A good wife

I'm a good wife.

Well. Sometimes.

The thing is, my husband doesn't cook. I'm working on it, believe me. I mean, after 16 years of marriage I've given into this fact, he doesn't cook. It's not the he won't cook - it's just that he doesn't. He's got a few items down. Yesterday he had a crepe lesson and did a good job at that. But the truth is, he really just doesn't have the need to cook. On his own, he'd rather just shove something in his mouth. Junk. I know he's really trying to work on this, but overall, he just doesn't care that much about food.

While we were on our first summer separation, when the baby was born, his eating was quickly reduced to consuming anything he could pull off the shelf. I don't think he feels one way or the other about eating junk. He just gets desperate and needs food. So last year, for our summer separation, I pre cooked several meals for the time I would be away. I made them into individual servings and froze them all. Five or six different meals, and home made cookies and bread - frozen in small portions.

He was very appreciative, and I was happy to have done it for him. So - I'm at it again.  People think I'm nuts. But really, Peter is very easy to live with. He's easy to get along with and helps out ALL the time. I figure if one of his downsides is that he doesn't cook - oh well. It could be A LOT worse. And it helps that I DO cook. Works out pretty well as far as I can see.

The work in progress.

Cupcake-ish face

Giddie's 2nd Birthday!

The wonderful thing about Giddie's are Giddie's are wonderful things!  Their tops are made out of rubber, their bottoms are made out of springs.  They're bouncy, bouncy, bouncy, bouncy, fun, fun, fun, fun, fun!  And GID's the only one!

(Sorry, I'm not sure of ALL the words, but he is bouncy!)

Not my baby - Update

Sheriff named his baby Ibrahim.  That's Abraham in our country.  The father of Isaac (or Ishmael for them, he was technically the first born in their book).  In any case they chose a nice name, I think.  He told Luna that "Ma'am likes this name."  And she said if Ma'am likes it, then we'll name him that.  I felt a little bad.  I don't know what to name another persons baby, I just like the name - and the prophet.  Peter and I told him they need to call the baby 'Abe'.  Sheriff didn't get it, but I think Abe is a very cute name.  As if any of that matters for goodness sakes.  The word Peter is bottle in Ban gala.  Who knows what Abe is?

Anyway.  Besides the usual troubles of a new born, baby and mother are fine.  Sheriff still hasn't seen the baby.  Today he told me, "My baby sleep all the time.  Just eat and sleep."  Yep.  Sounds like he's doing great do me!  Other news of the baby is this, "My big son jump on my wife, on her scissor, and hurt very bad.  A lot of medicine for my wife.  So no infection."  Sound familiar?  Big baby, three year old, wanting attention.  Climbing all over mommy, jumping, hurting her without intent?  Or this one, "My big son no like baby.  He tell my wife, he HATE baby.  He won't let Luna sit by baby. Must be big son, Luna, and baby.  No baby between big son and mommy."  Yep. Again.  Sounds par for the course.  I'm always amazed at human nature all over the world.  Same feelings of life here or there, near or far. 

Just wanted to give a little update. 

Black

When grandma was here, we went abaya shopping. Can you even imagine an entire store that ONLY sells these? It's true.

The little boys had a great time getting lost in the miles of black capes. Strange things we do here. Sort through hundreds of yards of black fabric, looking at the smallest details on the cuff and neck. Anything for a little personality, I guess.

Fun, anyway.  My mom actually got a really pretty one.  You'll see some pics of their trip soon.

Masalama!

As they say in England, Q8.

Ah, Kuwait.  Or Q8, as my English friends say.  We couldn't miss the chance to go to Kuwait.  I mean, this was where we saw  the First Gulf War unravel, didn't we?  This was the war of my generation.   So being this close, we decided to pack up the kids and head north for a three day weekend.

Which actually turned into a 2 day weekend because the four hour trip took us 9 and half!  It was actually a really easy drive, but we waited at the border for five and half hours.  Heaven help me!  That darn DVD player I insisted on for the truck, has been worth it's weight in gold.  Just for things like waiting at borders.  I won't bore you will all the details, but lets just say there were three people in front of Peter at the visa window, and nearly fours hours were spent just there.

And yes.  There will be talk of toilets AND a couple of dead animal shots as well.  Sorry.  Life in the Middle East has a lot of dead animals.  And as for the toilets, Tiff keeps asking why I always write about them and this is my reply, "It's something everyone, everywhere, no matter who you are has to do every single day.  And having five young kids, using the bathroom is constant and always an adventure around here.  It's like a box of chocolates, really - you never know what you're gonna get."  Haha.

You may  recognize these towers from news shots during the war.  They are called the Kuwait towers.  You can pay and go up them, but we didn't.  Sand looks like sand, even it you're up high.

This was my favorite 'fasten your seat belt sign.'  The man's outfit is awesome.  They actually drive much better than here; but still pretty darn bad.

In front of the LDS church in Kuwait, a small villa where they hold church.

We went to church in Kuwait.  And things like this are awesome around here.  It's so fun to meet other LDS people in the Middle East and know we're not alone.  While we were getting ready to move from the states, I met a woman at a shoe store in Orem.  She told me she lived in Kuwait and we talked for a while.  She gave me some great information and was a big help.  Very nice.  Just so happened that this was her Branch and we met up and talked for a bit.  What a small expat/Mormon world.  Very fun to see her again.

A villa is a house.  But not just any house.  It usually houses several families within a family.  So each level is kind of like it's own apartment.  This is a picture of the LDS Villa and the winding staircase.  It was a neat building.

Best swap meet in the Middle East, so far.  If you can look past ALL the garbage, it was great.  This is actually a grocery store parking lot, and LOOK at the trash.  Please.  These people have got to start using a garbage can!

More swap meet.  This man has two chairs on his head.

Okay.  Fun as this place was, worst bathroom experience EVER.  Not kidding.  And it's so terrible I won't even tell you why.  Let's just say that Ruby HAAAAD to go, numero dos.  And besides me actually dry heaving, I am a little worried she's going to test positive for TB or hepatitis some day, which I will be sure she caught at a swap meet bathroom in Kuwait.  A friendly reminder from your local middle eastern traveler; don't forget your vaccinations!

This is the kind of stuff I live for.  And my kids are learning to love it too!  Luckily, I married someone who loves to look through people's junk too.  This place had everything you can think of.  Everything!  Ever wonder where all the old brick like cell phones in the world ended up?  Kuwait.

Oh yes I did.  When we saw a Little Ceasars, we were all about CRAZY BREAD!  Not the same old Little Ceasars, though.  But in fact, better!  They had real pizza, and it was actually pretty good.  And they have glass dishes...fancy.

This was in the elevator at our hotel.  On the number 2 is says, "Push to go the the second floor."  Really?

This is the Kuwait City Souk.  Very entertaining.  I bought a wonderful basket here, nearly two feet in diameter and 8 inches deep.  If you need a baby Moses basket, I've got one.  (or something to dump the toys in, whichever)

This was fun, because it really is where people come to shop.  A real life souk.  From clothes, to food, toys, antiques, etc.  It was fun, and luckily still cool.  Because we're about to view pictures of the meat market - WARNING!

These guys are cute, but they aren't the meat market!

  

Ah yes.  Here we are.  Mmmm.  GOAT.  With the tail still on.  Delish!

And Goat Head.  This is a delicacy.  Really.  Everyone loves they eye ball.  And if you don't believe this guy, he'll just stick his tongue out at you.  Oh wait.  He already is.  WOOF.

Aren't you glad our meat departments in the states don't look like this?  I for one, am.  And I'm thankful for air conditioning, which really helps with the stink.

Kuwait had a lot of neat things to see.  They actually have museums, movie theaters, P F CHANGS, etc.  These boats are used all over the middle east, and they are still hand made.  (apparently)  They're called Dows.  (not sure how to really spell that, but that's how it sounds)

They are beautiful and very traditional.  This harbor in Kuwait City had a ton.  In this picture the man is praying.

Kuwait has a really nice Aquarium and Imax.  (Nice by M.E. standards, that is)  We had a GREAT time there, and saw two films.

They had one tank that had only things found in the Persian Gulf.  Here are two of them.  The rays were beautiful.  I recently saw a small shark in the water at our beach, but haven't seen anything like these beauties. 

This was at a weaving museum.  Beautiful things here as well.

Each tribe has their own traditional weave.  These are all hand done on looms.  I loved it.  I love the colors and tradition of it all.

On the way home, I decided to give my hand at the wheel.  Heck, I can't drive in the country I live, may as well drive where I can!  You may remember scenes from the news, during the first war, of all the cars lined up trying to get out of Kuwait City as it was being invaded.  They called this highway the Highway of Death.  I figured if I was going to drive, I may as well drive on something historical.

Peter tried to get me to drive here, late at night.  But I was too scared.  With my luck, something would happen and I just couldn't do it.  So, I'll leave the driving up to the ladies with more guts than I - out in the desert.

Over all?

Really fun.

Better Late Than Never

Is it really true?  Better late than never?  If so, then this will be considered a "Better" post.  Because it's super late, but that is BETTER than never.  Right?  This is more for posterity than anything else.  These events did take place at our house, it has just taken me a LONG time to post any record of their occurrence.  So here you are.

Thanksgiving.  With  hand colored Native Americans in wood and marker; we're very fancy around here.  And a few bottles of the old fake bubblie.  Rainbow jello and homemade rolls were the fav's of the day.  I think I'm going to start insisting on holidays that my family actually gets dressed for the meal.  Just because no one is coming over,  doesn't mean we can't get out of jammies, now does it!  (don't comment.  I hate spending the day in pajamas.  I know, I know.  Some of you just hit the delete button.  I just like to get dressed.  Then again....getting dressed to me is jeans and a t-shirt with a pony tail on most days.)

Winter Break.  Here's what ours looked like.

Scorpion hunting.  Pretty much every day.  I know.  YIKES!

I found these great felt window decorations in France.  I LOVE them.  They made the stocking window very Christmas-y and we all felt warm and cozy in our Middle Eastern winter.

Our nativity.  New jammies and dress up - that's what I call fun.

Chach got a Jambia (curved dagger, plastic) in his stocking.  It has been taken away countless times since.  He always finds it and always seems to get it taken away.  He must be exhausted from chasing his siblings around and fallen asleep in this photo.

Lot's of snuggling during Christmas break.

What's the holiday season without FONDUE!  We had the adult Branch Social at our house, a fondue party.  Very fun.  Then our family enjoyed it for New Year's as well.  Do you LOVE the CELEBRATE banner in the background?  My lovely friend Aimee (Sistes Wonka) sent it in a package all the way over here for me.  I use it for everything.  Believe me; you need one.

I taught the boys to make a quilt over the break.  Remember how the father of Sam's friend died right before Christmas?  We wanted to make something for her to  feel loved; so the boys and I made her a quilt.  (I also made her a bonnet and apron - she LOVES Little House on the Prairie)   We actually had a really nice time doing this and the girl loved it.  It's activities like this that make me want to home school.  Then I get slapped in the face and wake up.  Haha.

     These photo's are from our Primary Nativity.  All the kids looked so cute, but I haven't asked parents if I could post, so you're just getting mine. 

I really enjoy the kids being home for breaks.  There is always a little rough patch at the beginning, but things shake themselves out and we have a wonderful time.  (most days)  It's fun here because this is the time of year that the weather is perfect and the kids can play outside all day.  During Christmas; it's great.

Anyway.  We made snow globes, and colored a giant picture of a rain forest.  We baked, watched movies, went for walks and enjoyed each other.  (through in a few fights, some yelling from mom, sprinkle a couple of groundings on top and that's pretty much the gist of things.)  Sorry about the confusion to the system.  Easter and Christmas posts should NOT be in the same month.  Oh well.  Such is life around here.  As people tell you when you move over here, "This is a logic free zone.  Don't try to understand why anything happens."  So join in and embrace the logic free life; don't try to fight it.