Rainy days

It's been a rainy few weeks. Though I'm glad the sun has peeked through between the rain sessions. In fact, one day when we were walking the boys to school, H didn't even want to wear a coat it was so sunny. Thankfully she did because it downpoured on us within minutes after we dropped the boys off. We giggled and walked quickly home. Here are some other happenings on these rainy days...

A happy birthday party for Poppy and a happy un-birthday party for all of us.

B began a wonderful online class through Veritas Press. She had been doing the work on her own last semester, but this semester it's fun to have some discussions with classmates and a godly teacher. We are proud of her.

Building forts with pillows

Saxon math continues regardless of weather!

(His cool shirt choice is due to the fact that his others were dirty or still hanging up wet.

Yep, lots of rain!!)

A 12 year old in the house!

E is 12! We celebrated at the good old golden arches (the Med sea is in the distance). I'm so thankful for him. He is a hard worker who always likes to be rewarded with chocolate. We love you bud!

Many thanks to Marie

We were so blessed to have Marie in our midst for a month during November. She came over almost everyday and gave the kids piano lessons, spelling, and graded papers. Overall, she encouraged us and made our kids laugh. This video is an excellent example of her smiles and love. (And a cute one of our girlie!)

Someone turned 10!

We happily welcomed this fun-loving lad into the world on December 30, 1999, right before the new century. He was a wiggly baby and that trait continues into boyhood! He attacks his chores at full speed, washing dishes in record time (with some bubbles and food remaining) and then moves on to the next thing. Amazingly, he is quite sensitive too, especially looking out for animals and for his little sister. He is both a little brother and big brother, being in the middle of boys which creates quite a relational experience for him.

He received 2 new parakeets for his birthday and named them Matthew and Martha.

I look forward to seeing how our Lord will mold and develop him and use him for His glory. We love this bud!

Remembering mom on Christmas

My mom loved traditions at Christmas. Making fudge, eating a piece of chocolate when we counted down the days of advent, and drinking hot cocoa when we decorated the Christmas tree. (Bring on the chocolate!) When my sister and I got older she thought it would be fun for just the girls to do an annual Christmas event. One year (1993) we went to the Nutcracker and then she gave Sara and I this little wooden nutcracher as a rememberance keepsake.

His hat and his feet have been reglued and he survived one year when J tried to crack a real nut in him. I love bringing him out at Christmas because he reminds me of my mom AND why Jesus had to come.

"'Death is swallowed up in victory.

O death, where is your victory?

O death, where is your sting?'

The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law.

But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through

our Lord Jesus Christ."

1 Cor. 15:54b-57

My mom died 5 years ago. Her mortal body is gone but because of her

faith in Christ, her soul lives on in the presence of God. This is all made possible because Jesus came, Immanuel, God with us, and rose from the dead, defeating sin and death. Joy to the earth, the Savior reigns!

So, I think a lot when I see my Nutcracker friend--great memories of

my dear mom and a certain victory in a loving Savior. Let heaven AND nature sing.

HR is 5 years old!

Our littlest turned 5 this month. She loves pink, giving hugs, singing, and chattering. We love her and are so thankful that she is in our family.

Experiencing a wedding...

Attending the village wedding on Saturday night was like jumping headfirst into a cultural lagoon. Traditions are abundant during this all-night festivity. What a great opportunity for us to observe and participate!

When we and our friends arrived (all pictured above were squished in our big red car!) they served us a lovely chicken tagine and then followed it with a beef tagine. They killed the fattened calf for this one. My friend said that they probably served 50 chickens to all their guests during the day.

The women proceeded up on the roof, into this tent. It was packed with maybe 150 women, probably all of the families of the entire village represented. Wow! We sat and waited for the bride to come. (I was informed that she was in town getting her hair done.)

And here she is! She arrived around 10 pm and walked in and sat on a silver throne waiting for her groom. There was a small dance rug in the middle where my cute friends let their hair down (literally) and had a ball. This is a fun night for women.

After the groom came and the pictures were taken, they left to change their clothes. She had 3 different outfits that she modelled during the night. While she was gone changing, the "tent occupants" watched a relative open the presents and announce to the crowd, for example, "Ruth, the aunt of the bride, gave 200 dirhams ($25). May God repay her." You want to hide under your seat if you give something lame or cheap!

This is the procession of the groom into the house, surrounded by male friends. The men sat downstairs the whole time while the women were upstairs. Patrick met the groom for the first time and offered his congratulations. The groom seemed pleased and told Patrick that he was thankful that his wife will provide domestic help. The bride and groom will live with the groom's family in a village about 15 minutes away.

Here we are! Usually the place for kids at a wedding is outside getting in trouble, so we left our other kids at home. H enjoyed herself and even said the next day, "I liked that queen." The bride was indeed a queen for a day, but is probably now on to other things like washing clothes and cooking chicken.

What an interesting look into culture...