We had so much fun and completely enjoyed ourselves. We were able to stay right across from Edinburgh castle in Scotland and were in walking distance of everything! We went to the Christmas Market, Abby was able to see Santa, we went ice skating and even caught a play. It was cold, which I loved for Christmas, and even snowed a bit. The apartment we stayed in was reasonable and nice, and the lady next door even took the time to decorate the hall for Abby since it was the first time in nearly 2 years she had seen Christmas decorations and real trees! We had a wonderful dinner cooked by my step-son (culinary school really paid off!) and Abby, my future daughter-in-law and I even made a gingerbread house.
For New Year's one week in London was fantastic. We went to the usual sites, Chuck, Abby and I scooted off to "Abbey Road" (couldn't resist) and dodged traffic to take a picture. We went to see Peppa Pig and Seussical the Musical with Abby, who LOVED the theater. Went on the London Eye and just relaxed and shopped and ate and well enjoyed a little bit of freedom.
After the holiday, Abby and I returned to the states for 3 weeks since she was on school holiday and Chuck returned to Saudi. We had a bit of a whirlwind with family, but we did get to enjoy some time together. Abby saw Frozen twice, we had her 4th birthday party at Grandma and PopPop's, got to see our dog, Bingo and Mommy enjoyed driving and having a drink or two as well (although not at the same time of course)!
It's funny but I've gotten so used to life here in Saudi that although it was VERY hard to return and leave my parents and friends, it is nice to be back to our "home." Living out of a suitcase for over a month is tiring and we've made our life here. We've been back nearly a week and Abby is back in school. We're already planning our next vacation in March for a week and then a big trip back to the States in June.
While I was home, someone told me they didn't feel that Abby had a "base" or a "home." I have to say that statement really bothered me. In the traditional sense, no, we travel spending part of the year in Saudi and the other part in the States, but even at 4, I really feel that Abby understands we have 2 homes. When people ask her where she lives, she tells them, "Saudi Arabia and Pennsylvania, but I'm from North Carolina." We've tried to make her understand that wherever she is safe and loved, that is a home, not the walls or the roof, but where her family is, whether we're in a hotel in London, a house in Saudi, or my parents' home in the states.
She was very sad to leave her grandma and PopPop this time. She's getting older and she understands more about the missing and saying goodbye part, but even through the tears, she told my mom, "We'll be back soon and I'll talk to you every day, Grandma!"
When we got here though, she was fine, seeing her friends, her toys and of course her daddy. But in all reality, even if we lived in the US still, we would be in North Carolina and my parents in Pennsylvania. She would see them less than she does now, and we'd still Skype and talk and miss them terrible.
All in all, it was a very good, busy and crazy vacation. I'm happy to be back with my hubby and settled for at least a couple months before we're off again. It's nice to finally understand, and even have Abby remind us, that wherever we are in this adventure, as long as we're together, we're "home."