Monday, August 18, 2008
Home Again, Home Again, Jiggety Jog
Well we made it home from Jordan!!!
Hallelujah!!!
Honestly, it was a pretty rough time. My kids and some of their cousins struggled to get along, resulting in a pretty upset me. I won't comment on the whole problem, but it was painful for my kids to be so hurt.
Hubby's Greek Orthodox priest uncle decided to lay into Emily for wearing jeans with the knees ripped out, actually telling her that "This is not what Christians wear." Coming from a man whom his family dreads seeing him he's so mean and selfish, I let him talk until he brought her to tears and then I had had enough. I told him that she feeds the homeless, cleans for widows, babysits for free for single moms and those she sees that need a break. I maybe-not-so-gently pointed out that his way of thinking was just like those of the Pharisees, worrying only about what's on the outside, not what is going on in the heart. I know that I offended him, but I had just about had enough of the way he treats everyone in the family (who won't dare cross him because he's a priest). Let him blame me - I'm American and not held to the same cultural standards. Everyone was cheering me on after he left!
We didn't do anything I wanted to do - no trip to the Dead Sea, no visit to Jesus' baptism site, no seeing the recently discovered "first" church, nada. Well, we did tour King Hussein's car museum. Whoo-hoo!! And the kids and Hubby went to Jerash, where you can see the ruins of an ancient Roman town. They acutally had a good time. Unfortunately, I had a stomach bug that day and didn't go.
Our trip was consumed with where we would eat and who would cook. Breakfast was at 9:30-ish, after which we began preparing lunch (the big meal of the day) to be served at 3. Then we would clean up from that and begin arguing about where to spend the evening and who would provide what food. Finally we'd eat around 9. Kids would go to bed around 12:30 or 1 am. Yikes!! Back to a regular schedule this week for sure!!!
And sadly, Hubby's brother didn't follow through on the wedding plans. No one is really sure what is going one, but now they are saying they will get married at the end of Ramadan. Over in this part of the world, that means a three day vacation. I'm not getting my hopes up though. Neither of them seem too interested in actually doing anything about it - like booking a church, or obtaining a marriage license or anything like that. Whatever!
On to jumping back into real life - menu planning!!!
I'll be working later today and tomorrow on catching up on everyone's blogs - there's seven huge suitcases staring me in the face right now that need unpacked. :::sigh:::
Hallelujah!!!
Honestly, it was a pretty rough time. My kids and some of their cousins struggled to get along, resulting in a pretty upset me. I won't comment on the whole problem, but it was painful for my kids to be so hurt.
Hubby's Greek Orthodox priest uncle decided to lay into Emily for wearing jeans with the knees ripped out, actually telling her that "This is not what Christians wear." Coming from a man whom his family dreads seeing him he's so mean and selfish, I let him talk until he brought her to tears and then I had had enough. I told him that she feeds the homeless, cleans for widows, babysits for free for single moms and those she sees that need a break. I maybe-not-so-gently pointed out that his way of thinking was just like those of the Pharisees, worrying only about what's on the outside, not what is going on in the heart. I know that I offended him, but I had just about had enough of the way he treats everyone in the family (who won't dare cross him because he's a priest). Let him blame me - I'm American and not held to the same cultural standards. Everyone was cheering me on after he left!
We didn't do anything I wanted to do - no trip to the Dead Sea, no visit to Jesus' baptism site, no seeing the recently discovered "first" church, nada. Well, we did tour King Hussein's car museum. Whoo-hoo!! And the kids and Hubby went to Jerash, where you can see the ruins of an ancient Roman town. They acutally had a good time. Unfortunately, I had a stomach bug that day and didn't go.
Our trip was consumed with where we would eat and who would cook. Breakfast was at 9:30-ish, after which we began preparing lunch (the big meal of the day) to be served at 3. Then we would clean up from that and begin arguing about where to spend the evening and who would provide what food. Finally we'd eat around 9. Kids would go to bed around 12:30 or 1 am. Yikes!! Back to a regular schedule this week for sure!!!
And sadly, Hubby's brother didn't follow through on the wedding plans. No one is really sure what is going one, but now they are saying they will get married at the end of Ramadan. Over in this part of the world, that means a three day vacation. I'm not getting my hopes up though. Neither of them seem too interested in actually doing anything about it - like booking a church, or obtaining a marriage license or anything like that. Whatever!
On to jumping back into real life - menu planning!!!
Oh, how I have missed Menu Plan Monday this past month! Not to mention my kids, who are...shall we say "DONE!!!" with Arabic food?? I have specific requests not to make anything Arabic for at least a month. So here's my plan (and bear with me, I've only gotten through Friday - there's nothing in the house. We got in at 10 last night and it's only 8 am here.)
Monday - Roasted Chicken and Potatoes (cooked by Chef Emily!)
Tuesday - Tacos
Wednesday - Chicken and Onions with Creamy Wine Sauce
Thursday - Homemade Pizza and Salad
Friday - Beef Shish Kebabs (shhhh!! technically this is Arabic, but the kids don't know that!)
I'll be working later today and tomorrow on catching up on everyone's blogs - there's seven huge suitcases staring me in the face right now that need unpacked. :::sigh:::
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14 comments:
I suppose depending on the spices you use, the kabobs could be overlooked as not Arabic! LOL!
Have a wonderfully blessed week and good luck with that awful hot, humid weather (I'm having trouble breathing just thinking about it!)
Sherry
It's good to have you back, Lori. I give you loud applause for your response in defending your daughter. You are so absolutely right! Love ya!
I am so sad you didn't get to see all those great things!
Glad you are back! I know your trip in October will be better!
Thanks to you, I am planning on starting meal plan stuff in Sept. Wish me luck!
yay! I'm sooo happy you're back! I've missed you sooo much!! (Funny to say that since we never actually speak to each other!! lol)I'm sorry your trip was so "no fun", but it's done now, so move on and forget it. You've got your trip here coming up and Christmas and now a regular routine, so get happy now, girl!! :-) Looking forward to reading your blog again!
You have been missed. I'm so glad your back in your own beds with your own space. God will be bring friends into your kids' lives.
No more looking back only looking forward.
Welcome back!
Good for you on standing up for your daughter. Children need to know (and apparently some adults too) that its whats on the inside that God sees. Wahoo on doing the menu planning again.
I'm so glad you're back!
Good for you, defending your daughter, and standing up to the Pharisee when nobody else would. It's definitely what's in the heart that counts... and she also proves what's in there with her work.
That's so disappointing you didn't get to see/do all that you wanted. I'm sure you'll get to someday, though.
Welcome home!
I'm glad you're back. It's hard adjusting to the rules and regulations of other households. Especially when other cultures are involved. But at least you're home and can start doing things the way you're used to.
And how sad that your kids were treated that way. I hope they don't let it affect them too deeply.
I'm sorry y'all had such a hard time with some of the relatives. It can be hard to be around people that long, with no break. I'm glad y'all made it home alright. I can't imagine the unpacking you have after being gone for so long.
Glad your back I miss reading your blog. What an awful thing to say to your daughter! She sounds like a sweet wonderful girl.
Glad to have you back! I know I'm a new reader, but your blog has been a real blessing to me and I've missed reading. I'm so sorry that things didn't go so well on your visit. You never know though what may come of your 'discussion' with the uncle. He may stop and think about what you said.
I'm glad you're back, and glad you stood up for your daughter. Have a blessed week, getting back "in the groove".
Hi! My husband is Chinese, so I can relate to the issues that present themselves with the other side of the family being so different culturally. It's tough sometimes. I enjoy your blog!