Kilpatricks In Kenya: August 2013

Hello from cold,cloudy Nairobi! Yes, it is just about 1 degree south of the equator, but it is "winter" here and we are freezing. We are experiencing lows in the 50s! I see your confused looks and furrowed eyebrows. 50s? Lodwar is usually 100+ degrees and Nairobi has no heater systems in the concrete houses. Yes, we are freezing. I am wishing now I had taken a picture of us all eating breakfast in our coats and scarves!We are headed back to Lodwar tomorrow (at least that was the plan...the Nairobi airport is currently on fire! so we will see :). If and when we get there, I can't wait to soak up the sun! It is surely comforting to know summer is always waiting for you at home. At least to a beach bum like myself.

We arrived in Nairobi on July 14th. We celebrated Lainey's 6th, my 28th and Lucy's 5th birthdays. All within 8 days of each other. It was fun for the kids (and myself!) to be able to do exciting things for their special days. But it has not been all fun and games, we also visited the tropical disease specialist which included long appointments and blood draws and several test. Results, well...hummm....(close your eyes grandparents)...different combinations of typhoid, atypical bacteria infections, intestinal parasites, a uti...and the list actually continues but I will stop there. So we then preceded to buy a small pharmacy and began a schedule of medicines that could have even posed as a challenge to the most seasoned RN. Good news, we are all feeling better! We have not felt well for months so we are glad to be feeling ourselves again. Even if it cost us a small fortune! I am still struggling with some eye problems...like being able to blink! But after visiting the eye doctor I am hoping by desisting my contact lens wearing and sporting my new glasses that the issue of my eyes being too dry to blink will be resolved!

The construction of the SEND Center has continued in our absence. The stone walls are going up and it looks wonderful. Taylor and his crew are doing a great job. While here is Nairobi, Taylor was able to gather some much needed supplies and materials. Some we will carry back and others will be shipped via trucks. Here in Kenya, showing up in person is sometimes the only way to find what you are looking for. Check out the SEND Center tab on this blog to see updated pictures of the amazing process of the construction.

Every time I begin a blog post I remember my solemn vow to never have a blog. My philosophy behind that is "If you really want to know what is going on with my family, be actually present in my life". Good thought I still think, but difficult when you have moved your family to Kenya! So just know as I write this, I am still missing your presence in my life! Nothing can take the place of a warm body. So you and I will both pretend we just had this conversation over a cup of Kenyan coffee and fresh baked cookies.

Of course, pictures follow below. They tell the stories much better than my words.

Lainey and Bonnie our kitty.

Wild parrots! My favorite backyard visitors.

Our baby is growing.

We think Taylor may have a promising future in goat modeling.

Meet Patty. Our new leopard tortoise. Yes, you have only seen those in zoos.

Andi Rose.

Meet the sheep. Yes, sheep meat is much better than goat. I see
this fellow as mutton chops, curry and maybe some stew.
I must say, he is a bit "sheepish". The weird tail is fat reserve, like a camels hump.