There is another Angel in Heaven

As I sit here and type this entry, my heart feels like it is sinking. My grandmother passed away today after a five and half year battle with ovarian cancer. She passed away with both her children at her side. Thinking about her not being here takes my breath away. I call her each and every Sunday to chat...but this Sunday she won't be there...

She fought so long and so hard; it was time for her to rest. It was time for her to go to heaven. I feel comforted knowing that she is another angel in heaven to watch over me. A friend of mine told me about this bible verse a long time ago, and I can't think of a better time than this that this verse is true. " I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith." 2 Timothy 4:7

Grandma, you fought so long and so hard, may you find rest, comfort and peace with all the angels in heaven. I love you.

Simple Pleasures

This week, I received news that my grandmother isn 't doing well. She has been in a very long fight with ovarian cancer for the last five and a half years, and , I have felt very down for the past few days. Then, tonight a smile came across my face when I was watching the kids in the tub. I had to capture some images of the kids in the bathtub that my grandmother would absolutely love. They were laughing and playing and just being silly..I thought to myself that I so wish she could be with them to see them playing....but I did the next best thing....I hope what they say is true...a picture can say a thousand words. If my grandma sees it, I hope she can hear a thousand "I love yous." Grandma, we love you and just to prove it...Elizabeth kissed the picture of you in her book today.:)

How many Nigerians does it take to move an Okada?

Apparently four....that is when the okada driver parks his bike on the street and the bus carrying all the kids back to the compound can't get past it. I took this picture from the school bus on the way home with Jeremy yesterday....who can say that they have seen that on their way home from school???:)

Busy Lizzy's First Day of "School"

Yesterday, Elizabeth went to her first day of her toddler group. it is in the same place that she attends playgroup so it was nice that she was already familiar with the surroundings. She was so proud to wear her backpack. When she first got in the classroom, she was excited to see all the toys that she usually sees when she goes to playgroup. But, when I started walking out the door, she got a little worried. I waved to her through the window, and blew her a kiss. That was it...my little girl was in a little classroom with teachers and other children. Just two years ago, I had a six month old baby! The "school" is only two hours twice a week. When I came to the door to pick her up, she ran over in the corner to show me the fish she painted. She told me" I paint...I paint!!!" The teacher said she did a great job...and Guy and I are so proud of her.:)

Okada Cheese

Happiness usually makes homemade ricotta cheese for us during the week ( I got the recipe from a friend who recently moved away. She taught me how to make it because it costs about 14 dollars for a small tub of it if I buy it in a store here. In the U.S., I could get it for about 3 dollars). Elizabeth likes to eat it on toast in the morning. So, two weeks ago, Jeremy was in the kitchen and told Guy," Give Elizabeth the okada cheese on her toast. She really likes it." I heard him say it and asked him to tell me what kind of cheese it was just to be sure I heard it right. He said," I told Daddy to give Elizabeth okada cheese." So, do you think he has been in Nigeria too long?:)

The Nigerian Clothes Dryer

A few weeks ago I was in the car and it started to rain. On the way back to our compound, I saw a very peculiar sight. There were several okada drivers around the vent from the generator for our compound. It seemed really strange to see them all huddled there. Then I realized what they were doing! They were drying their clothes on the vent from the generator...only in Nigeria!!!:)

...And We're Back!

Whew!!!! A week long trip from Lagos to Los Angeles was like a whirlwind.....but soooooo worth it to see my brother marry the love of his life.:) I have a new sister-in -law.:) The wedding was beautiful. Elizabeth and Jeremy did a fantastic job as flower girl and ring bearer, and I was so honored to be a bridesmaid. It was so wonderful to see so many members of my family and friends all in one place ( especially having myself and both of my brothers in the same place...that doesn't happen too much anymore)...and as always, the time seems to slip by too fast no matter how much I will it to stand still. I am so thankful for the time I had with all of you...even if it was a short time. There were so many wonderful memories which were made that day. I will always remember all the laughing! Congratulations, Greg and Julia!! I wish you many years of love and happiness...and most importantly all the laughs you will share together.:)