africa

We have completed our first week back at school. It feels like it’s been a long one!
The weather has been beautiful! It’s hard to imagine we were in the cold and snow just over a week ago. It certainly is summer here.
Our trip was emotionally relatively easy; coming back to Africa was unexpectedly difficult! I felt Jeff’s absence everywhere I turned. Each sound and smell reminded me of him. Coming back to school I felt the vacuum he left behind. It feels like starting all over again on the grieving continuum.
On another note, Bryce broke his arm 2 days ago. He jumped out of a tree over the weekend and landed on it. It hurt, but there was no swelling, discoloration and he could move his fingers, wrist, elbow, etc. We watched it and it was feeling better each day. Then, Wednesday, he turned around funny and fell out of his chair at school . . . landed on the same wrist and it broke! Poor guy!
We had a truly African experience with it. The first place I took him was the Trauma Center, which was unable to help as there was no power. Ha! We then went on to the same hospital that Jeff went to after he broke his collar bone. It took about 3 hours, but they finally x-rayed him and put him in a plaster cast from his armpit to his fingers! They told us it would need to stay on for 6 weeks. The next day, yesterday, we went to the orthopedic surgeon who treated Jeff. He’s wonderful!!!! He explained Bryce’s break (a greenstick break) and removed the plaster cast. He replaced it with a fiberglass one from the elbow down. It needs to stay on for only 3 ½ weeks. Quite an improvement. Because of this, we have postponed Bryce’s birthday party until the cast comes off. (It was to be next Saturday; a swimming and water slide party. Not good for broken bones!)
Mary is doing well. She brought home a good report card for 1st semester, so we will have to celebrate. She has been working hard! She’s having some friends over tonight for a sleepover and iCarly party.
We’ve all been spoiled by the nice treats people have sent to us. We are eating some “exotic“ American treats (like Pop Tarts and spice packets,) enjoying American pop culture magazines (like Twist,) and watching some non-pirated DVDs (good quality!!!) Thank you all!!!