13 months 28 days

Last night was more busy than usual. I went to bed at 3 am, which seems to be my new bed time, but barely asleep, two babies needed milk, so it was after 4 before I got to lie down again. Right now one of my greatest wishes is to be able to just once sleep in in the morning, as long as I want to, instead of responding to my 8:50 and 11:26 alarms. It's so hard to get up, make their food, then go downstairs to carry two heavy babies upstairs, and feed them, all the while trying to pry my eyes more open.

After they were done eating, it was bed time. I put them into their beds and lay back down myself. While I was trying to fall back asleep, I could hear their crying/whining, and I was debating on the inside whether to get up and help or not. I finally did get up and got Emmy. He was so excited to be with me, but, I could never get him to fall asleep. I finally put him back into his bed, which really upset him. I then picked up Tammy, and she slept on me until 11 am, which was a good hour. It seems that Emmy had also slept a few minutes. I took Tammy downstairs to join all the boys. Emmy was still so tired, that I tried to lie down with him again, but it didn't work this time either, so I lay down by myself, after putting their food into the warmer. It was noon before we fed them their lunch meal.

Then it was time for me to be in the kitchen cooking, while Randy was downstairs with them. After I had eaten, I joined them in their play area and had fun with them. I thought it was so cute when Sammy had captured their house.

They were getting pretty tired, so we fed them their afternoon meal at 2:15 pm, and then put them to bed. I have SO MUCH office work to do right now that I had decided I could not lie down with them but needed to go to the office. I put them into their beds, but a few strokes of their heads did not put them to sleep. I left them, hoping they'd fall asleep, and called Paul in Mali. I was on the phone with him for a long time, catching up and hearing some great testimonies I'll share with you in the days to come. The biggest burden right now is that our bank accounts are empty and he needs money for food and school supplies.

While I was still on the phone with him, our friend Anna arrived with her daughter at 3:30 pm. All three babies were actually sleeping, but the door bell woke up Emmy who started crying. Sammy was up to, and they came downstairs. Tammy followed not long after.

With them being here and with the babies, I was hoping to be able to get work done after my phone call, but I didn't get far. Sammy was crying and was only happy with either Randy or me, so I ended up holding him, which restricts what I can do on the computer. I finally gave up trying to work.

It was after 4:30 pm before I handed Sammy to Randy and went to the kitchen to get their food ready. Sammy came up first a while later to start eating, and then the other two. I was feeding Emmy, while Anna was feeding Tammy, and Randy Sammy. I had the bathtub ready and put Emmy straight in there, and Tammy followed. Then I cleaned up Sammy, while the other two were playing in the water right next to him. I put him to bed first, then Emmy, and then Tammy.

Emmy fell asleep without complaints tonight, but Tammy was crying hard every time I left. I finally gave her some milk, but she still cried when I left, so it took a while before she finally fell asleep.

Randy went to bed early tonight, and I wished I could, but I have too much to do. That's why I got my daily update writting before midnight tonight, so I can get to work now.

By the way, we FINALLY got the bill for our old apartment. Losing one of the keys cost us over 800€ ($900), cleaning and repairs was another 400€ and 200€ for projected heating costs for 2020. Another big bill, money we don't have right now. I'm so thankful that my heavenly Father takes care of His children!