Kenan's first day of school

Monday, October 3rd, was Kenan's first day at the french school for this year. (yes, it starts ridiculously late). He was quite happy on his first day.

Dawson wanted to be in the pictures as well.

Love how big his backpack is...and that he has his pink Dora cup in it. He loves Dora. Good thing they don't associate colors with genders here. Boys have pink things all the time.

Silas was pathetic when he realized Kenan was going to school. He kept saying things like, "I want Kenan stay play with me!" and "Kenan no school. Kenan stay here." I finally told him he could take K to school with me. When he heard that he quickly got dressed and then camped out by the car so we wouldn't leave him. As K was heading to the car, he stood up and kept his hand on the car to make sure he got to go. (I would like to point out that all THREE of my boys were dressed in these pictures since people have asked me if they ever wear clothes!) :)

Caroline refused to be left behind either.

K at school with his friends. Though Amadou Tidian is in the picture, he had to leave and go to first grade but the girl and Jean Marc are in Kenan's class.

The first day was great. Second day ok. He didn't go. Our mini hot season is starting and between school and the heat I think he couldn't handle it today. Praying it is better tomorrow.

When moments are tough

When moments are tough with three little boys I want to remember our lunch today. We were eating leftover peanut sauce which is served with rice and meat in the sauce. The boys love the meat, I think because it is the softest meat we ever have (I guess because of the way it is cooked). Since it was leftovers, there wasn't a lot of meat. I had given most to Dawson and then to Kenan. Kenan wanted more. Dawson gave him a piece. Then Silas wanted more. Dawson offered to give him one of his. I told Dawson that now he didn't have much meat. He said, "That's ok. Sharing is better." I am often amazed at what comes out of his mouth. He is really a sweet boy. They all are. I am thankful for these great blessings who can teach me true generosity and kindness (at least when they are in good moods!) :)

Rest as worship

Read this devotion this morning from "Jesus Calling" for October 1st. I'm a day off but I thought it was beautiful for this Lord's day.
Worship Me only. I am King of kings and Lord of lords, dwelling in
unapproachable Light. I am taking care of you! I am not only committed
to caring for you, but I am also absolutely capable of doing so. Rest
in Me, My weary one, for this a form of worship.

Though self-flagellation has gone out of style, many of My children
drive themselves like racehorses. They whip themselves into action,
ignoring how exhausted they are. They forget that I am sovereign and
that My ways are higher than theirs...

My invitation never changes: Come to Me, all you who are weary, and I
will give you rest. Worship Me by resting peacefully in My Presence.

1 Timothy 6:15-16; Isaiah 55:8-9; Revelation 2:4; Matthew 11:28

While I am posting, I thought I'd add a song that has really been ministering to me as of late.
Majesty by Delirious
Here I am humbled by Your Majesty,
Covered by Your grace oh friend.
Here I am knowing I'm a sinful man,
Covered by the blood of the Lamb.
Now I've found the greatest love of all is mine,
Since You laid down Your life,
The greatest sacrifice.

Majesty, Majesty.
Your grace has found me just as I am,
Empty handed but alive in Your hands.

Here I am humbled by the love that You give,
Forgiven so that I can forgive.
So here I stand,
Knowing that I am Your desire,
Sanctified by glory and fire.
And now I've found the greatest love of all is mine,
Since You laid down Your life,
The greatest sacrife.

Majesty, Majesty.
Your grace has found me just as I am,
Empty handed but alive in your hands.
Singing Majesty, Majesty.
Forever I am changed by Your love,
In the presence of Your Majesty.
Majesty.

We're singing Majesty, Majesty.
Your grace has found me just as I am,
And I'm nothing but alive in Your hands.
We're singing Majesty, Majesty.
Forever I am changed by Your love,
In the beauty of Your Majesty.
Majesty.

Great Britain meets America

My friend Alison has recently returned from her furlough in Great Britain. It is great to have her back. She brought me a teapot and we wasted no time in using it.

See in the past we've had tea together while the kids play. She's British. She loves tea. I, however, am an American and an uncultured one at that. So in my stupidity I served her tea the way I make it. Take a Lipton tea bag, throw it in a cup of water and put that in the microwave to warm it up. Like I said, I'm uncultured. She was gracious and didn't say anything for awhile but finally it came up that I was making a mockery of tea by the way I made it. She taught me how to make proper tea. And in hopes to refine me a bit, she brought me a beautiful teapot.

In return of the kind gesture, I pulled out my very special and coveted Starbucks mugs. They remind me of home and make me feel all cozy.

Alison couldn't help but laugh as we drank proper tea in these ginormous mugs which were about as big as the pot itself.

Civilized, proper Great Britain meets the bigger is always better America.

I love that the teapot is from Alison and the red mug is from my dear friend Jenny. I can enjoy great tea in my Starbucks mug and feel the love from both sides of the ocean.

We enjoyed the tea with discussions of petrol vs gas and who was correct as well as discussing the Brits who were quite dapper. Amazingly, a-lu-mi-NI-um was not mentioned. We enjoyed the rainy afternoon and I must say the time together was brilliant. Little by little, I'm learning. :)

Enjoying one of the last rains

Rainy season is coming to an end. There are only a few rains here and there. The other day a rain came up rather suddenly during lunch. Kenan moved his chair to the door to watch it.

Just thought he looked so cute sitting eating his spaghetti and watching the rain fall. Of course, hot chocolate soon followed.

The big 3-0

Silas turned 0-3 this month and a few weeks later I turned the big 3-0. I was quite happy to do so actually. I'm always the young one around. Brett is 6 years older and many of our friends are older. Now I feel "closer" in age because I'm in my 30s and not my 20s anymore. :) The gap seems less even though the age difference is the same.

Here I am on my birthday...

It was a lovely day. Brett let me sleep in. I woke up and stayed in bed for a few minutes while no one knew I was awake. I LOVE this. Really getting to slowly wake up instead of jumping out of bed to meet my kids needs at 6 am (or earlier). So that was a gift. I came out and my boys showered me with love. Dawson gave me a heart that said #1 Mom that he had made at school. (thanks Anna!).

The best comment of the day came from Dawson. He asked me if I had a party who I'd want to invite. I told him some people and then I asked why he was asking. He said, "Because I just want you to be happy." And with that my day was made. I have incredibly sweet boys.

I spent the late morning at Kristen's house with several girls having henna done. I have no pictures of that but it was fun. Nice to hang out and chat while getting our hands and feet done.

The boys really wanted me to have a cake. Since they couldn't make one, I had too. :) They helped though. They chose the kind of cake and everything since really it was for them. So we made a cake and decorated like they wanted (surprise surprise it was covered in sprinkles.) :)

Then they all blew out the candles.

They enjoyed it.

That evening Jessica had the singles over and Brett and I for dinner. It was divine. Lasagne which was FANTASTIC and a wonderful salad made by Kristen and Anna and great conversations. I ate my meal so incredibly slowly because it was so delicious and I wanted to savor every single bite. It also helped that I had no kids around and COULD eat it slowly. Then we enjoyed homemade German chocolate cake covered in 30 candles. Again, absolutely wonderful. It was a lovely evening. (thanks to Marcy for watching the kids).

It was a great 30th birthday. Thankful for my family and friends who made it so special.

Match people

I know you are supposed to teach your kids NOT to play with matches but I went against the rules to make match people. The boys had seen box people on Art Attack and wanted to make them. They have a body that can slide in and out of boxes with different clothing. I couldn't find good boxes to use so we made mini people out of match boxes. Surprisingly the boys were occupied by this activity for an hour or so and then played with them for days.

Here they are in their superhero outfits. I'm the second from the left- super mommy. :)

Their backs with their capes.

Kenan showing his guy off.

And then Kenan just because. :)

Caroline also enjoys being a superhero. She can't be left out.