fun with JJ!

We crammed so many "out of the house" activities in during JJ's first 4 days on the field that we were pretty wiped out by the time the team arrived on her 5th day. We had to do a few things around town to get ready for the team before they arrived but, once they were here, we spent most of our days at home making meals & taking care of the kids while Mark took care of the team from 8 am - 6 pm every day (& a few overnighters, too). 

When we had some "off" time during our schedule, we tried our best to get out of the house. As you've heard me say before ... there's not much to do around here! So we went to the playground at the office a few days & even ventured out on the town with just JJ, I & the kiddos ... with a little souvenir shopping (read: haggling) in there, too.

Let me just tell you that it's a whole lot easier said than done. Driving around here is more than half the battle ... plus fighting off beggars & everybody & their mama that wants to sell you something ... right then! right there! 2 inches from your face! I'm a little used to it but JJ definitely did not enjoy that part of being "out on the town"!

But onto brighter subjects ... like these 2 cutie patooties ... (PS - these are all JJ's pictures because I was too much of a loser to actually take more than 2 pictures while she was here!)

I know we've got a swing at our house now but sometimes you just need a change of scenery, you know? Isn't he just a doll? And he was pretty smitten with JJ, too!

Izzy loves pushing Luke in his swing & trying to help out. Such a great big sis!! (Please ignore the mess of a hair that Izzy has on her head. Every once in a while we try the ponytail versus the normal up-do & it just wasn't happening that day!)

Our day out on the town ... eating pizza at Amandine's! See how Luke's holding her hand & smiling so cutely? Love!

Cah-U-tee! JJ was SOOOO great to have around, especially at night! You know those people that don't ask if they can help (in a good way), they just see a need & get right in there & do it? Well Jennifer is one of those fabulous kind of people! I never once had to ask her, "Hey, can you hold him while I do this?" or "Can you finish Izzy's bath while I get Luke ready for bed?" Nope, not once. She just did it!

Izzy adores her cousin JJ! Jennifer brought Izzy some very special toys & a few movies, too ... speaking the child's love language. Many times I would find them curled up together on the guest bed watching a DVD together. And, of course, Izzy wanted no one else to brush her hair other than JJ! She's just got the magic touch!

Dishing out some smooches for JJ!

Isn't that just precious?

JJ's last night. Kids were a tad bit tired & ready for bed but we attempted one last shot of the 3 of them together. "E" for effort, right? 

And a last dinner together with the team at Le Pilier! JJ & I actually got to have a few girls nights out (thanks to my wonderful husband who stayed behind with the kids)! We did a little French restaurant (great food, creepy owner) and a Lebanese restaurant but great times at both!

Seriously, Jennifer's trip to Niamey could not have come at a better time. I've done hosting a team in our home by myself with the kids before but it is definitely not easy! Having JJ here to help with the kids, & even the meals, made that week a lot more stress-free. Plus, it was so great to just to have some "girl time" & talk about food, fashion, movies, & just catch up on life & family! We had some great, great conversations that I will hold on to for a very long time.

Thank you SO much Jennifer for coming to stinky, hot, dusty Niger for 14 days to love on me & my kids! You were a tremendous help & more than a blessing to us! We love you!