Whew, another week gone by. Ella and I laid low this week and didn’t do anything too terribly exciting. I have been convicted about the little amount of real attention that I give her – I’m with her all the time but more often then not focused on a book, working on my computer or something else and not really paying attention to her. I hope that my maternity leave isn’t being wasted with me just reading books and dragging my kid along to fun activities (to keep her mom happy!) rather than focusing on playing with and attaching to my child. At this point I’d say that Ella is doing great despite her crappy mother though. She still gets easily overwhelmed and it’s sometimes easy to miss because she’s so easy and good natured. I’ve been reminded several times this week that she still is a very needy little child and that I need to take it a little easier on her. I can not believe that it’s only been 5 ½ weeks since she’s been home! I’ve really been expecting too much of her, poor kid.

I took her to the Tuesday market this week, for the first time. I’ve taken her several times to the Saturday market, which is much more calm and low key. As we were walking to the market on Tuesday and she was practically stopped in awe and wonder at all the “sights” in Kitoro, I realized that I had never actually walked her through town before! We usually drive everywhere, get out of our car and then go in a shop. So here is a three year old who is totally overwhelmed with something as simple as walking through town. She was so cute though, once I could get her to move and keep her from getting run over. I bought a bag of fish for the dogs and since she loves to “heyup” (seriously, she sounds like she’s from the South!) I let her carry the bag. It wasn’t heavy but it was big and awkward and she struggled with it the whole time but insisted on carrying it “for my dogs.” It’s all about the dogs…. J

Wednesday Bridger, Sanyu, Kathryn, Diana, Ella and I all went for a walk. This is the first time I’d taken her on a walk, too! Kathryn took her and Sanyu on a short one last week but this was the first time that I’d taken her. Kathryn and I took turns walking her and Bridger. I am truly AMAZED at this child. 5 ½ weeks ago she had never been near ANY animals of ANY kind and was terrified of them – Wednesday she was trotting along in the midst of her two dogs and we even stopped and petted a huge billy goat! The neighbors a few houses down have a small herd of really nice goats that they picket out in a lot beside our compound. When they let them loose to wander a bit one of the big boys always accompanies them so our short conversations always center around my dogs and his goats. So Ella got to pet the big brown, hairy neighbor billy and he didn’t even stink! Thursday Ella the dogs and I went for a short walk on our own, which actually turned out better then I expected. I have misplaced Bridger’s choker chain and I haven’t trained Sanyu to heel yet but they both did fine with minimal lunging. We didn’t take a very long walk but Ella had to stop twice to hug and kiss her dogs. As if we don’t draw enough looks, a little Ugandan in pink hugging and kissing her dogs sure does! Generally Ugandans are rather afraid of dogs and I’ve never seen them hugging or kissing them, that’s for sure.

Sanyu got the rest of her vaccinations yesterday and all pets got dewormed today. So the next time Sanyu will need to see a vet is in July or August for “The Big Surgery”. It’s a good feeling to have all the dogs and the cat fully vaccinated with their little vaccination cards filled out J. I’m taking care of my family!

Ella and I have a court date next Tuesday the 22^nd regarding her Legal Guardianship. Please pray about this and that the Lord’s will is done and that I can accept His will, whatever it may be. One of the worst things that could happen is that she wouldn’t be able to leave the country before the adoption is complete (in three years) and I couldn’t take my furlough next year. That would really bum me out. I really don’t want to serve a six year term without visiting the States at all!

And now for some pics...

Yes, that would be my happy child with the dog sitting on her head...

YOU try explaining to her that she is not a dog! Because I've tried!

Ella playing with a puzzle that her Granny sent her

Ella drinking cocoa out of her little cup that her Granny also sent her

The Boy sleeping in his chair with his tongue sticking out!! Cracked me up.

Ella did learn how to do a summersault this week, after I SHOWED her, so I guess I'm not a complete failure as a mother yet... ;)