The Jolliff Family

We went to the park on Sunday night and I haven't ever posted pictures.  I love spending time with my boys!

I wanted to post some pictures of Andrew's birthday yesterday.  He woke up and enjoyed some birthday sprinkle pancakes... he ate four to be exact! He still looks like a pretty sleepy 4 year old! We sang him Happy Birthday and he blew out all his candles.  Afterwards he said "wow, that was hard!" Yesterday was Andrew's last day of school.  We have been so blessed with his teachers and I was a little sad to say goodbye.  Andrew, well, not so much.  He is ready to go to school with Sam next year. In the afternoon, he opened up his gift from his brothers. Jacob wanted to get into the action and Sam could hardly keep a secret. We were going to enjoy ice cream at a local shop but because of Ramadan it is closed in the evening until after late evening prayers.  So instead the boys enjoyed some ice cream from our shop across the street and ate on the back balcony.  Jacob is photo bombing in this picture. I can hardly believe...

Our dearest Andrew turns 4 today!  He arrived smack-dab in the middle of VBS and we were so excited to be welcoming our second son.  We named him Andrew because in the Bible, Andrew, one of the first disciples, met Jesus and it says "the first thing Andrew did was find his brother Simon and tell him 'We have found the Messiah'" (John 1:41)  We pray that he is one that tells other people about the Messiah.  Andrew has always been sensitive and kind.  He has a tender heart and his feelings are easily hurt.  In the same way, he is sensitive about the feelings of other people and kids around him.  We hope that never changes.  Andrew always has a song on his heart.  His little voice is so gruff and sweet. While Andrew is sensitive, he is still all-boy.  He enjoys playing with his construction equipment in the dirt and getting all muddy.  He has a great imagination and on any given day he might be a firefighter, deer hunter, co...

Friday I had the opportunity to travel to a city about an hour away.  I have been looking at the fabric district in this city for some time and was happy for a day to finally explore.  We didn't know exactly where it was located and first ended up walking through the huge open market.  Since it was Friday, everyone was out buying sweets and supplies for their weekend. Literally any kind of coffee that a person could want was available. This one place brought mini-pies to an entirely new level.  They looked so tasty! After getting some help from a local, we walked to the next street which was the fabric district.  Practically every store was selling fabric.  A person could buy any type of fabric they might need in this area. Since it was a pedestrian street, outside in the middle was a craft fair.  All products are made in this country.  I could have spent much longer looking around but we only paid for 2 hours of parking!...

Jacob thinks the best way to cool down in a HOT apartment is by eating some ice cream!! I think he's on to something :)

Today we celebrated Andrew's birthday at his preschool.  They only do birthday parties on Friday and the last day of school is on Monday.  He requested a green snake cake and was so thrilled that I actually made him one. Andrew goes to such a nice school and is surrounded by a lively group of friends.  They too thought the snake cake was pretty neat. The  (almost) birthday boy was so proud! I thought he would maybe be shy when the kids sang to him but he has waited so long for his turn to celebrate at school and he really enjoyed himself! I love this picture, he looks so happy and proud! Blowing out his candles! Apparently they always take a picture of the mom (or parent) cutting the cake with the birthday child. The kids all enjoyed their chocolate cake and grape juice. Here is Andrew and Ms. Rusha.  She has been such a great, nice teacher for Andrew over the last year and a half.  We are so thankful for her loving c...

Today we finished our intensive course at the local university.  At the beginning of the month I was dreading the class, wondering if it would be boring and dry.  Let me tell you, it was anything but!!  Our teacher truly has a passion for teaching language to foreign students.  He has spent his life developing teaching techniques and books to help in the process.  His style of teaching would NEVER go over in the States, he likes to hit the students if we make a mistake, he is a back rubber when he talks to the students, and frankly he makes fun of us while we learn (all in good nature of course!). Our class was very interesting with students from England, Guatemala, Sweden, Germany, America, and Norway.  I enjoyed getting to know the other students and learning more about their customs and culture.  It truly is a great, big, diverse world!! Meet our teacher :) We received official certificates of completion of the Level 2 intensive class. ...

I have heard it said that "love is blind".   I, however, would totally disagree. Love is seeing a person be sick and choosing to care for them. Love is gently correcting when the other has spoken wrongly. Love is seeing past an day of in patience. Love is being pooped on and thrown up on just to put another shirt on to do it again. Love is rejoicing in the success of the one you love and encouraging in a moment of weakness. Love is remaining silent when you want to strike back. Love is getting up in the middle of the night to help. Love is seeing the unspoken looks and thoughts. Love is sharing dreams and a vision together. Love is all seeing and yet still choosing to love- that is better than blind love to me!! I have so much to learn but today I say to Hap "With my eyes wide open, I love you! Happy 9th Anniversary to us!"

Around the world, Muslims are celebrating their holy month of Ramada.  During this month, they fast from the morning call to prayer until the evening call to prayer, here it is around 4:15 in the morning until 7:55 in the evening.  The fast from drinking, eating or smoking.  I have heard that some people even spit out their saliva so that they do not break the fast.  Each evening, a Muslim family will have a breaking of the fast meal.  We were invited to one with a family we know on Sunday evening.  We left our house around 6 in the evening and ran into some sheep in the road on the way.  You never know what you might find on the road here :) We had time to visit before the meal and to see the sunset over the hill of this village.  It was a beautiful evening. The mother had prepared a feast for the family and for us.  Traditionally, the first thing they eat will be a date.  Dates are high in sugar and they say it helps bring ...