Here we go:
::4th of July was a blast. We had a ridiculous amount of people come to our house (we invited every American we know- to give you an idea…) to celebrate. It was so much fun! At the time we had some girls living with us while they studied at a summer Arabic program and they were a huge help in getting all the decor together. Britt and Traci helped a ton too, of course. (Have I mentioned that Traci moved here? She did, and it’s SO fun having her around!)
::One of the bonuses of living so close to Dubai is that we get to see people as they pass through en route to their final destinations! This summer we got to see my cousin and some friends from Texas and this fall two more sets of friends will be stopping through that we get to see.
p.s. I love Sayla in this picture…
:: The date harvest happened. Dates are a pretty big deal in this area of the world, and the date harvest is fun to see. We went back to the oasis that we went to while granny was here and walked around to see how it’s done. Â Fresh dates are sold here as a delicacy and are super expensive, but most of the dates are dried on roofs (like raisins). Personally, I prefer the dried dates. The fresh dates are kind of like a green banana, they feel a bit fuzzy on your teeth and aren’t very flavorful.
 
:: This summer has been a slower time than usual (it’s stinkin’ hot!) so we have taken the opportunity to do a little “photo bootcamp”. Â I set up a blog and have been collecting useful photo articles for us all to read. It has been wonderful and I feel like I have learned a lot as well!
So there you have it! Most of the summer in a nutshell. Â I also got to take a most wonderful trip for my 30th birthday, but that deserves its own post. We have really had a fabulously mundane summer, but are ready for the schedule, busyness and cooler weather that will come with fall!
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We told him before hand to just meet us at the farm so that he didn’t feel obligated to serve us food, coffee, tea, dates, fruit etc. (There were 19 of us, after all) He said ok, but then as we were on our way out there he called and said to just come to his house.
After eating some amazing food and getting a true cultural experience (The only difference being that this is the only house I have ever been hosted in the same room as Drew. The women of the house never join us as we are in mixed company) We headed out to see the farm. By the time we got out there the light was quickly fading, so I only got pictures of the camels. but oh what fun camels they were.
The girls had their ballet recital. It was adorable.
I got to take pics at kead’s school for the yearbook. It was so.much.fun. I spent a morning getting to flutter around the school popping in and out of classrooms, taking pictures of teachers and kids in their element. Kead thought it was pretty fun too!
The girls are settling in to visiting local with us. I’m still not sure if Sayla realizes that everyone else is speaking a different language. She just cracks me up. Keadryn is way more reserved, but after sitting with me while Sayla searches out the house for kids and toys, she slowly creeps away and joins the other kids. Evie, oh Evie. We affectionately call her “The Master of Disaster” and she just tears around the house like a tornado. :) The locals love her though and she has gotten a lot better at letting them hold her.
Speaking of the Sayla in her own world, I just love this picture of her.
And speaking of photos, I currently have 400 photos on my computer of a wedding I got to photograph. I was attending the wedding with Britt and she knew the brides cousin’s wife. As the Bride was coming down the stairs they realized the photographer wasn’t there, so they asked me to take the pictures! But then they asked me not to share them with anyone. I DIE! These ones of the flowers without faces are ok, but seriously- so hard not to share.
And speaking of birthdays…wait, I wasn’t speaking of that…but anyway- Drew had a quiet 32nd birthday with a family brunch and dinner with friends
and Kead turned 5 this year. FIVE!
We are having her party while the cousins are here, but her real birthday was an exciting day because of the 4 foot doll house. It has been quite the hit.
Well, thats all the big stuff….oh, And this:
Kead actually requested to watch Newsies. And it made my heart so happy.
Next up: A VISIT FROM KIRST AND FAMILY! So excited for this one.
]]>coffee in a thermos and espresso cups- check
dates- check
a bowl of water to wash hands and cups- check
tea in a thermos and tea cups- check
whole fruit and knife- check
cookies- check
trays to carry everything to the living room- check
Oh, and their brother is coming to visit Drew as well, so I need two of everything…
It’s kind of overwhelming! Then they get here and I try to gracefully welcome them to my home. “Thank you for coming, How are you, How’s your health, How’s your family, May God give you life…Please, please, make yourself comfortable” Lots of kisses, lots of greetings. “Sit, sit!”…Oh man, I forgot to give them the place of honor, farthest from the door.
We all sit and my head is spinning- what’s first? Am I doing this right? Open dates, pour coffee…who am I suppose to serve first again? Is it clockwise? Is it oldest first? Am I serving with the correct hand? When they give me back the coffee cups, do I serve them again? Did they indicate they were done by shaking the cup? I didn’t pay attention! All this is running through my head while I try to carry on a conversation in Arabic, juggle kids, and look like I know what I’m doing.
Next, the fruit. I hate trying to cut fruit just holding it in my hand. para k sirve ivermectina Don’t they know how much easier it is to do this on a cutting board? A comment about how rough my apple slices look. Oh well. Pushing them forward I say “Please, eat! eat!” Everyone politely takes a piece of something. Keadryn and Sayla both grab a ton of fruit. Am I suppose to correct them and say it is for our guests? Or is it ok because they are young?
Still trying to look natural and be interested in conversation. price of ivermectin tablets in south africa But what’s next? Do I serve dessert now, or wait until the fruit is gone? Should I serve the tea with the fruit or dessert? Am I pushing things along too fast? I decide to serve the tea. Everyone takes a cup after asking what kind of tea. Thyme tea is well accepted, but I let it steep too long, points out one of the girls. As they’re finishing tea and handing back cups, I offer dessert. “No thank you”, “We’re full”, “Maybe in a minute”. Oh…I’m going too fast. Should I let everything sit here? Offer more tea? Clear everything? Will that make them feel like it is time to leave? Maybe I’ll just clear the coffee and dates…Try to start clearing and spill the water bowl. Lots of giggles.
We talk a bit more, laugh a lot,and I remember how much I love these girls and it makes me relax a little. I offer cookies again and they accept. We laugh more, talk more and listen to some music. All the food is cleared and soon after they announce it’s time to go. “Thank you so much for coming, Go with peace, May the year bring goodness, May God bless you…” As they walk away I hope it was successful. I hope I honored them. I hope they feel welcome in my home.
As I shut the door, I fall down on the couch. My mind is spent from speaking Arabic and trying to be hostess-with-the-mostess in a culture that, even after 2 1/2 years, I barely understand. As you can see, visiting here is a HUGE deal. Hosting people isn’t about showing off. It is, at the core, about honoring the person who is visiting. By offering them your food, your home, your service, you show them that they are more important than you. powder ivermectin The first time you visit they even douse you in perfume when you leave!
I feel the pressure when they come to my home because everything in new and different, but when I visit them they perform the whole sequence with effortless grace. They have been observing and participating in this since they were Keadryn’s age. It is second nature to them. Thankfully, they offer much grace when I don’t do everything perfectly. And, even though it is a bit stressful, I do love this tradition and what it communicates at the heart level. I am so thankful to have friends that always make me feel welcome and honored.
From my last lunch visit:
Don’t you just love this picture? ivermectin dosage systemic infection I didn’t take it, Drew did. Way to go, Drew!
Hoping the dust settles soon.
]]>This month we got some guest passes from a friend to go to the pool at the Hilton. It was glory.
The girls LOVED both the kiddy pool and the big pool (with a slide!)
The hotel wasn’t at all crowded (and the weather was per.fect.).
And best of all, the girls were all getting along and in wonderful moods. ivermectin for humans covid treatment What a grace it is to have days like this!
We had a fantastic visit by two friends, Katie and Corie, from Lubbock at the end of December. ivermectina para que sirve en humanos They came for two weeks and stayed with us at our house. I love getting to show people around our beloved little country. It is a blessing to experience things with a fresh set of eyes, ears, tastebuds, nostrils (ok, maybe I could do without nostrils in several situations… ivermectin causes neutropenia ) and fall deeper in love with this people and land.
Another great thing on this trip was that both the girls love photography so I had two extra people to insist on photo drives, and do weird things like sit down in the middle of a crowded market to get the perfect shot. I loved every minute. That being said, are you ready for the picture overload? This is in no way completely comprehensive of all we did, but here are some hightlights:
Around the old fort in our town:
A trip down the coast:
At the big souq in the capital:
A climb up the dunes:
And a fabulous trip to Global Village in Dubai.
Fun right? Now you should come visit too!
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2. Keadryn and Sayla also started going to a local preschool. The goal of them attending is to start hearing Arabic and learning to communicate. It’s not going great. The TV is on the whole time they are there (with English programming) and Keadryn hates it. She cries the whole time, which is totally not her regular personality, and says she can’t make friends until she learns some Arabic. I try to explain she won’t know Arabic until she makes friends, but that doesn’t seem to translate into 4 year old. We are optimistic that she will get settled soon. Just be praying that she can make at least one friend. Sayla is liking it and doesn’t seem to notice that no one speaks English. (Also, Â I love this picture of them on their first day- mainly because several locals have mentioned to me how I need to dress them in warmer clothes for the “cold winter”. It was 85 degrees on this day, but I didn’t want their teachers to think I’m a horrible mom. haha)
3. Speaking of life here, we all LOVE the food. Eating out here is amazingly inexpensive (much cheaper than cooking) and so we have got to try several restraunts. Kead’s fav is the hummus and Sayla loves the chicken. Anyone have amazing eggplant recipes I need to try? They are in such abundance and I love the way they taste- but don’t know how to cook them!
4. We are feeling more settled in everyday. I promise there will be a “house tour” soon. As soon as Drew hangs up all the frames, decor, etc. Walls here are concrete so hanging a picture becomes a much bigger task than tapping in a couple nails. For now, here is a picture of our living room with our humble Christmas tree.
5. There’s more, but I’ve been working on this post for a week so I am going to post it before I am adding Keadryn’s Sweet Sixteen party to the end. Merry week-of-Christmas everyone! I hope that you are enjoying family, and cooler weather and all things winter in our stead!
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]]>the remke crew
the wilks
By the way- if you are sending out Christmas cards, we’d love to see one- or you could just e-mail the picture…that would be great. Happy December!
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