Time to Be

It is no secret that we are contemplating staying here in Costa Rica longer than our "one year plan."  We have settled into a new family vibe that is suiting us all very well and we have had many pleasant unexpected surprises given to us along the way that are making us just not wanting it to end.

For one, we are living with less (and we like it).  

There are times when we say that we wish we had this or that, but not having this or that has not brought us any unhappiness....and so we just wish and move on.  It amazing how much time we spent in the states organizing our stuff.   Cleaning the garage, sorting the clothes the kids out-grew, clearing out toy bins, etc.  I know you all know what I mean.  Here, we have very little, so we get to spend our time on the important things....like us.

We also do MORE.  

We have less homework, less sports commitments, less of everything in general that is pulling at our schedule.  With 4 kids, we had double the activities of a regular family with only 2 kids, and with both girls and boys, and a very wide age gap (10 year difference between oldest and youngest), we also had a wider berth of activities and demands that were, frankly, sucking us dry back in the states and we just did not even know it cause it was the norm of everyone around us.

What we have here is more than a Pura Vida lifestyle, 

it is a true family centered lifestyle.  

One that we had been dreaming of and working on back in the states, but it constantly got sabotaged with our massive schedule.  We not only have free time to do activities as a family, we also have free time to just BE.  One of my favorite things is that we, on a regular basis, wake up on a Saturday morning and say, "what do you want to do today?"  How lovely is that?  And how sad is it that our life in the states had taken away this fundamental feeling of freedom.

Time to BE is key.

So, if you are contemplating a move abroad, contemplate what you are looking for in this relocation and change.  Because I can guarantee that you will get what you are looking for and more cause there will be so many things you just did not imagine or think possible.

And it will be wonderful.