So there u have it......

Oh the joy that children bring to u. I know there is joy to be found all over, in many places......but the joy that you find lurking in your own home has to be the best. It doesn't have to be the children.....it could be many things.......but today I'm thinking about my children......and the smiles that they bring to me......so many, many smiles......and much laughter........shall I share?

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In Egypt there is a horrible cockroach problem. It's rampant in the sewers. If ever you are in the street and workmen pull off one of those sewer plates.....OMG...the cockroaches just RUN outta there. HUGE and small......it's terrifying for me. So at night here, you have to cover up any drain hole that runs to the sewer. The cockroaches come out at night.

Last night I forgot to cover the bathtub drain. And this morning, there is a cockroach...a pretty big one, dead upside down beside it. Most prolly he was trying to get outta the bathtub and fell on his back. They can't right themselves, so they die. So my 4 yr old saw the cockroach in the bathtub and starts yelling....SHUCKSHUCK in the BATTUB! SHUCKSHUCK in the BATTUB! (LOLOL!) So I go over to the bathroom and play scared, and say...OH MY GOD! And u know what the little devil tries to do? SHE TRIES TO PUSH ME IN THE BATHTUB!! HAHAHA! I mean.....I'm the GREEN GIANT compared to little her. But she was laughing so hard trying to push me in....I pretended to go off balance and screamed....just to watch her collapse in giggles. LOLOL!! All day I've had the pleasure of her coming up to me and tell me in a sing song voice..... MAMA.....shuckshuck in the battub!!! LOL...and get this little twinkle in her eyes! Didn't I tell u she was naughty?

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My 12 yr old is amazing. Masha Allah! Last week she went to the farmer's market with her aunt and uncle and did all my grocery shopping. I'm not kidding! She bought us fruits and veggies......and even got me a new broom! (which she ended up losing...but hey....it still counts!) I am amazed by this girls ability!! And at the same time.....she always messes up some way or another....and it pains me. It's like I'm always throwing her the ball, and she JUST BARELY catches it......but she gets it....and then in her joy....she drops it. She's that kind. Like see how she bought me the broom? But she lost it.....carelessly when she was buying some other stuff.....she leaned it against something, and forgot it. SIGH..... Sometimes her little messes are just that....little and can be overlooked....other times....u just can't. With her, I'm trying to focus on her accomplishments.....no one puts effort into this family the way that she does. NO ONE! So I'm trying really hard to overlook things...... Yesterday her aunt was making stuffed grape leaves.....my dear 12 yr old went down to help her.........she helped her make them while my SIL got a phone call from her husband. He was on his way home early. She wasn't expecting him. So my daughter helped her clean up in a hurry....she peeled potatoes to make french fries...and then fried them, made fried peppers and then fried eggplant too! She did all that, while she was happy.....it wasn't work. Masha Allah! Masha Allah!

So this daughter also makes me happy....in a very different way than being thrown in the bathtub.....

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The 10 yr old. Sigh. She's a different sort of girl. Do you have one of those.....?? She's quiet....prefers to play on her own.....and most of the time....sits back and observes. But when she does engage me in conversation....she usually has deep thoughts to share. And she opens up like a tidal wave....and talks and talks and talks. And when I can finally pull myself free of her...I'll find her following me around the house......and talking and talking....and I'll be like...WHOA!

I think from all the kids....she's prolly the most neglected. She just doesn't demand much attention.....insha Allah, I'll make more of an effort to be beside her. On a good note....she was reading a hadith in school that says...if you memorize the 99 names of Allah, u'll go to jennah. So for the past two weeks....she's been saying it over and over again.....always having that in your house is precious.

So Masha Allah! She has it memorized......and she's been getting us all into it as well.....

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Did I talk about the oldest girl? She's prolly the most like her father....a business girl. She's managed to save $1000 LE....although it's taken her 2 yrs. She's very meticulous about her personal things.....and great at making money. But she's....spoiled in a way. She talks about the car that her father will buy her.....whereas I feel she should talk about earning it herself. She has expensive taste.....says she'd rather buy just ONE expensive thing that'll last forever, than 3 cheap things that'll be ruined in a month. SIGH! I know she has a good point....but sometimes she gets to me.

I know with my oldest...that if I ask her to do anything...that'll she'll do it properly. I prolly call her name in the house more than any other. She's thorough...and I like that. She does nice things for me...like writing little notes....buying me surprises.....making me coffee when I dont ask. That's special...!!

She harbours a lot of anger towards her father....and it scares me..... That's something that I hope to be taking care of soon......

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The baby....not much to say about him. He's starting to focus on my face......I love how he coos when he is breastfeeding. His cries are music to my ears..... None of the girls want to leave him alone.....they all want to carry him and love him up. LOL!! But it is precious holding a baby in ur arms.....

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Okay...enough about the kids.....I went walking yesterday....45 mins. I didn't go too far. I'm really outta shape. SIGH. I wore the baby in a carrier....got 2 huge blisters on the bottom of my feet...and my back aches from carrying him like that. I had to sit down at one point. My good friend is the one who got me walking again......she told me to get off my rump! LOL....she's the egyptian friend I told u guys about. U know.....I never told her about what's going on in my life. She has no idea. Somehow, I can't share it with her.....my american friend knows tho.

Anyways...the walk was good, and I'm going again tonight. I look forward to it. I haven't started dieting or anything......just exercising......

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I've only spoken to hubby twice since he's gone back. He called when he first arrived and I called him the second time. I'm curious at the lack of communication....and maybe a little concerned. I was sending him text messages......but only so many can go unanswered and u sorta lose the desire to send them, u know? I'm not gonna call him for awhile. I'll just let him sort out whatever he's sorting out.....if he is in fact...sorting out. (LOL, I just re read that...hope you catch my drift!) I'll be calling him soon enough.....insha Allah....