Greece in Pictures

Our first dinner in Greece..waiting for the ferry to Zakynthos.
The ferry ride took about an hour and a half.
The view from our room at the resort in Zakynthos.
Touring the Blue Caves.
Another great meal.
Snorkelling fun.

Sallie and Kyra on our boat trip to the Blue Caves.

Touring the ruins of Delphi with the Kenneys and the Weldons.
Sallie in front of the Taverna on our last evening.

Beach Day!
The mountainside in Delphi.

Now you have some pictures of our trip. We have stored away wonderful memories and all of us said we would love to go back. I hope we have more fun trips with the Kenneys and the Weldons in the future! :)

Blessings!

Mattie

Our Big Fat Greek Vacation!

Last week I didn't have a lot to say. But this week is a different story. :) Greece was amazing. As our wonderful hostess, Martha Weldon, repeatedly said..It was GOORORGEOUS. Martha and Glen have loved Greece for years and I think it took us about 10 minutes to understand why!! We were welcomed at the airport with big hugs and cool, sunny temperatures. Woo Hoo!!

From the Athens airport we travelled about 2 and a half hours to a ferry which took us to Zakynthos. And so began our wonderful visit to Greece. The week was full of laughter, relaxation, games, amazing vistas, and incredible food. On the agenda was a boat ride with snorkelling in the Ionian Sea, magnificent mountain views, brilliant blue waters, and more great food. :) We visited the ancient ruins of Delphi and spent a day at beautiful beach near Patras, where the Weldons live. We loved everything about Greece, but the food topped the charts!!! Greece is certainly one place that we could go back to over and over again.

I'm sorry I don't have pictures. I tried to upload them to the blog but for some reason it isn't working. I will add them later.

And the winner is....

My friend Katie, who wins contests all the time, won an electric piano for Robert. It's great cuz now Robert doesn't have to go up to my Japanese friend's house to practice. What was the contest? Well, kids 8 an under called into the radio and sang a song. Katie's 4 year old daughter sang I Love Rock and Roll and won!!! We have a piano now. Too fun. Katie will also be teaching Sallie voice lessons..and both Sallie and Robert are taking speech from her as well. It's going to be a busy year.

I'm not blogging a lot. Truth is, this week has been pretty routine. Strange that this feels so much like home. When we got here two years ago I never thought it would be hard to think of things to blog about. I did chuckle on the way home from trying to buy a piano stand, though. I was casually waiting for the light to change. As I stared at the car in front me I realized that I was staring at a sunvisor spread across the back windshield. Yep. The funny thing was..it took me awhile to even register that it was there!! :) I sure enjoyed driving in Texas this summer. Ahhh, the good ol' days.

Ramadan ends next week. And we will be taking a week in Greece visiting friends. I will have lots to write about then. :)

Reunited!!

Sallie and Diana
Ryan with our friends Mark and Marganne.
The neighborhood gang...Cindy, me, Pat, Marla and Jeannie..Marganne had left already.
Austin, Josh Helmreich and Robert
My Tres Dias girlfriends...Pat, Kathy, Candy, Carol and me

After 60 days back in the US, we returned to Abu Dhabi. I'm still thinking about everything we did this summer and for me, I can sum it up in one word: Reunions.

In June we had our reunion with Hildebrands at our nephew Kent's wedding and Mom Hildebrand's birthday party. Thru out the summer I was blessed to see so many friends. From Austin,, with my dear college friend Kim, and my terrific son Russell, to El Paso where I saw my sister and Adrian as well as my oldest friend Sandy and her sister who joined me there. Back in Dallas my girlfriends from my old neighborhood gathered for the first time in 3 years and we spent two nights together talking nonstop. There was Ryan's graduation party where many of our friends gathered to celebrate with us. And everyday I was reunited with old friends. It was a wonderful two months! Naturally, staying with the Fords was a great reunion! It takes some special people to open their home to guests for two months, especially as they had only been in the US for three weeks themselves. We all had so much fun together.

Now we are back in Abu Dhabi. It was hard to leave all my friends. It was hard to leave my two babies..ok, college boys, back on another continent. It was hard to leave the mild Texas weather and the mild days in the Ford's backyard pool. But all that being said..It's been wonderful being

reunited with Mike. He was waiting for us at the airport and it is great being together again.

So now I am back to blogging...

Hope you all had a wonderful summer, too!!

There's a Red Raider in the House

One difficult thing about living halfway around the world is leaving our kids over here. Being so far from Russell these last two years has sometimes been really, really hard. Having friends here who let him crash at a moments notice in their extra bedroom, and feed him real meals when he comes through makes it a bit easier when we say our goodbyes. Another thing that helps is Russell loves Austin and the University of Texas.

This summer when we say goodbye, it will be to Russell AND Ryan. Oh boy. Ryan returned from Lubbock and Texas Tech orientation on Tuesday evening. He came carrying Tech paraphernalia and lots of fun details about his future residence. In other words, he sounded excited about his eminent move to the far west. Again, Mike and I are thankful for this and for an old friend of Ryan's who lives in Lubbock and made him feel so welcome when he went up there!! It makes it easier knowing they will be there for him.

As for our summer? Still having fun with friends. Still missing Mike a lot. Still very thankful for this wonderful home to stay in with our dear friends...

So we've been here a month. One month to go.

Hope everyone is having a good summer.

The Other Side of Normal

I parked at the gas pump and waited for the man to come fill my car and clean my windshield. I stared at the pump trying to remember how to put in the credit card. I hesitated on turning left..could I do that there? But I didn't hesitate to blast my horn at a big semi that about to cut me off. Back off, Jack. But the big question is....can I make it through the car wash on my own? without the guy there to tell me go..stop...? I just don't know.

Just some funny things from our second week here, but generally we've moved right back into our routine. The kids have had time with their friends. I've had time with mine. Early mornings are the best. I hear birds and crickets, not water pumps and cement trucks. The breeze is refreshing and does not bring truckloads of sand with it. Cars stay in their lanes. And most of the time I can ask a question or change my mind and the whole place does not go into a tailspin. :)

But you know what? I miss Abu Dhabi. Not the heat. or the noise. But the people. Our friends there and our routines there. I think all of us miss it a bit. I guess that's how it needs to be or we wouldn't go back. Course it would be easier if Ryan and Russell were with us. Or if Mike were here and not way over there right now. But we're having a good summer. Blessed to be here with the Fords. Looking forward to the rest of the time with friends. It's all good.

Family

The harvest.
Sallie and Robert.
Cousins
Grandma's front porch
Birthday celebration
Kent and Bekah
The Macarena :)
Cousins

On June 25th we landed in Dallas. Hugged the Fords. Hugged the Pearces. Hugged Ryan and a bit later hugged Russell. Friday morning we loaded into the car and headed to Kansas. Hugged Grandma at the hotel in Junction City and pretty soon after that crashed into bed. :)

Saturday was Kent's(Mike's oldest brother's oldest son) wedding. Saw many relatives and old friends and danced at the reception. Well, Russell and Robert and Sallie danced. Mike and I smiled and visited with family and new friends, who will be moving to Abu Dhabi to teach.

Sunday we were on the road again, headed to Stafford and Grandma Hildebrand's 80th birthday!!!Stories, laughter, tears and more stories filled the evening. Appreciation for the blessings we have experienced as a family confirmed to us that making that long trip was worth it ten times over.

Monday was filled with some of my favorite things....visiting and coffee on Grandma's front porch, cousins playing and hanging out, and Sallie and Robert riding on the Combine while the wheat was harvested. (i had to MAKE them do this but it is an experience i just think they had to have. :) and they both had fun, too! )

I'm a relative newcomer to the farming world. Just ask Mike's great family...:)...but over the years I have grown to love that part of my life. To stare over the endless wheatfields, to watch those huge, powerful machines cut acre after acre of wheat takes my breath away. It was good to be there.

Mike is back in Abu Dhabi now. It is not as fun with him gone. I'll write about Dallas later.

Mattie

Maybe Later

My friend Pattie smiled at me yesterday and said, "Hey, I was thinking about going to Dubai this weekend. Want to come? " My eyes pop open wide, Oh man, good friend... but DUBAI???? Please not that. Even with Abu Dhabi slowly emptying of all our friends, I just could not stomach another visit to Dubai.

Not that my last visit to Dubai with my family here wasn't great. Or the weekend with all the ladies in April. Or the visit with my Kansas family in March..All of those visits were wonderful. I just could not go again, so soon. :) Maybe when we have more visitors I'll go back. Maybe.

Right now I'm getting geared up for our own summer evacuation. Won't be long now. But really, if anyone comes to see us, I'll take them to Dubai again. I'm getting pretty good at the tour. Dancing fountains by the Burj Al Arab. Atlantis hotel and aquarium on the Palm. And of course, Ski Dubai. But for now, I just can't wait to hug my boys in Texas and catch up with all our family and friends.

It was a whirlwind week for us. Diana, Adrian and Martin showed up on Sunday evening and things started happening. I remember telling my friend Pat, when she moved to Bulgaria, that one of the best things about moving away was having people come see you and waiting for them to get off the plane. Those feelings of anticipation, the smiles on everyone's faces, and the hugs are just the best. And Sunday night we had it in spades. It was especially great because they were here for Ryan's graduation.

What a week! We toured Abu Dhabi. We toured Dubai. We toured Al Ain. For only being here 6 full days. They saw a lot! :) But for me? The highlight was sharing Ryan's special day with my family. They got to hear his speech as Senior class president. They were with us to host his senior party at the Kenney's(who graciously allowed us to use their villa for the party). Adrian and Diana cooked fajitas, carrying on the tradition that was started at Russell's party 3 years ago. (Has it only been 3 years?????) Present at the party were many of the friends who have made this last two years so very special...what a gift. I love that my family got to connect with our life over here. Now we have had Hildebrands and Deahls experience the "exotic life of Arabia"...hah. :)

Watching our second son complete this important milestone and finish strong filled us with pride. His speech as Senior Class president challenged not only the kids on that stage but many of the parents as well. Including his mom and dad. And he gave it in his own Ryanesque way..leaning over the podium(as it was too short for him), relaxed, poking fun at himself. My tears came later, but Diana said she cried enough for the both of us. Many other moms came up and said they cried,too. I can say, as did my sister, that it was the best graduation we ever attended. There was no keynote speaker. The principal shared a few words, as did the Superintendent, but most of the ceremony was done by the students. Well done.

I also shared with Pat, that one of the hardest things about living overseas is watching the people who come visit you walk thru the gate to leave. Well, Ryan left with Diana and Adrian and Martin Saturday nite. And suffice it to say...Mike and I are still reeling. He leaves a hole over here that cannot be filled. I'm glad that waiting in Dallas..after his quick trip to Ireland, are many who await him with anticipation, and smiles and hugs. Including that other special son of ours....

And Mike and I? We keep leaning in to Jesus, knowing His love is greater still and His plan perfect. So very thankful for the privilege of shepherding our kids and sharing in their journeys.

Prom Night

Ryan went to his senior prom on Friday night.  He had a ball. Someone stop the train. I want to get off. But I guess I better hang on...pretty soon it will be Robert. Yikes.

Heating Up

We have been busy these last few weeks. As the weather heats up...so does our life!  Many times I have thought, I need to blog about that, but then another activity springs up and I forget. 

I decided today to get something done before my sister, brother in law and nephew arrive on Sunday.(Which I am very excited about!)

Here are some pictures of what we have been doing.  Our new friends the Millers from Illinois moved here in Feb. for only 4 months.  These last two weeks Kathy wanted to do a lot with her kids so we went along for the ride. :) Here are the 3 boys with Sallie and Robert, just before they all hit the slopes at Ski Dubai.  After that we went to Dubai Mall-the biggest mall in the world, next to the tallest building in the world, with the largest singing fountains in the world..blah blah blah. Anyway, it was fun. :) I have mentioned in a previous blog that Robert likes the Dubai Mall for one reason..Taco Bell. He was happy. 

 We also attended a field trip with the Millers in Sharjah( got lost coming home. driving there is like driving in a black hole.) last week.  The Islamic Civilization museum.  The picture below is Sallie building a mosque with a new friend from Dubai.  All the kids built mosques, not something we ever did in North Dallas.....:)   

And Sallie finished up her watercolor painting class for the semester.  The last picture is her art show day.  My friend Marty Stewart taught several kids this spring and Sallie loved every minute of it. 

Not shown: pictures of our new curtains. Woo hoo! or the night at the Cuban Salsa concert with our friends Chris and Moira. I still would love to move to Cuba. Sigh.  or pictures of our 26th anniversary...yesterday.   

And soon to come? Pictures of  Ryan's prom and graduation! 

By the way, hitting 113 degrees pretty regularly now.  Yep. Texas may feel chilly. :) 

  

 

Cooking with Andrew

I remember years ago hearing a sermon using the words New Normal. You know, how you get used to certain things and they become normal to you and that becomes your new normal, or something like that. Well, in August, we will have lived here for 2 years so some things really have become normal to us. Daily life: taking Ryan to school, buying groceries, teaching Sallie and Robert, going to church, eating out with friends, going shopping( for some people that's normal....) going to work, attempting to build buildings and so on.

And then SATURDAY happens! Our small group planned a luncheon not just for ourselves but to invite new friends to. People we have met at work or thru school or homeschooling, or where we live. We called it a mixer. And we had our friend Andrew cook. Andrew is a chef from Kenya who we met at church. He came to AD as a chef at the Emirates Palace. When he got here they cancelled that position and hired him as a security guard. He lives in a labor camp. He loves Jesus. His smile lights up the room and his heart, well, forgive me, but it's bigger than Dallas. :) You see, Andrew sends his money back to Kenya to support his family and they need a cow. If they had a cow his wife could move to some land they have in the country with the children and support themselves. Then they wouldn't have to be in the city. So we asked Andrew to cook for our luncheon. For 6 hours he and his Sous chef..Ryan Hildebrand...chopped and grilled and stirred and blessed us with some amazing food. It was a banquet(no surprise there..Andrew has cooked for the vice president of Kenya, yeesh). We took up donations and Andrew is able to buy his cow with some left over to buy some tea trees to plant as well.

So as we were leaving the Kenneys that evening after cleaning up, Andrew, who had just called his wife in Kenya, came over to all of us. With that beautiful grin stretching from ear to ear he said, " God He is moving here today. I see God in all of you. He is moving. I'm so happy. " and more...with tears almost spilling over. From his eyes and ours.

I love that kind of normal. Have a great day.

Sallie turned 14 this month. We had our family dinner celebration. She chose stroganoff with a strawberry cheesecake for dessert. Naturally, like all parents we have a hard time accepting the passage of time and that our little girl is growing up. We are very blessed with 4 amazing kids....but could they please stop growing so fast??? Russell is 21!!! No way!! Ryan graduating from high school and headed to be a Red Raider! Really??? Already??? And then we have Robert..turning 11 in one week. Stop! I want to get off. :)

For a party for Sallie we invited friends to show up at the beach. I brought cupcakes and drinks. We spent the day hanging out. Kids swam and played Red Rover. Then we watched the Red Bull Air races over the water. Fun day.

Mike and I took a walk the other day. Laughingly, we talked about what we don't take for granted anymore. Clean windows. Parking spaces. Green grass. Quiet nights. Seeing family and old friends without jet lag kicking us or them. Cars that don't honk at us. And then, we were honest with ourselves....what we would miss about living here: Chilis and everyone else who delivers to our front door. Walking along the beach a block from our apt. Making friends with people from all over the world. Full service gas stations. Every once in awhile it is good to count your blessings. :)

So, one more blessing? Perspectives finished last night. 20 people completed the 15 week course. It was good. I've included a picture of the signs my friends, Patty and Marty, painted for the class. The words represent each week's theme.

By the way, 104 degrees today. Kind of miss those April showers bringing May flowers. :)

Abu Dhabi's Finest

Had my first experience with the police this week. I got a call Monday evening after Perspectives from my friend Patty. Her car was hit at a stoplight by a driver who turned too widely from the side road and then smacked Patty's bumper. He then waved at her as if to say "Oh, it's nothing!" and drove off. You know what? He was right. Just a ding and scratch. Unless you are driving a rental car. If that is the case, as with Patty and Barry, then you MUST have a police report or you have to pay for the repairs. With a report the rental agency takes care of it. Not a bad deal. Unless you are the one trying to get the police to come and write up the report. Needless to say, Barry and Patty spent the next 2 hours trying to chase down the police to get the report. They called the number and after waiting awhile were sent out to a police station, who then sent them back to the scene to wait some more. By then they were starving. They went to eat. Barry went home(early early day the next day) and Patty called me to come sit with her as it was getting late, and she did not want to sit outside alone waiting. We sat outside waiting for the police. I guess we were there about an hour before they came. Patty drew and acted out the accident. I was there for moral support and comic relief. :) The English was minimal so it was pretty entertaining.....
Got the report and were told to go to another station with it. Which we did. By now it is 10:30 or so. No other women around. Awkward. As Patty gets her turn, the policeman says..You have No objection Letter? Uh..no. Come back tomorrow with letter from Insurance. Sigh. Ok.
End of my story?
Nope. Next day Mike gets scratched all the way down the side of his car. Could be somebody keyed him. Not sure. Can't get any repairs here without that police report. He calls. He waits. Then is sent to police station. I ride with him. Can't find it. Calls again. Sent back to scene. We wait. and wait. We leave. He calls again. Go to this station. Ok. We will...another day. :)
By the way. Patty was told at the Rental agency that they take care of all of it. Just give them the papers. And here's a different car. Now THAT was good news!!!! :) Our issue not resolved yet. But, oh well!
Happy Spring ,Everyone. We're off to church and then tomorrow to the beach for an informal birthday party for Sallie. Everyone is invited. I'm just bringing cupcakes. :)