tales from a far-land

Another holiday event we decided to try with the kids this year was Moon Valley Country Club's Gingerbread House Decorating.  As it turned out, the parents ended up decorating most of the house while the kids devoured as much candy as they could.  Our gingerbread house may not have won first prize, but we all created it together. The kids ready to build the gingerbread house  The final product  Mommy and the kiddos  A family photo

This holiday season, we decided that the kids may really enjoy the APS Electric Light Parade this year.  So, we packed up the car with chairs, hot chocolate, snacks, blankets, mittens and hats.  The parade doesn't start until around 7:00 o'clock, but we headed over early to secure our spot right on Central Avenue towards the beginning of the parade.  And, of course, we invited all of our friends to join us at this holiday affair.  We ordered pizza from Federal Pizza for dinner while we waited for the parade and all of our friends.  It was a very chilly evening, but the kids seemed to really enjoy the entire experience.  And as a bonus, they both stayed awake for the entire parade.  Hopefully, we can make this an annual tradition! The kids in their seats waiting for the parade Madi and Keaton -- So it is blurry! Aiden eating his way through the parade Brooke and Mrs. Stephanie enjoying the light show

The month of December was filled with so many wonderful holiday events.  On the first Sunday of the month, we joined Grandma and Papa Farrell and Oma at Moon Valley Country Club's Annual Santa Brunch.  It was a fabulous event.  The food was amazing -- crab legs, prime rib, omelet bar, homemade cinnamon rolls, desserts, and even a kids food table with chicken fingers, fries and macaroni and cheese.  It was one of the best brunches I have ever encountered.   For the kids, they had several tables for them to visit -- a cookie decorating station, a craft table and a coloring table.  And of course, Santa and Mrs. Claus arrived in style via their golf cart so that the kids could sit on Santa's lap and tell them what they wanted for Christmas. Madilyn was very excited to see Santa.  As a matter of fact, she woke me up that morning with her "list" (scribbled mostly in the letter 'm' as that is the only letter she really can write so far) in hand read...

Which idea of God resonates most with you?  How does it compare with the view of God with which you grew up? After reading the book, Finding God , there is one primary Jewish theology that I connect with the most, those of Rabbi Milton Steinberg.  Rabbi Milton Steinberg believed: There is only one God. God is a being of all beings, purposive and ethical, but God is not all-powerful. God has a relationship with the world and needs humankind’s help to improve it. God needs and wants us to work for a more decent world. God allows us free will so that we can work together with God. I philosophically agree with all of the above beliefs.  However, the reason I feel I most connect with Steinberg is his philosophy that "Judaism as a religion which, while, like any other religion, based on faith, is supported by reason. To be sure, the medieval thinkers who sought to prove the existence of God were swayed too much by logic and failed to appreciate that 'reason can ...

What does it mean to be part of a (religious) community?  What seems to be the important reasons for converting to Judaism?  What Hebrew name might you choose, and why? To me, being a part of a community innately human.  We all want a place where we can belong.  A place where you can connect to others.   A place that is greater than just you.  A place where we are able to grow and develop as a person with others that may share a common history, tradition or outlook on life.  And lastly, a place where we can reciprocate the support and guidance that is being provided as a community.  Personally, I feel that my life is filled with several different kinds of communities.  I have my family.  I have my college sorority sisters.  I have life-long and newly developed friendships.  I have professional colleagues and co-workers.  And more recently, I have started to develop my Jewish community.  Each is an import...

This past Friday, Anderson Preparatory Academy had their holiday program.  Both Madi and Aiden performed in the show.  I cannot tell you what a difference a year makes.  When we attended the holiday program last year, Madilyn refused to perform at all.  She only wanted to sit on mommy's lap and if I even tried to convince her to sing with her classmates, tears would erupt.  It was disastrous! However, this year, Madi was very excited to perform with all of the other kids.  She would practice all of her songs at home and in the car whenever possible.  The show consisted of group singing for the first half of the program and then the second half was the school's rendition of 'Twas the Night before Christmas.   Madilyn's acting debut in the play was as a "sleeping child."  She performed it beautifully.  We were so proud of her. We were also proud of Aiden.  Although he didn't really sing with all of the other children, he did...

We spent our Thanksgiving morning curled up on the couch eating bubble loaf, reading the newspaper advertisements and watching the Macy's Day Parade.  It was so nice to just relax a little in our pajamas enjoying each other and the infrequent downtime.  Plus, the kids are really starting to enjoy watching the parade.  Our afternoon was spent at the Farrell's house where we joined family to enjoy the traditional Thanksgiving feast.  The meal was exceptional and most of us did partake in a second or third helping.  I did.  I just cannot resist my mother's stuffing.  It was so delicious.  Even though, we were so stuffed, we found enough energy to play a couple of rounds of Mexican Train Dominoes.  We are so blessed to be able to spend the afternoon with those people that we love immensely.  And for that, I am truly thankful.

This year Hanukkah was extra special.  Since it was the first time in 125 years that Hanukkah coincided with Thanksgiving, we were able to celebrate the first night of Hanukkah with family and friends who were in from out of town.  It was a truly wonderful evening.  Our home celebration of the Festival of Lights included a brief history of the holiday for those attendees who may not have been aware of the holiday's roots.  We then said our blessings and lit the c andles.  The meal consisted of wine, brisket, carrots, salad, and, of course, latkes.  Our guests learned how to play the dreidel game using gelt to make their bets.  And the kids enjoyed opening their first night of Hanukkah gifts.  We are so blessed and thankful to have been able to share this holiday with those who mean so much to us.  Chag Urim Sameach! Here is a slideshow from our home Hanukkah celebration ... A couple of photos of Madi and Aiden on the last night of...

Judaism is not just a religion.  In what activities might you involve yourself that would enable you to feel more a part of the Jewish people? Luckily for me, since I was not raised Jewish, the above statement is true for me.  Judaism is not just a religion.  It is people, history, customs and traditions.  Since my husband’s family is Jewish, I have felt from the onset that I am part of the Jewish people.  They have taught me traditions, rituals, customs and even some of their own personal history.  For me, Judaism has been more about the people than it has been about the religious connection.  Although, I can say that as I learn more, that religious belief grows stronger.  I feel that I have already started to involve myself in activities that make my connection to Judaism grow stronger.   As a family, we have joined a synagogue so that we can strengthen our Jewish community.   We have started to attend Tot Shabbat with our kids ...

What would you have liked to accomplish in your life?  How would you like to be remembered? Where do I even start?  I know that everyone has a “bucket list” of things that they would like to accomplish during their lifetime.  I am no different.  I have a list of places I would like to visit in the world.  I have a list of activities I would like to accomplish.  I have career goals and expectations.  I have family goals and expectations.  I am not sure if anyone ever really accomplishes every item on their life “to do” list.  However, in the end, I would like to be remembered as a good person.  One who lived their life with the best of intention.  One who realized that they were not perfect, but also never gave up on trying being the best that they could be.  I hope my kids think that I am a good Mom – one who is fair and loving, but also taught them the hard lessons of life.  I hope that my husband thinks that I a...

Halloween is becoming more and more fun each year with the kids.  They talked the entire month about what they wanted to be for Halloween.  It was fun to see the excitement grow for the entire month.  From the onset, Madilyn wanted to be Cinderella and Aiden wanted to be Elmo.  Since the kids' preschool had their Halloween dress-up day the week prior, the kids wore Halloween shirts to school instead.  They are getting so big.  I cannot believe it.  After preschool, we rushed home to get the kids fed and into their costumes.  Grandma Farrell and Oma came over to just visit before all of the festivities began.  This year we decided to try out our own neighborhood for Trick or Treating.  We were joined by Grandpa Landers, Aunt Alisha, and the Bukata family.  The neighborhood was a little quiet, but it was the perfect amount of walking and candy for our kids this year. Madi has already started asking when the next Hallow...

Madilyn has had an umbilical hernia since birth.  An umbilical hernia happens when intestine, fat, or fluid pushes through a weak spot or hole in your baby’s stomach muscles. This causes a bulge near or in the belly button.  The hernia usually isn't painful or dangerous, and it often closes on its own without treatment. Madi's hernia just made her belly button look like a giant "outie" and often grew after she ate or cried.  At every well child appointment with her pediatrician, we would discuss whether her hernia was closing on its own.  Typically, this usually happens in toddlers by age three or four.  Sadly, Madi's hernia never seem to show signs that it would close on its own.  So, at Madilyn's three year old visit, Dr. Shepherd recommended that we should get a second opinion from a pediatric surgeon.  She referred us to Dr. Egan at Phoenix Children's Hospital.  Here are some photos from our consultation vi...

Today was Halloween at preschool.  All of the kids were encouraged to wear their costume to school and the day will end with a party this evening for all of the preschool families.  Since we didn't want their actual Halloween costumes to get damaged while they played at school today.  Our kids were given the opportunity to choose a secondary Halloween costume.  Madilyn chose to dress up at Doc McStuffins, a character from one of Disney's animated television shows.  She is truly enamored with this series right now and will sing the theme song, "Time for a Check-Up", all around the house.  And Aiden selected Elmo.  I guess all kids love Elmo at age two. Take a look at the photos I was able to capture this morning before they headed out the door to preschool.  Don't they look adorable!  I *love* the picture of Madi doing a "check-up" on Aiden's Elmo doll. 

Kiddushin is the Hebrew term for wedding.  What makes a relationship “sacred”?  In what ways can you enhance the holiness of your relationship? From my perspective, the two people involved in the relationship are responsible for defining what makes their relationship “sacred”.  I believe that every relationship will have a slight variation on the definition of this term.  For me and my husband, “sacred” can be defined as separate and unique.  Our relationship should be different than all other relationships in our life.  We have chosen to hold our relationship above all others at all times.  I am not stating that this definition is easy to uphold, but I know that we have both committed to each other that this is what we strive to do in our marriage on a daily basis.  One of the ways we ensure that our relationship continues to be “sacred” is by taking time to continually work on our relationship.  Relationships take love, respect, trus...

A child born to Jewish parents enters the covenant with a ceremony of welcome.  What kinds of welcome do you want or need to begin/continue your journey in Judaism? Although I am still relatively “new” in starting my journey in Judaism, I would have to say that I am very lucky to feel like I have already been welcomed into the Jewish family in so many ways.   Every synagogue that I attend, I feel very welcome and accepted.   Every Jewish person that I meet enjoys learning about my journey and often will provide me with words of encouragement and advice.   I know that Judaism embraces learning and this can be exhibited in every Jewish encounter that I have had.   I have felt very “at home” throughout this entire adventure. I would like to acknowledge that this journey would not be as productive without my husband, as he has been very supportive.   When I had a desire to learn more about Judaism, he not only encouraged me to register for the course, bu...