Reflections

I keep waiting for the cards to fall.

That's how I feel about our new life.  There are still annoyances, adjustments and inconveniences (they'll have to wait for another post).

But the most fundamental aspects of my life have improved so much that it's hard for me to believe.

I feel like a huge weight has been lifted off of my shoulders.  All of the sudden I am not alone in this.

And it is wonderful.

I am a better mom (most days), wife (sometimes), and person (usually) - but we're counting small victories here and those little improvements add up to a big difference.

I'm so grateful we took a risk and made a change.

Because it was and is hard.  But it has been worth it.
Just wanted you to know.

Sri Lanka

Over the Eid holiday we took a trip to Sri Lanka.  It was incredible - beautiful scenery, kind people and a new culture to explore.  It was the first third world country we have traveled to and we were struck by the humble lives the people lead and how even in relative poverty they found happiness and contentment. It was a nice reminder that even though things are less convenient in Saudi than America we still have a lot to be grateful for (like toilet paper, air conditioning and washing machines...you know the simple things :))

  We were lucky to travel with the Swendsen's and with our nine kids we took Sri Lanka by storm.  The kids had a blast together - it's so fun to travel with friends!

The whole group at Sygiria.  This is a palace that was built by a king about 1600 years ago.  The palace was built on top of that rock outcropping in the background. We are posing in front of one of four swimming pools the king built for his 500 concubines to swim in...just sayin.

See that guy carrying Calvin?  We hired him to carry Calvin up the mountain.  Like a Sherpa - only instead of carrying gear he carries people.  It was awesome and let me tell you, it is a climb to the top of that rock.  

The grounds looking down from the top.

Sygiria means "Lions Rock" - you can see the lions feet in the background, all that is left of a massive lion statue.

Andy "chillaxin" on the deck of the house we rented...technically I think it's a "villa". We're kind of a big deal like that.

This is our resident monitor lizard.  Apparently they are "extremely carnivorous"

They grow cashews in Sri Lanka...yummy!

Heather was a good sport and let the snake charmer put this baby python around her neck.

The turtle hatchery.

Okay, we know the sign says not to touch the turtles. But they handed them right to the kids.  Don't worry we were very careful!

Sri Lankan fishermen...these guys are awesome!

The driving in Sri Lanka is crazy!  Yet somehow polite.  These are the three ways most people get around scooter (we saw a family of four riding one), bike or tuk tuk.

Ummm, we may have ridden on an elephant in an alley.

We were told it is good luck to go under an elephant three times.  We only made it once.

The people in Sri Lanka love blondes and especially blonde babies. Beti was a little bit of a celebrity.

At the beach.

Went on a safari.  Saw...

Crocodiles.

Leopards.

Elephants.

And some other stuff like mongooses, boars, water buffaloes, an asian bear, monkeys, and a few beautiful birds. Oh, and a big elephant skull.

We also went on a boat safari.  The people love blondes so much they pretty much let them do anything...like drive the boat.

Honestly, we spent the majority of our time at the pool.  It was so much fun and the kids played in it for hours.

Does this really need an explanation?

Dinner on the porch.

More blonde love.