Fall!

 Even though the temps remain warm (ugh global warming), it is Fall.  Beautiful leaves, Halloween, lots of raking, and less daylight hours.  We steadily chug along riding the waves that are our days, and the raising of three children.  I find such delight in my every interaction.  This morning Sender and I were talking about pets and he asked me if I liked dogs more then cats to which I said, "yes."  I then asked him if he knows the name of my dog from childhood....without missing a beat, he said, "Clifford!"  So silly!  Lu is loving all things ballet and I am hoping she does not get lice, which many of her friends currently have.  Hersh is deep in bnai mitzvah land, and navigated Halloween which was an intense social experience for both him and me.  Overall we are ok---looking towards what comes next, and squeezing in as many hugs as possible.

Ups and Downs

 The days are filled with ups and downs.  Lots of joy, laughter, community, meals, family, sunshine, and coziness.  Then there are some downs--all the house work, missing my mom, navigating Middle School parents.  I need to return to a practice of a focus on gratitude, a practice that has been very nurturing to me in the past, but has felt difficult during the past few weeks/month.  My mom has been gone for over a month now.  Yizkor/shul is helpful and painful.  Work is feeling more normal.  I hope that Hersh weathers the storm that is 7th grade trick or treating.  Savta was with us, and this weekend we will pumpkin pick.  Deep breathes and sunshine are my tonic.

All the hagim

 Time keeps on going.  The days pass, the holidays are happening, work, school. kids activities--there are very few minutes for clarity.  Some ups, some downs, when all I really want is to feel like normal me.  When I go to shul I feel emotional.   I feel both supported and disconnected, embraced and cast out.  It's all very very strange.

Hersh is doing ok.  He keeps it all going and is successful, enjoying the new sport of ultimate frisbee.  I worry he is just coasting though, and want him to feel excited and happy.  Staying connected is what is most important.

AlteLu is thriving!  So excited to be in the Nutcracker, loving school, friends, and really coming into herself.

Sender loves school, has great friends, and is learning so much.  He can ride a two wheeler bike and is back in swim lessons.