Change of Address

I am not here any more.
I am here.
Come say hi please.

xo

WE WERE ON A BREAK!

tap tap tap

Is this thing on?

So....it has been a year - a whole year.

I am now one year older.

So, do I catch you up or do I just carry on?

I missed writing and sharing photographs and stories.

I sat on the sideline and spied on my friends and complete strangers as their lives moved on.

My life moved on - sometimes quite slowly and sometimes at neck-breaking speed.

I built a relationship with El Salvador. I worked my butt off. I mothered like crazy. I learned how to run.

I made friends, I made peace with a lot of my past and I have come to terms with what lays ahead.

I am making changes over here at geckos - trying to provide myself more space to grow, learn and soar.

I hope you are well and happy and loved - stand by.

xoxo
M

I believe.

I believe in signs. I believe in karma. I believe in the little things.
I believe that when pink skies guide you into a safe landing on the first leg of a journey, it is going to be a good one.
I believe that when our first glimpse of our newly adopted country looks as beautiful as this, it is a good sign of things to come.
I believe that when you arrive to your new home to learn there is a fountain in your foyer, hilarity and time outs will ensue.

Nueva Adventuras

We have left the US for our next post and are slowly getting our footing in San Salvador. I remain convinced that my daughters are some of the world's best (if not enthusiastic) world travelers.

My contribution

Allison Tate's piece in the Huffington Post was spot on - http://www.huffingtonpost.com/mobileweb/allison-tate/mom-pictures-with-kids_b_1926073.html

A must have for every EFM

In an ideal world, there would be a CLO for incoming EFM's and the CLO would be able to provide them with a welcome basket of goodies.

 

Included would be a slew of amazing books, including "Married to Adventure" by Osa Johnson. I devoured the book, as I hoped to gain insight into living around the world as a "trailing spouse". (Can we all vote it is time to get ourselves a new, hipper label? That one makes me a bit sick). In case anyone is curious, also included in this basket is a sense of humor, tequila and band aids.

 

When I clicked onto a website this morning and saw this new (to me) Kate Spade clutch, I almost passed out.

Kate always gets it right. I adore her sense of whimsy and fun when it comes to design.

 

I know nothing about fashion. I do, however, know that every woman needs and deserves at least one clutch in her collection and this should be standard State Department issue.

 

 

 

 

 

5

September 4, 2012

Dearest Allison -

This is a big week. You start Kindergarten and you turn 5.

You are thrilled about both. And contrary to the tears that keep falling, I am thrilled as well.

You have always loved learning and having a schedule, so school is very comfortable for you. You were up this morning two hours before drop off, ready to go.  Like everything else in your life, you face things head on with bravery and enthusiasm.

School is wonderful, and I am excited for you to explore a new world, surrounded by your peers and friends. Asking good questions, learning, reading, exploring.

As you enter school, my mother gut goes into full effect overdrive. I pray that I have prepared you enough for the journey ahead and that I have the strength, good health and wisdom to continue to guide and prepare you.

Trust your gut. It never leads you astray.
Help others when they need it.
Be kind.
Enjoy yourself.
Do your best.
Try (almost) everything once.

As a mother, I would love to keep you forever in a safe, cozy cocoon, blocking out all pain, sadness and suffering. But I realize that all of that is part of living. You will have your feelings hurt. You will get upset and angry. You will fail. But I am confident that you will overcome all obstacles.

If all else fails, pick yourself up, dust yourself off, take a deep breath and just carry on. As I always tell you, as my first grade teacher told me, Life is Not Fair. But it is messy, gloriously fun, wonderful, and worth the ride.

You have wanted to be 5 for a long time. Probably because I kept telling you that you couldn't do something "until you turned five" or you could only begin doing something "when you turned five". I, for some reason, thought that was a long time from now. Except that now it is happening in four days. Four short days.

I keep telling you that my tears are not of sadness, they are tears of joy and awe and amazement. You are, quite literally, growing up right before my eyes. And the adventure of life is just beginning for you.

Please remember that no one else determines your self worth. YOU are a unique, glorious, amazing being.

You are a magical kid. And I keep pinching myself that I was chosen to be your mother.

I am not perfect. Far from it. But I promise you that I will always try my best when it comes to you and that my intentions are always good.

And never forget how very much I love you. I am always your biggest cheerleader and never far behind.

xoxo
Mommy