Our Growing Family

Discovered over on Don’t lick the ferrets, I decided to take a stab at a little writing assignment.  If you are reading this, and would like to give it a whirl, be sure to leave a comment so I can check it out!  

I am the one who has dreams wider than the ocean but plays it safe and follows the line.

I admit I am critical, jealous, and competitive – but these things don’t define me, they simply remind me that I’ll always have work to do.

I have chosen to live my life openly, with pride and without fear. 

I may never be a size 2, run a five minute mile, or make it into Mensa, but the goals I have for myself are so much bigger than all of those things.  I want to grow old with the woman I feel in love with when I was 16. I want to kiss a scraped knee. I want to make my parents proud.

When I check inside I am happy with what I see.  I see a person who is constantly striving, evolving – a person who knows who she is, but also where she’d like to go. 

I believe in the power of nature, prayer, and silence.  I believe that there are so many things bigger than I am and that I’m blessed to have found my place.  I believe that my job here is to help, and to love, all that I’m able. 

I pay attention to people, feelings, unspoken words, and all the silent stories that those around me are trying to tell.

I want to be remembered for lending a hand, warm hugs, long conversations, rocking to sleep, never giving up, inspiring.

I have never been unsure of what I was meant to do, or be, just unsure of how to get there.

I am still learning how to put myself last, and also first.  How to strive without competing.  How to help without hindering.  How to be at peace with where I am, while keeping the motivation to get where I’m going.  How to make a good cup of coffee.    

I am a work in progress, just as I’ll always be.

1) Fair season has arrived in new england. this makes me a happy girl.

2) Our oldest kitty is out of sorts lately.  actually, so is the younger one. something in the air?

3) I’m feeling really motivated to finish the basement.  I want it done. now.  Anyone know a handyman?

4) Weekend getaway in scenic NH to celebrate 10 yr anni has been booked!

5) Having a baby at our Rosh Hashanah table made it so very clear how ready the family is to welcome a little one.

6) A large employer in my state announced recently that they would be eliminating 1,000 jobs.  nightmare.

7) I’m working from home tomorrow and cant wait to spend the day in pjs.

8 )  Thursday we have a “team building” picnic and outdoor activities thing.  I always find these work outings so uncomfortable.  

9) Today my Nana turns 75.  ice cream cake for dinner!

10) Maybe, just maybe, I’ll finally finish the rocker for the nursery this week.

Our sixth cycle literally began at sundown on the first night of Rosh Hashanah.  For those not familiar, Rosh Hashanah is the Jewish New Year.  It along with Yom Kippur, which follows 10 days later, make up the High Holy Days of Judaism.   It is said that during the time between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, God decides the fate of your coming year.  As such, this is a time of reflection, repentance (teshuvah), and forgiveness.  This is a time for new beginnings, releasing old burdens, and looking forward to living your next year with a renewed spirit and commitment to being a better person.  For us, this year more than most, Rosh Hashanah is an opportunity to take a deep breath of fresh air.  We are at peace with the misgivings of last year and our wishes for the coming year have left our lips, landing on the ears of God, hoping to be sealed when the sun goes down on Yom Kippur.

Today I met my wife for a lunch date at our favorite Chinese food restaurant.  My favorite part of the meal is the fortune cookie, well besides the company that is 😉  Fortune cookies and I have a strange bond – they always end up being very applicable to my life.  For example, when we were in the throes of house hunting I recieved a fortune stating “You will soon find yourself settled into a beautiful new home”.  Unusually specific for a fortune cookie, right?  As it turned out, within the month we purchased and moved into our current home – and that fortune has been rewarded with a framed spot in the office for making good on his word.

Today’s message: “Determination will get you through this hard time”

I can only hope that in a year from now I will look back on that message (framed in the nursery perhaps?) and feel as fulfilled and happy as I do now with our home.