World Gratitude Day

Each morning when I wake up I look around me and embrace the blessings that fill my life... my friends, my family. I feel my soul overflowing with abundance as I reflect on the joy and magic the fills my days. There are moments when I am shaken into distress by events out of my control, yet I always return to this feeling of gratitude. And if ever I forget I merely need to look at my children, and the people who surround me... and I know that all is good. I have come realize that I am most at ease when I am surrounded by people with whom I can be open and transparent with my heart, with whom I can create deep, meaningful connections that are genuine and honest. I am most inspired when I am close to the earth and the elements that sustain our life. I am so grateful to be blessed with such abundance. I am so grateful to feel the earth beneath my feet, the sky above my head, and my heart full of love, joy and light.

“Every situation, if you think about it, is an invitation for you to react in a certain way, but being mindful gives you the chance to decide how to RSVP.” — Catherine Price

swinging in the sunshine

"We are stronger than we think we are. We have courage that we do not recognize until we need it. We are equal to challenges that we haven't even imagined yet." 

~ Peter Buffett

International Peace Day

“The universe is always speaking to us. ... Sending us little messages, causing coincidences and serendipities, reminding us to stop, to look around, to believe in something else, something more.” ~ Nancy Thayer

Happy International Peace Day

"It's simple: When you haven't forgiven those who've hurt you, you turn your back against your future. When you do forgive, you start walking forward.” ~ Tyler Perry

Isabel turns 5!!!!!

Today we celebrated Isabel's 5th Birthday... in our building park with a few friends. Isabel had planned out almost every detail of this party on her own. She decided on the menu (egg rolls, hummus, veggies, veggie burgers, and of course chocolate raspberry cake with fluffy white icing). She set the theme: a casual picnic with a scavenger hunt, face painting, puppet show, and crafts. And she had one special request... each child was to get a balloon and let the balloons fly up into the air with a wish.
All week we had rain, so we were so pleased when the sun decided to join the party today!!! What a blessing as the kids got to spend most of the morning outside!
As I tucked Isabel into bed this evening she gave me a hug and said: "Mama, that was the best birthday. Thank you." (totally worth all the effort).  And of course a HUGE THANK YOU to everyone who sent wishes and celebrated with us today. What a joy. The girls wore matching dresses (thanks Lori!) and the grins seemed permanently painted on the faces of all the kids.
As I look at Isabel now I truly see a five year old... she is so full of charm, joy and grace. She seizes each moment as it comes and adores her friends (and her sister and brother too). She tells me stories about her days and plans out her future. She is pure joy. She is pure love. She is pure light. She is amazing.

playing chase with her friends

Anaïs getting her face painted

Isabel's Birthday Menu

Enjoying the sunshine

Playing a game with her buddy Amaranta

Focused on the arts and crafts

Preparing the balloons (Isabel requested pink and purple for her, and asked for blue for her sister)

Birthday wishes (surrounded by friends Estella, Luka and Amaranta) and Anaïs

happy five year old

enjoying her cake

Letting go of the balloons (isabel is behind Ruby on the left)

May all your wishes come true!!!!!

My Birthday

 Today I woke up full of gratitude for the abundance of blessings in my life... my wonderful husband, my amazing children and my phenomenal friends and family. The day began with giggles and snuggles in bed by all three of my little angels... who also showered me with the most beautiful gifts. In the afternoon I enjoyed a lovely gathering with some truly remarkable women who have blessed my life with their friendship as we stumble our way through making a home living abroad. My mom was even here (she just arrived last night) to join in the fun.
One of my dear friends even picked up the camera at one point so that there are a couple photos of me (mil gracias Bárbara). Thanks to all of you who sent wishes and shared in this day with me... Birthdays are so much fun, and even more fun when shared with phenomenal people (near or far).

making a wish with my girls

helping me blow out the candle (should be 37 of them)!!

Back row: Zenna, Vanessa, Barbara
Front row: Krystyna, Erika, Munia, Sarah, Kimberly (and Ruby), Jackie, Camila, Patricia
(Emily and Helen had to leave early so missed the photo... and I was taking the picture)

Politics and Courage

"My friends, love is better than anger. Hope is better than fear. Optimism is better than despair. So let us be loving, hopeful and optimistic. And we'll change the world." ~ Jack Layton (Letter to Canadians, August 20, 2011)

I am not a particularly political person. In fact, at times I am rather apolitical... or perhaps simply uninformed and a little disengaged from the bickering and bureaucracy that seems to plague so much of our political landscape. So I will admit that I was quite shocked at just how moved and saddened I was to learn of the death of Jack Layton.

I remember vividly watching the campaign and the force with which Jack Layton committed himself to the task before him. He showed unrelenting passion and commitment. And yet, there was a shadow... his hip, his cancer. But no one engaged with the shadow, for the light he shined was far more powerful. And the light won...

Then in June, he removed himself from the public eye... and in his final public appearance i felt a cold rush wash over me... i knew he gambled... he chose politics and he gave it all he had. He danced the dance and engaged without fear for what might be. He knew his calling and he stepped into the light.

Yet as he leaves us... not only from politics, but from this earth... I wonder if it is was all worth it. But how could it not be. One thing that cannot be taken from Jack Layton is his integrity... no matter what anyone might say about him, he lived and worked each day of his life with integrity and a strength of will second to none. He did this until his last breath. This is something to celebrate and to honour.

So let us hear his last words and truly embrace them into our hearts. For they are not the words of a politician running for office... they are the words of a man who believed in the future and fought for  his beliefs until his last breath bade him farewell. We truly can change the world... for we are the change itself. "Be the change you wish to see"... be the change!! Just be.

Nana comes to visit!!

We were blessed with a wonderful (though very brief) visit with Nana (Mallory, Mom) over the last ten days. It was wonderful to have her here and to share moments together. One of the greatest challenges of establishing a life abroad is the fact that we are often so far away from family. Yet it never ceases to amaze me how family can cut through the distance of time and space as if it never existed from the very first moment we are together again. Thank you for playing with us. We love you.

Isn't she lovely...

A snuggle with Nana

Celebrating Nana day... joint birthday celebrations with gifts for all!!!