Happy Thursday MENA!

[ya falaha! 0]

Yay Betsy! If you need any tips or help prepping his arrival, we're here. I'll try to find an old "prep" thread and give it a bump for you. I know the subject's been discussed to death but when it's your turn the info is always helpful.

[amal 4]

Morning everyone. Booked hubby's airline ticket last night. He will be here with me on October 14th. I am soooooo nervous!!! LOL

EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE mabrookulations girl. I wish you both all the happiness and luck you can muster ensha'allah!!!

[nurse1967 287]

Ladies I need ALLLLL YOUR TIPS. I am scared to death! LOL. Just tell me everything and anything you think would be helpful!

[sassysis 0]

Morning everyone. Booked hubby's airline ticket last night. He will be here with me on October 14th. I am soooooo nervous!!! LOL

OMG, Betsy, I did not know he had gotten out of AP. That is wonderful!!!!! Why are you nervous?

[nurse1967 287]

There are just so many things to think of before he is here. I want everything to be perfect and comfortable for him here. This is going to be a big adjustment for all of us (even though I know eventually a happy one). My head is just spinning right now!

[ya falaha! 0]

I think the most important is don't expect too much right away. Don't expect everyone (kids, husband & you) to be bffs right away and if everything is smooth at first just prepare that things may come up later. Talk to your kids...really important. Ask them what they expect and what you expect as far as respect for your husband, the fact that he may not "get" slang or certain cultural things (dating, music, tv shows, friendships, sleep overs, etc.), prepare them for sleeping arrangements esp your little guy, this may seem small but, prep them for his accent (weird but even my kids having an Arab dad thought the husband's accent was funny), etc. Kids may think the accent is cute or funny but if they laugh about it, it may make your husband uncomfortable or insecure. Be sensitive about religious needs ie halal foods, washing up after using the toilet, perhaps animals in the home, shoe removal prior to entering the home, etc. These things may seem small but to some Arabs it's huge. Will you be getting him a cell phone? Will you do a family share plan? Explain these things since share plans are uncommon in Egypt. Can he drive? If not, will you be teaching him? Even if he can drive you'll still have to teach him about our rules of the road. Will he used public transportation? Get maps and bus schedules. He'll have to learn currency if he doesn't know already. I taped coins to paper and labled the coins and the amounts for my husband to practice. Take things as slowly as he wants. Honestly, it's like you're bringing a child here (if he hasn't been abroad before). You have to be very patient. Perhaps look into Arabic satellite channels but we aware...you'll be watching lots of Arabic shows so I hope you have more than one TV..hehe. But yeah prep your kids, really prep them even with small details. That will help them a lot. I believe they are the most affected and they're the most sensitive.

Best of luck!

Ladies I need ALLLLL YOUR TIPS. I am scared to death! LOL. Just tell me everything and anything you think would be helpful!

[Muh and me 18]

Morning Mena! Blood pressure is still sky rocketed out of this world. 171/105. Waiting for the doctor to call back with test results from yesterday. I wish this darn headache would go away. I'm afraid to do anything, I'm in stroke territory. This is scary! Say a prayer for me please, I don't ask for much for myself but I am frightened.

[nurse1967 287]

Turia,

Yes, that is stroke territory, especially your diastolic number. Try to relax although I know it is tough. I will say some prayers for you.

[nurse1967 287]

I think the most important is don't expect too much right away. Don't expect everyone (kids, husband & you) to be bffs right away and if everything is smooth at first just prepare that things may come up later. Talk to your kids...really important. Ask them what they expect and what you expect as far as respect for your husband, the fact that he may not "get" slang or certain cultural things (dating, music, tv shows, friendships, sleep overs, etc.), prepare them for sleeping arrangements esp your little guy, this may seem small but, prep them for his accent (weird but even my kids having an Arab dad thought the husband's accent was funny), etc. Kids may think the accent is cute or funny but if they laugh about it, it may make your husband uncomfortable or insecure. Be sensitive about religious needs ie halal foods, washing up after using the toilet, perhaps animals in the home, shoe removal prior to entering the home, etc. These things may seem small but to some Arabs it's huge. Will you be getting him a cell phone? Will you do a family share plan? Explain these things since share plans are uncommon in Egypt. Can he drive? If not, will you be teaching him? Even if he can drive you'll still have to teach him about our rules of the road. Will he used public transportation? Get maps and bus schedules. He'll have to learn currency if he doesn't know already. I taped coins to paper and labled the coins and the amounts for my husband to practice. Take things as slowly as he wants. Honestly, it's like you're bringing a child here (if he hasn't been abroad before). You have to be very patient. Perhaps look into Arabic satellite channels but we aware...you'll be watching lots of Arabic shows so I hope you have more than one TV..hehe. But yeah prep your kids, really prep them even with small details. That will help them a lot. I believe they are the most affected and they're the most sensitive.

Best of luck!

Ladies I need ALLLLL YOUR TIPS. I am scared to death! LOL. Just tell me everything and anything you think would be helpful!

Kara these are some great tips. I have kept communication open with the kids but I do think it will be an adjustment for them anyway. Things are real until you live them, you know? I know it will take time and I am willing to invest the time to get things right. Hubby is taking some driving lessons while still in Egypt and then I can pick it up from there. I am going to get a bidet and install it before he arrives. That was a big deal to me when I was in Egypt. I insisted on toilet paper. LOL. So, I understand it might be important for him to have a bidet available. I have told him that I am having sleep issues with Alex right now and he really impressed me with his response. He said, do you think this has something to do with me?? As with all things with kids I know that will pass in time. I do think my son feels a real closeness to me and is afraid of losing it. I just have to show him I have enough love for everyone in the house!

[ya falaha! 0]

Holy ####### I just re-read my post...typos galore!

[Sandrila 1]

Betsy, this is such an exciting time for you both.

I think the obvious things to start with are to get all your cleaning done so you can relax the last week before he comes.

Cleaning stinks and there was so much I wanted to do and have ready for him. It is the beginning of a new life.

I had some clothes and toiletries waiting for him. I had prepared some "american" type foods for us to have for dinner so I wouldn't have to take time to cook them when we were just reunited. I made sure to have the house stocked up with all his favorites and some new things for him to try. Mostly you will be just so overcome with happiness and emotion that you won't feel like doing much of anything

Enjoy this time, it will go fast...before you know it you will be heading to the airport.

Good Luck

Sick today peeps.

Last night was the worst (as I haven't been in a long time). I was in bed by 9 30pm.

I took only Tylenol and I was ok enough to get into work today.

If I feel any crappier today, I will leave early.

Dreary day. Sun trying to peep out.

We had rain all day and night yesterday too. On/off really but quite dreary.

Cold too!!!!!!! Brrrr

Starting to think of what the plan is for the weekend.

I know my sister and I are taking our girls to the Aquarium. Poor hubby has to work.

I have to say....YEAH CONGRATS to all of you who participated in Ramadan.

One more day to go

[prince+angel 3]

I think the most important is don't expect too much right away. Don't expect everyone (kids, husband & you) to be bffs right away and if everything is smooth at first just prepare that things may come up later. Talk to your kids...really important. Ask them what they expect and what you expect as far as respect for your husband, the fact that he may not "get" slang or certain cultural things (dating, music, tv shows, friendships, sleep overs, etc.), prepare them for sleeping arrangements esp your little guy, this may seem small but, prep them for his accent (weird but even my kids having an Arab dad thought the husband's accent was funny), etc. Kids may think the accent is cute or funny but if they laugh about it, it may make your husband uncomfortable or insecure. Be sensitive about religious needs ie halal foods, washing up after using the toilet, perhaps animals in the home, shoe removal prior to entering the home, etc. These things may seem small but to some Arabs it's huge. Will you be getting him a cell phone? Will you do a family share plan? Explain these things since share plans are uncommon in Egypt. Can he drive? If not, will you be teaching him? Even if he can drive you'll still have to teach him about our rules of the road. Will he used public transportation? Get maps and bus schedules. He'll have to learn currency if he doesn't know already. I taped coins to paper and labled the coins and the amounts for my husband to practice. Take things as slowly as he wants. Honestly, it's like you're bringing a child here (if he hasn't been abroad before). You have to be very patient. Perhaps look into Arabic satellite channels but we aware...you'll be watching lots of Arabic shows so I hope you have more than one TV..hehe. But yeah prep your kids, really prep them even with small details. That will help them a lot. I believe they are the most affected and they're the most sensitive.

Best of luck!

Ladies I need ALLLLL YOUR TIPS. I am scared to death! LOL. Just tell me everything and anything you think would be helpful!

Amen to all the above, the list could go on & on ...

Congrats to Betsey & good luck. May your hubby arrive safely!

Turia - surprised your Dr didnt prescribe someting while waiting for results to come back. ope you hear from him soon, if headache persist, call him/her back.

Morning MENA - have a blessed day! Its a sweater day here in upstate NY

Take care

[nurse1967 287]

Sandrila thanks for the advice. I am trying to get some last minute projects done like painting the spare bedroom. I am a halloween fanatic and I already have all that stuff out. I have tried to prepare hubby for that but I don't think there is any way to really help him understand. LOL. I have also been doing some work in the yard to get things looking pretty.

[prince+angel 3]

Holy ####### I just re-read my post...typos galore!

Did the same thing, I re read my posts to be sure it makes sense before i hit the add buton & I still miss things!!!

wish VJ had a spellcheck function!

Sandrilla ~ sorry to hear your ill, hope you bounce back soon!

[ya falaha! 0]

Cute! I'm getting excited for you! I remember the couple weeks before the mister came and how geeked I was. I bought new sheets, pillows, shower curtain, etc. just to spruce things up. I also bought all the good junk food that I knew he'd like ie candy, ice cream, Cheetos, etc. Plus, I bought enough to make a few meals so we wouldn't have to go out shopping for a few days. I was lucky enough to be able to take 10 days off work when he first arrived so that was fun. I had so much fun taking him shopping for clothes (I had bought him some essentials already, razors, toothbrush, new cologne, socks, undies) and over to Dearborn to shop for "Arabic" foods and what not. I felt like a little kid showing a new friend around town. Fun!!!!

Sandrila thanks for the advice. I am trying to get some last minute projects done like painting the spare bedroom. I am a halloween fanatic and I already have all that stuff out. I have tried to prepare hubby for that but I don't think there is any way to really help him understand. LOL. I have also been doing some work in the yard to get things looking pretty.

Edited September 17, 2009 by Astarte