STEVE'S TEACHING TRIP TO ETHIOPIA THIS WEEK

Hubby is off again to Ethiopia. I returned April 10 from my two week trip so I really shouldn't be envious but I always have trip envy when anyone gets to go other than me! I have called twice (I love having a phone there finally) and they are having a blast. He has delivered all the goods I sent with him and has seen 3 of our 5 houses and had the boys over for a movie. Our new guest house is right next door to the boys home and it is such fun to lean out the window and visit with them...they all have such amazing bright futures ahead of them and such aspirations! Steve starts meeting with students this week and will hear all of their 5th year Veterinary dissertation/thesis oral presentations/defenses. He enjoys doing this and it is such fun for him to be there to hear from the faculty and see how their students are coming along. The first year students he taught in 06-07 would now be ready to start their 4th year next year...I know he'll enjoy reconnecting with them as well! Oh, there I just had a jealous feeling again...gotta stop doing that! :)

As I dropped Curtis off for choir camp this morning (yes, he is officially in junior high now), I hung out at the door (hidden, so I wouldnt embarass him) and listed as they played a game to get to know one another. They had to find a partner and learn their name and if they could go anywhere in the world, if money was no object, where would they want to go? I listened to see if he would say what my heart was SCREAMING...and of course, I knew we had the same thoughts when I heard his partner say, "umm...it was somewhere in Africa or somewhere...oh yea...Ethiopia!". I smiled as I walked away, and said quietly to myself, "me too buddy...me too!"

Then tonight at dinner Nati announced he wanted to be a veterinarian when he grew up so he could see daddy more at work. Then Cailyn went off on how she wasnt sure but she might be a doctor so she could go to Ethiopia and then Lydia said she wanted to teach in Ethiopia but she'd need to learn Amharic first and Eyerus began to tell her very specifically how she could teach English and what time these courses were offered and how they could ALL meet together on the playground and see each other on their breaks because she would be there too, and then Nati chimed in, "oh yea...I'll see you there too because I'll be there from 3 to 10!" It was great. Then Eyerus got up and went over to get more dinner and said, "wow...I guess everyone in this family really wants to do alot in Ethiopia!" I asked her that felt to her and she said, "good...because I really love Ethiopia and I really want to be able to help people like my mom who get sick."

Now that the house is quiet (wow...is it really midnight?) and I am reflecting on all of the day's events...it feels pretty good to me too. Uh oh..there's that jealous feeling again. At least my OTHER HALF is there...I know that counts!