The Countdown

We have 18 more days until we fly out of Angola.  At that point, it will have been 7 months since we last saw our family and friends in the US.  It feels like so much longer.

I can hardly wait to see everyone, and for everyone to see the kids.  I can see how much they've grown and changed, but I suspect that their grandparents and aunts, uncles, and cousins will see it even more.  There's the surface stuff, like them growing taller....and browner.

Then there's the really good stuff.  The way they've grown even closer since we've moved here.  The way they seem to have a deeper appreciation for their family, and can't wait to see them again.  The easy acceptance they have for things and people that are different - it makes me so proud.  Of course, they're still very much their own fantastic, strange selves - that part hasn't changed!

For my part, I'm plugging away, anxiously waiting for the last day of school, and then we'll be off!  Today is the craft sale that JoAnn and I are taking part in - we have been sewing up a storm, and today is the first time that many of the women here will see the clothing that I make.  I am a nervous wreck.

And just to round out this post that is chock-full of random, unrelated info - I'd like to share with you my two grocery-store finds from the past week!  Number one -

Jalapeños!  These are a key ingredient for homemade salsa (add that to the list of things I never bothered making until we moved here), and last week was the first time in 7 months that I've seen them in the store.  So of course, I bought six packages, JoAnn bought six, and we cleaned out the store of jalapeños!  We each have a gallon size ziplock bag of these in our freezer now, so we should be set for at least a few months.

Number two -

I saw this at the nicest grocery store in town, and even though I knew better - I bought it.  It was in English!  It's something they sell at home!  It's ice cream!  These are the thoughts that were running through my mind.....even though there was a little voice that was shouting at the same time, "It's ANGOLA!"  So I wasn't too surprised when we opened up the box and found a melted-then-refrozen, freezer burned, unrecognizable lump instead of the pretty creation on the box.  18 more days, just 18 more days....