Drinks in the Driveway

In an effort to see people more often while still being able to get the girl in bed at a decent hour, I decided to have a few friends over for some pizza and a nice cool beverage as the sun fell another jam packed weekend. As I looked around at the people, I had to marvel for a second at the different stages of life everyone was in and it got me thinking. This time last year I and most of my friends were single and obviously my activities reflected that. (Could go wherever I wanted at whatever time I wanted, no planning necessary.) Things are a little different now, and I love it! But I find myself now trying to blend this new way of life (toys, sidewalk chalk, skinned knees) with my old self and my old relationships. Can my single friends still have fun at a driveway gathering dodging tricycles and screaming toddlers? Do I have to have two separate lives? One with the "mom's group" and one with the "girl's night out crew"? I am trying to nurture my old friendships and still make time for uninterrupted girl talk, but also foster new friendships with people who are going through all the the things that are now my daily existence. It's hard, but hopefully "Drinks in the Driveway" can be one night where we can all come together and just enjoy whatever path God has us on in this moment.

The next "Drinks in the Driveway" will be on June 6th. Things to look forward to on that night: Cornhole, rubberband Can game, pizza, more sidewalk chalk body art, margaritas, and more! Hope you all will come!

Susu and Lee

New best friends, and my favorite picture of the night

watch out!

The driveway looked like the site of a crime scene. Whooops!

Yes, blenditure

One Year Anniversary

On May 17th , 2009 my dad and I flew into Kilimanjaro, Tanzania. My dad had never been to Africa and I was so excited for him to meet this place that i loved so very much. I couldn't wait for him to see the stars in the sky when we landed around 9pm. I couldn't wait to smell the scents of that place again. To step out into the African air that wraps itself around me like my favorite blanket. I just couldn't wait for him to see everything...mostly to see Neema! That night we checked in to our hotel and I called her uncle to tell him we had arrived. We planned to meet the next day at noon. In all of my exhaustion of the 20 hour plane ride, I couldn't sleep, I was restless I just could not wait to see her tiny little face again. I wondered would she remember me? It had been about 4 months since I had last held her, snuggled her, breathed her. I remember waking up that morning and not even being able to have my quiet time. I just could not focus on anything. The clock was dragging.....finally around 11 my dad and I started the journey to be reunited with Neema. A year later, here we are in America and a dream has come true. A promise fulfilled. A blessing given.

May 18, 2009

I decided that every year on our anniversary we would go and do something fun just the two of us! We started the day at J. Christophers for a big breakfast of chocolate chip pancakes, coffee, and juice. I told Neema about all of my favorite memories over the past year. Then we went to the Atlanta Zoo. It was really fun for us, because despite the fact that we are totally spoiled and have been on several REAL African safaris, we got to see the animals really close and Neema was like a little safari guide telling me all about each animal.

Swahili!!! :)

We finished off the night with some home made stir-fry a popular dinner choice of ours in Arusha. I had so much fun today celebrating the heck out of this girl!
I pray for many more special May 18ths.

New Meaning to Bad Hair Day

So the subject of Neema's hair has been a big issue at my house recently. The braids she had in for Grace's wedding were on their last leg so I decided to take them out. She now has the fro but her hair is getting so long that it looks kind of funny. At a retreat this weekend I spoke with one of our black leaders and he told me that to get Neema's hair done here in America it could cost me anywhere from $50-$150 dollars!!!!! I'm not kidding I had a small panic attack. She has to have her hair redone every couple of weeks. What am I going to do?! Then I came across this video...



I guess I will just have to learn..... Maybe?

Mother's Day

First Mother's Day!! It was awesome. We went to Buckhead Church and Neema just thinks Waumba Land is the best! When I picked her up I asked her what she learned in children's church and she said, "God made me wonderfully." I'm guessing they discussed verse psalm 139:14 (I praise you because im fearfully and wonderfully made...) To hear those little words come out of her mouth were enough to make my Mother's Day. I just love being her mama! She amazes me everyday with the things she says and does, but it's her heart that I love so much! Her sweet thoughts and kind spirit.
After church we went to my favorite restaurant HOUSTONS! We rarely go anymore because its so expensive so its probably been close to 2 years since I last ate there. We had the whole family including my grandmother so we splurged big time and got spinach dip and fries for the whole table! :) Then I got my favorite salad on the planet and usually salad is not my favorite but the grilled chicken salad can't be beat. You Atlantans know what I mean. :)
I'm obsessed with this little skirt I found for Neema at Old Navy. Don't mind that its a 2T and it still absolutely swallows her. I got some really cute things on the sale rack! My baby love looks cute!! :)

Thanks Will for being my Mother's Day photographer.

The Mamas. It was so fun to share in this day with the best mama (and now Bibi) in the world!! Later that evening my brother and his sweet girlfriend made a yummy picnic dinner for all the mamas and my family and hers all went to Stone Mountain and with pocahontas table clothes to boot, we had homemade mac and cheese, chicken, green beans, and salad. Despite the weird Atlanta in May chill factor it was a perfect end to Mother's Day 2010.

Will, me, Sims and Becca, Neema, and Ryan.

Thank you to Will and Bec for cooking such a yummy dinner. Thank you to all the Mamas all over the world who I have a new appreciation for. And thank you to Neema for without you I would not have gotten to celebrate such an AMAZING day!! You make everything in life worth it.

Princess Neema

These pictures are not the best but she was moving around so much with excitement I just snapped what I could. She has never even seen these Disney movies (Cinderella, Beauty and the Beast, etc.) but she was just enthralled with these gowns and she kept twirling, we were all oooing and ahhhing and I know she felt magical. It's just in our souls this desire to feel beautiful, lovely, and adored. I love watching it in her little three year old personality. She just lets it shine. She doesn't feel the need to live behind this self sufficient front that she has it all under control and doesn't need any applause. Do I want her to grow into an independent woman, absolutely! But I never want her to lose that piece of her heart where she longs for the affirmation and romance of the ONLY one who can truly fill her. I pray she never becomes so self-reliant that she forgets her need for Jesus. Sometimes she asks me if she is a princess and I tell her she is a princess of the Kingdom but not of this world. "i want to be princess of the world." she says. Don't we all? Being home I have really been faced with this struggle...entering back into the world of fashion, fancy phones, and fast cars. I want these things just until i have them. I don't want to want them. I reminded of Paul in Romans 7:15 when he says "I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do." I am trying so hard to find a balance in between these two worlds. How can I represent Christ in both places? How can I truly serve in Africa in a place where I have such priviledge.....and how can I serve in America without self-righteousness judging all that is opposite of the world I know in Tanzania. When everything in the world tells me to need this, buy that, wear this, love that, etc. I will strive to keep my eyes on the eternal crown. 

I am having some technical problems with my computer. :( I will remain posting about Neema's arrival as soon as I get the macbook back in action. Stay tuned for: first trip to Target, Neema meets Dunkin Donuts, and pretty pretty princess!