From Iowa to Duhok

Our weekend is here, and its off to a great start! We got our first package! Who knew by putting your name, city, and phone number it can get to you? I guess that's how you do if no one has addresses. 

Included was puzzles, candy, and a book!

English books are always perfect, since we can't get any new ones here and Zander loves books. He is totally into Winnie-the-Pooh lately so it was awesome... It was a learning experience for mommy too, because I had no idea what a Sleuth was let alone how to pronounce it.... By the way, it's another word for Detective :)

A big box of Nerds was enjoyed by all of us (that can eat solid foods at least)

We noticed how different we all eat them....

Zander with the two-handed-stuff-face tactic

Me with the lick-a-few-at-a-time approach

then Andy with the vaccum-atic technique

 LOVED IT! 

Thanks to Oma and Opa for the laughs and super fun package!

Ms. Zephie Delal= 5 months

Seems like yesterday I did a 4 month update.  It's been a busy month so time has flown by! But the date tells me that my baby girl is over 5 months old already! 

Here's what she has been UP to:

 Pretty sure she is going to be a thumb sucker like her big brother!

Having tummy-time with her buddy Henry

 Morning routine: Wakes bit before 8. (we won't mention the other times she wakes up before that) Nurse... then chill on her activity mat until naptime at 9ish.

Constantly MOVING that tongue of hers!

Absoluetly in love with Zander man.  Even though he can go from kissey-face one second, to bonking her on the head the next.  She doesn't care.  He makes her laugh like no-one else can.  It's one of my favorite things to watch of ALL TIME! Zander singing "Jingle bells" and dancing is pretty much an automatic giggle. :)

Still loves the bumbo. Spends much of the day in there, moving around from room-to-room in order to be with the action of our family.  She is showing the first signs of sitting up on her own.  

Just started discovering the joys of grabbing/licking her toes.

Trying to transition her out of her swaddle, so we are just doing one arm in for a week or so:)

Grabbing things- her favorites are the baby wipe bags because of the crinkle.

If we were in the states I would have some killer 4 month stats for ya.... but they don't have those here. Last week a man and woman came to our door, holding a med-kit as they walked from door-to-door, vaccinating(????) all the kids.  Didn't quite feel comfortable with that "system" so we turned it down. We'll get her 4 month shots a couple months later than the normal kid. We would rather take that "risk" then the who-really-knows-what's-in-that-thing risk.

Love you, my sweet 5 month old baby girl! xoxo

Newroz Break 2012

Our Newroz break started almost a week earlier than scheduled.  On the morning of March 1st we heard the heart-wrenching news that our friend, teammate, and fellow worker was shot and killed by one of his students.  He taught faithfully at a school 5 hours away that is in the same network as ours for 6 years. Although the break started early, it came with quite heavy hearts.  The first few days were spent with our team, praying, talking, and processing.  Then after a "snow storm" we made the trip to Sulaimania, Iraq to attend the memorial service for our brother and to be with the team there. 

Although we will never know on this side of heaven the entirety of the story.... It was still an amazing testimony to God's forgiveness and reconciliation (a concept foreign in this culture).  He will be greatly missed by all who came into contact with him; but God is sovereign!

We spent 4 days there with the team, then took this bus-load to Erbil to spend a night with our directors there. (also enjoyed some onion rings, fried shrimp, and milkshakes with M-n-M's!)

 

When we got back to Duhok we immediately started helping with the soccer clinic. But then enjoyed a few leisurely days. Going for walks....

dreaming of the potential of this city

and drew closer to our teammates. Playing the name game, sharing meals, and going out to eat together. I love these guys!!!! 

I also got a Kurdish cooking lesson for Chicken Briani. The jist of it is to just fry everything in a lot of oil. :o)!!!

We went to our neighbor girl's Birthday party.  

 

Went for drives with our neighbors and friends  

learned T-ball with a broken stand and stick with friends. 

Then the actual Newroz holiday began.  3 days of feasting and celebrating the Kurdish New Year.  Fires always kickstart this holiday.  So Andy and Dan (our teammate and neighbor) took apart an old washing machine to make our "fire-pit". Job well done guys!

We invited friends, neighbors, and coworkers to enjoy hot dogs (chicken franks), sweets, and pop on our 3rd story roof.  It was super fun!

Andy with a fellow teacher from school enjoying some hot dogs

The city was decked out for the holiday.  

We got dressed up and waited for our Kurdish friends to pick us up for the picnic.  

We found the perfect spot..... always an ordeal.  We drive 30 mins, they debate whether if it's good enough, drive an hour longer and finally decide on THE ONE, which looked just like the one we passed by an hour ago... at least it looks the same to us.

We set up... of course it's not like the American style of picnicing... (Pack a cold-meat sandwhich, apple, and chips).  If they are going to DO IT, they are going to DO IT RIGHT! They spent all morning making the traditional dishes: Iprax, Briani, Nook, and Zalata to bring for the picnic.

 I spent half of this meal-time in the car feeding Zephie since my dress didn't really allow me to feed her outside.  But it was fun watching from a distance... it's a different perspective to just observe and not participate.  It's good to do every now and then... makes you appreciate both perspectives.

Then some lounging around took place: Flying kites

 Eating seeds and playing dominoes

It was super hot in the sun... So we set up a little shade area for Zephie Delal... where she basically learned to roll over.  She has done it before, but not repeatedly like this.

Of course, she was the center of attention... 

Then the well known game "Throw Rocks" started.  One team throws a rock to try and knock the big rocks over on the other team's side.  Kinda like a Kurdish Style Boccee Ball???!!!

Of course... we danced and listened to music...

and just sat around drinking tea and chatting:

Delal ended up falling sleep as the sun was setting. A little nap on Mama's lap is always welcome every now and then. :)

We enjoyed some Chicken Kebabs and fruit to close our evening.  Then it got a little too dark to do much else.  So we headed home in the crazy traffic...everyone was exhausted.

Overall, it was a GREAT break. Just like last year, a great Newroz celebration with our closest friends here. But we were both ready to get back in the swing of our normal routines. As close to "normal" you can get here anyway! :)

Ms. Zephie Delal= 4 months

Hi Sweets in the cute blue jeans!

 Meet John Henry.... Uh la la la! They are only one month apart, both made in Iraq, and are such good friends :)

Although not her best friend. (sorry Henry) but at least for a few more years this girls heart is for her brother! 

   He lives up to his name "Protector" although at times I can tell he's itching to wrestle you already. Patience buddy... your time will come.  They couldn't give each other more kisses, or snuggles throughout the day!

 I mean who doesn't want to cuddle with this little loves?!?!?!

 or look into these eyes all day?!?!? 

I know... that's why I can't get anything done (including this 4 month update a few weeks late!)

Love you Sweets!

xoxoxo