Let the fun begin

Cousin JA will be here in few days! We are all so looking forward to her visit!

I had a lovely time this morning taking a good friend out kayaking. She had been in a canoe before, but she had never been in a kayak. It was a lovely morning to be out on the water.

As the weather begins to really heat up and the dust dies down a bit, I really wanted to spruce up the plants on our little patio. I spent an hour this morning cleaning up and pruning. I also planted a new plant, a yucca. Yucca look a little like pineapples with skinny leaves. They handle severe heat and high winds rather well. So, hopefully it survives life on my full sun patio.

Well, time to clean house.

Peace.

Back in the Sand

Well, after a productive visit to the home country, I am back in the sand. For the first time, I was in the home country saying to myself, "I'm ready to go home." But it's not so much my current country, it's that wherever my husband and kids are is 'home.' Home is about the people not about the stuff or even the place.

As I try to fight against the jet lag yuck, we are happily anticipating the arrival of Cousin JA. We all so enjoy it when folks come to visit us, and we get to show off the awesome places we know here.

Ok. Time to tackle dishes and laundry.

Peace.

Packing Up

I took this picture of my kids upon returning home from their second trip out of the home country to visit the grandparents in Belize. Those backpacks were loaded with fave blankets and fave soft animal toys. Every time I see this snap, it nearly brings tears to my eyes - seeing my kids so happy and holding hands.

I'm in the home country to pack up our main house here. We're putting it on the market. I'm still sad about such a permanent thing - selling a house. But, as I scroll back through old photographs, I realize my children are getting to live extraordinary lives. So, as long as we have a home - as opposed to just a house - somewhere, then all is well with the world. My faith, my family and my friends - those things do not change with the sale of a 'house'. Faith, family and friends only grow and deepen over time, and that's a good thing.

Peace.

Buddy and Many Blessings

I worry and sweat about all the moving, packing, unpacking, buying and selling residences. I have to think about them as 'residences'. Home is wherever my family is. We have moved so very many times, and each time it is the same. But, this time, we are moving many of our possessions to the one house we'll never sell. It will be the place many many many more holiday memories are shared. It's the home that was initialed dreamt of by my parents on their land, and now through a massive collaborative effort, the dream is going to be a reality. For the most part, it is going to be their house. It'll just have furniture, toys, kitchen gadgets etc from my current house in the home country. This new place will serve as a permanent anchor to my family as we trot about the globe. As I pack for the two week trip back to the home country to begin prepping for this next move, I must keep all my blessings in mind.

Today's snap is of Buddy - Munchkin #2's pet hamster. This photo does not really do justice to just how very cute Buddy is. Buddy's picture reminds me of all my family has been blessed with. Yes, we keep having to move, but as I look at the pictures posted here on the blog over the last three years, I know we lead amazingly full lives. And we really love our little pets.

Peace.

Late edition:

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/09/science/09fossil.html?pagewanted=1&em&exprod=myyahoo If this kid had not been taught proper science, would this discovery even have been made? Hmmmm........I am a person of faith, and I do not edit my kids' textbooks. Education is power folks.

A Questionable IP - 95.25.79.239

Moscow, Moscow City, Russian FederationInvestelektrosviaz Ltd. (95.25.79.239)
Internet Explorer 6 and Windows XP

This may just be digging for the/a RIPE database, but the Windows XP has me suspicious.

I'm watching, and I publish what I think may not be legitimate.

Our wild wild world

Stand forewarned: Some of my comments today may be offensive to sensistive readers. If you think you are one of them then stop reading now. I'm not trying to be offensive, but sometimes I do make mistakes. If you can handle it, read on...

I've been reading so very much news lately coming out of the Anglican and Roman Catholic churches. Here's a sample: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/07/opinion/07dowd.html?em&exprod=myyahoo (this is actually an opinion piece) and http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/04/world/europe/04church.html?fta=y

Religious institutions (thinking about many faiths here) are some of humanity's oldest and most important institutions. Religion teaches us how live better lives, religion teaches us how to live with each other, and religion gives us the backbone of our societies. Even societies that think they are totally secular have religious influences in their laws. Take a look at marriage law in the States for example. That a man can only have one legal wife is based in Judeo/Christian ethics.

I read, and I think. I read, and I think. Sometimes, it all just makes my head hurt. Humanity has always grappled with change in many forms. As modern as we all like to think we are in this digital age, it's still a wild wild world. Looking at this picture above of an 800 year old or so restored castle, I wonder what the next 800 years or so of human existence is going to be like. I think we are all still in for a wild wild ride.

In the meantime, I think I'll have another coffee before I begin to pack for the home country.
Peace.

What an awesome Spring Break

Well, where do I begin? We are having a fabulous Spring Break from school, and it's not over yet. Today's snap is from atop Barka Castle. It's about 800 years old and has been restored.

" The vast and rambling Barka Castle is 800 years old and was originally built for Imam Ahmed bin Said. It was fully restored in 1984. Entrance to the fort is free and though there is no guide, you can spend a fascinating two hours wandering around the fort's towers, prisons and prayer rooms. The towers offer excellent views of the surrounding area and out to sea." (http://www.teachanywhere.com/spotlight-on/oman/history-and-culture.aspx) And I think this website borrowed a bit from the Oman Explorer OffRoad Book. I don't remember seeing the prisons however. But it was awesome, so very much worth pulling off the beaten path to see.

Peace.

A beautiful morning of 'new life'!

A beautiful happy good morning to all! We are having a wonderful time roaming around for a few days. The husband had business meetings, the hotel was mostly paid for (we pay any extra cost due to the munchkins and myself), and so here we are!

I've been so enjoying shopping in the old souq. Aunt J, I'm bringing back frankincense for you! I couldn't remember if I'd already given you some. If I have, then let me know, and I'll pass it on to someone else.

Today is a 'lazy' day. We had a huge breakfast, we're resting in the hotel and then off for some swimming. I'll post pictures as soon as I download them off my camera.

May your day be filled with peace.