Life in IraqiKurdistan.Christmas

Of course celebrating Christmas looks MUCH different here. For lots of reasons. For example:

• Our first Christmas where we haven't had a "White Christmas".
• No Grandma Shileny Kolaches or Grandma Kriener Chocolate Chip cookies.
• No never-ending game nights with family. Enjoying a beer or two to go along with it!
• No falling asleep to Christmas movies on our family's couch.
• No sitting next to the warm fire, enjoying Mama Bishop's Christmas table cloth. Or Mama Kriener's "Christmas city".
• No seeing family that you haven't seen for awhile (besides on Skype :0)
• Not being surrounded by things that make you think of the season from everywhere you go and things you see (The mall, homes decorated in christmas lights, Christmas trees in the windows, etc)

However, just because we are living in a country where the majority doesn't celebrate CHRISTmas, we have tried to not forget and to make this a memorable Christmas for us even though it was much different!

We tried to make our home a little more like-back-home.

It's really incredible some of the things we found here. There's a place called Holland Market, that's about the size of a convenience store, that we go to get almost all of our groceries. They had a FULL isle that was loaded with Christmas trees, ornaments, stockings, wrapping paper, other knick-nacks too! Can you believe it! ... it was pretty sweet!

Cute little stockings, huh!? Our candle on the top was our "fireplace". Try to look around all of our books (I should have at least straightened them up before this picture but you know what, this is what it normally looks like so you get the real effect! No picture posing here!)

Crafts: We even got a chance to make some handmade cards, and send a couple things back to our family for Christmas with our teammates who were going back to America. Andy and I always make each other cards. This year we also made Zander's gift. Thanks to our previous tennants old baby gate and my oh-so-creative husband. We got to give Zander this for Christmas!

a ramp that came with a handmade car by Andy, and some cool balls for Zander to roll down!

Gifts: SGI came at the beginning of the month and brought back a few gifts from them, and from one of our sending churches. We know it's not all about gifts, but it was really nice to each be able to open a gift this Christmas.

Big thanks to Cornerstone (Sabino's connection Group), Goodriches, and Fishers!

Worship: Here's a picture of our gathering of other believers. We had a great Christmas eve service that was full of songs, Nativity Play put on by the kids, Advent candle, and of course fellowship afterwards with yummy cookies. :) Look at my cute little sheep!

We even had our version of "shoveling" here on Christmas Eve!

Zander making some Birthday cake for Jesus!

Neighbors: Christmas morning we were still in our jammies (I in my glasses, too) drinking some coffee and we had a visit from our good friends/neighbors with Christmas gifts in hand. A little awkward in this culture for people to be seeing each other in their Pj's (sweatpants style for the bishop's) but we were thankful for them and their friendship! They also came over later that day and partook in the Birthday cake. The next day, I made the "Shileny Christmas favorite" (Chili) and they came over to enjoy that with us too.

God has really been doing some sweet things here. Being able to sing Christmas songs IN SCHOOL! Seriously, in Iraq? PRAISE THE LORD!

So yeah... it was a GREAT CHRISTMAS... and a MEMORABLE CHRISTMAS...one we felt like we were able to invite people in and also being invited into celebration with those who are in our spiritual family in this city.

God does show his blessings through our small sacrifices and celebrating this Christmas was definitely an example of that.

ek Sal oo neef (1 and a half years old)

Z-man will actually be 19 months in a few days, but I always got so confused when I wasn't a mom on why moms always told their kids age in months. Confusing and so much thinking if you aren't a mom! At least I thought so and honestly can even get confusing if you ARE a mom! Anyway... here's some year and a half tid-bits!

• Don't have any 18 months stats, but we are pretty sure he's in the "normal" range :)
• Does a good job at following directions for example "Go get your sippy cup" however -if you can believe it- sometimes he doesn't want to follow directions, he says "Naaawwwwhhhh" (a stretched out and whinny NO) with his nose scrunched!
• likes to play "On your marks, get set, GO"
• loves to read books and turn the pages.
• is getting better at copying some words and expanding his vocab. It's not just ball, and dog now.
• Loves to watch baby einstein. (don't judge, sometimes a mamas got to do what a mama's got to do)
• Hates it when I'm cooking! I can't wait until he understands that I'm doing THAT for him too, not just ignoring him!
• Still taking 2 naps most days. Tried to move to one, but he's just way happier with 2.
• Has 14 teeth (Opa we try to brush nightly, don't worry!)

And a glimpse at what our sweet boy is up to!

Daddy's little helper- Andy is building Zander's Christmas gift for him out of an old baby gate that was broken (surprise surprise) It is so precious to see Zander pretend like he's building it too! We haven't showed Zander what this contraption is yet and won't see it painted until Christmas!

Really anything that we do he likes to copy! When city water is on, most people clean their *driveways* with a hose and squiggy. He's imagining the water being there.

Kurdish Dancing- We went to our first Kurdish engagement party a couple weeks ago. It was a little overwhelming with the music so loud it would put most college clubs to shame and everyone grabbing us wanting to take their pictures with us. Anyway, he has always liked to dance but it will take some time to get this fancy footwork down

Scootin': This hippo was left here by the last tennants but until a couple weeks ago, he didn't want anything to do with it. His feet can touch now and can finally push himself along which is pretty precious to see him do! A new favorite toy for this little guy.

Christmas Decorating: It's quite amazing the things we can get in here. With a little effort we can find a Christmas tree, ornaments, lights, and wrapping paper! It's amazing how much having a tree lit up makes a difference around here to brighten up our Christmas season. Zander was more of a help this year than last, but still doesn't quite get it. Whenever he sees these ornaments he says "BAWWLLLLLLLL"

Roughin' it: Somedays this culture doesn't appreciate the "American nap schedule" So we are out and about during one of Z's normal nap times. This means he takes naps in some weird places!

Friends- Zander is not hurting for friends that's for sure! All the neighbor kids adore him and his long "yellow" curly hair. He's trying to get used to their affection though as they pick him up and kiss him like crazy. Sometimes he just needs a little space. Most times after playing with Kurdish friends he's ready for some quiet time in his room.

He also has grown quite fond of another family's kids from London (2 girls and a boy between ages 2 and 6) We try to have play dates every week and they get to spend time together at "Sunday School" too! Here's Jonny and Zander!

The Healer: Praises to God, who has been healing Zander's molescum on his back. Look how much better they look! They aren't raised anymore, just a few spots!

Coloring: Zander loves to color. Or at least he loves to play with his crayons. We can already tell he is going to be a "Man of Order" he likes to put them in piles, back in the box one by one, or lately he seems to like to compartmentalize them in his shirt sleeve!

Typical moments?!?: This is what happens after 5 mins. of allowing Zander to have FREE REIGN in the house.

We LOVE YOU through it all ELLIOT ALEXANDER!