Mail is here...

Living so far away and not having our things here yet is very hard.  Luckily we have such wonderful friends and family who have sent us delightful packages.  It is the highlight of my day when Jeff walks n the door and has a package for us. (Don't get me wrong I love it when just Jeff comes home too :} )
This week two special packages came . One from Oma and Opa and one From Nana and Papa.  

Yesterday was Katie's 3rd birthday and we were so blessed to get packages.  She had a great time opening and playing with her gifts.  Thank you all so much.  We love you.  xoxo

Oma and Opa's Box

She loves her Magnet doll

Polly Pocket Fun   Thanks Nana and Papa

Oreo Ice cream cake

mmm... That was good, more please!

We have lift off...

Three days ago our little man took his first real steps and has not looked back yet. On his eleven month birthday too! He is so cute, wobbling along.  I forgot just how special it is to see those first steps.  Jeff was not able to be with us for Katie's so this is extra special for him.  He is a very proud daddy!  As he should be.  We are so very blessed to have each other.

Katie is always saying silly things.  It is amazing what she comes up with sometimes.
The other day she said "Mom I have a problem...I can't find my choo choo trains."  Big problem, they are on the boat along with everything we own...
Today we were on base getting lunch and the gentleman at the meat carving station was wearing a bakers hat..."look mom its the muffin man!"
She also thinks her new school uniforms are unicorns. They are her new favorite animal just like the one from Spicable Meet (Despicable Me).
Its hard to believe she is going to be three in two days.  She is still our little girl.

Other happenings here in Bahrain....
Jeff's car arrived this week.  As with everything else here there was a lot of paperwork involved. The men who exchange our currency (The Dinar men) took care of it all for a small fee.  It took a few hours the go through inspection, get registered and insured but we now have another piece of our puzzle.  Bye bye hot, slow, stinky, but reliable rental car.

Our lease signing is on Sunday.  I am looking more and more forward to settling into our own place and calling it home.  Our household goods were supposed to be here on the 23rd but will be fashionably late. We were told they should clear customs and be ready for delivery around September 7-8.  So, we will stay here a bit longer at the Marriott (racking up the points).  Hopefully only another two weeks.

Dirt to the left of me dirt to the right. Here I am stuck in the middle east with you...

We arrived in the Kingdom of Bahrain four weeks ago today.   We took the Rotator out of Norfolk Va, and expected the worst.  Well, I have to say it was the longest 24 hours EVER.  It was not the kids believe it or not.  Don’t get me wrong they both had there moments.  Sitting in one row of seats for that amount of time with little to no sleep and very little room is excruciating.  Our flight had two layovers in Spain and Italy.  Both were about tow hours long in a crowded TINY airport.  (They both were on military bases.)  Luckily we found the “nurseries” in both places and it gave the kids a place to unwind a bit.  The last leg of the trip was by far the LONGEST... 

We arrived in Bahrain where the local time was about 1am.  It took a bit to get off the plane with our 4 carry-ons 2 children and a car seat.  I am not sure what hit me first, the fact the our plane was guarded by military with guns or the blast of heat that was taking my breath away.  It was another two hours of waiting in some of the worst heat I think I have ever felt.  Poor Jacob had sweat running down his face and all of our shirts were soaked.  We had been informed that the cargo door had broken on our plane so we had to wait patiently.  

We were greeted by Jeff’s sponsor Jay, and two other wonderful coworkers.    Another family, the Gunderson’s were there with us too.  They had a Dog with them. (Named  Heather lol)  

After we got our luggage we took it to Customs where they checked our passports and gave me a visa.  (My passport and visa were messed up in D.C)  We all loaded in three vehicles and headed to the marriott.  I remember Jay saying that bulidings were just put up everywhere even if there was not a street.  Dirt roads and many turns.  

The Marriott Executive suites, room 1042.  For now that is our home.  It has two bedrooms, two and a half baths, full kitchen, living and dining room.  It is a great place but not home.  

We have been house hunting with about 5 diferent realtors and have seen some very nice places and some very strange places.  We have finally mad a decision and have begun paperwork.  It  is an area called Amwaj.  Tala Island to be exact.  A four bedroom penthouse apartment.  I can't wait to post pictures soon.  It is a long process with many roadblocks.  Relying on others to get things done that normally you could do yourself is very hard for both Jeff and I.   

Here are some recent pictures since we have been here.  This is  my first ever blog.  Due to us not being able to talk with family and friends as often as we would like to I decided this would be a better way to keep up with us.  Hope you like it.  xoxo

Luggage one

luggage two

Daddy and Jacob

Mommy and Katie

The Grand Mosque from the rooftop  

view from the top sunset

My new car 2007 VW Pasatt