Newsletter

WHOA! This week has been a week of changes for me. For the most part, I've been doing really well, but every once in a while, I feel the need to be sad. You see, teachers went back to school this week and I'm not there. I knew this time was coming, but I think I put it on the back burner since June that I wasn't ready for it. I'm thankful that I have been so busy working on Gavin's Birthday Party Decorations, making a few arts and craft projects, and playing with Gavin that I haven't had much down time. On Tuesday, my friend Stephanie and I went to lunch and that helped a tremendous amount--- thanks Steph!!! (I know we didn't go to lunch for that reason, but it helped distract me!).

I also know that being home with Gavin, taking care of this house, and having the flexibility to come and go as I please (to visit family and friends) is what I'm suppose to be doing right now. I'm loving having this freedom and I know that these feelings of "what I'm missing out on" will go away. I got the best advice a while back while talking to a good friend about my transition and she said for me to look at what I was going to gain, not what I would be missing out on. That has been huge!! It helps me look at things from a different perspective. The coolest thing, is that Gavin is learning so much right now and trying new things and I'm LOVING watching him grasp concepts (ex: peek-a-boo, putting a ball in the cup & taking it out, chase, etc). I'm appreciating him growing up (but can NOT believe he's going to be 1 years old next week).

So, I write all that because this morning in my email account I received an email that said, "Saudi Wives Newsletter", WHOA-- hold up-- wait a minute..... I WAS NOT PREPARED FOR THIS! I'm a Saudi Wife! I'm a SAUDI wife! Don't get me wrong, I'm so thankful I received this newsletter and all the important information that goes with it, but it's just another step in the direction of MORE change... CHANGE that's to come. ** I've decided that I'm a lot like my dad when it comes to, the less change... the better.... we both would rather change not ever happen because we like the way things are. However, as my mom and Brooks have always reminded me, change is good!

The newsletter did give lots of information about events going on at the compound, reminders for ways of living, contact information, and even dates for the next kids play group!! Woo Hoo! I think that excited me the most! The email also included a slide show presentation on Ramadan in order for us to be well equipped with the understanding of this celebration for Muslims and to know what life is like during this time. We were also told that they are going to start holding informative meetings for just the wives to get together to learn more about the way of living, life on a compound, learning what's allowed for us as American women in their country, ways to dress, etc. Most importantly, to give us opportunities to express our feelings of this type of move, have the chance to talk to women who have been living there, and allow us to form relationships with the women who we will be living with and who will essentially become "like family" while we all live overseas together. I'm really excited about getting to know all of these women!

Now, that I've come to terms with this move is actually happening and that I'm a SAUDI wife... I'm going to go start my day!