I Dream of Jeane

Okay.....I am going to go ahead and tell you how it works with having a live-in helper. Because it's not always without its "bumps". But let me first start by telling you Jeane is a gold mine. I really do feel like I have a genie in a bottle waiting for my next wish. She is amazing with the kids (some times too amazing and I have to tell her to quit being so cool). We wanted to find someone who could love the little Savages as much as we do. I know, not an easy request because they can be absolutely  challenging to love sometimes, especially when Tate calls you "Poo Poo Face" and Syd pulls one of her "I am going to be an independent five year old and challenge you on everything that comes out of your mouth" stages AND Emmy....that goes with out saying, she eats a bowl of "crazy" for breakfast.  BUT  I was still hopeful that we could find the perfect one for our family. I swear.... my prayers have been answered! I feel like we have a full time preschool teacher here all the time. Jeane is sweet, happy and totally rocks our house.
I have learned that it is hard to find some one that is an "all around" house, kids, laundry, cooking etc. So we hired a second helper. (I will introduce her another time)...but honestly I am not sure why because I think Jeane and Peter Walsh drink from the same cup. She is a cleaning, organizing maniac. Don't be surprised if Trent comes home with another wife. If I start thinking about life without my helper I get really sad, so I try to focus on the now and enjoy the sweet gig I have.

Jeane is the tiniest person I have ever met. I think I could crush her with one hug. I love watching her hold Emmy because it looks like Emmy is the one holding her. Trent was hollering at me to come and see our closet...I thought maybe he found a big lizard or something. "Jamie bring your camera now!" "What could it be?" Trent never beckons me into the closet....at least not with my camera. If you really want the key to Trent's heart, this is what makes the man happy.....

Color coded shirts. I know some of you really cool ladies probably already do this kind of stuff. Let me be clear, I don't and probably never will. But I am sure going to appreciate the fact that Jeane will do it for me. Okay, my brag fest is over. Jeane is cool and I am one very lucky Mommy.

Fishy

 (Tate, Syd and Em trying to pull fish face.)

We have pets. Yes, this did happen while Trent was in Utah last week...coincidence? My friend did a mermaid party for her little girl and gave away goldfish as a party favor. I did not think that they would last more than a day but these fish are pretty durable. So far they have digested popcorn (and who knows what else) been manhandled from Emmy, AND escaped from there temporary fish home twice. I did not realize how much I loved them until I came in and one was missing from the tank. Judging from the look in its glazed over fish eye, I imagine it was hanging out on the counter for some time, luckily I was able to revive him. I know it is only a few pesos to get a new one but I am a loyal fish master. In fact, we went from using a salad bowl to investing in a full on fish tank, oxygen and all, even added a couple of blue angel fish for some friends. I swear these fish are in love with me, I think it is because I disregard the whole rule about only feeding them twice a day. My helper keeps telling me "Mam, I think your fish are getting too big" (I am a sucker for their little open mouths). "Mam there just breathing". What ever. Maybe she is right, they kind of look like they need to be in a small pond now.

Orlando and Andy (named after the shady care takers next door)

Sydney helping Tate give a little fish pat.

L-O-V-E

These guys really are my LOVE.  I am so thankful for my little family. Friends have been hard to come by out here (Boo hoo...I know, really sad life). I have learned to appreciate and depend on my friendship with Trent. Even though we are pretty much isolated from everything that is familiar, we are managing to have a good time and laugh a lot. I hope at the same time we can help our kids make good memories and enjoy daily life in a - not so normal circumstance. Last night we had a fancy- shmancy dinner. Thanks Mom for all the Valentine treats, it felt like home!

Happy Valentines!

Deep Thoughts by Jamie Handy

I am so sad for the day that  this kind of stuff is normal (I am almost there).  We are coming up on 8 months and I feel like seeing things like grown men going potty out in the open is totally normal. I have to remind myself that it is NOT normal and that these people are probably opting to tinkle outside because their bathrooms (or comfort rooms, as they call them) are disgusting. I am actually looking forward to coming home this summer and finding the dirtiest rest stop that I can imagine and seeing if it even phases me (I really do think about these kind of things). For those of you who know how "phobic" my Trent is you can imagine how therapeutic this place has been for him. I love studying his face when we are on road trips and it is time for a potty break the guy has really embraced third world living.

And people carrying things on top of their head is totally normal right? This picture does not even seem weird like it did before. Oh, I am so sad that all these funny things are wearing off. Although, I can not imagine that seeing a view like this rice field (below)will ever seem normal. I am so thrilled for this opportunity and am thankful for everyday life here. It makes me extremely grateful for what I have and happy for the little comforts that make life a little easier.  This place has taught me so much about myself and our relationships with others. When people ask "how are  you, really?" 

-Really, really GOOD.

Scuba Doo!

That's my man! Trent and I are in the process of getting our scuba certification. It has been so much fun, I have learned that not all body types are for wet suits. Some of the best diving is in the Philippines so we decided we better not waste any more time and go for it. Our first lesson was in the pool and the following Saturday we were in the ocean. Aagh! I have been surprised at how much "thinking" goes into it. One more outing and we are officially certified.

Probably the only picture I will ever post of me in a wet suit. PS the tanks are heavier than they look.

Our all "Filipino" dive team. Anilao

If I had any nerves they were gone pretty quickly, Filipinos know how to lighten any mood. Seriously, check out those smiles. Our dive instructor is the guy in the yellow, James and his goofy brother (right). They were moon walking under water...totally not normal and right up my ally.

Not sure what the Filipino name is for this but it is blue marlin soaked in vinegar and a hot chili. It totally looks gross but I was in love. Hmmm... maybe diving makes you hungry and your willing to eat  just about anything? I think I need to invest in a underwater camera case because I can not begin to explain how many fish we saw and they were all around us. The highlight of our first open water dive  was swimming next to a huge turtle. Thanks for the adventure Babe!

Lota Love

This is my trainer Lota (sounds like: Low-ta). While I might not look much different than the day I began with her a couple of months ago. She is the reason I have a reappearing jawline. Unfortunately, that is all I have to show for my hours of hard work...maybe it's the fried peanuts? She has also come in handy for my limited Tagalog. I knew that I had to sign up for a trainer when I saw that you get a complete body stretch at the end of every work out and a mini massage. You literally lay down and have some one stretch you, and then role over for a brief BUT extremely lovely back massage. SIGN-ME- UP! I don't care if she does weigh as much as my right leg..."Stretch away Lota!"

Scooter Boy

I just looked through my latest pics and 85%  are of Tate. I think it is because he is at such a cute age, sassy mouth and all. He makes me smile a lot right now. He is totally in to Syd's "princess" scooter, he asked me if I would take him on a walk around our block. His little foot did the cutest little kick and go I have ever seen. Yes,  the scooter ride seemed to never end and multiple times I was offering to put him on my shoulders and schlep his scooter home BUT my determined 3 year old made it with no help from Momma! The kid is  full of good stories right now, yesterday he told his primary teacher that her eyes were the color of poop. Nothing boosts a woman's self esteem like that! I always wonder what he is going to say next.

And, as always Dindo wanted in on the photo action.....(these people are crazy).