Visit with Mom R.

We had a wonderful visit with my mom these past few weeks. It was great for her to be with us during this time, and for her to experience what day-to-day life is like for us.We got to see some interesting sites in the country, and it was fun for all. We truly appreciate how she served our family during this time to watch the boys and help us get settled. She was up for anything and everything. One of the highlights of her day was getting the boys off the bus from school. They love riding the bus home, and enjoyed telling Grandma all about their day.

She got to know the boys really well and they bonded a lot during this weeks. She and Ben did a lot of coloring, non-bake baking, and train building with Benjamin.

Mom and Caleb did a lot of pretending. He has a great imagination and lately has been pretending to be a mouse living in a hole in the wall. Anyone have some cheese?

 Scooters, scooters, everywhere. Many hours spent outside scootering :).

 On my mom's last night here, we all went out to dinner for some delicious pizza and sandwiches.

View of the city at sunset.

This morning the boys got some last minute cuddles, reading, scootering, and even a lollipop treat!

We will miss you very much and look forward to your and dad's visit next time. We love you very much mom, and are so thankful for this visit. 

Surprise!

Slowly things are coming together. We are still waiting on permanent internet for our home, hence few blogs, but we did receive our air shipment the other day when the boys were at school. We put mostly their toys, bedding, towels, and a few kitchen items in this shipment. Most of our stuff should arrived within the next few weeks, we think. To say the boys were excited when they got home, was an understatement! Every costume was tried on, every car, toy, and worker man was played with. It was fun to watch their excitement.

And the best thing that arrived...scooters! 

There are some kids that live in the building next to ours (up the hill), that like to play ball. Balls come into our yard everyday and get thrown back. When Nathan is not home and my mom can't quite make the balls over the big wall, the kids came up with a new solution yesterday :).

We have a lot of vegetation in our yard, and the last few days a rose bush started blooming. It will be fun to see what blooms this fall and spring!

 We also got flowers added to the many empty pots that were left at our house. The added color is really nice, it has been several years since we had flowers and we are enjoying them!

Good night!

Jesus Baptism Site and Mt. Nebo

Guest Blogger Susan Randell (Grandma Sue) --

This is my last weekend in Jordan and I went on an amazing day trip with Nathan, Caleb and Benjamin (Heather unfortunately was under the weather and had to stay back).  

Jordan is an amazing, historic country and it is awe inspiring to be at the actual sites where so many pivotal events took place.  Our driver and tour guide took us first to the site where Jesus was baptized.  A mini bus took us to a path where we walked about a mile along the Jordan River to the actual site.  It was a quiet peaceful setting - There was a feeling of wonderment to realize the significance of the baptism that took place so many years ago in this serene simple place.

Caleb was very helpful showing the other visitors the map and tracing the route we would follow to the Baptism site. 

                                        

                                            Our Fearless Tour Leaders Benjamin and Caleb

                                                  John the Baptist Church in the distance.

A number of churches have been discovered on the East bank of the Jordan river a short distance from the Baptism site.  The waters from the Jordan river are lower now than they were in biblical times and these churches would have been built on the banks of the river.

John the Baptist Church

Going down to the Jordan River.

                   The Jordan River is very narrow at this point - Jordan is on the near side and Israel
                     on the far side. You can almost reach your hands across and touch the other side.

Our two fearless walkers taking a well deserved rest in the shade.

NOW FOR SOME FUN - Caleb and grandma took a camel ride at the Dead Sea (Ben was sleeping).  First time I rode a camel - What really made it so special was riding it at the Dead Sea.  Caleb was a super trooper - Got right up on the camel and loved it.  

Incredible Views Of The Dead Sea From a Lookout

So close, yet so far away.

We drove up a winding mountain road from the Dead Sea towards Madaba.  As we climbed the temperatures cooled and the scenery changed dramatically.  We passed many springs and small streams flowing down the mountain gorges. Where there was any sign of water, the mountain was green with trees, and grasses which contrasted with the dessert like feel all around.  The temperatures were wonderful when we reached the top and the land very fertile and green.  The view was magnificent from Mount Nebo.

There was not a rock on the mountain that the boys did not try to pick up and throw!

The Serpentine Cross on Top of Mount Nebo is 2,680 Feet Above Sea Level.  It is the place mentioned in the Bible where Moses was granted a panoramic view of the Holy Land.  It was an amazing feeling standing where Moses did.  On a clear day you can see Jerusalem.  There was a slight fog in the distance, but we could see Jericho to the west, the northern end of the dead sea, Amman to the North East, and the Jordan river valley stretching out to the north.

Did You Ever Eat a Cactus - we did.  While driving home through the town of Madaba, our driver stopped and bought Cactus bulbs from some kids on the roadside.  When we got home he cut them open and took the "meat" out.  They were very tasty and even better after putting them in the refrigerator for a while.

WHAT A FUN, AMAZING, AWE INSPIRING DAY - A PERFECT WAY 

TO SPEND MY LAST WEEKEND IN JORDAN.

THANK YOU NATHAN AND HEATHER FOR MAKING IT POSSIBLE.  

I WILL BE BACK :) I LOVE YOU ALL 4 VERY MUCH!

First day of preschool

The boys had a great first day of preschool today! This year they are attending a local bilingual school where they have one english and one arabic teacher full-time, and they even get an hour of french every day. We attended orientation the other day and the boys got to check out their teachers and class. It is a bigger school than they attended previously, and we think the boys will have a great year here.

Benjamin is in preschool-2, and his teachers are Mrs. Leen and Mrs. Rula.

 Caleb is in KG-1 and his teachers are Mrs. Maha and Mrs. Farrah.

 Two boys excited for their first day.

 And the bonus....they get to ride the bus home!

 Ready for a fun year of learning and fun!