Salaam Alaikum! Peace be unto you!

Over the past several weeks our travel plans have finally crystallized and we are happy to finally have something to write to you about. 

We are set to move to Al Ain on July 2nd.  We will fly direct from Houston to Dubai on Emirate Air (~15 hours flight).  We will settle into our apartment over the following 4 weeks and I will begin work at Oasis Hospital on August 5th.  My licensure and work visa process was completed in miraculous time.  It usually takes about 9-10 months but mine was approved in only 4.  

As you can imagine there are a great many tasks to complete prior to our departure but we are well positioned to have them completed in time.  We are prepping our home to be leased; selling off the remaining furniture and Honda Pilot (2011 Touring, if you know any one who may be interested); and organizing for our final garage sale June 30th...plus all the regular activities of life with 3 children!

Our primary need from our friends and family is prayer. Pray for us whenever you think of us.  Know that we will be praying for you.  We need wisdom, health and endurance to complete the transition process over the next 2-3 months.  

Shortly after our arrival, Stacy and I will start learning Arabic.  We will throw ourselves into this over the next 12 months as one of our primary goals.  Learning Arabic will be important to developing healthy relationships with our neighbors.  

We will share our Al Ain mailing address after it is finalized.  

We love you all. 

Stacy and Gabe

A New Adventure

It's official, this summer we will be moving! As most of you know, we have always had the calling to live and work overseas....overseas was where we first met. : )  An opportunity has come our way and we have accepted.  Sometime in July or August we will be moving to the city of Al Ain in the United Arab Emirates (UAE)...near Dubai.  Gabe will be working for a clinic and hospital doing much of what he currently does in his practice here.  I will continue to stay at home, take care of the kids, get to know new neighbors and hopefully learn some Arabic. : )  Feel free to email or call if you have more specific questions. We would love to answer them.  

Catch Up

Since our last post we've been busy with travels, the start of school and just life in general but here is a little of what we've been doing.

July

We began July with the excitement of finding out that I was pregnant.  Surprise and excitement quickly turned into sadness as I woke up one morning very ill with abdominal pain.  In the ER we learned that I had an ectopic pregnancy that ruptured my fallopian tube and I was bleeding internally.  Surgery went well and I was able to go home that evening.  Gabe and I were still able to make it to a family wedding and take our planned trip to China later in the month.  We enjoyed visiting friends in Nanjing and exploring Shanghai for the first time.

August

Our oldest started Kindergarten! She is loving school and we are so proud of the progress she has made.  Evelyn also started piano lessons. She enjoys the lessons, not so excited about practicing everyday.

We took a quick last minute day trip to the beach.  It was Garrison's first time to play in the sand and waves.

September

We celebrated Evelyn's 5th birthday. I let her choose the theme and after many idea changes we settled on Pizza, Pies, and a Pinata.

Labor day was celebrated with family in Grapevine and a trip to the Fort Worth Stockyards.

October

In early October we took a trip to Tulsa to visit family.  We also stopped by ORU where Gabe went to college and took a few pics.

Later in the month we took a trip to DC for a work conference and to see family.  The weather was perfect for the first four days as we took in the sites.  Then a hurricane hit.  Thankfully we were in a safe place but with the airports being shut down our trip was extended for 3 extra days.

 The fallen leaves at the zoo were a big hit with the kids.

Before and After the hurricane on the National Harbor.

One of the few times we got Maeve to smile at the camera.

November

No fall would be complete without a trip to the local pumpkin patch.

The girls at their Thanksgiving programs.

We spent Thanksgiving with my family in Marshall.  This year we opted for fajitas which ended up being super yummy and easy....maybe it will be a new family tradition.

I think that catches us up.  Stay tuned for Christmas photos later this month.

Ballet and Birthdays

Recently Evelyn had her first dance recital.  They performed a tap and ballet routine and did a great job for her first year of dance.

 

 Garrison turned 1 on May 23rd.  We celebrated with cake and friends.

We took a trip to Grapevine to visit family and celebrate birthdays. Maeve is about to turn 3 and Evelyn's birthday is not until September but we thought we would include her as well.

Garrison

Garrison is almost a year old.  He can now crawl, drink from a sippy cup, and today learned how to clap.  He also is finally getting teeth, well one, but it's a start.  He is such a happy baby and has been a joy in our lives. 

The Many Faces of Garrison

Recent Photos

I really don't have time to blog. I don't know how people who do it, let alone people with kids. Right now I have a few moments to post some recent pictures. It's better than nothing.

Enjoy!

Maeve reading to Garrison(he is 8 months now)

This is his mad face