Mamma's Need To Have Fun Too!!!

Now that I am a mother it's easy to get sidetrack and not make time for myself. So, every once in a while I do like to let my hair down and have a grown up night out. This night was all about dancing the night away and having fun with friends while my hubby worked the event. ;)

A Wedding Celebration To Remember

Celebrated my housekeeper/friend's daughters wedding. Such an honor to have been invited to their wedding reception. The bride and groom are such lovely people, and I am proud to know the bride's mother. She has been working with our family for almost 2 years now. Throughout this time we have gotten to know each other quite well. Yes, she helps me tremendously with keeping our house clean, but most importantly is the friendship we have developed. I will greatly miss her company when we leave post.

The wedding cake. 

The bride and groom.

Bride and groom and their parents.

Yummy food to celebrate the lovely occasion.

My friend with her 3 lovely daughters. 

Obama visits Riyadh

President Obama came to Saudi Arabia to meet with the King. While he was here he decided to pay our mission, it's staff and family members a visit. It was truly an honor, and a once an a lifetime opportunity to meet the President up close and personal. 

Air-force One arriving in Riyadh

President Obama and Secretary of State Kerry 

President Obama getting greeted by our  DCM, Timothy Lenderking

Embassy staff and family members.

Our embassy kids. The kids were so excited to meet the President. 

Our Ambassador, Deputy Chief of Mission and the President.

Next Post: Accra, Ghana

Our next assignment is Accra, Ghana. Of course we are very excited about this opportunity. We have always wanted to do an African tour, so now that box will be checked. It was actually one of the better West African countries that we had on our bid list. We could have gone to the Congo or Ivory Coast, which are slightly unstable for now.

We certainly love living abroad, it's one of the major reasons why we joined the Foreign Service, so for us to be able to stay overseas and not go back to DC is fantastic. Accra, Ghana will certainly have its hardships; poverty, trash and running sewage, plus we'll need to take Malaria pills during our tour. But for African standards, Ghana has been doing very well economically, their president is liked and the country is stable. The Ghanaians' are supposedly very friendly and warm. We'll have the ocean nearby and plenty of outdoor activities to explore. But the most exciting thing of all for me is having the freedom to drive again. Yiiiipppy!!!

In the end of August we'll be arriving "Inshallah" in Accra and I am sure we will make the best out of it, as we always do. I believe every culture and country has something special and unique about it. There are many magnificent places to explore and learn from. I am thankful every day for the opportunities I have been given, and I don't take it lightly.

It's Been Too Long...

Time has certainly flown by, I haven't written in such a long time. I guess it's because the first few months after giving birth was a complete blur; sleepless nights, recovering from a C-section, sore nipples from breastfeeding, adjusting to my new role as a mother, learning Lucas' cues, and mourning my old life. It was a lot harder than I predicted, but now almost 6 months into it, I must say it is certainly getting a lot easier. I am exercising again, making time for myself, and learning to multitask more than I ever have before. Oh, and having date nights with my husband is something we don't take for granted anymore.

Life has certainly changed, but for the better I would say. Not that life was not great before, but having a child has made me look at the world and people from a different angle. I also feel my inner strength has increased because of my precious little son, who truly illuminates our lives. In a few months a lot of our family and friends will be meeting Lucas for the first time when we go back to the States on home leave. This will be a joyous occasion and we are looking forward to it.

Then in the end of August we are off to our next destination: Accra, Ghana. We will be there for the next two years. It's going to be the polar opposite from Saudi Arabia in every way. There will be challenges at first, but I am sure we will adjust and love living there. In the meantime, the focus is on enjoying our last few months in Saudi and slowly saying, good bye to our friends and life we'll leave behind in Riyadh. It's going to be a crazy/busy time for us while we are in transition, but that's the Foreign Service for ya. It's not always easy, but there are a lot of great perks that makes this lifestyle worthwhile. If one day our attitude towards it changes then it's time to settle down somewhere and do something different. For now we enjoy it, and how fortunate to share our adventures with our son Lucas.

Maybe It's the Hormones...

The nursery is complete and now we're just waiting on the little guy to arrive. As I get closer to the due date I reflect on some of the darndest questions and comments I have received from people during my pregnancy. Never in my life have I heard so many comments, advice, or questions. When it comes to babies/kids, people can be are very opinionated, innocently clueless, or just nosey. Here are a few things I have heard from time to time, and what the "grumpy cat" in me wanted to reply.



*If you are one of the people I have quoted, please don't take offense. This is all in good fun.

1)"Why are you so tired?"
Maybe because I have a baby inside that is draining all my energy. I'm a retaining water and weigh 35 lbs more than my average weight.

2) "You're using your pregnancy as an excuse."
It's not an excuse, now shut up and bugger off. You are clueless.

3) "Do you sink to the bottom of the pool when you go swimming?"
I actually float better, thank you.

4) "You're getting SO Big."
Yes, I know, but can you please say, "you look great, pretty or sexy" instead, thanks!

5) "Do you plan on breastfeeding, giving birth naturally, using regular or cloth diapers?"
I'll tell you, but then I don't want to hear your opinion on XY or Z.

6) "What kind of sleep schedule routine will you use for your baby?"
I don't know, but he's definitely going to Harvard.

7) "Ha, ha, ha...if only you knew how much your life will change."
Duh! I know how much life will change. This is the reason I waited 18 years to have children.

8) "You're living in a dream world if you think it'll be that easy."
You're lame. It's OK to dream. I believe we all do it sometimes.

9) "Well...you may want to rethink doing that, or purchasing those items."
Yes, all knowing. You should get the mother of year award.

10) "You should have sex as much as possible to induce labor."
Now that's living in a dream world.

First Baby Shower

On Saturday, Aug. 24th my sweet friend Rozy hosted a beautiful baby shower for me at her house. My heart on that day felt truly thankful and blessed for the friends I have made while in Riyadh. Wish my family and friends abroad could have attended and been part of this important time in my life. We all had a great time talking, sharing ideas, eating and playing games. Lucas received so many gifts; clothes, toys, books, diapers, etc...I had to request a temporary dresser from the embassy just to fit all the gifts. Now I am organizing the nursery for his arrival (5 weeks from now).