As of late...

Most of the good birthday pics are on my sis' camera, so before getting them off of there, thought I'd share a couple of cute pics of Naief eating his bday cake at his party and one cute one of him and Katelyn outside prior to the party, and I'll also throw in a couple others just for good measure.

This last one here is of the mountains just a few days back. It's been snowing a lot up there and since the sky was so clear, just couldn't help getting a pic of it. We're thinking of driving up to Big Bear for a day. My sis is leaving tomorrow a.m. for Houston to take some course for 3 days, so it'll be quiet around here.... so what better time to hop in the car and take a drive... especially one that'll be so scenic!

I'll post some pics of the party soon.... we had a good time. I'm happy to say that Naief didn't cry, wasn't afraid of the ppl or kids and seemed to thoroughly enjoy the pizza, chips & dips, and homemade chili from his pappa. I'm tellin' ya, this kid eats everything!! And surprisingly, he wasn't all strung out from the sugar overload like I thought he'd be... he took a big nap not long after these pics.... could hardly believe it! :)

phew, can you believe it!!! :)

I hardly can... it's been ONE FULL YEAR TODAY....

wow, how time flies when a baby is growing!

Happy Birthday little boy....

a fabulous read

My sister introduced me to this book when I got to Calif. It's only been in the last 3 days that I've picked it up. Now, I can't put it down. Stayed up until 2 a.m. last night reading this darn thing and woke up at 6 thinking about it. Actually, I couldn't fall back to sleep because my mind kept going over everything that had happened.

Then I started thinking about hubby leaving and the fact that he'll be here tomorrow.... so sleep, I knew, would not come back to me.

This book pulls on my heart strings. I found myself crying at several points last night... when Amir's father died, when his best friend from childhood, Hassan, and Hassan's wife had been shot by the Taliban in Afghanistan. This was all after learning that Hassan had been his brother which only made the shame in his heart all the heavier because of what he had done to Hassan and his father,
Ali, years ago.

Then to find out that Hassan had a son and Amir is given the task of returning to war torn Afghanistan to find him.... but... is he a strong enough man to do this?

This is where I am at the moment. I can hardly wait to get back to it, but there are so many things to do today, so I guess it'll be another late night for me tonight. :) And really, I can't wait. I love books like this.... the ones that capture me immediately, hold on and don't let go until the bitter end.

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Naief's bday party is this Saturday. Hashim gets in tomorrow at 1 - I can hardly wait. We found out last night that more ppl are coming than first expected so I called the bakery this morning and changed the cake order. Have to run to the Dollar Tree shortly to pick up more decorations, plates, napkins, table cloths, toys for two addt'l bags for the addt'l kids, and I should be ready.

Me and my sis will make the menu tonight... what to make, what to make. I think we're doing pizza and some fabulous chicken from some mexican place, and then lots of dips and finger foods, beer, sodas and maybe a few games. I'm also thinking or will prob get one of those big bouncy tent things for the kids.... I just hope it doesn't rain.

The rain seems to linger and linger. I love the rain, but I'm truly sick of it. I want it to warm up, get sunny and allow us some time to enjoy some sight seeing and maybe even go to the ocean w/ Naief. Not to swim mind you, but just to walk, play in the water - maybe a little - and relax.

Hashim has been so busy at work and then spending all his other hours in the studio. He's totally ready for a relaxing vacation... and I'm so ready for him to be here. I hope the baby recognizes him .... but I'm sure if he doesn't, it won't take any time for him to realize who it is.

aaahhhhh... this is my first bday party to throw. I'm anxious. I'm not a big "life of the party" type of person, so I opted out of opening the presents in front of everyone and we'll wait for Naief's bday to do so. I just hope I'm calm on Saturday and able to relax and enjoy his first birthday party.

Happy Birthday

Happy Birthday Hashim!!! I hope you have a wonderful day, and that your every wish comes true in the coming year.

I miss you and can hardly wait to see you... only a couple more weeks!

Naf Naf sends kisses, smiles and love.

happy day

It's been raining in California for two days straight now. The clouds are low over the mountains, the sky is grey and it's quite chilly outside. I love it. Heard that Bahrain is having similar weather and that it's down to about 56.... about time that cold weather has finally moved in!

(this pic is of the night sky from my sis' back yard... or right before it got dark... it was so pretty. the pic doesn't do it justice)

Naief's 1st bday is coming soon and we've been putting together the details for a party here at my sister's house. Went out and got a bunch of things the other night at the Dollar Tree (boy do they have cute, inexpensive stuff!!) and we'll plan to have a "ball" theme.... that'll include soccer balls, footballs, baseballs and basketballs. He loves balls of all kinds, so can't imagine doing it any other way really.

I know he won't remember anything, but since I'm terribly sentimental and since it's here w/ my family, and since I'll be adding all the pics and such to his baby book, how could I not do it - - right?!! And it is his first birthday! Boy, time has travelled fast around us....

Naief has started walking w/ a walker (the stand up kind), has cut his 9th tooth, is getting into most everything and isn't afraid of the grass any more. We took him to the park the other day and he slid down a few of the slides w/ Katelyn and really liked it. He's pretty thrilled w/ sand and hasn't put any in his mouth - yet - but is putting most everything else in his mouth, actually anything his little hands can get ahold of! He's particularly fond of rocks and paper.

The other day I was eating Bit 'O Honey's, wading the papers together as I gobbled down each one and since I wasn't paying attention, I didn't realize that Naief got them and stuck every one of them into his mouth. I turned around and I swear, if he could, he would have smiled because he seemed so proud of himself... and yes, I took them out. My mom calls him a little billy goat.... seeing that his favorite past time seems to be eating cardboard and paper of any kind.... poor kid! At least he hasn't gotten ahold of any change. I swallowed a whole dish full of pennies when I was little, have a niece that loved sticking cigarette butts in her mouth and then one kid of my cousins played in toilets... so the way I look at it, I'm not doing too bad! ;)

Anyway... I hope all of you out there are well and the New Year is treating you kindly. Take care .... and sorry for not visiting blogs as of late. It's hard to get online unless the baby is asleep... so hopefully I'll see all of you around soon.