We enter 2009 reflecting on the blessings that fill our life here in Colombia, and looking towards the many joys that lay ahead of us. As we look back it is amazing to think how much has happened in the last year... settling into a new groove as Patrycja left her full-time job and moved into being a full-time mom, part-time consultant, and still continuing her work as a yoga instructor; shifting gears as Joshua took on a new position as Head of Aid for the Canadian Embassy in Colombia; renovating and leaving our home in Ottawa; establishing a new home-base in Bogota; enjoying watching the world through Isabel's eyes as she grew from baby to toddler; and even being surprised with the blessing of a new baby on the way. It's hard to believe all this has happened in the span of a year... yet, these kind of things often seem to all shift into place at just the right moment, even if at times it seems completely overwhelming. Somehow, we have managed to move through the exhiliration and the challenges of all that has passed; and we look toward the new year with a sense of anticipation (and, to be perfectly honest, sheer exhaustion as well).
As we prepare for the arrival of Baby 'J' we are most definitely expanding our list of requests... healthy, happy, and a good sleeper. Though when we are completely honest with our expectations, we feel so grateful for all the things that bless our lives on a daily basis.
Just recently, Isabel made a friend a year older than she is... and the two of them are like peas in a pod... totally inseparable. Lucky for me, I too have found an amazing friend in her mother. It is amazing what this kind of support adds to our
daily lives. And it is even more incredible to watch what this has meant for Isabel. Her entire world has been turned upside down with this move. When we speak about kids adjusting to new circumstances we often think about how resilient they are, and how easy it is for them. In the big picture this is true; but in the practical moment, watching a young child observe and live these kind of changes, is extremely emotional. Moving to a foreign land, leaving all friends & family behind, learning a new language... the only thing remaining common, certain and consistent is the presence of her mama and papa. I don't think I could have anticipated how challenging this kind of change can be for a two year old. And I am especially thankful that I am able to be at home with Isabel to allow her the space to express her fears and to rebuild her sense of security and structure. As adults, the transition time may be longer... but we can logically understand what is going on and be completely and fully involved in all the decision making. These are life-skills that seem to develop over time. And as I fully reflect on the last 3-6 months of this transition I am deeply moved by how present Isabel has forced me to be throughout it all. I am grateful for this opportunity, and I feel in so many ways as if she is teaching me more about how to handle this with grace and patience than I could ever do on my own. It's not always easy, but when moved through from an honest place it is incredibly rewarding.
All this to say, as Isabel develops this new friendship; she has also been able to express more of her emotions about the loss of missing her friends at home, and the challenges of saying goodbye for fear that it is permanent (as with so many of her friends/family back in Canada) -- at least in her eyes. She adores the consistency of a friend she can share time with one a regular basis. And as she settles into this, she radiates even more joy.
She also continues to be completely enthralled with the idea of her little brother/sister arriving in February. She talks and sings to the belly... and the other day she even showered my belly with butterfly stickers. She is playing with her baby dolls more than ever, always talking about how she will rock baby 'j', hold him/her, and so on. It's a beautiful thing for a mom to see this kind of tenderness... truly inexplicable.
So, as we think back, gaze forward, and live in today... the thing that is most present is our gratitude. For each other, our family - immediate and extended, our friends - near and far, and the magic of the community that now spans so many parts of the world.
As usual, more photos can be found at http://picasaweb.google.ca/jpstories
We enter 2009 reflecting on the blessings that fill our life here in Colombia, and looking towards the many joys that lay ahead of us. As we look back it is amazing to think how much has happened in the last year... settling into a new groove as Patrycja left her full-time job and moved into being a full-time mom, part-time consultant, and still continuing her work as a yoga instructor; shifting gears as Joshua took on a new position as Head of Aid for the Canadian Embassy in Colombia; renovating and leaving our home in Ottawa; establishing a new home-base in Bogota; enjoying watching the world through Isabel's eyes as she grew from baby to toddler; and even being surprised with the blessing of a new baby on the way. It's hard to believe all this has happened in the span of a year... yet, these kind of things often seem to all shift into place at just the right moment, even if at times it seems completely overwhelming. Somehow, we have managed to move through the exhiliration and the challenges of all that has passed; and we look toward the new year with a sense of anticipation (and, to be perfectly honest, sheer exhaustion as well).
As we prepare for the arrival of Baby 'J' we are most definitely expanding our list of requests... healthy, happy, and a good sleeper. Though when we are completely honest with our expectations, we feel so grateful for all the things that bless our lives on a daily basis.
Just recently, Isabel made a friend a year older than she is... and the two of them are like peas in a pod... totally inseparable. Lucky for me, I too have found an amazing friend in her mother. It is amazing what this kind of support adds to our 
daily lives. And it is even more incredible to watch what this has meant for Isabel. Her entire world has been turned upside down with this move. When we speak about kids adjusting to new circumstances we often think about how resilient they are, and how easy it is for them. In the big picture this is true; but in the practical moment, watching a young child observe and live these kind of changes, is extremely emotional. Moving to a foreign land, leaving all friends & family behind, learning a new language... the only thing remaining common, certain and consistent is the presence of her mama and papa. I don't think I could have anticipated how challenging this kind of change can be for a two year old. And I am especially thankful that I am able to be at home with Isabel to allow her the space to express her fears and to rebuild her sense of security and structure. As adults, the transition time may be longer... but we can logically understand what is going on and be completely and fully involved in all the decision making. These are life-skills that seem to develop over time. And as I fully reflect on the last 3-6 months of this transition I am deeply moved by how present Isabel has forced me to be throughout it all. I am grateful for this opportunity, and I feel in so many ways as if she is teaching me more about how to handle this with grace and patience than I could ever do on my own. It's not always easy, but when moved through from an honest place it is incredibly rewarding.
All this to say, as Isabel develops this new friendship; she has also been able to express more of her emotions about the loss of missing her friends at home, and the challenges of saying goodbye for fear that it is permanent (as with so many of her friends/family back in Canada) -- at least in her eyes. She adores the consistency of a friend she can share time with one a regular basis. And as she settles into this, she radiates even more joy.
She also continues to be completely enthralled with the idea of her little brother/sister arriving in February. She talks and sings to the belly... and the other day she even showered my belly with butterfly stickers. She is playing with her baby dolls more than ever, always talking about how she will rock baby 'j', hold him/her, and so on. It's a beautiful thing for a mom to see this kind of tenderness... truly inexplicable.
So, as we think back, gaze forward, and live in today... the thing that is most present is our gratitude. For each other, our family - immediate and extended, our friends - near and far, and the magic of the community that now spans so many parts of the world.
As usual, more photos can be found at http://picasaweb.google.ca/jpstories
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A space for Witty and Inspiring Words from you!! Thanks for taking the time to share your insights!!!