photo shoot

oh the joys...

Ok so this is more for existing parents and I hope I don't lose my following of singlets out there still living the Atlanta night life with this post...

Neema is still "potty training" and during the day she has pretty much mastered the concept. If she has an accident I do punish her, even though some say don't punish for that, but the way I see it is if she is old enough to tell me she wants milk or to go outside and play, she is plenty capable of saying I need to go to the bathroom. However, she still consistently wets the bed during nap and at night. I don't punish her on these occasions because maybe she does it in her sleep and can't help it. So the question is...will that eventually just stop happening? Or is there something I can do to help the process? We already go right before bed....I hope she grows out of this soon because pampers here are like $15!!

Here is a story about when she COULD help it. Yesterday, she had to go sit in the 'naughty chair' on my bed because she wasn't being a good listener or something...can't remember exactly why. But she was crying and I wasn't going in there....so when I went in there to talk to her...She had wet her pants ON PURPOSE thus getting both layers of the freshly washed sheets wet! Just so I would have to come clean her up! Oh my goodness I was fuming! She is clever for sure...Everyday I am learning how I have to think ahead as to out-maneuver her. No more naughty chair on the bed. No more lotion where she can reach it. Oh and no more milk and yogurt without supervision. I need like 10 pair of eyes!!!! 

But as I write this...she is next to me rubbing my arm where I have a mosquito bite and saying "don't itch it." Just precious! So a little naughty yes...but so nice!  

****UPDATE****

Ok so to all you sweet souls who posted and sent emails of encouragement...i have to report that Princess Pull-ups have changed my life! Neema has conquered potty-training!! (for the most part) She is obsessed with Ariel, Cinderella, and Belle who grace the front of her pull-ups! She never wants to get her Princesses wet. ;) So I just want to publically profess my gratitude to Pampers Pull-ups!!!

 

splish splash...

I just had to take a moment and share this picture with you all. This is two of Neema's uncle's best friends...Neema and I went for a visit and she fell into some mud so here she is getting an African bath. The three of us were gathered around her in this small bucket and rinsing her off. I couldn't help but think 1. how lucky this little girl is that she has three people loving and bathing her; but 2. how precious these boys are! They help me so much with Neema: cleaning up after her, washing her shoes, take her to the bathroom, etc. They just grow up so close with all their neighbors they are just used to taking care of babies. Sometimes I think they know more than even I do! That's humbling. It is such a breath of fresh air. In a culture where typically caring for the child is "women's work" I can tell that times are changing. The other day I was there and Neema informed me that she had to use the bathroom...as i got up to take her, her uncle said "No, relax. I'll take her." I love these boys.   

Donard, Neema, and Vincent

Saturdays

So I have started a little tradition with Neema...On Saturdays we get up and we make French Toast! It helps me get over the fact that I can no longer sleep in on weekends. I have never made French Toast before a few weeks ago (I know its not hard to do) but anything that requires more than just taking it from the pantry and pouring it into a bowl is a big deal for me. I have never been much of a cook simply because I have always been an "on the go" kind of person never putting much thought ahead of time as to what I'm going to eat for dinner. But I quickly realized that a granola bar and potato chips, while not so healthy for a 27 year old either, is definitely not sufficient for the growth of a developing toddler. 

Here are some pictures from today post french toast with powdered sugar....Neema is playing the drums in my mzungu (white person) T-shirt. 

I'll keep her.

My little Beth Moore

A couple of weeks ago, my friend Grace told me that she had a dream that Neema was going to be the next Beth Moore. (Moore writes bible studies and leads women conferences all over the US) I don't know about that, but I definitely believe the Lord has some incredible plan for my Neema.

On Sunday, our friend Jennifer was giving her testimony at a church where we do not attend. We go to Trinity Vineyard that is made up of mostly missionaries, NGO workers, and ex-patriots. But this church is one of the oldest in Arusha and has a mostly African congregation...including a great gospel choir! As soon as we got there they were just a singin and dancin in their long red robes.  I was so excited. Neema loves to dance and I thought she was going to head to the front of the church and join them. After one particular upbeat praise song after the choir was finished singing and there is that small silence before the pastor moves onto the next part of the service, from the back of the church Neema yells out "Hallelujah!" Everyone turned around and looked at her and at first i was a little embarrassed that she had yelled out in such a formal church but then people laughed and just said "Amen!" 

Another one of my favorite things she has been doing lately is singing in the car. I realized it the other day as we were riding along when I looked in my rearview mirror and her little hand was raised to the sky praising the Lord and she was singing along to my worship CD. Her favorite song to sing along with is Steve Fee's Glory to God. It is the sweetest thing I have ever heard. She sings... "Flory to God...Flory to God...Flory to God forever...." 

Precious little heart!!! 

The Beginning....

I met this little girl at Cradle of Love in August 2008 when I came to volunteer in Arusha, Tanzania. It is there where I fell in love with the beautiful Neema! Everyday her infectious giggle and bubbly personality won me over more and more. When I went home for Christmas last year I could not get her off my heart. I was planning on returning to Africa in 2009 but to Zimbabwe. However, God had other ideas. He brought me back to Tanzania...back to Neema. She has been living with me since May and I am currently in the process of adopting her. What an incredible blessing she is to my life. Many people wonder why a 27 year old single girl would want to adopt a 2 year old. But it is an honor and a priviledge to take in one of God's children. She has captured my heart and as we wait out this process in Tanzania, I created this blog in the hope that you too can catch a glimpse of her spirit!