My little Athlete....

I took Pukar skiing this week and we skied for five, YES 5, hours!!!  I thought we'd be done after lunch and cocoa but Ohhh, no... "Pukar want ski more mommy!"  So we did.  It was a great day ... 13 inches of new and storming all day.  Not exactly 3-year old weather, but nonetheless, HE LOVED it!  Not a single complaint, tear, or frustrated moment.  He was ALL smiles.

On the chairlift...Weeee Mommy...Goes Up!

Hot chocolate by the fire...ahhhh!  Sweet Rewards...

Later in the week, we went biking!!!  I got the training wheels for the little hand-me-down bike from my brother and Tristen and we took it for a test run along the river in Wenatchee.  So cute!!  

First video on my new camera! yay, I did it!

Little charger!

Photo Shoot

I recently did a photo shoot with some very talented local photographers, Chris Ohta and his wife Heidi.  They offered their talents while I was still in Nepal and we were finally able to get together on a day when the weather opened up enough to allow us to be outside in some beautiful light.  Light being the key word there!  I love the way the photos captured the essence of US and of HERE, in Leavenworth.  And I love how I have three sets of AMAZING photos of Pukar and I, one from the incredible Vicki Taufer, one from the up and coming Joy Juelson at the orphanage in Nepal, and now these from Chris and Heidi.  It's really special and precious to capture these early moments together with Pukar with such incredible beauty.  Thank you to all my talented photographer/friends.

Here is a link to Chris's blog with some of my favorites and few more photos to make the post pop!

It's Been Good to See the Sun!

I swear to the Gods it has rained and rained and snowed and rained almost every day since I've been back.  Steve brought me a Sun Lamp this weekend because I am starting to feel like the darkness is getting to me.  Thankfully as well, the sun decided to shine this weekend and we were able to get outside.  We hiked up along Mountain Home in the snow, and then out the Icicle where the amazing mudslide that closed this and many other roads (from the torrential downpour and warm weather last week) could be viewed up close and personal in all her thick, gooey, and destructive glory.  Wow.

Thank you sunshine for providing some much needed relief.  It felt so great to be outside and exploring with my men.  Walking, talking, breathing, listening, smelling, being.  It was a really, super nice weekend.  

I've been home for 2 months now.  Time has flown.  Pukar is adjusting more and more each day and pushing out his little edges now, so he must be feeling more safe and secure.  Doing everything from getting dressed to brushing his teeth "all self" and just being much more adventurous and independent.  It's good for him, and it's good for me, but at the same time a little hard to admit that he's ALREADY growing up (and away) right before my eyes.  And it's only been 6 months.  Holy Cows!

I love love love being a mom, but just finding my groove again, in a way that feels like I'm balancing work with being the mom I want to be (HARD!), and still sinking into the 'extraordinary' way of living that I believe in with all my heart and soul, has been a little elusive.  I'm not giving up. 

Here's a few shots from the past weekend...

Precious

Pukar and Uncle Papa

He's obsessed with electronics...and airplanes :-)

Fresh Happiness!

First flowers and first time we've seen the sun in a million years!

It has been ages since I've blogged darn it!  There just seems to be so little extra time to BE right now.  But I'm making time because I got a new camera for my birthday (thank you sweetie!), and I got some great shots of 'My Men' finally!!  Pukar loves his "Uncle Papa!"  We had a nice birthday weekend with Steve, Lucas and Ellie despite my horrific head cold (my immune system is sooo in the dumps)... and YAY, love Cirque Du Soleil.  Can't wait to take some trapeze classes or arial silk or something fun like that!!!  I feel a little old for 32, but... oh well! ;-)

Pukar and Lucas (Pukar's HERO!)... courtesy of the iphone

I also officially changed his name today from FNU Pukar (First Name Unknown) to: Pukar Makani Lund.  I was also able to apply for a passport..hooray!!!  But unable to apply for a new social security card as they have him listed in their system as being here on an alien immigrant work visa.  Nice.  Love the way our Government communicates between departments.  Another A+ for good ole USA! 

I heard today that there are only 13 families left without their children.  How amazing that we have almost all been able to bring our children home in LESS than a year after a closure.  It just goes to show you what can be done when people come together and fight their hardest.  I am so proud of what we all were able to accomplish and we could NOT have done it without each other and all the support we received from our friends and family.  It also goes to show you what a total BOGUS FAILURE it was to shut Nepal down in the first place.  

With all the busyness of the day, we were still able to get out in the gorgeous sun for a cross country ski. Pukar skied on his own for a good 20 minutes in the track before I put him on my back.  He's got amazing natural ability and never ever once ever in my whole life have I seen that kid get frustrated.  It is just the most beautiful and humbling thing.  He's something that little Pukar.  He is truly a remarkable, lovable, beautiful child. 

Just a cute shot of Ellie and Steve!

We are doing well.  His english is phenomenal, and his little personality keeps blooming as he learns new words.  His latest thing is:  "sure mommy".  Pukar do you want some chicken, "Sure Mommy".  It's pretty cute.  And this just fresh off the press:  He just went to sleep tonight without me...yep, we talked about how mommy is going to be right outside the bedroom doing some work and how I'd be in later to sleep right next to him, but that Pukar was going to 'nunu' all by himself tonight.  And holy cow, after about 10 'mommy's, he went out.  The only sad part... Look how he's already growing up!!! Aum Shanti. 

Powder Sledding

 

This was so fun, and Pukar is so cute.  

It's our new, favorite pastime.

Happy Birthday Pukar ~ 2/22 ~ 3 years old

 A day with his best friend Rhone.  First, the play gym, then picking out a toy, lunch at Red Robin with a birthday song and balloon, and finally...The Car Wash!!!  We ended the evening together with a birthday wish and ice cream.  I couldn't find my birthday candles and used a tea light instead.  He loved it.  "More Fire?"