January 3 Journal Email

*Just a note: adding in random photos so you can see where we live and our view. 

We had just another simple day around the guest house.  We were invited out to do the museum tours, but didn't go as we know Lyle and Leona will want to join us.  It wouldn't be something we would want to do twice in about a weeks time, nor pay for.  Paying for the museums isn't expensive, but paying our drivers is, so why pay twice for the same outing.

We are all enjoying the heat during the day.  It is very odd coming inside where it is freezing. When Mikiyas hears someone is going out to play basketball, he's racing out the door faster than you can blink.  Inside, we are playing lots of UNO and Skipbo.  

Mihret made some big changes today.  The first time I caught her with a little smile, she quickly turned it into a forced cry.  Later in the day we heard a couple laughs, and saw more smiles.  She actually played with toys twice during the day without fussing.  But when she's done, she lets you know it.

During one visit outside and her clinging to me, she surprised everyone around by walking a short distance away to a boy and trading her little plastic cup for his cookie.  You must understand, she never leaves me.  I was thrilled to say the least.  She brought the cookie back and stuck it in the dirt.  No intention of eating it.  When she plays, she is so unlike Mikiyas was when we got him.  He never made a mess and hated playing with toys.  She makes a huge mess and plays with everything.  She's also taken up slapping and throwing when she's mad.  Mihret did kiss her dolly today so at least there's one thing she likes.  

Mihret also finally went to the bathroom.  Twice.  Just about rose the roof.  Mom had to leave the room.  I was gagging.  Doors had to be opened to the outside to air the place out.  Nasty.  Man, does that girl stink!  And she definitely is eating now.  The whole "bottle of formula every four hours" is a joke.  She hasn't taken one, and I suppose won't be.  She eats pasta, rice, cooked carrots, chicken.... But she won't eat crunchy stuff yet.  So no toddler treats.  Hopefully she will be on to textured foods before the airplane home.  Less options when on board!
 

Mom has been really enjoying the time with Mikiyas.  She's been able to play a little basketball with him and card games.  She's been helpful to me with washing dishes and helping wash some of our clothes, Running errands down to the front desk etc.  She's also been able to relax with a book and enjoy the down time.  

We are itching to be tourists though.  

As Mihret is getting better, I'm getting worse I think.  Still congested and in the morning it hurts behind my ears so bad.  The cough now is dry in my chest and makes it hard to breathe.  With the elevation change, walking up the two flights of stairs that was once easy, is now now like an old Volkswagen beetle sputtering its last mile.
 

We enjoy receiving emails from you guys.  Actually, it makes us happy so feel free to write us.  But please try to email and not send messages through the Facebook messaging as it uses too much internet time to load through there, and we have to pay for it.  Loading through my email is faster and I can read and write replies to everyone when I'm offline then just log in to send them.  Thanks!