Whoa is me Blog Friends.
Whoa is me.
So remember when I wrote about our plans to move to Atlanta?
Well, that’s NOT happening.
You know what is?
We are moving to Israel.
Like soon.
Like by summer time.
How did this happen?
OK.
Well, as most of my readers know, my ENTIRE family lives there (besides for my parents and brother). Mom is eldest of 7, Dad is 1 of 9. I have about 60 FIRST COUSINS, 28 Aunts & Uncles and that does not include my husband’s side of the family (husband is from Israel).
So.
We have a big family there.
Picture My Big Fat Greek Wedding, and Multiply that by 3.
I am an Israeli citizen (you become a citizen automatically when your parents are citizens even if you were born elsewhere)
If you are an Israeli citizen who has lived abroad for more than 5 years – the Israeli Gov helps you out financially They pay you a lump sum every month, and there is Universal Heath Care.
We. Just. Cannot. Afford. To. Live. Here.
I feel defeated, my husband feels defeated.
If we were to move to ATL, he would have at least another 3 yrs to finish his degree. If we move to Israel (where we have a roof over our heads) it would take 4.
I am ok with 4 years, as long as I am not homeless.
I am ok with 4 years if we are surrounded by our loving family who miss us and want us back.
I am ok with 4 years if that means my girls will have ACRES of land to run around in and play with their TWIN COUSINS who happen to be 5 months younger than them (oh, sweet irony)
Twin Cousins
I am ok with 4 years because we wont have to worry about how we are going to pay our rent while only living off of one income.
Am I scared?
HELL YES.
New York is all I have ever known.
I can navigate these streets like no one else.
I have been to all the hip bars and restaurants.
I have worked for a WONDERFUL company which has allowed me to go to VIP events and enjoy myself.
BUT ALL I DO IS WORK.
I don’t get to be a mom.
I am a weekend mom and I hate it.
Yes, working has afforded me some piece of mind.
But I don’t want to JUST WORK.
Why did I have kids- so that I can see them on the weekends?
NO.
This move will be good in many ways.
It will be scary in others.
But to know that I have a father- in- law who is waiting for us with open arms… that is adamant on us living right above him (in a separate apt) and to pay for my husband’s schooling?
How many people have that?
And then to complicate the matter, I want to go through IVF again before we leave.
It’s free to have it done here (via my company) and I already have 6 frozen blasts. I don’ want to have to go through all the daily shots and blood work again.
The mental anguish.
If we do it here- and if by some grace of G-D I do become pregnant, I will be able to take a year off and just stay home.
To be a mom.
To bond 1:1 with a baby.. something I couldn’t do with the girls.
Something that was robbed of me.
We so terribly want another child.
It may not be the right time, but I am NOT getting any younger.
Plus, I have fertility issues.
My husband thinks it’s the WRONG time. But then again, he felt the same way last time. If I would have listened to him then… we wouldn’t have our beautiful girls.
So I just called the IVF clinic. I am making an appointment for sometime next week.
There is a saying in hebrew that goes “Leshanot Makom… Leshanot Mazal” – which mean you change your luck when you change your location.
I pray that it applies here.
Kristin said
Oh.My. So much on your plate at once. Of course, I tend to do LOTS of big things all at once.
I hope everything falls into place for you. You deserve to be happy.
Romi said
Your posts evoke so much emotions in me sometimes, I can’t explain it. Because of that I am so excited for you and wishing you every positive thought in the world, because for me, luck’s best partner is positive thinking. I think you have a strong set of priorties and are approaching them positively, so all will be well, I know it!
*hugs*
geminigirl64 said
(HUGS) – come to ny soon!
Romi said
I am definitely coming before Summer now, I have to meet my “sister from another universe” before you re-locate!
Late Spring is my wish…maybe May, will keep you posted
rachel said
You already know how I feel about this…after all, I once got drunk, pulled out of school and got a one way ticket to israel for the next week. It worked out fabulously. Yes, Israel can be difficult (um, going to the bank can take 5 hrs without the banker’s cigarette breaks), but it also offers so much. And face it: your girls deserve your time. You deserve your time. B. and you deserve time to be a couple. I give you my brachot (I was a Hebrew studies major, so its like I’m a rabbi, right?) And can’t wait to visit the Holyland! Xoxo
Dr. Rona Michelson said
Glad to hear that you’re coming home! It’s a great place to raise children.
mayahanley said
WOW, what news you have! I have a strong feeling this is a good thing for all of you. Like Romi, your blog evokes strong emotions in me too and I also don’t quite know why. Maybe it’s your wonderful honesty and clarity. As I said in another comment to you, I have been wanting to visit Israel and, while it won’t happen this year, at least now I know I will know one person there! Hugs to you
KJ and the Kids said
oh good hell girl. You come flying out with these posts with a bang.
Good luck with all of it. It sounds perfect and wonderful.
Plus you’ll still blog and it will be like nothing changed
onlyhalfnuts said
Wow, wow and wow.
It sounds like exactly the right thing for you to do, for your family.
NYC will always be there
Don’t listen to your husband about the timing. We all know that men don’t know beans about things like that
Vixen said
Oh my. That is a BIG move. I can understand being a little afraid, but wow all the pros you listed are just so great!!!! By the end I was wishing your family would adopt me and I could move to Israel.
cindy w said
Whoa indeed! I don’t know if I could handle an international move (or hell, a move across town, for that matter) while I was pregnant. But if you think you can manage it? More power to you.
I hope it all works out wonderfully for all of you. XOXO
Heather said
Sound like a wonderful plan. Having lots of family around will be so great for the girls.
Let the planning begin!
Lisa said
Wow, just wow. That is huge. Being where it feels right, where your family is will be good for all of you. I wish you tons of luck with the IVF, if it is meant to be it will happen. I’m excited and happy for you guys.
jesszahav said
Mazal tov!
heather... said
I am so glad you are listening to ME and going to the clinic! heh.
But I sigh, I sigh HEAVY.
I love you to bits, though.
edenland said
Oh. My. GOD!!
What? Wow. That is fricking awesome. Do it. Do all of it. Go to the clinic, get pregnant, pack up, move to Israel. Have some time off. Walk out in nature. Have a baby. Be with family. Argue with husband about the “right time” again ….. tell him Eden says there is NEVER a right time to have another child. Ever. I think I may be ready to have children when I am about 45. Hah.
Mate, this is what life is about. You put such a richness and wonderful experience in your life, Maya. I can read it through the page. You will never be sitting in a rocking chair wishing you’d done all the things you were too scared to.
Be scared and do it. WOOOOOT.
I am so excited for you, and nominate myself as Australian Head Cheerleader for Gemini’s Life Choices.
XOXOXOXOOXX
AMomTwoBoys said
HOLY CRAP.
I’m so sad you’re leaving us, but so happy for all it sounds like you’re going to gain.
:0(
And yay for babies…trust me, it’s NEVER the right time.
mama2addie said
Woah! Woah! Woah!
It sounds like you guys are making the right decision. It sounds like Israel will provide such a better life for your little family….and you deserve it! And not to mention all of the family that will be there to support you!
And ooh! BABIES! I’m seriously starting to get the itch again myself…and I’ll need fertility assistance again too…I iz jealous! Good luck hun!
Patti B. said
Wow – very exciting! I hope we will still be able to have GG-Israel version! Almost sounds way to hard to refuse – all of it (the move, the apartment near family, tuition, the land, the FREE treatment before you go…) All of these things have to add up to the right thing
Good, good luck : )
Patti B.
amy d said
It will be so nice to have such an amazing support system with all that family so close by!
All my best to you and your family.
hopefulmother said
I hope everything works out. It sounds like the right move for you and your family.
Julie said
I moved to London (from a small town in Ireland) after only 3 months of dating and my boyfriend -(now husband) was the ONLY person I knew.. I had no idea how things would go. My dad said to me at the time ‘you can’t regret things you do, only things you don’t’. At that time good Irish catholic girls did not live with anyone until they were married… That was 18 years ago, and I don’t have words to describe the deep connection between us.
Take a deep breath Maya and go for it, you can only regret the chances you don’t take.
insertwittytitleheremomstired said
Wow, that’s a lot to take in on one post. What exciting adventures! I hope you’ll maintain your blog AND have more adorable children.
Nonnie said
I selfishly wanted you to move to Atlanta, but I think this is probably the very best option for your family! It sounds like an absolutely wonderful option, and I pray that you are able to move forward with it. Let me tell you why this IS the time to go ahead and do IVF again. You have those blasts…use them while you’re still in the country!! It’s really the perfect time anyway; you get free IVF while you’re still working for your company. You hopefully get pregnant and move to Israel. You get to live with almost no expenses because of the generosity of your husband’s family in giving you a free place to stay. You get your lump sum from the gov’t every month, allowing you to take it easy during the remainder of your pregnancy and also allowing you to get in some quality time with your little girls before baby #3 arrives. Because of the awesome living arrangement, you get to really enjoy all of your kids before they have to start school. Your twins will never even remember how much you’ve had to work during their time in NYC. If this allows you to be the mom you’ve always dreamed to be, then make those sacrifices (which in this case don’t even really sound like sacrifices…it sounds like an awesome setup!).
Amanda/Baby A said
Wow! That’s big news! A lot of news in 1 post. I wish you luck on everything (the clinic, the move, adjusting, etc.)
Gail said
Wow!! I lovelovelove your blog. Your honesty and humor. And I am sooo happy for you. I totally agree with what Edenland said, and life is way too short to be so stressed. Good luck! Keep us updated. You’ve got a big cheering section rooting for you. Happy happy thoughts headed towards your fertility clinic. Go GG!!
Samantha said
Just jump! Don’t over think it! I am the one moving to Korea this summer… Sell EVERYTHING. (with a few exceptions ofcourse!) Sell it all… it’s just stuff… then you can take that money and buy new furnishings. You can do this…It will be an experience of a lifetime!
Mel said
Wow! All of it is huge news. Sending a lot of good thoughts for the move as well as the cycle.
pillarr1 said
Cool Cool Cool – it is so nice that you are willing to make the big decisions that are best for your family. You will have the support that you need there and family and let me tell you – that matters. Don’t ever be afraid to do what is right for you and your family because after all, it is you and your husband’s responsibility. About having another child. I know it may not feel like the right time but if your insurance will pay, I say go for it. Have one embryo transferred. If it does not work you can transfer the rest to Israel and proceed from there. A frozen embryo transfer is much cheaper than a fresh cycle. When I paid full price for a fresh cycle it was $15K with all the meds. When I did a frozen cycle I think it was about $3500 and the meds were not that much as I recall. It is manageable. My little Rachel is a snow baby. I had 2 transferred but she is the only one that made it. I know a lot of people who after having twins get one embryo transferred at a time because they want a single baby.
I know you will be happy no matter where you are because where ever your husband and daughters are IS home and that is all that matters.
I remember when I flew out of Aman, Jordan a few years ago and we flew over Israel and I thought wow that beach looks so nice, I wish I was there. It was a crystal clear day and the water was sparkling. The beach was full of people. I like looking at the beach but I only like to go when the temp is in the 70s or lower (i hate heat!). I really hope you enjoy living in Israel and go to the beach sometimes when the weather is cool. That’s when you can really take the time appreciate your life and family (without the blazing sun beaming down on you).
es said
Wow, I wish I can make such large life decisions as quickly and decisively as you. It sounds like a wonderful plan, though. (And I too have an appointment at my clinic for the near-ish future… perhaps we will be pregnant together once again!)