Thought I would REALLY try my hand at endurance and attempt an update
in the midst of a war of wills with Samuel...His is in the corner
again saying things I'm sure he is lucky I don't understand.. .These
drills are fewer and farther between...He is now
whispering "IMBY"..means "NO" typically chanted in temper
tantrums..it can provoke an American to want to jump off a tall
building..it becomes like someone ruthlessly scratching a
blackboard.. He knows that isn't tolerated,but he struggles to keep
control....I ask him when there is silence.."Beka? ?"
Meaning "Finished??" He shrugs at me with one shoulder...It' s
disrespectful. ..I'm sure it means "Up yours." in Amharic, lol. Very
typical of these little ones....He's quite now...but refusing to come
out of the corner...oops. .changed his mind...Then I got to do my best
mime act....replay what got him in the corner in the first place with
a series of silent actions, show him the correct responses... .he is
remorseful.. .gives hugs...he's off to figure out how to say "Up
yours" in a way I haven't figured out yet!!LOL

Anyway...believe it or not these are welcoming challenges. The
improvements are evident...that is rewarding.

I continue to enjoy watching the alliance and bickers between all of
the kids. I am thankful that we have simple lives...so the kids all
have time to get to know eachother. I am amazed by the understanding
and compassion out of each of them for eachother... and still find it
amusing when that wears thin...like the whole nose picking
thing...thoroughly acceptable in ET...utterly disgusting to my U.S.
born children.... it is not unusual to hear gagging and then witness a
toilet paper streamer float through the room at an unsuspecting
Ethiopian with a finger buried knuckle deep...."Geez. ...NO PICKING!!!
USE THIS..!!!" Then I get the look...the "Are you kidding me????"
look from a totally grossed out lily-white face, And a look of.."What
did I do now???" from a mocha face....
I know it's probably strange to get a kick out of all of it, and
perhaps that will change tomorrow. For now I'm gonna laugh, gag, and
love....in that order....

ALL for ONE!
Carolyn