Payback time

I was 22 years old, had just graduated from college and had a broken heart. Wanted to get out of the city at any cost, meet new people, explore new territories, fall in love again. Destination? Halifax, Nova Scotia, who took me with open arms and changed my life.

The deal? Spend two years on that slice of the world so full of warm and inviting people, complete my MBA, drink beer, party like I had never partied before but also study harder than what I had previously done in 4.5 years in school. After that it would be time to go home, to go back to mom and dad and to help in the family business.

Well, that was 12 years ago. I guess I have no more excuses to my dear dad, who turns 70 now in September and who has been waiting for me so patiently for all this time without asking much of me.

Dad, I am coming home tomorrow. My heart has been fixed, my diploma is on the wall, I have two of the most gorgeous boys in the entire world making this trip with me and a partner in crime that completes me.

Thank you for waiting.

Love you,
Mari

To those.....

To those that don't say a lot.....

That prefer to stay on the background

But that in their own way, participate in all

To those who have lived the American dream

Or any dream

And reached the other side of the finish line victorious

To those that found true love

To those that moved ahead

To those that saw the world

To Popeye, for a speedy recovery

xoxo

Mari

Just in time

I can't even talk about surgery and being busier than normal without mentioning that all it took was one phone call for my mom to jump on the plane and come up to Miami to help me out. This brave little hippie woman, who always thinks will get lost inside the airport and ended up in Thailand but not in the States, somehow always manages to arrive in Miami, on time and full of stories (thank you Mathilde!). This time around it was no different..... and even with all that was going on we were able to squeeze some shopping trips, a visit to the Fairchild Botanical Garden and a visit to Knaus Berry Farm in Castro land! I mean, Homestead :)

Here are some of the best pictures of our time together. Thank you mom & Gui for coming!!

 

Giving Thanks

Thanksgiving has come and gone... but I guess is never too late to register my gratitude to those close to me, one way or another.

To my handsome husband, that besides all the nagging and complaining I am capable of doing in a 24 hours period (and believe me, I'm a pro!!), has proven time and time again that there is no one better in this entire world of taking care of us, making us feel loved and protected :) Chiquito, you are the best at 6am in the morning when you let me sleep for an extra hour while you give Miguel breakfast, even when you wake up in the worst mood and make me feel guilty for laying in bed!! You are also the best for rolling on the floor and pretending you're a warrier with the kids, for giving me a tight hug when I need it the most, and for telling us that you love us no matter what - everyday. We love you too!

To my parents - for  for teaching us what values really are, for standing up for what you believe in regardless of what the society tells you, for standing your hand and offering help even when we are not in need, for being humans and making mistakes throughout my up bringing so I don't repeat the same mistakes now with my own family but try some new ones :)

To my brother - that on his own special way teaches us day after day that we only have one take at this life and we better live it to the fullest

To my family - for being crazy and disfunctional, bringing much excitement and laughter at the right time (who would want a boring all perfect family???)

To my dear friends - for the experiences shared throughout the years, for the trust, for knowing I can count on you no matter what. You know who you are!!!

And to my kids - for being so special, for brighting up my day, for making me loose my mind just to a second later remind me that I truly am the luckiest person on Earth! I coudn't imagine my life without you and it has been a priviledge to be your mom and see you both grow into beautiful boys day by day!

XOXO
Mariana

Biggest help ever!

Fred changed jobs and went to Brazil after his clients... and just the thought of me, here, all by myself, 'sem pai nem mae' as my brother would say and with two cranky kids at 6pm gave me chills!! The answer to my prayers? MOMMMM!! She promptly packed herself and Gui and came to the rescue, all the way from Paciencia/Brazil! They were here for 2 weeks and oh boy did they help! Too bad these two weeks went by quickly and they went back home last night, for my dad's sake! Here are some pics of their time here :)


Miguelito & Be


Mom drooling over the kids

still drooling...