Monday, April 18th

      After an amazing vacation to San Pedro, it was time to return back to our normal schedule. However, today was a little bit different. This morning was the same we woke up helped with breakfast and walked the kids to school. Except for the fact that I gave up on my 4:25 alarm to go to aerobics and decided not to set the alarm anymore, so instead I just workout by myself outside when the sun goes down and it is a bit cooler. 

     After walking the kids to school, we did the normal and went and played with the kids in the daycare until Wafi (the everything around Liberty) asked us to paint a room. Devyn and I headed over to this place they call the "transitional home," which will be fully finished by September, is a little house that 5 or 6 people will live in once they are old enough. Once the kids turn 18, they declare emancipation from the government/social services and leave the orphanage. This home is still on the compound but gives them a little bit more freedom and responsibility, while still at Liberty, before they go out into the real world. After we painted the bedroom yellow, Devyn and I were covered head to toe in paint and sweat. I am not kidding it looked like I just jumped in a pool and then blew paint all over my body. In fact, I have taken two showers since then and still have paint all over my arms, my legs, and even in my hair. 

     Once the kids returned from school and we finished painting, I helped a couple of boys with their homework. First I helped Kyron and Asher with their multiplication homework. It was sad because I basically had to teach them how to do it because their teacher clearly did not. After teaching them all sorts of tricks, they understood basically everything and this makes me think that I might want to be a teacher if nursing does not work out. When everyones homework was done, we played for hours outside. We played basketball, tag, ran races, played soccer, did cartwheels, slid down the slide, went on the monkey bars, listened to music, etc. This is my favorite time of the day because we get to play with the kids and see them laugh and have fun. Tonight was tough for me because I am really attached to the kids. This was my second time crying thinking about leaving and this time it did not stop and it only got worse. I can't even imagine what I am going to be like in a week. I know that I am going to have to come back and visit because these kids have made such an impact in my life and I hope I have done the same for theirs. Although I miss my bed, american food, a normal shower, and laundry machines, I am really going to miss it here. Hope this next week is even better than the last!!!