OMGosh!

Today was picture day...I know ...it kinda late for holiday pics...what can I say? I seem to be chasing my tail right now...and apparantly Santa is visiting soon...and mommy isn't exactly ready...patience Santa please...I'll leave you more cookies:)

Okay so pictures...Jasmine wanted to run around the studio...Maria refused to smile...she actually looked rather ticked off =/ thats my girl...so when we could get "J" to smile..."M" refused...then when "M" finally smiled "J" decided to leave mid take...here I am sounding like some crazy loon...come back J...M smile...all while I'm singing, tickling, and clapping to get them to cooperate...in the end we settled for the best we could do...

I also cannot figure out why I can't shake this cold...1 week now...still sick and OMG I'm sweating like a pig??? Why??? I hope this cold goes away soon...please God!

Well going for now...hoping all of you are warming up for the holidays:)

First Time

Okay... my husband has the children today:) I believe this is the first time I have had a day to myself in two years...maybe more...I begged him not to lose my babies:) ...He took "j" to school and "m" is hanging with dad today at work...so you would think I have a spa day planned...Oh no...I have been sick for two days now...no sleep ...no food:(...I guess the croup found me...I did manage to get the tree up...don't know how long it will survive j &m...and the dog...just wanted to drop a note...

well back to bed...with my tissue and meds:(

Count Down

Christmas tree up...decorations coming along...I'm so excited!!! My sweet little girls will awake Christmas morning with surprises!! Ramadan and Christmas are the sweetest times of the year...have you noticed how people seem happy and at peace...why is it so different the rest of the year? I'm also excited to get their pictures made..."J" and "M" sure are the best gifts I have every or could hope to receive....I love you both so very much!!! Thanks for allowing me to be your mother!

Love,

Your Mom

Lazy

Okay so I'm terrible at follow-up...really. I don't know why...I can't seem to get it together. I really believe blogging is free therapy...

So what has happened since July...Jasmine has become quite the clown...she is so funny with her joking ...she is walking and interacting more with everyone. School has become an issue...trying to decide where she needs to go for the right program...noone seems to understand what she can see...the doctors say we will have to wait and see...so we wait...and thank God for everything!

Maria...what can I say...we all find her funny and the best little sis anyone could have. She is so wonderful with Jaz...and I love to watch them play together...

I love every minute with my ladies...because I know that one day they aren't going to be little anymore...I'm trying to enjoy every second...everyone tells me time goes by so fast...I know this is rue...

Attached are some pics from camp and vacations...see how they have already changed...

Frugal learnings

Okay... so I must say I'm so proud of myself...I have spent zero dollars this week. Learning to consolidate my outings *to save fuel*and use the food already in the cupboards...and tadaa!!! Being frugal becomes addictive...it is actually alot of fun!!!! I must say though, I'm in need of a book to read...so I found a used book store...maybe tomorrow...my beloved daughters and I will check out this new adventure.
So recap...Monday zero dollars
Tuesday zero dollars
wednesday zero dollars!!!!!

I pray that God keeps us on the path of simplicity...so we can live free and give back generously!!!

Frugal Living

I'm so excited over learning to be frugal...research...research!!! Why oh why, spend more when you can spend less. I think the first person who really gave me a "wake up" call about money, was my friend Kasia. She is from Poland and very savy with money. During a conversation of ours it dawned on me that living on credit wasn't a normal thing. In America we tend more towards buying now and paying later...as time has gone on and I have choosen to keep learning...I'm going to be set free by frugality and no debt. It doesn't have to be so hard...at least not all the time!!!!

Technical Difficulities

I have always been fascinated with the Amish people. Their way of life looks so peaceful and comforting. I love to watch documentaries and read books on their way of life. I do believe that we travel way to fast thru life, never really seeing. Life is such a gift. Jasmine, my little wonder girl, taught me this. She loves life, even with all her challenges. She can sit for hours just enjoying the sunlight.
I wonder sometimes what it would be like, to live like the Amish. Well last week our house was struck by lightening, so I had a small taste of the plain life. We had no Internet, limited TV, limited phone, and the DVD player was cooked. I believe I went into technical withdrawal...it took a week to get back online...and really I was missing Face book, Google, and blogging...so my conclusion for the Hassouneh's family...we will live frugal and simple our way...with a little bit of technology... added for flavor.