A little life update...

It's the end of May, how is it already the end of May?! ... I know it is a cliché thing to say but the past two years have literally flown.  We are coming up to two years of living in the Middle East and our lives have changed so much.

When we decided to move out here we made a pact that love it or loathe it, we would stick our two year contract out and then see where we were at and how we were feeling.  Now we are reaching that first set of goal posts and I am actually very proud of us.  We left our friends and family in search of a better life for our children and that is what we achieved.  I mean don't get me wrong the #expatlife is far from perfect but when I sit back and look at our daily lives now I am pretty impressed.

Here is a little round up of what makes me most proud;

1. We can afford to pay for our children's music, ballet and rugby lessons all on our own

2. We have been able to ignite a passion for travel in our children.  Before we moved here the most exciting trip Posey and Lochlann experienced was a ferry trip to Ireland for a family getaway with my lovely in-laws (which was lovely by the way) but in the past two years we've lived in Abu Dhabi, visited Copenhagen and Bali as well as traveling back to the UK! - Posey and Lochlann now have places like China and Italy on their bucket lists!

3.  Our children have friends from around the world.  They are getting to learn about and experience many different cultures.

4.  Not only has our marriage survived, I honestly believe it has now begun to thrive - it took time to settle and to get used to being with each other basically all the time but honestly now I think we are stronger and happier than ever!

5. We have started to take care of ourselves a little better - eating better, having a healthier mindset (me) and working out together at the gym.


When reading those things back they all seem pretty normal, mundane things, things that I am sure many people take for granted in their daily lives.  But they're not small things to me.  When our children were very small our family helped us to provide for our children and give them all they need and whilst there is nothing wrong with that - we wanted to be able to do these things for ourselves.
I hated the guilt of knowing I couldn't always afford things for our children - only holidaying in Wales because we were fortunate enough to use our family's caravan.  The children only wearing the nicest of the cheap clothes because that was all we could afford or them having things bought by our family - I was so grateful but I yearned to do things our way - to take them to places we wanted to visit and for them to wear or play with things that we had chosen for them.
I am struggling to put this across in a way that doesn't sound like I am totally only interested in the materialistic side of life but I just mean that I wanted to feel like we could do things for our little family all by ourselves.  I guess I wanted to show what we could achieve even though we got together quickly, got serious even quicker and became parents within 18 months of being official.
I wanted to show that Sam and I were strong together, that we were meant to be despite it all seeming so rushed.

I mean between 2011-2015 we got together, fell pregnant, bought a house together (with help from our parents), welcomed our daughter into the world, fell pregnant for a second time, got married, welcomed our son & then moved house AGAIN!

Fast forward to New Years 2017 and you found Sam and I in our beautiful detached four bedroom home, the home we stretched ourselves for in the hopes it would become our forever home.  Sadly we fairly quickly got bogged down in nursery fees and mortgages repayments.  We have some really wonderful family memories from our time in our house but I vividly remember sitting down together in the New Year just after Posey's and Lochlann's birthdays and deciding that something needed to change. We knew our home wasn't what we wanted for our forever home. We were sick of working our butts off for little pay off and money always seeming tight.  Something needed to change.  We wanted to made our children's lives fulfilled with two happy parents, family adventures and a little spare cash to make life easier and that is what moving to Abu Dhabi has given us.

We arrived with two toddlers, one still in nappies and 8 rather large suitcases.  Two years later we've had two successful years in our current school, our children have both started school and really love it.  Now we are getting our little family ready for our a new adventure in a new school.


                               Us not long after we arrived...

                                Our first trip to Dubai

                                Posey is 3 here and little L is only two

                              On a desert safari for Sam's birthday

How long we will be here?  - In honesty I don't know.  Sam and I stick to our decisions and see them through. Our new contract is for another two years therefore we will be here for at least that.  It gives us two more years to save money and will see us move to another part of Abu Dhabi with new places to explore.

I do worry about the children not experiencing their childhood in England surrounded by our family but the opportunities we can give them here mean that they can spend summers getting in that quality time and the rest of the year living where our weekends involve guitars lessons, the beach and trips to the pool.  We definitely couldn't say that when we lived in Warrington!

                                                            Us now...

I am aware this post has been a ramble fest and possibly doesn't even make much sense but as these first two years draw to close I wanted to get my thoughts down.  There are honestly still moments daily where I still cannot believe that this is where we call home.

I am so glad we started this adventure, I love my little family so much.
💛

If you've reached the even of this long winded post then thank you. 🙏

Getting fruity with Kibsons.

Before I get started with this post, I feel inclined to say hello! I haven't written in a while and wanted to say hi to the few lovely people that take the time to read my blog.  How are you? What have you been up to? I would love if you left a comment to say hello on this post!

Right back to the post.

A little while back, we were very kindly invited to a little event with https://kibsons.com over in Dubai.  Kibsons is a fresh food delivery service in the UAE.  We love the company and have been using the service for a few months so were delighted when they invited to spend the morning with them.   The company was established over 30 years ago and prides itself on its relationship with customers and the quality of the produce it delivers.


Posey and Lochlann thoroughly enjoyed the event as they got to paint on canvasses using a variety of different fruits and vegetables.  You can see their creations in some of the shots below.  It was a really lovely way to spend the morning with the children and has encouraged us to get the paints out with children more often.

After the masterpieces were complete, the children were treated to a complimentary box of healthy Kibsons treats whilst myself and Sam were interviewed on camera (eekkk!) giving our reasons for using and enjoying the service.

We love to use Kibsons because we know we can trust their produce.  The children get really excited when the blue box arrives at the door and it has such a positive effect on our eating.  The best thing about Kibsons for me has to be the price of the fruit and vegetables.  If you are someone living in the UAE, I would highly recommend using Kibsons.  The quality is great, the price is reasonable and the fruit lasts longer than it seems to from the supermarkets.

Thanks Kibsons! I look forward to ordering from you when we get back to Abu Dhabi!

* This post is in no way sponsored and the opinions included are my own.

England awaits; our top 5 - can't - wait - for - list

It is pretty much mid-May and my mind is already on our trip home this summer. We are still loving the roller coaster that is this expat life but I can't deny that our trip home is coming up in conversation more and more.

We were sat around at lunch over the weekend discussing what we love most about living in Abu Dhabi and what we are excited about for our summer holidays.  It is clear that we all still really love the lifestyle of hitting the pool or beach each weekend and being able to spend more quality time together out here... the sunshine definitely appeals too (even though I am a total winter baby).

Having said all that, we are all very much ready for a trip home and here is what we are looking forward to most.

Me:

1. Seeing friends and family's faces, especially when they see how much P and L have grown and have learnt over the past year.
2.  Catch ups with some of my most favourite people.
3.  The greenery!  My goodness I miss the trees... get me on a forest walk pronto!
4.  The rain - I know, I shouldn't wish for rain especially in England but I'm hoping for a shower or two just for nostalgia's sake!
5.  Witnessing the marriages of some of our closest and oldest friends.

Sam:

1. Seeing friends and family.
2.  Heading down to the local pub for a beer and a Sunday roast (on an actual Sunday without it costing about £11 per beer).
3.  The stag do for one of his best friends
4.  Hopefully some child free date time... with me obviously! 😂
5.  Asda pizza!

Posey & Lochlann:

1. Seeing their grandparents' new homes
2. Seeing all their aunties
3. Playing with their cousin Jude
4. Going to the caravan on holiday
5. Playing with Findley and Inca.

Posey also told me she's quite looking forward to going to Asda 😂 and is hoping to hit the toy isle!

I may also be looking forward to a trip to Primark or two!

There we have it. 8 weeks and counting...

Thank you for reading,

7 months in...

The wall of dreams at Yas Beach.

7 months in doesn't quite have the same ring to it as 6 months in but I have been one busy lady recently so, alas, it's now mid March and we are 7 months in!

7 months into living a 7 hour flight away from the UK. 7 months into working in a new school.  7 months into the littles settling into their new home.  7 months into apartment living and 7 months into living in the desert heat!

How do I feel about it now?

In the interest of being honest, it hasn't always been an easy move but then we never expected it to be.  We moved two small children away from their home comforts and we have all had to adapt to a very different culture.  There have been many ups and downs along the way.  They say it takes at least 12 months to feel settled and to think of this place as 'home'.
Having said that, there are so many positives here that sometimes I wonder how we will ever go back to England.

Highlights of the past 7 months include;

• our marriage has survived!! Wahoooo!! 😂
• settling into and beginning to enjoy a new workplace
• watching P and L settle and thrive in their classes 
• copious days enjoying the swimming pool
• a yearly membership to the local waterpark (Yas water world which is 10 minutes away and fantastic for children). 
• Trips to Dubai 
• Our desert safari for Sam's 28th birthday
• making new friends
• watching Sam enjoy playing for the Saracens Rugby team (not going to lie I think it is rather hot watching him run around the pitch in his shorts!)
• visits from Sam's sister Kate and my sister Sophie 
• I got to see one of my best friends and her beautiful baby girl on a trip to the UAE for her 30th
• trips to the beach for birthday parties 
• watching Beauty in the Beast in the park, all sat together on a blanket munching treats whilst the sun set 
• Sam cutting off all his hair (I am pretty much his no.1 fan at this point)
• playing in fake snow at the Galleria Mall at Christmas time
• Christmas Brunch at the Westin Abu Dhabi 

... the list goes on.   I could go on about the negatives that we have experienced (like me crying every time it bloody snows in England and we aren't there to enjoy it) but then, nobody really wants to hear me moan.  Those aren't the things I want my children and I to look back on either. 

In short, yes we get homesick quite often but the move out here was absolutely worth it.  Work is going well, the children are happy and my husband looks great with a tan! What more could I ask for?! 

We are very much looking forward to our holiday back to England in the summer.  There are lots of people that we miss terribly and I can't wait for everybody to see how much our two littles have grown.  I am so proud of my little family and despite everything, I am really proud of us for moving out here. 

I am now going to share some of my most favourite photos from our time here so far - most of which are just iPhone snaps...

Our first date night in Abu Dhabi

P and I at the Crowne Plaza on Yas Island

P and L enjoying an ice-lolly at Dubai Mall

Our first trip to Dubai

On the boat ride to watch the amazing fountain show at Dubai Mall

Our first ever time trick or treating.

When Sam plays the name game at Starbucks! 

When Posey won star of the week and got to take Popsy home.

My handsome husband on his birthday trip to the desert. 

Me feeling awkward around a camel... 

At the F1watching Mumford & Sons ... what a great night! 

P and L all ready for National Day celebrations

Christmas 2017 at the Westin Abu Dhabi 

Posey just generally being her usual self :) 

Our boy at Yas Gateway Park 

After our winter picnic at Yas Gateway Park 

and then she turned four. 

And he turned three...

When my beautiful friend and her family visited during their stay in the UAE for her 30th.

Mother's Day celebrations at Lochlann's nursery.

A special moment with my boy and I whilst waiting for Daddy to bring the coffees. 

When Auntie Katey came to visit.

When Auntie Sophie popped in for 3 hours on route to Nepal. 

One of my most favourite things about Abu Dhabi... the sunsets. 

Our littles on a recent visit to Jumeriah.

If you have reached this point you are an absolute legend because I included FAR too many photos! Thank you for reading, I am sorry my posts never follow a pattern or schedule, I'll get there one day... maybe! 😊

A Valentines Date Afternoon

So, I may or not have started drafting this post and then forgotten all about it and never uploaded it... OPPS.  Still very much an amateur blogger over here!

I still wanted to document the lovely afternoon Sam and I had during our visit to the Saray Spa located within the Marriott Hotel Al Forsan, Abu Dhabi.

We visited the Marriott on a bit of a whim really.  It was during our half term break, Lochlann was still in nursery and our good friends had offered to take Posey to the waterpark with them.  This meant one thing... a child free day!!!! Don't get me wrong I love my children dearly but time alone with Sam was needed.  So off the children went and we were left with most of the day to explore the endless possibilities.  Do we get on top of the chores 😂, go and chill at our pool or go out for a nice lunch? In honesty, I really wanted to do something a little more special as Valentines was just around the corner and although we don't usually celebrate it, I thought it would be nice to do something a little more special.  I just didn't know what.

In the end, whilst I was getting ready I heard Sam on the phone arranging our trip to the spa for drinks and a couples massage.  I was so excited, as parents we don't often get chance to appreciate each other and I never expected that this afternoon off parenting would result in a little spa date!
We quickly got ready and headed off as we needed to be at the hotel for midday.  This gave us three and half hours before we had to go and collect Lochlann from nursery.


Our arrival.

When we arrived we were shown to the hotel lobby where they had the most delicious pastries and cakes on offer.  With the package we had bought we were able to choose something to eat and a drink each.  In the end we opted for a lattes rather than bubbles (the reality of needing to parent later that day).  We sat out on the terrace in the sunshine and were served our little treats.  I had a vanilla latte and a chocolate orange macaroon and Sam had a hazelnut latte and some sort of chocolate delight.  I loved this part of our date, the treats were scrummy and we got to sit and just chat to one another without any distractions... lovely!

Saray Spa.

At half one we strolled over to the spa.  We were greeted with a glass of chilled cucumber and lemon water before being escorted into the spa.  Whenever I have been to a spa before I have been really nervous and unsure about what I am actually supposed to do but the ladies at the Saray Spa were so lovely, calming and reassuring.  Plus, I actually took a lot of comfort in the fact that Sam was there with me too.  We were given really luxurious bathrobes and were given time to make ourselves comfortable.  As part of the valentines package we were also treated to a full body scrub which was amazing.  I throughly enjoyed this and really appreciate the fact they cover your eyes over during this... can you imagine how awkward it could be otherwise! After our 30 minute body scrub we were given time to have a shower.  Which I am sure any mother will agree with me, a hot, uninterrupted  shower is like a spa trip in itself!

After we had showered we then had an hour's worth of a full body massage.  It was so soothing and calming, I think Sam even dozed off for a while it was that good.  I really enjoyed the extra little touches such as the heated massage table and the oils that were used to fragrance the room.  I honestly don't think I have ever felt more relaxed in my entire life.

After the massage, you were invited to relax, stay awhile and enjoy the hotel's facilities.  Before leaving the spa, they give us some nuts, dried fruits and a cup of lemon tea and honey.  We didn't have the time to enjoy the pool and things as we needed to collect Lochlann but I did soak up the last few minutes of calm with my tea.

As someone who can be quite nervous and awkward I was never quite sure about spa days but I have to say I throughly enjoyed this afternoon with Sam at the Marriott.  Being there with my husband put my mind at ease and the ladies in the spa were just so lovely. I would most definitely recommend the couples package to any parents that are in desperate need of some. R & R and time together.

 This post isn't sponsored or anything (I am probably one of the smallest blogs out there) we just had a genuinely lovely day and I wanted to share how much we loved it.  If you live in the area or are over in Abu Dhabi on a holiday, I would absolutely recommend a trip to the Marriott Al Forsan.  Thank you to all the lovely staff who made us feel so welcome.

Thank you to my gorgeous husband for treating us to this little spa trip, Sam we need to spend time together like this more often.  💌

Here is a little instagram husband outtake of me to make you smile! 😃

Thanks for stopping by.