This week we started up school again! I brought back five weeks of curriculum with us just in case we were delayed… and also to fill our quarantine time when we head back. Even though some aspects of our school never stopped, it’s important that we get back into more of the particulars. Since we’re stateside I was able to get a crafting set that matches our history studies, and we’re actually doing them!! I’m not the crafting mom at all, so being on this side with two artsy grandmothers and easy-to-get supplies has greatly improved the girls’ art studies. For this first week of school Willa learned about the Mongols and built a yurt. Ray is in the process of building a chariot, but her heart has truly been in knitting with Grammy. Back at Yaya and Popling’s all three completed some paintings for the walls. It does my heart good to see them crafting up a storm!

Update on Gemma and our return: Gemma’s citizenship application is not looking hopeful at this point. There aren’t any definitive answers, but we have been in communication with the agent and better understand their stance. I cried my rage tears and then listened to what Brian was saying, and it does make sense (even if it’s still infuriating). On the very bright side, a no right now means we can go back to PNG soon! We’re still waiting to buy tickets until we hear back from the agent, but our hope is to leave October 12 arriving in PNG October 15. If everything works out, we’ll be able to travel with the same teammates we came back with in June. Lots of balls in the air right now and nothing is settled. However, we’re in Delaware for a couple of weeks enjoying some extra time with Brian’s family and we’re not hating that at all!!