Forever Grateful

I pretty much squealed when I opened up my package from Elle's Studio to discover the Forever Grateful project kit. It's chock-full of unique and creative supplies, designed by the awesome Jenni Hufford, and still available for purchase!

And the best part? Elle created tags specifically to fit in the printer's tray. How cool is that?

Here are some close-ups of my take on the project:

Since I'm still so in love with the photos Alexis Hardy took of us last fall, I decided to feature those on my tray, along with a few other favorite "couple photos." I'm thinking of displaying it in Bunny's room (when Bunny actually has a room that is, which won't be for a little while!)

I had so, so much fun making this. I also love that it reminds me how happy I am in my little family. And speaking of that little family, Bunny is doing well as per our last appointment! There is still one thing we need to monitor, but thankfully it's nothing to worry much about. All of the stress this week though, plus finding out the gender, really made my love for Bunny grow in leaps and bounds. I'll probably be one of those moms who cries hysterically during preschool graduation at the rate I'm going:)

And in case you thought the Jewish holiday bonanza was over, think again! This Wednesday begins Sukkot! I have always contended that if any Jewish holiday needs a PR team, it's this one, so here's my very-very-fast attempt to explain this holiday.

On Sukkot we celebrate our time with G-d when He took us out of Egypt and we lived in the desert. To bring back that "trusting G-d in the desert" theme, we eat our meals in huts like this:

Although unfortunately, weather.com is predicting lots of rain, so we'll probably eat most of our meals in a regular dining room. But here's hoping!

We also use a lulav and esrog, shake them around, and say a blessing. A lulav looks like a collection of leaves and an esrog is a sort of lemony-fruit. They look like this (see below) and each item represents a different approach to living and relating to G-d.

I want to explain more about the deeper meaning of Sukkos, but I'm running out of time at the moment. Luckily though, the holiday continues to next week so I can share more then! In the meantime, if you're curious, Aish has some great basic information about Sukkos right here.

Coming up is another three-day holiday, so that means three full days with no internet, TV, radio, etc. It's actually quite lovely but definitely involves being very organized beforehand! Between holiday prep and obsessing about baby names (anyone else do that?), life has been keeping me busy.

And while we're on the holiday topic, what's one fun/weird family or religious ritual YOU celebrate?