Dreams

We all have them, we just don't know it sometimes.  Every morning I ask Lucia, "dorme bem"?  "Sleep well?". And then I ask if she had a dream and what she dreamed about.  Obviously Lucia does not understand the concept of dreams yet, but this morning after I asked her what she dreamed abut, she said "ice cream".  Must have been because last night we had a delicious bout of ice cream at Salt and Straw :)  She ate that entire cone and and then asked for another.  Clearly ice cream is a concept that she knows very well :)

"Ämazing" Spring Day!

Our friends Shanna and Sandra invited Lu and I to go to the Tulip Festival on Monday  So we in turn invited Megen and Greyson and what a lovely day it was!  The Tulip Festival was so gorgeous, our stop in Lake Oswego was perfect, and dinner was a lot of fun!  And I tell you, having the sun and warmth to add to our day was "ämazing" (as Greyson would say)!  I could go on and on, but well, here are photos instead :)

Greyson and Lu walking around the gardens...

Megen, Greyson and Lu exploring!

Lu 1 hour after nap time and completely exhausted!

Gavin taking a moment :)

Sandra and Gavin

Lucia saying, "no, I don't want to take a picture"

"Can I touch?" Of course Greyson!

Greyson, Olivia and Lu on the bed of a truck...

After we left the festival, Megen took us to a lovely little spot in Lake Oswego for Cappucinos and Choucuettes :)

Then we took the kids to the park where they found some water fun!

Lucia got cold, she so she asked to be dressed again and then went right back for it!

And then after we dropped Megen and Greyson off for the evening, Rafa, Lu and I met back up with Sandra and Shanna and families for a lovely little spaghetti dinner.

Not even 5 minutes after sitting down...lol (thanks Sandra for the photo!)

Olivia and Lu really love each other....

And I really love my Lu.

Thanks to everyone for the perfect day!

Have Hope. Be Kind.

There has always been violence and anger and hatred.  In every corner of the World, even in our own little corners, for we are obviously not immune.  The Boston Marathon bombings are once again, an unspeakable tragedy.  3 lives lost, hundreds injured with missing limbs, all on what was a day to be celebrated with family and friends for months of training and dedication and success.  I avoided reading or watching anything, I was in denial and felt safe there.  Then I came into work and my boss told be that the little boy who died, had just hugged his father after finishing the race.  I lost it.  It was only a matter of time before the stories would start to unfold.  That was one I wasn't ready to hear.  I bet that father will remember that last hug for the rest of his life.

I have become speechless in the wake of all these tragedies and this unspeakable violence that is plaguing our lives.  I thought after 9/11 that, ok, this is the worst it will ever get.  Now I am wondering if it only feels like the beginning.  It almost feels like the World is off.  I am not sure if there is more social awareness to violence, more reporting, if I am getting older, or if things really are getting worse.  I am hoping that I am more aware and if so I'd like to go back to my Sonja fantasy land.

Whenever these events take place, I get sad, I feel overwhelmed, I feel hopeless.  But only for a blink.  And then I realize that the World is full of all kinds of people, some pretty darn evil.  I like to think that people aren't, but certainly we know what is capable out there.  But then I always go back to all the good in life.  For when you stop and take a look, there is so much to find hope and joy and kindness in.  And honestly, not one of us is ever going to be able to change all the evil in the World, but we all have the power to be just  little gentler and kinder to everyone we meet.  To be better parents to our children, to show compassion and grace, to lend hands and hearts.  This is not say we can all be this way 100% of the time, but what would the World look like if we were more accepting of ourselves and others, if we forgave people for  being human, if we let go of grudges, if we smiled more, said hello, offered someone a cup of coffee.  And imagine if we were all just better parents to our children.

I love this quote by Mother Theresa, it reminds me that we are all connected to each other and once we realize this, I believe that real peace can begin to emerge.

“If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten that we belong to each other.” 
― Mother Teresa

And this one too....

“Love and compassion are necessities, not luxuries. Without them, humanity cannot survive.” 
― Dalai Lama XIV, The Art of Happiness

Have hope.  Be kind.

Love is...

Just not sure the feeling is mutual ;-)

What great thing would you attempt if you knew you could not fail? ~Robert H. Schuller

I am a wanderer by nature.  Yet I have worked at the same company for 9 years.  Within that time I have been promoted twice.  But, I have not gone anywhere since.  Well, over the last few months I have thought long and hard about what I want to do. Exactly the same, with a twist.  I love W+K, I love my manager and my team, I love Media Finance and it's ever changing face.  I want all of the same, but I am hungry for more.  I am about to put myself on the line and I am terrified.  Things have been so calm and quite, why the need to ruffle things up?  Because while I am mom first I still have drive in my professional life.  I don't need to leave WK or change my career completely to take this risk, but I will be asking for a change in my role that does not currently exist in the books.  Wish me luck.

#W+K #failharder

Lucia is 2!

And what a great couple days it has been!  Last night we went with friends to Mississippi Pizza for kids karaoke and Mr Ben and enjoyed pizza and a little celebration!  We topped the evening off with a walk to a nursery in NE to see the chickens.  Mostly the kids just ran around, surprise surprise.  Then late last night, Rafa and I decorated Lu's room with balloons and streamers, and when she woke up, she was so happy!  She had one gift from us, a simple little puzzle which she loves! And the day before we gave her her first suitcase, she loves that so much she wanted to nap with it! I cut out of work early today and took berry cups (berries in waffle cups topped with whipped cream and sprinkles).  The kids loved them and they were semi healthy.  It was cute to hang out with Lu's friends!  Then we picked up Rafa and ate Spaghetti and then topped the night off with free Ben And Jerrys ice cream and a late Skype call from Brasil.

Our hearts are full. And it's official, I love someone else's birthday more than my own ;)

Easter Sunday

Easter Sunday was a gorgeous 72 degree day, so we certainly made the most of it.  We first went to a birthday brunch for Addie, where the theme was "Biking".  After dining on donuts and juice, we took a little spin.  Lucia had a great time!  Then we spent the afternoon and evening with friends who all have 2 year olds.  We grilled burgers, had an Easter Egg hunt, and topped the evening off with ice cream.  It was a lovely day!