I DID IT!!

Now there are certain things here in our area, that whether we see them once or a zillion times, we still comment on the oddity it is to us.  Something that was on my list that I wanted to do before I leave was to take a picture of this sign in front of this specific mosque on the way back to Al Ain from Abu Dhabi.  Today, as Jen and I made our way back home she indulged my photographic need to take this particular picture...  I was thrilled!!  It has been on my list of pictures to take for years now.  CHECK!

NOTE:  I took it in a rush as to not get either of us in trouble...  I know it could of been better, but hey I have the picture on record for posterity sake.  Jen is that little speck laying by the mosque, under the window. : ) 

CHECK

RAH RAH SIS BOOM BAH


I have made a list of things that I or our family would like to see. taste. experience before we leave this amazing land.
One of the things that came to mind for all of us was that we wanted to go quad biking out in the dunes. Our friend Brad, took us to this cheap little place with Made in China bikes. The thing we said at the end was, "Why didn't we do this sooner???" Isn't that what you always say in these situations? But, the evening was amazing... beautiful sunset. untouched sand with ripples that remind me of untouched snow. lots of laughter. lots of bikes getting stuck. conquering my fear of large dunes and learning from Amy how to take on a dune with grace and ease. letting Ally (4 yrs old) take me on the ride of my life. and last but not least redemption for all cheerleaders!!!!

LEAVING WELL...

How does one start one of these blogs???
I have started, erased. Started, erased about 5 times now.
The reason for starting this particular blog came from a need to process. I have contemplated how it would be best to say goodbye to Oman and the UAE and begin to walk this new path. We were with friends recently and the subject of conversation was HOW TO SAY GOODBYE WELL, leaving a place that we have embraced mentally, emotionally, physically and spiritually over the last 8 years. They suggested that we begin by picturing a suitcase. Then, asking ourselves what we want to take with us on our journey, but also, what we want to leave behind. Then, there is that pile of stuff that can go either way ... if there is room take it, if not leave it behind. I think it is quite easy to do that with many physical things. Walking around the house ... Our bed...take it. Legos... take them. Desk... leave it. You get my point. But, it is the emotional things I think it will take time to sort through and thankfully I have already started.
I find myself looking out the window as Marlen is driving trying to imprint pictures that I love to take mentally over and over again that makes this place home. There is a woman that sits in her yard and sometimes outside the fence on the sidewalk. She is beduoin and she is pretty old. I look for her every time we drive by. Some in my family would call this stalking. I beg to differ. She lives in this old run down delapidated home for Al Ain standards. She has the main street coming into Al Ain out side her front door. She is always dressed in her abaya and her shayla. I can almost picture her hands all wrinkly and *prune-like* from the years of being in the sun. I love how she seemingly does the same simple things each day. Her life seems so uncomplicated. I wish I could just sit and listen to her tell stories of how she has watched Al Ain grow and change in size and culture.
It is things like this that I am contemplating. It is moments like this that I am savoring. I want to CELEBRATE what He has given us in these last 8 years and I want you to come along and enjoy them too! That is why I have started this blog.