Getting your hands dirty...

I've been trying to give the kids opportunities to be outside more.  This is quite challenging though, since we live in an apartment.  There's a "park" right in our neighborhood, but it's nothing like parks in America.  There are trees and dirt and such, but there is no playground equipment and you have to watch out for broken glass on the ground.

But, there's this nice spot that is pretty cleaned out, under a canopy of shade trees, and Liam and Norah love sitting and playing in the dirt.  I've really enjoyed sitting and watching them play.  And they love getting their hands dirty (and faces, and feet, and mommy's clothes too).

We really, really want to move to a place with a yard though.  They are harder to come by and we've been searching for several months.  I want the kids to be able to play outside often, at impromptu times.  And I want to be able to play outside with them and be silly, and not worry about whether or not the park is too empty or unsafe feeling, or whether me sitting in the dirt playing looks completely inappropriate for the culture (because Moroccan moms would NEVER sit and play in the dirt with their kids or chase them around to play hide and seek).   But I love those things, and I love nature, and I want a little place that we call our own where we get to protect the sacred little traditions that makes our family unique.

We are asking God daily to help us find a new home with a yard to play in.  And in the meantime, we will try to enjoy our little shaded spot under the canopy of trees and be thankful for what we do have.