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Hello
I've been lurking around from time to time, but haven't been posting much lately here. I just wanted to pop in and say hello and that I miss being in the same time zone as you guys.
Life in Saudi Arabia has been good so far, though I do miss family and friends a lot. Unfortunately, DH has to go to Jeddah for two weeks for work so it'll just be me and the kids. That's life in the FS. We're gong to try to fly out for a weekend and visit him though. It'll be nice to go to the beach and be in a more liberal city (by Saudi standards anyway) for a couple of days.
At the end of August we're going to go to Sri Lanka with the kids for Eid al-Fitr. We're excited to plan the trip and having that to look forward to will make the two weeks without DH easier.
How is everyone around here doing? It looks like a baby was born, there was another big BFP announcement, and there are a few more babies due very very soon. Anyone have any fun vacation plans coming up? Jena, have you left for the Bahamas yet or is that this weekend?
Re: Hello
Hi! Nice to see you on the board!
I've been following your blog religiously. I have had a hard time figuring out how to comment using google, but I think I finally figured it out. I really enjoy reading it, it's so interesting how much alike yet how different it is there. Thank you so much for sharing and taking the time to write it. I'm so living vicariously through you!
We've been slow here
Jena left for the Bahamas today so it will be even slower. But we all still seem to pop in occasionally and check in.
I have 2 trips coming up! H's buddy's wedding in Ohio end of August and my oldest friends wedding in NY October 1. I'm really excited for the NY wedding because I haven't seen the leaves change since I've been in FL (since 2000). I grew up in the Adirondacks and her wedding is at a remote camp called White Pines that is only open and accessible in the summer. It will be beautiful. I'm currently searching for cute maternity clothes, because at 17 weeks I look like 6 or 7 months.
Sorry to hear your H has to leave for 2 weeks, and it was sad to hear about missing your friends wedding, but at least you have such a beautiful friendship with them, that is a great gift. It's not like weren't there because you didn't want to be. It's clear how much you love them. Hopefully planning for your own excursion will make the time fly. That's one thing about time, man it sure does fly. I'm almost halfway to being a mom...a time barrier must be broken! I'm excited to hear about the beach and definately Sri Lanka! How coooool!
Hi, Sara! I can't believe you're almost halfway through your pregnancy already either! I can't wait to see pictures of the bambino! I sympathize with the big bump- I was huge by 20 weeks with DS. Towards the end I was getting jokes about carrying twins or triplets daily. Best of luck finding cute maternity clothes!
Your trips sound like fun. How cool to go to a wedding right when the leaves are starting to change. Man, I miss leaves of any kind! I hope you'll take pictures and share them!
Thanks for reading the blog and I'd love to hear from you if you ever have time to comment. The blog is my way of feeling like I'm still connected to the world outside of Saudi Arabia! Even though we're having fun here and it's been a great adventure, I miss friends, family, and the freedom of living in the State daily!
I'm herrrrrrrreeeee for today. We leave for Palm Beach tonight & we cross tomorrow.
I'm super duper stupid tired. I can not stay up late and get up early.
I pink puffy heart COPs blog!
ETA: Sara, I think target has some cute maternity stuff.. I only know bc I read a blog, Daily Garnish, and the writer is pregnant. She's gotten a lot of cute maxi dresses and some cute shirst from Target.
Hi ChangeofPace...
I'm new to this board. I have only posted once b/c my husband and I are getting ready to leave DC for life on the West Coast of Florida. Not near the change you are experiencing in Saudi Arabia. My in-laws used to live in Qatar and we almost moved there. I love the Middle East if only there was less conflict.
If you have time head over to Qatar and check out the new museum. We also went to Dubai but I thought that was extremely overrated... unless of course you want to do some indoor snowboarding. My husband did that and loved it.
I have also been to several places in Egypt and you may enjoy a trip there while your in Saudi Arabia. Not sure how much leisure time you get but that is just my two cents.
I would love to read your blog... how do I get to it?
Hope you are surviving the very warm weather.
Me too!
I hope you guys are settled in ok! When does your DD start school over there? Is she excited? How long are you guys going to be over there? Sorry for all the questions! 
Yay, you're still here so I can have fun in the Bahamas! I know you're going to be fishing your little heart out! A much deserved vacation for you and Chris (and your dad).
Hi, Jen! I can imagine that the puppies and work keep you very busy. I know there are lots of great places for getaways close to where you are. Sometimes short little trips are the best way to keep your sanity!
I'm sorry to hear about the family drama. I understand feeling the need to be cautious about disclosing that kind of stuff online. I often wish I could vent about my family on the blog, but they all read it ;-) You can always PM me if you ever need to vent though. I'm good at keeping secrets and I am quite familiar with family issues. I hope you're having a great summer!
ETA: Oh and Eid al-Fitr is the celebration of "the breaking of the fast". At the end of Ramadan everything closes down for a week and there are celebrations and feasts and many people take trips to be with their families. Kind of like Christmas for us. The embassy will be closed for a week so we're taking advantage of the time off.
Hi, DCBride! When are you guys moving down to FL again? It sounds like you'll be coming just in time for the beautiful weather or fall and winter. You're going to love it!
That's really cool that your ILs were in Qatar. We hope to make it to Doha at some point while we're here. My hope is that, in addition to Sri Lanka, we'll be able to make it to Jordan, Egypt, India and maybe Turkey if we're lucky. I'd also love to go to Israel, but I think the extra hoops required to travel there from Saudi might be more than we can handle with small two kids in tow. Any recommendations you have for Egypt, Doha, and Dubai would be much appreciated!
I'll PM you a link to my blog if you want to check it out.
Hi, Jen! How is that baby girl of yours doing? How has it been being back at work? Are you back to working nights or are you on days now?
DD starts school after Labor Day. The school is calendar is pretty similar to back home because it's an American international school. She's super excited as she's met some friends already and wants to have a chance to hang out with them more. We'll be here for two years. Lots of time to explore!
I'll PM you a link to the blog.
She is doing great, thanks!
Her little personality is starting to come out and I love it! I love all her smiles and giggles and funny faces. It makes me sad that she is getting bigger, but I love watching her grow and change and learn new things. It's so much fun! Work sucks and it's hard to leave her, but I am loving being back PT. I am still on nights so we don't have to put her in daycare or hire a sitter. It is hard, but worth it for us. I usually work one day during the week and either Friday or Saturday (so at least H is there and I can sleep more), but I took this weekend off for H's bday today.
2 years is a good amount of time! Not too long, not too short. I can't wait to read your blog!
Most definitely we'll have to PM vent sometime. Actually, I'll PM you my e-mail. E-mail venting is even better.
I'm getting a little more brave about taking pictures. I will definitely be taking a million in Sri Lanka.
I forgot that you went back part-time. That is so wonderful that you have been able to avoid using day care. How is she sleeping?
I know what you mean about them growing up too fast. It makes me sad to think that my baby days may all be in the past!
Hi! I was just thinking about you last night. In Beckett's room, he has a big map the world on his wall, and at the bottom of it it has flags from the different countries. Last night, he picked out the one from Saudia Arabia, and we were showing him the country and where the capital was, and I was telling my H that is where you were.
Glad to hear from you and that all is well. I hope the 2 weeks your H is gone go by quickly and that you get to go for a weekend. Your trip to Sri Lanka is such a cool thing to get to do.
I keep forgetting to look at your blog. I've been struggling to keep up with blogs since coming back from a vacation at the beginning of the month, but I'm going to remember to check yours out.
Ha- I have a funny story about showing affection. The first time DH and I ventured out together at this high-end mall in Riyadh, we were walking and I reached out and put my hand on DH's arm to get his attention. I swear that he jumped away from me so fast and whispered really loudly "Don't do that here!" They're strict here, but not that strict. He has since calmed down a bit. As long as you're married, you can hold hands and no one's going to hassle you.
Honestly, I might go crazy here if I wasn't working or if my family wasn't with me, but there's a lot I can deal with and keep a good sense of humor about when I have things to keep me busy and have my hubby around to vent to and cuddle with at night.
BTW, I checked out your blog and Etsy shop the other day. I love how you're turning recycling into a form of art!
Ellie ~ 3.29.12
Wedding | Blog
Hi, Kendra!!!
Thanks for posting, I have been thinking about you. I'm glad to hear you guys are keeping busy. That's no fun about H leaving but at least you have something to look forward to, hopefully that helps pass the time.
Can you PM me your blog link? I remember seeing it before but I wasn't following you...I want to see what is going on
Talk to you soon!
Thanks!
I love your new siggy pic. I can't believe how big Brooke and Mason have gotten!
Hi, Mayette! I can only imagine how busy you must be with those two little girls. How is Juliana handling having a little sister? They are so adorable!
To answer your question, I'm working in the education advising office at the embassy helping students that want to study in the U.S. It's a really great job. Very very busy, but very rewarding and I get to go to all of the fun events that the public affairs section sponsors, so that's nice too. I teased DH that I got to go to a reception at the Ambassador's house before he did.
I've been keeping up with your blog too. I love reading about all of your adventures. Now I totally want to go to Niagara Falls when we're back state-side. You should write your memoirs someday. Between your work and your travels and adventures in NYC, it would be an interesting read.
How funny that Beckett picked out Saudi Arabia of all places!
Where did you go on vacation? Did you guys have a nice trip? How is Maisy doing?
Hi, Lauren! I owe you an e-mail. We need to catch up! I'll write you soon!
I will PM you the link.
I am so happy that you have somehow, by some miracle manipulation of the time-space continuum, found the time to keep up with your blog. I love seeing pictures of the twins!
I would love the link to your blog as well. I've always been interested with life outside the US.
Glad to hear all is going well for you all and that you have some trips planned, I'd love to read about them and your journey over seas.
Planning Bio | Married Bio
Family Blog
I'll PM you the link.
How are you feeling these days (rude comments from strangers aside)? I can't believe your baby is almost here!