Zander is THREE!

It's been a while since we have given a post dedicated to our sweet first born; Elliot Alexander! On May 26th we celebated his THIRD birthday already! These pics are him dressed in the traditional Kurdish garb. Gellek Jonna (Very cute)

We celebrated first in Duhok.  We started the morning by having Birthday Pancakes (with sprinkles) with Dan, Julie, and Emily.

 Then we took him to ZERI PARK (Disney World of Kurdistan) for the first time.

The next day we had a pool party for him with all his friends!

Everyone sang him happy birthday, and we had some cake! Seriously... look at this happy boy!

It was a busy week, because we were getting ready to fly back to America a few days later.

Which for Zander was SWEET timing because then he got to have a birthday celebration with family in America too!

This 3 year old boy... I tell you what... He's pretty much the best! Look at im'... don't you just want to squeeze him!

Here's some things I love about Zander and what he's up to.......

Zander-
You bring us so much joy, and you seriously crack me up!  But you are growing up so quickly and definitely not a baby anymore.  I mean, you are able to try to talk us into you not going to sleep.  Saying you have to go to bathroom---ok, but asking us to itch your leg is not a good excuse for you to come out of your room! What will you come up with when you're older? Little stinker buns! :)

You have such a soft heart that God is going to use someday for something great! You are turning more and more into your Daddy. I love that and I love that he makes you so happy.  You follow him around with your little tool box like a little disciple. I pray you will continue to follow him as our leader because he is a man after God's heart.  That's what we desire for your life too.  Your on your way since you thought "Jesus is the coolest person in the world". :o) But I guess, you answer "Jesus" for lots of questions! ......... Ask us when you're older about the funniest Jesus answer you gave us a few months back.  TMI for blogreaders. :)

As for Zephie... she is already SOOOO blessed to have a Big Bro like you.  Thank you for loving her, cuddling with her, giving her kisses, making her laugh, and helping me take care of her.  She will continue to need your help. Keep guiding her and teaching her the ropes :)

We love you so much bud,
xoxo
Mommy

 

Zephie is 6 months!

Our 6-month-old-little-presh-girl,

I can't believe you have been a part of our family for over 6 months already.  I can't imagine what life was like before you came along. Pretty much from the very start of your life inside me, I knew you would be different from your brother.  I love reflecting on how God has made you both different as part of His plan to give each of us different gifts. 

I can already tell you will be an extrovert, strong, and insistent!

Even after waking up a couple times in the middle of the night with you, I can't help but smile at your sweet little face. (if I'm not sleep walking) You are so happy when I pick you up. It's like your saying "You're my hero mom" or maybe it's more of a "Ha, I'm a princess, I get whatever I want" :) 

Although I still constantly pray 1 Peter 3:3-5 for you: Do not be concerned with outward beauty... but clothe yourselves instead with the beauty that comes from within, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is so precious to God.  I can't help but LOVE your physical qualities too! :)

That tongue of yours is always moving

Your eyes are stunningly beautiful!

You have been called a cabbage-patch doll (just like I was called- so I take that as a compliment)

Daddy loves this scrunchy-face. Where you press your lips together, and breathe out and in with your nose really fast. Kinda like your snorting. You do it when your angry, or annoyed. It is actually pretty funny!

Your dark brown hair, and little cute buns! :) 

Although you are getting excited (kick your legs real fast and and smile) when you see us now, you can still give us the "Who-do-you-think-you-are" face sometimes.

You're easy to ADORE, Ms. Zephie Delal! You are very special inside and out and we are excited to continue to get to know you better!

 Love you Sweets

xoxo

Mommy and Daddy

You know your in Iraq when........

Your son builds a city and says.....

 "Here is the Mask (mosque) that says the answer to prayer (Call to Prayer)"

Staycation

Our weekend WAS going to start by leaving the school picnic early and taking a taxi to Erbil to enjoy a weekend of refreshment. Getting out of our city, going to a mall, eating out, having life a little more "western" etc.  But with our earlier than planned arrival back to Iowa (May 30th) we decided to save some $ and have a STAYCATION instead.  IT WAS AMAZING! 

We had our schedule of events planned, pool ready, and rules of not answering the phone, or the door. :) 

The first night we went out for pizza and walked to the DVD store and picked out some movies for the weekend.  We set up a little "movie theatre" under the stars.  

Got our jammies on, snacks on, and cuddled up to "Alvin and the Chipmunks"

Our mornings were slow, making a nice breakfast, good coffee, and enjoyed some breakfast and family devotion time outside in the shade.

It's been getting hot here (90's) so it was perfect for our Pool Party! We got all crazy and sneaky and wore shorts and tank tops on our roof (since no one could really see us when we sat down behind the retaining walls) The view was awesome too! We cooled down in the pool, laughed, and ate snacks.  You know us, the Bishops be lovin' them some killer snack times!

 Zephie didn't make it in the water this time, but enjoyed her special shady spot. 

Unless Daddy needed some cuddle time!

Zander had a blast. We had a blast just watching him.  We need to do this more often!

We have been working hard on potty-training this month. We had a couple "Potty Train" sticker charts, that he totally loved and helped with some motivation.  Well, the deal was when he woke up dry each morning for a week we could go to DREAM CITY! (The Mickey Mouse Place) Big boys go here when they are done with diapers!

Seriously I don't think his smile ever left his face. 

 He felt like such a big boy giving his ticket to the man.

Riding the BIG Ferris Wheel that we have been talking about for awhile. 

 Riding on the space-ship. Andy's long legs barely fit in it, I think he was about ready to sink that sucker!!

Not much for rules and regulations here. The ride was still spinning and people were jumping out, climbing over the wall, etc.  One of those "You-know-your-in-Iraq-when" moments.....

Then the carousel ride.  He choose this one and named him "Black Snake" but said "You remember that horse that Grandpa has, Diesel.... Yeah, we can ride that one too"

 Zephie took a little snooze but then was ready to have fun too!

We spent a lot of time outside going for walks, reading, swimming, and working in the "garden"

We spent each evening watching movies and just relaxing. Andy and I even got a little afternoon date at the only "western" restaurant in town- Texas Chicken. The plan was to order a coffee then mix it with Ice cream so it was like a "Jamocha Shake" but they didn't have any coffee that day :)  We still had the ice cream and had a lovely time. 

It was a perfect weekend.  Very refreshing to just relax and enjoy each other and exactly what we needed to get us through until we get back to Iowa. 

From Iowa to Duhok.2

A little beat up this time... but it arrived (in 5 weeks!) 

The hopes was to arrive by Easter, because it had the goods of Easter egg coloring kit, jelly beans, and other "goodies" that could go in our "easter basket". :) We just celebrated again!

Zander will get the jelly beans for rewards for going potty. Daddy gets the trail mix for an after school snack for being  the #1 Teacher. Mommy gets the pink lemonade to enjoy during naptime fully concocted in the magic bullet for a "slushie"

What about Zephie???? 

ohhhhhhh.... She gets this squishy ball thing...even she loves getting packages!  But we are a sharing family, so hopefully I can get one of those dried cranberries and jelly beans. I promise I will share my WHOLE-WHEAT pasta with everyone else as I make a yummy recipe I will find on pinterest!

Most of you are like "whoopie-doo" why blog about receiving a package- twice in ONE WEEK for petes-sake! Well for one, these are our first packages that have been sent to us... and two, I use this blog to remember really special occasions.  To us... this is a really special occasion! Can't you see on our little man's face??? 

Thanks Al and Jenn for the awesome package and Thanks Al for having really big feet so the package could hold more stuff :)

ps- if you are wanting to send something, it will have to wait until next year, because good chance it won't get to us in time to enjoy before we leave. (proof I'm not telling you all about this, just to get more packages) :)