Last visits with Bamom

We've just returned from a week in Little Rock.  As always, being in Little Rock felt both like being away and being home at the same time.  We were with lots of people that we love.  There was a shower to celebrate Aunt Mimi and Dan Dan's upcoming marriage.  We went to the zoo, museums, trampoline park, over the Big Dam Bridge, and ate LOTS of ice cream (whoo pig chewy and Hog Heaven!)  The kids ate toast, scooted around on the plasma car, and watched whatever they could on the ipad.  There was an ice cream contest (mint chip winner), microwave fixing, 4 wheelin', Stone Soup Play, and lots of reading.  On the last day, as we headed to the airport, AlteLu said, totally unprompted, "Sabba, I'm going to miss you."
This trip was also a chance to have what might be our last visit with Bamombelle.  Our sweet, beloved, most favorite,Bamombelle.  She told Hersh how much she loves him and his curly hair.  She kept calling AlteLu "my little girl."  She told Jacob that he was a very good man, and she told me that it'll be my job to take care of the family once she is gone.  She told Hersh that they are best friends and that he will write a story about her one day.  Our hearts are breaking, we love her so.

Cold, dark days

Right now we are in the cold, dark days of winter.  Although Hersh and AlteLu are our warm lights, we are feeling some stress and sadness.  Job stress, worry about loved ones stress, questions about the future stress.  Yet, we have these two wonderful children, great friends and family, and a good life.
We must focus in on the good, and keep out negativity and worry.
AlteLu takes her baby care very seriously--Fiona, Laila, and Sonia are all well cared for.  She has also taken to drawing jellyfish and saying things like,"oh, sweetie, it's ok."  Hersh is in the thick of 1st grade, and really doing a great job.  He is learning the value of hard work and focus (even when he doesnt like it).
Change lurks ahead.  Let's hold on tight and radiate with love.

Happy 2017!

What an amazing Winter Break--Hanukah, Jacob's birthday, lazy days at home, a trip to NY, Phish, friends, family, trampoline park,  the Metropolitan Opera, walking over the Brooklyn Bridge, and so much more!
After a fun morning at the Trampoline Park and a different Hanukah party every night, we hopped in the car on Jacob's birthday and drove to NY.  We settled in with our wonderful cousins (our kids shared a bed for the first time)--The Farnsworth Family, and kids and adults alike were happy to be together!  Jacob and I had the good fortune of going into the greatest city on earth--NYC--and seeing the greatest band on earth--Phish--for two nights!  We also took the kids to see,"The Magic Flute," at the Metropolitan Opera--it was amazing.  The next day we headed into Brooklyn for lunch with the Aplebaum/Sharrin Family, then it was off to LI for NYE with our good friends, the Ambalus.
An impromptu stop through the city on the way home took us over the Brooklyn Bridge, on the subway, and hugs from Aliza and Ton Ton, before our drive home.
We are now back in our cozy house, enjoying the comfort of home.  We have lots to be grateful for, and lots to look forward to.  We are grateful for friends, family, health, home, love, and adventure.  I am grateful for my husband and best friend, and for my two treasure--AlteLu and HBB.