The Jolliff Family

Tonight we went on a visit to a local village.  I had met this woman at the local park and she invited our family to visit her family on (what I thought) was today.  We loaded up the car and headed towards the village.  I clearly knew which village it was but wasn't clear on where the house was.  We pulled into a gas station and called for directions.  After getting hung up on and local man walked over to see if we needed help.  After talking with the woman, he escorted us to her house. She was more than welcoming, but we found out that she thought we were coming over for a visit yesterday and she had specially made grape leaves.   Let me admit one thing here, I was sorry that I had the date wrong but I wasn't to sorry that I missed the grape leaves. Back to the visit.  This family was so nice and so welcoming.  I am amazed by the hospitality here.  The served us coffee, juice, fresh fruit, and cookies.  About the coffe...

I took Jacob to the doctor this week because he was waking up a lot at night and started rubbing his ear again.  I went to a different doctor since the other one could not see us until today.  The clinic is very different than I am used to but very nice!  The doctor seemed very knowledgable and was great with Jacob.  He does have an slight ear infection but he did not put him on an antibiotic for now to see if his body will fight it off. I really just wanted to update the blog with Jacob's weight.  He weighs 9kg or 19.8 pounds.   He is getting so big and brings us such joy.  He is so content, especially now that he can crawl and pull up on anything he wants.  He chases after his brother's in his walker and smiles when smiled at, even with an ear infection.  I am praying this is his last ear infection. I took some pictures of Jacob tonight for some special 9 month pictures.  I think they turned out great, here are a few of ...

The silence of the night was broken by a loud "whack".  I knew instantly that the mouse was in the trap.  I woke Hap up when we turned the light on, there he was.  Scared and stuck!  Hap put the cage outside to deal with it this morning. I thought the mouse was dead from the cool weather last night, but he was still alive.  Sam saw the mouse and said "he is beautiful!"  hahaha, I love that kid.  Beautiful for not, he had to be killed.  Hap water boarded him and he only lasted 35 seconds. Hap was so proud of himself and Andrew was very curious! Catching that mouse was #201 for that old school trap!  Works every time!

In Arabic the word for mouse is "farr".  Whatever you might call it, we have one in the house! Two weeks ago, we were getting ready to go to bed and we were sitting in the living area.  Hap saw the mouse run through the kitchen.  We thought it went behind the trash can, but then it wasn't there.  I was freaked out going to bed, thinking the mouse would join me at some point during the night.  I woke up just fine the next morning and we hunted for some mouse traps.  The man next door told us to go to the pharmacy and get some sticky pads for mice.  We did this, but the only thing they are catching is dust bunnies... and those aren't nearly as scary as a mouse! About a week passed and we had no sign of the mouse.  Again, we were getting ready to go to bed and I see the mouse run under the bookshelf and then by the wall and under the couch.  Hap immediately jumped up and got the broom.  I kept an eye out to make sure the mouse didn...

We may not be in the States for this Memorial Day, but we pause to remember those who have served to preserve our freedom.  I think often times I took freedom for granted, but living in a land in which there are limited freedoms for the average person gives me a whole new appreciation for the freedoms that we enjoy in the United States. May God Bless America as people turn their hearts towards Him. "Praise the LORD, all you nations; extol Him all you peoples." Psalm 117:1

My great friend, Amanda , does this little thing on Sunday called... Hap and I don't have many opportunities for a date, but we did take advantage of the daycare one afternoon and went to a local falafel place.  My man was ready to eat some falafel when we left our home. This place is downtown and is one of the restaurants recommended in a Fodder's Travel Guide.  We have eaten there once, and it is SOOOOO delicious!  You can either order a falafel sandwich or a platter and make your own.  We shared a platter, which comes with homemade hummus, tomato and cucumber salad, pickles, peppers, falafel, and pita bread. I had never had falafel before coming here and I was missing out.  It is basically fried chickpeas and worth every calorie! We load our pita up with everything and go to town.  Hap even said "This is just as good as a hamburger in the States."  What?!  But he might be right! I love my man and I love that we spent ...

Today we went to a town that is known for the glass and ceramics that they make.  The store that we shopped at is family owned and they have been blowing glass and making ceramics for generations.  Everyone who works in the store is in the family.  It was HOT in there and the glass blower was working hard around the furnace. I came home with these beauties!  I have been wanting them and today we bought some, we love them and love that they are locally made! We also purchased a small serving bowl.  It is beautiful and works well in our kitchen. Happy Saturday!

The flowers are in full bloom around here and it makes everything look so beautiful.  Just as the flowers are budding after a cold dead winter, so Christ offers new life to our dead self.  Praise Jesus! Grape leaves and more grape leaves!!  The grapes leaves are also in full bloom and for sale at all the markets.  They stuff the leaves with (sometimes) minced meat, rice, and some spices.  Then, I think, they soak them in oil and cook them.  It takes a lot of effort and we were served them on a recent visit.  I must admit, the first few were good but after basically being forced fed the next 10, I don't want another grape leaf until next season but I don't think that will happen.:) A camp around here.

I found a video from Virginia of this cool kid that I wanted to share!

Jacob, You are 9 months old today.  You have officially been outside longer than you were inside mommy.  You are such a joy to our family.  You have changed so much this month.   You still army crawl and you don't crawl the traditional way.  You can, but you are faster when you army crawl.  You love to pull up on everything.  You have had a few tumbles while pulling up on the side table, but you are getting really strong now!  You are enjoying your walker and cruise all around these tile floors.  You especially love to "walk" to wherever your brother's might be playing to see what they are doing.  You don't want to miss a thing! You adore your brother's and they adore you.  In the morning or a nap time when you wake up, Andrew loves to greet you and clap at you.  You return their welcomes with a smile.  You are now saying "mama" and "dada".  We love it when you talk.  You have started screaming when y...

Yesterday we took a trip to the Sea and it was wonderful, relaxing, and beautiful! Sam has been talking about going to the Sea that we can splash in.  He was so excited. Checking out the water. Sam loved jumping in the waves and running away from them. Andrew wasn't so sure about the waves.  He fell in the water and after that basically spent the time playing with the sand and finding seashells. Jacob ate a lot of sand and did get his toes wet. Beach buddies! P and Sam went to look at the fish. Hap  The little boys wanted buried in the sand, which is always fun. Enough pictures, let's play!! Now that we have been to the beach we will be heading back before long.  It was a perfect way to spend the day together.