After an amazing summer with our friends and family in Washington, we boarded our airplane at the Bellingham Airport anticipating our next adventure. For 36 hours of travel, the kids did amazingly well - partly due to the business class that our new school flew us over in, and part because of the earplugs that we brought. We also afforded ourselves a few "cold ones" in anticipation of our new completely dry country!
At our layover in Frankfurt, Germany we identified and became aquainted with a few other teachers on their way to Saudi Arabia. It was relieving seeing other families with young kids with whom our kids quickly took to. After a touch down in Kuwait to let a few people off the airplane, we noticed that several women on the plane were scurrying to the bathrooms and putting on black abayas. Marea took out her long pants and long-sleeved shirt and put them on in order to disuade any unneeded attention. If it wasn't for Avery's "beautiful" and ear-piercing "songs", we would have succeeded. Never-the-less, we were impressed when they allowed the families to the front of the line at customs as they checked our visas. We were slightly worried going through customs with all of our bags after hearing crazy stories of large fines, confiscations, and other intense scrutinies, but we made it through the line with ease. Waiting on the other side of the gate, the superintendent, principal, and two teachers were waiting for us with cheery faces that were fighting back yawns from our 1am arrival.
We were immediately escorted to a special room in which we interviewed with a Saudi Arabian man working for the company who took our passports and gave us a few strict instructions about what to do the next few days. After all families had completed this process, we all boarded a large bus and began the 1 hour ride to Ras Tanura. We anticipated it being extremely hot when we arrived, however, we were pleasantly surprised that the weather felt about the same as it was in China during the summer months.
After two checkpoints, we entered our compound (3500 people - I would guess the size of Blaine) and our principal pointed out landmarks including the post office, grocery store, mechanic, ballfields, schools, and beach. It was dark, but the well-lit streets allowed us to get a feel for what the community looked like - we compare it to a resort community with south-western US flare and huge palm trees and other vegetation.
As we dropped off other families, we finally came to our house - a 2100 sq.ft. townhouse with 4 bedrooms, 3 baths, a garage, and yard. This, by far, is the nicest place we have ever lived. We are humbled and thankful for this new place. It didn't take long for our kids to race around and explore the house, while staking claim on bedrooms. Temporary furniture has been provided for us until our shipments arrive (from China, from home, and a few "e-boxes" flying in three+ weeks after us).
After unpacking a few items, we all collapsed on our beds and Marea and I said a prayer of thanks for our outstanding past and our new beginnings.
What was Judah's favorite ride? "Space Mtn. was my last favorite cuz it was toooo scary!" He loved the Winnie the Pooh ride best. Small World wasn't thrilling enough, because we were "just floating in a boat," while on the Pooh ride, our little hunny pot rocked and jogged and wiggled every which way throughout the story. Avery was delighted with all of it (she probably wouldn't have enjoyed Space Mtn. either, though), except when during the parade, some colorful, smiley, larger-than-life, fairy tale creatures tried to "connect" with her (see video). 
After the parade, and right when a huge storm was blowing in, we left to meet up with a good friend, Rose Tyvand, and her girls, Talin and Alma (Judah and Avery's buds), on Lamma Island (Hong Kong). It's my favorite local place to get-away, for sure. The hotel where we stay has a balcony overlooking the bay with the ferry dock and dragon boats. We ate at some local, organic restaurants--pizza, Indian, yummy sandwiches, lots of fruit. Rose and I even got to do yoga with a live instructor (vs. on DVD, as we usu. do) while Robb offered to watch all four kids! (That scored points!) The beach is a 20-minute, lovely walk through to the other side of the island, down the main alleys and past some cool shops and more yummy restaurants. We took full advantage of the beautiful, beach-perfect weather and let the kids play, play, play in the sand and water all morning. There was even a shaded picnic area with the best 4-yr-old climbing tree! 
Truly a magical weekend, and one we're hoping to re-live at least once before we leave this neck of the world!! (minus Disneyland)
nuks (binky) and LOVES her big brother.
2 weekends before my birthday, he took me on a "mystery date," as a "pre-birthday celebration." We had 5 hours+ of pampering with hairwashes, body massages and (met friends for) footrubs, then went with some friends to a tapenyaki (sp?) place for dinner. Sweet.
If you aren't disgusted/envious enough already, for my BIRTHDAY, we went to Hong Kong to visit our friends, Sarah and Justin Walker, and their new baby girl, Taelyn Mackay, who had just been born in the hospital (she was only 1 hour old when we got there!). Then, Robb told me I had a set amount to spend at the jade market!! I got 7 new necklaces, 3 bracelets, and 2 chopstick sets, and had enough left over for dinner at my favorite restaurant--Ebeneezer's. Generous. 
So, this 38th year of my life is off to a great start, and I thank God for the many blessings He has given me.
