Sleepovers

One of our desires since we moved to Hogar de Vida a year and a half ago is to spend quality time with the kids in smaller groups. One way we have done that is to have each kid over for dinner with just Norman and I on their birthdays. Another thing we tried last year was to have small groups over for dinner, movie, and a sleepover. It was such a great hit they wanted to do it again right away. So we had them all again last year during their summer break from school right before we left for the states for a few months. After that we decided that once a year during school break would be perfect and make it more special.

So just like that, a year has passed, summer vacation has come, and it is time for sleepovers! So we started last week. We decided to split them into smaller groups this year for two reasons: better crowd control and smaller groups can all fit to sleep in our living room. Now that we have our own place, it feels more homey and special to have them over to "our house". We started with the 3 little girls: Meliza (4), Tianna (5) and Hemerlinda (2). They had so much fun!

The next night we had Venancio (3) and Luisito (3). These two are hilarious! They are like brothers and are best buddies. Their personalities are polar opposites but they get along great. They were a lot of fun and our home was filled with a lot of energy!

This past weekend we moved up to a little older. Friday night we had Marta (11), Lesly (11), Grisma (9), and Josefa (7). Once again our home was filled with laughter and energy. Boy, little girls can be goofy but a ton of fun! :-)

Next were 5 boys: Minque (12), Santiago (12), Benny (11), Samuel (9) and Adriel (8). Believe it or not these guys were quieter and less rambunctious than the girls! They filled up our living room though! And what is it about a group of boys in a small area, in no time at all it smells like a locker room. Nothing air freshener won't cure though. :-)

We finished up the weekend with dinner and a movie with Angelita and Chepa, our special needs girls. Angelita has down syndrome and is in her mid 30's and Chepa is in her lower 20's and has a brain tumor. We had a great time with them!

We have two more groups to host after we finish hosting a team this week. The older girls and the older boys.

Two things stand out to me as I look back on the past two weekends. One is how we are all created unique and special by God and no one is a mistake. Angelita and Chepa are very special girls who make me smile. Chepa is so perceptive and even though she can't verbalize it very well, she knows what is going on and doesn't miss a beat! Her smile and laugh are contagious and warm my heart. Angelita can be stubborn at times but she has such a servants heart! They both have blessed this home and we all wouldn't be the same without them.

The other thing that impacted me these past two weeks is how God uses us in ways we can't imagine. The night little Josefa stayed all night she announced that Oralia and I are her mamas and Sebastian and Norman are her papas. Then she called me mama all night as she jumped into my arms periodically. If our only reason to be here is to give a little girl security in knowing that she has a "mama", even 2 mamas, that love her, then that is enough for me!