Surprise!

Well, we did it. We pulled off the surprise of the year! My Dad turned 60 on 10-10-10 as many of you know. Well my Mom and Sister planned a surprise party. And my sister and I planned a surprise of our own.

Joey, myself and the boys packed up and left Morocco 3 weeks before we were suppose to and headed back home. Then on the day of the big surprise party we made the 4 hour trip down, ready to say "Happy Birthday". Only my sister knew we were coming and she hadn't told a soul. So we were greeted by hugs and "welcome backs". We all headed up stairs and waited for the birthday boy to arrive. Once my parents arrived my mom was quick to head upstairs and see who all was there, waiting for my Dad to slowly make his way up. We didn't know it at the time, but my mom had a slight inkling that we may have come for the party so she was quickly looking around the room trying to find us. Luckily we ducked down so she couldn't see us. 

My Dad walked in and we all shouted "Surprise!" My mom went to stand next to him and then we sent the boys out to give hugs. The look on my Mom's face was priceless! I didn't get any shots, but these ones my sister took tell the whole story!

It was a lot of fun to be there and surprise them both. Now we get to spend the next three months seeing family and friends. Yay!

Life As We Know It

Sometimes you just have to laugh at the different things we experience living overseas. Recently Joey took our amazing van to the mechanic after its biannual breakdown. The mechanic worked on our van like any good Moroccan mechanic. We had a group of volunteers coming so Joey told him "I need the van by Saturday". The Mechanic replied "Right, no problem". Joey told me we'd probably have it next week. This is life as we know it :-)

Well Monday came and went and the van was "close" to being finished. Finally Joey got the call Tuesday afternoon, it was done. So we got together and drove into town to pick it up. As we pulled up this is what we saw:

Our van is the gray one on the left. Its a bit hard to tell but it has both of its rear wheels off, and they are working on something inside. Obviously not fixed. Yep, this is life as we know it. Joey and I laughed, we found out how long until it was ready. Joey stayed to make sure they finished it that day and life continued on. Sometimes you've just got to laugh at the we experience living overseas.

In other news, the boys are doing good and growing like weeds. Have I mentioned that I think they are THE cutest kids in the whole wide world. No offense to other kids, its just true ;-)

10-10-10

Today is a special day, not just because it is 10-10-10, but because it happens to be my Dad's birthday. And not just any birthday, his 60th birthday! 

It is hard to be away from home when I know the family is gathering together to celebrate the life of someone I love so much. My Dad is a constant in my childhood memories, making me laugh, teaching me to love sports and talk radio, and playing "Name That Tune" on road trips. (Dad knows every song and every artist ever to grace the oldies/classic rock station). He was always there to support us no matter what we were pursuing and always helped us in any way he could. 

Now as an adult my Dad is still a source of support and laughter. He is a wonderful Grandpa and the very best Dad. I miss my Dad a bunch, and look forward to getting to see him again in just over a month. Until then I'll be working on my classic rock trivia. 

A quality photo of Dad dressed up
for my brother-in-laws
Redneck Birthday Bash last year.

I love you Dad, Happy 60th Birthday!

School

Yesterday we started school. Yep, its that time of year again. Last year I taught the boys, and their cousin Thomas two days a week. Nothing too exciting, just trying to get them familiar with sitting still for half and hour and their letters. This year we are sending the boys to the local preschool and I am going to do an english preschool, everyday for a few hours. So, yesterday they started both. We started out our morning with our new calendar board. I have seen this idea on multiple websites and I remember doing something like this when I was younger. Since we're still overseas I haven't had a chance to laminate and finalize the calendar board, but for now it is great. The boys' favorite part is getting to look out the window each morning and figure out what the weather is like.

After we walked through the calendar board we got out our new letter and number puzzles that I found in the local market. They are great puzzles, there was even one with Arabic letters which I didn't get, but might go back and get it now that I know just how cool these puzzles are. They love them. 

After doing English preschool it was time to go to Arabic preschool. They were so excited, and a bit nervous. Both boys understand a little bit of Arabic, but are really shy about speaking it.  

The school is small, and has just a couple rooms. This is the preschool, there are other schools in the city we live in that would be like our elementary school, middle school and high school. I am honestly not sure what all the do in school. Josiah said they read a book and played, but that's all we know. They were both SO nervous and SO cute, I almost died!

The day ended with a discovery that the alphabet and number puzzles stick to the side of the wall in the bathroom. That was probably their favorite part of the day. I can't believe my little guys are getting so big and going off to school. I am so proud of them for going to a school where they don't know the language or anyone else. They are brave little men, I am so thankful to get the chance to know them and watch them grow! We are looking forward to what the rest of this year holds and what new friends we're going to make!

England!

One week ago today we were making our way back from visiting our good friends Tom & Caitlyn in England.  It was a great week!

We took the train from Nador to Marrakesh. On the way down we took our time, stopping for two nights in different cities. On the way home we did the 15 hour train ride all in one trip. Lucky for us our kids LOVE to travel!

Our first stop was in Fez, where they have a McDonalds, and our new friend Ronald. Anytime we passed a McDonalds after that Benson would say "hey, there's our friend!" 

They couldn't get enough of looking out the window and taking in the sights. Like I said, they LOVE to travel.

William didn't mind it so much either. Traveling is easy when you're strapped to mom.

Part of our time in England was spent in the south with Tom's parents Uncle Paul and Auntie Allison. We were so spoiled while there - hot tub, clotted cream and fresh scones, and yummy English tea!

We also got to go down to the Beach. And what a Beach it was - the very best kind. A bit stormy, crashing waves, tide pools, not an ounce of sunshine. It made me think of home!

It was a really great trip. We were so blessed to see our dear friends and enjoy their hospitality. Now we're back home missing them and looking forward to when we'll all be together again!

Ramadan

Well we've survived a week plus of Ramadan. For those who don't know, Ramadan is the Islamic holy month. Muslims fast from sun up to sun down for a lunar month. Once the sun sets and the call to prayer goes out from the mosque then the festivites begin and most people gather with family and friends to break the fast.

For us it means a month without work and time to relax as a family. We've been spending our days hanging out at home, working on various projects and soaking up the sun at the beach. In a little over a week we will be headed up to England to visit dear friends and take in a bit of western culture. The boys are most excited about taking a taxi, a train and finally an airplane to get there. 

This month always causes me to reflect on my faith, the freedoms I have and the lives of those around me. I am so thankful for all I have been given and the amazing opportunities I have. Shoot its not everyday that you get to sit beside the crystal clear Mediterranean, watching your boys play in the sand and soak up the sun or take a nap in the middle of the day because you've got time to kill. What a life!

This was taken on our weekend away, I just love their faces while they enjoyed pizza on the floor!

One went to work with Daddy, and the other stayed as Mom's "Moroccan" helper. Can you tell who did what?!

The other day we went and visited our friend Amal in her new house, Benson missed his partner in crime

On our way to see friends, aren't they just the cutest!

My New Favorite Photo.