Yikes, too many kids!!!

I just realized... I think anyway, does anyone actually read this thing??? I'm not sure. But here I go. Here I am in Africa... All of my friends (and people who aren't really friends, but my age and I know them and talk sometimes...) are getting married... And I am in Africa with 4 children under 5... 3 children under 2 (sounds more impressive, huh?... or crazy...)... yikes, what is going on!!! But really I think I am going crazy. Is that a possibility when you only talk to people who don't know english and 3 of them don't answer back except in monosyllables? So anyways, here's reports, people... they are full of fun stuff! Love ya!!

Wow, time is flying. I am crazy busy!! I have a new little girl. So that makes three for me. My goodness, it is definitely hard to have three kids under 5 two of whom don't walk yet! It definitely keeps a person busy!!Sonia is my newest little one. She was really struggling in her house because her Tia was sick and the girls weren't caring for her, among other things. So She moved in with Katie, Merita, and me sunday. She is definitely a trial. She is the most strong willed person I have ever met, in my entire life. But we are working on that, and now she is doing much better. For example, all of my kids have malaria, but Katie has diarrhea. So I was giving her some re-hydration juice and Sonia wanted some too. I gave Sonia water, but water just won't do it when Katie is drinking something that looks like apple juice... So, I took the water and put some yellow food coloring in it and she drank the whole thing. She is awfully stubborn, but getting better. She wouldn't face the front when we ate, so I took away her food. She now sits like she is part of the family. We have a long way to go, but she is definitely doing better. And I think she will start walking soon, because Katie wants to walk. Sonia can't stand for Catarina to do or have something she doesn't so I think they will both start at the same time! This week we have also started cooking for our children in each house. It is definitely good, I eat much less sudsa! We were given a bag of maize and I didn't want to eat the kind that you just grind, it is not nice, the hulls are in there and such. So I decided I was going to pound it. I must have thought that one good whack and the hulls all jump off... not the case. So I am pounding and pounding... My whole body is sore... but my sudsa is nice!! All of the kids come around to watch me and laugh (but not pound so much, unfortunately), but they will not be laughing when my sudsa is nice and they are eating the not so nice kind!Cooking for my kids is really nice, just this morning Merita said to me, "Auntie Sarah, you cooking too much nice!!" That was the best compliment. I was afraid they wouldn't like my sudsa and my relish would be bad, but apparently my cooking passes the kid test!!

My word, I think I am getting some gray hair!! No I am just kidding, but this past... I don't even know how long it has been, my concept of time is totally gone, has been crazy. First, I was in the hospital with Catarina. For 4 days, that was ok, we were in the nice hospital, not at all like the last time, thank the Lord!! She has malaria, it still didn't clear. So now we are at home, still taking medicine. My second day in the hospital I got a terrible flu that weakened my superb immune system and brought malaria. So I have been feeling well only for a few days. That really got me. In addition all three of my children had malaria as well. Sick mother, sick kids, a lot of laundry not being done. I am so grateful for Erin's family who were helping me so much by taking my children so I could sleep!! Then yesterday we got a new baby. Her name is Helena and she is 12 days old. She is the tiniest person I have ever seen. I don't think she is even 2 kgs. That is rather scary. We made it through the first night together. She eats really well, and sleeps a lot, so I think she'll make it. But my, scary. Thankfully though, Simon has given me back Melissa. She is such a big help. She is going to be staying with me and all my babies and helping to wash and cook and clean and hold crying people, and whatever else. I am definitely going to miss Erin and her family! They are great!! And now the white people population at teen missions Mozambique is down to one... It was so exciting when there were 5 of us!! Now, the lone white person, one of the girls said to me last night, auntie Sarah, you aren't white you are kinda light brown!! I think she was trying to make me feel better, because despite always being in the sun, I am still always one of two colors... white or red.