Living in Two Worlds...

Puerto Viejo Weather: 30 °C
Saskatoon Weather: -17°C

We are so looking forward to the (warm) adventure we get to enjoy for the next three months! Yet we are already missing the people and experiences here at home: our older kids and grandkids, our parents and siblings. Friends. Birthdays, and Christmas with them all. Our heads and hearts are in both places-world's apart and we have to reign them in-we are missing moments when we live in "tomorrow".
Living in the present has its challenges, especially when your vehicle is sliding all over the ice and you have to dress like you're on a polar expedition. Some people are winter people,some people are not. We fall into the latter category. Our little Gabriel loves the snow and claims he will miss it. Of course, he's not the one shovelling it!
Gabriel is a reminder to us of the miraculous in every day! Our little "preemie" is such a strong and courageous boy! He has overcome so many medical challenges with tenacity and purpose in his first six years. His every bedtime prayer ends with " I hope tomorrow is the BEST DAY EVER!" During the day, we often hear him passionately exclaim, "today is the BEST DAY EVER!" over the little things: a  math problem solved, falling snow, his big brothers and sisters visiting with their families. Gratitude. Enthusiastically embracing each moment.  When we slow down long enough to experience with him, we are yet again reminded of how we too, intend to live!

So much to do, so little time...
For someone who lives with "the list", there is enjoyment in placing that check-mark next to each preparation completed. I even have each suitcase itemized, colour-coded, and recorded! (You never know if your luggage will get lost...and you really need to match your clothes...)

This may be contributing to Allie's mis-perception of what to expect, fashion-wise. She is planning her jewelry and nail polish cache and doesn't understand how we will not be engaging in quite that form of self-care. We hope she will learn to enjoy the simplicity of a real jungle flower tucked in the hair, skin adorned by salt air and sun, and moisterizing from the salty humidity of the air. Our workouts will come from all the miles of walking and biking and climbing we will do even to buy our daily groceries.

Although I do know what to expect, I daily realize there are so many logistics we're not yet cognizant of. I got a bit of a reality "jolt" when the woman we're renting from sent us directions to our home away from home:
"After the big supermarket EL DUENDE GOURMET 200mts straight on the same main road. You will then see C&J Cabianas and a  restaurant called LA BIELA. The house is in the road between both businesses: C&J and La Biela (to your right-towards the mountain not the beach). There is a sign outside saying SE VENDE TERRENO (land for sale). The driver will then stop before the bridge, and as you know the last metres are walking distance (italics, mine). It is very easy to find!"

Can you just imagine the four of us carting 4 big suitcases and all our carry- on across the bridge and into the jungle. My question: just how many metres??? 

It's going to be an adventure!

Three More Weeks!

Test page

Preparing for flight. We want to share our 3 months with family and friends. Can we learn to blog?