Jordan

As I mentioned in the last post, Micah and I recently went to Jordan for a week long babymoon.  Jordan was an easy decision for us since it is only a 2 hour flight from Saudi and doesn't require any time change or jet-lag.  We started our trip in the capital city of Amman.  Our flight got in pretty late so we went straight to the hotel to get rested up for the start of our trip.  For our day in Amman we traveled out to the ruins of Umm Qais.  The ruins weren't anything spectacular but the view was more than we were expecting.  From a high point at the ruins we could see the Sea of Galilee, Syria, and Lebanon.   It was surreal seeing the area where Jesus cast the demons out of the man and into the pigs plus many other Biblical events in the area including Jesus walking on water.

After spending a short time in Umm Qais we headed off to the old Roman city of Jerash.  Jerash is one of the best preserved Roman cities in the "near east".  I found the ruins fascinating and beautiful.

From there we visited the old castle of Ajlun.  We had a difficult time enjoying the castle with how many locals were around (it was the weekend) and without a guide to tell what we were looking at.  We didn't spend much time at the castle and I'm not even sure we took pictures.
The next day we left Amman to head towards the Dead Sea.  On the way to the Dead Sea is the area where Jesus was believed to have been baptized.  We made a stop at the baptism sight which was again very surreal and kinda hard to grasp the impact.  What they believe to be the actual spot Jesus was baptized is no longer on the actual path of the Jordan river so they have a little watering hole to mark the spot.

From there it's a short walk to the current Jordan river which in current day is more like a creek.  Standing on the Jordan side of the river was the closest we came to Israel.  It would only take a couple leaps to be over in Israel.

Once we finished at the baptism sight we continued on to the Dead Sea.  The Dead Sea is the lowest land elevation on Earth at 1,388 feet below sea level. It is also 8.6% saltier than any ocean and no life is able to live in the waters hence the name "Dead Sea".  However, the mud and other elements from the water is supposed to be healing and therapeutic.  So Micah and I joined in the fun and covered our bodies in mud.  It was a strange feeling but a fun experience.  Of course floating in the Dead Sea was lots of fun as well especially being pregnant.

We thoroughly enjoyed our relaxing time at the Dead Sea and were kinda sad to move on but it was time to go.  From here we headed to Petra but on the way we stopped by Mt. Nebo which is where Moses is buried and where he stood to look out into the promised land. Sadly it was very windy this day and kinda hazy.

Mt. Nebo is really close to the town of Madaba which is known as the town of Mosaics.  There is a really old church in Madaba that when discovered had a large map of the area done in Mosaic.

From there we drove through the Wadi Mujib which is referred to as the "Grand Canyon of Jordan".  It was a pretty spectacular canyon area with NO vegetation.

We also stopped at Karak Castle in route to Petra.  Once again, we kinda just aimlessly wandered around the castle grounds not knowing much about what we were looking at.  We started making up stuff just to amuse ourselves.

At last we made it to Petra.  Of course we made it a little before dinner time so I booked us a cooking class at the Petra Kitchen.  During our class we learned how to make some traditional Jordanian food.  Right before we were almost done cooking, the electricity in the building went out.  I was very impressed with how well the staff improvised with candles and cell phones to light almost the rest of our night. The candles made it a more unique experience.

Our day at Petra started bright and early.  We met up with our guide in the lobby of our hotel and were on our way.  The walk to the entrance of Petra is pretty long (1.2 km) through the "Siq".

At the end of the Siq you are rewarded with a spectacular view of The Treasury.

From here, we hiked further into the ancient city and explored some caves, tombs, old homes, a church, and Roman ruins. Our guide was excellent and made the first half of the day very enjoyable.

Since we finished our official tour pretty early in the day I decided I felt "up" to making the hike up to the Monastery in Petra. This hike is over 900 something uneven steps up the mountain.  I guess it just felt like something I wanted to conquer in my 7 month of pregnancy. I fueled up before we started with a Dr. Pepper and a snickers bar...really healthy, I know. Micah was excellent in understanding that we had to move more slowly than normal and take more breaks but we did it!

We made it!

After the hike we had lunch and I was feeling tired but ok.  Of course I had forgotten about the hike just to get into Petra.... I felt like this camel

Next on our tour of Jordan was a short jeep ride into the Wadi Rum desert.  The desert is beautiful but our "tour" was pretty short.  If I hadn't been pregnant we would have done the camping but ohh well.

For our final stop, we headed to Aqaba the city on the Red Sea.  All I had planned for this stop was a day scuba diving (for Micah) and resting on the beach/pool.  It was amazing to have time just relaxing together after a busy trip. The dive company we used gave Micah a really awesome wet-suit that I just had to get a picture of...

One day while laying on the beach we had a very subtle reminder that we were still in the Middle East...the oncoming sand storm.

Before

Here it comes

After

The day we left Jordan I turned 31 weeks!  9ish weeks to go.

29 Weeks!

Micah and I are about to head out on our official last vacation before Jacob.  I'm calling it our "baby-moon".  We will be visiting Jordan for a week seeing some of the sights of Jesus, old City of Petra, floating in the Dead Sea, and relaxing on the Red Sea.  Our puppy is going to spend a week pretending he belongs at Aramco with Steve and Inez.  Thanks Fasold's!! 


Of course before we left we had a doctors appointment to make sure we were safe to travel.  My appointment was at 29 weeks and 3 days.  Only 10 weeks and 4 days to go! Here is our sweet boy. 

March Showers Bring June Baby

This past month Micah was nice enough to buy me a plane ticket just to go home and celebrate our little boy with friends and family. My wonderful family on both sides joined together to throw 2 great showers.  I'm so appreciative of everything they did for us.  

My first shower was in Houston on March 18.   My Mom, sister Selena, and sis-in-law Traci were wonderful hostesses and everything was just adorable.  We are doing Jacob's nursery in safari theme so the shower was animal themed with stuffed animals and other cuteness everywhere.  Many of the attendants were my mom's friends that I have known for years and family.  I was also blessed with the presence of my wonderful friends from Clear Lake, Meredith and Susie. It is so much fun to get together with other women and prepare for our little boy. 

Traci, Me, Mom, Selena

Bailey, Coleton, Me, and Madasin

Grandma

Aunt Sue and Mom

The second shower was in Tulsa on March 24.  My mother-in-law Marvetta and sis-in-law Jackie were so generous in agreeing to do a shower for me in Oklahoma so that my college friends would be able to attend and my Oklahoma family. Along with family a few of Marvetta's friends attended as well. Again the shower was safari themed and super cute!  Jackie is so creative.  

Baby Bumps!

Aunt Tonya, Aunt Sandra, and Grandma Gilbert

How big is the belly?

Marvetta, Me, and Jackie

Kate and Emily

Holly, Anna, Me, Christina, and Kendra

We are so blessed to have so many people around us that love us and want to celebrate with us! Thanks to everyone who helped, hosted, attended, and celebrated. 

Of course, while I was home there was also time for hanging out with family, eating a ton of good food, and shopping. 

Addison Ray Carpenter

It's taken me a few days to be even capable of writing this post.  My heart is completely broken over the loss of this precious girl and for the pain that our dear friends are going through.  I went to visit Addi in the hospital on  Thursday, March 29 and on Friday, March 30 she went to be with Jesus and her brother Cade.  Addi is dearly loved and will be greatly missed. Please continue to pray for the Carpenter family. 


"The Lord is close to the brokenhearted, saves those whose spirit is crushed." Psalm 34:18

May 26, 2010 - March 30. 2012

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