It's funny how Justin likes to sit on his own! He is not part of that group.

     We had a wonderful Thanksgiving with our family of friends. It was a great time. We loved having all the kids around. It was really great. Also, it is Eid here in Saudi and it's the only time that we can buy fireworks, so we bought a whole bunch and have had a good time letting the off while all the kids watch.

The moon was beautiful. This picture doesn't do it justice.

Turkey on the mirror yearly tradition made by Robby.   

Jamilia- She was born last year, Dec. 22. Adorable. It is great seeing the kids grow up here.

Alicia- My husband calls her the Nepal version of Shirley Temple. She is so cute and my little buddy. Alex helping me cook.

   I found this article recently. We talk about this all the time here in Saudi. It is like living in a different time. The article says 90 years. I would say even longer than that- like more like 400 years ago. But, a lot about it is good. The values at its core are good. It does take it too far, of course. I have found that the women do not view their rights like we do in the West though. It's hard for us to understand, but most Saudi women don't want things to change as much as we think they would. Most of them are happy to do whatever is best for their community and their family. They don't have the desire to drive for the same reasons that we do. They don't wish to be free and equal, but they desire to drive only because it would make life easier and better for their families.

    I found this debate online about the driving issue. It is interesting reading everyone's opinion on the matter. I wouldn't drive here either because it's really crazy on the road. I can barely stand being a passenger. It is really bad!! They're going to have to provide better driving instruction before giving women drivers licenses. The last thing Saudi needs is more drivers because that just means more accidents and more people dying in them every day.

    When I first moved here, I would overt my eyes when I would see a woman fully covered, but then I realized that they aren't trying to be invisible. They are still there and want to be seen. They are just being modest. So, I have had to change my habit and look these women in the eyes. And I can tell that they smile back at me. They are good people.

    Rob has some time off from work because of the Eid Holiday and we are loving it. We talked about what we are all thankful for and they all said daddy. Robby- I am thankful for daddy because he put pressure on my foot when it was bleeding (he cut his foot on glass, lots of blood, but he's ok. Daddy to the rescue!) Justin- I'm thankful for daddy because he's the best. Alex- I'm thankful for Daddy because he buys us stuff. Connor- I'm thankful for daddy because he's nice to me. At least, Rob said he was thankful for me.

And we got to go the Pizza Company and then, to Swensens. Our favorite thing to do here!!

We made crowns. Jesus is our king.

Love that dimple!!

We sang a song that we got from Sadlier We Believe to the tune of Frere Jacques.

Jesus Christ
Jesus Christ
is our king;
is our king.

He rules with peace and justice.
He gives life to all people.
We praise him.
Praise our king.

Let us worship,
let us worship,
Christ our king;
Christ our king.

As king he shows the way,
the truth, and the life.
We praise him.
Praise our king.

Then today, we made our own Pledge of Allegiance to Jesus. (By we, I mean Robby.)

Pledge of allegiance to Jesus the son of God and the King of Heaven.

Please forgive our sins on the earth that we stand on.

But take us to Heaven to be with the Son of God.    

We've been learning a lot in Catechism. The boys made crosses, anchors, and hearts to remind them to live their life with faith, hope, and love. It's so cute to hear Connor repeat that later. These are really good for Alex and Connor. The discussions are good for me, Robby, and Justin. I learn a lot about what they believe through our talks. It's really good for all of us. Their faith has really grown.

They put a thumb mark in the middle to represent that they will put their thumbprint on the world through faith, hope, and love.

     The boys learned so much from dissecting the heart, that when learning about the brain, we had to dissect one of those too. I asked for a beef brain, but that wasn't possible. So, we had to do with a lamb's brain. This was a little hard on me because it was just so tiny. So, while daddy was home this week, I thought it was a perfect time to have brain dissection and he could take the lead.

They looked at the left and the right hemispheres, the cerebrum, cerebellum, and the brain stem. They learned a lot and had a lot of fun. Rob messed them up by pretending to lick it. Robby and Justin said that it was the grossest thing he has ever done. Rob said, "So far..." I was just excited to get it out of the fridge. Thomas says that he is still working on getting me a beef brain though. And now we're learning about the eye and are supposed to dissect a beef eye. We'll see how that all works out.

I am thankful:

1. For my husband, Rob and that he can always make me laugh.

2. For my four little boys who are so much fun to be around.

3. That we are all happy and healthy.

4. For my faith.

5. For being able to teach my children about their faith and that they have grown in their faith this year.

6. For winning $200 in groceries at Panda. That really helps us pay for our Thanksgiving feast.

7. That we have made good friends here in Saudi and that some of them are able to join us for Thanksgiving.

8. That  I have received my Master's degree and that studying hard for tests and writing paper days are over.

9. For a nice house.

10. For a nice, quiet compound where the kids can grow up playing with their friends.