We Like to Party

I love love love to host parties. I love to plan them. I love to delegate and organize them. I love to open my home and resources to bless people. I love to see the fruition of work. But most of all I love to see my friends having fun and enjoying each other! In the past couple weeks I've had two opportunities to plan and host two super fun parties - a baby shower and an open mic night.

If you were to ask me, “what is one of the things that makes you feel alive?” I have my answer ready. I love to sing. When I perform a song for people, I get lost in it. All sorts of life wells up in the core of my being. If there are any nerves before I stand up in front of everyone, they fall away while the music washes over me and my soul pours out in song.

Since moving to Brunei (or maybe since having the twins?), I haven’t taken time to pursue much creative outlet. And seeing as another thing that gives me life is community, I organized an Open Mic night. It was pretty much my perfect evening: music, friends, and Oreos. We had a lot of fun acts including piano soloists, singers, guitars, ukulele, and magic. I so enjoyed seeing our friends from the box sharing their talents. I mean, we all knew Reza could lift like a beast, but hearing him shred on a Ukulele was not something we all expected *wink*. 

I am really looking forward to our next Open Mic night! (Thanks to Adam for these pictures!)

Nadzri and his beautiful assistant Dan doing some magic

Karaoke around the piano at the end of the night

Duet!

and a little video of my first attempt singing in Malay! Thanks to Reza!

My friend, Nicole, is due to have baby #2 anytime now! She and I shared half of our first pregnancies together, became mamas within four months of each other, and are learning how to mama as neighbors. Imagine my joy as she enters this stage of life, parenting a toddler and a newborn. To celebrate Nicole and very soon-to-come baby boy, I threw her a baby shower with the help of a few friends.

We had the Mustache Bash at Emily's house, a few people brought some delicious desserts, and my mom-in-law helped me to set up and cut out so many props. Even the Mogard kids lent a hand in the preparations! We played a game called "guess the famous mustache" and another called "pin the mustache on the baby". Can't wait to meet Nicole and Justin's new little gentleman! (Thanks to Nicole for the pictures!)

Our group of gals! + Z :)

"Please, 'stache one away for later"

Tiffany DeHart
https://www.facebook.com/sweettiffanysdesserts

Long Time No See

It has been a while! With all of our traveling over the past month or two, something had to be put on the back burner. (Apparently I should have put more things on the back burner as I'm currently sitting in bed with an achey fever - product of doing a little too much perhaps?) But now we are back in Brunei, back in the swing of things.

I posted pictures almost everyday to my facebook and instagram accounts during the trip, but for those of who don't indulge in those forms of social media, here's a little overview of our time back in the states.

My favorite little brother married his high school sweetheart! They have been together just as long, if not longer, than the rest of us siblings and our significant others. To see them dedicate their lives to each other was an honor. These two knew what they wanted for their wedding day and not even the rain could put a damper on their celebration. I am overjoyed to have Kelsey as a "legal" sister and to see my brother with the one his heart loves.

If I were to detail every part of the trip, we'd be here all day (actually if this fever doesn't break soon I will have no choice but to be here all day anyway). We loved every minute of our time. Mostly, we spent a lot of time with a lot of friends and a lot of family. And here are more pictures to prove it.

As Of Late

We've been busy here! Getting the box ready to go (we're soooo close!), keeping these kiddos entertained/bathed/fed, and helping out friends that had serious medical issues with their son. But we are doing well now, minus a string of cold like symptoms floating about.

Here are a few pictures of the twinsies and some fun things we've done as of late!

I love matching outfits for the twins. I cannot stress that enough. I love them. These matching "I Heart Brunei" t-shirts were a perfect gift. Trying to get these two to sit still long enough to get a clear picture of them both smiling at the camera is now a near impossible feat. I was happy to get the majority of both their faces in the frame!

Our sweet friends had us over to their house for a swim! The twins really love playing in water. They were in there for close to 45 minutes and would've stay in longer if I hadn't taken them out. And all those little balls in the pool were like magic to them.

We had a nice little family outing to lunch and a park. It was 2 o'clock when we got on the playground, which is not an ideal time to play outside here. Even though it was short lived, the twins enjoyed walking/crawling on the grass and experiencing swings for the first time!

The twins discovered my tupperware drawer. It is a nice distraction for them while I make dinner or do the dishes. Ella is really into stacking and putting things into bowls, so she goes nutso for this.

We had these little cuties spend a couple days and a night with us while their parents were helping their little brother get healthy. It was over Easter, so they did a candy hunt, dyed eggs, and wore their Easter best. We enjoyed having them around and spending time with them!

The twins' birthday present from their Grandmas and Grandpas finally came in the mail! This fun teepee is all the rage right now in our apartment. They love to just walk/crawl in and out and in and out, bring toys inside, and play peekaboo from inside. I think it's just the cutest, which is why there are five pictures to follow!

Now we are getting ready for a visit home in less than a month and are bubbling over with excitement!