Hard Little Workers

When Micah was born, we were clueless as to how to make him CALM DOWN. He had BOY running straight through his veins and coming out his ears. At two years old, he was nicknamed "Dash" by some of those who watched him run from one end of the church to the other in 3.2 seconds flat. His behavior was WILD and very difficult to control. I thought I was just a bad mom, and had a naughty toddler. 

You know what made him settle?? Structured. Heavy. Work. Tyler's mom is an Occupational Therapist and works with kids a lot like him. She walked me through how to point him in the right direction. 

When he wanted to hit everyone, we bought him a drum and he learned to play quite well. When he was bonkers off the wall crazy on a rainy day, I'd turn up the music real loud and have him pound his feet and march to the beat up and down the stairs. When he got older, I turned it into productive work. Right up until we left America, we would often play Vacuum-and-Chairs. We had carpet under our dining room table, so Micah was in charge of moving the heavy wooden chairs as I vacuumed... sometimes he was the vacuumer too on really nuts-o days. It was much like musical chairs, but when the vacuum stopped, the kids had to find an empty chair that wasn't put away yet. Heavy work. His behavior improved tremendously when we did these physical excersizes. 

By living on this farm, Micah's behavior has been AMAZING because we send him out with the farmers all the time, and expect much responsibility from him. He is eight years old and working his buns off here! 

Jonah, on the other hand, has a much more "laid back" work ethic. So... we make him work! He would much rather be hiding in a blanket-fort by himself playing Legos. There's definitely time for Legos and forts, but chores are just good for kids!

The girls are still small, but everyone pitches in at their level. Honestly, they LOVE to do this work
most of the time. They all beg for a turn to mop and wash dishes and cut veggies and collect eggs from the chicken house.

Although many think we are suffering terribly in this underdeveloped foreign land, I don't think I can put into words how blessed we are to live this life!

Micah's favorite thing to do... hoe the garden.
He has muck boots now, and feels like a real farmer.

Jonah chopping down a dead Papaya Tree.

Micah was moving these rocks in order for us 
to build our new "laundry room" there.
Unfortunately, he found a snake in the pile that day.
We've only ever seen poisonous ones.
An adult finished the job.

Lilah's favorite thing to do!

Abigail does a great job mopping inside and out!

Julius is so good with the kids. He involves them whenever he can.
They are all helping to plant the popcorn.

There was a pack of baby goats next to our hut.
This guy's friends got away,
but he got stuck in a corner with our dog nipping its heels.
 The poor little thing was terrified,
so Micah rescued him while my friend Catherine beat the dog away.
Never a dull moment!

Catherine is awesome.
She is teaching Abigail (and the rest of us) so much! 

Micah working alongside Julius' son, Benja. They're buds.

Collecting charcoal.
They also take out the garbage to a pit across the 2 acre land like this.

Sweeping African Style.
We sweep the dirt in order to keep it packed down.
It keeps the inside of the hut less dusty.