5 days to go...

So we have about 5 days left here in Abu Dhabi before we head home for the summer. I thought I would be a bit more anxious about leaving and going back to the USA. Maybe I'm thinking of all the good people we have met and become friends with here. Maybe it is the fact that Quin will stay behind and work for a few more weeks. Maybe I will miss the magical rosey-orange sunsets that only the Middle East has. Maybe I will just miss being here.

Whatever the reason- there are definitely things I know I am going to enjoy once we get to Utah. And I am getting more excited with each advancing day.

TOP TEN THINGS I AM LOOKING FORWARD TO IN THE USA-

1. Garbage disposal - seriously! You cannot imagine the decomposing junk I fish out of my sink drain EVERY SINGLE NIGHT. I can not wait to dump something down the drain and flick on that switch!

2. Sleeping with an open window. Okay- that's not fair to say, we actually have done that here in the winter. But to have that cool, crisp mountain air come in on the breeze...

3. Going to the public library. The kids and I are going to wear out our library card. All the money we have saved living here has been spent in one of three bookstores :).

4. Good lunch bread. There is amazing food here - sandwich bread is not one of them.

5. Legos - we'll be stocking up on legos. Legos are seriously 3-4 times the price here in Abu Dhabi that in the US.

6. Seeing old friends and family! It's hard to imagine how much we have missed each of you!

7. Bike riding in the summer - yes, we have bikes here but it is brutally hot now. Can not wait to get on the bikes with the kids and go for a trail ride, ride to the corner store, snow cone shack, library, splash pad, friends house, parks, etc.

8. Raspberries! We have not had a single raspberry since we got here! They are crazy expensive! I do splurge on Strawberries - have yet to do that on raspberries! Can't wait to pick our own from our backyard patch! And I should add we are anxious to eat local fruit, especially Utah peaches!

9. Did I say babysitter? I am so looking forward to going out on a date with Quin! (We have used Audrey a few times for very short periods) It will be so nice - the maid/nanny thing is looking better and better to me in September when we come back. I just want one night a week with Quin

10. Walmart and Costco baby. Enough said.

And now for some love for the Middle East:

THINGS I AM GOING TO MISS ABOUT ABU DHABI-

1. The Beach. I have never lived near the ocean before. It was a lot of fun to just pack up and go - let the kids enjoy the sand, sun, and water. Actually I don't know who loved it more - me or the kids.

2. My Primary Chorister calling - yes, it's true. I absolutely love that calling. There is nothing that beats singing with the kids and hearing their voices sing about things they know are true.

3. Shwarma - the equivilent of a great burger in the USA. Even Ikea has good shwarma. Especially when they have pickles and french fries stuffed into them :).

4. Our little family pool- I think that is a given, considering how many pictures and blog posts have been themed around our pool.

5. Quinton. Missing him and having the kids miss him until he joins us in Utah in a few weeks. Thank goodness for SKYPE. And missing him is actually the first on my list even though I posted it as #5...

6. Good friends that we have made here. However they are also getting the heck out of Abu Dhabi for the summer. Just too dang hot here!

7. Emirates Discount Market. If you live here you know what I am talking about - and you are laughing out loud as you read this!

8. Exploring Abu Dhabi, Dubai and the UAE. Fun to just go and sight-see and enjoy the cultures and flavors of this country.

9. The radio- They play awesome 80's stuff here. All the American and British charts! We have rocked out to Bon Jovi, Madonna, of course Michael Jackson, Taylor Swift, The English Beat...you name it, they play it.

10. Hearing the call to prayer. There is just something about it - makes you stop and think, reminds you about how long it's been since you've said your own prayers. I welcome hearing it first thing in the morning (5:30-ish)- loved it in Cairo, love it here.