Waterfalls, Camels, and Goodbyes

 Found more pics from our time in Burkina. 

There was a beautiful waterfall not far from where we were staying. It was a little hike to get to but so worth it. The kids could have stayed there all day.

Falling off the edge with Aiden.

They decided to have a boat race. Each team made a boat and then they raced. The production of these boats consumed much time and energy, especially for the length of time they lasted. :)

This was all Becky's idea. She had done boat races as a child. I think she was more into it than the kids.

Dawson and Ella's boat, made from a nest of some kind.

So the boats went in and immediately flipped over. :) So much for all the hard work. But we were able to watch the pieces race. The nest beat the strands of leaves by a hair. It was a close race. :)

As our kids played their that day I couldn't help but think how cool their life is. They get to see the world. They go places not many kids have gone. They get to experience things not many do. The weather was nice that day. It was incredibly peaceful. It was one of those times when I am overwhelmed by the blessing it is to be here. What more could one ask for?

As we left the hotel to stay in another city, we passed camels on the road. We don't get to see camels very often so of course we did the logical thing anyone would do. We pulled off (into a ditch I might add) to turn around and follow the camels and ask if we could ride them.

  Anna rode it too but I guess it was on her camera so this is all I have of her and the camel.

This was the last day of school for the boys with Anna. 

Anna was a wonderful teacher and a huge blessing to our entire family. She really became part of our family and we feel that sense of loss. Glad for her that she is where she needs to be but sad that it took her away from us. We will be forever grateful for the love, time, energy, sweat and tears she put in for our boys. She impressed me greatly with her strength and determination. She is a jewel and we miss her!

And this is what happens when mom takes over schooling. Needless to say it didn't go quite as well as with Aunt Anna. :) And I may be smiling here but it wasn't before I had shed some tears. I think school lasted all of an hr, if that, the first day. But at least it ended with art. :)

And surprise, surprise, we picked up another animal in our time away. She was too cute to leave so we took her from her mother as she nursed (I kid you not, terrible, I know) and made her part of our family. I fed her day and night for several weeks. She is doing well and is affectionately named, Burkina, as a reminder of our time of displacement and waiting.