Sunday, September 7, 2008

This and That

Last night we went to Esmé's first "Girls' Night" at her cousin's house. Pizza, popcorn, hot chocolate, back rub, foot massage, and two romantic movies later, we were all relaxed and made it home around midnight. Thanks, Auntie & Cousins! We need to do that again, and Esmé especially likes the "run around and beg popcorn off people" part!

Today was relaxing. I was hoping for some sleeping in after a late night, but Esmé was up and in my face by 7:30. At least she took a nice long nap around 11:30. We read some books, played in the yard a little, did some crafts, and watched lots of online videos.

It is only 9 p.m. on a Sunday evening, baby is bathed and asleep in bed, and all the animals are fed! And tomorrow is a holiday here in Mozambique. So, except for the fact that we are out of dish soap and no stores will be open tomorrow, we're off to a great start for the week!

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I posted a couple of weeks ago about starving babies in Zimbabwe. I had a few questions on how to help when the country had banned help from outside countries.

I'm happy to say that since that post, on August 29, Zimbabwe lifted the ban on NGOs, so NGOs can once again provide aid to Zimbabweans. I'm not sure which organizations are starting up again, since there is still concern that the government will seize incoming aid and redistribute it.

World Vision is the largest humanitarian organization operating in Zimbabwe. Here is a link to updates on their position in Zimbabwe.

Here is a link to a list of other organizations known to provide aid in Zimbabwe. I would suggest contacting them first to make sure they are still in a position to provide aid in that country at this time.

The two links I put in my previous post are for smaller organizations that have not discontinued operations in Zimbabwe during this crisis. Their "insignificant" size allowed them to continue through it all.

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And I have an award to pass on! This one comes from a blogger I have been lurking around since I had about 2 regular readers, and I was very surprised and happy to receive it. Thanks, Kailani at An Island Life, for the I Love Your Blog Award! Not only does she have beautiful girls and an interesting career to write about, she has regular giveaways and hosts the fun Aloha Friday each week.

Passing it on to the following bloggers:
  1. Notes From One Mom. Lots of Grammie stories of her seven grandkids, great recipes, and a good mix of fun posts.
  2. Beanish and Other Languages I'm Learning. A mom blog with stories of a beautiful miracle girl.
  3. Clothed With Scarlet. Great reminders to be thankful, to appreciate the people in your life, and to praise God.
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Last but not least, a photo to warm any book-loving mother's heart. This is the sight I walked in to this afternoon in our living room. Note the tippy toes. I suppose I could put the exciting books a little lower, but I think the placement of the books adds to their excitement.

30 comments:

Tammy and Parker said...

You are so great to blog about those who are facing crisis.

And that picture of your little one.......a girl after my own heart!

Pam said...

That sounds like a relaxing night- so glad you had some fun girl time!

That was a great picture! I think that no matter what books you put at that level, she will enjoy the climb on the chair and the reach to get it. How creative, smart, and completely cute!

Heather of the EO said...

It looks like she's reaching for the CS Lewis Narnia collection. GOOD girl! :P

Putting the FUN in DysFUNctional said...

Sounds like a wonderful time.
I'm really glad that more aid will be able to reach those children.
And I love that picture. I used to work in child care, and I'd take pics of the kids and email them to the parents. My faves were always the ones with the kids (one year olds) holding books and 'reading'.

Anonymous said...

Sounds like my kind of girl's night!

I love that she's getting into the books on her own. We have quite a few pictures of The Bean exploring our personal library!

Thanks for the award! You're so sweet!

Leslie said...

What a great weekend/week beginning (except for the dish soap I mean. Thanks also for the links for helping out! And...how I just adore that picture! Truly a sight a book-loving mother will cherish!!!
Also...thanks for your comment on my blog! Much appreciated. :)

Kellan said...

Thanks for the links - such an important cause!

What a darling picture - so sweet!

Thanks for stopping by my site - so nice to meet you. Hope to see you again soon - Kellan

Musings of a Housewife said...

What a CUTE picture! So good to know World Vision is at work in Mozambique. Enjoy your holiday.

Christie O. said...

oh.migosh. that is PRICELESS!!! I LOVE IT!!

Jackie said...

That photo totally warms my book-lovin' heart. She is on the right track for sure.

And Girls Night sounds like so much fun, especially the popcorn-stealing part.

One Mom said...

Maybe Esme wants a shelf of her own...but then maybe she'll always have her eye on something just out of reach. Gotta love her determination! And thank you for the award! I had to read it twice to believe it :)

Suzie said...

Sounds like a great night. I loves girls nights although I havent had one in years

carrhop said...

Looking forward to visiting these links--

So glad you had a fun girls night! What a great idea! And the picture warms my heart--we're big readers around here!
Blessings!

Cynthia said...

Great picture, start 'em young;)

Kristen said...

A girls night out, how fun!

I think that's so awesome about the band being lifted too. Wow!

Anonymous said...

What an awesome night!

Shannon (muzbeecrazy.com) said...

Maybe your daughter could teach my son how to sleep in until 7:30 instead of his 6:30 time slot he seems to like so much!
Great picture! And I have to say that you inspire me with your humanitarianism.

Claremont First Ward said...

Ah........my heart is warmed. Love a child that loves books......so glad that the ban has been lifted and that you had a great girls night out!

Kori said...

As a fellow book-loving mama, I LOVE that photo!

Debra Kaye said...

Esme,

First, a foot massage...that is my kind of night! Bravo! Second, my son, Josh sponsors a child from India, named Alpesh and World Vision is just awesome..we love them. Glad to hear the ban has been lifted! Praise the Lord!
And Third, thank you so much for the award. How great is it that I get to come see your sweet words and sweet smiles and I get an award! Yea! Thanks again!

Andrea said...

haha...love that picture Esme getting to those real exciting books!! ;)

Damselfly said...

Congrats on your award!

I love the photo with all those books -- and your girl's night sounds sooo fun!

Dana said...

Girls Night - How fun!!

PS - very cute pic!

Dana said...

Girls Night - How fun!!

PS - very cute pic!

Heidi said...

Oh, that book picture is any mother's dream, right? My one year old would then proceed to rip pages out. We're still trying to keep him friendly with the board books. . .

SarahHub said...

Sounds like a fun girls' night!

And I love the picture!

Anonymous said...

Sounds like a great day!

Momisodes said...

So glad to hear you had some fun with the girls :) I love her reaching up on her tippy toes!

Anonymous said...

So true. They always want the ones they can't reach. hee hee

dani said...

what a fun girls' night out!!! i think i need to have one of those... esme, i hope my friends share their popcorn, too:b yum!!!
i love your tippie-toe picture; my katherine is 15 and still tippie-toes wherever she goes... soooooooo sweet!!!
love to you and yours,
dani