A Cultural Exploration!

I love different cultures! When I was at college a club hosted an annual Asain celebration (usually around Chinese New Year) that featured fashion shows, food, dances and martial arts from all the major countries in that area. It was through that that I became familiar with even small countries such as Laos, Cambodia and Thailand and learned to love the vast differences that made us who we were. Despite differences there were always something that was similar which would also put a smile on my face, something familiar that felt a little like home.

When I began teaching, especially English as a Second Language classes in Phoenix, I became familiar with the middle eastern countries of Iran, Iraq and many of the African Muslim nations. Of course this lead to various forays into their food and additions of recipes to my strange repertoire. Now I like having homemade hummus on hand, or tzatziki, fafaela, etc. There is something about these experiences that make me remember the humanity in all of us that ties us together - the need to eat to stay alive and how each culture has turned that need into an art and a social connection to enrich life.

Well Kent and I branched out again last night and went to a tiny restaurant that served Somalian food. There is much of the middle east in it, but the spicy sauces, chappati bread and barris (rice) and goat meat were all new for me. We BOTH stuck out like sore thumbs there, not only due to skin color but that fact that we used a fork and spoon. I wished in some way I had had a guide to show me how it is done correctly and politely, it would have made the experience ever so much more authentic. It was a wonderful time and Kent and I both agree we'll have to go back for more!


This was the goat meat roasted to a wonderful flavor and the rice that is seasoned with cinnamon and cardamon. I LOVED the rice!



This was the chappati bread that had then be cut so it resemble noodles mixed with chicken (reminded me a little of tandoori chicken from India) and onions with a tangy sauce on the top. Between the 2 plates you'll see an empty one that had babaganosh (an eggplant based dipping sauce), Tahini sauce (sesame seed- very rich) and hummus. Had we known the servings would be that large we'd have order a little less!

This Motherhood Thing

Sometimes I feel as if the only thing I really do consistently is complain - about all the endless work, the crazy family schedule, the energy level of the kids, etc. But when I really stop to think about it, I'm blessed to be able to be at home without any huge financial strain. Yes, we're busy, but we enjoy what we do and we are lucky to be able to have so many rich experiences. The kids, it's always a bipolar feeling! They give me stress and so much work, but they are truly the beings that make me smile and enjoy life anew. It's just hard finding a way to vent without the venting steaming over and clouding the blessings I have. If I'm truly honest, my moods are often reflected in how my family behaves. Mama's crabby, well by the end of the day everyone is crabby. It's become a lot about finding balance filling my tank and knowing my limits so that we can still be efficient as a family and have a good time. I am grateful when I have (on very rare occasions) one of those days. The best part of it is that at the end of the day I'm able to say, "I can do this motherhood thing!"

The following pictures was of one of those days. We didn't have anywhere to rush too so I got breakfast ready while the kids played.





Sometimes those two really crack me up as I watch the 'power struggle' between them. Keila may be smaller, but she's not to be out done!

They love to eat outside on the picnic table and I love it because it saves me from needing to sweep as often!





Later that day we met up with a friend at a park where the 3 kiddos played happily for over 2 hours and ate a picnic lunch. I got great adult conversation time and once Keila went down for a long nap, had the energy to clean house while Isaac contently read books and cut up magazines. These are the days .... :0)

Literary Adventures!

I love everything about Isaac's preschool! Not only is he learning his letters and numbers but he's making friends and learning how to get along and solve problems. His teacher, Mrs McMurry does great things for the kids and I'm always grateful for all her efforts. She brought back a stuffed killer whale from her 60mile walk for breast cancer in Seattle to her class. They named it Lovey (we're still not sure if Lovey is a he/she ... gender seems to change with the children) and each child can take it home for a few days, have some adventures with Lovey, take pictures and 'write' a story. It's been one of the best homework assignments ever! Isaac was determined to give Lovey the best time EVER and built her (Isaac insisted it was a 'she') a Lego car which I was told in story format latter, she took over a Lego mountain and back down again. They played peekaboo with Keila from a laundry basket and Lovey did flips on our bed.



I was told that Isaac stood proudly when his adventure was read to the class. Way to go bud!

Halloween Mischief

Since Keila is too young to decide her costume, I took my opportunity to turn my Keila-bug into a lady bug. The tulle was difficult to work with, but worth it since she looks like an absolute doll! Kent hates the fact that I got the stuff with sparkles, but I couldn't resist and I'm sure years from now we'll find the stuff in some odd unexpected place that will just bring a smile to my face as I remember her darling costume.

The following pictures were taken at our playgroup Halloween party, complete with cookie decorating and a ghost hunt. We took along a neighbor friend that Isaac and Keila adore.


Everyone was very happy to oblige me a picture as they sucked on their lollipops.




"Jack" for this year, 'tho Isaac insisted it's name was Keila. I suppose the grimace is similar to her when Isaac won't take no for an answer. Then again he's always naming everything (school pets and stuff animals) either Isaac or Keila.



I always love Isaac's picks for Halloween that make it an easy job to put together and keeps it cheap and practical. This year he chose Diego since he's forever 'rescuing' something, though typically not an animal - he doesn't seem to like them much as evidence by his relationship with Sunshine and any guinea pig he sees - but Keila makes for a great subject as does his Panda bear. We thought it'd be more fun it we made his rescue pack more than just for show, so we went to the thrift store and filled it with play binoculars, a magnifying glass, flashlight and lantern. It paid off since in the weeks before the big day he was already out in the backyard playing the part.

Isaac's preschool also got together a party and a parade. The kiddos are so cute! It was strangely hot that day and they were sweltering in their costumes.




Isaac's reaction when he finally spots me during the parade.

Big Frustrations in a Little Body

Keila has definitely reached that toddler stage where she feels she's big enough to take on the world but the world and her parents don't seem ready for her. She desperately wants to communicate (as evidenced by the myriad of sounds she issues as she points to various objects) but we obviously aren't fluent in 'Keilish'. She loves to have 'conversations' in quieter moments and surprised me by building a small tower today. 'Amen' is frequently heard during prayer especially when she thinks it's gone on long enough and is ready to wriggle off to play. It's fun to see her growing personality - really a big person in a little body - and to see how her growing independence influences her.

Finally a decent shot of her walking.

I miss the old cuddly and content baby Keila. Now her cuddly moments come when we read together and in random hugs as she walks by. I was glad that Kent was able to capture this one.


Keila the 'big girl' at Isaac's preschool meet the teacher night. She refused to be held and was adamant about having her own bag of popcorn that she could eat from on her own. Isaac was watchful of her and wanted to hold her hand everywhere she went. In some ways I can glimpse their relationship as they get older - the older brother who forever sees Keila as HIS 'baby sister' and an exasperated girl who secretly adores her overprotective big brother.