Even Babies take bad pictures

Reunion

Zaky has been reunited with his buddies, both foreign and local. He now yells "D-Raa" (Sandra) in the stair well for the little girl upstairs, points out Achmed and Hassaan's house as we roll by, calls out to Abass next door, pretends to talk to James on his plastic phone, smiles when we mention Sarah. But for everyone in Texas, he looks through his picture books and points out "Ass" Alex.

Settling In

We have settled in nicely. Everyone has finished their antibiotics, and the one man who never gets sick (Bill) is just barely holding on to his cough. I am settling to to my life, and what that looks like on a daily basis. My real prayer is to enjoy my family, and take opportunities to share God's truth with the people around me. The sharing is difficult at times in a different language, and the joy is difficult sometimes at the end of a day with Zaky.
But I took a minute the other day and wrote down a few things so I could share them.

Life with Zaky:
1. Finger size holes in my Vaseline (customs took my vaseline in London, because there was no label on my 6 year old Vaseline, so irritating)
2. Baylor Basketball tickets in the fridge
3. He put forks on the table the other day before lunch, he was setting the table! His Grandmom Bowers would be so proud.
4. Knocking on the door to the bedroom after I put Yo down for a nap, so he could give him his toys.

CTC

Any immediate family member of mine or Bill's will not be surprised by this story. The boys and I went for Jonas' immunization and a peek at Zaky (he has a cold/ virus). After we arrived home I stayed down stairs to play with Zaky. Bill came down and took the car and Zaky to visit a family and get his first barber hair cut (pictures to follow later). Later that evening I started to question where the folder was with almost all our medical receipts and records. ON TOP OF THE CAR! Bill went out looking with the flash light but found nothing. There was still hope it could be in the car or house. This morning I went out with Zaky to buy croissants for our team meeting and look out on the road for our folder. I saw a green plastic folder that looked like it, but this one was torn to shreds, not mine. Until a few steps later I saw a receipt for Jonas' immunization. A few steps later and a doctor's order for blood labs. I walked up and down the busy road picking up trash/ bills. In relief I rummaged through one can and found my ultrasound pictures. And still more pictures were found hanging out of another bin. Darn these shop keepers and their early cleaning! Thankfully I was able to get reprints of almost all the receipts, but I don't have the heart to tell the boy's doctor I have lost their shot records. I barely have the heart to tell myself. The low point of the day came when I asked Bill to come by with the car to fish out a bag from a trash can on the main road, so I could go through it at home. So all ladies out there: fill out that shot record in the baby book as a back up!

Hamburgler

Sunday we offered to watch Big James while his parents went out for a Birthday dinner, not to McDonalds. While we made our weekly visit to the golden arches. There was a birthday party on the other side of the restaurant (I am officially a mother of two when I refer to McDonalds as a restaurant). Last time this happened I was to slow to get Zaky's picture with the Grimace, so this time I had to be quick. I quickly pulled the ketchup covered boys over to the Hamburgler and kindly asked for a picture. He was turned around, he can't see inside the costume, and posed between the boys. My brave, not afraid of anything, boy screamed and tried to get away. His supportive understanding father can be seen in the background, and his likewise supportive mother is taking the picture! The Hamburgler trying to comfort the crying kid, ever so slightly smacked the little one over the head (not his fault he couldn't see). So the temptation to have Zaky's 2nd birthday party at McDonald's is gone.

Thanksgiving

I am thankful for so much. I am so thankful for our health and the simple life that we have been abundantly blessed with.

FYI

For anyone who might want to know: pumpkin soup can be made into pumpkin pie by adding several eggs and and a can of sweetened condensed milk.
I ate most of the pie, Bill refused he said it tasted like soup!