Leap Day and some Random Thoughts

Since this only comes around every 4 years I feel like I should post something. You know, celebrate, because its a special day. Ok, honestly its just like any other Wednesday, but you make the most of whatever you've been given, right?!

**As I type this the boys are looking out our second story window watching the garbage truck picking up the garbage. They are telling each other which way it turned, whose house its next to, etc. Garbage trucks are exciting. (Almost as exciting as Leap Day.) I love that they are fascinated by the simple things in life.

**We had Monkey Bread for breakfast. It turned out pretty good. The boys took the leftovers as snack for school this morning. I guess it was a hit. They didn't bring any home with them...Monkey Bread always makes me think of my Great Grandma Beach. I don't know why exactly. I think she use to make it? Maybe its because her name is on my Mom's recipe card for monkey bread? Isn't it funny the things that float around in our memories.

**Isabelle has started laughing like crazy and guess what?! She has my laugh. I love it. Especially because its a laugh that I've kinda hidden away for really funny stuff, but its her everyday always laugh at this point and oh my goodness its great! Shaking her rattle at her will really get her going and the boys seem to trigger her giggle whenever they run around like crazy people. Which is often, so there is lots of laughter happening. And a home filled with laughter is filled with love. At least, that makes sense in my mind.

**I made Peanut Butter and Jelly Pie Bars the other day. They turned out pretty good. I actually liked them best just out of the oven. Super gooey and sticky. It would have been heavenly over ice cream. Joey likes them alot cold or hot. Since I was making them for him, that means success!

**I found the PB&J bars on Pintrest. Seriously I love that place. I could get sucked in and never come out. Its like a break for my brain. I sometimes wonder how mom's survived before the internet. Really, how did you do it?! Sometimes I find myself about to die from lack of adult contact and then I sit down for five minutes and check facebook or look at nice pictures on pintrest and its like a defibrillator for my brain.

**I wonder what sort of things the next generation of Mom's will cling to in order to maintain their sanity. Or the illusion of sanity. At least its an illusion in my case. I don't mind though. Sanity is overrated, and kids are underrated so it all works together in the end. right?! I couldn't imagine life without my four bundles of joy. They are one of the greatest blessings in my life. Not only because they make me happy, but because through them God has reminded me of whats important, what is true and shown me how I can change to be a better example of him and his love. So, who really needs sanity anyways?!

**Time to wrap up these random thoughts. If I sit here long enough things will get REALLY crazy. Hope your Leap Day was hopin' (heeheehee).

6 Months Old

Our little princess is 6 months old today. I can't even believe that much time has gone by. Sometimes I find myself looking at her sweet face and wonder how in the world did I get such a cute and wonderful little thing? And a girl no less?! We truly are blessed. Happy 6 months Isabelle!

Wasn't our little photo shoot fun?! I seriously could just eat those cheeks she is SO cute!

Almost March

 I feel like I always jump on here to blog and simply give you a picture update. Maybe that is all you want? Life just seems to be flying by with no end in sight. So many fun and exciting things are coming our way. The weather is beautiful and although it is still really cold I love it. The afternoon sun comes into my living room window and warms my heart, not to mention my feet! Its hard to believe that its already well past the middle of February and almost March. Ah March, my favorite month in Morocco. The weather warms up, the wild flowers start popping out, the peas are ready and the countryside full of the most wonderful smells. I can hardly wait for March.

Lots of new things have been happening around here. Isabelle started solids. (Yip-pee!) She loves eating and seems to be a pro, just like her mom :-) My friend Wassema calls her "Co-ba" which means little bird and that is just what she looks like every time she sees the bowl with food coming. 

Our little bird.

There is now officially garbage service in our town! We've lived the past 7 years without so the novelty of it is still pretty exciting. Who knew getting to take out the garbage could be SO exciting?!

 

 On February 3rd Joey's parents made an attempt to get back into the country. You may not remember that they were asked (ok, told) to leave back in June of 2010. This was their first time back and let me tell you everyone was ecstatic to see them again. Especially the kids.

It was so much fun to surprise all of their friends and just show up from at their front doors ready for tea. One friend lives out across a river and we had to hike up to see them. It was a beautiful day for a walk even wearing my traditional visiting clothes.

So life goes on for us. We are getting ready for volunteer team season with our first team arriving April 2nd. Hopefully we'll be finished with the Community Center and all moved in before they arrive. It is so much fun to watch that all come together. 

Hopefully you're all enjoying your February. I'm guessing the sun isn't shinning too much where you are... well you're always welcome here, anytime you like. It is almost March, the most beautiful month ever, you know just sayin'