tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49765130097595564682024-03-13T13:45:04.625-06:00Arbitrary Reflections for Creative InspirationLaura Barlowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06971669751232453504noreply@blogger.comBlogger130125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4976513009759556468.post-14694073347869469292016-01-06T22:13:00.004-07:002016-01-06T22:13:52.530-07:00What's the Latest?
Well, we're still alive! There is just too much to catch up on that we've been up to over the last year, but here's the gist of what we might include in a super personal up-to-date Christmas letter that we never have done:
We still live in Abu Dhabi.
We spent Christmas here alone in the desert with starry nights, full-moons and camels; so of course it didn't 'feel' like Christmas to us, how Laura Barlowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06971669751232453504noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4976513009759556468.post-37115701679951876312014-12-21T06:47:00.000-07:002014-12-21T06:47:01.988-07:00Q&A Part 1
Here's where I will answer a few questions I've received since moving to the UAE. There are many, so I will do them in parts throughout our journey here, as I'm sure some of the answers will change with time.
Why do you live in Abu Dhabi?
Ben's work with Bechtel transferred us here, they have a job that will last 1-5 years that he has been placed on. I will not be working as it is an entire Laura Barlowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06971669751232453504noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4976513009759556468.post-33807314965534223142014-12-21T06:11:00.003-07:002014-12-21T06:11:31.113-07:00Christmas 2014
Tis the season!
xoxo
Laura Barlowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06971669751232453504noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4976513009759556468.post-30484620498331191012014-12-21T06:10:00.002-07:002014-12-21T06:10:21.907-07:00Wedding Fun!
Here's a fantastic blog about our Israel trip, which I totally didn't write, but will share with you anyway.
Read Here
Not to mention the super fun video Allie made for us all on Facebook!! (sorry, it's a direct Facebook posted video, so there is no link here)
Laura Barlowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06971669751232453504noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4976513009759556468.post-23563943133063175832014-10-07T05:52:00.002-06:002014-10-07T05:52:37.656-06:00Don't walk around naked, and other good clothing advice for women in the UAE
Black, Black and more Black.
We live in a Muslim country. I respect that. I understand they have different traditions, differences in their religious beliefs, differences in dress, differences in culture, oh-so-many differences. That's ok, that's exciting to learn about and experience...however, that is very very hard to explain and communicate to a one and a two year old who have never Laura Barlowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06971669751232453504noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4976513009759556468.post-14766346863780308932014-10-04T04:41:00.000-06:002014-10-04T04:41:21.266-06:00Ohhhh Snap.
Every now and then I actually take the time to read a popular post that many friends have put on FB. They're usually great, and this one is no different. Beyond being ooey-gooey on the emotions, making me all blubbery, it really brought great conviction that I need to be doing exactly this every day. I pray for my girls. I pray for our family. I pray for my future son-in-laws. I have never even Laura Barlowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06971669751232453504noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4976513009759556468.post-12303497483536047332014-09-29T03:12:00.001-06:002014-09-29T03:12:09.268-06:00The Desert.
I remember my sister helping me with a spelling test once, waiting for the school bus. As a way to remember the difference between 'desert' and 'dessert', she told me 'dessert' has two 'ss' because you want more dessert and 'desert' only has one ''s' because you want less of a desert. Not sure why that's important. It's not. But I remember that every time I write the word 'desert'...I Laura Barlowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06971669751232453504noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4976513009759556468.post-32591680021206895572014-09-29T03:04:00.004-06:002014-09-29T03:04:51.253-06:00Happy Birthday!
Happy Birthday little love! As a gift, we've decided to move you to the middle of the desert. For real. Well, I suppose there are lots of people there and giant buildings to give you the mirage of being in a city with grass, but the reality of it is, we're moving to a desert. I'm glad you're only one and won't ever remember this being the most shocking birthday present a parent could give. EnjoyLaura Barlowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06971669751232453504noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4976513009759556468.post-13120677904221153092014-08-11T22:58:00.002-06:002014-08-11T22:58:13.196-06:00A little passion creates BIG dreams
Don't forget to help support our small business of kIDlets. It really is a great product but we need your help as time is quickly running out!
kIDlets Project Here
If you're wondering how I personally am involved, read the previous post below and as always, ask lots of questions!
Have a look at the kickstarter project, watch the video, read the posts...and also read the updates! That will Laura Barlowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06971669751232453504noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4976513009759556468.post-47122694708807255492014-07-21T03:44:00.002-06:002014-07-21T03:48:19.088-06:00kIDlets
I just wanted to let you all know a new venture I’m starting...
The short story
I’m helping a friend start a small business and we would love your help spreading the news. We are trying to be good stewards of our finances so we are crowd-funding the business. This way, we will raise the funding we need to proceed moving the business forward with customers who are interested in the product Laura Barlowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06971669751232453504noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4976513009759556468.post-46681990571120444322014-02-26T20:03:00.001-07:002014-02-26T20:03:27.257-07:005 Month Delight
Here's Brielle at 5 months. She is the happiest baby we know and wakes each day with a smile on her face and a squeal of delight for her sister.
Laura Barlowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06971669751232453504noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4976513009759556468.post-70139292949328202212014-01-17T01:57:00.001-07:002014-01-17T01:58:17.409-07:00Meanwhile, back in Australia
"The best time to travel with kids is never" - Jim Gaffigan
(aka: my absolute FAVORITE comedian ever, yes, I even read his book 'Dad is Fat' during the early stages of labor for distraction)
So we ventured to the US for Christmas after our epic journey to the middle of the earth in search of a passport for Brielle, down in Sydney for one day a few months back. Once it came, we bookedLaura Barlowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06971669751232453504noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4976513009759556468.post-90150022724419895782013-12-15T04:30:00.000-07:002014-01-17T01:58:39.294-07:00Guess who is giggling?
As Bina jumps rapidly through the toddler phase, our little Brielle isn't far behind. She started laughing this week which is so stinkin' hilarious. Babies are so funny. She's such a ham, which is great and helps her sleep through the night, but also means she will most definitely outgrow her big sister sooner rather than later. Here she is at 3 months.
Laura Barlowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06971669751232453504noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4976513009759556468.post-24311088282275480822013-12-13T06:21:00.000-07:002014-01-17T01:58:28.060-07:0021 Month Spirit
It is no joke how fast time goes.
I can't believe Bina is fast on her way to 2 already! It's so hard finding that balance between being overly excited for the next milestone achievement, (like when the heck will she just start communicating in sentences instead of frustrated tantrums? and why does she poop her pants all the time, doesn't she realize that is just gross?)...yet begging the Laura Barlowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06971669751232453504noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4976513009759556468.post-41508346026420073232013-11-14T21:39:00.002-07:002013-11-14T21:39:25.648-07:00Today
Our New Family Member, Brielle Jean Barlow
7 Days
1 Month
2 Months
Our little Brielle turns 2 months today! She's absolutely precious and really a great baby. She's sleeping 8 hours at night (shameless plug for the BabyWise method, worked like a charm for 2 kids for us!) She's super content which is very helpful with a doting big sister who always wants to include her in the Laura Barlowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06971669751232453504noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4976513009759556468.post-13030262469341742272013-07-04T04:44:00.000-06:002013-07-04T23:07:49.861-06:00Sugar and Spice are so NOT Nice!
Here we go again...I'm not great with the pregnancy thing. I truly envy women who enjoy the experience, the changing body, the growing baby, the emotional labor...I don't 'enjoy' any of it. It's a means to an end for me and if I could truly have a stork delivery a baby at my door, I would choose that method every time. I don't enjoy the months and months of morning sickness, feeling like I'm theLaura Barlowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06971669751232453504noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4976513009759556468.post-51646961716370969352013-03-24T05:09:00.000-06:002013-03-24T05:09:44.343-06:00One!
Look who turned one!
What a year it's been...and how fast has it flown by?! We can't imagine our lives without our little Bina and we're excited for our family to keep growing soon. Sooo many people talk about how much their lives change and what an adjustment having children is...so maybe we'll find that with number two. So far, Bina has blessed us more than we can ever have imagined, and Laura Barlowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06971669751232453504noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4976513009759556468.post-54845397946696057212013-02-25T04:08:00.000-07:002013-02-25T04:08:41.075-07:00Happy Lunar Birthday!
Happy Birthday Bina! Well, your lunar birthday anyway. It's such a special day to celebrate the festival of Purim and know that is also a celebration of the birth of our daughter. This year, it came a couple weeks before her 'regular' birthday, and sometimes it will come after. Either way, it's a joyous festival that I'm proud to teach her someday.
11 Months:
Laura Barlowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06971669751232453504noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4976513009759556468.post-30148031402236633342013-01-12T15:46:00.002-07:002013-01-12T15:46:58.976-07:0010 Month Monster
Welcome to a brand new stage! Fun and adventurous, albeit I wasn't prepared for the changes just yet; a pre-toddler who tries to act like a toddler but has the physical and mental maturity of a baby...it must be equivalent to the pre-teen phase. This cheeky monster has quite the temper and has shown it full force this month. She's turned into a complete daddy's girl and doesn't care a lick Laura Barlowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06971669751232453504noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4976513009759556468.post-17024628869457934472012-12-13T06:13:00.000-07:002012-12-13T06:13:24.536-07:00Jingle All the WayLaura Barlowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06971669751232453504noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4976513009759556468.post-25732732999449623882012-12-10T04:46:00.000-07:002012-12-10T04:46:36.221-07:00Cheeky Little Thing - 9 Months
Bina is 9 months old.
I don't know how that happened. Where did those nine months go?! Those pregnant 9 months felt like time stood still, or even went backward, but these past 9 months seem to have been a quick dream! She's doing great and is quite the character. She was dedicated to the Lord at church with two other of our friends who all had baby girls one month apart from each other. It's Laura Barlowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06971669751232453504noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4976513009759556468.post-66110530566876311572012-12-07T01:02:00.000-07:002012-12-07T01:02:15.254-07:002012 Library
So I skipped the monthly bookshelf this year as my reading was all over the place and sometimes I was reading three books at once, sometimes I was writing my own and sometimes weeks went by where I didn't open anything. Having a look back, it's a bit ironic that there are 12 books on this list, so I suppose no matter what factors are going on, reading one-book-a-month is still part of my life. ILaura Barlowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06971669751232453504noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4976513009759556468.post-87222179454181905932012-11-12T03:11:00.002-07:002012-11-12T03:11:48.047-07:00Nick Nack on My Gate
8 Months Old!
What a personality this little bean has. She's growing like a weed and now has 4 teeth with more on the way! She won't crawl yet, but has figured out the concept of needing to move forward in order to reach something she wants...so she grunts and reaches and then rolls over and cries because she can't get there. Ahhh, the stressful life of a baby must be so frustrating at times. Laura Barlowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06971669751232453504noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4976513009759556468.post-18500622669121594562012-11-06T13:10:00.002-07:002012-11-06T13:15:16.165-07:00Red, White and a Little Blue
Happy Election Day!
I’m surprised every 4 years by the amount of hate, negative campaigning, libel, and un-shaking opinion that ransack media, especially social media, especially from Christians, especially from my friends. It makes me nauseated and it makes me get on my knees in prayerful thanks that God did not call Ben nor myself into politics. Yuck. That’s a job for some very special Laura Barlowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06971669751232453504noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4976513009759556468.post-21548451636832688452012-10-13T01:58:00.002-06:002012-10-13T01:58:53.501-06:007 Swans a Swimming
Bina turned 7 months already! Wow, seriously, no clue where the time is going. I haven't updated much of anything beyond small details about our precious cargo. Well, I suppose there will always be time later, (yeah right) in the meantime, here are more joyous pics of the bean. She cracked her third tooth and had her very first cold...making for one very, very long week...alas the weekend Laura Barlowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06971669751232453504noreply@blogger.com1