I can't see Texas from here

I think the whole family is missing our Texas home. Riley puts on her shoes randomly and says "home". Owen told me this morning over breakfast he wants to go to his "home home". I have a longing to be in Texas with our family as well. And to top it off, Nathan's iTunes played this song for us:

"I can't see Texas from here.
No matter how I try, it makes me want to cry.
So if you see me lookin' down,
I'm tryin' not to show this frown
'Cause I can't see Texas from here.
'Cause I can't see Texas, I can't see Texas,
I can't see Texas from here."George Strait

Thank you to everyone posting pictures of the beautiful bluebonnets blooming. A little taste of home.

Ciao!

Suds and Bugs

Owen and Daddy headed outside to scrub "Africa" off the car. Owen loved having a job to do scrubbing the car and dunking the sponge in the bubbles. Nathan enjoyed spraying accidently spraying Owen with the hose and hearing him giggle. Owen got some revenge later when he was allowed to rinse the car. It was really great watching my boys work together and have fun. Lots of good Daddy Owen time! I love them so much!!

And now for Jiminy Cricket!! Really... look at this guys face! You can see how Disney drew the character from the real grasshoppers. He was easily about 4 inches/4.5 inches long, a big grasshopper in my book! He was moving very slowly when my neighbor Lisa caught him. They fumagate regularly on the compound so I think he was sick. Lisa homeschools her girls. What a great specimen to collect and study from!

He was a really beautiful grasshopper. The spikes on his legs looked like they were perfectly dipped in red paint accenting them ever so slightly. Seeing how exact this creature was made reminds me of how amazing God is. While I don't particulary like bugs, God has a bigger plan and this little guy is a great reminder.

Ciao!

Another sunny day

Another beautiful day swimming and snacking in the shade of the baobab tree!


Ciao!

Hiding

Recently Riley has been tucking her bunny under her sheets and says "hiding!" proudly. She thinks it's very funny. Well... She expanded upon her cleverness this morning. When I went in her room, I discovered she was no where to be found.... Visibly that is. It was hilarious! I'm so thankful I had my phone with me to capture her unveiling!


Ciao!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Location:Rua Centro Convenções S8,Luanda Sul,Angola

A Great Weekend

We had a really great weekend! Nathan went on Thursday and spent 4 hours waiting in line to get an Angolan drivers license. It was well worth it because now we can go where ever whenever! Well..... As long as we have the car. We headed to Kero and Maxi on Saturday so incredibly happy and proud to be going on our own. It's quite a big deal to be able to driven your own here. A great sense of freedom.... Again, as long as we have the car.

First car trip on our own!



Happy birthday to Lisa! Her family is one of several we've met and become friends with. We had a BBQ with them Saturday at our house. Trish made a yummy lemon cake and we generously provided candles. Bahaha! (Also happy 9th birthday to my Boomer! I love you buddy and miss you tons!) The bottom picture is all the kids mesmerized and enchanted by Lady and The Tramp. Someday Owen will wish he was the only guy with 5 girl friends!


We headed to Belas Shopping Sunday. Nathan and Owen were in need of a hair cut. Owen got to sit on a cool 4-wheeler chair!


Here he's showing off his 1st African hair cut and ready for the big pool with his new inner tube! Nathan and Owen had lots of fun at the pool, just the boys.


With all the little girls here, Riley has been given ample opportunity for dress-up. One of the girls Nicole gave her a Bell dress because she grew out of it (Beauty and the Beast). Riley loves it! When we were at Eleanor's, she got to wear a bumblebee costume. She loved dancing and twirling the skirt!


Ciao!

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The Washing and Sun Halo

We have been working hard on self-reliance in regards to the toilet. Owen is doing wonderful telling us when he needs to go and even better, starting to go to the toilet on his own. We are letting him decide between big boy undies or a night-time diaper. He choses the big boy undies everytime and has very few nighttime accidents. I'm very proud of his progress! Even more rewarding is the confidence I see building in my big boy!

However Yesterday brought a new first.... Owen headed to the bathroom and took care of business. It became very quiet so I went to check on him. As parents know, quiet can be good, but commonly means mischief is afoot. When I went in the bathroom, he proudly exclaimed, "I got all the bubbles off!" with his hands dripping with water. I was really confused where he rinsed off the bubbles and where the water came from since the bathroom faucet was OFF. Then it hit me.... The toilet.

I calmly asked Owen where he got the water. He hesitantly answered from the toilet. I was desperate not to yell at him for washing his hands because he technically did, just in the toilet.... Not so good. BUT thankfully he had flushed prior to The Washing. Phew!

I suggested we wash again in the sink and explained how we don't put our hands in the toilet. The Washing only happens in the sink.

I am beginning to strongly believe in embracing the imperfections. The trials and errors of our children are shaping their minds, behaviors, and overall self. I am by no means perfect. So why should I expect perfection from them? Not everyday goes smoothly but I continue to try - a very important lesson I hope to model for Owen and Riley.



Owen's expression correlated quite well for The Washing.

Also yesterday around 11am I was with some ladies at the club house for a quick gathering. We all went outside into the blazing heat to see the beautiful rainbow circling the sun! I snapped this picture with my phone thinking how rare and unique it was.


Turns out this is an actual occurrence in nature. From my research online and comparing images, I think it was a sun halo which is different from a sundog. Regardless, it was very cool and spiked my curiosity, a little science for the day.

Ciao!

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Braidy fun

I've been having fun with Riley's hair, trying new things. I attempted a braid and I think we have a winner!

First day was with piggie tails.






Next day was with a pony tail!


Ciao!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Location:Rua Centro Convenções S8,Luanda Sul,Angola