Summer Fun Continues

Can't believe how fast the summer has gone by. Thankfully we still have two more weeks of fun!

View of Half Dome, Nevada Falls, and Vernal Falls from
our "date" hike in Yosemite 

Leif meeting his cousins Hayden and Brinley for the first time

Hayden showing Leif the games on his iPad

Brinley loved to help

Laying on the beach

Beautiful Lake Tahoe

Enjoying the lake on a peddle boat

wiped out

Gorgeous sunsets from our condo

Acting tough after seeing Man of Steel

Girls Day Out: Shopping and lunch

Summer So Far...

We have been on summer break for less than 3 weeks and we've already done so much...

My two boys enjoying their drinks for Father's Day

Walking around The Broadmoor  in memory of my  Dad

Maggie, me and my mom playing a round of golf at our
local golf course. Dad would be so proud!

A beautiful red sun due to the dozen fires burning in Colorado.

Leif meeting some cows at my grandparents farm in Oklahoma

Leif met all the animal farms

Leif hanging with his cousins, Malachi and Kylah
in Yosemite

View of Yosemite Valley
(El Capitan, Half Dome, the Three Brothers)

Spending time at Lower Falls in Yosemite NP

Climbing up to the falls

Jordan, Kylah and Malachi swimming at
the base of the waterfall

Time Flies...

It's hard to believe we are finishing our first year in Saudi Arabia. It seems like just yesterday that we arrived in this big "sand box".  Our lives have changed drastically over the past year and we couldn't be happier. We enjoy living overseas and all the interesting adventures we have on a daily basis. Trust me, living in another country is like nothing you can imagine unless you've done it. After a while, things that seemed so abnormal in the beginning tend to seem more normal in the end. Situations don't phase you and you almost forget what "normal" is. We've learned how to assimilate to a different culture, speak a few words/phrases of Arabic, became parents to a darling baby boy, and survived our 5th year of teaching. We are excited for summer and all the plans we have, but it's nice to know that we have a welcome place to come back to in the end.

Moving overseas and with only 5 bags of belongings

Saying final goodbyes

Learning valuable lessons from the natives

Our new landscape

Becoming a family of 3

Weekend Treats

Weekends are the BEST! 

We've always enjoyed the extra time with one another, but with the pool two minutes from our doorstep and a cupcake shop downtown, we're in HEAVEN! ...at least Jess is. LOL

No, Thank YOU very munch! 

We couldn't make up our minds...I was surprised
we narrowed it down to just six.

Getting in...

Leif really enjoys the water. It was a bit chilly under the
shade pavilion, but Leif didn't seem to mind.
His new favorite thing is floating on his stomach.

We're in the Homestretch...

In one month, we'll be back in the states enjoying some much needed free time. We have an action packed summer planned and can hardly contain our excitement. 

Hike Mt. Whitney and the surrounding area
(Photo courtesy of leftcoastvoices.wordpress.com)

Visit family in Oklahoma
(Photo courtesy of blog.newsok.com)

Explore Yosemite National Park 
(Photo courtesy of www.alwaysonvacation.com)

Visit Lake Tahoe 
(Photo courtesy of www.astonhotels.com)

Hike throughout Grand Teton National Park
(Photo courtesy of grosventreriverranch.wordpress.com)

Soak in Glenwood Hot Springs
(Photo courtesy of www.examiner.com)

Visit New York City
(Photo courtesy of www.123rf.com)

Let the countdown begin...

Dust Storm

Yesterday we encountered our first major dust storm. My friend, Amy, and I were hosting 'Games Galore' as an after school activity when we saw the dust wall barreling towards us. Along with the dust came an electric lighting storm. We dismissed the kids early and had them run to their buses before the storm hit. Within 2 minutes the storm hit and with it came wild winds, heavy rain, and SAND! After the sand blew through, it continued to rain. Jordan and I ran to our car and headed home before the roads became rivers. Since Saudi Arabia is sand, when it rains, it floods. On our way home we encountered some deep 'rivers' in intersections, but we made it home safely.
 

This Working Mom

It's about that time for me to head back to work. Although I've LOVED my time being home, what makes going back to work easier is that I enjoy my job. I love seeing students learn and 1st graders are hilarious. They say the funniest things! Being a teacher is a hectic and tiring job, but I wouldn't do any other job. 

Who knows where the societal pendulum is swinging nowadays; stay at home mom or working mom.
So many people ask me why I'm going back to work; saying, "Isn't being a mom the most important job?"  I agree, being a mom is an important job (which I am doing), but I also believe in the need for "moms" to have space to continue to learn and expand as individuals, as well as the need for children to learn to be away from their parents and learn to be around others. I believe children learn valuable lessons from others, not just me.  Being a working mom doesn't mean I don't love my child as much as any other mom, it just means I desire different things for myself and for my child.  

We win when we recognize that career ambition and the drive to nurture can exist in the same person at the same time, and work together to come up with ways to scratch both itches. 

~ Meagan Francise 


I'm back to work in 3 days...