It was the best of times and worst of times...(but not really)

on the way to the park...sights and sounds of Uganda

Friday was a fabulous day with Kirabo.  We had nothing to do so we went to a few different African craft markets and bought some gifts.  We went to the playground at the mall and he LOVED that!  Kirabo has discovered that while originally tentative of the “slide” he really quite enjoys it.  He also loved the punching bag!  Then, we got some lunch at Caffe Javas and I got him a chocolate milk shake (truth be told, I was just really craving one).  He took one sip of that milk shake and looked at me and just planted a big old kiss right on my lips!  It was adorable!  Oh, he just melts my heart!  We went home for a nap but it had become too late and so we just had quiet time in our room for a few hours.  We read books, learned animal sounds, played with cars, I taught him the song with the 5 little monkeys which he learned all the hand motions to and we wrestled and tickled of course. 

 

attacking the punching bag

Friday was such a great day with him that I let my guard down just a bit and got up to turn out the hall light after I tucked him in bed and he totally flipped out.  Once I put him down for a nap or to sleep at night, I don't leave the room.  This time I was just going to reach around the wall to turn off the light.  He got up and ran out of the room and out of the guest home.  I caught him and held him tightly and tried to tell him I wasn't going anywhere and I was always going to be here but he doesn't understand much and at that point he was beyond logic.  It was two hours of him just clinging to me with his whole body wrapped tightly around me and his breathing short and quick.  Every time I moved even a muscle, the whole thing started over again.  I finally took him in my bed and he wrapped his arms and legs around me and buried his face in my neck and finally let his body relax as he drifted off into a fitful sleep that night.  It breaks my heart how much pain a 3 year old heart can go through and how broken it can already be.  Lesson learned.  The next day he was even very clingy and wanted me to carry him everywhere.  I'm so glad I have this time with him now away from the busy day to day that will come too soon.  It is such a great sign to me he did break down and then cling to me because it tells me he really is attaching.  The process of opening your heart up to someone hurts because you are also opening yourself up to be hurt and that can be scary, especially when it’s happened at such a base level for him.  The withdrawn, hollow stare was what worried me more and I haven't seen that in a while.  I think it will get worse before it gets better, but really it's necessary and an important part of healing.

I must admit, I’m quite enjoying my one on one time with Kirabo.  This has been precious time for he and I which, moving forward, won't be nearly as often when you have a big family.  But, while a big family can lack more individual attention, it also means lots and lots of love, laughter and people who have your back.  Welcome to our family Kirabo!

Fell asleep while reading his favorite book

I can't get over his facial expression when we pray.  He is trying so hard !

He loves to stand there and feel the rain

Little Donkey celebrating when Ryan got his passport.  With Ryan
McCammack and Clint and Carla Hemner

UPDATE ON CARMA AND KIDS: I was in the middle of this blog when I received an urgent email from Carma...so for the last 6 hours I've been on the phone talking to everyone I could to find any kind of exception for them.  (I took a moment out of that time to post an urgent call for prayers!)  Our combined prayers worked because after hours of trying, James finally got to the right person at KLM and I got to the right person at the Immigration desk at the Entebbe airport and Carma went back to the airport and got the right person there and despite 3 shift changes in immigration, they all talked and got special clearance for them to get on the airplane tomorrow.  They will finally arrive in Entebbe at 10:30 pm tomorrow.  They are completely exhausted emotionally and physically and a little shaken up, but they will get here.  It means so much to me to know my kids were in such capable and loving hands the whole time despite haven't slept at all.  Thanks so much Carma!  Also...as a note...all US Embassy's are worthless in my book.

Thanks so much for all your kind words through posting here and emails.  It means so much to both James and I.  To my texters: my phone hasn't had service in over a week so if you've been texting me...email instead!  Anyway, I love hearing about all of you and what's been going on so keep in touch!