Day OneHundred-Nineteen

This is the reason I'm a bit behind on 365.  I've taken on the job as the photographer for the youth baseball/T-ball teams this year.  It's been a great learning experience and a fun way to strengthen MoeCakes as a business.  And when I get cuties like this....how can I complain?

Day OneHundred-Eighteen

Because I just can't get enough.

Day OneHundred-Seventeen

I'm back with a picture I took knowing it would be the photo of the day, just never got around to actually loading it.  This was taken out of my airplane window flying from Singapore to Jakarta last Thursday.  All I can think when I look at it is - So, that's heaven.  Just stunning.

Day OneHundred-Sixteen

Introducing Ms. Nur -
I've saved the best for last.  (We have one more security guard but he is on holiday until next week.)  Ms. Nur is the reason we survive in Indonesia.  She is the most hardworking and caring lady I know.  She does ALL the cooking (and I mean all - I've cooked maybe 10 times over the past year and a half), and I'm convinced she is the best cook in the expat community.  She also does all the cleaning, laundry, and care taking of the girls when I am out.  She lives with us Monday - Saturday (leaving at noon) and has never missed a day.  She spends more time with Lily as she is home at noon and I am often running around and handles her with ease and with the love of a grandmother, doing anything for her...sometimes too much!  She has coffee ready every morning, fresh squeezed juice, lunches made, backpacks packed and doesn't ever miss a beat.  It took 2 days for her to see how Jim and I made our coffee and has it prepared just right ever since.  She has a daughter in college that she saves the little she makes to pay for her education in Economics.  The best part is see her off when she leaves on Saturday afternoon.  She transforms into styled hair, makeup and dress and is off to take her day and half off with her family back in her kampung.  I will one day truly miss this lady.  We have the life we do in Jakarta, mainly, because of this woman.

Day OneHundred-Fifteen

Introducing Gatot -

Security guard number 3!!  Gatot is a man of few words...and honestly, because of that...I'm somewhat at a loss myself.  As well as it's Friday night, after a long week.  I will say, he is genuine, caring and aware of everything that is about to happen.  He opens the door to the house, to the car, to the bus - always a step ahead.  And he watches after the girls with complete sincerity...he will jog around the block while the ride their bikes if necessary.  Here's a perfect example.....

Day OneHundred-Fourteen

Introducing Irsan-

Another of our security guards who has been with us since the beginning, Irsan makes me laugh any time he is on duty.  He has the classic Indonesian response to anything I (or the girls) say, which is to smile, nod and say "ya!" when in fact, he has no idea what is coming out of our mouths.  But regardless, he will "converse" with Cakes for hours on end, helping to make tents, play soccer or whatever she insists at the moment.  Having 4 kids of his own (3 girls), he is pretty much a pro.  He was very nervous about getting his picture taken and has been hiding from me for the past couple days!  So this one had to be fast and unplanned!

They ALL think I'm crazy by the way....GILA BULE, that's me.

Day OneHundred-Thirteen

Introducing Lucman-

Lucman is our driver.  It is often said your driver is your most important staff member.  You depend on them like no other, entrust your safety and kids safety in them, and look to them if you are EVER in any sort of accident.  Drivers in Jakarta have to have more patience then any human alive.  I'm not sure how they do it.  At least when I am stuck in traffic I can drown myself in my iPhone, Pinterest, FB, my kindle, iPad....WHATEVER.  But to sit and fight the millions of motorbikes and cars following no rules?  No thanks.  He gets us from point A to point B....not always on time and not always with ease, but hey, we get there, right?  After the mess of drivers we dealt with the first 6 months in Jak, I'm thankful (most days) that we have him.  I've been known to secretly want to strangle him more than once ....His favorite saying is "I don't know Mrs."...and I consider him one of the best dressed Indonesians around.