another year over and a new one to begin

so, here it is - the last day in 2012... no matter where I am and what I do, endings and beginnings always get me very sentimental and thoughtful, and I like it!

that is the reason why I am writing here today. this and the availability of internet :-)

we're in Cochin, India and it is also one of the last days of our Indian holiday. we left Cairo at the 13th of December and since then we've seen the most beautiful and the not so beautiful things travelling through an amazing country. I am sure we've not even seen a lot, but we did our best as with the girls (and also me) there is only so much sightseeing one can take ;-)

the last week we spent in two beautiful resorts in the South of the country - at the beach and in the mountains.

I am very grateful that we're able to do such a trip as a family and all my prayers in the back of a car travelling Indian roads have been heard ;-)

we will spend this evening just like we did our Christmas Eve - as a family of 4, with lots of love and smiles. as long as it is the 4 of us it's home and happiness! and I am so happy the girls feel this too. living the life we do this is the most important thing for me and I am very thankful for all the time we get to spend together!

2012 sure had some great and of course not so great moments. there is no way I am going to write all this down... so today I am coming back to gratefulness for everything I have in my life... the most wonderful husband and the most wonderful girls...family, that I know is there whenever I need it to be...friends, near and far, going parts of our life together and stay connected thanks to all this wonderful possibilities we have - like this blog...

however you spend today, tonight - I hope it's with people you love! and sometimes this people can't be close but be happy to have them in your heart!

so I send my love and happiness to all of you - wishing you all the best for 2013, let's make it a wonderful year all together!

week-end...

inspired by "theHabitofBeing"

... started Thursday night - dinner and drinks the the ACE with friends. nothing fancy, but good fun!

waffle breakfast was a good start on Friday. the girls loved it and stayed in their pyjamas until we decided that we just have to go out for a little shopping. lucky them got a "Happy Meal" for lunch and I got to try the "veggie burger" they are selling here now :-)

our shopping was more or less successful - as usual, some things were found others not...

back home the girls and I did a Christmas cookie session and after that I disappeared into the yoga room for a nice hour just for me, while the girls were happily playing and reading!

in the evening we gathered for family movie night, watching this!

on Saturday the girls woke up really early, BUT continued their wonderful playing mood and let us have a sleep in!

after extended breakfast I headed out for a fantastic yoga workshop and the girls enjoyed some time with their Dad!

we had Christmas cookies, tea and Advent-stories later in the afternoon, before the girls went with friends to see a Christmas pageant... C and I went to a friends place to meet up with the "yoga crowd" - lovely people, yummy food and a good glass of wine, wonderful grown up time!

we all fell into bed way too late... starting our last few days before we travel...



PS: I am not sure how much blogging I want to do over the next couple of weeks, while we're travelling, and I don't want to decide now...so, enjoy the rest of this year in the way you want to, have fun and I am excited to meet here again in 2013 (if not before)!

{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.

inspired by "soule mama"

week-end

inspired by "thehabitofbeing"

the week-end started earlier than expected - with a wonderful Thai massage Thursday morning...

it was wonderful and unexpected and left me ready to roll into weekend mood...with not enough time anymore to do all the things that I thought need to be done before picking up the girls, I just let go of it, enjoyed coffee and company in a friends garden and decided that I want to go out at night!

the evening started with some dancing like this and drinks and friends at the pub afterwards.

everybody slept in on Friday, we had family breakfast, the girls and I got to see "the Beauty and the Beast" performed by the CAC (Cairo American College) - what a wonderful afternoon!

at night - good friends and more of this dancing :-)

my Saturday started with meditation - oh, so needed and just great! a family outing to the schools Christmas fair and lots of baking and preparations for the Sunday birthday girl!
not to forget - Christmas decorations!!!

I sank down onto the sofa to watch this... getting ready for the week...

how was your weekend?