Just checkin in on ya!!!!!

Hey everybody!! It has been FOREVER......I KNOW!! I sincerely apologize for not updating like I promised I would.  A whole heck of a lot has transpired since my last post, so let's get to it.

We are adjusting well to our new home! G3 loves his school. He received a Chromebook for his personal use.....which he loves. He gets to bring it home everyday and I believe he even gets to keep it through the summer! Talk about FANTASTIC!!   I was able to spend the day with him last week attending classes with him and eating lunch together. He seems to be flowing nicely with the new environment and classmates. He has always been able to entertain himself without the need for others, and he is true to himself here at QA. He does interact with the other students, but he hasn't found a certain group to hang with. And his dad and I are okay with that.  His teacher all had glowing observations to report to me. Not sure if they felt they had to because Ville works there or not. But they did. I know my son. And I know that his education is his top priority. He's gonna do what needs to be done.  Most of his classes are male only. I think he has maybe 2 or 3 that have female students joining him. He has a swim class twice a week after school. And he plays soccer with  Dads and Lads every Friday with his father. All in all he is adjusting well and he has a smile on his face. That's all we can ask.

Ville has mostly male only classes as well, but he does teach 2 classes with females. Just like in America, the girls have to be reminded not to visit so much with their neighbors and to put the cell phones away! Teenage girls are pretty much the same wherever you go. They males are your typical guys. All in all the knucklehead here is nothing compared to the knucklehead in CMS. He has found a group of American teachers and admin to hang out with once a week as well. They do morning breakfast together on Friday's. He too seems to be making the adjustment to a new school, coworkers, admin, and culture. I wish I could share with you guys about one of his students, but I can't. Just know that this world is definitely not as big as we think it is!!!!!!!

I have been doing my own exploring!! I have attended two meetings with the Qatar Expat Women's Group. Most are from countries other than the US which is interesting. I have made at least 2 connections with ladies I've met there which is really cool.  They meet every Monday at one of the hotels near downtown.  There is a overnight desert trip planned for November that I am looking forward to attending.  They set up a huge tent. Feed us dinner, take us on a camel ride, go 4 wheeling in the desert. We will sleep under the stars and wake up to the sunrise on the beach! How darn cool is that? I can't wait!!  I have also gotten to know one of Ville's coworkers pretty well as well as his former coworker from Harding. (we have her to thank for helping facilitate this move over here) They both are really genuine people and I have a great time with them! Look at me.....makin friends and stuff!  AND, I'm starting to put together the skeleton for a book.........I know right?!

What I know for sure is, this so far is a wonderful adventure.  We live in this big world that is just waiting to be explored. At least once a week I will be talking to Ville and say, "Babe, we live in a completely different country!" Or he will say, " I bet you didn't have this on your radar 15 years ago!"  Heck, I didn't have HIM on my radar 15 years ago. I am truly thankful for all we have been blessed to experience. I know without a shadow of a doubt that God has His hands all in an through this. I have no regrets. Are there somethings that I miss about home? Of course. But I will eat, see, and do all those things summer 2017. A lot of people may not understand why we chose to take this opportunity and they may question why. And to that I say, "why not?"  This is our life and we aren't asking anyone for permission to live it. They don't have to like it. We're okay with that. Just know that we are fine.  My biggest worry right now is getting my RP (residence permit) so I can go attend happy hour at the hotels!!  We are tryna stack and save as much as we can. Travel as much as we can. And take full advantage of this once in a lifetime opportunity.  That's it. That's all.  Numerous times a day I say, "Thank you Lord."  And he knows that that thank you covers so many things. So, if you have any concerns, please trust and believe that The Caldwell's are doin just fine. If anything changes I will let you know. Until next time.....Know that I love ya! Mean it!