Daddy's Back!

Brian got back home last night.   Yeah!  Julia insisted that he come and give her a kiss when he got it, which he did.  She woke up briefly but fell back to sleep quickly.  So what did we do while he was gone?

Last Thursday, we went to the zoo after Thomas woke up from his morning nap.  We met our friend Sara and her two kids there but we got there later than expected.  We ate our picnic lunch as soon as we got there and then went to the aquarium.  At some point after that, Julia had an accident in the stroller.  I was prepared for that.  I should always have something but I was so hurried that morning to meet Sara, that I didn't think about it.  I had an extra pair of "big girl panties" but no pants.  So....... we went Israeli style.  Julia played in her shirt and underwear for the rest of the trip.  I tried to keep her in the stroller for most of the trip but when we got to the super duper big playground, it was a lost cause.  I call it "Israeli style" because I find that Israelis are very relaxed about kids.  I never ask if a restaurant is "kid-friendly" because they all are.  It is not uncommon for kids to go potty at the park off in the corner.  You see it everywhere.  I still prefer to try and find a bathroom for Julia but when we are stuck and there's no place else to go, a patch of grass (or dirt) works for us.  I was uncomfortable with Julia running around without any pants on but Sara told me to go ahead and that no one would care.  She was right.  No one seemed to care at all and I finally relaxed about it.

Sunday, was the olive harvest on the Mount of Olives.  The Lutheran World Federation has an olive grove and the olives are eventually pressed for olive oil.  The proceeds go to Augusta Victoria Hospital which is also on the Mount of Olives.  I heard the money goes to help treat Palestinian pediatric oncology patients.  Bob had a vet appointment so Julia went with our friends after church and I met them up at the olive harvest after dropping off Bob and letting Tommy nap a little bit.  It is very dusty and Julia was covered in dirt.  She like to sit in the dirt as if it were sand and make a "house".  She got hit on the head with a few falling olives (see pic below) but had fun anyway.

Ok.  It's time a study a little Hebrew.  I tend to study only before class but now things are really starting to pile up and I'm not learning all the vocab as quickly as I need to.  I need to be better.

Bye!

Random thoughts

Brian leaves today for a week trip to Atlanta.  I'm sorry that I'm missing such a fun wedding!  Congratulations Josh and Colleen!  The trip would be too much for all 4 Gormans although it would be so fun to see Nana and Pop!  We will survive without Dad for the week that he is gone.  I'll be holding down the fort with the help of Armi who will come and give me a break from the kids a few times this week.

Someone told me about the Jerusalem Expat Network or JEN for short.  They meet monthly and then have different smaller groups that get together for different things.  There is a lunch group that tries different restaurants, a book group, a majong group, a bridge group, a toddler playgroup, etc.  I just missed the October meeting so I'll show up for the November meeting and see if I can get involved in a few groups.

Julia has a break from school because of Sukkot for 3 days.  I'm planning a visit to the zoo, ice cream making, and a few play dates with  friends.   We also have soccer practice again this Friday and our coach is going to miss it!  Luckily another dad is willing to pitch in and takeover this week.   I'm also going to work with my neighbor tomorrow to see how his obgyn office runs and hopefully there is a chance to start working with him in the near future.  I'm getting all my papers in order in hopes that something part time will come through.  I'll let you know!

That's it for now.  Keep in touch!

Amman and Petra

Last weekend, Uncle Sean was visiting the Amman Gormans so the Jerusalem Gormans tried their first border crossing.  Although there was some concern before going about visas, etc, we got across without any difficulty and Uncle Bart was waiting there to show us back to Amman.  The drive to the border crossing is about 40 minutes and to cross the border after stopping here and there and getting this stamped and that stamped, took about 40 minutes on the Israeli side and then 20 minutes on the Jordanian side.  The drive to Amman was about 45 minutes.  In all, it took probably 3 hours to get to Bart and Donna's house but if we were able to do it without stopping so much it probably would take about 1 1/2 hours.  We stayed with Bart and Donna and the rest of the Amman clan and so did Uncle Sean.  They have a huge house!  Amazingly, with 5 adults and 6 kids, we didn't kill each other.  Sure - there were a few war wounds in the end but all children survived and more importantly, so did I.  We spent Friday and Sunday afternoon at the embassy pool.  There is a nice playground there and a great snack bar where the kids can find anything they want to eat.  Julia had a blast in the pool with her dad and uncles.

On Saturday, we all got up and got in the car to drive to Petra.  It's about a 2 1/2 -3 hour car ride from Amman.  Once there, you walk a little ways until you get to the canyons where red rock cliffs rise above you.  It was warm outside but cool for a lot of the walk while we were in the shadows of the cliffs.  Here are a few pictures but none of them can do it justice.  There are a lot more pictures at www.dropshots.com/julialivgorman  When you come to visit us, please consider allowing extra time for a side trip to Petra.  If you come as far as Jerusalem, it would be a shame to miss this amazing place.

I hope these pictures entice you to come visit!  Email me anytime - reservations are open at Hotel Gorman in Jerusalem.