Hangin in the HEAT

Good gracious while waiting for school to start we weren't sure what to do with ourselves except sweat and swim.  Once we're back in Doha we usually jump right back into the sand and usual scenery but I was thankful for the slow transition of a few weeks before getting back into the school routine.  We enjoyed being lazy, meeting Daddy for lunch and playing with friends as everyone trickled back to the "Land of Almost".  

These pictures are random which represents exactly how our schedule and days went.  While we did enjoy the slowness, we were GOOD and READY for school and something to do when that 1st day finally came around! 

Just a few days before Ramadan was over, we met up with the Harris family to watch the daily canon go off which is symbolic for Muslims to break their fast for the day.  Its just a loud noise but for our boys its awesome.  It brings all types of people and is just a tradition in Doha and for our family to see every year.  We joked and said how fun it would be to break out a big Texas football-style tailgate party as soon as the canon went off. 

 

The volume of Arabic music coming from this Qatari truck was enough to send Georgia through the roof.  The man was so excited and proud for us to take a picture...Georgia: not so much! 

 

 

We get so used to the scenery in Doha.  But to look at this picture is a strange.  This location is basically down town. Behind the camera are skyscrapers and the corniche.  Here you see some desert and Doha's incredible Tennis facility.  Its all pretty random.  If you think Houston is poorly zoned and planned...well you have no idea.  

"How will it look in 2022", is my question???

Cruisin the compound but not without hydrating!

 

Hello humidity!

 

He doesn't realize he's training his competition for the driver's seat...and my precious Bear is always along for the ride!    

 

We celebrated 11 years!

 

Dinner date at one of our favorite restaurants at Spice Market in The W Hotel.  

 

Lots of people use the Eid holiday to travel but we stayed home.  Nick was off for 3 days. The boys wanted to go camping but they were even more excited about Tailgating in the toy room!  We set the tent up about 5 days before the big BU/TCU game which turned out VICTORIOUS!!!!  Pretty sure it was all the the BEAR spirit coming from the Middle East!

 

After the big win!!

 

  

Still celebrating our win over the horny toads!!!  Go BEARS!  

The boys slept in the tent for 12 nights straight!

 

Our dryer broke and Brooks was enthralled with the repair man.  Dress up!

 

Played with Cres and Emery at Doha's version of Chucky Cheese's minus Chucky and pizza.

 

 

Nothing like a little MickeyD's to wrap things up.  

 

Mr. Jerry and the his Doha grand-kids at Chili's after church! I'm thinking this is the perfect Santa pic if Jerry was in his red suit and gained a few pounds! 

 

poor iPhone pix all of this post

I went to hear our good friend Dr. Steve Scoot give a mini concert before heading to the US last week to give the real concert at Dartmouth for a found raiser.  He is amazing!  Whatever happened to the 7 years of piano I took.   

 

Just a lovely reminder of my first accident in Doha.  Of course it was on a round-about. Thankfully I was the first of a minor 4 car pile-up.  Very little damage and very very nice people and police authorities.  Sure would be nice to know Arabic though!  Thanks to my husband and his co-worker who were there to translate.  Also huge thanks to my friend and neighbor Gena who jumped down the street to keep my babies for an extended amount of time during the choas of dealing with a car accident.  

 

Justa swingin'!

 

Headed Home to Daddy!

Its helpful for me to call "home" wherever Daddy is or wherever God has our family at that moment in time.  This departure and good-bye was especially difficult for me this go-round.  Obviously it doesn't get any easier to leave our family, friends and comforts in the U.S.  Spending extended quality time with grandparents, cousins and best friends leaves us wanting even more as our three little ones grow to know and love the treasures we live across the ocean from!  Relationships are like gold the older they get.  I enjoyed this summer more than ever before because Brooks and Barrett were so independent.  They take care of themselves and each other which makes things easier on mama and anyone else we come in contact with! So thankful for that and a summer packed full of great memories!

Every year in Doha has brought unique challenges that have shaped us and made us stronger for each other and for Christ.  I am trusting God that will be the same this year as it has been.  As soon as we landed in Doha on the ever-so-ridiculously-humid evening of August 21st, I was caught off guard by my contentment of being "home".  God given no doubt!  There have been so many wells in this desert over the last 3 years and its freeing to know we're not here to serve ourselves or on our agenda.  What a wreck that would be.  There is a Plan!  So until then...Doha Days remain!

Papa grabbing one more chance to play babies with his girl Georgia!  Brooks never too far away from neither Papa or Georgia! 

  

Loading the truck...its a good thing there aren't any pictures of my mom, sister or me (or dad for that matter)...its not pretty driving away from cousins, Aunt Sissy and Papa!!  

 

As I write this post (a month later), I sit here with tears as big as precious Graham's, missing all of these sweet sweet people! 

As usual my last 48 hours are spent packing and being sad/quiet as well as anxious before heading back to Doha.  No particular reason...its just the oceans apart and months away that gets me in the gut!  Doesn't usually stop until I sit in my seat on the airplane.  Happens every stinkin' time! But I had my mama for most of that precious time.  She graciously drove us to Houston late Saturday night and we spent the night at Jackie and Mark's house.  They were out of town so we invaded for a few hours to sleep and eat.  

(warning...all pictures are from the iPhone...yikes)

 

Big hugs and special thanks to Honey for driving us to Houston.  Our car has a special storage spot in Dallas while we're away so that makes it difficult for us to drive ourselves and leave our vehicle for a Houston flight. 

 

Wrapped things up by going from one grand-mommy to another....Honey dropped us off at Tatty's house to spend the day.  We enjoyed some great time by the pool with her and Aunt Mouse before heading to the airport.  Georgia in her new pink hat Tatty got her in Beliz.

 

 

Then it was off to the airport!  Gotta a little independent practice checking 8 pieces of luggage and 4 carry-ons plus the carseat! Then through a few security and passport checks! Whew!  Oh and throw in an extra sprint back though security to the bathroom for the dang pillow pet.  Once you've stepped up to security there are a few loose ends and taking your shoes off is minimal with 3 chil-uns!  Once we were on the plane I stopped sweating and we got settled.  It was a treat to see our friend on the plane too!!  Honestly the boys were so great and helped themselves so so much!!  I started off across the isle from my chickens until Georgia started kicking the seat in front of her.  Having the car seat was a lifesaver but a little bit difficult to move around and very bulky!

 

PJs and Musical Chairs

 

 

Home again home again!

Dog days of Doha jet lag!!!

 

 2 am snack and evil eyes.  This was a horrible experience with jetlag.  Too many children sleeping different times!! Daddy going to work.  Mommy not interested in hot sandy pit outside.

 

 

Lots and lots of sleeping..

 

10 days later...all better!! 

Football!!

We intentionally made our summer plans to include some football before heading back to Doha.  Of course the Hall and Watkins houses are full of football talk year round but all of us wanted to catch some live Texas football before heading back to the sandbox.  What could be better than a scrimmage between our two favorite coaches.  How does that happen?  The Denton Broncos (my dad's team) headed east to scrimmage the McKinney Lions (my BIL's team) on Friday night just 48 hours before our flight. Perfect!  As my sis said...we love the Broncos, love the Lions but truly LOVE their COACHES!!!

Of course since it was convenient and NEW...we sampled the new In-N-Out Burger in Allen before heading to the game.

 

 

Coach Hall/Uncle Dave giving some high-fives

 

Constant motion...up and down! 

 

Absolute fascination from Brooks!  

I honestly cannot wait to see my boys in uniform.  When you grow up loving sports, its hard to imagine anything different for your kids.  So many life lessons out on that field. 

 

Twizzlers will slow any toddler down for a few minutes. 

 

It takes something pretty special for a coach to step away from his football team at half-time.  We caught a picture with Coach Watkins and his other team real quick. 

 

Hot sweaty fans with their favorite Papa! 

 

Last Days!

Our last few days in Texas are always precious and emotional for me but we soaked up every second.

Honey and Papa treated the boys to Build A Bear for their birthdays!  That place has been a real treat since we don't walk past it every week at our own mall.  They hold tight to Max and Fudgie every single night! Great memories and the perfect summertime birthday present!

 

Very little hammering is done in Doha, due to cement walls and zero access to lumber.  Make every second count for a young man who needs to learn how to use a hammer!

 

 

Brooks really needs to stick around through dove season.  Texas born boy needs a chance to sit in a real blind.  He was so serious about looking for birds. 

 

By the end of the summer Georgia was in love with swinging.  We don't have convenient access to parks and baby swings in Doha.  Georgia lost her fear of swings after 

a summer full of swinging.

A few days before our departure, one of my very best and most precious friends, Jackie popped over for a visit with her boys.  Hopefully we will be back in time for the arrival of her Christmas baby!

 

Poolside with the cuzzies! 

 

Last run to Sonic with the cousins...

 

Before a Texan turns 18 months, she must experience her first corny dog!  It just has to happen!  And needless to say it was a huge hit! 

 

Checking to make sure every thing is set and ready to go for Honey's school. Let's just say if you're anywhere near Plano and you don't go to Parkway Hills Weekday Preschool...you're missing out!  And you're not the only ones...there are 2 little boys in Doha who would have been so blessed to be apart of that school.  Instead we get Honey forever which is a pretty sweet trade!

 

 

Always a party!

 

well maybe not for Georgia...

 

We also were able to visit one more time with Aunt Rosie plus enjoy some good TexMex. 

 

Barrett requested Honey's "bumpity" cake.  So together they made the boys' favorite pound cake.  Bundt cakes are bumpy so their silly little name has stuck!