Great phone call!

At one of our pediatric appts for Abi Mulu and Addis our nurse, Cathy (a family friend), mentioned that an Ethiopian couple comes in every now and then. She wondered if it was possible would I like to have contact with them. Would I ever!!!

This week or last they must have went in for a visit because I got the call that she had given them our phone number! A few days ago I got THAT call!! He was very, very nice and told me if we needed him for any reason to call him. I asked him if he would talk to the girls and see if there was anything they wanted to tell me. He willingly did so and it was quite comical on our end since the girls have never used a phone and didn't know that a voice especially one speaking Amharic comes out of it.

He told me after talking to each of them that they are happy and are doing fine. They had nothing they needed to tell us. He thanked me for taking in children from Ethiopia. He couldn't believe it when I told him we had also eight bio children. We're hoping to have him and his family over for dinner soon.

Oh, I also told him that we took them out for Ethiopian food last week and he thought that was wonderful. Apparently he used to own an Ethiopian restaurant called The Blue Nile here in the San Diego area. Someday I or the girls or all of us may get a cooking lesson or two!

Thank you, Lord for helping us in this way!

Update for the week

Sorry I haven't been posting as regular as I usually do. I've been so busy and then when I do sit down to write it seems so boring.

I forgot to post that last weekend Joe played in a soccer tournament. His last game was played at the Olympic Training Center in Chula Vista. It gave us a reason to frantically get someplace after church with seven hungry children. We got there just before half-time. It took longer to drive there and back then it did to watch. Oh well.

Tuesday we had piano. I took some tops back to Sears that I had bought before going to Ethiopia. I didn't realize that they were only $10 each. I thought I had gold or something in my bag. Twenty bucks is twenty bucks though, and it came in handy when we went to In & Out Burger the next day.

Wednesday Addis, Mulu and Joel all had dental appts. I took the girls and Jesse took Joel. We use two different dentists and their appts. were the same time. Joel's adult tooth is growing in and pushing his baby teeth which caused the filling to fall out and a cavity was found: that was why his tooth was hurting. They fixed it and warned us that it could fall out again. At least this time we know to look for it.

Addis and Mulu's dentist said it was the first time he had an emotional reaction from them. Between the sounds of the equipment and the work they were doing he could tell by a tear here and there and their body expressions that they weren't handling it well.

The good news is that Mulu is done, but Addis needs one more treatment. His panoramic x-ray shows Abi Mulu to be about six and Addis he aged at ten. Yikes!!! Her bone scan shows 8.10 years and her teeth 9-11. I think we'll go with nine, but here birth certificate shows a February 2008 birthday. Not sure if we're changing it or not.

After all that we went to In & Out for burgers. The girls don't especially like meat it seems, but they eat what we eat, so burgers it was. Their mouths were a little sore so I showed them how to eat little bites.

Speaking of bites I've been teaching them to eat with their mouths closed. One of my major pet peeves is when you can see what a person is eating. No thank you! They make sure and show me when they remember on their own that they are eating with their mouths closed. :-)

Wednesday night was our Awana awards night. Joel received two book awards as well as two book review patches. He technically has verses to say to finish book one so we'll work on it over the summer. Because he was in first grade he had to go on to the first grade book instead of reviewing the first book. John, Addis & Abi received participation ribbons and James received a first book award for T & T. One of my leaders bought me a cute picture that says, "Choose you this day Whom you will serve. But as for me and my house We will serve The Lord. It is so stinkin' cute. I just love it!!!

Yesterday was a normal at home day. I made chicken and rice for dinner with corn on the cob. We had a cake mix/cherry pie filling dessert. That was pretty yummy! Jared & Miranda came over for a while. They both had the afternoon off which was nice for them. They're such a cute couple. :-)

Oh my goodness! Did you watch Lost? Freaky ending!!! Could we have expected anything less from Sawyer? Jumping out of a helicopter after giving Kate a great big smooch. WOW! Poor Sun! Jin was so close yet so far away.........

Joel has really taken off on his reading this week. He curled up in bed with his A Beka reader last night. Oh My Lanta!! I've never had a boy do that!!! He is also such a good piano player that Jared couldn't believe it when he heard him yesterday. He's a lot like Jesse. A little brainiac.

I'm taking back over as the California blogger for The Old Schoolhouse Magazines Home School Nations. I stopped doing it in Feb, but noticed that it's not getting updated so I offered to take it back over. It was met with a hearty, "Yes!" Now, we're just trying to figure out the userid so I can login.

My doctor called earlier this week to tell me I have a 3.2 x 3.3 cyst on my right ovary. I have to go back in eight weeks for another sono to see if it has shrunk, stayed the same or grown. Please pray that it goes away, please!

This week has had me on edge a little. The noise level in the house has really been grating on my nerves. The constant playing of the piano, the voices that rise louder and louder to be heard, screams of little girls because they're not getting their way or someone is bothering them. Sometimes it's a little much. Thank God for 7pm/8pm bedtimes!! Steve and I then retreat into our kid-free room and nearly collapse from exhaustion. We can do this job God has given us though. We just have to rely on Him. Always.

Memorial Day

Yesterday we lounged around in the morning. After we got ready for the day we headed to the cemetary to visit my uncle and my grandparents grave. They are one in the same. He was their youngest child and is laid to rest between them. Although he was laid to rest first due to his death in the Vietnam war. He was only twenty-two. We go each year to remember the sacrifice, decorate their gravestone with red, white and blue flowers, and to pray for our family and other families affected by war. James placed two American flags where Uncle Ronnie lies. He then placed a white carnation on top of the gravestone.

Red Sea Ethiopian Restaurant

Yesterday I took Addis, Mulu, Sarah, Joe, Anna & Adah to the Red Sea Restaurant here in San Diego. Our friend Shad joined us! The girls had no idea that they could have injera here in America. They thought we had to fly back to Ethiopia for it. Don't know if I'm ready for that flight just yet, but driving fifteen or so miles seemed much closer.

The waitress was very nice and was able to talk to the girls in Amharic. She asked them what they wanted off the menu for me. She was also able to ask them how old they were. Six and Eight were the answers on age.

We ended up ordering Tibs, and a stewed beef, and the vegetable combo which featured split peas, collard greens, salad and another thing or two that was unrecognizable. It was quite tasty and the girls loved it.

An older lady came out from the kitchen to give the girls a welcome, a hug and a kiss. We told them we would be back. We have to! It's the closest thing they have here in America of their homeland.

Awana

Last night was the last time with our Awana kids in our individual clubs until September. For me it was the last night because I won't be continuing in the Cubbie club. We've had fun, but I've had a lot going on this year. You know, like bringing four daughters into our family in only eight months.

The boys and older girls were able to spend their Awana bucks at the Awana store. Much to the dismay of my nine year old the girls got to pick first and took all the "good" stuff. Lessons in patience, I guess.

Joel finished two Sparkie books and needs just needs to say one more verse to review his second book and receive the review patch. He needs five verses to review his first book and receive the first year review patch.

John is part way through his first T&T book.

James finished one T & T book and is working on his second book. He hopes to finish all four books by the end of next year.

Addis & Mulu just had fun because they've only been here for a month. I don't know what they'll do in September because their language won't be up to the point where they can recite the verses for their age.

Maybe I need to see if they have ESL books.

The things that get done when I get to stay home!

I started out this morning making up the invitations to Jesse's high school graduation party and getting them printed. I just need to make the address labels for the envelopes and then those are done.

We did school and it kind of seemed to drag on today. This time of the year we're ready to be done for a while, but we continue to plod on through our lessons. Sarah has started to listen to the boys (James, John and Joel) read for twenty minutes a day. This frees me up to do something else and she can listen while she's laying in bed, doing a puzzle or just sitting there next to them.

When that was done I started working on my Sunday School lessons for the summer. I'm taking over the 3, 4 & 5 year old class for the summer. I ordered curriculum from Standard Publishing and am organizing it ahead of time. It looks like it will be a lot of fun as well as educational, can't beat that! I still need to separate the Make & Take papers into their individual weeks and make a list of supplies that I need to get. Ex: gray construction paper. Have you ever seen gray construction paper? I don't think I've ever seen it in a multicolor pack. I guess I'll hit the educational store. I also prepared a sample of each Make & Take so the church hour teachers aren't trying to figure it out at the last minute.

Sarah made bacon sandwiches for us. When she was done I made spaghetti sauce and cupcakes. No, the two aren't going together. Although that would be quite the mess wouldn't it? The cupcakes are for our Cubbie party tonight, and I made some extra for my family who always seem to meander around the Cubbie room looking for left-over snacks.

Jesse picked out some pictures for me to put on his photo memory board for his Senior Banquet and Graduation reception. He was such a cute kid, now he's quite the handsome young man.

I've been doing laundry all day. I LOVE having two dryers. When one load isn't quite finished I can continue on with my work. Do you have ANY idea how much laundry twelve people create?

I love staying home. I love when I can stay home. I love when I can accomplish things that need to be done. Today was one of those days!

More Mother's Day pictures

Addis
Almost all of them! Just missing Jared & Jesse

My eleven and under crowd
Abi Mulu, Grandma (Steve's mom) & Addis Rose

Grandma, Abi Mulu, Sarah, and Addis

Pictures from the Spring Formal

Every year our home school ISP holds a Spring Formal for the high schoolers. This year they held it at the San Diego Zoo. Notice Jesse's animal print shirt? He even bought silk plants and fixed up our fifteen passenger van as a "Jungle Mobile." He drove his sister and some of the other high schoolers. Don't they look cute?

KPBS-Road to Beautiful

Go to your local KPBS station and see what time it comes on in your area. It's airing this week. I have waited about four months for this! I did to set my TV to record it.

This is the description from the KPBS Nova website.

This program, a story of hope and survival in contemporary Ethiopia, presents the stories of five Ethiopian women who have been devastated by obstetric fistula, a common aftermath of neglected childbirth. An obstetric fistula is a hole that forms between the vagina and the bladder (and in some cases the rectum) during prolonged, obstructed labor. Affecting over two million women worldwide, this horrific injury leaves victims incontinent, often suffering nerve damage and in some cases unable to bear children again. Rejected by their husbands and ostracized by their communities, these women are often left to spend the rest of their lives alone, isolated and ashamed --unless they can get help. NOVA follows these women on their journey to the Addis Ababa Fistula Hospital, where they find health and solace for the first time in years. The dignity of their struggle connects viewers to the plight of countless women in the developing world who face daily challenges from malnutrition, child marriage and lack of obstetric care.

Life with ten children at home

Life is certainly not dull, boring or uneventful. Do those all mean the same thing? Maybe, probably, I don't know, I can't think that deep. If Sarah isn't with me when someone asks me a question I usually give them a blank stare. If she's with me she answers for me. It's a beautiful thing to have a wonderful daughter who knows you so completly she can answer other people's questions for me.

I have been busy this week with school. Trying to keep up with the boys while at the same time I have two girls who wander around and are still getting used to their home, along with two toddlers who want mommy or sissy all the time or they want something that mommy or sissy has to get for them.


Addis & Abi Mulu have started taking the girls out to play for a while in the morning. This is a good thing. They play so well together. I knew they would. They put the girls in the strollers and walk them around the yard. They fill their myriad of paper bags that they find with toys. Steve calls them the bag ladies. The bags go in the basket of the stroller and all is well in their world.

Sometimes Addis wanders in when we're schooling at the table and grabs a piece of paper and asks for the ABC chart. She loves to write her letters and can write her numbers to sixty. Today I bought them a few books at Office Depot to "practice" school. Abi has not had any schooling, but it is obvious that Addis has.

We've been to Kaiser or the dentist every day this week. I was able to turn in stool samples for both girls. I thought I was going to have to stalk Abi Mulu to get her third sample so I could turn it in. They call their stool, "caca", you should have seen me explaining to them that they needed to caca in this white bowl and then place it in the plastic bag. At the same time they could not get it wet with urine. I tried to explain by placing the bowl by my hiney-Caca-YES! Then placed it in front saying-Peepee-NO!! When I finally got Mulu's needed sample I started doing the happy dance and I think she thought I was a complete nut. Well, I am, but she doesn't need to know that just yet.

Abi Mulu had one of her teeth pulled this week and another crowned, while Addis had fillings put in her back adult teeth. We're coming to the realization that Addis is about nine and Abi Mulu is six as we thought.

Life is going good with them. They have fit into our family exceptionally well. Jared and Jacob have come by when they can to bond with the girls. Usually they just wreak havoc, but what are big brothers for?

I've also been busy with college plans for Jesse. We're tyrying to figure out if he's going to San Diego Christian College, San Diego State University or away to VA at Patrick Henry College. Such big choices. Scholarships, deadlines, SATs....

I have been cooking at home more. The girls seem to like our food more and more. I feel I need to take them for some Ethiopian food. I know if I were in Ethiopia I think I would want a big ole' cheeseburger about now.

A few weeks ago Jesse & Sarah also went to the Spring Formal through our ISP. You should have seen eleven of us marching in to watch Sarah come out of the dressing room in her beautiful dresses. The clerks thought we were a day care. Oh no! We're a family, that's all. :-)

The laundry NEVER quits, the dishes never stop getting dirty, toys seem to always be out, but........we have happy children!!! We have happy parents and we have a happy family. We love our big, happy family!

My Mother's Day

I woke up Sunday morning with three smiling boys who treated me to a breakfast of scrambled eggs (John), toast; one buttered, one with peanut butter because he didn't know which one I wanted (Joel) and a hot cup of tea. James went out and picked some mustard seed flowers and placed them on a vase. All brought to me on a tray. :-)

The day continued with cards, gift cards, chocolate cake, ribs, and baked potatoes. Mother's Day is a glorious thing. Too bad it doesn't last the whole year.

Happy Mothers Day!

My friend Sharon sent this to me. Enjoy!

This is for the mothers who have sat up
all night with sick toddlers in their arms,
wiping up barf laced with Oscar Mayer
wieners and cherry Kool-Aid saying,
"It's okay honey, Mommy's here."

Who have sat in rocking chairs for hours on end soothing
crying babies who can't be comforted.

This is for all the mothers who show up at
work with spit-up in their hair and milk stains
on their blouses and diapers in their purse.

For all the mothers who run carpools and
make cookies and sew Halloween costumes.
And all the mothers who DON'T.

This is for the mothers who gave birth to
babies they'll never see. And the mothers
who took those babies and gave them homes.

This is for the mothers whose priceless art
collections are hanging on their refrigerator doors.

And for all the mothers who froze their buns on metal
bleachers at football or soccer games instead
of watching from the warmth of their cars.
And that when their kids asked, "Did you see me, Mom?"
they could say, "Of course, I wouldn't
have missed it for the world," and mean it.

This is for all the mothers who yell at their kids
in the grocery store and swat them in despair when
they stomp their feet and scream for ice cream
before dinner. And for all the mot hers who
count to ten instead, but realize how child abuse happens.

This is for all the mothers who sat down with
their children and explained all about making
babies. And for all the (grand)mothers who
wanted to, but just couldn't find the words.

This is for all the mothers who go
hungry, so their children can eat.

For all the mothers who read "Goodnight,
Moon" twice a night for a year. And then
read it again, "Just one more time."

This is for all the mothers who taught
their children to tie their shoelaces before
they started school. And for all the mothers
who opted for Velcro instead.

This is for all the mothers who teach their sons
to cook and their daughters to sink a jump shot.

This is for every mother whose head turns
automatically when a little voice calls "Mom?"
in a crowd, even though they know their
own offspring are at home -- or even away
at college -- or have their own families.

This is for all the mothers who sent their kids
to school with stomach aches, assuring them
they'd be just FINE once they got there, only
to get calls from the school nurse an hour later
asking them to please pick them up. Right away.

This is for mothers whose children have gone
astray, who can't find the words to reach them.
For all the mothers who bite their lips until they
bleed when their 14 year olds dye their hair green.

For all the mothers of the victims of
recent school shootings, and the mothers
of those who did the shooting.

For the mothers of the survivors, and the mothers
who sat in front of their TVs in horror, hugging their child
who just came home from school, safely.

This is for all the mothers who taught their
children to be peaceful, and now pray
they come home safely from a war.

What makes a good mother anyway?
Is it patience? Compassion? Broad hips?
The ability to nurse a baby, cook dinner, and
sew a button on a shirt, all at the same time?

Or is it in her heart?
Is it the ache she feels when she
watches her son or daughter disappear
down the street, walking to school alone
for the very first time?

The jolt that takes her from sleep to
dread, from bed to crib at 2 A.M. to put
her hand on the back of a sleeping baby?

The panic, years later, that comes again
at 2 A.M. when she just wants to hear
their key in the door and know they
are safe again in her home?

Or the need to flee from wherever she is
and hug her child when she hears news
of a fire, a car accident, a child dying?

The emotions of motherhood are
universal and so our thoughts are for
young mothers stumbling through diaper
changes and sleep deprivation...
And for mature mothers learning to let go.

For working mothers and stay-at-home mothers.

Single mothers and married mothers.

Mothers with money, mothers without.

This is for you all. For all of us...

Hang in there. In the end we can
only do the best we can. Tell them
every day that we love them. And pray.
And never stop being a mother...

"Home is what catches you when
you fall - and we all fall."

First weeks at home

Our first week at home was a whirlwind as would be expected. Steve went to work that Monday and I stayed home with the children. We didn't do school as we felt that just acclimating to one another was enough learning for the week.

They did smashingly well at church both Sundays. The first Sunday we didn't go to SS, but did go to the worship service. I'm sure they were overwhelmed with all the new faces and hellos, but they were very gracious about it all.

This week we've been to various doctor appts. Addis saw the pediatrician and received her immunizations as well as a TB test, blood draw, bone scan, and an OPV stool sample kit. Yeah, I get to scoop poop again. Lucky me! Yesterday I came across a treasure of which I'll spare you the details. Let's just say she is now on meds to get rid of roundworms.

Mulu went yesterday for her pediatric visit and isn't doing so well today. She has a fever and is lethargic from those pesky shots. She also had the TB test and blood draw and I get to scoop poop for her too.

I told the lab techs that I use a clothespin on my nose so I can't smell it. I had them in stitches. They went and got me gloves and masks to wear. It's not enough. I still have to have that darn clothespin on over the mask or I can smell it and if I can smell it; it's not getting done. It's gotta get done so on goes the clothespin.

Wednesday they both went to the dentist and both need extensive work. We found out that Addis needs more work than Mulu. Addis's teeth are her adult teeth too, so that kind of stinks for her. She has some deep cavities in the back of her mouth. Mulu needs her rotten tooth pulled from the front side of her mouth and then the tooth next to that needs a crown. They're going to hate me by the time this is all over. And it was all going so well...............sometimes moms have to do what they have to do.

Anna went to the doctor this week to get those pesky molluscum off. They're healing quite nicely and she's much nicer to look at. She was looking a bit like a potato with all those "eyes" growing off her skin.

So we're not in survival mode anymore which is good. We've accomplished school this week and things are going smoothly. Laundry and meals are a constant, but what would I expect with twelve people living in the same house?

Oh! One of the lab techs is going to give me some clothes for Mulu. She was going to give them to the GoodWill, but after chatting with her this week she wants me to come get them from her. Yeah!!! These girls need clothes bad. Addis is bigger than we thought so her dresses are too short. I ordered some longer ones from Land's End and they fit her well. With your help on finding the bike shorts from Walmart I think we have some modest girls. The other day Addis didn't have her shorts on and when she sat down we could see her undies. I told her to go get her shorts on and now she always puts them on. They're so teachable and eager to please. I like that!

Flying home!

We flew home on April 25 out of Addis stopping in Rome to refuel and then onto Washington, D.C. The flight was longer because we were flying into the wind. At least the plane wasn't full and the girls were able to spread out into two seats at different times of the flight. They had fun watching their Tsehai video on the DVD player. We even kept little Sammy (13 months old) busy for a while.

On the way to the airport Mulu threw up in the CWA van. Sorry CWA! As we headed into the terminal a lady yelled to the girls, "Have a good life!" It was a great thing to hear, but also sad at the same time. I'm so very sorry they couldn't have a great life in their home land. Sorry that they had to leave their father to have food. Sorry that their mother died so many years ago. Hopefully we will accomplish what the Lord has set us on the path to do; to give the girls a family that loves them.

As we sat in the terminal waiting to board the girls had a great time with their friends looking at the plane. Both girls fell asleep just before it was time to board. We boarded an hour late and it was 11pm for them. They were used to sleep for many hours by then. We woke them up so they could say goodbye to Ethiopia. We didn't want them to miss that.

The food on the way home was absolutely horrible. We ate enough to keep the hunger at bay, but it most certainly wasn't appetizing in any way.

We arrived in Washington, D.C. the next morning. We weren't able to change our tickets to an earlier flight so we had a seven or so hour layover. We decided instead of sitting at the airport we would rent a car and go site seeing. I had been in DC in 2005 on a field trip with Jesse & Sarah. Many of the workers in ET at the airport and the car rental place were Ethiopians. They were able to talk to the girls. One man heard the girls talking and stopped to engage them in conversation. Kind of cute to watch expressions when you have NO idea what is being said. Addis got very embarrased at one point because the man's name was Addis too.

We drove towards the White House. We got out and walked and not having a camera; Steve had to use his cell phone to take a picture of the girls in front of the White House. How many immigrants get to go to the White House on their first day in America? They did, but they didn't care. They had NO idea the significance of where they were. Oh well, some day.

More pictures of Ethiopia

Scaffolding in progress
Just ramblin' down the road.
Selling fruit by the side of the road.
Out in the city. Have you ever seen so many buses in one spot going no where?
Pool area at the Sheraton.

See the dead goat on top?
The view from our room.

Mesfin our waiter at the Sheraton. He helped the girls each morning and pampered them like they were princesses.
Shop for a couch?

A shop on Church Hill Rd.
That's the name of the airline we flew on.

Pictures of Ethiopia

A plant at the Sheraton
It was Easter time in Ethiopia.
A view of Addis Ababa from our balcony.

Addis, mommy and Mulu at the Sheraton
Out in the city

A home in the city of Addis

Bye-Bye Molluscum!

I took Anna to her dermatologist appt today and he removed eight molluscum off her face and her finger. I thought we would have to come back at another time, but he scraped them off right there and then. She cried while we held her down, and she pinched the nurse under the fleshy part of the upper arm so the nurse screamed too. :-) He even got the ones that were right on the lining of her eyelid. He gave us permission to pull off any others that decide to pop back up.

CWA Acacia Village

After swimming on Thursday and packing to go home we took our luggage to the front desk where they held it for us until we needed to leave for the airport later that afternoon. We waited for the CWAE driver to bring us our passports and take us to Acacia Village. There was a mix-up with the passports and they didn't have them so we headed over to the office to retrieve them. We were leaving that night and NEEDED them IN HAND. When you're over there you have to constantly communicate and not assume anything.

We drove to Acacia Village which is land that CWA acquired through a lease and they plan on building a boys and girls home and other buildings and support services necessary. On the way I asked the driver where we were and he responded, "Sebeta." I couldn't believe it. This is where Adah was found in 2006. I looked and looked and wondered where her mother placed her. Did she do it in the dark? How sad and how hard it must have been for her. Was she just a young teenage girl? Did she try and take care of her and it was too much? What did she look like? Was she out there walking around with everyone else? Does she know what a precious gift she has given us? You would have to see Adah to know. She charms EVERYONE she comes across. Everyone is her friend.

The man in the picture on the right used to be in charge of the intercountry adoptions in Ethiopia. He told us that he would have signed Anna & Adah's adoption papers in August. He resigned from that position and is now the director of Acacia Village. The man on the left was our driver that Steve nicknamed, "Rambo."

When I told the director about Adah he said, "This is her land." This is Sebeta, Adah's land.

Kingdom Vision International Addis Orphanage

Kingdom Vision International Addis Ababa Orhpanage and director: Eyob Kolcha

Wednesday afternoon Eyob and his driver picked us up to take the donations we brought and to show us the orphanage in Addis. Eyob shared with Steve how it was a miracle that I got the girl's passports back in August on the same day as our embassy appt. It had never happened before and never again after that. He shared something how I was so emotional. Me?! He MUST be talking about somebody else. ;-)

We arrived at the orphange and after giving him the duffel bags he showed us the nursery. Oh, what sweet little babes and how sweet were the arms that were holding them. I gave each nanny & baby a hug and kiss, so precious they were that I couldn't help it.

When we arrived it was nap time. All of the beds had sleepy/sleeping children in them. Some had more than one depending on the size of the child.
Laundry for seventeen children. If you're at all interested in sponsoring a child or donating in any way, please use the KVI link on the side. A small baby had just arrived at the orphanage the day before and another in the city of Nazaret. Your money is put to the best use possible: children. If you've been interested in adopting, but can't afford it, this is a great way to help instead.

Swimming

Wednesday and Thursday mornings we decided to enjoy the beautiful pool at the Sheraton. We found a children's pool that had a slide and on the other side steps. Addis & Mulu had a great time.



Steve and I both got burned in the African sun. We covered up our legs because mine got burned so bad last year, and I thought I had put enough sunscreen on my chest and shoulder area, but I apparently missed some spots.