Monthly Archives: May 2011
Exciting stuff…
This post is dedicated to my two beautiful sisters…
First off my little sister, Aubrey (whom I call, “little one”) graduated from nursing school last weekend!! I am so excited for her and proud beyond belief. She has worked so hard the last two years to finish strong and with honors! She hopes to be a labor and delivery nurse (would love it if she could be my nurse one day..). She takes the biggest test of her life, the Nclux- which is the test you have to pass to be a “real” nurse, on Wednesday. I know that she would appreciate your prayers. She is also the reason we get to come home this summer because she is getting married! What an exciting summer for her! I couldn’t be happier for her and am so thankful for the guy God brought into her life. Can’t wait to celebrate with you in a few weeks Aubs- congrats!
Isn’t she gorgeous?!
The other exciting stuff I have to share is that I am going to be an…
AUNTIE!!
I found out this week that Brooke, my older sister, is prego! I cannot tell you how excited I am about this! I already have 9 nieces & nephews (3 girls & 6 boys) who I love dearly, but I think it will be different to experience it with my sister. And her baby could potentially look like me! 🙂 (maybe…ha) My sister is going to be such a wonderful mom. She has a huge heart, passion for Jesus, loves children (I have a feeling she is going to love having just one 4 year old running around one day instead of 20! she is a pre-K teacher), she is fun, she is compassionate, and the best big sis anyone could ask for. She certainly mothered me and Aubs well over the years 🙂 I can’t wait to see the mother she will become and the father Clint will be. S0. Exciting. Congrats sister!
It is also a little bittersweet because I live on the other side of the world… I knew that the day would come when Brooke would get pregnant while I am living over here, but until it became a reality it was hard to see how hard it really is going to be to be so far away. Luckily she will be getting internet and we have skype. I am so thankful for technology. I am sitting here with tears in my eyes as I write this… but I am also thankful because I do feel like this is where we are supposed to be and am confident that the one who knows all will comfort and sustain me. I am reminded of His grace & provision in my life.
This is the most recent picture I have of the parents to be! Couldn’t be happier for you guys!
desert days
I have been meaning to post several times in the past week, but every time I sat down to do it I had to go do something else, so I just decided to do a recap on a bunch of different things…
1. I picked up my Kandora (Arab women dress- that I had made with my neighbor). I really like the way it turned out! Even if Chase said I looked like I was wearing a curtain… Also, on a side note, I wore it to go show my neighbors and even though it is made of cotton it is super hot! I don’t know how the women wear what they wear out here.
- not really into the whole modeling thing, but wanted you to see my dress!
2. Our friends had us over the other morning for breakfast and we had pancakes & peanut butter! I actually had never cared for the combination until that day. I am not sure if it was because it was with peanut butter from the states (Peter Pan) or if it was because of the homemade pancakes she made, but it was good!
3. Peanut Butter cups! I found a recipe to make these from scratch. And to my surprise they turned out great and tasted like the real deal! Next time I hope to make them look prettier- not sure how to make the chocolate melt to where it smoothly pours- any suggestions?
4. Study break. Last month we stayed in our town (which is small) for an entire month. I sound spoiled, but I really needed a change of scenery so when it was time to do a Visa hop we headed down to Sohar. We had a great refreshing visit with friends and got to do a little studying at Costa Coffee!
5. This week we have had a break from school. And so we decided to head up to Dubai with some friends. We split a hotel room and had coupons for dinner to save money. It was one of the best trips we have had to this city. Normally when we go there we have been busy looking for our car, shopping, fighting traffic, and getting lost. We had a restful trip this time, despite me losing (or getting it stolen) by I-pod touch, forgetting to take my camera to the beach, and getting locked out of our house when we came home!
Pool on the roof of our hotel
Where we spent our mother’s day… Chilis! We thought of you moms as we ate yummy chips & salsa! Thank you for all you have done for us- for your love, care, and prayers. We love you!
Water show at the Dubai Mall- crazy how fancy this place is.
Texas Roadhouse coming to the Middle East!
Pedicures and coffee with my friend for her birthday! Thankful you were born & glad I got to celebrate with you!
The kids watching Aladdin while the grown-ups packed!
We are thankful for this week of rest & time with friends & excited to finish our semester of Arabic strong- only 6 more weeks of our first semester here- hard to believe how fast it is going.
helu-wat
“Helu-wat” (an Arabic transliteration of course..) means sweet ones- referring to a group of girls…
I am telling you this because I have started (well the last 3 weeks anyway) visiting a group of girls (helu-wat) at their work on Tuesday afternoons to work on my Arabic and build relationships. It has been a great experience so far. There are about 6-10 girls that come a sit & visit with me… most of them speak little to no English! So this can be a bit of a challenge at times. There is lots of laughing, silence, pointing, acting, etc… This week they even wanted me to teach them some ballet! I have a feeling they are going to want a weekly lesson. The girls are very patient with me and have encouraged me to visit them everyday! I can’t do that, but I have made it a goal to go at least once a week.
In June my friend and I are throwing one of the girls a bridal shower because she is getting married in July (I am sad because I will be in the states for the wedding…). We are going to try and show the girls what an American bridal shower is like- who knows we may even play a game or two!
Another thing that I enjoy about these visits is the “cappuccinos” the girls make when I come. I also try to bring some sort of dessert to share with them.
Here is a picture of one of the many plates of cookies I have made since we have been here. Never knew I would be baking cookies so often here! (good think I love to bake!)
p.s. I am sure most of you don’t care what this looks like, but I am sure the moms will appreciate it!
sorry for the glare! it is Saran wrap- they love this stuff here..
Hope to share more stores about my time with these girls in the coming weeks.
