Called In Again

Welcome back to base plant operations. Ugh. Brian has spent years supporting "projects." Now he supports day to day operations. He has been called in every single weekend to work since we arrived in Saudi. This morning (weekend) he got called and had to go to work at 3am. Poor man. And poor us. And he's late home from work a lot too. We sure had a sweet deal in Fairfax and Singapore! Now we have everyone else's life again and, as Ben would say, I don't love it. 

School Has Begun

First day solo with Ashlyn. Big kids are at school all day. Daddy at work. No Gina. Let's PLAY!

Wardrobe Fights

Madison and I butt heads over clothes. Daily. Here is what she wore today. I don't know who "won". She didn't wear nice silky skirts to play in the dirt. *Win for me* She didn't wear long sleeves or long pant variety winter clothes for the forecasted 110 def F. *Win for me* But she did successfully cover her entire leg with fancy boots so there will be no actual cooling of her body. *Win for her*

This was the third outfit she put on this morning. I can't wait for cooler weather so she can wear whatever she wants and not get heat stroke at recess. Yesterday Ben reported that she had worn the summer clothes I made her wear but came to recess in a jacket zipped shut with the hgood on. She has a good today on that t-shirt and wore it most the morning.

Saudi Arabia is Awesome

Driving through old Jubail my kids made up a new song. They have been singing the "Everything is Awesome" song from the Lego Movie. The new song written by Jacob is constant repeat of the words "Saudi Arabia is awesome!" I hope that means he is happy about the move. 

Saudi Arabia is Awesome

Driving through old Jubail my kids made up a new song. They have been singing the "Everything is Awesome" song from the Lego Movie. The new song written by Jacob is constant repeat of the words "Saudi Arabia is awesome!" I hope that means he is happy about the move. 

In Doha Now

We have had a very long day or more - I can't really tell how long we've been in transit anymore but I believe 24 hrs since we left Centerville. We have successfully separated in SLC and reconnected with Brian in Doha, Qatar. Things are changing already. It was 34 C / 93 F when we landed at 7pm and the women are covering more. The men look the same except a few in the traditional white clothing so far.

And of course the bathrooms. As I opened the stall I half held my breath having a conversation in my head. It's a nice airport - they won't be squatters. But maybe they will. I hope not. I'm too worn out to squat today. I was pleased to see a sitter but smiled to see it was all wet from the bum squirter hose. And the toilet paper was almost gone. Welcome back was all I could think.

One more one hour flight to go then customs/luggage/visa/immigration and then a one hour drive home. We will be home about 11:30 pm I would estimate. Then they can run around and tour the house and crash for a sleep in morning while Brian goes off to work.

30 Hours of Travel

August 13, 2014

We finally made it to our new home after 30 hours of traveling. We arrived at home at midnight without Brian. He had ordered two cars to pick us up knowing we had 6 people and a LOT of luggage. 14 checked pieces of luggage plus 6 small backpacks and a roller bag I kept because Ashlyn was vomiting just two hours before we left for the airport and I felt confident I had better have a suitcase full of wardrobe changes for both her and I. Luckily neither of us needed them. Then we had three lost bags and that took well over an hour to file the claim. Finally, Brian we for to the curb only to see another problem. One SUV and no car seats. Brian sent us home in the first car alone, sans car seats, and he waited at the airport another hour for them to dispatch a second SUV to the airport to get him and the remainder of the luggage.

It wasn't quite the joyful, togetherness filled homecoming we had imagined after five months apart - him handing me a key and saying good luck but that's okay. We got home at midnight and had to search for the house because I didn't actually know where I lived. He arrived a little after 1 am. We had already worn out all the light switches and found a fee surprises he left us.

Everyone got peanut butter and jelly sandwiches with bread he had stashed in the freezer before he left. Then it was to bed by 2 am. Ashlyn slept a solid 60 minutes before waking up from her nap to play. We put her in our bed and tried to make the best of it but I don't think Brian or I slept at all from 3:30 am to 6:00 am when the poor guy had to go to work. He said goodbye to Ash and then two minutes later she began to wail. Daddy had left her. AGAIN. She was so angry and heart broken. When he came back to the bedroom to brush his teeth in the bathroom she was consoled and I grabbed the iPad to distract her from his next attempt at leaving.

The three big kids are all crashed in their beds. I'm hoping they sleep very late and kick this jet lag thing in the butt quickly. Brian works today and tomorrow then it's the sabbath so at least he only has to survive two days before he can sleep in. And I hope when Ashlyn naps today that I can put on a movie for the big kids and have a long snooze myself.