Abdullah playing dress up trying on the traditional Saudi head dress-Gutra and Igal
The first kids to make a trip back to Saudi, were Fattima (Foof) and Abdullah (little Abude). We relocated to the States in 2009 and they went back in December 2012. It was a stressful trip but very eye opening for the whole family. The next trip would be the following December with 3 more kids and that pretty much closed the door on any more trips.
lay over relaxation time
At the beach in Al-Khobar
Picnic time
such beautiful kids because of a beautiful momma!!!!
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Awwwe thanks dear Jodi!
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Great pictures!
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Thanks Katy! x
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Such beautiful pictures! I love seeing the area because it is hard for me to picture what it is actually like versus what we are shown on the news.
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yes it is much different I think, of course they show specific areas but this is it, real.
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Bless their hearts, they resemble mama!
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That is what everyone says Tasha! Thanks xx
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Beautiful kids and wonderful pictures. Thanks for sharing!
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Thanks Lydia!
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Such beautiful children, Lynn. And that last picture…frame-worthy ! 💕
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Thanks Van!
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Nice Lynn!!!xoxo
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Thanks xoxo
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xoxo
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xoxo
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Beautiful youngsters. God bless them 🙂
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Thanks Somali!
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Great kids! But I would go mad if I had to go around draped in those black robes – especially as a teenager. Ugh!
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yes!
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Wonderful pictures Lynn, they are happy kids! I appreciate you sharing these. 🙂
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Thanks Terry!
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Your children are so sweet – I especially liked the first and last pictures of the two of them 🙂
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Thanks so much Judi! They are amazing!
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They look very supportive of each other. You did a good job raising those kids, Lynn, and I know it wasn’t easy.
Leslie
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Thanks so much Leslie! They are the most amazing people!
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You can see it in their eyes.
Leslie
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Thanks 🙂
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😉
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🙂
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Great pictures and amazing kids 🙂
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Thanks!
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I love vacation pictures. I have to say, knowing so much of your history adds a lot of mystery to what was going on behind and in-between the photos! Hope you are doing well today Lynn (my adopted big sister). 🙂
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Thanks dear sister xxx well they went wanting to see what the heck was going on, they stayed in his new apartment with his second wife and child! So, it was very stressful, but gave them a good idea. He and the wife fought non stop, his mom was there as well. So, a weird trip but a clear idea!
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Well, so, so interesting to hear that he and the new wife fought a lot. Lynn, it wasn’t you. It wasn’t. 😦
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She was a very aggressive person and the kids said it was ridiculous, she was almost a match for him!
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Great pics – I agree with everyone that these (and the other pictures you post) really do give a different view of life here than we see on the news (in the rare instance that the news does bother to show anything about what life is really like).
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Thanks, so glad! I hope to show that real view of everyday average life
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Great pictures Lynn!
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Thanks dear!
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Beautiful photos with beautiful kids, Lynz 🙂
xoxo
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Thanks 🙂
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Beautiful kids ❤ imo they look a lot like you =)
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Thanks Nadine! x
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Fattima & Abdullah look great! Lovely photos 🙂
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Thanks Freda! I call them the twins haha
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hehehe
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🙂
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xo
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xx
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Beautiful children. I liked the picture of your daughter wearing the black robe (I forget the name) with her denim jeans sticking out from the bottom, and holding a smart phone. Contrast of cultural expectations or technology encroaches on all cultures! thanks for sharing.
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Thanks for viewing my pictures!
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oh its an abaya
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Thanks. I’ll remember that.
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🙂
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They definitely resemble your side! Awesome pics!!! 🙂
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Thanks!
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Do the kids miss it at all Lynn?
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At first they did, they felt kind of lost, 5 of them born there, the others spent most of their lives. Now they do not.
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That’s good to know. So they are all state side and glad of it, it sounds like.
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Yes, in the beginning it was tough, we were taught to worry, not trust and were not really allowed to fit in, so tough. We still face challenges but we are happy to be here.
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I’m happy you’re here too. 🙂
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Thanks so much Colleen! x
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Such nice pictures. You have such a beautiful family. Such a land of contrasts.
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Thanks so much Carol!
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😊
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🙂
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Lynn,
It is wonderful how they support you and you support them. I am amazed that you let them go back to Saudi after the harrowing time they had there- it shows you are very open minded and wanted them to experience life for themselves rather than what was told them. Love it.
Have you been to Saudi after you left ? Would you go again ?
I am surprised people can even fight so much and they have so much aggressiveness inside them. I mean, wouldn’t our basic instinct be to percolate towards peace and harmony- these people seem to thrive on fights.
Does your husband have a job now and is he with his second wife or does he have another one ?
Susie
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The kids wanted to go so since they were older I said ok. It really helped them to see things in perspective! The wife left him after three years, said it was awful!
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Great photos! Why was the door closed on any more trips? Xo
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He was controlling, it was the same old routine. The first visit he had his wife there, so he was nice to the kids like maybe he felt he had people backing him up and he and the wife fought non stop. The next visit she had left him, so back to his old self, controlling, got mad at my daughter for buying a mug, back to the same old stuff. My daughter said why would I go back to be treated like that, forget it!
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Fortunately, you were all able to get away, hugs xo
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yes thanks xo
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Nice pics Lynn 🙂
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Thanks lynne xx
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Nice pictures Lynn! 🙂
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Thanks!
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Great looking kids. Of course, I would expect no less coming from you. 🌹 🌷 🌼 🌸 💐
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Your so sweet! xoxo
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🌻
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🙂
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They look like they are enjoying their trip 🙂
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It was interesting for sure! xx
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xo
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xo
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Nice photos Lynz!!
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Thanks!
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I remember seeing the one of them in their black/white outfits and you saying it was a religious festival of some kind. Would that be correct?
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They were at Umra, you can go and do this any time in the year and then Hajj which is once a year. So, you are correct Cameron!
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I paid attention! I am amazed!!!
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hahaha you are quite smart Cameron!
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On occasion….
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🙂
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Beautiful children Lynn and yes they absolutely resemble you😊
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Wonderful smiles from your children dear Lynz.. and such a lovely set of photo’s you shared.. ❤
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Thanks so much dearest Sue! It always brightens my day to see you xxx
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Like wise Lynz
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🙂
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Beautiful photos Lynn!!
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Thanks!
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Must have been a little bit of a culture shock for them. You have beautiful children Lynn, great photo’s.
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It was weird for them
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