Well here we are back in the UAE after spending the Christmas holidays with our family. It’s very weird to me this time. When we got here in August there was like one day that I can remember when I felt a slight feeling of being homesick. But everything was new and the unknown kept us on our feet! And then we moved from Abu Dhabi to Al Ain and all kinds of new experiences kept us busy! So this time we arrive at our villa and it was sort of like coming home and being greeted by neighbors and friends felt great. Then the night came and I was lying in bed starring at the ceiling and my mind started going on and on and on and I missed Houston sooooooo much! I finally fall asleep and wake up to a quiet house and my mind starts going again and I get that homesick feeling again. It’s driving me crazy! When we’re outside and the kids are playing and we chat with all of our awesome neighbors, things are good! It’s the quiet moments at home that are making me sad. Last night we did a game night with Angela and Yolanda and it was a lot of fun. When I get to bed that night I go back to those homesick feelings again! And I remind myself there are teachers here who are here with NO FAMILY! I should be glad that I have my wife and kids here with me, but I’m still sad to not be in Houston. And it’s not like I hate my job and this place – I really enjoy it! So hopefully once we get into a routine and get back into school, all these feelings will subside! Hopefully!!!! If not – not sure how I’ll cope with them! And I remind myself that we have family coming in March – that less time than we spent here in the fall – and that should help curb my feelings….well it doesn’t. I’ll throw an inshallah on that!
I am glad that the kids don’t ever say they miss Houston. That might make me actually cry for them! And then we’ll all be a hot mess! They were so excited to play with their friends! So that is definitely a positive I try to keep reminding myself of. They are very excited about going back to school too. Cole saw his teacher at church yesterday and gave her a big hug! He told her he is ready to go back tomorrow.
We’ve spent the last several days here just hanging out. Went to church – which stirred up the emotions too missing Pastor Neil and his awesomeness! Did grocery shopping and unpacked most of our stuff. However, there is a downside to unpacking – we have no room! No room for our clothes, no room for the kid’s clothes, and no room for the new toys they got for Christmas! So we hit up Daiso and got come baskets and stuff to organize the playroom. And our awesome handyman, Tony, is going to install a new rod to hang clothes in our wardrobe since they only have one rod – and we don’t have dresses – so once we get those installed the clothes can all be put away. And kids shoes – a hot mess! They’ve never had this many shoes – but the way they play and get dirty – having this many shoes will be a good thing. And on top of installing new rods – he has to fix our bed. The bed collapsed the other night. The way they do their “frames” is nuts. There are just some wood slats that go across from the left to the right and there are three wooden sticks that attempt to balance the center of the bed. And we heard one crack, and it was one of those moments where you knew more was coming so you don’t move and just wait to hit the floor. I got up, and then Jenn ended up with her head down and feet in the air. Should’ve taken a photo of that. It looked like some new sleeping technique.
Tomorrow school starts and while I’m ready to get back into a routine and get back to my normal feelings, I’m hoping that very few kids show up. They say it takes kids several days before they all start showing back up at school. So we’ll see what happens. In the mean time we’ll enjoy the awesome weather we have here this time of year! Lows around 60 and the high is around 80. Perfect!
The broken bed....gave lots of folks a laugh on the street when they heard us chatting with Tony about fixing the bed.
Where does she get this from?
Our game night pics - we played Headbandz - and it was a game the kids got but we enjoyed playing it. It's hilarious!
This game is The Last Straw and you take turns stacking the sticks on the camel's back and if any fall when it's your turn you collect the fallen sticks. The person to get rid of all their sticks first, wins!
Ben 10 - go figure! Cole's Christmas was more like a BEN TEN CHRISTMAS! I know the neighbors talked about us when he walked out in this outfit along with Ben 10 socks, and Ben 10 shoes. His underwear very well may have also been Ben 10!
Caralyn got out when we got home. She even put some on Mimi!
Cuties!
What a mess! It was exhausting unpacking these!
This holiday we all started becoming Angry Birds players! We all like the game now!
Beautiful sunrise in Simonton! Taken from my folks front yard.
We were reminiscing our Alief days! Good pic Frannie!
Jennifer got her hair straightened. Love it!
We even made it to see Uncle Jordan!
It was nice to be home when there was actually Winter! The cold weather reminded us to get some roasted marshmallows! Yummy!
Cutest Christmas photo ever!
I printed this photo because it was the first time I realized I had a timer on my camera and could take a whole family (my family and Jennifer's family) photo! We put it on the fridge but it just reminds me of what we're missing!
Stay Tuned...
No comments:
Post a Comment