Baby sitting and validated cultural acceptance - I'd say I'm part of the fam clan!

Setting: I was sitting in one of the bedrooms with Marianna (hsis) and two little cousins who are precious girls of 2 1/2 and 4. We were watching a channel equivalent to Animal Planet while playing "peek-a-boo" with blankets. My hmom came in and we had the following exchange in French:

N'Diaye (hmom) - "Lacey are you leaving anywhere?
Moi - "No."
N'Diaye - "You are staying here for a while?"
Moi - Yes, I am not leaving, I do not have anything else to do today."
N'Diaye - "Good, I am leaving with the girl's parents. I'll be home later. Au revoir!

That was it, she was gone... and I was home alone watching over three little girls who spoke two languages, one which I understand about 10 phrases in. No fear, all went really well. By the time the parents came back I had played tons of games, had photo shoots (the 4 year old loved taking pictures which was a bit difficult since the little one wouldn't let me put her down for the majority of the time), and I had rocked both babes to sleep. I was pro. The girls were so much fun - they talked slow for me so that was absolutely adorable. The 4 year old kept touching my face and playing with my hair; she would start on my forehead and rub down to my chin then to my neck and up my scap playing with my hair. Precious. Also, it was hilarious because before I rocked them each to sleep I was sitting in the living room watching TV with Dany while both the little ones were climbing on and off my lap. There was a point where I was holding both in my lap and they were pushing eachother fighting for my "chest space" to rest their heads. Dany just laughed at me. It was hilarious and somehow, though it seems impossible still, I worked out a deal to hold one at a time and that is how I worked my magic in putting them to sleep. Wonderful moments.

There are also plent of random moments here in Dakar. The moment I had gotten the 4yr old to sleep two large men with a large suitcase each entered the house followed by a petite Belgin girl. I had no idea there was a girl coming to live with us. Basically a long story short, she 22, from Belgum, and not good with different cultures. She was very nice but only lasted THREE nights at our house! She moved out on the 4th day! I came home from class and my host mom said she left and now the kids were asking her iof I was going to leave! Her and I found it humorous and talked about how I loved it here and how I was different. Also, my host father talked to me about it and just does not understand the girl. We have had great discussions since then about cultural integration and the reasonb behind living in another country as well as the test of personal strength. Basically the family told me that they appreciate me and I think that was probably one of the greatest moments I have had here - it feels amazing to be validated through mixed languages and awkward experiences, especially since I was never really sure before then how they felt about me. Side note - the kids are talking to me a lot now and asking me to do more things; they are precious and still rockin' out to Justin Beiber and Rihanna! haha!

I must leave for lunch but don't you worry, next time I will teach you all about sheep sacrifices and naming ceremonies! Love to all!