Merry Christmas!

Jesus. He is born! My heart is full. May He draw you nearer Himself this Christmas.

Tiny Giver

Little lady working hard preparing gifts for 8 of her teachers. White board markers, what a good idea. She says they are always running ‘round trying to find a single marker to use! She’s so happy, precious little giver.

Well Cared For

Spent most of my evening in bed fighting a migraine. By the time the younger kids went to bed I had been given a collection of stuffed animals and a very large card to comfort me. There was also an offer of tea. But the best was Mister B, before going to bed came in to tell me “If you need anything Mama, just yell for me...” If that doesn’t just melt your heart...

Reminder (Shepherd's Meal)

Here is your Shepherds’ Meal Reminder! Last year we had a Shepherds’ Meal on Christmas Eve. Fresh Herb bread, cheese, dried meats, cheeses, nuts, dried fruits, cut vegetables, etc. No cooking, nothing to time right, and leftovers to nibble after church at night. Also a great way to remember the Shepherds’ journey to see the Messiah. I highly recommend it! Consider yourself reminded!

Orthadontist Outing

We Uber to the Orthadontist, share earbuds in the backseat, and listen to Freakonomics podcast together. I like it. I like him.

My Happy Place

My happy place and natural habitat. Morning reading time with my kiddos. Surrounded by books, tea, candles, coloring. We sang hymns, read poetry and stories and history and grammar. We reflected on advent. We colored maps and prayed for nations. (We also have some whining and attitudes, naturally... that is learning too!) But delightful nonetheless.

Howard Carter's House (Aswan and Luxor Part 9)

Near the Valley of the Kings is the home of Howard Carter. Carter was a British Archaeologist and Egyptologist who discovered the burial site of Tutankhamen in 1922.

Most of us have heard of King Tut. But did you know he was famous not for anything he did for Egypt or because of his reign as Pharaoh? In fact he had a very short reign marked by young age and sickness. He is famous simply because his is one of the only Pharonic Burial sites that was discovered largely in tact, and hadn't been ruined by grave robbers. So it is because of his tomb that we have learned so much about Egyptian burials and have beautiful artifacts to lay eyes on.

So Howard Carter was the man who was convinced he could find that site in the Valley of the Kings. Despite many obstacles, he succeeded!

And while he searched and then later dug and cataloged thousands of items from the site, this is the place he called home.

We managed to tour the inside after much confusion at where tickets could be purchased. Which, strangely and frustratingly isn't at the house itself. Well, now we know. Eventually after much protesting and pleas for help... (Hello, do you see my four children tired out from just walking all over the Valley of the Kings? Please don't make us load them up again to go buy a ticket somewhere else!!!!) ...a man jumped on his motorcycle and took care of it for us. Whew. There is ALWAYS a way. Ha!

It was a modest home, built to stay cool in the hot temperatures. I hoped it worked for him!

Sitting at his very desk...

Also on the site of the house is a replica of Tutankhamen's Tomb. The actual tomb inside the Valley of the King's isn't open to tour (don't ask me), but they built this replica which actually serves the same purpose. Cool!

Compared to the other tombs we had walked in that day, this one was remarkably small. Like, teensy weensy.

Does the photo of that mask below look familiar? That's King Tut's burial mask. It lies in the Egyptian Museum in Cairo along with many of the artifacts. A breathtaking display!