Catching Up With Camryn

"The day the Lord created hope was probably the same day he created spring."
Yesterday was the first I have seen Camryn for a little over 3 weeks.  Her vocabulary has grown right along with her body.  Her eyes are still so blue, her hair a little messy and she still remembers her Mam.  I was worried that she would be a little shy with me but I worried for nothing.  She was her sweet little self full of smiles and hugs.  After she took an extra long nap, we had a good time playing.  She loved the plastic Easter eggs I took for her.  Can't wait to see her again!

Not Lovin' The Carseat

"Laughter and tears are both responses to frustration and exhaustion."
Baby J hates riding in the car.  This is what we listened to almost every time we went somewhere.

My precious baby, I felt so sorry for him.  Heard today that he isn't sleeping well.  I think he misses his MamMam!!

Home

"Home is where you can say anything you like cause nobody listens to you anyway."
It was raining in NYC when I got off the plane and felt so cold.  I was so thankful for my nieces husband, Tim.  He was guiding me, on cell-phone, how to get to the train.  If it weren't for him, I'd still be wandering around NY!

It was so nice to get hugs from my nieces and nephews and finally be able to relax after the LONG plane ride.  I gave the boys their t-shirts, from Dubai, and crashed on the sofa.  The next morning, Alex wore his to school.

I

I was up around 3 AM on Thursday morning, looked out the window and saw it snowing.  It was so funny to be in 80 degree weather one day and 30 degrees the next day.  Driving home through the Poconos was beautiful.  The snow looked so white after being in the desert for 2 weeks.

It hadn't snowed in Middleburg and I was anxious to see the kids.  Their hugs felt so good and they loved the soccer kits I brought home for them.  It feels so good to be home, but I am still shedding some tears for my babies in the UAE.  They are so precious and I won't be seeing them again until July.

Carl, Troy, Christopher, Cole and Carter went to New Jersey yesterday to see the USA Men's National Team game.  I was just too tired to go along but will be at Cole and Carter's games this afternoon.  Monday it's back with the girls and Tuesday I finally get to play with Camryn.  I'm anxious to see her in the Manchester City kit I brought back.

Missing my "far away family" but am so thankful that I got to spend a wonderful 2 weeks with them. Love you, and thank you for making me feel so welcome, loved and at home.

Leapfrog

"Pleasure is the flower that passes, remembrance, the lasting perfume."

When we got home from the refuge, the kids had a good time playing in the yard.

Even Baby J got involved in the play.

In 8 hours, I need to say goodbye to my babies.  The tears are already starting to flow.  It's going to be so hard.

Animal Refuge

"Enjoy the little things, for one day you may look back and realize they were the big things."

On Monday, we went to an animal refuge that was funded by the Crown Prince.  These animals were all rescued from bad situations.  Some of the female lions were declawed and had their teeth cut in half.  Our guide said that was very painful for the lions because of the nerves in their teeth being exposed.  They brought in a special animal dentist from South Africa to fix them.

The enclosures for the animals were huge with pools of water, shade trees and AIR CONDITIONED huts !   It gets to be 120 degrees here in the summer.   We also saw some of the Sheik's huge  dogs that he boards there. 

It was hot and we had to walk through the sand.  The kids were so good but got tired, so we took turns carrying them on our shoulders.

Shopping

"Carry laughter with you, wherever you go."



Today we went shopping in Dubai.  I loved it.  There were so many different things at the market.  We had lunch by the river under palm trees.  It was almost 80 degrees and just beautiful.  It was a long day, but the kids were so good.  Spent some money!!

I also got to see the tallest building in the world.

There was a ski slop inside this mall.

Our lunch under the cabana and palm trees.

Here are a few of our purchases.

Tomorrow is the zoo and the Embassy.

The Family Beach

"Laughter is an instant vacation."

Finally able to post.  The internet hasn't been working so it's been difficult to keep up with the posts.  We went to the family beach and it was beautiful!  The water was so blue and so warm.  We didn't get many big shells, because we were behind the island facing the ocean.  The shells we did get were very tiny but I love them.  The day was perfect.  Warmy, sunny with a breeze.