Reporting from the Middle East

On Tuesday I post the article about the Sons of Iraq by my brother Tom. For those of you wondering my brother spends a lot of his time in the Middle East. He really enjoys working over there. A few times he has told me to come visit with the kids, but I don't think I am ready for that.

Tom works with The Christian Science Monitor which is an international daily newspaper published Monday through Friday. Many people have asked if it is a religious periodical. No, it's a real newspaper published by a church in Boston, Mass. Everything in the Monitor is international and US news and features, except for one religious article that has appeared each day in The Home Forum section since 1908, at the request of the paper's founder, Mary Baker Eddy. If you have more questions I have found this link to The Christian Science Monitor be very informative.

Tom is now reporting from Baghdad, Iraq.

Now, that you have a little more background I wanted to share this section called Reporters on the Job. Tom is featured in this section while writing the article on the Sons of Iraq. In the section they share the story behind the story. Basically Tom tells what he went through to get this story. Click on this link to read more Ice Cream with the Boys.

I am looking forward to tomorrow's story. Tom said, " Tomorrow's features a reporter on the job where I'm physically carried out of a swimming pool by an Iraqi teenager who took pity on me on account of my frailty." Can't wait to hear more.

We miss you Uncle TAP!!

Happy Birthday

Wishing my favorite Uncle Mal a very happy birthday. Hope you have a relaxing and special day.

Sons of Iraq

photo by: Tom A Peter

As you know we went to Sewickley, PA to meet up with my brother, Tom, before he left for Iraq on July 15th. Well here is his first published story from Iraq. There is also a video clip that is sometimes easier for me to get through with all the kiddos. Just click on the link below.

Sons of Iraq made Irag Safer. What's Their Mission Now?
By Tom A Peter

Time

Beep Beep. Beep Beep. The alarm sounds, concerns left over from yesterday suddenly clutter my mind. A list of things to do surfaces in my mental planner. Next, I have lots of decisions to make. What to wear? Do I have time to exercise before the kids are awake? Coffee or Juice? When did life become so busy.

How many times a day do I say "So much to do, so little time?" I feel this as I look at my mountain of laundry, piles of dirty dishes, blog posts in my mind and what about those photo albums I wanted to put together. Oh yeah and I think I just bought some books I wanted to read. Wait I have got to call ____ and oh yeah that thank you note to ____. I can't forget to send out those birthday cards and isn't so and sos anniversary next week? I have got to get Hannah out the door to school. *sigh of resignation*

STOP!

What has come of this world we live in? It is carved in our being by society that we must be so busy with these plans of improvement, gain and success. Why do we have these class reunions? We all want to be successful and of course we want to have lost at least 10 pounds since high school. Right? This is why it is so important to keep our focus. I feel like it is so easy to be swept away in this material world. Lately, I have been pruning. I want to rid myself of all these wants, desires and self-absorbed plans.

This is where I slow down. I remember that starting my day with the Lord smooths the way. All of my priorities fall into place. All the decisions and planning do not distract me. I am ready and confident. It is then that I recognize how truly blessed I am with a loving husband who meets my every need, 3 perfect children, a home, and food on the breakfast table. I should probably be grateful that we have gas in the car too.

In life we get so busy, stressed and obligated. What is the common factor? Time. God is not bond by time nor does time matter to him. He works through our trials.. . that is why it is so important to pray and turn it over to him. Give it ALL to him.. He can handle it! I feel like at times I can not stay afloat another minute. It could be a trying day with the kids or an empty bank account when checks need to go out. No matter the situation whether it is mild or serve I need to pray. I heard a saying once, "Why pray when you can worry." Isn't that the truth? The best part is that God can do anything and you never know what surprise is around the corner.

So just when you think all is lost. Stop. Pray. and Open your eyes to the surprise around the corner. Just remember that it might not be what you were hoping for. So many times God has answered me with something I never even imagined. So today I am grateful for my trials. I feel at moments that I don't have a breath or any idea of my next decision. Sometimes even those small things like what to cook for dinner can feel overwhelming those are the times I need to keep my focus. So please pray. I appreciate it when you leave me a comment/remark. Even if you just say 'thinking of you' at least I know you read this.

At times I feel like these emotional posts are so childish, but I also pray that this may touch someones heart. Please let me know so I can pray for you.

Jaws

SHARK! I can hear the jaws theme music playing. All you can see is the fin as it approaches from the other side of the ottoman.

Wait it is only Sarah Jane.

The kids had so much fun today. First, we pretended that Sarah Jane was a shark and we ran all over the house. Sarah just laughed and laughed. Next, the kids found the car seats in the house and decided to 'make a car' Hannah drove in her booster seat. "Carter and Sarah Jane have to ride in the back of our car because they are kids" Hannah informs me, "... but sometimes Carter is Daddy and then he is allowed to ride in the front, but he still can't drive. Daddys drive to fast and he might scare Sarah Jane." What can I say she speaks the truth. So we took a trip to Hershey Park to go on the 'screaming Daddy ride' (also known as the Falcon. It is Hannah's favorite ride and she always yells to Daddy while riding. I am the lucky one that get to ride with her. I still can't believe she is allowed on that ride.) Then, we drove to Daddy's work, stopped by chocolate world to visit the Waller boys and then parked at home to have a picnic. WOW what a busy day. I even got a load of laundry done while at Hershey Park. Did I mention we never left the house? I just love the kids imagination. At one point we had to stop the car because an elephant was standing in the road. We were able to go again because we threw peanuts over to the side so he would go eat them.

Another recent favorite I want to share is that Sarah Jane now opens my kitchen cabinets. I am not so excited about her opening the cabinets, but I love that she sits and claps proudly for herself as soon as all the doors are open.

9 months and climbing

Today I ran upstairs to grab a laundry basket and on the way down I found Miss Sarah Jane on her way up. I knew that she could stand at the first step, but she went up the steps like a toddler. I guess it is time to block off those stairs.

I still can't believe how fast she climbs. Hannah and Carter weren't even crawling until about 9 months and Sarah Jane is trying to walk and climbs really well. I want her to go back to the cuddle stage. Although I will admit that I get enough cuddles from Carter to last. He is a cuddle man.

"Look Momma I am almost to the top. Do you think I can have the keys to the car Hannah and I want to go shopping?"

Fall Fashion

I have started to get Hannah's school stuff for the fall. I still don't know the teacher, but I am so excited. I think my favorite part of back to school is the shopping. Today I found this adorable jacket by neige. I love to shop online, but now that Hannah is of shopping age she really loves to go to the stores. Although she has been shopping online for her Bitty Baby. She asks me, "Momma can I get on the internet to shop for my Bitty?" I just can't believe that she is surfing the web (with assistance of course). I get so excited about the things I get to do with Hannah. I think it must be that she is the first. With Sarah Jane I am just loving the baby moments. I am in no rush for Janie to go off to school. Although I am so excited that Janie will get to share Hannah's school clothes. Girls are so much fun!! If you are feeling bad for Carter I did find some boy stuff. It is fun to dress my little man,but I love the tights, shoes, clips, dresses etc for the girls.

Grilling in the Rain

Sarah Jane loves her Dad! She loves to follow Dada wherever he goes. Well tonight he made these AMAZING blue cheese burgers on the grill and as soon as SJ spotted him out on the deck she began to knock and pound on the window until he would acknowledge her. I just can't believe how fast she is growing up.

Well I better run... I think I should go get the windex before our company arrives. The windows are a little 'foggy' now.

Night Out

For any of you out there wondering... yes I did return from ladies night and yes we had a safe trip home.

Tonight, I had such a wonderful time. Leah had a ladies night and we played cards. I am just so thankful for everyone that was there. I really needed that time to hang with the girls. I have already put it on the schedule for next week. I have so many things I want to share and tell you about this evening, but I really need to get some sleep. Just know that the Lord is doing amazing work. God is good! I will rest tonight knowing that he has a plan for my life. Thank you Leah for opening up your beautiful home.

Ladies Night

Last night Rach, Jen and I went out. It was a blast! As we drove away we realized we didn't even know where we were going but we didn't care we were out and without our children. We just laughed and caught up on life. I finally made it home around 1am. Thanks girls for such an awesome night.

Carpool

Tuesday we spent the morning visiting with Greta, Luke and Sarah. It was a short visit because I wanted to see Greta before she has her baby. I am secretly wishing she would go into labor so I could meet the little guy before we go home.
Then we went over to pick up Hudson and Andrew. It was so funny to look back and see 5 kiddos in the car, but Jen and I had a great time visiting. We had a great time shopping and grabbed lunch. We just enjoyed listening to Hannah and Hudson talk about life. It is a moment that I want to capture and save forever. Thanks for a fun day.

Nail Polish

This may have been the highlight of the trip for Hannah. After naps on Monday Uncle Matt and his girlfriend, Kara, took the kids into town to get some flavored ice. On the walk back they stopped to buy a truck for Carter and some nail polish for Hannah. The kids had so much fun that when Matt and Kara were leaving to go on a date to the movies the kids cried and cried. Carter kept saying "I go too. I go too. Unc Matt I go too." Thanks for a fun afternoon.

Painting Nails

Kara actually let Hannah paint her nails. I have not been this brave yet. Hannah thought it was the best ever.

I just love that Hannah told Kara she needed to drink some water while she was getting her toes done. My little Diva.

Uncle Matt

This morning we walked into town with Uncle Matt to get his work schedule and we also stopped at the Academy to pick up his report card. Way to go! The kids got to meet 2 of Matt's teacher and they thought that was super cool.

Next we arrived at Hudson and Andrew's house. Carter was pumped for our bike ride.

Hudson just loves to ride his bike!

Hudson and Hannah loved swinging together.

4 kids in the tire

I still can NOT believe that my baby brother is driving. Today he drove us to have lunch with my Father-In-Law, he came into town to meet us. It was such a beautiful day so we sat outside and had a picnic in the grass.

BF 4-ever

We had a BLAST we our friends on Sunday evening. We had a fun dinner party and the kids had so much fun that i don't think they ate anything except chocolate cake.

Isaac, Andrew, Carter, Hudson, Grace, Hannah Grace, Sarah Jane, Josh

Train Park

We found this great train park near my Dad's house. We had a ton of fun on the train, looking for trains and looking for boats on the water.

Good Bye Uncle Tom

Sunday, Uncle Tom left for Boston to pack up all his stuff. He leaves for Baghdad on Tuesday. We had a great visit. Look forward to seeing you soon. Hannah really wants you to take her to Hershey Park. So maybe you could write a story on Hershey Park. That way the trip would be business and pleasure. We are praying for you.

Safe Travels

Friday night we had a wonderful dinner party with the Robinson Family. Thanks for such a fun night. Saturday we arrived in Sewickley for a visit. As soon as we arrived we walked into town to meet Grandpa, Becky, and Uncle Tom at the Barber Shop. Then, Brian took the kids to the playground while I unpacked all the bags. It is so funny to think that packing for myself years ago seem stressful.
Saturday night we enjoyed a steak dinner and just celebrate our last evening with Tom before he lives for Iraq on Tuesday.

Me wearing Tom's Body Armor.

Food & Fireworks

This was Sarah Jane's first 4th of July and she LOVED the fireworks!! We let her stay up 2 nights so she wouldn't miss out.

The cookout was wonderful. We had a great time hanging out with the other 6 couples. The food was amazing!! I think we need to plan more cookouts just for the food. As for my watermelon bowl... cutting watermelon stars takes a lot longer then I ever imagined. The honey dew was a little less ripe than I had hoped but it still looked like stars & stripes in red, white and blue. Amanda made a really yummy flag cake! I thought I would post the patriotic food, but it was all really good.