A Week in the Life...

My teacup runneth over ya'll.

Pardon the week-off from blogging, but don't be deceived...it was definitely NOT a week off of living (NEVER!).

The sister of the century came into town.

Dubai will never be the same.

I will never be the same.

The paparazzi came with her.

The blissful night it all began...

Thanks to my amazing Dubai mother, we got a shweet deal at a hotel on the outskirts of town. We felt like we were in Rockwall, Texas.

Wanna know how to get into Amy's heart (on the outside of her Savior that is)? Take notes from the photo below...notice what's on the left...now right...now far right...Yes. Yes. It's that simple folks. I'm yours.

So after Mexican food and gabbing until 2am, the stage was set for an amazing week.

Hung out with friends...

Melanie understood real quick what you cannot live without in the desert.

No, not food.

Not water.

Gas-o-line.

After almost running out of what the locals call "petrol," the below picture was a sight for soar eyes. These babies are few and far between roundabouts and over the dry rivers and through the non-existent woods and over the sand hills we go!

Not water.

Gas-o-line.

Remember this.

It's this which gets you to the water! (I went to Texas A&M)

Saw the sights...

Found our mother's graveyard of animals (You get the joke, mom)...

Went bargain shopping at Dragonmart...

*Note: Any title with the word "mart" in it equals neon shoes...

and fabric that vomited out $6 dresses. (Yessss...)

And looky who we found in Al Ain (a city about 2 hours south of Dubai)! Our beloved Tator-tot, Kayla. Caught up over Indian food and soaked up every reunional minute.

Drove out to the man-made Palm to the Atlantis Hotel...

And re-lived Wet-n-Wild summer of '95 at Aquaventure!!

Even used a half-off coupon. You taught us well mama :)

Haven't done ole' Pearl justice. This is my little white nugget that takes all the credit of zipping me around Dubai. Mel and her got quite acquainted.

This is what the drivers do while waiting on their bosses :) (Out the driver's side window) It really is a laid back town here.

My Dubai family :)

Crate & Barrel...celebrating one year here.

And Amy. Celebrating her 26th year here. Some of my sweet darlin's made me cupcakes and a cake! Such a special surprise!

THEN! We get back to Rockwall and THIS is waiting. *Gulp/Tear*

Could it get any better??

It can!

Mel and I stayed up til 2am painting posters and cutting paper for the ministry fair at church the next day.

Wait. Why does this make it better you ask?

It just does.

After a fab Friday morning at church, the birthday bash continued with going to the Burj Khalifa for high tea.

Really high tea.

High one hundred and twenty third stinkin' floor tea.

After 2 1/2 hours of sipping and seeing, we landed back on earth to take in the fountains at the base.

Ended the Dubai birthday with none other than the traditional cookie cake...

And new friends...

Dearest Melanie is back in Texas now.

I miss her.

Her laugh. Her love. The way she is up for anything. The way she prays. The way she listens.

Her selflessnes is insane.

Her hair is gorgeous.

Her thoughtfulness is out of control.

I love my sister.

Thank you MelBel for coming to see me and spending a week in my world. You bless me more than you will ever realize.

I'm tellin' ya, my teacup is just plum pourin' over.