I know angels

Two little girls came into my life last November and their names are Gigi and Bianca. They drive me CRAZY, make me laugh, piss me off and, on top of it all, make my biological clock tick.

Gigi is 3 years old, has a speech impediment, and among the few things she knows how to say, my name is included, although she calls me “ma.” The way Spanish kids says mom. It's incredibly touching. Each time I hear her say that, it's like a bulldozer running into my heart. Absolutely precious. Her favorite activity is me doing her make-up. I let her do mine and obviously look like a mascara monster afterwards. She likes to wear my clothes, my purse, and my sunglasses. The second I get to her house she basically strips me of my purse and sunglasses and asks me for my chapstick, which I told her is lipstick.

Bianca is my sidekick, never leaves me alone. At 7 years old, she's nicknamed "el terremoto." The earthquake. It's not an exaggeration. Some days I just have to kick her out of my room to get anything done, but then she climbs into my room through the window all over again when I'm not looking. She has this spark in her eyes, a wonderfully creative child. Too much energy to ever contain. I have to keep appreciating it because I know I'll never meet another little one like Bianca. You know when you know something annoying and ridiculous in the moment will be one of your greatest memories in the future? That's what Bianca is. I know I'll think back on Peace Corps and her face will be the first to pop up.

It's something else that I get to influence these little girls and, more than anything, that they influence me. I don't really know how to describe it but I have truly taken in two girls here. If I come back to the states with two adopted children, don't be surprised.

Bianca walking around in her pajamas

Little Gigi

Washing hands!!