also...

Really, when I hold Jack, nothing else seems to matter. The issues around the world seem to dissipate. Maybe that is the solution to world peace, make everyone hold babies!!

Leaving...

Leaving the US and my family was really difficult this time. Sometimes there is so much excitement waiting a head that is easy to forget the pain of separation and leaving. But this time, I know exactly what I will be doing in Israel and I am a little burnt out. I know I have to write four 20 page papers and then three 8 page papers before June, and really, I don't want to do it. Do I want a master's degree? Yes, of course. But I am not so motivated anymore and it's taking its toll.

Also, my Hebrew teacher really stresses me out and it's not enjoyable this semester. So in combination of these things, I don't feel the thrill I did last time I arrived in Israel. I am excited to start thinking about what I am going to do next, but I am over this program, it's time to move on. (After I write these 100 pages.)

Of course, I already miss my family, and I can't imagine how big Jack is going to get while I am away. I know my parents miss me very much, but we all have to make choices, and I have a lot of things to think about for the coming August.

Last day with Jack!

Priceless

Jack's onesie said "My auntie is the best," really it did! I didn't make that up!


Katie is so so beautiful and she is great at being a mommy!! She does everything for Jack! (Rick is great too, they are a wonderful team!)

Bath time!!!!!!

"Thanks mom and dad! I love being clean!!"

I am the best aunt!!! ;-)

Look at me and my nephew!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


Look at how strong his neck muscles are!!!!

Best best family!! Jack is the most loved boy in Lockport, Illinois, the USA, and the world. =) I don't think I'm exaggerating either!! He's the best!!!!

I wish there was an iPhone application that recorded how many times I kissed Jack a day!! I would hold the record. I think he says "Auntie, stop kissing me so much!!!"

A great day in the city!!!

Sebnem, Selin, ME, and Sevgi in Macy's!!

Me and my mama!


We love the Art Institute!! The Matisse exhibit was very nice!!!!!!!!! I'm glad I got to see it while I was home!

Boy, do I love Jack!!!

I never knew how much I could love a little man.

Jack next to a picture of his mommy when she was a baby...can you tell the difference?

Bubbe likes to have deep conversations with her grandson!!! Someday he'll even talk back!

Everyone likes to make sure Jack is okay!! =) (Maverick, Jill, Truman, and Jack!)

Happy Easter!!!

Most beautiful family ever!!


My sister and me with Jack!!!

My mom and I made bunny cakes!! Jack really liked them!

Hey, everything is A-OKAY!!!!!!!!

Hello Jack!!

Katie and Jack right after she saw me at her door! She didn't know I was coming!!


"Kosher for Passover"

Jack's first time in Dairy Queen!!! Very important rites of passage!


Jack laying on my stomach!! =)

Passover in Kiryat Malaki

Lots of babies....

and dogs...

and food...

and of course, MATZA!!!!!

I like Ike!

http://www.eveningsun.com/ci_14766184?source=most_viewed

Special thanks to Rachel for sending me this WONDERFUL article!!!

Boker tov!

This morning was really funny, I slept late and when I woke up, I immediately went to see if there were new pictures of Jack (like always.) Although there weren't new pictures, Katie had updated her blog! http://noarmadillo.blogspot.com/ She put all the best pictures from the hospital, the photo shoot and Jack's first week at home. While I was looking at them, Roi's mom came into the room and starting going on about Jack with "mazel tov" and how cute he was and giving me kisses and then Roi's dad and aunt came to see the pictures with more mazel tovs and kisses. It was really funny, I had forgotten that I hadn't seen them for two weeks, so of course they wouldn't have seen pictures of Jack!

Anyway, it was quite the morning!! We ate breakfast and then I started studying Hebrew, which was also interesting because Roi's mom was helping me. She's fluent in Hebrew, but her first language is Russian, so at times there was some confusion. They were yelling around the house to figure out the correct translation. Then his mom would act out the word or try to describe it to me, and sometimes I really had no clue what she was doing. It was hilarious, but actually, I learned a lot this morning. =) I am just trying to speak in Hebrew, but sometimes it's really frustrating, Roi's English is so much better than my Hebrew, but the only way I will ever be fluent is to start speaking all the time.

Now Roi is at a math class and I am studying more Hebrew. Oy. =)

Not much...except JACK!

Jack in the hat that I sent him from Spain!! He looks WONDERFUL!!!!!!

I haven't been doing so much lately except googling over my new nephew! He's already quite handsome and I can't wait to get my hands on him, even if it'll be a while!

My friend got really sick, actually she's been sick, but it got very serious two days ago and so I went with her to Tel Aviv to Tel Shomer to make sure she got the best treatment in Israel. She's still in the hospital with stones in her gallbladder! I'm so grateful we went to the hospital when we did because who knows what might have happened otherwise!

Yesterday I tutored Eran some more with his English, he's fun, it's really just talking with bigger words than he already knows! He's doing a great job!

Now I am in Kiryat Malaki for most of the Pesach break. Roi and I are studying a lot and relaxing. His aunt is here from the Ukraine for Pesach.

I hope everyone is doing well!!

Kibbutz Keturah

After the hike we spent Shabbat on Kibbutz Keturah! We really learned a great deal about how a real non-privatized kibbutz is really run and operated. It was a really neat place.

I spent a lot of the day like this...

I have so much homework!!!!!!!!!!!!!! =)

Canyon Ada

This shabbat we took a MASA trip to Kibbutz Keturah and Canyon Ada for a hike. It was really beautiful and very unique rock.


Matt in the canyon!



Me on top of the canyon!


Hila (our group leader) with her beautiful baby, Carmel.


The view!

http://www.ketura.org.il/

Happy Birthday Mom!

Jack, Katie, and my mom!! (Three generations!)

There are so many March birthdays! Today is my mom's birthday!! And now she is a grandma! I'm sure it's the best birthday present she ever received!! Happy Birthday mom! You are the best mom in the world! I love you!

Jack Maxwell Hurckes!

Jack Maxwell Hurckes was born on Thursday March 18, 2010 at 0944 hrs and weighed in at 9lbs 8oz. My nephew is the most beautiful baby I have ever seen a picture of! I can't wait to meet him!!!!!!!! Welcome to the world my little baby. (Or Katie's) I love you!

My nephew!

My nephew is on his way!! Katie is in labor!! I can't wait to be an aunt!!!

Happy Birthday Rick!

Today is Rick's birthday!! There are so many March birthdays! My mom's is coming on the 20th!! And the baby will have a March birthday too!! WOW!!!!

Happy Birthday Rick!!!! I hope you get the best present (your son!!!!!!!!!)

Happy Birthday Katie!

Today is my sister's birthday! She is 27 years old! Which is really crazy because it doesn't seem like long ago that we were swimming or playing tennis together or riding on the back of my parent bikes. Now, she's going to be a MOM in just a couple of days! She's going to be the best mom. I have no doubts whatsoever. (And I am going to be the best aunt!) ;-)

Happy Birthday Katie!!