Another year in the books and it was particularly unexpected.
We started out 2018 with the wonderful news that we’d be welcoming another child. Then there was a fair amount of travel, especially considering I’m not working! Bahrain, celebrating The Gents’ 2nd birthday in Abu Dhabi, London, our dream week spent in the Maldives, Chicago, and finally Michigan where the boys and I stayed on for Pepa’s arrival.
The Gents and I ended up being back home for FOUR months of summer, Michigan Football, along with lots of family and friend time. It was wonderful. And we have a beautiful daughter now, too!
The year wasn’t without a few lows though. We had some losses in our extended family, as well as family friends, but gained them as angels looking down on us. Thankful for the time and memories made with them.
J has been working quite a bit this year, traveling as well, but the hard work paid off. He’s been given an opportunity in Cairo so we’ll be moving there in late 2019. He’s still enjoying his down time, working on his golf game with the year-round season Riyadh presents and he’s developed a penchant for cigars.
It was a unique year for me not working at all, but allowed me the opportunity to rediscover my love of drawing and develop a new interest in pastel painting. It’s been wonderful to be home with The Gents as they’ve developed SO much this year and this time with Pepa is priceless. The kiddos engross my attention as I constantly want to study them and take note of their distinctly different personalities, to really know and understand them. This is one of aspect of parenting I didn’t expect, but LOVE.
So how could we close out this year, to make it really special? One last trip, of course! We brought this brood to the Christmas wonderland of Vienna. J and I had great time, but what a treat it was to see The Gents’ faces light up in the Christmas markets and run with abandon around the palaces. Pepa quickly proved herself a champ of a traveler. It was a perfect, much needed family getaway.
Each year I think, “How can next year top this?” and somehow it always does. God only knows what all is coming our way but whatever it is, I’m looking forward to 2019.
Best wishes for a happy and healthy new year! xo