Brussels, oh the indulgences!

We left Doha around midnight...can't even remember exactly but we were off to enjoy a European Spring Break outside of the desert.  When school lets out in Doha it usually means a mass exodus and its not usual have red-eye flights to get out of this crazy country.  So naturally we ran into some of our best buddies who were heading the other direction to Thailand.  Ready to go in our PJs.

Barrett, Cres, Brooks, Georgia and Emery

We arrived in Brussels, rented a car and drove to our hotel.  I usually pick hotels that are local and give us some sense of the culture.  While it was a tiny room for the 5 of us, it worked just fine. We scored...we had our own bathroom and the hotel had a "lift" (elevator to Americans).  Both not always present.  We loved it and the location was awesome. 

After we got settled it was time to explore and eat of course! Belgium is known for famous tasty things.  First up...Belguim made a beer drinker out of me.  I know...What?  That's right cherry beer.  Delicious and like nothing else! 

We ordered nachos because that was all they offered mid afternoon.  Are we stupid...we're in Brussels ordering Nachos.  You can tell from the picture...they were NOT nachos.  

 

We ditched the nachos and started walking...

Oh mercy, our first sighting of the glorious Belgium waffle.  There are no words!

 Again, there are no words...this is not like any other waffle you've ever put in your mouth. There's little pieces of sugary greatness in these heavenly indulgences. They are made right there in front of you and topped with ridiculous stuff like white chocolate and more!

   Well I guess we'll sight-see for a few minutes and tear ourselves away from the food but not for long. 

The famous, one and only Grand Place!

 

 

Back to what's really important...more food.  Our dinner spot, famously known for the Brussels mussels! Mussels are the specialty and delicacy in this city.  This restaurant is directly on Grand Place.  We walked down into a basement.  Very cool atmosphere and it tolerated our chillins pretty good. 

Nick chowed down on an entire kilo of mussels!  Cooked in white wine and garlic :)  I was a big girl and tried them. Tasty but not my texture of choice. 

 

A precious little Asian lady came over to our table in awe of our kids, who were really acting like monkeys.  She gave them these cute origami lips!

Bus Ridin' Boys

Now I understand that I might be in the minority on this issue but in a perfect world, I would like to drive my kids to and from school, for a variety of reasons.   Lately my heart has dramatically changed and the bus stands a healthy reminder of what makes our home happy!  We moved to a new compound about a year ago which made our morning drive pretty brutal.  School starts at 8 and we needed to leave before 7:15.  As the year has gone on mornings progressively got more stressful.  And now I believe, just like I've heard for all the years of living in Doha...our kids are actually safer on the buses than in our cars.  Safer from other cars and safer from their mothers who want to beat the tar out of them for bickering the entire time we're driving to school. 

I had a little secret trip to Dallas brewing and would be leaving the boys behind so I had even more incentive to get their little tails on the bus asap.  

I am happy to say it has been a wonderful blessing to our whole family.   The bus system for ASD is stellar. Our buses pick up and drop off at the compound clubhouse every day.  They have very experienced drivers, plus a bus monitor on every bus.  Kids have assigned seats and seat belts.  Young kids in the front, big ones in the back.  There are a total of 4 buses that take kids directly from our compound straight to school. I'm thankful for a few seniors and other trustworthy girls to keep an eye on things as well.  Both boys seem to thrive when given a slight bit of responsibility.  For the most part it was a big boost to inherit this privilege. 

...the honeymoon stage is fading a little as we speak.  But we're stickin' to it.  The boys and I both like for me to pick them up in the afternoons.  We get a little down time in the car to talk about the day and the traffic isn't as bad.  The blessing of the bus has been wonderful and a less stressful mommy makes for a happy house!

 

 

Could have cried like a baby with that feeling of letting go of control...

I decided to enjoy the quiet morning in my house.  I need to step up the responsibility as much as the boys do I guess.  I know one day I'll look back and wish I was simply putting the boys on the bus instead of sending them out with a girl or off to college.  I guess the feeling in your gut never changes, I just pray I get better about letting go and knowing God can care for them far better than I can. 

Barrett's school day ends at 12:30.  The bus brings him and few other PreK students home and drops each one of them off at the door with their parent.  Pretty sweet system. 

What Not to Wear

A few weeks ago our church hosted their first big women's retreat.  The location was still Doha but it was an awesome weekend full of funny moments, fellowship and spiritual food.  The theme was "What Not to Wear, God's Edition".  I've enjoyed being apart of the women's ministry board which had me in on the planning a bit. 

Friday night was a fun night.  The dress code was "tacky" and the evening was low key with a speaker who gave us insight for what to wear with different body types.  Very informative and very funny when it came down to tacky outfits. 

 

That might be me in the wife beater, mini skirt and boots.  I decided last minute I would go as Texas Tacky.  Easy enough.  Wow...who knew it would be such a hit.  I carried a clear backpack with a few necessities, sippy cup, hairspray, lipstick an empty brown bottle if you know what I mean.  I'm sure my poor Mimi could hardly stand the thought of me at a church event dressed like so and with adult beverage in my bag. We Texas girls know how to trash it up and I was a sight for sore eyes with this international crowd who have never had a little taste of tacky Texas.  Not to mention my attire was way outside my usual get-up and what is appropriate to wear here in the conservative middle east.  Don't worry I was covered as I jumped in and out of my car.

Texas hoochie and her friends

 

 One last tacky prop was my beat up car.  Just an extra touch to my outfit.  I had a little bump a few days prior to the tacky night.

Just after dropping a few of my friends off I was headed home about 10:30 and re-routed because of Doha construction.  For some reason I opted to take a stupid route that involved paying a toll.  Earlier in the week I had accidentally drained our Doha bank account buying lots of retreat tickets for friends.  By the end of the week my cash was gone and I found my tacky-self driving through the night air in Doha in desperate search cash and an ATM.  Unfortunately we don't have drive thru ATM machines in Doha so I found myself standing at multiple machines in the middle of conservative traditional middle eastern culture. Finally it occurred to me that I should use my bank back in the States where there was cash. Hello!! And all 3 riyal (about a dollar). Lets just say, the kind guy at the toll booth must have though I "worked" for my cash.  He looked in shock when I finally returned and got out of my car with his money.  What a night...

The next morning we were back bright and early at the hotel for an incredible day packed with goodness from and incredible Bible teacher, Karen Albright.  Karen and her husband Jim are from Arkansas but have lived in Milan for a number of years pastoring a church there.  Incredible people.

Karen, Me and Dede

Few of my other favorite Doha peeps

Incredible worship led by sweet friend Esther

Throughout the day there were awesome breakout sessions 

This is one of my favorite Doha mamas, Sherry.  She lead a session on photography

Fitness workshop

Prayer workshop

One of the gifts each of us received for coming was a scarf/pashmina ,

which we learned to wear fashionably.

My funny friend, neighbor and Bible study teacher, Gena who loves the mic!  She is the Women's Ministry director at our church.  So thankful she shares the gifts God's given her with all of us!

More Birthdays

After we celebrated Barrett's Birthday we were on to our special teachers.  One of the most treasured gifts we've been blessed by in Doha is our experience and privilege to send the boys to the American School.  While it may have an American curriculum its truly an international school and from what I understand the faculty and staff are among the best when compared to other international schools. 

Its been easy to be a homeroom mom for great teachers. They have loved the dog out of our boys and I couldn't be more thankful.  Both of our teachers had birthdays with in a week and we celebrated with them. 

First up was Brooks' teacher, Mrs. Heney.  Her husband is one of the elementary school principals and they're both so gifted with the early elementary kids.  

A few years ago my mom, who is the director of the best preschool in north Dallas :) received the coolest birthday present.  I decided to do it for our teachers and it was a huge hit.  Highly recommend it to any else in the homeroom mom boat!

I bought a beautiful vase as her gift from the class and then contacted all the parents asking each student to pick out and bring a single stem flower on the day of her birthday. 

Kindergarten Masterpiece for Mrs. Heney

 

She loved the gift and appreciated the teamwork and specific flower given by each of her kids. The next day she had them all paint their own picture of the arrangement.

Of course we also celebrated with cupcakes. 

 

A few days later we were on to Barrett's teacher, Mrs. Chaplin who has been in our lives for 2 years.  Brooks was in her class last year.  Since we've had 2 years of her goodness I really wanted to treat her to a birthday lunch with the rest of her PreK team.  My dear friend and the other homeroom mom,  Afton helped me host a little lunch after school for them.  I made Pioneer Woman's chicken enchiladas, plus some texmex sides...they were a huge hit and a first for a lot of these ladies.  God bless the soul who doesn't know enchiladas! They now know!

The two little students coloring patiently while we served lunch. 

Incredible carrot cake that Afton made

Mrs. Milette (asst teacher), me, Mrs. Chaplin, Afton 

and the boys

Then on Sunday we celebrate with all of her students with the same flower idea. 

It was again a huge hit. The kids loved giving each of their flowers to her and Mrs. Chaplin was overwhelmed with emotion.  Such a sweet moment.

Barrett's Party

Whew...back to bloggin!  Lots to share and keep good record of.  Gotta rewind and start back with a birthday party we had for our Barrett.  

He wanted a bowling party...so it was!  

Birthday Barrett!

 

Glow in the dark/Blacklight bowling...

Barrett invited the boys from his class at school plus a few other buddies we love.

 

Emery, the big score girl! 

Bear's BFF, Cres

Mrs. Gena (Aunt Gena) brought Georgia to the party a little later. Thank you very much!!

Two of my dear friends, Kim and Tracy

Not prepared to see either of them move in just a few months! Booo!

Worked up a MickeyD's appetite after bowling.

He's really as sweet as that cupcake!  I'm trying to soak it up and always be prayerful about protecting his little spirit.  He's not perfection and of course we have our daily battles but God gave me an incredible gift through this little dude.  He's got something special that I could never teach him.

  

 He requested rainbow cake...and so it was!

Sister taste testing.

This bowling alley is the middle of a huge amusement park inside a huge mall. Wassup Doha!

Can you see Barrett and one of his best friends from school Abdul Qadir?

 

 Happy 5th Birthday Party!