The last couple of weeks have been very busy... We were supposed to attend a conference in Kenya and then go on Safari, but after the arrangements had been made, we were cautioned very strongly by my doctor against my trip due to health concerns for the baby.
It was decided that Brian, Emily and Savannah would go ahead with our original plans while Sophie and I were invited to go visit my family in Texas. (Click this link for pictures from Brian's trip)
Do you know how long of a flight that is with an almost 2 year old? Oh.my.goodness. It was one of the longest days of my life... the other being our return trip. However, there were so many sweet people that helped out by playing and holding Sophie and I was bumped to business class during two legs of the trip. So there were some redeeming moments to the otherwise misery. And, of course it was well worth the trouble when we finally arrived.
My mother was well stocked with Blue Bell... She must love me :)
Sophie absolutely adored playing outside. We don't get to do that much in Egypt and the little person begged to go out and play every waking moment.
My sister, Leigh, playing with Sophie at my sister, Mary's house.
We also managed to get a picture of all of us girls with our Mama during the visit.
My brother, Jonathan, has grown so much since I left 1.5 years ago. But his piano skills are just as awesome as I remember.
Remember what I said about Sophie and outside? Mom and Dad have this long tube that the kids love to climb through, around and on top of... I'm pretty sure this is where Sophie skinned her knee one of the 4 times.
Goofing off on the seesaw.
Granny and Grandpa loved having the time with this little person. We left when she was 5 months old, so it was a wonderful opportunity for them to get to meet her all over again and see how her personality has developed.
We ate at Chik-Fil-A... (when I got back to Egypt and showed all the pictures to Emily and Savannah, this was by far their favorite.)
Every night, after Sophie had her bath, we would get a bowl of Blue Bell. She would sit on the table and we would share our ice-cream. She and I both loved having the time together and the ice-cream.
Before taking me to the airport for the return trip, Mom and Dad took us to Cracker Barrel for breakfast. Sophie had her first blueberry pancakes and bacon... she loved it!
Sweet little girl was a trooper for most of the way home. She slept not a wink during the first flight from Texas to Germany which lasted 10 hours. She played with a sweet family that was sitting behind us and flirted with everyone within range.
When we got to the airport in Germany, the poor kid just couldn't go anymore... as we walked through the airport, she kept laying down on the floor with her bear as if she would take a nap right there! When we did get on the flight, she crashed and slept the majority of that flight.
It was interesting to go back to Texas after living in a foreign country for one and a half years. I was more friendly with strangers in stores and restaurants than I ever was before I left. I missed the clean bathrooms in Egypt (I know there are filthy ones in Egypt, however, if you go into a large store or mall's bathroom in Egypt and go into a Wal-Mart or mall's bathroom in Texas, Egypt wins for cleanliness, hands down.)
In a sense, it was weird to go home... I kept waiting for this moment of something. But it just felt normal. Almost as if I had never left. Oh, things had changed... kids are older, my sisters have all experienced new and different things, my perspective on life has broadened, Chik-Fil-A has changed their ketchup packets.
But for the most part, it was just good to be home.
It was decided that Brian, Emily and Savannah would go ahead with our original plans while Sophie and I were invited to go visit my family in Texas. (Click this link for pictures from Brian's trip)
Do you know how long of a flight that is with an almost 2 year old? Oh.my.goodness. It was one of the longest days of my life... the other being our return trip. However, there were so many sweet people that helped out by playing and holding Sophie and I was bumped to business class during two legs of the trip. So there were some redeeming moments to the otherwise misery. And, of course it was well worth the trouble when we finally arrived.
My mother was well stocked with Blue Bell... She must love me :)
(I am 21 weeks along in this picture)
Sophie absolutely adored playing outside. We don't get to do that much in Egypt and the little person begged to go out and play every waking moment.
My sister, Leigh, playing with Sophie at my sister, Mary's house.
We also managed to get a picture of all of us girls with our Mama during the visit.
(Me, Leigh, Mama, Shelley, Mary)
My brother, Jonathan, has grown so much since I left 1.5 years ago. But his piano skills are just as awesome as I remember.
My friend, Tina, drove up for a visit.
Remember what I said about Sophie and outside? Mom and Dad have this long tube that the kids love to climb through, around and on top of... I'm pretty sure this is where Sophie skinned her knee one of the 4 times.
Goofing off on the seesaw.
Granny and Grandpa loved having the time with this little person. We left when she was 5 months old, so it was a wonderful opportunity for them to get to meet her all over again and see how her personality has developed.
We ate at Chik-Fil-A... (when I got back to Egypt and showed all the pictures to Emily and Savannah, this was by far their favorite.)
Every night, after Sophie had her bath, we would get a bowl of Blue Bell. She would sit on the table and we would share our ice-cream. She and I both loved having the time together and the ice-cream.
Before taking me to the airport for the return trip, Mom and Dad took us to Cracker Barrel for breakfast. Sophie had her first blueberry pancakes and bacon... she loved it!
Sweet little girl was a trooper for most of the way home. She slept not a wink during the first flight from Texas to Germany which lasted 10 hours. She played with a sweet family that was sitting behind us and flirted with everyone within range.
When we got to the airport in Germany, the poor kid just couldn't go anymore... as we walked through the airport, she kept laying down on the floor with her bear as if she would take a nap right there! When we did get on the flight, she crashed and slept the majority of that flight.
It was interesting to go back to Texas after living in a foreign country for one and a half years. I was more friendly with strangers in stores and restaurants than I ever was before I left. I missed the clean bathrooms in Egypt (I know there are filthy ones in Egypt, however, if you go into a large store or mall's bathroom in Egypt and go into a Wal-Mart or mall's bathroom in Texas, Egypt wins for cleanliness, hands down.)
In a sense, it was weird to go home... I kept waiting for this moment of something. But it just felt normal. Almost as if I had never left. Oh, things had changed... kids are older, my sisters have all experienced new and different things, my perspective on life has broadened, Chik-Fil-A has changed their ketchup packets.
But for the most part, it was just good to be home.
Wow - what great news! I had no idea you had made a trip home to our old stompin' grounds. :) Makes me kinda jealous... Until I think that you've been away for a year and a half and me only 3 months. AND I get to go back in 3 months. Anyway, I'm so glad you had a good time with family and friends, Blue Bell, and Chick-Fil-A. :) Thanks for sharing the update and pictures!
ReplyDeleteGlad you had a nice break! We found out that we're expecting another boy (due 2/15)so lack of outdoor play space in Cairo is a real concern to me... I guess we'll figure it out.
ReplyDelete