In late February to March, our family took a three week whirlwind adventure home. Abby and I flew to my parents' house in PA for a week, while Chuck went to Omaha to visit his oldest daughter. We then met up with my middle step daughter, Shelby in Disney World and spent a whole week enjoying the happiest place on earth. The last week, Chuck, Abby and I traveled to our "home", Raleigh, NC to visit family and friends. It was so much fun and I couldn't have asked for a better vacation!
When we arrived in Pennsylvania, it was snowing. Poor Abby had on 4 layers of clothes and was still shivering under 2 blankets on the ride home. What a shock from the 90+DEG weather we're used to. She had a blast playing in the snow though! And for me, it was so good to drive and shop without interruption! My mom spoiled us as well, as we had prime rib and bacon, sausage, ribs, ham and well almost every pork product you could imagine. Abby ate at least 4 packages of Goldfish Crackers in the first week. It's the little things you miss most.
On the last day, Abby finally became a princess and was transformed at the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique. She chose Sleeping Beauty and was so cute. Even had a magical moment, getting her transformation done in the window of the boutique. She had lunch with princesses, went to a sing along and campfire with Chip and Dale, rode Dumbo, It's a Small World, Peter Pan, Ariel and Nemo. She visited all the countries at Epcot and loved Beauty and the Beast on stage at Hollywood Studios. She met the Disney Jr. characters and saw a live muppet show. The best part for mommy and daddy was seeing the look on her face as she experienced everything for the first time. That look of wonder is well worth the 27 hour trip to the USA.
After three weeks, it was hard to leave, but I also learned that I missed Yanbu and our friends here. Despite all the changes and frustrations, not to mention the adjustments and differences, I do like Yanbu. Abby and I are still adjusting, and yes it was very hard to return and leave all our family and friends again, but this is our life now. We are learning more and more to be flexible and appreciate all the blessings we have. There is so much our family has to be thankful for and if nothing else, this adventure has made us appreciate what we have in the USA, from material things to our freedoms to the conveniences of home, and yes even Walmart. :) I wouldn't trade one minute of this experience, and after 6 months I am still glad we took the leap!