settling in...

Well, we've been here in lapilo for about a week and a half. Things are going quite smoothly...actually better than we anticipated. The kids are sleeping well (as long as we drown out the traffic noise and the neighbor kids with a fan!) We're getting settled in a routine which is good for kids and mom! :) Every monday and thursday the store here in lapilo is open for grocery shopping and the fresh fruit and veggie market is also on the same days from 4-5pm just outside the gate. The gate is right beside our house and the store is right across the street, so we don't have very far to go! Grocery shopping is a highlight as there are no other stores here, unless you count the mission barrel, which is a small room where missionaries leave their belongings that they couldn't sell (or didn't want to sell) when they are going home on furlough. Everything is free and to me it feels like garage saling! (only free...wouldn't that be nice in Canada eh Tash?) So far I've been able to find a Meri blouse, a baby doll for Aowyn, some headbands for Tayah, a few books, a small lunch cooler for Clinton...and probably some other miscellaneous items. But it makes me feel good! :)
To give you a feel for food prices here...a small bag of brown sugar - $10, a tin of Pringles - $5, Oreos - $7, Chocolate chips - $4 (small bag), 1kg of mince (groundbeef) - $6, etc. Some foods are reasonably priced while others are outrageous, but there is no where else to go. Everyone around here gets really excited when a container comes in because then you know lots of new foods (or hard to get) foods from the states are coming in. A container came in today so I'm looking forward to grocery shopping on thursday! Even if I just drool over what's on the shelves because some things are too expensive for me to justify right now! :)
The twins celebrated their 2nd birthday on the 25th, so I was able to find a boxed Duncan Hines chocolate cake and icing in the store and we partied!! :) The kids (and Clinton) loved the cake! And I didn't have to slave too hard over it! :)
This morning Rorik was playing in his closet and Aowyn closed the door while Rorik's thumb was still in the door and needless to say it didn't end well. Rorik's thumbnail came almost all the way off and I had to take him to the clinic here to have 2 other nurses and a doc hold him down in order to give him a little freezing before the doc ripped the rest of the nail off. Poor little guy, screamed like crazy and I'm sure all of lapilo heard him. He's tough though, got a sucker after and was fine. Now to keep the dressing on for the next week...:)
Clinton went to NTMA in Goroka for the first time today to start his orientation there. He'll be going in every other day to do the finance end of the aviation program there. He really enjoyed it and felt like he was catching on! (that smart husband of mine!)
We're still going through some orientation stuff in the next two weeks, and continuing to meet new people and starting to recognize others we've already met. Clinton plays roller hockey every sunday and wednesday evening with a bunch of guys from the base here. (Terry Banman plays as well). He loves it!
I'm a little tired of all the uphill climbing while pushing a stroller, but I count it as my workout! I'm huffing and puffing everywhere, never have I felt so out of shape! I walked on the treadmill at the little gym here and I felt like I was walking uphill on that (and no, there was no incline on)! But boy does it feel good going downhill! Rorik has wiped out more times than I can count, but he's starting to get his legs under him while he races down the hills. :)
Anyway, please continue to keep us in your prayers as we adjust out here. Please pray that Rorik's thumb heals nicely and no infection sets in. We thank you all so much for your support and encouragement as we fit into life out here.
Love, Clinton & Rolanda and kiddos