Our Big Move; Preparing to Leave Dubai

It’s funny how lives twist and turn, if you’d have asked me last year whether we would be preparing to leave Dubai in the near future I would have said no. If you’d had asked me the same question 18 months ago I’d have said yes. But that’s not where this story begins. The story begins way back when we did our first big move.

The story begins in London. Around early January three years ago I had a phone call from my husband that was set to change our lives.Ā  There I was, walking up to Baby Yoga, enjoying my life as a London yummy mummy. Pushing my Bugaboo pram with one hand, clutching my changing bag with the other as I stomped along in the freezing cold, wearing the said yummy mummy uniform of Ugg boots and leggings when I answered that phone call.

How do you fancy moving to Dubai?

The honest answer? I didn’t. I didn’t want to leave the life I had made, the friends I had made, the job I had. The plan I had for the future. The thoughts of the life I thought I wanted to lead in London.

But, a job is a job. And when you get an opportunity like this you should never turn it down. So we packed up and shipped out.

big move

It was the best thing we have ever done. Dubai has given us so much, it has allowed us the financial freedom to have the Baby, it has given me the option to be a stay at home mum (no matter how difficult I find it some days). It has given us memories to last a lifetime.

Outdoor living with sunshine filled days.

outdoor

Weekends on the beach.

beach

Summers spent running back to the UK to avoid the heat…..

Dubai has been an amazing place to live these past three years. However, like that phonecall on January’s winter day, I once again received another a few weeks ago. This time telling me of redundancy, telling me it was time to move home, time to head back to Blighty. That it is time for us to start preparing to leave Dubai.

The difference this time compared to last time where I didn’t want to think about leaving, where I buried my head under the sand and took time to embrace my new life. That even though I am sad to leave Dubai, I am also now excited. Living here for the past three years has taught me that while things might not go the way you plan, the way you think, or the way you want that doesn’t mean that things turn out bad. In fact, more often than not it is for the best. Dubai has given us so much, now it’s time to head home to greener shores to see what the UK will bring us. All I know is that all I need are my three boys by my side to make the place home. After all, home is where the heart is and my heart is with those three.

We have until the end of May before we board the Emirates flight for the last time. For us to make sure we complete our Dubai Bucket List and really make the most of living here, and then? Well, then it’s time for the next chapter of our lives.

Bring on our next adventure.

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14 Comments

  1. February 28, 2016 / 10:09 am

    It’s all happening! How wonderful to have had this amazing opportunity and the stories you’ll be able to tell of your family’s adventurous start is so wonderful! Oh and think of the family cuddles and the UK Cadburys and M&S and white Christmasses! Good luck getting sorted for the move lovely! x x

    • Laura
      Author
      February 28, 2016 / 10:16 am

      Thank you! It’s not quite real, but I’m sure it will be – shippers shipping end of March and we move into serviced apartments! Oh back to the land of real chocolate…..

  2. February 28, 2016 / 10:30 am

    Good luck with the move – at least you have a network of bloggers around the country you can call on so you’ll know someone wherever you land!

    And Mim – white Christmases? I wish! šŸ™‚

    • Laura
      Author
      February 28, 2016 / 10:38 am

      It’s lovely to think I’ll get to finally meet some of the bloggers I’ve been reading about!

  3. February 28, 2016 / 12:10 pm

    Oh wow!! That’s exciting Laura. Very much looking forward to catching up with you when you get back. Good luck with the move and leaving Dubai. It will undoubtably be hard and emotional but, like you say, onto new adventures!

  4. February 28, 2016 / 12:10 pm

    Good luck with the move, and what amazing memories your family will have of your time in Dubai! Time for some British adventures for you all now! šŸ™‚ x

  5. February 28, 2016 / 12:34 pm

    Wow! The every best in all your future plans. My husband and I have worked in Dubai, but always flew in and out. We have considered the move, but like yourself I am like omg my life here. One day I may just take the plunge. Thank you for sharing x

  6. February 28, 2016 / 1:03 pm

    Congratulations on the next big move! I’m sure just as you adjusted to mummy life in Dubai you will find your groove again in London. Hope we keep hearing from Life with Baby Kicks wherever your move and career next take you

  7. February 28, 2016 / 1:47 pm

    exciting news l.ovely!! big change for you guys!! xx

  8. February 28, 2016 / 7:57 pm

    Ahhh, the life of an expat. Good luck on the big move!

  9. February 28, 2016 / 9:39 pm

    Good luck with the next adventure šŸ™‚ Hope it all goes well

  10. February 29, 2016 / 7:56 am

    Life of an expat, it is bound to happen to everyone here. All the best!

  11. February 29, 2016 / 3:50 pm

    We will miss you for sure, but I hope you have lots of adventures ahead for you and your lovely family!

  12. March 7, 2016 / 3:17 am

    Good luck in your new adventures and hope you tick off everything you want to before you leave Dubai. Great to hear how positive you are about coming back over, I’m sure you have many more adventures to come. šŸ™‚ x

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