New rhythms...

It's been a strange summer, full of highs and lows and unexpected turns.

Nothing we planned to do came to fruition, but plenty of things happened along the way that we weren't quite ready for, but got through anyway.

And now, at the end of ramadhan it's time to start thinking about getting the children ready for school again after a long four months of holiday.

We're all looking forward to a change of pace to lift what has become a monotonous routine, too much time off is just as bad as none at all it seems, and we're more than ready to get moving again insha'allah.

And for me personally, it's been a time of transition, moving home again... getting to know new neighbours and nuturing new friendships.

Which is why I'm in a new blogspace, I come back to blogging after a bit of a break with a new attitude towards putting my thoughts out and sharing what we do as a family, for a while I was ready to give up blogging completely, but for me, and those I now live so far away from I guess it serves a purpose that can't be easily overlooked.

I have spent the summer deep in thought about my roles as, wife, mother, sister, daughter and friend.

I've also spent alot of time thinking about my own needs and how they relate to my relationships with other people.

It's been a time of introspection and a time for deciding which paths to take next and how best to move on insha'allah.

I'm now a couple of months into my second year here in Algeria, and it's been hard to say the least...but the challenges have brought their own rewards.

I'm thankful for the opportunities I've had in the past year

and hopeful about the possibilites that lay ahead insha'allah.

So as we race towards the end of ramadhan, and towards a new academic year for the children I feel truly excited at what might lie ahead....