Fashion and friends.

You know you are pretty good friends with someone when they tell you to change your clothes because what you are wearing isn't up to par.  Now believe me, it wasn't real easy to take but  when all was done, I was thankful.  I was thankful because I was able to see the richness of the friendship that is developing.

AFTER they helped me pick out a new outfit.

Here's the story.  Beauty and Lucky arrived for the birthday get-together.  When they came through the door both Kevin and I were like wow!  They were soooooo dressed up with make-up, manicured nails, jewelry and their beautiful dresses.  And yes, I did feel a bit underdressed.  But it did take me back when Lucky said to me, "Qaali, why are you wearing that outfit?"

Hmmmm....because this is a pretty informal gathering, because it's my house therefore my culture reigns here.....not good.  What was good was seeing my friends desire to honor my son and husband in celebrating their birthdays, the learning of what is acceptable in their culture and just having fun!

Now to go on a shopping trip with them and buy some appropriate clothing.:)

Celebrating with friends!

Having your birthday on a Saturday allows for a long day of celebrating.

Around 10 a.m. a taxi came to the house and picked up Kevin and Isaiah.  From home they went to pick up Isaiah's friend, Isaiah (who turned four just a couple of months ago).  Next stop, the local "Chuck E. Cheese".  They enjoyed a couple of hours playing video games, riding the carousel and enjoying a lunch of chicken strips and french fries.

That evening we had some of our friends over to celebrate not only Isaiah but Kevin as well (his birthday is the 27th).  We asked our friends to arrive at 5 p.m. for dinner.  The majority of them arrived around 5:30 but one of them didn't arrive until almost 7 p.m.  Of course, it is not accepted to eat without them so we waited.

It was such a long day for Isaiah.  I actually went ahead and fed the kids around 6 p.m but Isaiah pretty much was going into meltdown territory around 7 p.m. so we decided to sing, have cake THEN have the adults eat dinner.  Overall it was a great evening.  Unfortunately I didn't get a pic with everybody but here are a few from the night.

Playing a little futbol while waiting for others to arrive.

"Victory" showing the kiddos how to handle the ball.

Isaiah's "Lego" cake.  Mommy tries.

Isaiah and Little M.

He's turning four.

Our handsome young man is turning four on May 24.  How is this so?  Isaiah truly is a most wonderful son.  He is loving, shy, funny, and very thoughtful.  Being the youngest of three, and with both of his older siblings being sisters, he does love to be babied.  But more and more, especially this past year, he has become more assertive in action and independence.

Isaiah has endured much transition this past year and has done so like a champ.  Since his birthday last year he has lived in four different places.  Each of those four places where either in a different state or country.  In October we moved to the Horn of Africa.  This brought an amazing amount of change for Isaiah as not only did his sisters leave each day for school but mommy and daddy did as well.  Thankfully he has bonded with our childcare worker, Emuye.  Oh does he love her.  One of his buddies is another Isaiah who also recently turned four.

Isaiah is already learning about the importance of relationships whether he knows it or not.  We may move, we may be far away from family but relationships sustain us.  And so this birthday, we once again pray that the one relationship Isaiah will one day enter into, is one with the Lord Jesus Christ.

Join us on May 24 in praying for Isaiah.  It truly is one of the greatest gifts you can give a child.

Need for hope.

"Lucky" is on the left side of the pic and "Eve" is on the right side of the picture.  These two ladies are my language nurturers.  But they are more than that, they are my friends.  I have grown to love and appreciate these two ladies so much.  Yes, they are teaching me to speak their heart language but they are also giving me insight into the heart of a mxlm woman's heart, her struggles, her fears, and her need for hope.

Mommy and her kiddos.

Today is Mother's Day.....at least in the U.S. of A.

Sofia is 9 1/2 years, Selah is 6 years 8 months,  and Isaiah is two weeks shy of 4 years old.

Crazy kids, crazy momma.

Learning culture.

We have moved to the Horn of Africa not only to learn language but to learn culture as well.  

Mondays are our days for going specifically to an area of the city where our pg live.  I (Keri) specifically go and hang out at my language nurturer's apartment.  This allows for me to observe life, listen to the language and then try and speak the language I am learning.

This Monday, Sofia had the day off from school so she decided to join me.  We had a great time as our friend "Beauty" made us a S-meal.  

Sofia learned how to "mash" the garlic and cilantro.

There was also the chopping of vegetables and washing them.

The finished meal.  The pot on the table was the stew Sof helped prepare. The plate is filled with S-bread.

Who needs electricity?

Losing our electricity is almost a daily happening.  Somedays we may lose it for 10 minutes while other days we may not have it for 10 hours.  The longest we have gone is two full days straight.  What doesn't help is that when it will go out is not predictable.  It may be 6 a.m. or 7 p.m.  Storm or sunny skies.  Really no rhyme or reason.

But whether we have electricity or not, life continues.  Such as doing homework.  Here is a picture of Selah doing her homework by candlelight.