Happy Leap Year to You!

Not much to report other than it was beyond HOT today! Most of the time the humid heat doesn't bother us that much because we spend most our time mid-day hours indoors. We have become pretty accustomed to it even when we do venture out. However, today was so hot that when I opened the door to go outside at lunch the heat almost knocked me back a step. It will be interesting to see if we get a thunder and lightning storm tonight. They seem to come right after these super hot days.

On a funny note the kids at school celebrated leap year today by having an extra five minutes of recess set aside for leaping. What a crack up to see the gym full of leaping little kids. The middle school kids did not find it quite as cool as the elementary ones did. So...Happy Leap Year everyone!

Home Sweet Home

Saturday was move in day. Talk about a busy house. It was literally buzzing with noise and excitement when we arrived. We stayed just long enough to drop off some curtains and take a quick look at few things that still need to be finished.

One of the things that was purchased with the swim-a-thon was a trampoline with a net around it. When it was delivered they obviously had no idea what it was because they moved it into the great room. John and I were cracking up because they still had the trampoline inside on Saturday. We are pretty sure they think it is a piece of furniture because they were enjoying their dinner on it.

Our friend Chip, who speaks fluent Bahasa Indonesia, gave them a call and explained that it could be moved outside. I am happy to report that it is now outside where it belongs.

Happy to be in her new home

Smiling for his photo because I was bribing him with candy!

This little girl was so full of spunk! It was the first time I have met her.

Some of the older girls

Pak Jonedy and Ibu Anna with their children

How adorable is Michael?

John hanging out with his two little buddies!

The kids are watching Toy Story 2

Enjoying their new living room

Friday Night Lights

One of the fun things that is done every year on camp is "Friday Night Lights". It's a flag football game that is played on softball field under the lights. It is a lot of fun. This year the game ended with a tie. Sydney's team was the Texans and Kade's the Seahawks.

Getting ready to run the secret play

Brooklyn getting ready to cheer!

Brooklyn and Gabi watching the game.

Things that go bump in the night

One thing that is never good to hear in the night is unexplainable noises. Last night this happened to John and I twice. The first time we did a quick search and discovered nothing out of place. The second time the noise was much louder. It sounded like a crack and a swoosh. My first thoughts were the endless list of creatures that could be living in my ceiling. My second thought was "PLEASE don't let it fall through the roof and land on my bed." John being the dutiful husband that he is did a second search and once again came back to bed with no explanation.

It was a relief when we discovered in the daylight that the noises we heard was an old rotten, termite eaten tree cracking and falling. The guards watched it fall and since it did not land on the house did not want to wake everyone up by calling which was considerate. There is part of me that wished they would have called because I spent the rest of the night listening for it. They did however call FM (facilities management) and it was cleaned up by lunch.

Checking in

Yesterday after school we made a quick run to the orphanage to measure for curtains. It was fun seeing the progress they have made since Friday. They have been busy. Most of the bunk beds are now put together and ready to be made up. I love seeing it all come together. Thank you again to all of you who helped make this possible.

We still have a few last touches to finish like curtains and table clothes but we are getting really close. There are a few more things that we still need to bought like a large drying rack for clothes and a utility sink for washing dishes. They currently use a garden spigot for both of those tasks. Can you imagine washing 20 sets of dishes three times a day or hand washing clothing or bedding with a garden spigot? The idea of that makes my back ache just thinking about it.

Over the last few weeks we have enjoyed getting to know Pak Jonedy and Ibu Anna better. Ibu Anna has to be one of my most favorite people in the world. She is a hoot. She has a wonderful bubbly personality and a mischievous grin that I can relate too. We could get in a lot of trouble together. Pak Jonedy was telling us the last five years have been really tough. It has been difficult road just meeting the very basic needs of the kids. He has been praying for a miracle for five years. It was their dream to not only have a real home for the kids but also one that could serve as an outreach to the community. After seeing all the fun stuff that was purchased with the swim-a-thon money reaching out the neighborhood kids is not going to be a problem in the least.

Kade loves hanging at the orphanage. It is perfect place for him. There is always someone to play with and they like doing similar things that he does. Kade is happiest when he is outside and dirty and last night was no exception. When it was time to leave we looked around for Kade and he was no where to be seen. Then it dawned on us that he said he was going to play soccer with the boys. What we did not realize that he meant the neighborhood boys. It did not take us long to spot his bright orange shirt. It helped that he was a good six inches taller then everyone else. He had a wonderful time playing in a pick up game in the lot between two nearby houses. It reminds me a lot of when I was growing up and all the fun I had with the neighborhood kids. Good Times!

New Bunk Beds and Storage Closet

Brooklyn, Grace and Johana

Check out that fridge!

Kade playing soccer

Another bedroom almost ready!

Kade looking like a nine year old giant.

I love seeing the kitchen counter full of healthy food!

Mardi Gras Parade

Today is a big day on camp. It is the annual Mardi Gras celebration. Typically, Mardi Gras is celebrated on camp with an over the top adult party complete with costumes and the works. This year Mardi Gras is being organized by the party planner of all party planners. So as a way to include the kids in the celebration she organized a parade. It was a lot of fun. I am sure it has confirmed for the Indonesians that expats are insane. The whole concept of a parade was a bit foreign to them especially when we started hurling candy and beads at them. I wish, I could have captured the expressions. They were hilarious.

Friday Night at the Orphanage

Well, the plan was for the kids to move in this weekend so we made a quick run to the orphanage with the youth group to start putting the rooms together. Oh my goodness there is a lot to put away. I am not sure we even made a dent tonight. It was a wonderful problem to have. After talking with Pak Jonedy it looks like we might push the move in date back another week to next Saturday. This would give us a couple more work days to finish things up and have the last of the items delivered. One thing I find a bit mind boggling about Indonesia is their sense time. Many things were scheduled to be delivered. Now one would think that would mean they would actually arrive today. Well, that isn't the case. In Indonesia it means they might think about delivering it or might not. It is merely a suggested time. More updates to follow.

Brooklyn playing dinosaur puppets with Jeffery.

A Hula Hoop Contest.

The bunk beds did get delivered.

Hula Hoop Contest

New pillows ready to go on new beds

Photo Shoot

Can you see why I have fallen head over heels for these kids? Are they not the most beautiful children you have ever seen. Today our good friend Paul who is an amazing photographer took these pictures. We are going to use these photos to decorate the walls of Insam Permata. I can't wait to see them framed and up on their wall.