I Was Right

Remember how I said that things happen when Daddy is away? Ok, well, maybe you thought I was overreacting. Maybe, just a little, right? And I can see why you might assume that. So I wanted to give you the update. So far

• The electricity was out all last night, which meant that the kids woke up and wandered around because their fan was off. Which meant that I didn't sleep well at all.
• My landlord gave me down the road today because he didn't like where J had gone, didn't think it was a good place to be, etc. As if that weren't bad enough, my landlady sat next to me, glumly, and sniffed her sadness/disapproval that I haven't been down to see her regularly enough in the last two weeks. She managed to say in Hindi (at one point), "Well, look who has time for us today!"
• And--wait for it--I found lice in G's head tonight. And out of all of the above, that is what almost made me cry.

But I can't write about that last bit of madness unless I also include D's trip to the chemist shop for me. And then the fact that the washer women sneaked upstairs to my apartment (servants are not allowed upstairs by our landlords and she was nervous) and explained exactly how to use the oil/shampoo combo for G. She is the salt of the earth, that one. And then she sneaked back down almost before I could say thanks.

C'est le guerre

Well, J and J made it safely to their destination despite rain and fog. I'm glad, I really am. But I've been homeschooling three froggy, wild-eyed, zany kids today and they somehow know that without Daddy I possess exactly half my parenting strength. And so, instead of being extra good and sweet and cooperative, they are being extra whiny, extra contentious, and extra bratty. So pardon me if my mood is a little...testy, shall we say. Sigh.

C'est la vie, non? Well, c'est le guerre, les enfants. C'est le guerre.

Imprints

Long after we return to the States these images will linger on in our imaginations.

Remember Us

J leaves tomorrow with a friend to attend a big 'meeting' in another city. It's been a long time in coming and we anticipate good things to come from it. Please remember him this weekend (he'll be gone for 2 1/2 days) and ask for traveling mercies. Remember us, too, as we'll be left at home. Sometimes crazy things go on for Mom and the kids when Daddy is out of town. But then, there's always a push me-pull you effect whenever good things happen or are on the brink of happening. A counter-effect or downward drag. It's the way of things here and we have come to expect it. Still, if people are praying ...

Hamne Aram Kia

The sleepover went well, we laughed a lot, and the kids had fun. We are all safe and the day has passed uneventfully. If anything unusual happens in the next few hours, I'll let you know.

Sleepover

The entire 'M' family is staying the night with us tonight. Our town is a bit wack-tastic at the moment, so we thought we'd have a team sleepover. We are going to have fun tonight!

Blech

Today has been a rough-ish day. Everyone is physically ok so there's no need to worry. But please, if you think of it, lift us up today.