32

Happy 32nd birthday to Jamil!  You are so determined and hard working!  Even on your special day, you woke early to complete your Iron Man training.  We, on the other hand, were not up early enough to wake you with a breakfast surprise, so we rewarded you with mug cake when you returned from your run... just what everyone wants after intense exercise!  Luckily, you had two piranhas right under your nose ready to help you devour your little mug cake and your bigger chocolate cake that evening.  The boys and I sang happy birthday to you in English, French and Arabic, all of which I thought I videoed!  Of course, no one was up for a second attempt, but I'm sure we'll remember it just perfectly, right?  I scheduled a sitter and planned a romantic dinner for the two of us.  However, after learning that Real Madrid and Barca were playing that evening, I was happy to throw plan A aside and take you to the local pub, Upstairs, for fish and chips!  Here's to plenty more simple yet special days just like today.

I Love You,

Moroccan Gandora

I began playing dress up, Moroccan style, after my friend, Tera, suggested us wearing kaftans to the Marine Corp Ball.  I wasn't even planning on attending the ball, but I love Tera and I loved the idea of finding a Moroccan dress.  So, with only a couple of weeks to spare, we purchased our tickets and I hit the medina like a mad woman.  I was immediately drawn to the gandora style dress over the more common kaftan.  The gandora is typically more flowing with a lightweight fabric, and some of them even tie around the waist, offering a little more shape to the dress.  Also, the price tag is less than most kaftans.  Score!  Although Megamall, Marjane shopping center, and a few other "boutiques" around town carried some beautiful dresses, the price tags were significantly cheaper in the medina... not a surprise.  I absolutely love the medina and the wild search for the best deal, so I had a lot of fun.  After all was said and done, we all had a great time at the ball!  Tera, thanks for being such a great friend and for encouraging me to try something new!

and the winner is...

I even got to wear the gandora a second time when my dear friend, Nesma, invited us to the Marrakech International Film Festival!  We had an unforgettable night walking the red carpet, viewing Touch of the Light, and dining and dancing amongst the stars!  Gabriel, Abraham, and Fatima were glued to the TV at the hotel to watch us stroll down the red carpet.  Come to find out, Jamil was completely cropped out of the picture, but the boys got to see mommy on TV! ;) Thank you, Nesma, for such a lovely invitation and for being such a lovely friend!