Makes My Heart Go Boom, Boom, Boom!!!

He proceeds to open the book...

begins reading to himself...

turns the page....

decides to read out loud...

eventually busts me taking his picture :)

As Visions of Kibbee, Falafel, Humos, & Baklawa Danced in my Head

The annual St. George Food Festival is coming up this weekend.  It kicks off Thursday, September 20th and runs thru Saturday, September 22nd.  Lunch is served daily from 10:30-2:00 and dinner begins at 4:00 and ends nightly at 9:00.  Drive-thru service is also available from 11-2 and 4-7.  

Deliveries are available for lunch in the downtown area as well-think OFFICE PARTY-for orders of $75.00 or more.  Trust me, its not that hard to spend $75.00 when there is soo much delicious food and desserts.  Well worth the money!!!

Booths and Events

• Middle Eastern groceries from Nabeel’s Imported Food
• Icons, Religious articles and Books for sale
• Hand carved olive wood from the Holy Land will be on sale
• Stained glass art by Mary Aiken
• Pysanky eggs by Sister Vladimir
• Live Arabic Band – Amin Sultan Fri & Sat 6pm- 10pm
• Arabic Dancing performed by our youth nightly
• Church Tours evenings Thurs and Fri and all day Sat

If you haven't ever been inside of our church-it is visually BEAUTIFUL, however, the meaning behind "the scenes" is spiritually OVERWHELMING.  Our guided tours are 

A-M-A-Z-I-N-G.  

The dancers always put on a great show filled with tons of entertainment.  Especially the little ones.  I am excited to say that 3 of my 5 nieces will be "shaking" their stuff at the festival and I can't wait to see them perform.  I am so proud of them for representing their church and heritage in such an honorable way.

The Festival is a great family outing.  There is truly something for everyone-yes, even the avid football fan.  This year we will have a t.v. set up playing the Alabama & Auburn games.  So come, eat some authentic, made from scratch (with love) food, let the kiddos dance on the dance floor to the band, sit back with a beer/glass of wine and watch some football, all while enjoying a nice Arabic dessert.  What more could you want for your Family?

I have attached the link for our menu.  Please take a look at all of our delicious offerings.  Truly, you CAN'T go wrong.  Personally, I recommend coming all 3 days and trying something new each time :)  

I look forward to seeing many familiar faces in the crowd and meeting many new ones that I know will be back for years to come!!!!

http://saintgeorgeonline.org/sgc/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/Festival-Menu-2012r2.pdf

SAINT GEORGE MELKITE GREEK-CATHOLIC CHURCH
425 16TH AVENUE SOUTH
Birmingham,Alabama 35205

Gettin' In Some Good Q.T. and a Few Points

Phoenix has been getting in some extra good Q.T. lately with his Dada.  A rarity in this house.  He soaks up every possible second of it.  He hates napping when Jason is home, but who can blame the kid-its not like he sees him all day, every day.  Lately, the boys have enjoyed watching football together, going to birthday parties, and even venturing to McWane Center (a last minute decision at 4:30 one afternoon, and yes-of course I tagged along).

And although its nothing out of the ordinary, Phoenix and I have also been getting in some good Q.T. too!  I love my Buttah time and can't seem to get enough of him or our time together!!!

Phoenix is really enjoying the park a lot more than just the swings these days!  We spent somewhere between 3-4 hours there on Monday.  Talk about a LONG time!  We had a blast though!  We also started story time back.  Phoenix enjoyed snack time.  I must say, I was a bigger fan of the younger class we were in prior to this one, so I didn't even bother registering him for next week.  I guess I'm going to have to find another story time (at a different library) that I am happy with.  We do one at Whole Foods that I love and we hope to continue with that one as well.  We also spend most Fridays at McWane Center with my sister and 2 of my nieces, which Phoenix and the girls love.  

He has started this new thing when he cries and it has to be the cutest thing ever.  He opens his hand real wide and covers his mouth, all while crying.  I don't know why he does it or what it signifies but it for some reason, it melts my heart.

He is really starting to catch on to words a lot more.  He is constantly reminding us to use our manners. He plays great by himself.  Loves being outdoors.  Gives hugs and kisses to all little kids and baby dolls.  Loves to brush his teeth and take baths.  Knows a few animal sounds and parts of the body.  Follows directions impeccably.  Loves giving Dixie (Sister Sister) a treat before we leave the house.  Must have a snack in the car.  Loves his milk.  Still a great eater.  Needs his sleep.  Enjoys cleaning his tray after meals, wiping tables, floors, vacuuming, etc..  Listens very well.  Is very good about using the potty (if I catch it in time).  Knows when Mama says Uno, Dos-she means business.  Knows what he wants and will gladly walk you to the kitchen and show you exactly what he wants (opens the refrig. and opens the drawer and pulls out his own snack.  If you try and hand him the wrong thing, he shakes his head no and gets it himself.)  Is becoming a young gentleman right before our eyes.  

  

Sunday Fun Day at the Fair

Last week Jason mentioned wanting to take Phoenix to the fair.  Well, on Saturday my sister mentioned they were going on Sunday after Church.  Perfect.  So we decided to tag along.  It was a bit pricy considering Phoenix was too little to do ANYTHING, but overall it was a blast!  Phoenix enjoyed walking around looking at all the rides, petting the animals in the petting zoo, eating sno cones, having lemonade and munching on french fries.  It was a very hot day, but not overly crowded so definitely tolerable.  Phoenix also enjoyed dancing to some country music that was playing.  Here are a few pictures that I took-when I actually thought about it :)  I did manage to video him dancing to the band, but of course-I still can't figure out how to upload a video, so you won't get to see how cute it is :(

vroom, vroom...

she drives like an old lady!

traffic jam!

game face :)

unsure face :)

Bateh Girls taking over the roads...

Watching the Bumper Car action...

All together now...

Somehow Abbie got left behind :)

Learning about his "roots" on his mama's side

And his "roots" on his dada's side :)

This is a MUST everywhere we go :)

I even got in on the action...poor Suki didn't though :(

Phoenix and his new buddies from the fair, Jack and Jill.

Overall, it was a wonderful afternoon spent together as a family with my sister, brother-in-law and nieces.  We had a great time and although Phoenix was too young to ride any of the rides or play any of the games, he still had a blast watching everyone, dancing to the band, and pigging out :)

Get it Together Mama

I have NO idea why this picture makes me so stinkin' proud.  Whatever the reason, I can't seem to stop looking at it.  I haven't dared move the toys either.  Not sure when or if I will either.  I don't know if its because he actually lined them up so neatly.  Maybe its the teacher coming out in me.  It could simply just be the fact that he is starting to show more structure in his playing habits.  Who knows.

All I know is this might just be one of the proudest moments for me as a mother.  I know, it sounds absolutely ridiculous.  Something as simple as lining up 4 trucks/cars worthy of a blog post, making me THIS proud I could seriously go on and on and on about it.

I just wish I could put my finger on it.  I wish I knew what exactly it is about this "line up" that makes my heart beam with pride.  Regardless, its moments like this I work so hard for on a daily basis.  I LOVE turning my head for a second or walking out of the room for a minute only to return to a surprise like this, not a total mess all over the place.  Phoenix is truly a wonderfully behaved child and sometimes I forget how Blessed I am.  

Ha-maybe that's it.  Maybe, the trucks were blog worthy to remind me just how Blessed I am.  I've been struggling with a few things lately and I've really needed to reevaluate some stuff and maybe, just maybe, that's just what Phoenix was trying to tell me.  He was trying to tell me to get my priorities in line.  Its amazing how much my Buttah teaches me.  If only I'd learn to stop and listen more often!

Seriously-I had no clue what this was all about until I started writing this blog, but it all makes sense now.  I just couldn't seem to let it go.  Now I get it :)  However, I'm still super impressed that he lined up all his trucks like that.

Finally, a "Real" Weekend

Weekends don't usually mean much here in this house.  Jason usually works or is gone to the hunting camp, so its just like a Monday, Tuesday, or Friday for that matter.  However, Phoenix and I live for weekends like this past one.  We have been missing Jason like crazy around here lately.  He has been working 6 days a week, leaving early and getting home late.  Then spending day 7 at the hunting camp trying to get everything ready for the upcoming season.  While I know that may not seem important to everyone-trust me, I know more than anyone how unimportant it may sound-I also know how much it means to Jason to have his time down there.  He works so hard to give Phoenix and I the wonderful life we have that I have no place in telling him he can't or shouldn't go.  As much as I'd love to have him here for that day-be it for the family time or more for the help or even more for the relief, I know he needs that time even more than I think I might need it.  So, although I cringe every stinking time he mentions that stupid hunting club, I'm glad he has a place to go and get away from everything.  A place he enjoys and a place that makes him happy and that brings him peace.  He definitely deserves it.

This week was like no other.  He worked long and hard.  However, on Thursday, he TOTALLY surprised me.  We were discussing plans for the weekend. He knew he wanted to be in town and not working on Sunday to attend the event at Slice, so that left either work or hunting club on Saturday.  Either one was fine since I was not use to having him around anyways.  Well, like I said-he TOTALLY surprised me.  I told him Phoenix had a birthday party to go to at noon on Saturday and that I was excited about it, other than the fact that it was a swimming party.  If you know me, you know I don't mix well with a bathing suit.  Especially not after Phoenix :)  Lets not forget the fact that I cannot stand water and I totally despise the act of swimming.  Long story short-he decides to get one of his guys to work Saturday and take the WHOLE day off and skip the weekend at the hunting camp to spend with us.  Are you serious???!!!  He said he's been missing us a lot lately and that would keep me from having to get in the pool but would still allow Phoenix to have fun at the party.  What an awesome Dada :)

So we enjoyed the morning together at home, just hanging out in our pajamas.  It was wonderful.  We then went to the party.  We had a blast and Phoenix loved having Jason there.  I do have to tell you though-Phoenix didn't even end up getting in the pool...opps :)  I did apologize to Jason for it because I felt bad that he took off from work (he is completely booked) so that he could swim with Phoenix and it wasn't even necessary.  He assured me there was no place else he'd rather be swimming or not :)  After the party we headed home for naps.  Phoenix slept-but not very long.  I think he was too excited his Dada was home.  He did play in his crib for a good while though.  Jason got a good nap in though.  Once everyone woke up, we discussed evening plans.  Stay home, walk the mall, zoo, McWane, etc.  Jason suggested Treetop Adventure.  We had never been there, so we thought it was worth a shot.

We loaded up about 5:00 and of course, Phoenix fell asleep not long after we got in the car :)  Once we got there though he was as happy as could be.  He walked around pushing buttons, "playing games," waving to kids,  etc.  He had a blast.  I think my favorite part was seeing Jason witness this for the first time.  I've taken Phoenix to all sorts of different adventures all over town (zoo, McWane, mall, library, etc.) but unfortunately Jason has never gotten to experience any of this with us.  It was just nice to sit back and watch the two of them for once.  Watching the proudness in Jason's eyes as Phoenix just wondered from game to game trying to play is what I live for.  It was priceless.  Before we left, Jason said he wanted to take Phoenix on the go-carts.  I was hesitant but called and spoke to them about it.  I was a little bit more at ease and I knew Jason wouldn't put Phoenix in any danger, so I trusted his decision.  While we were there, the tables turned.  Phoenix and I got soo excited about them, but Jason chickened out.  He didn't feel comfortable taking Phoenix on them.  Normally, I would say Mama knows best, but in this case-we went with Dada knows best and opted to wait.  So instead, we pigged out on pizza, nachos and burgers.  We played a little bit more and then headed home.  It was probably one of the best nights we've had as a family in a LONG time.  I LOVED every second of it.

Sunday morning we woke up and had breakfast together.  We then played together.  We took Phoenix up for a bath and down for a nap to get ready for our big day of Church and lunch at Slice.  I went down early to help Marie set up and Jason and Phoenix met me at Church.  We then headed over to Slice for a nice family lunch.  It was great seeing everyone come together to support such a great cause.  Thank you everyone who came out to support.  We had over 250 people, the ones we knew, come throughout the day to show their support and we raised over $3,000.00 for the IRSF!!!! You people and your generosity for Suki never seem to amaze me!!! We are truly Blessed by each and every one of you!!!  Jason took Phoenix home to nap while I stayed to help Marie a bit more.  I say nap but I really mean "hang out."  Later that evening, Phoenix and I picked up my Dad and headed back down to Slice for dinner.  Jason had some work he needed to go get done and some prep for the upcoming work week so he needed us out of his "hair" for a while :)  We spent some good quality time visiting with family and friends at Slice and supporting a great cause.  Sorry, but Marie has all the pictures from the event.

We came home to spend a little more time with Jason before it was time for bed.  It was by far the best weekend we've had in a loooooong time.  We don't get to see Jason much and while I'm ever so grateful for that (since he is the reason I am able to stay home with my Buttah), we sure do miss him.  We treasure the moments we get with him and try and soak up each and every second possible.  I feel like I'm always trying to go, go, go when we're together and I know all Jason wants to do is relax (he's ALWAYS on the go), but we don't get the opportunity very often.  He is such a trooper and always goes with the flow without complaining.  I think he loves hanging out with us even more than we love it, if thats even possible!!!!

On a side note-Our next BIG event for Suki is coming up and I am super excited about it!!!! We are Raising the Roof for Rett Syndrome.  It is going to be a Night of Karaoke Singing with a Live Band, Silent/Live Auction, Food provided by Slice, Beer/Wine.  A night of Fun for Adults.  Save the Date- November 8th, 2012-just 1 year after Suki was diagnosed (November 3, 2011) at Work Play from 6-11.  Go ahead and get a sitter, this is one event you won't want to miss!!!! For ticket information, feel free to contact me at 205.821-0959 or by email at bestofall13@yahoo.com.

Howdy, Folks

Won'tcha ya be so kind and join me for pizza at Slice on Sunday to help my Best Friend?

I sure would 'preciate ya.