Our Kiddos This Week...

I, Stacey, also write for a mom's blog called Prayer of Hannah. This week was a week to write about what our kids are going through at their different stages. I wanted to post it here for your enjoyment and also so I could save it to my new way of scrapbooking!

All three of our kids are at such different stages right now even though the younger two are just one year and 2 days apart(their bdays are next week). I will start with the oldest, Meredith, and work down.

Meredith is 12 now and is experiencing all kinds of hormones these days! She has begun to notice boys, cries at the drop of a hat, shows her silliness all of the time, asks when it will be time for her to wear “just a little make-up”, hangs out less with the little ones and more with the adults…whew…what a roller coaster to ride with her! Now, before you take that wrong…I love roller coasters but they do keep me on the edge of my seat (sometimes pulling out my hair!:) I knew in my head these days would come but now that they are here I REALLY can’t believe it! I was looking at the pics of some sweet babies today and I remember Meredith having that sweet little baby face…just yesterday! Where did the time go?? Matt and I were talking about how sad we are to know that our “time” with her in our home is over half over! It just doesn’t seem real! She is such an amazing kid and I am so proud to be her mom. Her walk with Jesus is so real and I am challenged by that walk every day.


Madison, 5….the MIDDLE child! So many stereotypes come with that title….and she fits most of them! Ha! Madison is definitely one of a kind. She has a strong personality, speaks her mind, controls EVERY situation (which we like to call good leadership qualities), is a daddy’s girl, and absolutely LOVES kindergarten! She was the one that had the hardest time adjusting to our move overseas. She didn’t do strange things to make us know she was having a hard time…she just spoke her mind…and spoke it very strongly. She has come so far and has made an amazing turn around in the last year. She now speaks and understands Arabic very well, rarely makes negative comments about our new culture and thinks kindergarten is her own little special club she has been waiting on her whole life! I love my little Madison bear…she is so unique!


Matthew Ray, 4…the baby and the lone boy. This little man has to have the sweetest heart on the planet…I wish I could claim that character trait but that award goes to his daddy. Matthew Ray hates to make anyone sad, is easily hurt by others, gives 500 kisses and hugs everyday to his mom and dad, and karate chops EVERYTHING in the house! But our little man has really been going through a tough time these days. After Madison started kindergarten in August, we began to see a difference…his feelings stay on his shoulders, he cries more than normal, and his self-esteem is lacking. It took us a while to figure it out (duh?) but we finally realized he must be going through separation anxiety from his sister. I don’t know why but it never dawned on me that he has been with her every day of his little life…and now she is gone most of the day. So, we are taking extra time with him each day, giving lots of positive reinforcement, and loving every kiss and hug we receive in return!

Pumpkin Carvin'

YES....we found A, I repeat, A pumkin in Egypt! I have heard that pumpkins can be found at some of the western supermarkets here but I have never seen one. We acutally found this pumpkin at a veggie stand just around the corner. The lady selling it to me was so impressed that I was buying it because she actually thought I knew how to cook it!! Ha!

Before:
The Carving: Madison grossed out:

The Finished Product:
If you can't tell...It is a checked cross...Meredith's idea! :)

Those in Need...

A friend of mine told me a story of a family that was going through a very difficult time. The kids and I were able to go and meet this precious family. The son (pictured in the blue galabaya) is 20 years old and was in a terrible car accident in May. He had just moved to the city to work and help provide for his family. His skull was fractured and he had a lot of bleeding on the brain. They were told that he would not live. This family has seen miracle after miracle in his life. He is now able to sit up, move his arms a little and repeat what his dad says to him!! This family is from outside of the city. The father and two of his sisters are the only ones that can be here for him. The mother and 7 other children are still in their hometown and she is working the fields alone while he is here!!!
Before we left our house, the kids went through the kitchen to find a few snacks for this family. Our visit was such a sweet time...we will be going back to visit with them while they are near our home.

Stick'em Up

We visited some friends nearby a couple of weeks ago and found that they have a western steak house in their city. We ate a great steak and Matthew Ray loved the cowboys and the gun!

Do We Have an Author on our hands...

Meredith has started writing these days. She decided to write a story and she wanted Matt and I to give our opinion on the beginning. What do you think? Do we have an author?..

It was a dark night, a cold winter's evening. The wind was blowing swiftly and snow was tumbling down. Never was I so scared. I rolled myself into a ball underneath my bed, taking slow deep breaths as I waited for the snow storm to wrap itself up and go elsewhere. My mother walked into my room with a stick candle producing a sweet scent to give me a sign that everything was alright. I slowly got out from under my bed and gave her a sure expression that I was still terrified. She wrapped me into a hug and led me down the hall and into the dining room for dinner. I looked to my father as he pulled my chair out and he asked, "Why the terrified expression?" I opened my mouth to answer but no word spilled out to quote my thoughts...

That's where she is so far...we were pretty impressed. What's your opinion? Author?

Funny Pharoah Land Moments..No. 7 and 8...

These two things are really short but they just made me crack up...had to share them!

Madison...This morning Madison was showing me a picture that she drew. She was pointing out each detail in the picture and then she said, "You see this building? I don't remember what it is called but it is the place where you go see dinosaurs and grandma pictures." (do you think grandmas are from pre-historic times??? hee hee!:)

Matthew Ray..."Momma, what language does Jesus speak?"
Me..."He speaks all languages."
Matthew Ray..."Yeah, I know. He speaks Arabic, English, China and California!"