Easter Weekend

Our Easter was non-traditional, as usual since living in Doha. Every year I'm always confused at when the Easter Bunny comes. Since our weekends are wacky we kinda dress and act as though Friday morning church is Easter. But since its actually Good Friday, there is still something very significant to be remembered spiritually that day. Our church has its usual Friday services plus a Sunday evening service to actually celebrate the day of Resurrection. The Sunday night service is small but its something we never miss. In so many ways this routine, without commercial distractions and a Friday/Saturday weekend re-focuses me on what truly matters at Easter. I will always miss the fun American traditions of Easter but even more-so I miss the usual Saturday/Sunday weekend that provides great anticipation for that glorious day on Sunday which my entire faith and eternal life depend on. I feel like it takes a lot of discipline and obviously a special adoration for our Savior in order for Easter in Doha to be remembered as it should. We had lots of reminders over the weekend to keep our priorities focused eternally. We had surprise sicknesses yet blessed fellowship with friends!

Friday didn't go as planned what so ever. I taught Friday school at church and then by the time Nick arrived with all the kids to the late service, Brooks wasn't feeling well. So I left with Brooks and Georgia while Barrett and Nick stayed for church. We weren't 1/2 a mile away from church before Brooks threw up in the car and finalized the decision that we wouldn't be taking any pictures in their Easter clothes. He and Nick both ended up in bed all afternoon and evening with fevers. blah!

Saturday morning was a new day. Everyone slept a little late and woke up feeling much better. We went over to our friends, the Beaty's house for brunch. Enjoyed it so much! Great food and great friends!

me and Libby

the kids had lots of fun in their pool


Georgia had a rough morning for a few reasons....

We don't regularly go to parks in Doha. So Georgia hasn't learned to love the swing like all normal 1 year olds. The boys would have stayed in a swing for hours at her age. David put her in their swing and she was terrified. Poor thing. We'll have to break her of that this summer!

She also took a really awful fall down a few stairs into a chair. So Daddy helped her recover with cold Clifford ice pack on her head.

Later in the afternoon we went to dye eggs and enjoy a delicious roast/potatoes meal with the Harris and Golden families.



We were so happy the Easter Bunny came to see us in Doha on Easter morning! Whew! Before Daddy left for work we found our baskets and all the hidden eggs.


Supervising the hunt...





Peeps lover...

Since Easter pics didn't work out on Friday in their new duds I rushed to at least document the actual day in just some random clothes we threw on before heading out to meet Nick at our 6pm Easter service. What a mess...Barrett has terribly wet hair b/c of nap bedhead I was trying to fix. Clearly I didn't fix anything! Georgia's face is beat up from her fall the previous day and thankfully you can't see that she's not wearing a diaper cover. Brooks got a hair cut the day after these pictures and his shirt is too small and unbuttoned. None of those things hold any true value or meaning but it was Easter and Easter deserves documentation of these ragamuffins!

Big Fun Week!

This week didn't go quite as planned. Not sure if it was my failure to plan better or just random acts of Doha that rearranged how things went. None-the-less we had a blast with Ash and lots of fun celebrating Georgia's birthday!

After the boys were dropped at school Ash and I relaxed for a while at the Sharq.


Georgia ready for a little shopping in some of her new duds that Honey sent.

Our mornings always seemed rushed because of the usual school and nap schedule. But have no fear we made time to hit up H&M a few times. This is Ash and 2 of the 3 in front on Villagio Mall.

Duty called like never before at the office for Nick while Ash was visiting. Obviously I considered that timing perfecto for me! I would have gone crazy and was so thankful for her help with the kids. One evening we enjoyed Thai Snack for dinner and some surprise Easter shopping. This Easter garb looked like it was sold at Dollar General in 1985 but it was Easter stuff. And thats saying something!


Walking and actually holding hands!

Yummy food!

The next morning we tried a new spot to get our Easter pedis. "Diva" the salon was great. We look like we just rolled out of bed. We kinda did.

For lunch we were in a little bit of a hurry to do the school pick up so we stopped at our favorite spot for Mid Eastern cuisine :) They have the best chicken shish tawook sandwiches.

After school pick up we took the boys to see the movie, Rio. Great movie! We met a nice lady who offered to take our picture. She was so nice but had a hard time with the camera. We actually saw her for 3 days straight and day after day she wanted to be our photographer. Bless her and our pictures!

Poor Nick really worked like a dog all week. So after the babies were in bed Ash and I made lettuce wraps and enjoyed some left over pad thai.

Birthday morning with ONE YEAR OLD Georgia!

Birthday grubbin!

We spent Georgia's birthday morning cruising the souqs and making a few purchases. Ash and I found a man to make Georgia and Anna Lou pearl bracelets to wear with their Easter dresses.

I offered to take this crew's picture so their photographer could be in the photo. Then asked permission to take one with my own camera. Sharp looking group of school boys with their teachers.

We settled in for lunch at a place that has great lebanese food.

Grilled hallumi cheese...amazing!

Georgia is ONE!

One of Georgia's favorite faces...

At the souqs we found the movie theater lady once again to take a picture.

Then we rushed to the American School so Brooks' aunt could read to his class! Brooks' teacher loves for visitors to come to class and introduce themselves and read. Aunt Sissy was so happy to do the job and Brooks was SO PROUD!




Birthday Girl!



We decided on a family favorite, Johnny Rockets for Georgia's birthday dinner. Nick was literally stuck in a work situation that couldn't budge. It really was such an unusual week for him. He was heartbroken but without any issues we reassured him that the celebration would be put on hold until Daddy could be present.



Instead of presents and cake the boys were just as happy decorating eggs while we postponed the rest of the party til the next day.

The next morning the Bees were out of school so we happily accepted my dear friend, Dede's offer to spend some time poolside at the Ritz.

Great way to spend Ash's last day in Doha!

Nick came home early that afternoon and we celebrated Miss Georgia with cake and presents.

Singing!

Helping...and sampling!

Georgia digging into the most delicious cupcakes EVER!

It wasn't my birthday but I definitely treated myself with these in honor of Georgia and I think everyone else enjoyed them too!!

She loved it but it wasn't a messy cake.


Watching Georgia open her first baby doll Honey sent was priceless....I had no idea she would be so excited.


She was mad Daddy wasn't moving faster!

Matching bow heads!

Thankfully Tatty sent a new fridge farm for this girl. Her brothers only used their farm for throwing the pieces and sliding them under the oven.

New shades too! This girl got some swim gear from everyone so she's ready for some Texas sun!

That night we had to put Ash on airplane back to Dallas. Big hugs and kisses from the Bees before bed.

Goodness...there are no words to describe the woman I call sister! What a gift and treasure she is to me. She alone is one of my comfort zones. She's incredibly selfless and easy to love! Her visit was so perfectly timed and needed. I'm so so thankful to her mother-in-law (Janet), my mom and Dave for sharing her with us and making the week possible. I'll never forget it and Georgia is blessed to have such a special aunt. Birthdays are hard for me to celebrate without family. She made this 1st for Georgia so memorable!

Thanks so much Ash for being here and leaving your loves to love on us! We missed you the first second you were out of our sight and I think my eyes are still swollen from the tears I cried all the way home from the airport. I love you good, girl and am so thankful you're mine!! See you soon with the rest of the bunch!