Feeling safe...

I am blogging right now with my dear friend, Optimise. Optimise is our newest Gecko who is extremely active...it seems when I am winding down at night - turn the TV off and the girls are in bed, Optimise wants to be sure I'm not lonely...so he's here with me now. I must admit that I'm not sure it's Optimise...it could be one of our other 3 Gecko's but since Optimise is named after "Optimise Prime" from the movie Transformers...he makes me feel safe. He loves bugs and I love him!!! I may be losing it...having a Gecko as a security blanket is a little off, right?!?!

Safety is something that I have always had and needed. I know many people can agree with the need for safety but when I feel safe, I can function. At our complex, we have many guards and it is gated and I have felt pretty safe here.

My friend, Trish called me early this morning because she needed to talk to the owners and wanted me to watch her children for her - she received a knock on her back door about 4:00 AM from a man she doesn't know and it really shook her up. She lives on the upper floor in one of the 2 bedroom units and has been here for about a month longer than we have - never had a problem until now. She talked to the owners and they know this man as one of the tenants and will handle the problem.

When things like this happen - it makes me more aware of the situation I am in - how I need to always been on alert to ensure my children and I are safe.

We went to the market today - a local market - to purchase some clothes for Alberto. Our cab driver went with us - took us to the right place and did all the negotiating for us as well - he was really great to have with us! He told me to leave my sunglasses in the car and to hold tight to my purse....again, maybe not the safest situation (where's Optimise when I really need him!!!)

I held on tight to my kids and everything went very smoothly. Shop owners were very welcoming to us - smiled - talked to us and of course, touched Lucie's hair!! When we were leaving, our friend and cab driver Norman, took Lucie's hand and walked her back to the car - we have been blessed with so many wonderful people here...people who take care of us.

I know that there is a lot of theft in Nicaragua due to the poverty but this is a place where I do feel safe. I take precautions and am always on guard (which I think is appropriate) but I do have a sense of home and safety albeit, I am far from both. Again, I think it's because of the people and I am so glad to have them here with me during this journey.

Tomorrow is another busy day for us - I am hoping to have some one-on-one time with Lucie - we have a meeting at Mi Familia and some more shopping to do for Alberto. I'm exhausted and not very witty tonight - but wish all my loved ones a great evening - a fabulous day tomorrow and know how much we love and miss you all -