I love the photo I have put on the header of our blog.  Although it isn't as clear as I would have liked, it speaks volumes.  The men in the dish-dashas are Shaikhs and leaders of the UAE, Saudi Arabia and other Gulf Countries.  We were also surrounded by diplomats of countries such as Japan, China, Turkey, Canada, etc.

We witnessed history with Ambassadors and Diplomats from several countries.  It was an amazing opportunity to see this event while standing shoulder to shoulder with people from all different countries and faiths.  I couldn't help but wonder what they were thinking/feeling..Of course those people on the Mall in D.C. must have all been feeling similar pride, emotion, and hope.  However, I know that all of these people we were with must think their country is great as well and they all have different types of governments from monarchies to democracies, none of which have the history or constitution of the United States.

There was a sense of hope and optimism but it was a subdued event due to the recent deaths and tragic events in Gaza.  Most parties and festivals have been cancelled recently in honor of the loss of life and drama there.

Inauguration Day in the UAE

We have so many things to celebrate and take pride in today as the 44th President of the United States takes the oath of office.  

-There is a cease fire in Gaza

-The first African American President has been elected

-There will be a smooth transition of office as Obama and Bush have 

coffee together prior to the swearing in event

-WE WILL BE GOING TO THE AMBASSADOR'S RESIDENCE TO CELEBRATE

(Really, we are so much fun you would think they would have invited us before now..but,better late than never.)  We have time on our side since the events begin in our evening hours so it's party time for Americans in the UAE.

Brad and I have both been battling a serious cold, fever, etc...but we really cannot imagine missing such a great opportunity.  After all, next year at this time our chances of hanging out with a US Ambassador are quite slim..We have to go and have a great time.  I don't know if security will allow for photos but if so...I'll post tomorrow.

WE'RE OUT OF THE CLOSET

Finally the world can know our future plans.  We are sadly leaving Abu Dhabi in June of this year.  Every year we have been here has been better than the one before.  We have grown closer as a family and shared so many great experiences to cherish as memories for a lifetime.  We have had a chance to share this part of the world with many of our friends and loved ones who may never have traveled here without us to encourage them.  We have found a home here and it will be hard to leave.  It is bitter-sweet.  We will head home to Utah but not to a home we have known before.

We will be moving to Cedar City where Brad will be the Provost of Southern Utah University.  It is the right thing for our family to do at this time but it doesn't make it any easier to leave the friends we have made here.

Any of you who have been thinking of making a visit here should plan to come soon.  Our last few months will be crazy with packing and planning but we always have time to accept visitors and would love to show people around.

It has been inspiring to me to see the growth that can come from making changes that are challenging.  We are all better people for having come to this part of the world.

The sweet will come with living closer to family that we have missed so much.  I am thrilled to be returning home in time to see Sarah and JD's new baby girl grow up.  The kids are so happy to be closer to all their cousins and best friends.

We Got JoJo for a Few Days!

Brad's sister Jolene came to stay with us for a few days after a quick stop in Jordan to see Mom and Pop Cook.  We crammed all we could into the 3 days she had with us.  We took her to the henna salon, the camel track and to buy camel blankets.  On her last day we had Marilyn stay with the kids while Brad and I took her to Dubai to see the regular stops: Ski Dubai, Atlantis on the Palm Island, Madinat Jumeriah...Then we had to say goodbye to yet another visitor as we dropped her at the Dubai airport for her long flight home.  It's always great to have visitors and well worth the sadness of saying goodbye to them..

Removing the 2nd cast in 2 weeks..I had no idea casts could or needed to be changed almost as often as some people change their socks.  Always willing to lend a hand, I was asked to assist the technician.

This was taken at the appointment to get the 4th cast..Yes, 4 casts in 4 weeks.  We are all getting really creative with our artwork on the new cast every week.  This is the 1st week we don't have an appointment to go into the ortho clinic..My Thursday morning will be free again...At least for this week!

Heely's are the NEW THING at the Fortress Compound.. Poor Charlie cannot take part but thanks to Marilyn and a stroller he gets to roll along with his buddies.  I know Heely's have been around for a long time but our compound seems to have just caught on.  Cairo got Heely's for Christmas and the other kids all HAD to have them.  It's been great to see all the boys and girls in the Fortress spending time outside enjoying the ride.

Lawrence of Arabia..Imagine

If you can believe it, neither Brad nor I have ever seen Lawrence of Arabia!  It's Friday night, our sabbath, also our weekend.  Saturday is just like the Christian world, Saturday.  So on Friday nights we like to watch a movie, ITunes TV or something "celebratory".  Brad decided to watch Lawrence of Arabia tonight.  I am enjoying blogging while these 3 (well, Brad) watch the movie.

Charlie has often been considered a "Mama's Boy".  I like that about him.  It's nice to have a "Boy".  He usually likes me to read to him at night and snuggle with him.  Rough play, tickle torture and other games are reserved for Dad.  

One would think the broken leg would create a lot of Mama's Boy time..NOT SO!  Turns out this Mama's boy decided to choose the time of a serious injury to become a "DO-IT-YOURSELF- GUY".  He refuses help up the stairs, down the stairs, getting water, climbing onto and off of the couch and even, as of tonight, putting on his jammies."  When I offer to carry him he says, "No thanks, I can do it."  Honestly, I think the other 3 kids with 2 healthy legs would take me up on that offer.

Chubs coming down the stairs..I really almost didn't get the camera out fast enough and it was right by the stairs.  If he doesn't break his other leg I'll be surprised.

Getting onto the couch to watch the movie with Dad.  He throws his broken leg up onto the couch and pulls himself up.  

A Blue Cast for Charlie

Charlie went into the hospital yesterday, New Year's Day, to get a new cast.  It was necessary for the doctor to put him under sedation in order to manipulate the bones into a better position for healing.  Without sedation it would have been way too painful.  Brad, Charlie and I left home for our 10 a.m. "appointment".  At noon we were placed in a room and by 12:45 the procedure was taking place..At 3p.m. Charlie finally woke up and met the criteria for discharge from the hospital.  He chose a blue cast.

As has been the case through this entire ordeal, Charlie was very brave and hasn't suffered too much.  We go back next week for yet another cast that will fit a bit tighter around his leg.

The broken leg has slowed him down a bit but hasn't "kept him down".  He scoots around on his bottom and pulls himself up onto the couch or a chair.  He even can get up the stairs.  Since I can't keep him down as the doctor recommended, I'm just hoping he doesn't do anything to prolong the situation.  

We are proud of him.  He is tough and hasn't complained.  He keeps Sharpies clipped onto the collar of his shirt so he can have people sign the cast when they show up at the house.

Charlie Rings in the New Year with Plaster..and Sets Some Family Records

We had potential to get out of this country with only one emergency run to the doctor for Jack's split chin on the twin's 4th birthday..but, it WAS too good to be true.  Charlie took a fall from the newly installed play set at the Fortress today and a friend quickly fell right on top of him...leading to what I finally assessed to be a broken leg..So, off to the urgent-care we went.  Charlie cried for quite a while at home but by the time we reached the office and got put into a room he was tired and quiet and seemingly pain-free.  Good thing, because, as we would in the US, there was quite a wait at the urgent care.  When we finally got the x-ray and had it read by the doctor (with me looking over his shoulder), it was determined that Charlie had fractured his tibia and fibula just above the ankle on his left leg.