The Mayer Family

What would Evan and Ellie do without Elephant? I’ve lost count of the hours both Evan and Ellie have spent playing with Evan’s beloved Elephant. It has been a huge source of joy and entertainment, has “chased” Ellie all around the house many times with much shrieking and screaming, been missed and anticipated when left at home, and of course argued over. Although we say the Elephant belongs to Evan, Ellie insists daily that it is “mine”, and I can officially claim ownership since Elephant was given to me by Kevin as a pre-Mother’s day gift before Evan was born! So far Elephant has been fortunate enough to keep all of his body parts with all the rough play and we hope he survives for awhile.

Ellie, Evan & Elephant

Evan with his friend Miguel

These days Kevin & I have each been spending several hours each day in language study. Right now we’re doing the Rosetta Stone computer program from our home. This has been good but also has its challenges with separating home life with study time. We also try to get practice speaking with neighbors and local people when we can. Some days it feels like we are getting a grasp on the language and other days we feel discouraged.

The last two nights Ellie has crawled up on to our open window on the sill and looked out into the dark night sky saying “God?” “God?” “Hi, God”. Sometimes we wonder if she can see things we can’t. I love the way children are so honest about talking to God and in praising him. The other day Ellie was loudly and happily singing her own made up song as I pushed her in the stroller on the street. The words basically consisted of “Jesus, Jesus…” in her own made-up tune.

-Wendy