a perfect easter weekend...

An easter egg hunt with some friends... another at home in our 'building park'... and a fabulous road trip out to Laguna de Guatavita located about 55km north-east of Bogotá. It was a beautiful drive up the mountains, and then a lovely walk through the forest and then up to the hilltop to see the lake. Most of all, it was a magical day out of the city in the fresh air with the girls. They were amazing on the hike... Anaïs cozy in her backpack and Isabel hiking most of the way up on her own.

mama with a tired Anaïs... and a view of Lake Guatavita

papa & isabel climbing up, up, up!!

March... filled with amazing times!!

March has proven to be a busy and sunny month here in Bogotá. We have spent all of our days in the parks and making friends. One of the most special parts of this month was meeting Natasha, Remo & Alessio... they were visiting just for a few weeks and in that time Alessio & Isabel became instant friends, and Natasha & I found shelter in each others friendship. It was a magical time and the weather made trips to the park and coffee dates so easy. The days passed so quickly and they were filled with laughter, great conversations and happy moments. While their time here was brief, we are so happy that they came and touched our lives... we know they will be a part of our hearts forever.

Isabel & Alessio ready to take flight to Canada... then Rome!! 

Natasha reading stories with the kids...they could BOTH do this for hours!!

We also ventured on two wonderful trips to Bagatelle in Chia... what a fabulous restaurant surrounded by a playground perfect for the kids to run around and enjoy the sunshine (while the parents get to enjoy a cup of coffee and even a meal... though sometimes taking turns)!!

sheer joy on the trampoline

pretty butterfly

getting ready for soccer!!

Isabel having fun at the top of the slide.

passion is a little messy sometimes

Anaïs is an extremely passionate (and messy) eater. While it is still very charming right now... we are at a complete loss as to how we will instil good table manners in this wild child. The other day even her sister Isabel expressed some concern at the mess that ensues both one and around the kitchen table each time Anaïs enjoys a meal... not to mention on her face, clothes and hair!!

delicious spinach soup

finger lickin' good

and a little in my hair for prosperity

this is so much fun!! i love my food!!!

Oddly enough, the mess seems to be contained to mealtimes. Anaïs is very precise about always putting away her toys, making sure everything is in its place before bedtime, and taking off her shoes to place them on the shoe rack and her jacket/sweater on the coat hook every time we return from the park. The passion... well that's a part of who she is... and we love it wildly and completely like every other part of her little being!!

A peaceful visit with Budi

Connected from the heart... Budi & Isabel.

How incredibly blessed I am to have enjoyed two peaceful and restorative weeks with my mom... impeccable timing is an understatement; moments shared together that will be cherished forever by me and my girls. My gratitude is bursting at the seams.

Coy & pretty at the dining table.. enjoying some post-dinner conversation!!

Happy 1st Birthday Anaïs!!

Today Anaïs turns one. A year since she arrived in our world... blessing us with her giggles, her smiles, her strength. She is completely unique from her older sister... a woman of her own making already. She has a mind of her own and will not be stopped. She is fearless and wants to try everything... and when she does not get it right the first time she will try again. Her persistence is inspiring. She is joy... when she laughs, when she smiles... our world lights up. She observes everything, listens intently and has incredible comprehension (both in english & in spanish)... and yet she is not eager to talk herself (barring a few sounds here and there that seem to resemble words). She started walking last month and has been running since... she is unstoppable from morning until nightfall. She reminds me of her father in her calm way... even though she is extremely active and will no doubt excel at sports (already she has a great arm), she is also very peaceful and one cannot help but feel a sense of calm when around her.

Anaïs turns one today... looking pretty in pink!!

We celebrated her birthday starting with a call from papa... she walked around holding the phone to her ear and smiling. Keenly aware of the voice on the other end and somehow seeming to understand that he was not with us, but could still be a part of the day. In the morning a few close friends came to share carrot muffins with cream cheese icing (we decided to wait until papa was home before having the 'official' cake). My mom also came to be a part of the fun... she had arrived on the evening Anaïs was born exactly a year prior, so she planned to be here for her first birthday as well. With Joshua away the timing was perfect. What a gift she has been. I guess angels take on many different forms... yet they always seem to arrive just when we need them most... even when we are not expecting it.

Isabel celebrating her sisters 1st birthday!!

The girls having fun together!!

remembering haiti

A tragedy is a tragedy... no matter where in the world it happens, no matter where in the world we might be. Sometimes, when it is far away, we can keep our distance... perhaps it is a coping mechanism, perhaps it is human nature. We can somehow trick ourselves into believing that it is not personal... perhaps it's not. Or perhaps it is always personal if we just open our hearts.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nB7L1BIDELc&feature=related

On Tuesday, January 12, 2010 a 7.0 earthquake devastated Haiti. Living as far away as Colombia, everyone at the embassy was instantly drawn into the trauma as each one of us knew someone living in Haiti... all of a sudden a natural disaster became personal. It was not in our own backyard and yet it touched our hearts. The world response seemed the same... everyone made efforts to offer help. A week later the situation become even more personal for our family as Joshua was called away on a three-week mission to coordinate the response efforts in Leogane. This would be the longest that he would be away from the girls, and he would be missing Anaïs turning one... the longest he and I would be apart since the Indian Ocean Tsunami in December 2004. It seemed a difficult decision, and yet it was no decision at all... Joshua had to go. We all wanted him to go. In a moment of utter helplessness, he was able to do something... he was able to help.

And as the time passes the media coverage slows down, the conversations turn to new topics and life moves on... as it moves on in Haiti as well. But the earthquake reconstruction was just the first step... now it is about rebuilding lives... it is about starting over... with a new hope, with a new light, with courage and patience.

The song, Wavin' Flag by K'Naan, inspires me and brings tears to my eyes each time i hear it... it opens my heart and reminds me what it means to be present in all the world has to offer. To me it is about hope... it is about strength... it is about about our ability to keep our hearts open and allow ourselves to feel... even when it is easier to turn away. It is about life... and the power each one of us has in our intentions, in our words and in our actions.

friends and family... saving grace

As I am experiencing the life of being a single mama I am blessed with a visit from two incredible friends... people who live life from the core of their being, people who are true to their values, people who are true.

Winnie & Oliver reading to Isabel... can you tell how happy she is?!?!

Winnie & Oliver came to visit for just a few days... following an amazing trip to the Galapagos. While it was disappointing that we could not do as many things as if Joshua had been around... the timing of their visit could not have been more perfect for me and the girls. Such a wonderful distraction... such a saving grace. Yet again i felt touched by angels.

Now Anaïs has two people chasing her... could this be any more fun!!

Especially in the solitude of life abroad, visits from good friends are so good for the soul. They can remind us of ourselves... seems an odd thing to say, but when living abroad I constantly feel I am sharing myself and yet not always being understood. It is perhaps a combination of the tentative nature of this life and the lack of history in the friendships that are formed. I had been so lucky when we first arrived with an instant friend... who sadly departed only months after we got here. And yet her presence in those first months was invaluable... more than i even realized at the time. She was my entire social fibre and emotional support in a transition that was more difficult than i had expected. And after she left it was like starting over... with all its ups and downs. Some people coming into my world for just a moment and others feeling so secure and yet disappearing without a trace. The fragility of it all at times becomes overwhelming. And the constant forming and reforming of new bonds... at times exhausting. Opening your heart... hoping that it is received and understood... sometimes it is, and sometimes it is not... never really knowing.

And then friends 'from the past' come to visit... people who have known you for years, people who seem to understand your heart and your values. People who may not always share the same ideals and yet you know you can be truly transparent and they will 'get you'. Wow!!! Sometimes it really is the little things that become the big things.

While they were here Winnie & Oliver spent time with us at the park and just 'lived our daily life'... taking walks and exploring the neighbourhood. One day they ventured out downtown only to get stuck looking for a taxi... took them nearly two hours to get home (welcome to Bogotá). The next two days they were happy to stay closer to home... they had done their travelling. I am beyond grateful for their visit... and their impeccable timing. We love you both.

A rare photo of Mama & Anaïs together. Thanks Winnie & Oliver!!