade cinnamon rolls for breakfast and they were yummy! Then a little bit later Tim calls me out to the living room and everyone is out there. There are a ton of cards, a couple of presents and some kind person even sent Twizzlers. I could not believe it. I am so far from everyone I love and yet they all still found a way to make this day special. Even my sweet husband had me a gift! Harriet like a lot of Ugandan women makes these amazing paper beads and he had bought a ton of them for me. They are so beautiful! My mom had sent stuff and all my friends had sent cards with sweet words. There was a photo album with pics of my children holding Happy Birthday signs and talking on the computer with us. I was speechless and overwhelmed with love from all my favorite people. I still am not sure how my friends arranged this, but they made this the most amazing birthday of my life.
I just spoke with my girls and thanked them. I am so proud of them. They have been so good and I can’t wait to hug them. How did I get so blessed? I have the greatest family, the best friends, and a supportive and loving church. My boys are so lucky to be coming home to this environment. I am going to enjoy the rest of this day all because I know that even though I am far away from home….I am loved.
Here are some pics from my little birthday party. I have even heard a rumor that there may be a cake later. Sweet Jesus 

Entebbe Zoo

Tuesday the Smith family had their court date and everything went great!  The even got a ruling date the day before us.  Sweet reward for all they have endured the past few years.  When they came back we decided to head to Entebbe and visit the local Zoo (after a quick stop and pat down at the airport to retrieve Robert's passport).  Now I say Zoo, but please remember that we are in Africa and it is not quite the same.  It was a blast and the kiddos LOVED IT!


There were so many things I had to take pictures of because they were SO funny.  If you know me and my sense of humor you will agree....if not you may want to just return to facebook :)  For example when we finally found the lion the children were so excited.  As we walked away from the cage (a good ways) there was a sign "Beware: Dangerous Animal".  A little late I thought but it wasn't till we ran across this that I thought had this warning been BEFORE the animal then this poor man could have been saved :)

Moses was had so much fun. He was terrified of the ostrich! Everything he saw was new and amazing to him. Micah just hung out in the baby carrier all day. Which has been the greatest thing ever (thanks Melissa!). He just looks up at me and smiles and he even has started kissing me. You know when ever you go to the zoo it always turns out to be the hottest day of the year. Well the day we go to a zoo in Africa of all places it ends up being pretty chilly. So all the kids were freezing and our driver kept informing us that they were cold and needed more clothes on. So the greatest parent award for the day goes to....!

This zoo had an area of trees and herbs that they were growing and I thought it was the best part. It posted the name of herb and what it cures. Let me tell you if you have a problem I guarantee you there was a herb that promised to treat it. Now I would have like to meet the person who tested all these but he was no where to be found. Here are some examples and no I can not bring any home....I already asked.

When we were getting ready to leave the zoo Moses spotted a few random monkeys walking around. Then out of now where there were at least 50 of them everywhere!!! Just walking around us. It was pretty cool until I decided that moment was a good time to give Micah a peanut butter cracker. Bad idea. This crazy monkey charged at me!!! So to protect my child I pulled Kristi in front of me and throw the package of crackers at the monkey. The monkey starts messing with package and we all run out of the zoo. This is why there are signs in America warning you not to feed the animals AND why animals should be locked in cages.

Bye Bye Busia!

This weekend has been an emotional one.  We got the exciting news that the Smith's were coming and we had to make arrangements to go back to Busia to get the rest of our things and get Kristi and Robert's children.  The trip is long, bumpy and hot!  Once we got back to Busia it really started to sink in for me that our children were leaving the only home they have ever known.  I kept watching Moses to see if he was struggling with it but he seemed to do ok.  I would ask if he was sad whenever he was still and quiet and sometimes he would say yes but others he said no.  So I just watched.  Saturday he played ALL over the village.   He climbed this huge Jack Fruit tree and it scared me to death.  One of the women there must of noticed me freaking out and asked if I wanted him to come down.  I told her yes and she laughed at  me.  Later he tied some VHS tape from the garbage to a ear of corn and was throwing it up it the air.  It is amazing to me the things they can find and make toys out of.  I kept waiting for it to get stuck in this tree and sure enough it did.  I still just sat and watched.  He tries for a while to jump and get it, then gets a chair, when that doesn't work he goes and get this VERY large branch (which later Tim could barely pick up) and knocks it out of the tree.  He did not once asked for help.  He didn't need any help!  He is just amazing to me.

As the day went on I just got sadder and sadder.  I know what we are doing is a good thing and that their lives will be better for it but my heart breaks for them.  There are so many people here that love them and will miss them.  Especially Micah.  He is this little miracle boy to everyone in this village.  They all saw him when we was lifeless and weight hardly nothing.  They all spent months praying for his survival.   Now I am taking him away from them.  Don't get me wrong no one here as made me feel this way!  This was just where my mind was on Saturday.  Everyone here is so happy for both the boys and seem to truly want what is best for them.  I have read that they will grieve for there home and their caregivers at some point and I guess Saturday was my day to grieve for them.  But Sunday was a new day!  We got up and packed thing for another day of travel.  My butt is so tired of traveling!!!!  Moses seemed so excited.  We went back to the orphanage and let him say goodbye one last time.  I cried and he seemed trilled.  Go figure.

So here is a treat for you.  My plan is to go back and add pictures where they need to be after our ruling but I thought this one was special and it doesn't show any faces.  This is Moses stepping out of the orphanage door for the last time.

Even Bigger Day

Yesterday was a amazing day!  Finally after so long we got to see God's plan unfolds right before our eyes.  We had our court date with Micah at 11 and again everything was at time.  His hearing went perfect!  No problems and they even gave us the same ruling day as Moses, Feb. 8th.  When it was over the lawyer stood up and I said "that's it?"  No tears!!!  We went back to his office for Prossy to sign some papers and while we were there he came out and out of no where asked "How soon can the Smith's be here?"  WHAT????  There have a court date on Feb. 1st!!!  And somehow are going to have the same ruling date as us too.  Again I say WHAT???  After tears (yes more tears...but happy ones) we all started realizing the great timing of our amazing God.  The rest of the day was spent hanging out at Nandos discussing how everything has worked of perfectly.  We all wanted to travel together so bad put know since we came first I see how hard just traveling around town would have been.  Let alone how hard it would have been for Prossy being everywhere at oone time.  This way Prossy was able to be with us this week for court and now can be with the Smiths.  Awww, I can't wait for them to get here!!!!

Micah's big day in court.

Moses's first ice cream cone at Nando's

Micah tried some too.

So, today we are going to spend the day at the orphanage.  The boys can start to say their goodbyes.  Since the Smith's are coming we will be traveling back to Kampala on Sunday.  My heart breaks for the boys when I think og them saying goodbye.  Moses says he is ok but I don't know.  The hardest will by for Micah leaving Lucas and Prossy.  They love each other so much and I can't imagine the pain they will all be in when we leave.  But it is what they want and they choose us to care for him.  They said they can already see a difference in him since we got here.  Lucas says he thinks that is what he has been craving.  Parental love and guidance.  Micah really starting showing some of his personality while we were in the car driving back to Busia last night.  He even makes faces like Lily!

Please pray for the Smith's while they travel!  I am off to tell their precious babies that they are on their way!!!!