I love the grateful list on Adriana'a blog. I have been keeping a grateful journal also. Some highlights: Chocolate croissants in Belgium, Webcam with Grandma, Roadtripping on a sunny day, the kindness of strangers, morning coffee, and of course the lovely Maya and Farid (my current favorites!)

Hold the Light

I make a call to all of us to shine brighter than ever before!

the darling child 

momness

I can not believe how much I love being a mom! I wake up so exhausted at times but I look into this child's face staring back at me and can't believe how blessed I am.

She woke me up this morning at 6:12am by grabbing my arm and giggling with a look on her face that could melt the north pole! And it is not possible to turn down the offer to play the spit bubble game. I have never been so grateful in all my life, or sleep deprived!

The absolute joy just bowls me over.

The vote is in...

the mail!

I just mailed my absentee ballot and I felt momentarily triumphant. I have never felt that my vote was important before and getting my ballot in this time has felt crucial to the promise of our planet.

That said, DEAR GOD I HOPE PEOPLE HAVE THE SAME FEELINGS AND GET OUT TO THE POLLS IN RECORD NUMBERS!!!!!

And so it is.

again

I REALLY DO LOVE THE MEDITERRANEAN! Driving through France was really wonderful. I never knew it was so beautiful. We will definitely return.

Maya was great. She was a dream in the car. I wasn't sure how she would do in her car seat for a whole day of driving and she was brilliant. And she just seemed to eat up the glorious light on the sea.

We ate great food and Mom and Far drank lots of wine (I'm breast feeding so I just did a bit of tasting). It was really fun. But now we are chomping at the bit to hop on the plane for the states.

We are happy to be in our cozy little apartment and Maya is happy to see her toys and the dog. And of course I am checking into the possiblility of moving to the south of France!!!

Back

I was whining

I was definitely whining, not very cute.

Farid and I have been discussing moving for the past year and we just haven't been able to come to a decision. The universe has not sent us any definite signs on where to go so I have been all over the place trying to figure it out.

I have never had to consider anyone else in my decision making process before. I have always been able to just pick up and go and if I don't like it I just pick up and go again. Not possible anymore...And a huge adjustment for me!

I do trust that the universe will make it more clear when it is time.

In the meantime I will be where I am with my beautiful family. I am so in love with them that most days I don't care where we are. But on the other days I am missing community, sunshine, and environmental inspiration.

So one of the options of course is the US (not first on our list). We are going to be in the states for 6 or 7 weeks over the holidays and we are just going to see how that feels. And I hope to see as many of my friends as possible. So if your holiday plans take you New Mexico please let me know!!!!

And I will do my best to stop f'ing whining

change of scenery

One more week and we will be heading to the south of France! My mom is flying in and we will hop in the car and go. Man, I really need a change of venue. I am so tired of Rotterdam. Maybe the change of pace will help me get some perspective. And to the universe: WHERE IS MY HOME?????