Sopai!  This is your friend, M'Buti Ayala, writing; hope this finds you and your cattle well and thriving.

I am thriving, I'm happy to say; however, time is of the essence for me.  Such as the case now:  just did the dishes; now sitting here in the den, relaxing, while Jubaki and daddy watch over the younger children.

It seems funny how fast the children have grown.  Jubaki, the eldest, is now 11, and nearing 5'7".  Such a good "little" boy:  doing very well in his studies, proving to be very talented at basketball, baseball, track and field.  He is a naturally gifted athlete; we are very proud of him!

The twins, Eshe' and Kibarake, are seven, and are nearly complete with second grade.  They, like their older brother, are doing very well in their studies.  I don't have any doubt in my mind that they will progress to the third grade come September!

Meanwhile, our triplets, Koji, Kenji, and Keloki, who are in kindergarten, are having fun learning about the big, wide world about them.  They are very smart, too.

As for our quadruplets, they will be starting pre-k in the fall.  Manani, Maliki, M'Baki, and Muhisani are learning their letters, colors, numbers, animals, as well as about people, other cultures.  They are very smart as well.

I don't know where all of this "smartness" comes from because I, their mother, certainly am not very smart!  I am still very stupid when it comes to a lot of things.  I still can't figure out how to operate an ATM machine or how to open a door; when the door says to pull, I'm pushing, or the opposite way around; then someone has to show me; I then end up feeling incredibly stupid.  LOLOLOL

Roberto is busy gearing up for the veteran's celebration they will be having at our church this weekend.  Seems that quite a few churches in the Nashville metro area will be having special Memorial Day services for our veterans, which I think is an honorable thing to do.  The city will be having a parade as well as other activities for our veterans and remembering those who died in battle or in peacetime.

My health has its good days and bad.  I still am battling my blood pressure ("how low can you go?"); I have to still be careful upon rising, or I can pass out.  I also have to rest because I walk on crutches, and I am not the fastest thing around.  (I would have much difficulty trying to beat a cheetah in a race!  LOLOLOL)

I am still working part time for the Nashville Banner newspaper, a couple of days a week; also am doing some side work at home on the computer for a friend; she is having me do her resume', and she is paying me $20 a day to help her.  I have heard from my disability lawyer; they are not cutting my disability any more than what it already has been, much to my relief, so I don't have to worry about bills (much).

Roberto is still doing his Marine Reserve business one weekend a month, to keep his skills sharpened; he is doing very well, really enjoys it.  I miss him so much when he isn't home!  (He goes away next weekend; while he's gone, I will have my neighbor help with the kids and myself, in case my health acts up.)

Busy times for me, but nothing really new or exciting.  My life is the same as it always is.  Boring.  LOLOLOL  I think fleas have a more exciting life than I, M'Buti Ayala Sormiento!  LOLOLOL

Oh!  There is one bit of news I forgot to mention:  my brothers, Keserian and Naiser, have moved to the United States; Keserian now lives here in Nashville, not too far from me, and Naiser now lives in Washington, DC.  Both are going to university to get better opportunities; they love it.  They've been here for six months now, and I love it whenever they come to visit!  (I see Keserian more than Naiser.)

Well, that is about it for me.  I will write more later.  I am sorry if my journal entries are so boring and uninteresting, but I don't have a very exciting life.  You get what you get, you know??  LOLOL  I hope to be back soon; until then, this is M'Buti saying Kwaheri (goodbye in Swahili)!  God bless!

~Love, your friend, M'Buti Ayala.  :)