the day.

It was busy.  Add in packing, cooking, and preparing for the next three days, and here it was in pictures:

First, Lily took her final exams, then we picked her up early and headed for the hotel...I love when she and Sofie hold hands all by themselves :)

Picking up friends along the way, we took Mona, Edlin, Myolene, Granny and MaCodo to lunch to thank them for the thousands of lunches THEY served this semester.

Because we are totally out of time to pick a different day for Micheline, Gertha and Noel, they came too, and we added in our big "Thank you for all YOUR help this year" at the same time.  Multitasking.  

I don't know.  She's working on tree climbing :)

After I confronted them about not smiling (they know me!) in our family picture, I made Noel, Micheline and Gertha pose with me again :)

All the conversation, as always, was hilariously cross-cultural :)  Everyone is so ready for a break, that everyone was a bit giddy...really fun!

As soon as we got home, Lily's teacher came to visit...to say good-bye.  We had a great visit and I am just so thankful for both Madame Nata and Madame Rose and the patience, love and care they have shown Lily!

And here is our beautiful road I told you about!  Walking to visit neighbors...Saying Goodbye to people face-to-face is very important in this culture.  EVERY summer when we return there are a slew of people who come to tell us that we did NOT say goodbye, and how upsetting that was.  We're TRYING to get everyone this time :)

Roselore just delivered her fifth a week ago, and we needed to visit Lisline before leaving!

Sofie and her baby obsession continue...seriously, she goes NUTS over them.

I love this picture.  It's SO hot and stuffy, and so dark in the little mud hut that is their home, and there are so many children in that little room, including mine, and everyone was just happy.  Those moments are hard to capture...

 This little girl in the pink dress is Roselore's fourth, and the little girl in the back half-hiding is one of her twins.

Dr. Cooper comes in today, prayer meeting is at our house, Lily is finishing her final exams as we speak, we have a few more good-byes to do in the village, one last kid-movie night with our neighbors, and a lot of printing, folding, arranging and planning in the middle!  Praise the Lord!