National holiday and Dias' b-day

We have seen sheep being slaughtered several times today all around town. it is a holiday for Muslim people and you serve lamb and everyone comes to visit and eats and takes some home. The amazing thing is that a black lamb which is the best can cost 500-1000$!!!!!! We watched our neighbors skin and gut and quarter one and then watched a woman wash every piece clean, and all the "inners", I guess it is all used. You use a butane torch to cook the head for some reason. We also finally ate sheshalik (shish kabob) on aluminium wires (like from a construction site) and cooked over open fire. You sprinkle some water w/ onions in it from a used soda pop bottle and go to town! Served w/ bread and sliced fresh onions and GOOD! The holdiay is something about when Abraham slaughtered a lamb in thanks. Like our thanksgiving sort of. People brought food (lamb) and toys several times to the baby house. Really touched us and made us both tear up. They are celebrating and take the time to bring things to those who have less. Don't ever criticize Muslims to Mike or I. I try and not generalize but actually the Muslim people we have met are #1, just people like us, but #2, extremely friendly and generous. From the Imams welcoming us in the Mosque to just meeting regualr folks.
Dias had a WONDERFUL birthday. The baby house mama's put on a play and gave him a tigger stuffed toy. He was beaming. We have wonderful video. Dias seemed to know it was special and about him. But we gave gifts to all the kids and lots of balloons. It was SO fun. The baby house mama's cried and said how happy they were the children were so happy..then we all cried. This place will break your heart. With joy and sadness. Like life. We are really ready to come home but are savoring every minute. I was playing with Dias and heard some kids and looked through a gate and there was one of my boyfriends. I got some awesome photographs of him. We are hoping a family that had been told his adoption was not possible has a turn in fate.......
Love to all. Muslim, Christian, or whatever, we all have much to be thankful for.
Love,
Mike and Susan