Little Mommy

One of the best things about being in America so far has been meeting my new nephew, Cason.  My mom is keeping my nephews this week so we hope to see them a lot. 

We dropped Noah and Callie off at church camp- the same church camp that Justin and I grew up going to.  I am so excited for them.  Camp week was always one of the best weeks of the year for us growing up.  I hope the same is true for my kiddos.  They are so brave to just jump into so many new experiences when they don't know anyone!  I am so proud of them!

While Noah and Callie are gone, Lucy is taking full advantage of alone time with Cason.  He is an angel and Lucy is loving taking care of him!

She is really good at it.  He is a total chunk but she can carry him around and even get him into his carseat.  She is such a mommy!

Leonard Family Vacation

Justin's parents were so sweet and generous to invite us to spend the week at their favorite spot, Jekyll Island.  We had such a great time and are so thankful that we got to get away with them.

I love it when you get your first glimpse of the bridge.

I think my favorite thing was going horseback riding with Lucy.

She was having so much fun that every now and then she'd cheer, "Woo-hoo!" and throw her hand up in the air.  It was so adorable!

This little girly can't get enough of horses.

One afternoon we did the family putt-putting thing.  It was hot, but everybody goofed off and had a good time.

We went out for a nice dinner for our last night on the island.

I am so thankful for this amazing family!

Birthday Fiesta

Right after we arrived Justin's mom had a little family birthday celebration for us.  We celebrated everyone's birthday at once.  Since Justin and Noah's birthdays had just passed they got to wear the sombreros and be subjected to public singing at the Mexican restaurant!  Ha!

After a tasty Mexican feast we went home for cake.  We all blew out the candles to celebrate a year's worth of birthdays.

I Thought This Day Would Never Come!

After working up until just a few hours before we left and running around like crazy to get our flat closed up and the last minute things done we were ecstatic to finally be on our way. 

Noah up front in the taxi.

In a taxi stuffed with luggage!

Boarding the plane

Finally on our way

We had a long layover, but it wasn't really long enough to get a hotel room.  So we just crashed a bit at the airport.

A quick massage to take the kinks out

AMERICA!!!

Our new location added an extra leg of travel.  Knowing we had an overnight in the airport we were dreading travelling.  However, I must say, this was the smoothest trip we've had yet.  Everyone worked really hard to have a good attitude and be really kind to each other.  Everything went as smoothly as possible.  And, in the end, we arrived safe and sound!  Coming around the corner from customs and catching that first glimpse of our parents is the best moment on earth!

First One Down

Today is the last day of school!  Praise the Lord!!  The kids just get their report cards and then return home.  It's a little weird.

Anyhow, my kids all got straight 5s (the equivalent of all As).  I am so proud of them.  They each did really well and are thriving in school in their second language.  In fact, one of Callie's teachers said to me, "I could only give Filiz a 100, but I wish I could give her a higher score.  She works harder, pays more attention, and performs better than all the other kids in her class.  She always asks questions and participates in class.  I don't know how she does it since Turkish isn't even her first language!"  You better believe that my chest swelled up with pride!

I cannot express how happy I am to have my first year of teaching under my belt.  It has been a great and difficult year all balled up into one.  I am thankful for this experience and that they want me back next year.  But, I am even more thankful for the summer to recoup!

Handsome Schmandsome

Every year our school holds an 8th Grade Ball.  It's a bit more of a banquet because they have a nice  sit down meal.  I was absolutely dying to chaperone it, but in the end decided to give my son some space. :-(

After much searching we found an outfit that was slightly dressy but still had the appropriate level of awesomeness.  Justin took Noah to get his hair cut and he got the Ronaldo (famous soccer player).  It's a bit like a fat mohawk with a line shaved down one side.  I had to zip my lip on that one!  Ha!

He was a bit jittery and totally over my need for pictures.  But he was nice enough to humor me a tiny bit...

Starting to get tired of me...

Really tired of me...

Humoring me for one last click!

Several of the kids got together and organized an after-party at a local restaurant.  This is where the kids danced and really let loose.  Noah had a great time celebrating his last days as a middle schooler.

He's Awesome, Too

Justin's birthday is the day after Noah's.  He requested a cookie cake.  Well, actually, knowing how hectic things are for me right now, he was adamant that he didn't need a cake.  Turns out I am more stubborn than him, because I insisted that he was getting a birthday celebration and cake!  

We went to another yummy restaurant in town for dinner.  Then we came home for cookie cake.  Happy birthday, my love!

14 and Awesome

Noah turned 14 today.  Yesterday was a big election in our country.  School is always cancelled the day after elections so that the schools, which are used as polling places, can be cleaned.  Noah was a lucky duck to get the day off of school for his birthday!

We actually started the celebration early.  Noah requested a super-dooper chocolate cake.  So I went ahead and made that for our team meeting on Sunday.

Our sweet teammates brought Noah and Justin Krispy Kreme doughnuts

I'm not sure that you can find a more chocolate-y cake!

One birthday tradition is that the birthday person gets to choose their breakfast.  Noah chose red velvet pancakes with cream cheese butter.  I made them for Valentine's Day and they are every bit as AMAZING as they sound!  I was not sad that he wanted this little slice of heaven!

This picture does not do justice to the sheer yumminess of these pancakes!

Poor Noah didn't get too much special attention on his birthday.  With school ending and us getting ready to head to the States life is a bit hectic right now.  He was happy to just chill out.  We did go out to his favorite restaurant for dinner.

We went shopping for a traditional Turkish outfit for their summer camp's International Night.  Noah got a rocking fez and shalwar (sort of like MC Hammer pants that village folks wear).  

He's pretty much awesome!

Gettin' It Done

I am in the home stretch of my first year of teaching.  It has been a doozy, that's for sure!

As hard as it has been, I am so thankful for this opportunity to be a part of so many kids' lives!  And I am thankful for a quality education for my kiddos.

playing games with my kiddos

my cute 5th graders

Cemile, one of my favorite students

Sunday Sneak Peek: Fog Mountain

Justin has been dying to check out this amazing mountain since we moved out to our town.  When the weather started to warm up a bit we planned to have a picnic with our friends.  The spring weather is unpredictable but we could not have asked for a more beautiful day.

Our beautiful view

Several different sheep herds came grazing by throughout the day.

Noah had a blast exploring and climbing

The edge of the plateau

Playing in the freezing cold mountain spring.  We put our drinks and watermelon in the trough to keep them cool.

These beautiful plateaus inland are chock full of green grass perfect for sheep!

We had the best day with our friends.  The fresh air, sweet fellowship, and amazing views are so good for my soul.  The kids had a blast running through the grass in their bare feet.   There were still shady spots that had snow to play in.  I am so thankful for the beautiful place that we live in.

Sunday Sneak Peek

Lucy had her first friend sleep over this weekend.  This is Lucy's best friend, Alara.

We were shocked that Alara's parents let her come spend the night with us.  She is an only child and her parents rarely let her out of their sights.  I was honored that they trusted us enough to let her stay over.  They missed her so much!