Saturday, November 10, 2012

The Dead Sea

And for the next few days we just relaxed and enjoyed some time in the sun.  Well, mostly we relaxed...Nick, Ed and Brad spent a lot of their time sorting out issues with our hotel management because they didn't quite have the rooms we reserved.  Plus there were some other difficulties but it sure didn't ruin our time together and fascination with the Dead Sea.

Up in the morning on my birthDAY with lots of homemade cards and sweet love from everyone.  Plus a big bag of Reese PB cups.  My friend Lindsay Harris knows me well.  Then on to an awesome breakfast complete with the best mini falafels that I soon won't forget and then some time at the infinity pool...Dead Sea and Israel in the distance

 The boys
Someone squeezed in a little work out. 
 Headed to actually get in the Dead Sea!
For those (including myself) who have always heard about the Dead Sea but actually never asked about the name...its called the Dead Sea because its so salty nothing can live.  Its 9x saltier than the ocean and there's no doubt about that.  The Dead Sea is the lowest elevation point on the earth.  The water was just perfect! 
Almost immediately we were crazy floating because of the saltiness.
The Bees
  
Daddy
  Brad and Cres
mamas and daddies! the floating was so awkward and intense at times which explains our closeness in this pic! sure glad we like each other!
 It wasn't long before the little people were ALL crying.  We were only advised to let the kids stay in for just about 10 minutes.  Adults for 20.  The Dead Sea is obviously no place for cuts, creases, dry skin or any tender area, especially the eyes and mouth! 
Back to the pool.
My Brooks!
Since it was the birthday, we made a few spa treatments to celebrate.  Turned out to be one of many hotel busts...they deleted our booking so we didn't get the treatment but they let us enjoy the facility which was AMAZING.
Little birthday mojito before some alone child-free mama time!
  View from the spa infinity pool.
Enjoying a little Arabic Tea before we left!  We were so excited to come back the next day for our real appointments!
 We headed back to our rooms to check on the awesome daddies!  We also gathered up all of our stuff and moved to the other side of the resort because they finally figured out our room situation. 
Then off to a little birthday dinner with the crew!  View from our rooms at sunset.
Linds, Amanda and me...2 really special girls who bless me beyond belief in the sand box we call Doha. 
One end of our table
  My man and me
No special reason for this picture...they do have an incredible marriage and kindness in their marriage that's impossible to miss. Cute little moment they shared.
 The enormous birthday cake the restaurant gave me.   If it only tasted as pretty as it looked...that's how we roll over here.
And to finish the night my crazy husband grabbed me for a birthday dance (and song) in front of...eeh about 50 tables of people eating dinner dinner watching live music.  Front and center, just like HE likes it!  Opposites attract and I'm so thankful he's mine. I do love him and thank him for an amazing night out and vacation with some favorite  people.  Irreplaceable memories! 
Night Night from the babies!

Thursday, November 8, 2012

Jordan Day 2 - Holy Places

Jordan Day 2 was packed with some of the best memories.  We were up very early to head north.  This is looking back at Petra as we left.  Our first impression...amazing country with friendly beautiful people!
 We stopped to see a giant valley and mountains...not sure the name just followed the guide and enjoyed the temperature.  It was chilly!
 Then on to Madaba, the city of Mosaics.  Since we were traveling over Eid, we were ever-so delighted to see some slaughtering as we drove through town. Common practice in the middle east but wow...on the side of the road?  I guess it was drive-thru sacrifice.
On our way to Mount Nebo
Roadside entertainment, not unfamiliar to us though...
Our kiddos have been studying prayer for a few months.  We call our little group the Pickle Pack because all of the lessons are about people in the Bible who were in a pickle but then rescued by God because they prayed.  Lindsay's mom is on staff and a curriculum writer for Second Baptist Church in Houston so we have had the privilege of jumping on the bandwagon and using their incredible resources.  And we'll take the t-shirt too!  Thank you so much Grammy!  The kids wore their shirts to Mount Nebo so we could video their memory verse together!
Breathtaking and humbling moment at Mount Nebo where God showed Moses the Promise Land.  There is where he died and was able to see what the Israelites would inherit after all those years. It was beautiful and just what you might imagine! 
Pit stop for lunch!  Thank goodness we were prepared with PBJ fixins! Not a kid friendly buffet!
 lemon mint! 
 
 traditional Jordanian upside down dish- delish!
chicken, rice, eggplant and other veggies, cooked, then flipped out to serve
 Next stop was the Jordan River!
 Baptism Site where John the Baptist baptized Jesus. Wow...still reeling from that moment and place. 
 Feet in the water!
  
Matthew 3:16 says "At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and lighting on him"  
Heaven was opened there in that spot that we stood.  And in that very water Jesus showed us His love by being human and showed His power by example.
 Israel right there on the other side
Now we really want to make a trip to the Holy Land of Israel.
Notice the boy in the green (WET) shirt.  Self baptism or maybe just a boy being a boy.  Oops! Tension was high but we're all laughing now.
 Up next... a welcomed few days of hanging out at the Dead Sea!