WIP Wednesday

With days like these lately,

I have found time to make this slouchy spring beret for a friend leaving the island,

while Ezra does this.

A little downtime is always good.

Gratitude Sunday

Today I am grateful for:

My sweet date Ezra, who went to dinner with me and about 20 other women for a farewell get together for the 5th semester spouses who are leaving the island

Ezra's island aunties whom he loves and who love him

Michael's steadfast dedication to his studies

My growing vegan cookbook collection and the excellent recipes that have been feeding my family in a healthy non-violent way

The sweet ladies at fountain of health who dote on Ezra and stock things like xanthan gum, soy chunks, and xylitol

My beautiful, spacious, air conditioned home

The spectacular views from our windows

The AUC Spouse's Organization that brings AUC students' spouses together in fun ways to support one another while we're far away from family and friends back home

Our loving family that keeps in touch with us and especially with Ezra on Skype so that he has relationships with the extended family members

Ezra's recent growth spurt that has brought on many changes, including no more diapers, self initiated tooth brushing, hair brushing, and hand washing, trying new things like learning to swim and tasting new foods, and loads and loads of sentences spoken like one momentous morning when he woke up, turned to me and whispered, "I'm not a baby anymore. I'm a big boy."

this moment

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. If you're inspired to do the same, leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments for all to find and see.

Work in Progress

I am delighted to have a new little baby friend to knit for. She was born on St. Maarten 3 months ago and is leaving next week for a trip to New York and Oregon. I have the softest Blue Sky Alpaca Cotton yarn in the fairest of pink shades that has been waiting for a good excuse to be knit. I'm making the upside down daisy hat that you can download the pattern for at this site.

Easter on St. Maarten

April Showers Bring Rainbows to Sint Maarten

When we woke up this morning it was raining out our bedroom window. Last night I had gone to a movie with friends and did not go to bed until midnight. I was tired this morning, but I'm not complaining, because Michael goes to bed every night after midnight and has to wake up at 6:30 and get ready for school. Ezra is always up first and he comes around so sweetly to our bedside. I was given nose kisses and gentle requests of, "you wake up, mom?" The nose kiss was enough to make me smile as I rose out of bed, but when you see a double rainbow out of your kitchen window while waiting for the water in the kettle to heat up, life takes on that magical 'in the moment' quality that I strive for throughout my days.

One of the best places I can always be completely aware of my breath and surroundings and truly live in the moment is at the beach. The warm sun on my skin, the sand sticking to my shins as I crawl around the big hole Ezra and I are digging, the waves pushing against my weight as I hold Ezra in my arms calling out, "here comes another one!" all keep me totally present to the beauty of my surroundings.

We saw our shadows in the sand yesterday and Ezra had a lot of fun chasing his and I had fun photographing mine.

Guana Bay is one of my favorite beaches on the island. There is a lot of soft white sand, rolling waves on the wide shore and not very many people. The stunning view of St. Barth's reminds me that we're living in a chain of Caribbean isles.

my beautiful boy

I am so grateful for my life here and now. It is awesome to be alive!

Sint Maarten Yacht Club

This evening we took Ezra to the Sint Maarten Yacht Club to watch the different boats leave and return to the bay during the 5:00 and 5:30 Simpson Bay Bridge opening times.

This is the cute little club house with a glimpse of the blue "Thomas" bridge in the background. Anything blue is "Thomas" (as in Thomas the Tank Engine) to Ezra.

I learned that this style of architecture is referred to as a gingerbread house here in the Caribbean. I'm assuming it's because the roof trim looks like the frosting on a gingerbread house. This makes me happy when I spot these traditional buildings all over the island.

We saw some of the local children coming in from their sailing lesson

and a view of Simpson Bay.

We went into the Yacht Club and had something to drink while waiting for the bridge to open. We heard the clang of the bell, walked over to the deck and watched as the boats left the bay for their next port of adventure.

We saw yachts,

sailboats,

catamarans,

more sailboats,

the sun beginning to set,

and the moon already risen over the bay.

On the way home, we stopped to watch some planes come in for landing over Maho Beach.

It was a perfect little family outing for a quick break from Michael's 70-80 hours a week of studying and going to school. I love when we three get to share these bits of magic the island has to offer.