This summer was packed full of stuff. It started when John and I flew to NYC to pick Madeline up from her first year at boarding school. Because Madeline's birthday falls in the summer, she never gets to celebrate her birthday with her friends so we decided to let her plan something before we left NY. We were in for a real treat....hehe. She decided she wanted to take 6 of her friends in to the city and eat at Jekyll and Hyde's in The Village and then go to Rocky Horror Picture Show. To begin with...logistics were difficult to say the least as the trains stop running to Dobbs Ferry from the city at 1:00am. Rocky didn't start until midnight so that wasn't going to work. We thought about a taxi, but they aren't required to take fares to the outer burroughs so that wasn't a guarantee either. We had a rent car, but it wouldn't fit 9 people, so we decided to rent a minivan as well. John and I each drove a vehicle with a group of friends in to the city...in the rain...ugh. We had eaten at Jekyll and Hydes on New Year's Eve in 2009, and it was such a cute little place that had good food and a fun "show." Fast forward three and a half years and that place went DOWN HILL. There is a new one in Times Square that we should have tried instead, but we didn't. It was HORRIBLE and expensive and annoying. We then took the group to Rocky Horror. It had to be one of the worst troupe of Rocky actors EVER...just a big group of young adults with huge daddy issues...lol. I actually fell asleep. She has some good friends to endure that with her....while the entertainment was questionable, her friends were fun to be around none the less.
From NYC John, Madeline, and I drove six hours or so to Washington D.C. to see some of our friends, the Buntings, we knew from Bahrain that are now stationed there. They had just bought a huge house outside D.C. and we were so excited to impose on them because we just LOVE this family. They are just some of those people that when you meet them you are just in awe of how amazing they are. They have the best family dynamics and are just good people. Madeline and I had never been to D.C. so we were excited to do the sightseeing thing. Maddie wanted to read The Things They Carried as we walked the Vietnam Memorial and see Arlington Cemetary and the Lincoln Memorial. It was such a fun time. We visited D.C. Cupcakes from the show and drove around Georgetown. Best of all, we got to catch up with our friends. We love their new house and are so happy that they are finally getting to put down roots after 20 years of traveling with the Navy.
The month of August was long and eventful. We started the month by picking John up in Houston and driving to Louisiana for a week to visit my family. We then drove to Orlando to do Disneyworld for two days and Universal Studios Harry Potter World for a day. It was something we probably will never do again...until we have grandkids. It was hot...it was crowded...it was taxing and grueling. It was not my favorite thing in the world to do, but we can now tick that off our bucket list.
From Orlando we flew to San Juan, Puerto Rico for a seven day vacation at La Concha Resort. I really liked Puerto Rico. It was tropical and adventure filled. The girls and John went rappelling and zip lining in the rain forest one day. I spent that day sleeping and recovering by the pool with high doses of vitamin C and a massage trying to nip an illness in the bud before it became full blown. It was hands down the worst massage of my life. He looked and sounded JUST like Tone Loc (the 80s rapper...funky cold medina). He did WAY more damage than good. My knees and back were out from the time I left the spa until we went home. I still managed to hike the rain forest to the waterfall, but it was painful...beautiful and worth it although I am not sure the girls would agree with me. We got to sight see and shop Old San Juan, swim in the Atlantic, kayak in a bioluminescent bay, drink cold umbrella drinks by the pool...it was nice. John and I spent our 23rd wedding anniversary in the hot tub at the pool. This was our first vacation where the girls were old enough to go out and do things on their own at night and it is unfortunate that they have the mother that they do....I am always a nervous wreck when my kids are out and about. Even in College Station. It's my nature. My poor children.
We flew back to Orlando and promptly drove to New Orleans, La. the same night. Huge mistake. We were exhausted but everyone was ready to be home so we did it anyway. It was gig 'em week back at A&M and the girls were anxious to get home. We stopped in New Orleans long enough for us to take a nap, a shower, eat a poboy and get back on the road. We made it safely back to College Station and they got to partake in their gig 'em week activities....here's to hoping that next time I strongly suggest we FLY to Florida instead of DRIVE that my husband will listen to me. THAT was an exhausting vacation...and road trips aren't any more fun when they girls are older than they were when they were younger.
From vacations back to school. John and I both flew with Madeline back to NYC to get her settled back in to her dorm for her Junior year of high school. It was a quick stop. We were only there for a day or two...just long enough to make 25 trips to Target and Walmart for all the various sundries and essentials Madeline needed.
From NYC to Nice, France. John and I had a layover in Nice, France for four days before we made our way back to Saudi. It was one of the best vacations. Lazy days on the French Riviera, sight seeing, walking the Promenade de Anglais...it was just lovely. We visited the same bakery for a jamon formage every morning for breakfast before setting off for the day. We took the train to Monte Carlo, Monaco, and Italy. It was just perfect.
I came back to Saudi for a month or two before heading back to the States for Alison's Ring Dunk - WHOOP! and Madeline's Parent's Weekend and Play. Alison got her ring in October and she had a ring dunk with a few of her best friends from A&M. It was fun and interesting. Most of the entire ring ceremony was cancelled due to a torrential downpour...the first rain in a year and it happened on ring day.
From America back to Saudi for another month after which John and I both went home for Thanksgiving with our family in Louisiana and Texas. It was a short two week trip for him, but so worth it. Any time all five of us are together is the best! We had so much fun. For Christmas I stayed in Texas/Louisiana with Madeline and Alison, John was working in Saudi, and Janie spent a few weeks in Bahrain visiting her old friends. It was a strange Christmas and I suspect the first of many to come where we are all not together. It makes me sad that the girls are growing up and getting ready to start their own lives, but I am immensely proud of them.
Things to come....
Madeline is spending half of spring break in Ireland this year. She auditioned for and got a spot in an acting group that is writing its own play and collaborating with an acting group in Ireland. They will be spending the week sight seeing and working with this group to finish their play where they plan to perform it back in NYC. We are hoping that she will be able to spend about a week with us in Bahrain/Saudi as well.
Janie will finish up her Sophomore year in college and is doing very well. She has had her best semester ever this semester. She is such a joy to be around...
Alison graduates in May and we hope will have a job somewhere. She is debating whether to go on to grad school or to get certified to teach, but has applied for several programs and jobs. As of now we have no idea what she will be doing, but I am sure it will be spectacular!
I will be here in the Middle East for the next 5-6 months with the exception of the week of Alison's graduation. This is a long stay...sigh...but I am so happy to be back with John. It is so hard because if I am in the U.S. with the girls I miss my husband desperately and if I am in the M.E. with John I miss the girls desperately.
All in all...I am excited to see what God has planned for our family.
