13 Years of Bliss

The day after I arrived home from London, it was our anniversary. How fantastic to celebrate my marriage after a whole week of girl celebration! You'd think I would be sick of it, but not so. Can one really ever get sick of delicious eating and stimulating conversation? Not me.

When I think about my dating years I feel really thankful that I dodged a few bullets. There were several suitors I could have married, but thankfully, I didn't. Not that they were terrible guys, just not for me.

When Axel entered my life I knew there was something special about him. Our first date was at a cultural event in SLC. Axel had to show off his ability to speak many foreign languages (allow me to brag for a moment...my husband knows about 8 languages!) and expose me to many cuisines I had never tried before. We talked about travel and how it was in our blood. We initially met in Jerusalem back in 1993 and it sparked something deep within both of us. Who knew it would set a precedence for the rest of our lives together?

Our dating years were fantastic. I couldn't get enough of him. There was something about Mr. Bromley that made me feel complete. Truly we were meant for each other and no matter now many times he has forgotten to put the toilet seat down, or coordinated his clothing in a hideous mess, I still completely adore him.

The best news of all is that I have an eternity to share with my favorite person in the world. 13 years will seem like a blink compared to all the years ahead.

I chose well.

I look ahead.

I feel lucky.

I am blessed.

Happy Birthday and Stuff

Happy B-day, hun.

We did not eat here today. In fact this was two months ago. Instead, it is just a little reminder that I did love him more than the Sbarros pizza we ate on his special day.

I have no excuse.

I cannot peg why it is has been so hard for me to pull back into the blogosphere. Boredom? Laziness? Global Warming? Political unrest? Charlie Sheen's winning?

The only other reason I can think of is Axel and I are searching for a home in Utah. (Not to live in. It will be an investment only. We are taking advantage of the housing market. Trying to be grown up and all). The process has been arduous. Axel and I have spent countless hours searching the MLS to narrow our search down to over 50 possible homes. Ugh. After house #10 they all start looking the same, be it in South Jordan or Alpine. The only difference is the square footage and proximity to a temple.

The one entertaining part about home searching in Utah is finding the hidden polygamist gems on the market like this beauty. The real fun is trying to guess how many sister wives lived there and how they fed their 40 children in that tiny kitchen.

Anywhoo....

Axel's birthday was today. We didn't party too hard because in two days I am flying with Heavah to Utah to look at homes until my eyes are sore. My trip will be the following: Damman, Saudi Arabia to Amsterdam, Netherlands to Detroit, Michigan to SLC. Yes folks, that is almost 30 hours of travel time. Happy B-day, hun. I love you that much.

See you on the other side....

Dilly's 4th

Sedona finally had a birthday a few days ago. Ever since her last birthday she would declare that her celebration was next. It seemed like August would never come. The funny thing was, as soon as her day arrived, she almost became too shy with all the attention. Attention isn't given too often to the middle child. It seemed like a good idea in theory, but why are all these people staring at me?????

Her day began with presents. She received the coolest assortment of Melissa and Doug food, which is something she loves. She makes a mean prawn sushi, but tell her to hold on the wasabi. It can be overpowering to the palate.
Hours later we held a swim party with all the traditional summer crap food (hot dogs, chips, and popsicles). It was a little risky providing food because it was in the middle of Ramadan. I was praying the food police would not arrive and jail us all. Yummy and illegal.

Sedona's cake was chocolate, chocolate, chocolate, with chocolate butter cream. She insisted on this particular cake over any other cheesy princess or castle cake. For 40 riyals at Carrefour, I was not going to argue.

I planned two activities for the party. One was water balloons and the other was a bunch of balls that could be chucked at any small child with very little damage. The small balls were exciting for about 2 minutes until they all drifted to the corner of the pool never to be played with again. Brilliant.

The party was also a great opportunity for me to catch up with my girlcation friends. One went to Bali, the other to Holland during the summer with their families. I tried to tell them that Kuwait was WAY more fun, but they were not convinced. That's what I get for trying to make them jealous.

It was 3 and 4 year old madness with smashed cake and half drank bottles of juice everywhere. Most importantly, I think Sedona had the best time. She was thrilled to see all her friends and share her special day. My life has never been the same since you were born, Dilly Do. Here's to a new year of bigger smiles and longer hair! Love you.

Mid-Thirties.....

Dona is missing, she conked out. Too much partying for a 3 year old.

Another birthday down. When I was a kid, the distance between each birthday seemed like an eternity. The older I get, the more amazed I am at how quickly it comes. Didn't I just have a birthday? Didn't I just come to terms that I am a year older? Why do I have to do it again, and again, and again? I have tried to stop time. So far, it hasn't worked.

What do I see for the coming year?

- A diaper free life

- 3 children in school

- A possible move

- A tighter butt

- A visit to my 60th new country

- More iTunes and Apps

- A return visit to my home in Nepal

- One or two more girlcations

And the best one of all... appreciate every single day I spend with my favorite people--Axel and my kids.

Happy Year Two Asa!

Asa just turned two! How has my baby been part of my life for two years? I remember the first two years of Heavah's life. I savored every single moment. I anticipated every milestone and recorded her every move. After having 4 kids in such a short period of time, I feel like I am in a whirling tunnel barely noticing the changes as they pass me by. This is especially true with my last one. Asa begins to talk and I think, 'Already'? Asa doesn't sleep as long during his naps and I think, "Really, so soon?" Asa starts interacting and socializing with other children and I think, "He must be brilliant!" Then I realize, "Um, no. He's TWO. It is about time."

This may be the reason why Asa is such a strong personality. He must make himself known to all those around him. He is obviously the youngest of 4 other strong personalities. He will not put up with any crap; and, at times, he will fight to the death to get what he wants. And with all this strength in his personality, he still finds ways to charm us all.

His birthday was a little boring, but we showered him with love. He was free from the 'time out' corner and we didn't even complain about his smelly poops. He got tons of Chinese breakable toys and even had turkey bacon for breakfast. His favorite gift was a tacky helium dolphin that he insisted was a shark. It was as much fun as a two year old could handle.

His cuteness knows no bounds and we love his fat gut and his freakishly tanned skin. I love you Asa and despite the fact that your many milestones were ignored, our love for you is forever noticed in our hearts every single day!

One Less Birthday Party Option

A new Chili's Restaurant has opened in Doha. It has a huge play area with slides and toys. Axel and I were talking about taking the kids there to enjoy the fun. As we drove past one evening Xavier said this:

"Mom and Dad, when it is my birthday I do NOT want to go to Chili's"

Hun? Why would a child not want to enjoy some Americana for his birthday, especially when some hardcore playing could be had? Strange. In response to my confusion, Xavier said this:

"Because I hear they sing, they dance, and they make you feel nervous."

Ah, agreed.

A Month of Sheer Celebration

Do you see how much time was put into this party?  Order pizzas, buy balloons, book the pool-done.

As if moving to another country, buying a car, finding a house, searching for schools, and dealing with the several meltdowns that coinside with all these fun activities weren't enough, October just happens to be the month of birthdays in the Bromley household.  Did I mention I still don't have a maid or a driver and my husband is gone 4 days out of the week?  Just wondering if you knew that, cause I do.   

I was inclined to just close my eyes and pretend the births of my children didn't happen this month like I have done in the past, but my kids are now at the age where they actually know when their birthday is.  I tried to be tricky, but it just didn't work.  I was suckered and there was no escape. 

At first, I just had a family gathering at home.  Xavier made his cake. Xavier made his pizza.  And Xavier bought his own present.  The next day, Heavah did the same.  I believe in independent children.  

Because of the guilt, I decided to bring cakes to their school.  

Then I realized that this was the first time my children had true friends.  How could I deny them an opportunity to have a birthday party?  Last year we invited a bunch of kids from school that my children barely knew or really didn't like.  It was mayhem and I knew if we were going to do it, it would have to be low key.  

I decided to do another party.  Ugh.  Living in a compound made this process very handy.  We sent around some invitations to 13 or so kids around the neighborhood and told them to meet us at the pool.  We made a lame cake, bought some cheap Chinese party favors, and put Axel and a poor 9 month pregnant neighbor to work on the face panting, and claimed it was a party.  

The stillest I have ever seen Sedona sit

One more down...

One Year...a month ago

Dear Asa,

You came into this world not knowing how exceptional your short life would be. You were born in a place where most people wear see-through dish-dashes and gold studded abayas; where camels and flamingos roam the sandy terrain next to 6 figure SUVs. Your eyes opened to your Indian doctor who stood no more than 4.5 feet tall and greeted your Filipino and Lebanese nurses with a scream. Your dimples confused me but you were the only white baby in the hospital so I felt relieved there were no mix ups. And even though every nurse admired your bald head, you were the only baby I gave birth to who had any hair at all.

You came to a home build on the backs of Kerala Indians in a land that they make fake islands and the tallest building in the world. You had two Indonesian nannies that came home very early from their day off just to admire and cuddle you. Your siblings awaited the moment they could squeeze you and mommy tried to keep you safe from being smothered. You were one loved baby!

Your stint in the land of arid heat was short and only two months after your birth we moved on to greener, more mountainous pastures.

Last photo of you in Dubai

Your charm, sweetness, and fussy personality surprised us all. You very quickly showed us that you are a unique child amongst the Bromley clan and yet you fit in perfectly.

In one short year of your life you have spent more time with elephants and monkeys than with dogs and cats; and you seem as comfortable with a chicken as you do with your siblings.

You answer to "ganchu" (handsome in Nepali) quicker than you do your own name, and your first solid food had daal in it.

October Tihar holiday

You've gripped on to kurtas and sarees more than denim jeans and you are often dressed in pink. You've been tikka'ed more times than you've changed diapers, and you never get exhausted with the many people who wish to rub your white skin or squeeze your cheeks. You feel comfortable bouncing from one di or didi throughout the day but you always show mom she is your favourite.

Sareta- Your best buddy

My love for you grows every day. Your sweetness and love gushes whenever you smile. Your strong hugs and open mouthed kisses are to die for; and your strong personality makes everyone notice you.

Who knew that you would have your birthday song sung in Bahasa Indonesian, and your cake would be a Balinese lemon tart?

Who knew that you would take your first steps in Thailand? And taste your first McDonalds in Bangkok?

Feb 28, 2009

You've never stepped foot in your homeland of Canada or America and who knows when that day will ever come. You are a boy from many foreign lands and you have been spoken to in many strange languages. You have more stamps in your passport than most adult Americans and you have many, many years ahead.

You are a light in our home and I cannot see the world without you in it. With all the changes that have happened and will happen in your lifetime, one thing will always remain constant-my love for you.

Happy First Birthday my baby boy!!!!

Love, Mom

A Party for Royalty

Sedona was invited to a little girl's party. She was turning 3. The little girl was Nepali and part of our playgroup. I thought it was a little odd that the party was going to be held at The Crown Plaza, one of the two 5 start hotels in Nepal.

The guest of honor was of royal lineage in Nepal. Her parents own most of the businesses in Nepal and were probably one of the wealthiest families in Nepal. It was definitely the most elaborate party I have been to here.

There was a full course catered meal for adults and children.

With flowing white and dark chocolate fountains...

This is what Nepali royalty looks like...
A cake with Sportacus from 'Lazy Town' (Do we have this show in America? It might just be an overseas children's show. My kids loved it in Dubai). Her name was also sung by a children's choir over the speakers over and over again...
The party princess and her father...
Sedona really happy to have chocolate cake...
Me and my girlfriends...
A man who adored Asa. He kept saying he wanted his daughter to marry him. I know arranged marriages are big here, but seriously?
The magic show...
The train ride in a dress that is way too big for her...

So incredibly happy to be riding on something...

Sedona and her boyfriend, Fin...
I think Sedona and Asa truly believed they had died and gone to heaven. It was quite the royal event.

Only in Nepal...