Israel - Day #6

Have you missed me? Sorry, I haven't blogged for the last couple of days, but we haven't had an internet connection. Let me start with answering Kara's question - Yes, you can get a diet Coke but I haven't seen any fountain ones since we left the Sea of Galilee. I wish they had a 7-11 here!

We have seen so many things in the last 3 days - my head is spinning. I can't even count the number of Bible stories that we've actually seen the locations of - touched the same rocks, walked on the same streets, etc. We are still posting pictures from each day, so don't forget to check them out. I know many of them are hard to understand without an explanation, but some of them are self-explanatory, especially if you read the signs tha go with them.

We ended our day today at the Western Wall or the "Wailing" Wall. The Jews pray at the Western Wall because it is the closest location to the Holy of Holys on the Temple Mount. Because they are not allowed on the Temple Mount - the muslims are in possession of the Temple Mount - this is as close as they can get to where the Holy of Holys would have been - and to where God's presence was in the temple.

It was an awesome experience to sit within feet of the wall - the actual wall that was there in the day of Jesus - and then to go up to the wall and pray and put the prayers I had brought with me in the wall. I was surrounded by women on each side - young and old - praying to God. Some of them prayed in silence, others out loud. Some stood still, while others rocked back and forth "Love the Lord your God with all your body, mind and strength" Deuteronomy 6.

Words really can't express everything I have experienced here in Israel. Shalom!

Random thoughts about Israel

1. Mc Donald's does not have a Dollar Menu here - it cost us $15.00 to buy dinner tonight.
2. Nazareth is up on a hill and very rocky.
3. People use their car horns to communicate.
4. You can't get cheese on a hamburger here - it's not kosher.
5. The pigeons have big poop - trust me, I was blessed by a Nazarene bird today - down my shirt, arm, hand, etc.
6. You don't want to live near a mosque. The muslims pray 5 times a day - over a loud speaker - it's really loud.

Israel - Day #3

Do you know what this is? It is a feeding trough and it's thousands of years old - I'm serious. It's also known as a manger. This is our guide Elan, explaining that this is most likely what Jesus was put in after he was born. Wood, like we see in our manger scenes, was not used as frequently as stone because it was very expensive and stone was very plentiful. Here's a thought for you... the "Bread of Life" was placed in a "feeding trough" when he was born - there's some symbolism for you.

One of my favorite things from today was sitting in a synagogue in Nazareth and reading Luke 4, beginning with verse 14. The synagogue is believed to be where Jesus actually said the words you read in Luke 4 - "The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor..." All I can really say is "WOW!" I am definitely at a loss for words when it comes to explaining most of my experiences here in Israel.

Israel - Day #2

Today we visited Acco - a port on the Mediterranean Sea, Mt. Carmel and Ceasarea. This is a picture from the top of Mount Carmel. It was absolutely beautiful and you could see for miles. The picture is taken facing the west with the Mediterranean in the distance. While we were up there, Ed read from I Kings 18 - story of Elijah and the prophets of Baal. This is where Elijah calls down fire from heaven after the prophets of Baal are unable to call fire down from their god. The prophets danced and cut themselves in an effort to get Baal's attention, but nothing happened. We were reminded of how the God of heaven is always there for us, listening for our voice. He's never too busy or out of reach. Elijah called out to God with a quiet confidence, knowing that God would answer him. It was a great time of reflection.

We also visited Ceasarea - a city that Herod created for himself on the coast of the Mediterranean. It's no wonder he picked this location! It is like a tropical resort. The remains of his palace sit right on the waters edge. Ceasarea is also where Paul was imprisoned.

If you would like to see the pictures we have taken so far, you can go to HERE.

Israel - Day #1

I am overwhelmed, but in a good way! Today was awesome and full of great sites. We started the day at the Mount of Beatitudes. That's the Mt. behind me where you see the line of trees on the ridge. The picture was taken as we were traveling along the coast of the Sea of Galilee in a boat similar to what the fishermen in Jesus' day would have used. My favorite part of the day was our visit to Capernaum. Capernaum is where Jesus lived for a while, ministered and healed people toward the beginning of his ministry. It was a great time of reflecting and experiencing a city where Jesus actually lived. We stood in the synagogue where he preached to the people and saw the remains of the house of Peter's mother-in-law. What a day! There is so much more I could say, but I am too tired and I'm off to bed. Tomorrow I will post a link - if you would like to see the pictures we have taken so far. Until tomorrow - Shalom!

Off To Israel

Hi Everybody! I'm off to Israel! I can't believe the trip is finally here. You know I'm a terrible blogger, but I have promised to blog at least a couple of times while I am there. So.... check my blog in a couple of days and see what we're up to in the "Holy Land".

THE FINISH LINE

We made it!! There's nothing better than making it across the finish line!! I wish I could say the triathalon was easy or not as hard as I thought it would be, but that would be a lie. It was definitely the hardest physical "thing" I've ever done, second only to labor. Kristy did a great job of journaling our experience on her blog - visit her site for all of the details. It's strange how proud I feel of myself - that I actually said I'd do it, actually trained for it and then actually finished it without dying!!! I'm not sure I've ever felt this kind of overwhelming sense of accomplishment before - it's weird and wonderful - all at the same time. All this being said, I couldn't have done it without Kristy. She "carried" me through the run - verbally. She was constantly talking us through it, encouraging me to go a little further, telling me I could make it and helping me hold on until the end. So I have to agree with her when I say it was a great day and great accomplishment, but it was made so much sweeter by sharing it all with a friend.

And just so you know... transition went great - my pants stayed in place the whole time!!!

Check out our race pictures at Opix photography - just search by our names.

What is WRONG with me???

I am some kind of freak show right now! In the last 10 minutes I have been in and out of several work out clothes - trying to find something to wear for the triathalon on Sunday. Right now I'm sitting at the computer in my wetsuit - trying to decide if it is comfortable and if I can actually move my arms in it to actually swim. I've tried taking it off as fast as possible in hopes that my pants won't actually come off at the same time - which is a huge possibility!! I've also tried to explain to Jim that "cellulitiness" is actually a word as I show him several outfits that do not help my "cellulitiness". What is WRONG with me and why did I ever think that a triathalon was a GREAT idea!?!?!?!?!

First Day of Third Grade

Here he is, ready for the first day of school! Caleb started Literacy First Charter School today - which we have been on the waiting list for two years now. So, needless to say we were very excited when we got a call last week that Caleb was in. Caleb wasn't quite as excited as we were, but by the time we finished school shopping and visiting his class, God had done a mighty work and Caleb was actually saying he was "excited" to start school.

Last night, he decided that a warm bath or shower would be a good plan in the morning before school to help him "relax". Where do they get this stuff!!! So, the morning went flawlessly. After a warm bath and a waffle he was ready for school.

I will update you later on how his first day at a new school went.

We Got Nothin

This is what happens when two women stand around on a Saturday afternoon and say, "We got nothin". Meaning - we've got nothing to do!!! Kristy came over on Saturday with her kids to swim and hang out - Jim and Bret were both out of town. When we finished swimming, we came in the house and didn't know what to do with ourselves. So.... as we stood in my kitchen I said, "I want to cut that pine tree down". Next thing I know, Kristy and I are outside sawing down the pine tree that was starting to take over my driveway. Moral to the story... women standing around with nothing to do - really isn't true - we always have something to do!!!! Kristy and I laughed and laughed about whether or not Jim would notice we cut the tree down - pretty hard to miss the two trash cans overflowing with pine tree!

The Tooth Fairy Doesn't Work Weekends

I'm a terrible mother!!! Wait, Jim's terrible too because I asked him to remind me and he didn't. So, Joshua lost his first official tooth - the natural way - yesterday. We were all so excited and we made a REALLY big deal about the Tooth Fairy coming. Guess what happened??? The stupid Tooth Fairy went to bed and forgot to visit Joshua Hammond. When Joshua woke up in the morning he brought Jim in to look and see that the Tooth Fairy had not come. Jim, in his wisdom says, "The Tooth Fairy must not work on the weekends" which Joshua seemed OK with and went about playing as usual. So PLEEEEEEEEEASE pray that the Tooth Fairy isn't a flake tonight - we need her to visit in a BIG way!!!

Compared to the Feldberg house - where they have a rockin Tooth Fairy that writes letters - the Hammond Tooth Fairy sucks!!!

MOMENT TO REMEMBER

Summer is a wonderful time - most of the time! Caleb and Joshua take a few days to get into a rhythm together when there is a break from school. They usually spend several days getting on each others nerves and then mysteriously and wonderfully, they become the best of friends. This picture was taken a week or so into summer vacation. Caleb had decided he was going to teach Joshua how to skateboard and Joshua was all for it. They went in the back yard and Caleb helped him get on his gear and then he helped him balance on the board - he never did really MOVE on the board, but Joshua was very proud of himself, nevertheless. Moments later, I looked out the back door to see them sitting on Caleb's board reading a book about skateboard ramp tricks and talking about skateboarding off the back patio steps. I laughed to myself and quickly got the camera to savor this sweet brother moment.

Good-Bye to Willy

So, I'm not sure where to begin... what seemed like a few days away camping turned into tragedy.

We went to Doheny to go camping on Sunday and when my in-laws went to feed the dog on Monday morning they couldn't find him. They finally discovered he was in the side/gated area of the back yard - which we aren't sure how he got there. This wouldn't have been a problem except for the fact that I have been trying to "eliminate" a squirrel problem in our backyard. When Willy was in the side yard he ate all of the squirrel poison that I had put back there. I say "all", but "all" was probably only a half of a cup. I really wasn't too worried about him - it was a small amount and he's a pretty big dog. Until...

Tuesday morning when my in-laws went over to feed Willy he barely acknowledged them. This is not normal, Willy would never pass up an opportunity to play ball!!! So, when Jim went home that morning for a meeting he found Willy laying at the bottom of the steps - barely responsive and he died within the next 30 minutes.

So, while we were camping I had to tell the boys that Willy died. Poor Joshua cried and cried and kept saying, "Maybe Daddy will bring me a brown dog". Caleb, hasn't really cried or said too much about it. When I told him that Jim was taking him to the doctor because he was sick he said, "If Willy dies I will cry like a baby!" but he haasn't done that yet. For me, I kind of miss him, but mostly I feel guilty. Guilty, that I didn't really like him. Anyway, here's to Willy - the dog that would never pass up an opportunity to play ball!!!!

Adios!

Well, Kristy has been harassing me to post - so here it is!

Today was the last MOPS meeting of the year and also my last meeting as
coordinator. I have to say it feels good!!! I'm tired!! I'm done!! I'm
ready to move on!! This being said, I have to also say I'm a little bit
sad. MOPS has provided a great network and community of friends for me.
I've been stretched, I've grown - personally and spiritually. I've had
some very difficult conversations over the past two years, but I
wouldn't trade those experiences.

So, as I say "ADIOS" to MOPS I'm a little happy and a little sad. Not a big surprise, but there it is.

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Irritable!!!

I don't even know if anyone will read this it's been so long since I've blogged, but here it goes...

I worked today and I'm irritable!!! I saw a 17 year old patient today that I can pretty much
call a "pot head". I did pretty well with her until she told me that
though she would never smoke cigarettes again she would probably smoke
pot again after the baby is born. Too which I responded, kindly but
firmly, "Is that really the best decision you can make for your baby?"
I said a lot more, but I won't bore you. I ended my "speech" with, "Can you tell I didn't like your answer??"

I'm
usually pretty subdued. I encourage them to quit, I give them "the big
scary talk" and then I usually move on, but not today. Today, all I
could think of were all of the people I know - good people - who would
make great parents - who can't get pregnant - who suffer withinfertility
year after year - or the families who loose children or have babies
with disabilities when all they did was take excellent care of
themselves when they were pregnant.

This is one of those things
I always think I will ask God about when I get the chance and then I
realize I won't care when I actually get there. Oh well, so it is. That
was my day - kind of a bummer - sorry.

Late Bloomer

I am definitely a late bloomer when it comes to sports. I would never
answer, "Are you athletic?" with a "yes". I swam on the swim team in
high school, but other than that, the only sports I played were in
elementary school - I think my parents were just trying to get me to
exercise!!! But, now at the age of 36, I seem to be becoming an athlete
- to some extent. I'm not as thin as I'd like to be, but I'm definitely
in better shape physically than I was 15 years ago. I've started
running, which I still don't enjoy Becky, I swim twice a week, I love
to cycle and now I'm playing softball(only by peer pressure). So, kind
of strange to be taking up all of these different things later in life
than I expected. The great thing is, now that I am older I will try way
more new things than when I was younger - I guess my fear ofembarrassment is getting smaller with my age - which may not be a good thing!! Here's to LATE BLOOMERS!!!!

Parenting Question

So, Joshua saw a bee last Saturday in the backyard and now he is petrified. He's loosing his mind about bees!!! He's wearing long sleeve shirts everyday, he's covering up with his towel to go in the pool and he's talking about bees and what they do, why they sting, etc. every day since. I basically want to yell at him - which isn't a great parenting technique. Any advice on how to handle a 5 year old who doesn't want to go outside because there "might be a bee out there"? Summer should be fun if he keeps it up!

Hamster Update

Just wanted to let everyone know that hamster #3 or "Blackie" is alive
and well and keeping us up at night. She's a crazy busy hamster who
spends most of her waking hours trying to chew out of her cage and
running in her wheel. Anyway, besides the fact that she's irritating
we're glad she's alive and well - I don't think Joshua could handle
purchasing a 4th hamster in 2 weeks.

The BIG 36

Today is my 36th Birthday and yes that's me hanging from a rock climbing wall!!!! Kristy surprised me with a "little" adventure today. We had a great time and laughed really hard and now our hands and arms hurt so bad we can hardly use them!!! I would have never thought that I would spend my 36th Birthday climbing rocks - we're never too old to do something crazy and a little out of our comfort zones!!!! Sometimes you gotta spice things up a little bit ladies!!!!

Not As Planned

Things didn't go exactly as planned today. The day started out perfect. The kids were up by 7, they ate breakfast and got dressed by 8:30 and out the door we went to the gym. I was really looking forward to a good swim this morning because I haven't been to the gym too much with Jim being out of town. We got to the gym in plenty of time, checked the kids into the Kids Club and out to the pool I went. I was in the pool a few minutes and then Becky got there so we chatted for a couple of minutes and off we went to start 20 laps in a row(this is our new thing). I think I got another 2 laps in when the Kids Club person came out to the pool to find me... "Are you Heather? Your youngest son is in the bathroom crying for you. I'm not sure what happened, but there is poop all over the bathroom." This is exactly what you want to hear when you just start your workout. So, out of the pool I go with my towel wrapped around me, dripping all over to go see what's up. Well, the girl was right - there was poop everywhere!!! Joshua said he was standing up to pee and he thought he had to pass gas, but it was poop instead. Anyway, long story short... he left the gym wrapped in my towel because everything else was covered in - you guessed it - POOP! So on the way home he says, "I wish I was dreaming" and of course I said, "Me too honey".

Servant heart - NO!

I'm having one of those mom days where I think I will loose my mind if my kids ask me for one more thing. They are constantly asking for something - goldfish, pretzels, juice, milk, start a movie, stop a movie, etc., etc. And why is it that they ask as soon as I start something else or I have just sat down???? I was standing in the kitchen during the last request, starting to get irritated, feeling like a slave to a 5 and 7 year old, realizing my servant heart "sucks". I called Kristy to vent a little and we were musing about how we are more joyful servants for friends and strangers than our own children sometimes. I wonder why that is???? So anyway, I really don't have a point to this post, just feels better to get it out there.

Hamster #3

Hamster #3 has just arrived home. At least with this one we got a new name - Blackie - which is an improvement over Queenie, in my opinion. So, poor Joshua took the news pretty hard, but he didn't cry as much as the first time and then quickly asked when he could get a new one. He's pretty happy with Blackie, but he keeps saying, "I hope my hamster doesn't get yucky tail disease". I'm praying this one lives longer than a week. I feel more confident about her - she tried to eat her way through the box on the way home from the Petco in Rancho. It was pretty funny... Caleb refused to hold the box because she was eating her way through it, so I ended up holding the box while driving and trying to block the 3 holes she chewed with books notepads and piles of paper. I said, "OH CRAP!" several times wondering what in the world I was going to do if she got loose in the truck! So anyway, we made it home and she is settling in - I'll let you know how she does.

Another One Bites the Dust

Well, another hamster has passed on. I haven't told Joshua yet - he thinks she's sleeping. Pray for me and for him. How many hamsters are we gonna go through????

A New Queen

Some of you may have heard about the tragic loss of "Quennie" Joshua's new hamster that died 12 hours after he received her. Joshua cried, "She always cheers me up". I tried not to laugh while he was crying and saying this, since he had only had the hamster for half a day. Poor guy. The loss was overshadowed today by the purchase of a new hamster - that hopefully won't die before the week is over. I was hoping he would give this hamster a new name - not the same name as the DEAD hamster. But instead, he informed me that he gave the hamster in heaven a new name - Bubble Gum - so that he could name the newest hamster "Quennie". So, we have a new Queen in the house - please pray she lives through the week!!

When will I be a BIG five?

So Joshua turned 5 on Monday the 5th - I know this because believe me when I say I was there! But on Tuesday he asked me... "When will I be a BIG 5?" I was very confused and thought he was talking about upper and lower case letters, so I told him numbers are all the same, no upper and lower case. To which he angrily replied, "NO! When will I be a BIG 5?" It took me a couple more minutes to realize and Joshua almost in tears to realize he was talking about his Birthday party, which wouldn't be until Saturday. As far as he was concerned he would not be a BIG 5 until his party. It didn't matter how much I tried to explain to him he was already 5, he would then say, "So I will be 6 on Saturday?" Finally, I conceded and said, "Yep, you're going to be a BIG 5 on Saturday". Sometimes you just can't win. So today, Sunday, Joshua is really and truly a BIG 5.

Have you ever done this before??? I just got home from Target, where I happened to run into Shannon. I was telling her I wanted to do more shopping - because I loooove Target - but my feet were too sore from wearing my crazy boots at MOPS all morning. Shannon says, "Go get a little pair of flaps" so I can keep shopping. To which I think... great idea!!! So I go to the shoe department - find a cute little pair of shoes - not the flaps I should have bought. And now here I sit at the computer realizing I just bought a pair of shoes so I could keep shopping - weird!!!! Plus, while we were there I refused to buy Joshua a pair of pajamas because her didn't need them - but I got a pair of shoes so I could keep shopping. Sometimes I wonder what in the world I'm doing!!!

Fun in the Sun?

ALOOOOOOHA! I wish I was still living "aloha". It's amazing how you can come home from a vacation and feel as if you have never been gone. We had such a wonderful time. The weather was perfect - sunshine and cool breezes - I want to go back!!! Above is a picture from the window at our condo.

I thought all of you mothers would appreciate a little story from vacation...

Maui was wonderful, but we did have the boys with us which adds a little different twist on things. You still have to listen to whining, arguing, crying, etc. One afternoon we decided to stop and go snorkeling at a little beach just off the road. It was perfect - shallow, the water was calm, and I was pretty sure I saw turtles before we even got into the water. BUT... Jim didn't really want to go snorkeling and Caleb was pretty sure the water was too cold and too deep and Joshua decided that laying on the boogie board was way too scary and he didn't want to go. To top it all off I forgot my bathing suit at the condo and I WANTED to go snorkeling! So there we stand on the beach - Jim's grumpy he has to get in the water, Joshua is crying and Caleb is refusing to even try. The next thing that happened wasn't pretty... I start to loose my mind. "This is ridiculous! It's beautiful out and I've got to listen to all of you complain and cry! This is fun for Pete's sake! GET IN THE WATER!!!" I'm pretty sure I remember hearing my parents rant in such a way. I will tell you though, they loved it once they got in!!! I'm the big jerk that made them have a good time.

MAUI TIME

Today's the day!!! Maui Time! We leave today for Maui - I can't wait. I feel like I NEED a vacation. Sandy beaches, the sound of the ocean - I'm ready!!! So, when I get back I will try to get more in the groove of this blogging thing - maybe it will be easier with a little bit of a tan!

What am I watching?

It's weird what you watch when you have children. You learn the dialog to movies and tv
shows that you never thought you would be familiar with. Stuff like the
Wiggles, Curious George, Little Einstein or Mickey Mouse's Christmas(I
think I've seen that one a hundred times). And right now I'm watching a
Carlos Santa Live DVD and a Dave Matthews DVD so that Caleb can watch
people playing guitar -because NOW when he grows up he wants to have a
band!!!! We have also taken up watching the Cooking Channel because
Joshua loves to watch Giada and Paula Dean cook. I'm telling ya, who knows what we'll be watching next!!!

MY FIRST POST - I"M OFFICIALLY A BLOGGER

Thanks to my sweet friend Lauren, I am now part of the blogging community - WAHOOO!!! I feel a little like my friend Kara - there's some pressure to make these things catchy, funny, insightful and touching. But I figure who cares - it's fun!

So in posts to come, you will get a little taste of life in the Hammond household. Keep a look out!!!!