Tuesday, November 30, 2010

On Your Birthday

This past July, the girls and I visited family in NY.  During this time, we took a side trip to our beloved city of Princeton, NJ to meet up with old friends as well as visit many of our favorite places. 

Princeton holds many dear memories.  G was a preschooler starting nursery school and Waldo was working on his Masters.  I was getting used to being a stay-at-home mom after working at the U.S. Embassy in Muscat and adjusting to the many challenges that come with parenting a "special" child.  We also experienced the loss of a child.

Three years have transpired since Angelie's passing.  At times it has felt like what occurred was a dream.  While at others, it felt like just yesterday we laid her to rest.  It is not for us to understand why suffering, illness, and death is allowed.  However, we can be sure that God uses everything for the good of those who love Him.  The One who gives life can also take away.  In His infinite wisdom, her passing was much more essential than her living on earth.   

We remain hopeful and steadfast that at the end of this exile, we will rejoice in our long-awaited reunion.  Only at that time, will we understand and be thankful to Him for keeping Angie to Himself. 

G

G & Baby S

Sunday, November 28, 2010

Free Coffee

You will not find the darkened, music filled rooms and the soft over-sized chairs to enjoy your 13 shot venti soy hazelnut vanilla cinnamon white mocha with extra white mocha and caramel (costing $13.76 including tax).  Waldo enjoyed a cappuccino for $1.50 and stated that the coffee was great. 

Now for your Arabic lesson of the day.  Although it appears like the coffee shop meant to say "free", they actually got it right.  The word fee, spelled phonetically, is a preposition and has many meanings, mainly "in."  The store was probably trying to convey "here coffee." 

Here's some startling information to get the brain cells working on a Sunday morning.  According to the World Bank, Burundi's estimated 2009 GDP per capita is $160, making it the world's poorest country.  The $14 you just spent in Starbucks is approximately a family's monthly income.  

Waldo Getting "Free" Coffee

Thursday, November 25, 2010

Giving Thanks

As Thanksgiving comes to a close, I think about the many things for which I am thankful.  My mental note is pretty extensive, but there are a few things that remain on top and I consider them a "core" to who I am.  These are God, family, and health. 

The Almighty had a good reason for deciding to create me.  We are not a mere coincidence.  There's a purpose to our being and thus each breath I take is a gift in it of itself.  

We are not made to walk alone; living is not easy.  This is why we are given a family.  Imagine how much harder it is for those that have no one to turn to when faced with a challenge.  

How easily we forget about our health, but how quickly are we reminded of its importance when we are ill.  The work our bodies do on a day-to-day basis is miraculous.  Just as we service our cars every 3 to 6,000 miles for optimum performance so should we "service" our bodies; obviously on a more frequent schedule. 

Here's to wishing you a Happy Thanksgiving from the bayous of Louisiana and sharing a few captured moments of the day.  



Les Moutons

Toddler S

G

Wednesday, November 24, 2010

Visions of Jerash

While we lived in Muscat, Oman in 2005, we got a chance to travel to and through Amman, Jordan.  One of our trips included visiting Jerash; a city about one hour north of the capital.  Jerash is known for its well preserved Roman ruins and sizable excavations.  It is a must see for anyone interested in learning more about the Roman era.  At the time of our visit, we had friends watching G so that we could take in and appreciate the outing and not rush through.  There is a lot of walking and climbing involved in addition to uneven ground.  These conditions do not make it suitable for young children even under the best circumstances.  Do leave the kids behind and make it a "Roman" date to enjoy with your special habibi. 

As I think about our family's impending move, it conjures a bag of mixed emotions.  We have become accustomed to our current life; the comforts of the many places we frequent and the friendly faces we know.  However, life is a continuous transition; always changing and introducing highs and lows.  Most of us hope to navigate through as few lows as possible, but really, it comes down to how we handle these difficult times that matter.  We wouldn't really know what true highs were if there weren't lows to experience.  Otherwise, what reference could we use to compare these fleeting moments of happiness?  Regardless of what the future may hold, I look forward to revisiting this special place called Jerash (even if it means being besieged by sellers!) that imparted us with so many good memories.  To learn more about this intriguing location visit Jerash, Jordan.


Me in Jerash 9/05



Tuesday, November 23, 2010

Reptilian Encounter

We are back in Cajun country to celebrate Thanksgiving with family.  Our last visit to the state of Louisiana was in 2008 when the entire clan traveled together sans Toddler S as she had not yet made her debut into the world.

After settling in today as much as we could with two sick girls, we received an invitation to feed turtles at a neighbor's wildlife and rescue sanctuary.  How could we decline?  Especially after G had just finished reading a passage on, you guessed it, reptiles.  What an opportunity to see them up close in their natural habitat. 

While G got a one-on-one brief about the differences between box and water turtles, how to tell the males from the females, and what sort of foods turtles eat, I made sure that Toddler S' role in this "expedition" was that of an observer and not a handler.  Turtles are carriers of  Salmonella.  This germ can not only make you sick, but it can also be deadly to children 5 years or younger or anyone with a weakened immune system.  Alas, turtles are really not the perfect pet for a young child.  Here's a link to the CDC for more information.  How Safe are Turtle Pets



Water Turtle Eating Meat







 
 


Toddler S Admiring Flowers





G's Baby Turtle



Turtle Clubhouse

Toddler S Toddling


Box Turtle Hiding


Friday, November 19, 2010

Live from Sana'a

I'ts MTV's "Pimp My Ride" on location.  Well, not exactly, but it appears like Waldo is trying to blend in as much as possible, which includes getting his vehicle to look more "local."  When in Yemen do as the Yemenis do. 

I think he still needs to devote more time to his personal appearance, don't you think?  Perhaps wearing a head wrap and adding a jambiya to his casual business attire will go along way.


Waldo Going Native


Saturday, November 13, 2010

More Please

I've never encountered a child, until now, who takes such pleasure in eating food.  Nor do I understand where it all goes unless there is a bottomless hole in that 13 month old tummy! Toddler S sure knows what she likes.  Just about everything. 

We average about 45 minutes at a minimum when it comes to feeding time.  I can't cut up fruits, vegetables or anything else for that matter quickly enough to present to her Majesty.  I'll get a few noises, "yes" nods or sign language for "more" before I can deliver the second, third or even fourth serving.  For example, this evening she had a cut-up tomato, two slices of ham, about 1/4 of bread, a yogurt and apple sauce.  She was still eating her last food offering enthusiastically as if she had just started to eat.

The funny thing is that our “eating machine” demands to be fed early in the morning.  A serving of milk just doesn’t do it as I attempt to get a few more minutes of sleep.  She is content only when sitting in her chair with a full size banana and a warm waffle at her disposal.  I’d love to hear if anyone has experienced something similar as we can’t be the only anomaly.

Watching Toddler S makes me think of the many children going hungry not only in the U.S., but also in countries like Africa and North Korea.  According to UNICEF, every 3.6 seconds a person dies of starvation.  The death is usually of a child aged 5 years or less.  I realize how lucky and abundant our life is compared to the majority of the population in the world.  This begs the question of what can we do as individuals to help our neighbor in need.  Here's a start.  ---->  Unicef

Friday, November 5, 2010

Back to Normality

G was difficult yesterday, which called for a few time-outs, loss of items and cancellation of an outing.  Gone are the days when the 1,2,3 method was all it took.  These days I employ multiple tactics.  She and our home life did return to normal at the end of the day.  However, I don't know if there is any truth to calling our life normal.  We are pretty far from the norm.   

Today, it is business as usual as we prepare to start the week-end.  It will begin with G's swim lesson in the early evening and will end with the girls asleep in their beds and me trying to decompress by watching The Tudor's.  If I get lucky, Yobi the cat may even join me on the sofa.  This is life at its best! 

Wednesday, November 3, 2010

At Your Service

It's been a challenging day and it is just past noon.  Today I am the designated driver.  Toddler S was taken to see the ENT for a follow-up visit to ensure that the tubes in her ears are doing their job.  Check.

Upon returning to the house, Waldo was busy weighing luggage and rearranging items to stay within weight limitations.  Once this was finalized, it was back to the car to load up and drive to the airport.  Waldo received curbside drop-off and is now waiting embarkation.  Check.

Back at home, we have eaten lunch and are trying to get some rest before having to leave to get G from school.  God only knows how she will be feeling...  Nonetheless, she may be just fine.  Waldo took her to school and walked G to class; an attempt to spend a few final one-on-one moments with her.  I hope this worked.  Tune in later.


Waldo



 












Toddler S -- eating fried rice


Tuesday, November 2, 2010

The Night Before...

We slowly savor some final moments with Waldo on our last night before his departure.  The bags have been re-stocked with fresh supplies and last minute lose ends are being tied.  He gears up for the first leg of many travels.  Tomorrow it is D.C. and a few days later it will be back to Yemen. 

The first few days back in the U.S. were nonexistent, because he was pretty wiped out from travels.  Nonetheless, we feel lucky to have shared a little bit of time as a family as I doubt we will see him back this year. 

Safe travels Waldo.


Waldo at Work