A friend of mine pointed out that I seem to pick up this blog around Rosh Hashana, or the beginning of the new year on the Jewish Calendar. I suppose she is right, it would seem that way. Except for last year where I didn't blog at all and haven't for the past year. I think it is because the new year means a fresh start and new hope, plain and simple. Everyone needs a marker as encouragement to start living the life they want and away of putting the past behind them. Whether it is a birthday, a specific age, the new year or even a specific month, we all need a way to put the past where it belongs and begin on goals for the coming year and even further out. So here is my new start and what will hopefully be the beginning of new tales about how we adjust to life at 40.
As I said, this is a blog of new beginnings so instead of updating I am moving on. I don't officially turn 40 for a few more weeks, but now is close enough.
On July 30 we welcomed our 4th child into the home. For the first time I had a hospital birth and it is with mixed feelings, that I had the experience, but it was my choice. Since I promised not to back track I will spare the details and say that like all things there were pros and cons to being in the hospital, but I am happy to say she would have been fine being born at home too.
Prior to this our family consisted of two boys and one girl, our oldest is currently 9 and 3 quarters and our twins are nearly 7 and a half. It was quite a shock to discover I was pregnant last November as we had figured our baby days were over. There was no, "will we or won't we," and I was quite content with our little brood. However, the rest of family was not so content, so the fact that I became unexpectedly pregnant was cause for celebration here. Our latest princess is now 6 weeks old and doing beautifully despite being born somewhere between 35 and 37 weeks old.
School is off to a bang and all the children are now attending the local school here in Shilo. We had such a good experience with it last year that we are sticking with it again. S is in 5th grade now and continues to be in a small class with the same teachers from last year! Yipee! Y is in 2nd grade and is doing fine. M after an extra year in kindergarten is in grade 1 and doing absolutely wonderful. The teachers and staff that make up the school system here are truly dedicated individuals and doing a fine job. I do miss homeschooling but this is a pretty good alternative which I hope will leave me with some time to accomplish my own goals.
One of the things about turning 40 is that it is with clarity I remember my parents turning 40 and it is yet another wake up call to remind me that if I don't get moving I will never get where I want to be. For the record my parents are quite happy and successful and I hope to be where they are some day. These past nine years in Israel have been about establishment, learning the culture, and basically surviving while figuring it all out. Now that we have a basic level of accomplishment with those goals, we look are looking toward the future to start achieving new goals.
D has his goals in mind and we are taking steps to get those going including beginning exams into a new line of training. With me it is a little bit trickier and I think it is time to dig deep and see just what lies ahead for me. From what I have observed and learned in the past year, when we do what's truly right for us, doors open up and with some serious perseverance goals becomes reality. I believe in this with absolute certainty as I have watched it over and over. When I set out to homeschool the boys it was an amazing experience and I was able to work pretty close to full time, home school the boys including outside activities, keep the house down to a dull roar and have my own life. Now for the past year I have been floundering and pregnant so it is time to dig down and discover what is next on the road of life.
Shabbat Shalom and Shana Tova
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