Today is Maddie's birthday and she is 8 years old.  She was so excited this morning about taking her Hanna Montana cake to school to share with her friends at break time.  We celebrated on Sunday with lunch at Des and Pete's and then afternoon tea in the Matopas.  It was a lovely day all round.  Tonight we will go to Creamy Inn for icecream.  That will really make Maddie's day..  Hard to believe that I have had that little stick of dynamite for 8 years.  She has certainly made all our lives a lot more interesting!!!  Maddie invited her friend Nicky to spend the day with her and the two of them had a wonderful time together. 

A number of our children out at the Village also celebrate their birthdays in September and last week a friend took cake and presents for all the children having a birthday this month.  It was a very special afternoon for the children but especially the birthday kids.  Flora the lady who prepared the celebration wrote in her e-mail to me...It was the most uplifting time for me and I loved every minute of being with them. The twins were delightful! As too, their little sister, in one of the pictures, wearing the ribbon from their wrapping.  Portia was fantastic and guided me through the whole thing. She was so good with knowing all about each child and filled me in on their backgrounds.  I am so grateful to people like Flora Eley who see the importance of making each child feel special.  Flora will do this each month from now on for the children having a birthday in that particular month.

In my last blog I wrote of my sense of well being that all of our children were back with us and doing much better.  Unfortunately that did not last long,  Awakiwe began vomiting on Sunday and we had to take her to hospital yesterday where she was admitted. Because of her status she tends to catch anything that is going around.  She was doing so well so I was devastated to hear that she had taken a bad turn again.  Please pray for her!

The other little ones are all doing well.  I spent some time playing with them this morning.  I always feel refreshed after being with our babies.  They certainly help one keep things in perspective!!

I know I am supposed to be happy whenever someone expresses an interest in adopting one of our children but the thought that one of them may be leaving us is always hard to bear.  Someone came in this morning to see Chanel.  She instantly fell in love with her and if Chanel's older sister is willing to sign her over for adoption then Chanel will be leaving us soon.  My heart is breaking.  I know that I could never take her but at least I get to see her each day.
Joseph is still with us.  He was supposed to go to his Aunt last week but because he was being legally fostered by one of my staff he will have to go court again before we can hand him over.  At first he seemed a bit reticent abhout leaving us and was obviously very shy around his Aunt but he seems to be coming to terms with the situation now and hopefully he will settle into his new home quickly and without any problems.
There is also another family keen on taking 15 month old Liam.  Liam has a 3 year old sister and twin brothers who turned 5 today.  Liam's sister Sera leaves us on the 17th to go to her new foster family and if everything pans out Liam will also be joining a new family soon. 
It's all happening at once and as I said in the beginning I know I am supposed to be happy but having to say good-bye to so many of our babies all at once is going to be very hard.
Little Jacquie finally came out of hospital on Saturday.  She is looking so much better.  Please keep praying for her.  She is still very small for her age and still requires special care.

Whilst I was at the hospital I was able to chat with Jacquie's pediatrician who has agreed to work with us pro bono.  This is wonderful news for us and we praise the Lord for His provision. 

So at last all our babies are back home with us and I have a sense of well-being for the first time in ages.  Thanks to all those who faithfully prayed for me, the minsitry and our children. 

Nothando, Ashley, Jacquie, Susan and Chanel

I had a terrible night last night.  Rebecca came into my room around ten o'clock with a raging temperature.  She kept thinking  things were crawling on her and was terrified of the pillow, thinking it was a person.  She kept asking me who was in the bed with us.  I can assure you there was no-one there except Becky and me!!!

Today is bittersweet for the YFC staff.  8 year old Jospeh will be leaving us tomorrow.  He has been with us for two years and has become a firm favourite of everyone at the Sandra Jones Children's Village.  He is always up to nonsense and in the time he has been with he has broken both arms and currently has a big cut on his head.  He is a bit of a daredevil and is always climbing on things and then jumping off. 

Whilst we are all thrilled that he will be going to live with his Aunt now, his smiling face is going to be missed around the village.

I am thrilled to finally be able to say that at last Nothando is out of hospital and looking much better. She is full of smiles now.   Little Jacquie is still in hosptial but we have been assured that it will only be a matter of days before she is also home with us.  This is Nothando below.

We currently have 5 babies, plus 3 toddlers in our offices and it sure does make for some interesting times.  It is so hard to concentrate when you know that just a few feet away is a baby just waiting for you to come and play.  Awakiwe is back, she has to go to the clinic tomorrow.  She spent some time with us last week and I LOVED having her here.  We would take little walks together each other and she would talk to me in Ndebele and me to her in English but somehow we were able to understand each other.  As you can see by the photo she is a real little character. 

Chanelle is also still with us.  She is eight months old and was staying with me for a while.  She is one of my favourites and I knew that I had to bring her back before she was firmly entrenched in our family and it became impossible for us as a family to hand her back.  Now I have the best of both worlds.  I get to spend as much as time as I like with her but don't have to change dirty nappies and have sleepless nights.

Philip is also still with us.  He is our only little boy at the moment.  He is really spoilt.  It is hard not spoil him....he is just so darn cute!!!

And finally that's little Susan above...she was also very ill but now blooming.  Susan has a terrible temper and wants everything done NOW!  She can really make herslf heard when she is not happy about something.  It's a cry that can wake the dead.

Well that's about it folks.  Time to pick up my daughter from Des' and then go home and cook supper.