The Stecherbush Abroad

We found another favorite wadi. This one was different than the others as there's a more developed beginning including paved paths, a restaurant and bathrooms. You go in further and then there's warmish waters of all the fun depths. There are also trails for hiking.   The water near the developed section was full of fish and plants.  This water was lovely. Kids loved jumping and swimming. Since the water was a bit warm and the air was cool and breezy Elise ended up with asthma. She sat there warming and slowing her breathing. It worked. The developed section. We're excited to go back. It really was a lovely place!

This little love is my constant companion. I'm a lucky Mom to have such adventure loving children. There in the background you can see the Spikeball games going on. We wanted to do a little paddle boarding but the tide was in and the waves went really far out. Maybe next time. All the green in this area boggles my mind. I'm amazed at what a little rain can bring into the landscape here.   Goodnight Sun.

We took a boat out to an island at Bandar with the Mohammads, the Khalils, and the Sessions. Everyone had a lovely if slightly chilly time.  There used to be a sort of camp set up here. It's just a heap of junk at this point but there were some really useful things like tables and chairs, a chess game etc. We had a lovely set up and Matt worked really hard preparing lots of food and did an amazing job although his sandwiches were second favorites to Alena's chocolate chip cookies. Brigham and I took a little hike to a view point. It was amazing. The water was a little choppy in the open section and the girls were a little nervous but the cove we set up in was pretty smooth sailing. We're wondering if Brigham found some octopus bones?   Matt and Mo and Elise and I did some snorkeling. The air was chilly but the water wasn't bad. I loved that as soon as the other kids joined us they all went straight up the mountain. Samuel and Brigham went hunting all over the island for...

The opening of the musical season at the Opera House made my heart beat fast. I wanted to have something formal to wear if I ever needed it so I had a dress made. I was incredibly nervous about the whole procedure but also pleased with the results. Matt bought me tickets to see Rigoletto.  As excited as I was, the production was incredible! I'm still dreaming about it and even Matt loved it-he doesn't like opera. After getting a beautiful dress i was super nervous about how to get me up to par. The toll my hair loss had taken is really tragic for me. It was doing better until the most recent episode Elise shared with me after catching it in Egypt. While it wasn't perfect, It was better than I'd thought.  It didn't really turn out like I thought but it worked. While the dress is beautiful, it doesn't really flatter my figure. It's a LOT of dress. I was excited to show Matt around the opera house but he was maybe a little uncomfortable. I have no idea why. He ...

Oman's efforts to mitigate the COVID influx is to put all the children up to grade 4 online. It's been a bitter-sweet change. They miss their classrooms and don't like online school. There was a huge transition period but now some beautiful things have developed. Sennia and Elise enjoy each other's company much more peaceably again. I've had more time to work with them on things I find important. Reading to them, doing more art work and piano lessons. Cooking and going on PE adventures. They're good girls and I will miss them IF they get to go back to school. I will also breathe a sigh of relief that I can get homework and seminary studies done. Elise's friend Cayetana is the sweetest little blessing. I hope they continue their friendship. Sennia was gifted this sweet owl by her generous brother Brigham. She did a great job building it. We couldn't really neglect her swordsmanship.  

Cameron and Colton have been amazing at getting this group up and climbing. Samuel is absolutely loving it.