I forgot to mention that another outcome of recent events is that I have a new daughter. Her name is also Christina, she is 15 years old and Norbert's niece. Christina lost her parents (Norbert's brother and his wife) when she was very young, and had been in Norbert's mother's care. She is currently in boarding school, but has indicated she's unhappy there. So I am currently exploring day school options, with the intention of bringing her to live with all of us at home. I am very excited to be able to give her a family atmosphere to feel more connected to, and prayerful that we all get along well.

This week, renovations are starting to make the house just a bit more comfortable for when my 3 sons return from Ethiopia (where their father currently lives) in the end of June. Norbert's brother also lives here, as does a cousin. So by the time the kids move in that will make 9 of us living together. We are very fortunate that the house is big enough to divide some extra bedrooms into.

Wow. What an update. Given the accident and life changing on a dime as they say, it sounds like things are all going like they should. Flexibility. We will miss you in Salt Spring, but of course you will be there in the general spirit of the event, which I'm sure you already knew.

OK, you and Norbert with a household of 9, and Ray and Jackie with 8 kids. Somewhere, somewhere...somewhere in here is a TV show.

Hope things remain as calm as they possibly can. Hope to see you online here as often as you can. Hope to see you sometime soon.

interesting. thank God, you been here for a while, and you know how things work. that creates room for easy adjustments. feel feel ART HOME. i know now why we going to miss you online. its not an easy project though.

Hard to comment but either east or west, home is best and all we do is for our families, change is a fact of life and since we are living in a changing World it becomes inevitable. Deep in my heart I know how dedicated you are and how helpfull too.

I may not make it a routine but I shall always approach you for consultation afterall your light is still shining and being taken cared by your offsprings!! Am so greatfull that if I miss you online, I will dock at the door.

Thanks Christina, I know what you have done to push us this far, and I also know that there's only one life that one has to live. At some point in life, there is bound to be change and sometimes it's challenging, but still it has to be taken as is. I know what lies a head of you is very huge and needs real attention. We all pray that it should not be a big task for you as you learn the totally new culture that you have been faced with. I know the Acholis are very social people and it will not take you long to know who excatly they are. Nice that you have taken that girl, I know what that means to her , it's great hope for her. She has already gone through a lot , first loosing both parents and then the grandma who was just like a real mother to her. Thanks for that very kind decision

As for me, it's just 5 mins. in a taxi to your house and whenever I am stuck with anything, and being an Acholi, we always feel that a face to face talk when you are seeing one another's face, is the only way you can understand them....that is one bit of the culture revealed!... I know I still need a lot of your guidance but I also I know that i need to give you time to settle down.

Anyway I know we are with you in all that is taking place in your life right now and please know that we really love you so much for what you are and will never stop praying for the best for you.

We know we still need you a lot but we also know that we need to give you some bit of time to settle down and look at life a new. Please be with us in this prayers.

Thanks a lot Christina for your update.Its an indication that you mind,love and care about us in both sorry and happy time.we all know it has really been a bad begining of this year for you and we stand by you for ever.And with the courage your trying to build,i pray God to add for you more.you see life is full of temptation and challenges but they are always overcome,remain strong.May God also rewards you abundantly for being human enougth for adopting the young christina. You are the torch for Life in Africa where we shall always ask for light for our ways thru. success.but at the moment you must have enough rest to rebuild back to a normal life. With our prayers God will sort you out of the problems. Best wishes for you.

Wow,it it hardfor me to understand this whole issue.at least you can make a time in a day.anyways if so wish you the best in all and please for any kind of help like idears,do not seez asking for advises remeber,a problem said is the problem solved,on ned,there is alot of great people waiting to help to make this world a better place.Again,i wish you the best and great times and moment with your new hmoe/family of the 9.

Ndelo Peter said:

I may not make it a routine but I shall always approach you for consultation afterall your light is still shining and being taken cared by your offsprings!! Am so greatfull that if I miss you online, I will dock at the door.

ha ha ha ! lord ndelo, you just have the right words of expression, for sure, don't know how, if at any one time i got stack, what it would be like if i hesitated. i think its our turn now to give our mom the best of her comfort, i mean, GIFT MOM IF I SHOULD CALL YOU, FEEL FEEL ART HOMEY. sounds terrific. ha ha ha!

Thanks for the update Christina. Life decisions are always rather mystical at least in the sense that the really important connections are not always visible until they are--lol something like that. We are all connected but it's not always clear how. I hope for you oceans of love and seas of happiness. Living brings so many challenges and so many opportunities. So wishing you all the best with your new adventures.

Its realy had to believe to believe all what you have said but the fact remains as you have decided. Thanks for all the efort you have put in Life in Africa we shall not for get you. There is a say in luganda which says that its the mountains that will never meet but the human beings will one day meet. The step you have choosen to take is not a bad one for some one to make a change in his/ her life. I pray that the Lord should always be the full protector of this family you have joined. We should not make ajoyful noise in time of joy alone but even when we go through difficulties beccause we know that all things are working out for our good. May all your plans come to pass as you also pray for us to see that we also continue stongly. Its good that the Okech's family is just near the Office, my home and my church so in case of anything i and the rest will just pop in and say hi or for any advice and help. Thanks for being a very good teacher of Internet 4 change to me and others. I wish you the good life in all you do.

Wow, Christina! We will all miss seeing you, and wish you peace and strength in your important new role. Best to everyone there.

Love, Shawn

thinking of you, your family old and new, and all of your emerging ventures and responsibilities and wishing you all the strength and courage and support to see it all through. much love to you and yours,

lars

"Between you and every goal that you wish to achieve, there is a series of obstacles, and the bigger the goal, the bigger the obstacles. Your decision to be, have and do something out of the ordinary entails facing difficulties and challenges that are out of the ordinary as well. Sometimes your greatest asset is simply your ability to stay with it longer than anyone else."

~ Brian Tracy

sounds real ! 'sup mom... '(,

Hey Sweetie,

Yet again that HUGE heart of yours just expands to envelope all that needs to be accepted and embraced.

Take exquisite care of yourself as well, baby!

love and hugs, Gayle xoxox

Hi mum, like already said, change is a fact of life people do move however we as LIA members, we will always miss you! I wish u the best and hope that we will always communicate. Akiim

As you try your best to juggle with work, kids, family, housework, friends, hobbies and a zillion of other stuff, let some of these funny quotations and sometimes silly quotes relax you and bring some lightheartedness into your day.

A woman is like a tea bag - you never know how strong she is until she gets in hot water.

Having a baby changes the way you view your in-laws. I love it when they come to visit. They can hold the baby and you can go out.

He who laughs last probably didn't get the joke.

sup ! so quite, how are you carrying on dear friend?

inj the same vein as a woman is like a teabag is there a parallel simile for a man?

Oh Chris - you are such a funny bunny!!!!

Dear friends,

I often remind myself that God's plan is always better than anything we can think up on our own.

There's something I'd very much like you all to see at http://tinyurl.com/5q3o9u