Celebrating Eachother

Moving to Marrakech has provided my family many sets of welcoming arms.  My children, Joe, and myself are utterly loved and cared for by so many people.  We had the chance to celebrate one of these beautiful people for her birthday in our home.  Danielle has been an amazing teacher partner, kiddo helper, and well just one incredible and fun lady!

We arranged the apartment for many guest for a fun game night and set out the "spread" of snacks and drinks, and waited to welcome the arrival of other guests.

We sported some amazing holiday garb... such as these puppies...

Yes, you know you want a pair... spread the Christmas spirit.  Danielle has planned some Birthmas games for all of us to play and she had a whole spread of prizes to offer those who won.  What I learned is that as much as I LOVE Christmas-- I know nothing that will help me win Danielle's games.  I can sing the songs but I don't know the names of them, I know the story of The Grinch, but I don't know the tricky details, although I enjoy traveling, I really have not been ANYWHERE to support my knowledge of important geographical artifacts, etc... However, my team did win one game.

This game required our team (Diego, Kat, Aisha and myself) to blow up balloons and shove them in a pair of pantyhose.  Then, one of our team members was to wear the pantyhose a top their head.  Our team belted out Rudolf the Red Nose Reindeer and once we finished we could call it a win... well, as you notice Deigo sporting the pantyhose so well... we tied with the team next to us.  (I'm calling it a victory regardless:))  Happy was interested in the whole hat/pantyhose... she chose to try it out herself.

It was a great night with a wonderful group of people... all coming together to love and celebrate our beautiful Danielle's Birthmas. 

As for the rest of life, it has been "quiet" in the adventure realm.  I have been very busy with two wonderful kids loving on me all the time and working full time here at ASM.  I can't believe it has been a month since Mr. F has left... but we are approaching our trip to France to reunite for a while. I am giddy with excitement because this man always makes me smile and laugh!  The best kind of medicine ever! 

Anna, Nick and Maia invited the three of us to take a carriage ride around Marrakech for one of Maia's Christmas presents.  This is definitely a very touristy thing to do-- but we admit that we have really wanted to do it!  Why not ride in a horse and carriage while surrounded by taxis, mopeds, and crazy drivers?  At least you feel like you can be relaxed and take in the sites of the city rather than hang on for dear life.  For example, the other day while riding home, we spotted two men on a moped.  The driver-- well, driving.  But his passenger was holding a TALL piece of glass set between them, bobbing in and out of traffic...whaaaat?  Hilariousness.  Craziness.  Loving it all in Africa.

Claire was not enjoying the sun in her eyes:)

We ended the carriage ride at Dino's, a gelato parlour.  Claire threw a nice big fit for me because she didn't want to get out of the carriage... oh my.  At least I know what to get her for the next holiday.  We really enjoyed seeing parts of Marrakech we hadn't seen before.  The ritzy hotels and riads, the fountains, and parts of the medina.  It was lovely. 

The kids slept well that night.  They decided to have a slumber party in Chaddy's bed.  That is until Claire decided to climb out and find my in my bed.  These two are amazing friends and brother and sister.  They couldn't ask for a better relationship.

 



On Sunday, we went to a Christmas bazaar at the French Institute.  It was fun to see all of the vendors and their crafts.  I purchased Chad's presents for his teachers at the bazaar as well as some proper American cookies (yum!).  I should have purchased more cookies as they really are amazing and the supported a great cause.  Claire and Chad also saw Mickey Mouse.  Chad loved him while Claire was extremely interested but extremely apprehensive and a little afraid.  She wouldn't take her eyes off him but wouldn't get close. 





We are looking forward to our holiday in a matter of days!  France... here we come!

Nothing Prolific

On the way to work, I saw a man leading a cow on a leash.  In the middle of town. On a sidewalk.  A cow... on a leash... in the middle of town... on the sidewalk.  I laughed in disbelief.  I may have played a scenario through my head of them going to the ATM, but more seriously, they AT LEAST walked by the ATM.  They were in the middle of town.  Not nearing the edge of town.  No.  That would be normal.  This, well, was odd.  However, no one else really seemed to mind or pay notice on the streets.  Interesting... is this a daily walk with a pet?  Not too far of a stretch.  I also may have imagined what the guy would do if the cow decided to run or got scared.  All too many amazing scenarios to think about.  I could probably continue to entertain all of you with just pet cow scenarios.  But... I won't.

Have I mentioned that Mr. F left to go back to America?  I am sure I have, probably immediately after he left and the waterworks began.  I miss this guy.  We miss this guy.  The kids and I are feeling his absence.  Apparently, Chad thinks he is the fun one.  Win for Mr. F, fail for mom.  I miss his cooking, his face, his help raising our kids, his face, his laugh and banter, and his face.

Soon enough.  I began planning our Christmas trip today and I have officially booked part of it...  I may cause many of you pain, but the stories of where and what we did will come to the blog in it's own time.  I am giddy with excitement!

This weekend was busy.  I actually had a "long" weekend, as Claire woke up with conjunctitivis in her eye on Thursday.  Luckily, I was planned and prepared coming from The States with pink eye meds (whew).  I was in denial and went to work... that was a BAD idea.  Her eye was gooping, she was rubbing and screaming... ugh.  So I arranged a ride home, made sure Chad had someone to bring him home and Claire and I drove home with Mohammed.  We started her meds right away and just rested at the apartment.  On Friday, I was up and at it... ready for work.  Claire woke up with conjunctivitus in her other eye.  Genius mom didn't think to put drops in BOTH eyes... argh!  I sent Chad to school with a cake and goodies to celebrate with his classmates and Claire and I braved the doctor.

My thought while walking to the doctor went something like this: "You don't HAVE to go.  Why don't you want to go?  Well, you DO NOT know the language enough to communicate medical needs, or what your appointment desire is for... But if Joe was here, he wouldn't think twice.  He'd go.  If Joe was here, I'd go... aka safety net. Oh, Lex, stop.  Be a good mom, be brave and GO!"

So off we strolled, down the street, across from Poly du Sud the private hospital to the Pediatrition Naiama.  I walked in.  Told them she had goopy eyes (insert eye gesture here).  Then the lady said "ummmhmmmm."  Then, we had a stand off.  An awkward stand off.  I stood holding Happs, confused.  The lady stared like I was CRAZY.  She then told me to sit.  Oh.  It is that simple?  No registration?  No forms?  Nothing? 

So we sat, for an hour.  Finally people just started getting up in the order they came in and walking back when someone walked out.  Oh, dang.  They don't call us?  I missed our first opportunity and was ready for the second.  We walked in and I tried to communicate with the nurse, we did ok.  At least got the job done.  Then, I was able to communicate about her eyes and that she needed the Hep A booster... WHEW!  The appointment was a success, with a Hep A vaccination, conjunctivitis and an ear infection diagnosed we paid our very small bill, got our insurance papers stamped and were on our way to the pharmacy. 

On my way to the pharmacy, I did the math of the total cost of the entire doctor visit.  Our insurance reimburses at 90%, so I had to pay the bill in FULL.  I paid roughly $30 for the appointment, $30 for the vaccination and was about to discover I would be paying $9 for two prescriptions.  That is a total of about $70 USD all said and done... and I will get 90% of that $70 back after the insurance receives my claim.  Holy affordable health care... unfortunately, not true for a lot of Moroccans. 

After the doctor, Anna and I decorated Chad's cakes for his party that evening.  We had tea and played with frosting.  It was rather enjoyable. 

Shortly after, we FaceTimed with Joe so Chad could open his birthday gifts.  We opened a new scooter (69dhs scooter from August is falling apart), new shoes and a door basketball hoop from Happy. 

At 530p people started arriving for Chad's party.  The community here is amazing.  The house filled up with familiar faces and children's screams, the snack disappeared and we then sang Chaddy Happy Birthday nice and loud.  We all enjoyed the tasty cake and each other's company. Cheers to 6 years old!

On Saturday, we had our ASM expat community Thanksgiving Dinner.  I perfected my quiche for an appetizer and marinated some olives to add to the spread of dishes.  I decided on the elevator, that I must be near 30 if I am baking quiches and marinating olives.  These are two things I would have never done in my 20s...

We at appetizers at Bridgette's, moved down to Aisha's for dinner and up to Diego and Kate's for dessert.  The people, food and company was absolutely amazing.  It was worth the wait and was a fantastic filler for missing family and friends at home.  Not a replacement... a filler:)  The holidays, especially this one without Mr. F, was hard.  I had fun.  The kids had fun.  But there was definitely an incomplete feeling... 

On Sunday, my children painted and we put together our homemade Christmas tree... we have officially warmed our apartment with decorations and the spirit of Christmas.  Christmas movies are playing in our house and music is blaring at any moment we have. 

This week has a lot in store... such as more workouts like these:

As well as field trips, report cards and professional development.  On the more exciting side... another birthday party and a possible day trip to the mountains! 

Much love to all of you back at home.

xo

Lex

A Stack of Books and A Full Bed

Staring at this blank sheet of white paper can be intimidating- waiting to be filled up with stories of adventures and thoughts of my choosing to share with the world and to hold close for my children’s distant memories.  Today, rather than sharing adventures and stories about our travels overseas, I will share the lessons that I have encountered while living overseas for the mere 3 months we have lived here..

Very few things are as intimidating as packing up your life and choosing to leave everything familiar thousands of miles away.  To land in a completely unfamiliar place with 12 faces of ladies you just met a mere 6 hours earlier.  Yet, nearly all of them became instant family.  It is odd how the most intimidating change has become the most satisfying and fulfilling change.

Most of the time, I have decided to approach each day without apprehension but with reward.  Meeting incredible people from all over the world, building ever-lasting friendships, traveling the world, but most of all, time with my family.  Every day, in reality, we are all powerless.  Here, I accept the powerlessness and realize that no matter where you are- there you are.  Your brain, your heart, everything that pumps through your veins travels with you.  I am always filled with happiness, joy, and love but being in Marrakech has ultimately allowed me the time to finally slow down.

My decision to move overseas was a combination of reasons, many incredibly close to the heart.  One of the most appealing and important is the hope that our life overseas will provide my children with a solid springboard to balance their own individual lives and when they encounter obstacles- they will then face them with grace.  Most of these lessons pertain to my children as these two have been greatly affected by our life overseas.  Let me begin with a story from tonight...

A stack of books piled high on the night stand and a bed with two children and a loved mom squished between.  Shoulder to shoulder, snotty noses, slimy kisses, and wiggly bodies.  Tonight, that is how we spent much of our evening... cuddling under the comforter, reading book after book.  Yet, somewhere between books, this conversation took place between my two kiddos:

Happy: "Chaddy, your ears." (As she pinched them)

Chaddy: "La shukran Happs." (Hmmmm... now my son is speaking to my daughter in Arabic)

Happy (pinching Mommy's nose): "Hahahahaha, Mommy's nose."

Chaddy: "Maybe mom needs to get out of bed so you will sleep Happy.  Mom, I will take care of her. Go."

Ok, when did my kindergartner become an adult?!  I really have to work on my expectations for him.  Make him a little more irresponsible :)  My heart was full lying in bed with my two kids.  Only one person was missing, and we miss terribly.  I am sure that those of you at home are excited to have Mr. F home, but we struggled to say our "see you soons."  Soon enough we will get to wrap our arms around him again!  Time needs to fly.

Ok, back at it... of course, that statement above is contradictory to the entire point of my post today.  For the past couple of weeks, I have had a full but heavy heart weighed down/up/sideways/diagonal with general thoughts on life.  I have felt compelled to share them with you.  Some, you may certainly agree or find inspiring.  Others, you may struggle to connect or understand purely because I would have before I packed up my family and relocated half way across the world.

1. Life here in Marrakech has taught me at least one crucial aspect of life: slow down. 

Unfortunately, Mr. F has been telling me this for years, but I didn't feel like I had an option.  Life just wasn't ever going to slow down.  T-ball, groceries, work, more work, more work, errands, and more errands... life didn't leave me much time to just be.  To just be with my children.  To just be with Mr. F.  As soon as I caught up on my to do list, more needed to be jotted down.  I was losing my sense of self in the crazy of life.  Who is Lexie?  Who is Mom?  What are my roles and what do I WANT my roles to be?

2. As I ask myself that last question, Morocco has really allowed me to choose my role-- most of the time.

 

 I still have work.  I work my tooshie off just like I did in The States, but with less kids, an assistant and an amazing teaching partner we have managed to make head way on math plans, social studies plans and writing plans for nearly the remainder of the year.  Yes my teacher friends, minimal lesson plan writing because I actually have time to prep and prepare my lessons fully.  Units of study-- integrated learning.  Teaching with passion- one of the roles I choose to have.

3. The most fulfilling role is where I began my post.  My children. 

I am not merely the mom that only chauffeurs, cooks and cleans anymore like I did in The States.  I am a mom that packs clothes to travel, sits and reads children's books, paints pictures, makes paper Christmas trees, watches Mary Poppins, bakes cookies, walks everywhere, teaches foreign languages, and shows her children the world.  I feel like one of the most fortunate mothers on Earth. 

4. Take Snapshots.

I do mean to literally take snapshots.  Pull out the camera and take pictures of each and every moment you want to engrain into your memory.  The smiles, the games, the tears, the discoveries.  Take snapshots... attach your camera around your neck so when your children are flipping through old family photos, they can find that rare comfort.  However, I also do mean this figuratively.  Take mental snapshots so you can look at your life and appreciate what you are living and experiencing NOW.  That way, you will always be living in a constant state of happiness.

5. If you love someone, tell them.

Don't spare those three words with those you love.  Tell them often, tell them when you feel it. 

6. One of the biggest lessons I have learned here is that EVERYONE is a hypocrite.

It sounds abrasive, but in no way do I intend for it to sound that way.  Approach the thought through this lens: We are all striving to embody particular values and images that we intend to display but sometimes the way we act conflicts.  So, the best way to handle hypocrisy is to forgive and move on.

7.  See the good in people.

How do you want to see the world?  Frame your mind to see people- strangers alike, how you would want them to see you.  In opposition, not everyone is going to like you and that is just fine.

8. Connect with humanity.

Mr. F displays this characteristic with grace, compassion, and generosity.  I have been watching and learning from him (although he doesn't really know I feel this way about him... shhhhhh... please don't tell him I learn A LOT from him:)).  The reward and satisfaction in merely casual kindness has taken as far in our travels abroad.  We have met more locals who have sacrificed and given from their own backs, even in the greatest of poor villages.  People here exercise the power of love.  We have made a conscious choice to interact with our community in this way and our hearts have grown immensely on this journey.  We will continue to cultivate kindness, especially in our children.

 

I can't honestly say this isn't EVERYTHING I have learned nor felt in our travels thus far, but is a great start. I just hope that when your head and your heart reach a point of exhaustion and overwhelming expectation reflect back on some of our stories and lessons we have learned.  Contemplate your legacy and where your head and heart truly want to lead.  If your heart is full and you have passion- keep going strong!  If it is not where you are currently at, deeply consider whatever leap it may be that your heart aches for and JUMP! 

 

 

XO 

 

Lex