Category Archives: Family Life

The Birth of a Nineteen Year Old

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Tomorrow, my firstborn turns 19! As a mom, it feels like each year my children reach a new age, I’m witnessing a new version of them being born. Each birthday reveals a different side of her or showcases a new aspect of her personality. She is my first child, and every time we celebrate her birthday, it feels like my first experience with that age. I wonder what 19 will hold for her and what lessons it will teach me. How will this year change me, and in what ways will it help me grow? Just when I feel like I know her completely, I find myself meeting a whole new person.

We are so different, yet so alike. She embodies my past, while I represent her future. I once experienced youth just like her, but she doesn’t know that about me. She might see who I’m becoming, but she doesn’t fully understand who I was. I’ve watched her grow, but I have no idea who she will ultimately become. I know her better than she knows herself, yet there’s still so much about her that I don’t understand. Sometimes it feels like we are worlds apart, but our shared similarities keep us connected.

She teaches me and helps me uncover things I didn’t know about myself, and we are both part of each other’s growth process—even if we don’t always realize it! I wonder if our paths will ever align perfectly. Perhaps they won’t fully align, but I believe they will continue to come closer together.

Life has shaped her identity: the oldest of four, half Israeli, half Italian, interfaith, a cousin, a niece, a granddaughter, a friend, a girl friend, a high school graduate, a college student. But when you strip away these labels, who is she at her core and who is she going to be?

As a child, I taught her the ABCs and 123s, what was safe and what wasn’t. I shared rules and regulations, showed her how to be kind, and guided her in prayer. I can try my best to plan her future and express what I believe is best for her, but ultimately, those are lessons she must learn on her own. Discovering who she is becoming is her unique journey.

Happy 19th birthday, Isabel! I am so proud to be your mom and can’t wait to get to know you as a 19-year-old!

February Rest

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I’ve been craving rest this February, and I’ve been surprised by how it has come to me in unexpected ways.
This house is full of life; it’s vibrant and active, filled with beautiful heartbeats that need different kinds of nutrients to thrive. A beautiful thing of course. They are the most precious things to me in this world. As their center, I sometimes feel like the dashboard or central station, responsible for keeping everything running smoothly. However, I realize I need a reboot, a new battery, a new charger to charge the battery! I need a new flow of oxygen so I can continue giving my loved ones the support they need to flourish. I’m slowly shifting my priorities this year to include rest in my list of things to do. I love my list, which includes tasks like doing laundry, cooking, cleaning, and food shopping. These are all privileges that come with the dream of having a big family. God has made my dreams come true, but there’s upkeep involved. The only way to avoid exhausting myself is to find rest in between and engage in activities that nourish me. This month, I’ve been intentional about adding those things to my to-do list. I’ve started reading a book, signed up for a watercolor class (I haven’t taken an art class since college), and I’m listening to an audiobook during my car rides. I even tried water marbling, which was so much fun! I’m definitely feeling more rested, and it’s so important to refill my own well-being.

 

Winter Ambiance

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When I hear a snowstorm is on its way, I fantasize about experiencing a real-life winter ambience like those I keep playing on my tv. I think of pretty snow and the wind blowing and a fire roaring and a cappuccino on the coffee table steaming hot for hours and hours, a dog deeply breathing in and out and a random cat even though I don’t have a one. I dream I’ll be sitting cozy while reading a book and catching up on some creative project I’ve been wanting to start, but that’s not my reality these days and that’s ok. However, there were some magical moments like catching a snowflake on my jacket while walking over to feed the chickens. I put a candle I made at a friend’s house under my candle warmer. So pretty. I lit a candle in my living room, which was lovely to smell throughout the day.

Watched my kids frolic in the snow.Visited our free little libraryMade fresh tortillas. Drew pictures of a rooster and a chicken with Liam. and went on a winter night walk with Liam and Lia. I guess the day turned out better than sitting around inside a winter ambience.

Playing Dreidel

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Hanukkah’s beauty lies in its quiet simplicity, far removed from the rush of the holiday season. I love the ritual of lighting the menorah where the candles grows brighter each night. The joy is found in the small things like the playful thrill of a dreidel game around the kitchen table, and the savory, golden crunch of fresh latkes and jelly donuts called Sufganiyot. It is a celebration that doesn’t need much—just light, family, and the enduring comfort of tradition.
I especially love the simple game of dreidel. I would have loved playing this as a child! I’m sure my brother and I would have found a way to fight over it but I’m sure it would have brought lots of joy as well. It’s Nothing fancy, all you need is a dreidel and pieces of anything, traditionally gelt or chocolate coins. But you can use real coins or whatever you have on hand. I like to keep a little set up near by so at anytime anyone can enjoy a quick game.
Playing dreidel involves spinning a four-sided top to win tokens, such as chocolate gelt or pennies, from a central pot.
Setup
  1. Distribute Tokens: Give each player 10–15 game pieces (e.g., gelt, nuts, or raisins).
  2. Create the Pot: Every player puts one token into the center to start.
  3. Turn Order: Players spin the dreidel; the “highest” letter (Nun > Gimel > Hey > Shin) goes first. 
How to Play
On your turn, spin the dreidel once. Follow the action for the letter facing up when it stops:
  • נ (Nun): “Nischt” (Nothing) — Do nothing.
  • ג (Gimel): “Gantz” (Everything) — Take the whole pot.
  • ה (Hey): “Halb” (Half) — Take half-the pot (round up for odd numbers).
  • ש (Shin): “Shtel” (Put in) — Put one token into the pot. 
 Rules for the Pot
  • Replenishing: If the pot is empty or has only one token left, every player must add one token before the next spin.
  • Ending the Game: Play continues until one person has won all the tokens, or you can set a timer and declare the person with the most tokens the winner. 

 

First and last

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In less than a week I’m going to have my first highschool graduate and my last kindergarten graduate! I’m excited about both! Life has been so good to us and growing up and getting older is a process and a privilege. It’s been and continues to be both. I can’t wait to see the future unravel for Isabel and I will especially treasure the next tender years with liam. Sandwiched in-between and following not to far along behind Isabel are melina and Lia. I will cherish and anticipate with joy the upcoming milestones ahead for them. But for now I will enjoy every precious moment the day brings.

It’s been and honor and a gift getting to raise all four of these children!

HAPPY 14TH BIRTHDAY!!!

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Your birthday was yesterday but just like the day you were born, it was a hectic day.  Your birthday time will always continue to be in the middle of a hectic time of year…smacked in the middle of father’s day and end of school year stuff. But I want you to know how loved you are and what an important ingredient you our in this family. No one makes us laugh like you do!

I can’t wait to meet 14 year old Lia! I hope you have an amazing year! Dont head off to Hawaii just yet. They’ll be plenty of time for that!

On our way to St. Josephs!

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One of four is ready to head on to collage! So happy she’s staying local. A nurse in the making, can’t wait to see your journey unfold.  And in a way it’s a journey unfolding for dad and I aswell. I love how our children lead us down unexpected roads. It was exciting entering the doors of a collage again. At 46 I still have so much to learn, but also feel like I know what I wamt to do now more than I did when I was 18. It’s definitely never too late to learn something new! Well Bel, I know one things for sure, whatever you end up doing you’ll do it great!!!

Happy 18th birthday!

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18 years ago you made me a mom. Actually I’m still becoming a mom because with every year you get older, I become a different version of myself. Ive had to learn to be a mom of a one year old, a 2 year old, a mom of a 4 year old with 2 younger siblings, a mom of 4 children balancing a full life. Each year as you and your siblings gtow, so do I. And I love how youve raised me and the mom Im becoming.

I LOVE AND ADORE YOU! You have turned into a beautiful young woman and I am so proud of everything that you do. Enjoy the journey up ahead, because life is a journey not a destination. Enjoy ever step. And every stop. Enjoy the dead ends and the new beginnings. Above all, enjoy the people you meet along the way. Happy birthday Ibeeea!!!!