Catch Up

Ben 10 invades Bethlehem.

My attempt at Christmas cuteness, thanks to pinterest

This is my post Christmas Christmas party

Our camping location

Caleb in the boys tent

Lake Fayoum

New Years 2012! Sarah and Jonathan Turlan above and Dad and Caleb below

Holiday Break

Yeah for Christmas Break! In spite of lots of parties and events, this year has actually felt a bit more manageable time wise and not nearly as overwhelming as year past. I will update a bit and add pix later from my other computer.

I have spent more hours in the kitchen this last month then I have probably in the whole year combined but what was different was that I actually enjoyed it! I baked cookies and made dips and salads and dinner for a week straight! The secret to enjoying the kitchen, I have learned, is audible books and podcasts and sermons. I have listened to an excellent recording of The Help, another one called Olive Kittredge (so so) and now am listening to The Fall of Giants which is very interesting. I always found being stuck in the kitchen a bore but with something to keep my mind busy I have actually enjoyed it.

Christmas Eve day was spent at Skip and Bonnie's with the Turlan's, and Ben and Sarah and her dad who was visiting from TX. We snacked and munched for a few hours and the headed to church for Christmas Eve service. Caleb and I did the advent reading and lighting the candles. I think it is one of my favorite holiday traditions now. This year Caleb and I headed home and went to bed early b/c in years past we went back to Skip/Bo's and stay up late then get up early and I spend the whole day tired which conflicts with C's hyper excitement. So we both got a good nights sleep and as expected he woke me up at the crack of dawn, the rule is sunlight must be present. He got a Gameboy which was his big thrill plus a few other action figure items which he loves. Around 10 am we went back to Skip/Bo's and opened presents with them and had brunch. Later in afternoon others joined us for a awesome dinner and our British friends supplied the crackers which is now becoming part of our tradition as well, although personally I could do without wearing the dorky hat. We played a few rounds of Quiddler before calling it a night.

The next day was an early morning wake up as we were heading out with Turlan's and Jaffrey's to go camping about 2 hours into the desert. We loaded up my truck and left close to on schedule with a full car and lots of energetic kids. Mark J led us out to a great spot at the mouth of a canyon. We set up what looked like a tent city with kids getting their own tents as well. I had bought and brought a awesome air mattress which promised me a great nights sleep I was sure. When we tucked in that night the wind was howling and battering our tents. Caleb got nervous and bailed on sleeping in the kids tent and came into mine and then begged to get up on my mattress as well. Needless to say my amazing night of sleep never happened what with the wind threatening to launch our tent and Caleb, who sleeps spread eagle, spreading out the width of my bed. In spite of no sleep the next day was full and fun of hiking out at ancient ruins and around a huge lake sitting out in the middle of the desert. We watched a beautiful sunset from the top of the canyon, cooked up some amazing steaks and enjoyed a few hours by the fire before sleep demanded my attention. I knew better than to let Caleb onto the bed and insisted he stay on the floor. The wind got serious again but I was able to sleep through most of it.

I think we brought half the desert home in our clothing, car and various other cracks and crevices. Spent all of Thursday trying to straighten up the house in time for the arrival of my Dad today. No thanks to my wound up 7 year old I did manage to get the house into good order and throw out LOTS of junk that he insists is important.

With the arrival of Dad came my personal Christmas. I got a new Kindle Touch, some sweaters, new jeans, socks and a box of Swedish Fish ( I love those things!) Right now I am downloading all my books onto my new Kindle so I can clean off my old one and give to Dad. Caleb is very excited to have Grandpa here and was drawing him pictures all afternoon and asking a million questions about when I was a kid. He was curious if my Dad was going to be the boss and tell me what to do. I gently explained that "when he is in my house under my roof..." :) We don't have any big plans while Dad is here but hopefully can find enough new stuff to keep him interested...maybe we will go check on the revolution!

Holiday Season

Caleb with his new sleeping hat, just like Sponge Bob!

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 Our Christmas Cookie Decorating Event!
I planned a year ago that I would take off a day and make cookies and get everything ready to do decorating the right way. Fun adn sweet times had by all.

Yup that's my boy!

 So after 9 wild days downtown of anger and rioting (picture above taken by a friends daughter near AUC as she tried to get to her apartment to feed her cat.) election day arrived. People, mostly my Egyptian friends, were quite nervous. Of course most of my friends are Christian and that adds to their insecurity. I tended to swing quite a bit between my instinctive way of thinking, which is optimistic "Nothing is going to happen," to a somewhat uncertain conditioned way of thinking. After being in a bombing, and experiencing a revolution close up its not as easy to be light- hearted and optimistic as I once was.  All that said day one of election was very exciting and seemingly peaceful from all that I observed.The picture to the left is right outside my office. Women only lined up early and spent on average 5 hours to get to the front of the line to vote which is only one block up. They had tons of voting centers, which was a good thing cause 4 million voters in Cairo voting just today I heard. There was an exciting hum through out Maadi where I live. On a negative note the traffic was horrific! I mean traffic in general is bad but this was beyond bad! Today is a second day of voting in Cairo, and other parts of the country will vote on other days for the next few weeks. Continue to pray for peace and for a peace with how things turn out. Just because they are voting freely doesn't mean we are going to like the outcome and that is a tough pill to swallow for most of us. I lean heavily on the words of Scripture that reminds me that not one leader rises to power outside of God's will, He places each one to accomplish his plans, but I don't always like how His plans initially feel. Most stay focused on the big redemptive picture and not get caught up in the micro Amy perspective.

On a lighter side: Thanksgiving and Christmas Bazaar took place last week and both were wonderful successes! Spent T-Giving with about 25 friends enjoyed great food but even better the company. I like that I don't have to fight anyone for the gizzard and heart which is my favorite part of T-Giving turkey! I can do without the meat just gimme the giblets and I am happy. Caleb was Bonnie's helper. He set the kids table by himself and helped Skip scrub potatoes as well. Saturday was the bazaar. Caleb enjoyed spending all his allotted money, sitting on Santa's lap and he even got to throw wet sponges at Mommy...as did about 20 other kids. I sold sloppy joes for 4 hours straight and raised a good bit of money for our Christmas box project.

Arrrggghhh! I wrote a decently informative and long post yesterday but the internet is crappy right now and somehow it never loaded and timed out. OK breath and let it go Amy!

Happy Thanksgiving to one and all from chaotic Cairo! Yes the tear gas is flowing but it doesn't waft out to my neck of the woods, I assume it gets overpowered by our daily does of exhaust. Just wanted to check in and say all is well in my little haven of Maadi. I will head out soon for the feats at Bonnie's and Skips. There is a definite feel of lingering sadness as to what is happening and uncertainty but not any rel sense of danger. Of course I am not heading in the direction of Tahrir anytime soon. As you sit and give thanks for good food family and friends, just as I will do in a few hours, also intercede on behalf of this very confused land, truly there is a spirit of "dizziness" as Isaiah describes it, over this country. They have murals all around Cairo that claims "Islam is the answer" oh that they would know the truth!

Seriously All is Well

Ahhh such interesting times we live in. Actually I am glad protests are going on in the US so we can all feel a part of world upheaval. You might be thinking "Yeah but Occupy ... is so far from me and it really doesn't impact me." but see that is what I think to an extent concerning what is happening in Tahrir these days. Honestly if I didn't see news of it on FB I might not have a clue. Which isn't really a point to brag about I suppose, I should have a better feel for it all and definitely be more concerned as it affects the future of my home, but it gets tiring to ride the revolution roller coaster. Some people write and speak as if the end is near and Tehran style gov't is perched ready to assume control, while others speak as if it is the natural birthing pains of a new system. I don't know which is more realistic. As always I come back and find peace of mind in knowing God is on the throne and no party, nor military force, nor outside government presents a legitimate threat to his position. I guess the part I always struggle mentally with is, that we assume that God being in control means that all will be well=easy, and that I am not so sure of. The optimist in me never really thinks things will get that bad, I like being an optimist it is a better position to live and function from, but it may not be realistic who knows!

But regardless of what protest might be in taking place downtown, my usual life marches along out here in the 'burbs. It is the season for ridiculous busyness and many good deeds, and as much as I enjoy it I also can't wait for it to draw to a close and release the pressure. This week alone has a big wedding of a dear friend, Thanksgiving, and the annual Christmas Fair all of which involve preparation (organizing sloppy joe donations, dress alterations, and group menu planning) oh yeah and there is work like writing a bible study on whether or not God changes his mind, practicing music with kids, trying to find sponsors or money to make 500 Christmas presents for African kids, and looking for a new director of various ministries ...

This year I am determined though to plan out my time so that I can establish Christmas tradition and routine with Caleb. I have scheduled a day off for making cookies for Caleb and friends to decorate at a different time (lesson learned last year that baking and decorating can not be done on the same day... frustrating for child and mother), We will get x-mas stuff out and house decorated quickly after T-Giving so that we can get the advent stuff out ON TIME and started.

I am thinking about sending out last years Christmas letter and card which is still sitting here, not much has changed, Caleb looks a bit older but that is a minor detail! So don't be shocked if you get one :)

Looking forward to Dad's visit and looking for ideas of what adventure to go on this time. Thinking about heading to Mt. Sinai in search of POSSIBLE snow sighting, its not likely but we if we are ever to see it, then we at least need to put ourselves in a place where it could happen. Caleb is begging!

Here is a pic of him with missing tooth, our first! looking forward to many others :) Also a shot of santa's elves working on painting reindeer's for the bazaar.