29March2010 9 Years Ago Today

Today we're celebrating J's birthday. How is it possible that 9 years has flown by so quickly? The poor kid, our first, has been the guinea pig for so many parenting failures and yet, because of his God-given resiliency, J is, simply put, beautiful. He has a tender spirit,  a quick smile and quicker laugh.  He's compassionate yet mischievous, smart and creative.  A natural-born leader but posseses a servant's heart. We're so grateful for the gift of 9 years with J.
Join us as we celebrate! Happy birthday to you.  Happy birthday to you.  Happy...
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26March2010 Sprouts

Last week we started some vegetable seeds in hopes of putting in a garden when we move to our new apartment  As you can see the seeds have sprouted, in fact we have 100% germination.  Nothing reminds us of spring more than green things poking their heads out of the soil.  In a week we will celebrate another Seed being put into the ground.  While it took our tomatoes, squash and cucumbers seven days to come to life, this Seed only took 3!  We're pretty sure spring is God's reminder of life, new life.  Join us in enthusiastically embracing this season and the new life He has given!

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24March2010 International Driver's License

As you can see (hopefully, sorry about the quality) A has been working on his driving during his down time.  He's making great progress even if he does have a bit of a lead foot.  Surely it won't be long before he has his international driver's license.

19March2010 Quick Shot: Coping Mechanism

When D misses home she heads to the kitchen.  Today's product: Cranberry scones w/devonshire cream. "Zaki" (Delicious)!

15March2010 Quickshot: We feel safe here!

The most frequent question we receive is regarding our safety, especially the kids.  To put it as plainly as possible, we feel relatively safe here.  We're learning not to trust in man, with good reason as illustrated by the photo above I took this morning of a "vigilant" security guard (reminded us of the bank guard, maybe his name was Asa, in Mayberry) because we know our security ultimately comes from God.  That doesn't necessarily mean nothing will happen to us just that nothing will happen to us without first passing through His filter of love. 

8March2010 Quickshot: Way too fast!

The 8 little feet are enjoying the beautiful spring-like weather here.  And as you can see, they're growing way too fast!

6March2010 Z-pack

P had his first sinus infection...EVER...this week. It started with cold symptoms and ended with him feeling like his face was going to implode. After a quick phone consultation he walked into the pharmacist, slapped the equivalent on $18 on the counter and walked out with a Z-pack. 2 days later, facial implosion averted, he is feeling much better. PTL!
Why post this on here? Maybe because we're still impressed with the simplicity of the process here. No co-pays, no making an appointment and sitting in the waiting room with other "infected" folks. No insurance forms to fill out. No prescription. No co-pay at Walgreens. No letter from physicians office, 3-months later, stating the insurance company denied payment requiring multiple calls to the insurance company.
Here's another example. A month or so after we got here, S contracted conjunctivitis (pink eye). After a quick phone consultation with the pediatrician we went to the pharmacist, paid roughly 75 cent for eye drops and after receiving the medication he was good as new.
We're grateful for good health care and more importantly a great Physician.

2March2010 Wanted: 3 BR Apt, Cheap, Clean, Crazy-White-Children Friendly

 

Who knew that apartment searching could be such an adventure.  After a month of looking we feel like the next Indiana Jones movie could be centered around the Middle Eastern real estate market.  Someone get Harrison Ford on the phone!

We've hung posters and drove the streets and walked through neighborhoods and searched the internet and talked with numerous realtors.  Actually, once we got through the frustration part, it has been rather enjoyable.  What a great excuse to go into a dozen local stores, meet tons of people and practice our developing language skills.   

So here's what we're looking for.  A three bedroom apartment on the ground level with some outdoor space for the kids to play.  Here's what we're praying for.  To develop life-long friendships and bless the lives of our new neighbors.  In a couple days we have an appointmen to view another prospect.  

Inshallah (God willing) this will be the one.  

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