Freaky Friday

So my family is making fun of me for continuing to write the blog because we haven't been able to get enough wireless internet to post for the last three days. BUT I'm going to write anyway because it helps me think.

After yesterday's long day of waiting for passport papers, Paul had a tough bedtime, which we'd expected but which hadn't happened yet (so far he falls right to sleep and sleeps like a rock.) Counselor me thought it was nighttime trauma, which isn't unusual for children who have spent time in institutional care or who have broken biological attachment. Turns out, Palamang didn't like the underwear we gave him to put on after his bath! After thirty minutes of tears we finally figured out that's what was wrong. So, fine, change your underwear, dude. He did and fell asleep immediately. OK, then.

We had a delightful morning, snuggling in bed and playing with the ipad, quietly so not to wake Samantha. After breakfast, we were getting ready to go to the mall. Palamang said, "Ice cream." I was so happy to hear him speak (he has been talking more, some in English, even, like please, thank you, ball, car), so I said "Yes, but later. No tears," in English and Sesotho. I don't know if he misunderstood or if something got lost in translation but he started sobbing. Which turned into a full on tantrum. Two of the Mohokare staff tried to ask him what was wrong, but he wouldn't tell them in Sesotho, either. We went from time in to holding to just letting him scream it out. He finally fell asleep on the floor. Then I started making lunch, he sort of woke up, Trent asked him, "Ja?" which means "Eat?" He grinned, hopped up, got dressed (long story), and ate. We had a wonderful afternoon and evening. He took a bath (he has the BEST hygiene skills!) and snuggled and listened to music and traced the alphabet and colored and at bedtime had a story and a song and then fell asleep. Like many six year old boys, when he's in a good mood he's just a delight. When he's not, whew! We just have to love him through it. Language barriers and attachment trauma add to the difficulty on both sides. But we just love the little booger!

We're starting to feel the strain of living in a small room with very limited communication with friends and family back home. Sam and I had to make a supreme effort not to lose it when the wireless internet wouldn't work again today at the internet cafe. We probably got spoiled Monday and Tuesday when it worked so well. We figured we'd be able to post and send pictures and skype with no problem. But ugh! It takes FOREVER just to load facebook, and another forever to post a status update. Forget about pictures or skype. It's only about 50 cents US for 30 minutes of wifi, which we thought was a great deal when it was working. Now I'd gladly pay more just to get it to connect to my iphone. Yes, we are spoiled Americans. Part of me hates that I'm so attached to these creature comforts, the other part just wants to email my mom!

We took a few things to the drop-off laundry in the mall, things that are too large (like the sheets for the air mattresses) or would take too long to dry to hand wash. They lost our items. Yep. Trent made a special trip to pick up the laundry, and they handed him someone else's. Had no idea what happened to ours. So...Palamang currently has one sweatshirt and one pair of pants that are clean and dry. The others are either hanging in the bathroom or lost. (Little boys crawl on their knees and scoot under cars after lost balls and spill food on themselves!) Tomorrow we get to try to track it down. Or go shopping.

We're trying to maintain normalcy of meal time together. We have the cutest little bistro table around which we crowd. And the oddest assortment of dishes - one huge plate, one normal plate and two saucers. Three shrimp forks and two ladles. It makes the three Americans laugh. Palamang doesn't seem to mind at all. He just eats. Whatever we put in front of him! I took a picture - but with the other camera. I'll post it someday.

Tomorrow we may have a playdate at Ministry of Hope. Palamang knows the kids there. As long as M'e Mamanyana can explain he's just visiting to play and not staying, it could be fun for him to have some playtime with friends. Will let you know - if we can ever get internet.

Blessings,

Trent, Kristi, Sam and Paul




- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone