Humbled.

My friend lost her baby this morning. She knew that the baby had Trisomy 13 for a while and was told that the baby could pass away at any time - during her pregnancy or after delivering. So, the day came to be induced yesterday and around 7 pm she delivered a beautiful baby boy named Samuel. Samuel lived for almost 5 hours before returning to be with Heavenly Father.

I am always in wonder by these sweet little ones and their huge ability to change us. To make us want to be better. I guess their sweet innocence reminds us of all things pure in life. There is something about their purity that reminds us their is no room for anger, selfishness, and pride.

I am also always in such awe of their mothers. These mothers who give thanks, who love more, who understand their reason as a most special mother to these most special babies. Who instead of giving up, turn around and live a life filled with more purpose than ever before. Talk about refined woman. They shine they are so refined! I am grateful and very humbled to call these woman my friends.

When my friend, Amanda, lost her baby, Tyson, back in January I remember feeling each day this sense of honor in knowing him, in being a part of his life and the life of his family. Not a day goes by that I don't think of him. I am grateful for this because each time I think of him I am reminded of my desire to be more pure.

And, to my dear Joanie, I thank you for your example and for your sweetest baby, Samuel. I will honor him each and every day too. I love you.

A Little Beach Trip

Some friends from church own a little villa near a beach just west of Panama City

and invited us over to relax and enjoy the sun.

We had BBQ, swam in the pool, and at the end of the day stopped by the beach.

Monkey Island

We are lucky enough to have friends we knew from Mexico City here with us in Panama - it's a small ex-pat world! We are even extra lucky they are so cool and they take us out on their boat. On Labor Day we headed out on the Panama Canal to visit "Monkey Island". I had no idea how close we would come to these spider monkeys while feeding them bananas. It was unreal! James is still talking about "boat, monkeys, nanas" all the time. Thanks to Alethea and Curt for the amazing trip. I still can't believe we live here. =)

my thoughts

on mexico: i miss you. i do. so glad i have some good memories of you. it was a time of a lot of growth - psychically and otherwise too. =) i miss the flower stands on every corner. i miss driving down the windy roads to costco in interlomas. i miss my friends. all.of.you. for example, i have a new colombian girlfriend. she is swell. really. but, she kinda makes me pine for my diva, catalina. i even find myself missing your kids. their cleverness. cuteness. wild ways. i miss the perfect weather. i miss sweaters. i miss artisan markets. i miss BMT. pewter store, how you do something to me. i miss my apartment. i miss my (second) maid. she was the cutest, sweetest little thing. i miss her singing all day. i almost miss her calling me "preciousa" every waking moment. almost. i miss my friends. i loved your fine dining. i loved your tacos. i loved the way you partied. i kinda even miss the fireworks all night long. did i say i miss my friends?

on panama: i get the feeling i will love you. i feel like i live in a national geographic magazine on a daily basis. even as i shower i can watch the jungle happenings. i love that water nearby. the canal is amazing. the ocean leaves me feeling less trapped. i love the galke family. you guys are just too fun. i love the little chinitos (stores owned my chinese people). where they give my babe a free banana on the way out. i love that i can find: brown sugar, crisco, wheat thins, vanilla wafer, hot talmales, rolos, dove chocolates, green chilies, marshmallow fluff, onion lipton soup mix, good season italian dressing mix, etc. i love that i can afford things at the mall. i love that people are more like me. well, their economic status' anyway. not in appearance. i think i like being the only blond around a lot of the time. it brings me back to my gaithersburg HS days. =) i love how friendly panamanians are. i love your fried plantains. you all do them just.right. i love the endless palm trees, the colorful birds, and the alligator that is always hanging under the bridge by our house. i am glad mr. alligator never seems to move. i love my stucco house with its terra cotta roof. i love my patio out back. i am excited to get to know people here. i am glad that i am in good company running here. i love a health conscious people. i am happy danny works so close to home. we even have time to run together now. i am happy my family is happy here. i feel blessed. very blessed.


stay tuned for pictures of:
boating on the canal
feeding monkeys in the wild
our first beach trip
and more...

nine.eleven

Always remembering. Always honoring. Always respecting.

The lives lost that day. Their families left behind.

And, the men and woman who worked tirelessly to save others.

I am very proud to be an American.

I am a Mormon

Have you ever wondered who is Mormon? Well, I am! And, so are lots of people, even people just like you. Trust me. To see who is Mormon visit here - I am a Mormon.

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