We are back in the Midwest for the next 6 weeks. John is putting into practice the tools and techniques he has learned during his linguistic studies. The boys and I, Erin, are getting some much needed time together playing and relaxing. To describe what is it like here think Family or Summer Camp. Our group of 30 adults and children share all our meals in the "dinning hall," taking turns cooking and cleaning. We as a family sleep together in one room and share a common bathroom and living area with the group. We do have cell phone service, but internet is one good ol' dial up connection shared by all. It is amazing how you don't realize how much you use something until you are with out it (wireless interent). So far we are figuring out how to live in a very close community. We just finished week two of buying groceries and cooking. 40 bananas do not last more then 5 days in a warm kitchen, regardless of varying ripeness. Quadrupling my cornbread, banana bread, and brownie recipes worked well. And an eight month old can still be bathed in the sink! The next 6 weeks will be a great opportunity to grow, if we're willing to be humble and gracious, in team work and interpersonal relationships as we all live closely together.
Caedmon loves all the social interaction; he has 3 friends here, his age, from our time in Missouri. Every time he walks down the hall to our room he peeks into each open door to say hi. Whitman is learning how to feed him self small bits of food (and thoroughly enjoying it) and has transitioned well to just 2 naps a day. John is enjoying working with the Cherokee language and I am enjoying getting to know people from Missouri better.
