"Happy happy happy happy happy happy happy HAPPY. Now let's get the show on the road!"

If you spent all of the 90's (and part of the 2000's for that matter) obsessing over Mary-Kate & Ashley (before they went south) then you know exactly what movie that quote's from. Yes, I'm pointing at you Jen.

I am so happy I can't even. I learned a very valuable lesson when working with students who have austism: when you can't find the right words to say, borrow someone else's. So today I am "happy, happy, happy, happy, happy, happy, HAPPY." But honestly, folks, "let's get this show on the road," I just can't wait any longer to get on that plane!

I GOT MY FIRST LETTER FROM BIBIAN!

Well, actually, I got a letter that Bibianah wrote someone else. Earlier this year she began writing letters to a family she believed were her new sponsors, but it eventually fell through financially. Or should I say, never started financially. The wonderful ladies at the JAM office in Glen Ellyn thought I might enjoy reading the letters anyways to get to know Bibianah. They were right of course (at this point I'd read her math homework if only to catch a little glimpse of her!) Here's what I got:

This little girl's future is as bright as her smile.

Okay, honestly. Could she be any more adorable??? I want to grab this child and squeeze her! She is the cutest thing I've seen all year. I am so lucky. I can tell right away that she is going to be one fun time. We are going to paint our nails and twirl our dresses and dance the night away. She's got a fiery spirit, I can see it. I love her so much.

The #2 Reason Why I am Beaming This Morning:

I have received two amazing donations from two amazing people.

Exhibit A:144 toothbrushes, 144 flossers and 144 tubes of grape and sparkle blue toothpaste. These are not just any old brushes. These are glitter and glow and Disney and Winnie the Pooh and Dora the Explorer and Monsters Inc. and Finding Nemo toothbrushes. If that doesn't make brushing your teeth a party, nothing will.

Okay, Mom, we all know you are obsessed with brushed, flossed, whitened, straight teeth and healthy gums. I promise, I will teach dental hygiene to the best of my ability (which might not be that good). But basically, I understand the gist of things. (In Kishanje, children do brush their amazing beautiful smiles with homemade toothbrushes. We just thought these would be fun, and maybe easier or more thorough)

The toothpaste will be a taste none of these kids have ever experienced. Imagine, having no sugar or artificial flavoring in your diet, living solely on super healthy awesome organic meals and then exploding your taste buds with the shocking blue and purple paste that we put in our sugar-addicted children's mouths. It will be like watching a baby taste a lemon for the first time. Now that's a picture. But hey, toothbrushes work without toothpaste too. And they're fun. And important. Having cavities and no access to a dentist (or anesthesia) is. not. fun.

Exhibit B: 200 engraved Juna Amagara pencils, 200 glow bracelets and necklaces for midnight dance parties, 200 packets of crayons and 50 little plush footballs for recess. 

All from the caring heart of my friend. Lara, you literally just gave children a magical experience. Because that's what those glow sticks will be: magic. Thank you thank you thank you THANK YOU. Check out the company she was able to find all these things for such an amazing price! Oriental Trading Company

Imagine the dance parties that we will have when we are all glowing bright orange and blue and green! Now that's a picture. We are going to color the Kishanje night sky. 

I am overwhelmed by all of your generosity (and now overwhelmed with how I will fly with all this stuff). I think I'm finally going to make an AS SEEN ON TV purchase.... gonna need those magic vacuum bags!