Moving

Our time in Abu Dhabi is coming to a close after 3 1/2 years of living aboard.  What started out as 18 months ended up being more then we thought when we first got here, but I am glad we stayed as long as we did.  We have gotten to see some amazing things along the way and the girls got to attended two amazing schools and Paul had a wonderful job.  I also got to continue staying home which I love.  I never thought I would be sad about leaving here, but the UAE has become our home and the friends we have made will stay with us forever.

We are moving to Leesburg, VA.  Paul will be working at Leesburg airport and we plan to find a house close to his work and other amenities.  I am looking forward to having 4 seasons again and having our own home again, but our villa here is huge.  Somehow when we go back I am sure we will think the homes are small compared to what we are used to.  Leesburg and Loundoun County seem to be really great with lots of things to do that are rich in history and some small towns which we love.  You are close to bigger city life if you want to go and visit, but go back to a smaller community feel.  All within a close drive.  Washington DC is a hour away and I can't wait to take the girls to see the buildings there and the Cherry Blossoms.

We have already started looking online for housing at have found a realtor, but can't wait to see the area in person.  I hope we find something we all love.  It is great to be moving back to the USA can't wait to see family and friends when we get back.

End of Term 1

December seems to be flying bye and school is now out.  What are we going to do now?  Time to take in all we can before we start the next chapter of our life.


Year 1 didn't have a Winter concert this year, but they did have an art exhibition that you could walk the halls to see all the children's art work.  The art work focused on themselves and they did one for eyes and one of there face and I got to see two pieces Sydney made and walk around the school with her class.  I have to say they all did a wonderful job.


Heather school had a Winter concert so Paul and I went to see them sing and I am so proud of her.  She didn't really sing, but she did some motions to the songs and she didn't come running to Mommy or Daddy or cry during the concert.  Way to go Heather.

Spirit of the Union

The UAE is about to celebrate 41 years as a country on December 2.  As I look at what this country as done in such a short time I can only imagine what the country will be like in another 41 years from now.  This country seems so young compared to the USA.  I can't believe the USA was founded  236 years ago.

This picture below is a silhouette of the iconic image between the founding fathers of the United Arab Emirates, lead by the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan.

Time to give Thanks

I can't believe it is November already a time to give thanks for what we have.  I am thankful for our family and friends, but most importantly I am thankful for a wonderful husband and two wonderful daughters.  God has blessed us with the chance to be parents and what a blessing it is.  I am thankful we have a home and we can provide for our family.  We have been blessed to experience living in another culture for 3 years now.  This adventure has opened my eyes to a culture that is different than our own.  I am grateful we have gotten to live here and to be able to show our children some amazing sites, but one thing for sure there is no place like home.  A place where some people only dream about.  After living abroad it gives you prospective to never take for grated our beliefs and our freedoms.  I hope everyone is grateful for what they have and always be thankful everyday of the year not just at Thanksgiving.

Al Ain Paradise Garden

This expansive park – the size of four football pitches – is home to approximately 10 million flowers, a 12 metre tall replica of the Eiffel Tower and it holds the Guinness World Record for the most hanging baskets, having 2,968 in total.


 http://forum.xcitefun.net/the-garden-city-al-ain-paradise-t63017.html
 http://visitabudhabi.ae/en/what.to.see/attractions/al.ain.paradise.garden.aspx

Murjan Splash Park

This entertaining children destination in Khalifa Park features no less than seven water-based attractions, all for children up to the age of 12. Its main feature - the ‘Water Play Structure’ - is a shallow pool with four small waterslides, a giant tipping bucket, a crawl tunnel, water guns, a water umbrella, small tipping buckets, a water wheel, and water showers.

Murjan also features a 257 metre long, 0.6 metre deep ‘lazy river’, ready for kids to float on. The more adventurous ones can try their hand at the ‘Water Balloon Wars’. The Lili Pad Hop features four trampolines with harnesses where children can jump and flip on. For kids off 11 years and under, the park offers the ‘Surf Wrangler’- an attraction inviting kids to try their balancing skills by riding a mechanical surfboard and the ‘Bumper Boat Lagoon’ - small steerable, battery-operated boats for kids to drive around and lightly bump into each other.  http://visitabudhabi.ae/en/what.to.see/attractions/more.attractions/murjan.splash.park.aspx

New Waterpark

Yas Waterworld Abu Dhabi

Opening End of 2012
Spread over 15 hectares, the waterpark will feature a thrilling range of 43 rides, slides and attractions. Four rides will be one-of-a-kind rides that have never been seen in a waterpark.
Yas Waterworld Abu Dhabi's theme is based on a legend that represents local Emirati culture and heritage. Visitors will be able to enjoy attractions that follow the adventures of the waterpark's main character Dana – a young Emirati girl in search of a legendary pearl that brought prosperity to her village.
Building on the legend, the park will have a unique pearl diving attraction that showcases the role pearl diving played in the UAE’s rich history.
Yas Waterworld Abu Dhabi on Yas Island is developed by Aldar Properties and will be operated by Farah Leisure Parks Management LLC. 

Building on the legend, the park will have a unique pearl diving attraction that showcases the role pearl diving played in the UAE’s rich history.
Yas Waterworld Abu Dhabi on Yas Island is developed by Aldar Properties and will be operated by Farah Leisure Parks Management LLC.  http://abudhabiliving.net/page/yas-waterworld-abu-dhabi