Thinking Outside The Box

Or really the crib as the case maybe. When we found out we were expecting again, it was quite the shock and we had no idea where we would put anything baby related, let alone another body! However, this is Israel and people are used to small spaces and lots and lots of kids! So we were not alone in the conundrum and there were many ideas suggested, but they didn't seem quite right for us. Fortunately babies take 9 months give or take to arrive so I had a lot of time to ignore the situation. Puking takes a lot of work too!  When the day arrived to bring our newest princess home, we still had no bed!

The final solution, a kidney shaped laundry basket. This basket was the first one we bought when moved to Israel, it has been a toy basket, a laundry basket and a holder of miscellaneous items, the final item being its final occupation before being a crib. The laundry basket is the perfect crib and I wish I had thought of it sooner! It fits on the bed, which means getting up with her is easy, however, she has her own bed so when I am really not up to sharing space with a tiny being that manages to take over every last available inch of space, she is still next to me. When she was first born we carried the basket out front so she could be with us when she was awake, and it fit on the couch, the floor and the table. Now we move her bouncy seat around. To make her basket comfy we put a pillow on the bottom then layered it with blankets. Most babies hate cribs because it is too open a space and unlike being inside mommy. With the basket, she has that close feeling so there was never a transition issue. We put a pillow on the bottom and then a blanket around the edges, close enough to be comfortable, but not so close as to be dangerous.

In Finland they use a card board box decorated up, it's a brilliant idea and it looks great, but I was afraid the kids would be jealous.... for us the laundry basket is brilliant and it reminds me how little a little body really needs to be happy!

New Beginnings

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

Howdy Ho Friends and Neighbors!

Well somehow time has managed to escape me again and I have been lax in my blog.  To those of you who do on this on a regular basis, my hats off to you!  I suppose it has to do with the fact that I now write for a living and can't seem to keep up with my own.  As usual I am already out of time, so I am going to a real fast drive by of the past few months before I am off again!  But first a tribute to all he women who have made a difference in my life!

First my mom, she has accepted the fact that we have moved to Timbuktu for better or worse!  Mom sends Starbucks coffee so we are not lonely for the "old country" as well as a variety of other treats.  She finds books for the kids so they can do great things for school, she calls, e-mails and works on a 10 hour time difference. She has made friends with the lovely people at the local post office due to the amount of things she sends and I am sure she keeps their office open single handedly.  I have essentially involved my mom in my wild journeys from home child birth to moving to Israel, to home schooling my kids as well as a lot of moves and odd life choices in between.  But some how through it all, my mom still calls every week, gives sympathy when I am having a horrid week, sends me coffee, and visits every year. So for that, I have to say, "MOM, You are amazing!

I also have to say thanks to my Mother-In-Law! Everyone should be so lucky and I know not everyone is!  My MIL is as supportive as my own mom and just as to "check up on me."  I am probably one of the few people who loves talking to my MIL on the phone and I will chat with her on-line and sometimes I talk to her more than my husband!

I would also love to say thanks to my Aunt E, who has let me visit more than once, let us invade her home every summer for a week or two, has made the time to get to know all our friends, keep up with our kids, visit, writes and still sends articles that let me know she is thinking of me!

Finally to all of my surrogate Aunties such as Auntie M and Auntie G, to my friends parents who act as grandparents to my kids, since theirs live on another continent, to the women who have lifted me up, held my hand, supported and encouraged me.  Some are like aunts, some are my friends, some are like extra moms, when my mom and MIL are taking a rare day off!  These women are all amazing moms, friends and confidants and if it were not for them where would I be?  So thanks a million ladies for all the love, laughter and support!

Now for the whirl wind update of the J5.

Since February we have celebrated, Purim, Pesach and Lag B'Omer!  We have had a visit from Grammy and Grandpa J and had an early birthday celebration for Grandpa and twins.  Grammy and Grandpa were here for Purim and a great time was had by all!

In home school we have participated in school activities as a group and spent a lot of time getting to know the other home school family here in Beitar. The boys are coming along and though the school year is technically winding down, I think I am going to try and keep up studies during the summer. Since some days we don't get to the formal education side of school I figure we can keep up our slow even pace even after "school is out." M seems to be keeping up the boys as well and her ability to pick things up quickly always surprises me.  In all likelihood she will be joining our ranks.

As for the grown ups, we are plugging along and work is going fine. I have picked up more work from other sources, but the trick is trying to find balance to get all things done.  With the potential for a possible move soon, this will be even more tricky. But I will update if that actually happens.  Another item on this same list of wait and see is the possibility of a visit to America next winter.   Will also keep you posted there.

To the 3 people who read this, Happy Mother's Day! Hope you enjoy it!

Love,
The Executive Director of The J 5.

Life In The Fast Lane, Slow Lane Or Something....

Life here has been a series of ups and downs. From home schooling challenges, and doctors appts.to work and lots of company. Not necessarily in any order. In home school we make progress, we digress, we take a break and then we start fresh. But over all I would say the kids are doing well. We don't always stick the books but they can read, write and and do math. Well at least when the are so inclined.... A while back I had parent teacher conferences for M, apparently she is absorbing home school too because they were surprised at how far ahead she is in some things. They were really surprised when I told them how well she does math. I am also told she is 5 going on 15 since we have had major wardrobe discussions in the morning. Last month it rained almost every single day and it is a challenge to get dressed and organized for a kid who isn't used to that. Last winter we went 9 months with NO rain. But Thank G-d because at least we are getting the rain we need. All the kids prefer math to reading to writing, they are NOT my kids! But all have decent grasp on reading too.

In my world, when I am not home schooling I am trying to keep up with work. I love both projects that I work on and work with great people. I am happy to say that the artist I have been working with has her site up and if you go to www.ellenmillerbraun.com you can check it out.

D has started physical therapy on his back and we are most excited. We are seeing lots of improvement and things are looking up.

In other news, we are looking forward to a return trip from Grammy and Grandpa J and we are gearing up for Purim and Pesach. Soon the twins will be 6 and that is just beyond amazing! We are also looking to move after nearly 4 years in Beitar. We will see how that goes......

I am sure there was more to add, but it will have to wait.

All the best,
The J 5

Are we in Oregon?..........

Nope. But according to Israel National News after this latest storm front is finished we will have had the longest straight run of rain since 1994. Do you know how many days that is? 8! Yep, 8 as in EIGHT days of rain straight here is enough to tie or produce a record. Here is the link for the full scoop. http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/149915#.Tsjs8D0k6so Good thing we are all stocked up on supplies. By that of course, I mean Starbucks Coffee, popcorn and movies. Food we can manage, it's not a snow storm. But when it rains, these 3 things are the essentials in my book! My sister might disagree on the coffee part, but I know I could get her to agree to hot chocolate from Starbucks! It seemed like when winter rolled around in our house, if we weren't off relieving my mom of parental duties by going skiing with our dad, our house could be found stocked with board games, instant hot chocolate and popcorn. So when it rains, that's what I get out at home here too! Our favorite game standard has been Candy Land, Y and M love the dream of really eating all that candy! However, I am rather pleased and excited to see that my kids are taking an interest in Scrabble. Of course basically this means fishing the tiles out of the box to see what we can spell, but Yeah! It's a start. I think we might have to wait just a bit longer to actually be able to keep score. It may not be Oregon, it's at least 25 degrees warmer here! But it's nice to have a little part of it here with us for a few days.

Hope everyone else is warm and dry too!

The case of the missing marmot

I love many things in this world, but there are 3 things that I look forward to at the end of the week. 1) On Friday morning I know that when I turn off the alarm I don't have to reset it for the next day, 2) I will have another episode the The Big Bang Theory to watch and 3) Saturday is sleep in day! This week did not quite go according to plan however. I did get two of three but Sat. was not a sleep in day. At 5:50 am Y was waking my up because his stuffed marmot, which is about 3 inches tall was missing. Marmot was a gift to Y from me a few years back came with a sister Pink Bunny Foo and a brother Husky, whom belong of course to his brother and sister. Marmot is specifically a Boy, although he has a skirt (must be kilt) and matching scarf. Marmot also has the ability to get lost in some usual such as roller blades, shoes and pockets. One day I may write stories about Marmots adventures of getting lost in our house. But back to our story. Now honestly, some days I can handle an early wake up call on Shabbat, this was not one of them. I had stayed up late reading thanks to my mom sending me the latest Steve Berry book and I had zonked out on the couch, with the light on of course, making for a not so solid sleep and some weird dreams. So here it was crack of dawn and Y is out of bed and asking me where marmot is. did I put him in bed with Y and some other related questions. To which I gave some partially coherent answers and tried to look around the couch. After an hour of searching on Y's part and some mild attempts on my part to pretend to look around while really trying to go back to sleep, Marmot was found in Y's bed after all hiding in the blankets. I did manage to back to bed, but 2 days later, sleep is still elusive. Thank G-d for Starbucks Instants!

Shavua Tov!

We're Home Schooling Now!

Although we are still waiting on our official ishur (permission form) to home school, I feel like we have officially become home schoolers on our own. Y is almost done with his K math book and S is coming along too. It makes sense though, 2nd grade math is a bit harder to digest then, connect the dot, color the carrot and 5+9. So all in all S is doing well. With Grammy and Grandpa here we got some great new resources, like a laminated map of the world (ours was looking pretty well used) and some math charts and a big clock to learn to tell time. Yeah! Plus we had more one on one time this way.

But beyond "book" accomplishments we have made strides in general. 2 weeks ago my kids received violins and a guitar from friends of ours whose kids had out grown them. Did you know that there are kid sized versions of these instruments? I didn't. On top of this, the oldest has offered to come out once a month and work with the kids on lessons. They have had one already. I know traditionally lessons are once a week, but as long as the kids follow the books and practice in between we should be good. Plus we have another friend that also plays and I may talk her into coming out the other week so we get lessons every other week. Grandpa played the guitar with the kids and we now have great recordings of the kids singing with the Grands. Really awesome!

And our other big accomplishment was our first home school field trip today! We went to the Israel National Museum with approx. 40 other kids and their parental unit. Mostly moms, but a couple of dads too! This activity I found out is mostly for the Israeli or Hebrew speaking crowd. But everyone spoke some English and the people were lovely. The kids were split into two groups and S was off and on his own. He loved it! I stayed with Y and though he missed his brother, did fine. Afterward each boy did an art project and did lovely work. I could go on about the day, but it would probably get boring and be disjointed because I would have to include a full report of what we saw and so on. So I will just give the highlights. What I noticed while we were there is that, in Y's age group the girls were way more socially ahead of the boys. Even though I would say ALL the kids knew each other and most had been there before, it took a while for any of the boys to speak up and then it was still more girls. Which tells me that Yosef, while shy is not so far off of his peers. I am sure that when we go in January (the next time they do this) he will be more open. S, my social butterfly was playing and talking with other boys by the days end and I am sure that he will have friends the next time we do something with the group. It was also great to observe the parents and how interactive they are with their kids. They sat on the floor with them during different stops we made at the exhibits, they let them do their own thing, but without letting them misbehave. The kids showed interest and were intelligent and thoughtful. I enjoyed watching how the parents interacted with their kids and how friendly they were. We were clearly the only "charedi" family there, but no one seemed worried or offended. The opposite of what you might find in other neighborhoods. Thinking about it later, what I finally realized is that, this is a group of parents that love being parents. They WANT to interact and teach their children things. It is not a chore, they aren't just doing this to get through winter or spring vacation or as a rare outing. These are parents who want to be there with kids who want to be there. Is there anything more beautiful? As trivial as it sounds I also loved that there was NO junk food! It was all sandwiches, veggies, fruit and so on. No one needed to bribe their kids with cookies or other junk to be quiet or behave. It was awesome!

But the other thing I realized is that I LOVE home schooling the kids. Yesterday we were out too. We had to go to the Misrad Chinuk for our interview to determine whether we qualify for home schooling or not. I will not get into it now. It is too late at night, but afterwards we rode the train, met up with GL and saw some neat things while running errands in Jerusalem. What I have realized in the last two days even more than I already have is that I LOVE being the one to teach my kids and explore with them. I love that we can go to Jerusalem to run errands and read about buildings from 1890 and the court yard has an ancient olive press and water wells. That I can walk with the kids and find someone cutting doors for a closet and they have learned something new. Walking to the museum we walked passed The Kennesset (our government buildings) and through a park where I pointed out edible plants. I am really hoping to include M next year, though the decision will be her's to make. In January we will for sure include her in the museum field trip. The only reason we didn't this time is that she already missed some school with the Grands. Good thing she went to school today too as tomorrow she gets to be Shabbos Eema, (Sabbath Mommy) so she gets to bring the treats to school.

Speaking of which, anyone who knows anything about Israel knows you don't go to the store on Thurs. or Fri. unless it is a dire emergency as it is total mayhem. Unfortunately, 3/4 of the country goes to the store at this time, which is why it is mayhem! Well we got home today just about the time M did. She beat us by about 5 minutes tops. Clever me, I went to the store right away before it got crowded so I could shop without a big crowd, I took M and it worked. We didn't need much but it was heavy so I had the boys come and we all carried our stuff home. Yeah! Just as soon as I sat down and started work M comes to me, Eema, I have a petach (a note from the teacher) I'm Shabbos Eema. Oh Joy! Back to the store! My question of course was why didn't you say anything at the store? Her answer, because I just gave you the petach. GREAT! In the end I went back out around 5:30pish and I was able to get through the express with no problems. But oh such a kid thing! I know my sister did it to my mom once and she went out at night in her jeans and jammies to get cupcakes or something. All she had was the money in her pocket when she got pulled over for a headlight out. Fortunately the cop had kids ad a sense of humor and didn't make a big deal out of the no headlight, license, etc and she was able to go to the store and come home. Good thing WE live next door to our store!

But going back to my original statement. I feel like we are really home schooling! Every day is a learning experience and I feel like we have reached another plateau. Ask me how I feel next week when we are back at traditional math and I may not feel so cheery! But for now, we are all happy. And as for M, we do work with her. She likes to do math and spelling. They loved picking a letter and listing everything that starts with that letter. They had some good ones too! We also did some great spelling with Paul Newman ABC cookies. I want to get out our Scrabble game over shabbat and see what they can spell with more tiles that they can't eat! M will also be getting violin and guitar lessons as well.

As usual I have said probably too much and more to say, but this is all for now. For your sake and mine!

Have a good weekend and GO DUCKS! (Because it is that time of year again!) Eema needs a new BCS ornament. Mine broke right off the shoot this year!

In the J5 News Today....Company!

Mostly right now we lots of company visiting! Today Grammy and Grandpa arrived and it was even better because we totally surprised the kids! Grammy and Grandpa were supposed to arrive a few weeks ago right after the holidays on the 23rd, however, due to circumstances beyond their control they got stuck half way here and had to go home. The one challenge to flying space available. It was very disappointing and there was a lot of crying involved. So 2 days ago we got a call asking if they could try again, everything looked real good and B"H! Here they are. We opted not to say anything to the kids lest something go wrong again, so when they pulled up to the house today there was a lot of shrieking from S. We could hear him 4 flights up! The kids had gone out to play and the twins had come up already, but S was still there. Well it didn't take much to catch the ears of the other two as we could hear S all the way up the stairs, "Grammy and Grandpa are here!" It was a lot of fun, but unfortunately no pics! Rats!

We also have friends here from Portland. Hurray! B&G are here for a family wedding which we will also be attending. They were here for 1/2 a day on Sunday and a good time was had by all! We made stir fry and had a great dinner! We also got the kids to the park to burn off some extra energy!

Due to all the excitement home school has been a little slow this week, but tomorrow we will get back on track with extra hands to help out some! We also got some pretty neat math tools for school including Scooby Doo math books! I have a feeling math will look pretty cool tomorrow! Next Wed. we have our appointment with the Ministry of Education in Jerusalem so we are very excited and looking forward to that so we get our Ishur (official approval to home school) and move on with things in that end! In other home school news, KERITH!!!! Thanks for getting in touch! I hope to hear more from you! GL said she would put me in touch with you, so I hope that is OK! Can't wait to hear about your adventures in home schooling.

As it is 11:00pm here I think I will be calling it a day. Lots done, but again, so much left to do..but tomorrow is another day and I will have help to get it all done!

All the best,

Love,
The busy mommy of TheJ5!