A Combination of Birthday's and Halloween

It's birthday time at our house! Madison turned 6, Matthew Ray turned 5 and I (Stacey) turned hmmmmm...I can't seem to remember. You know a woman is old when she is not willing to post her age on her blog!!
For the big celebration, we had a great birthday party with some of our dearest friends here. Since our bdays start right after halloween, we decided to have a costume/trick-or-treating birthday party! All of the kids came dressed so cute and they loved trick-or-treating "door to door" in our hallway!(that's becoming a yearly tradition in our neck of the woods).

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!"

VWALAH!!!! Madison's First Report Card...

Madison brought home her first "report card" from kindergarten today. This is what her teacher reported:

Madison is a refreshing delight to have in the KG this year. So far, I haven't had the ease of teaching a little girl in the KG who speaks English as a first language. It sure is a joy! It is obvious that Madison is receiving all the right stuff from her Mommy and Daddy. She is a shining joyful reflection of this. The proof is in the pudding as they say. Keep on with whatever it is you're doing. I will humbly seek the Lord's direction for whatever He would have me add. Looking forward to what wonderful things He will do in the life of this precious child!

Isn't that the sweetest little report??? We are so proud of her and so glad she is having a great first year of school!!!

He's a Man Now...

Before going out one night Matthew Ray and Dada got ready together in the bathroom. We walked into the bathroom to find this...



For those of you who are worried...NO, he's not really shaving...the razor is flipped backwards.:)

My Salvation...by Meredith

Meredith had to write a paper for school about her relationship with Christ. I wanted to share it with all of you because many of you walked this journey with her...

"For my eyes have seen Your salvation." Luke 2:30. I once was lost and not knowing my way around. I was like a lost newborn sitting in the darkness, and I knew I was not saved.

Doubting is what kept me knowing I was not saved. I questioned my parents a lot if God existed. I never had assurance of my salvation. I even prayed the prayer about five times and was never sure! I even got to the point where my best friend's dad tried to help me understand. Then, right before I came here a friend asked me a simple question that made me think. She said, "Meredith, will you get saved before you move overseas?" I was not sure of that answer.

My salvation still was not assured until I went to a camp before moving here. I met new friends, had a blast, but was still not sure! I remember one night when I was talking with my dad about salvation for the millionth time. He said, "You know, the Bible has been passed down from generation to generation, and all of it is true." I knew that already, but I also knew that was God's way of letting me know He was there. That night I was saved, and it felt good!!

The way I know I am saved is that I know for sure God is real, and I have not had any doubts since. I know I still sin. Everybody sins, but I am different now and have a new outlook on life!

I have grown in my faith since I was saved in 2006, and God is working in my life! I love the Lord with all of my heart. I will never be the same again!

A Date with All of Us...

Dada leaves in a day in a half and today was our last day with everyone all together all day. We relaxed for half of the day and we hung out at City Stars Mall for the rest of the day! We ate at On The Border, ate ice cream, drank coffee at Starbucks, window shopped, ran around in the air conditioning, and toy shopped at Toys R Us. We were exhausted when we were all done! All children are in bed at the moment and it took them about 1 minute to go to sleep. What a great day!

A little Starbucks...
Hollywood...

Awww...I love him...You can't even tell he had a terrible eye 2 days ago!
Awww...I love him, too!
Craziness...

Spending Time with some local Pastors...

Matt's dad, Don, got to spend some time with some local pastors during his visit. He loved his time with them and loved seeing their committment and desire to learn more. Many of these pastors have a very difficult life. For several days they were fed spiritually and physically!

Meredith's Date Night with Dada...

Dada said when he arrived, "If I don't do anything else on this trip, the one thing I HAVE to do is take Meredith on a date." So, that's exactly what the two of them did on his second night here. They enjoyed their time at the City Star's Mall. They stuffed themselves at Macaroni Grill, walked around to try to make more room for dessert, and then had ice cream at a cafe in the mall! They both came back with huge smiles on their faces! Such sweet memories!!

Polka Dot World...

After we opened all of our gifts from Dada and Mimi we started to work on the polka dot wall. Remember our midnight painting experience about a month ago?? Well, we ended up ordering pink dots to go on Meredith's wall. We had a lot of fun applying them to the wall...we think it looks so cool while Matt thinks it is a little "much." Even though he thinks that, he is always willing to let us do anything we want around here for decor...such a great husband!

Dada is Here Again!!

Dada arrived yesterday to visit us again...and he came packed out with presents from he and Mimi!!! We enjoyed our first day with him by just visiting, playing with our new toys and trying on new clothes. Stacey also received her new computer that Matt so sweetly bought for her! He's such a great guy!

Check back tomorow...we have date night pics and Meredith's finished room pics to show you!

Madison's Arabic....

Madison received a call today from one of her friends from her Arabic pre-school. The little girl misses having Madison around and just HAD to talk to her. The great thing about it is that she only speaks Arabic...so, Madison is made to use her Arabic! We heard her on the phone..it made our hearts so happy to hear her speak. The teachers at the pre-school said she only used Arabic at the pre-school but she would never really use it in front of us. We had to capture some of the conversation on video for you to hear. (The phone call came while she was getting out of the shower so just nevermind her naked self in her towel! :)

Funny Pharoah Land Moments..No. 5 and 6

I promise I could write one of these funny moments every day...but I just don't have the time!!! Here are two for ya!

Madison has just started kindergarten so she and Matthew enjoy (most of the time) catching up after school. This is how the conversation went over their after school snacks yesterday:

Matthew Ray(in tears): MOM!! Madison said I was made out of dirt! I am NOT made out of dirt!

Madison: No, it's the sand thing...you know mom...the sand/dirt thing!??

Matthew Ray: I AM NOT MADE OUT OF DIRT!!!!

Madison: Yes, you are made out of dirt and I am made out of this thing right here (pushing her side out and pointing to her ribs)....right mom? You remember the story, don't you??

Matthew Ray: It is not true! I am not DIRT!

Madison: Yes, you are!!! My teacher said so!

No. 6
Madison has been informing us for the last several months that when she is older she is NOT marrying anyone and she is NOT having a baby. When asked why she just states that she wants her own stuff and her own house...to sum it up...she doesn't want to share! And then the thought of a baby just sends her over the edge...no baby is coming out of her body!!! So, I was walking with her in the street and we were discussing this topic once again:

Madison: Mom, I am going to have lots of money when I grow up. I am going to buy whatever I want and whenever I want!

Me: Well, you better marry someone really rich or have a really good job!

Madison: Remember mom, I AM NOT MARRYING ANYONE!! So, I will have a good job...what is a good job??

Me: Well, you could be a doctor or a nurse or you could be a business woman I guess..

Madison: I know what I will be! I want to own my own store! I am going to sell toys! And you know what?? I can save the toys I have now and then I won't have to buy new ones to get started in my store! I can just start selling those and then I will have money to start my new store!

Since this conversation, she is stuck on this toy store business. She and Matthew Ray have now decided that they will both have toy stores...She will carry boy toys and he will carry girl toys...and then each will have a place to shop for what they want!!:)