Tree is up; Cold is on

Since Thanksgiving, it has cooled off here in Phoenix - which is nice since we are approaching Winter! So we've had some winter type activity going on...
Satvinder and I put up the Christmas tree

One night we went spent the evening around a backyard fire with friends, drinking apple cider for seasonal effect.

Any excuse to snuggle up is good by me!

Super Awesome Fantastic!!!

I attended my first home birth today. And it was simply amazing. What a joy to witness birth in the peaceful, supportive environment of home - with family, friends, and skilled midwives. It was...divine.

It was such a contrast to most hospital births. Such a contrast in the feeling of peace, the respect for the natural flow of the experience, the gentle care - and the absence of fear. All the highs with none of the lows. My heart is full. And my hat is off to this beautiful mother and baby. Whahe Guru - How great is God.

Happy Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving blessings to all. Here's a few pictures from our day:
Satvinder wearing the fantastic new dress and jacket that Sewa Kaur made for her birthday.

Thanksgiving meal at the ashram - a vegetarian feast

Playing games with friends. I won.

Making Pies

Friends came over today and we made pies together. This pic shows Narsingh, Nirangkaar, & Satvinder working on the cheesecake. (We also made pecan pies.)

Important plans for tomorrow: eating pies.

Birthday Party

Satvinder had her birthday party on Sunday at Build-a-bear workshop. It was a day of fun, family, and friends.
After picking out an animal and stuffing it, the kids gave wishes and love to the hearts for their animals. Here the kids are holding a birthday wish heart to put in Satvinder's bear.

Then they picked out clothes or accessories for their animals and we *tried* to get a group photo.

Satvinder and her bear, Belle.

Satvinder received a lovely princess cake made by our friend, Dominique...

...and many wonderful gifts to delight a 4 year old girl.

Thanks to all who shared the day with us and all who sent their love from afar!

Birthday Walk

Satvinder's school has a sweet way of acknowledging birthdays - they do the "Birthday Walk". Her birthday is this weekend so we did her walk today.

Here Satvinder is showing the healthy snack she brought to share with her class.


The class sat in a circle. In the middle was a table with a candle, representing the sun. For each year of her life, Satvinder had the opportunity to share something about herself at that age or share a picture.


Then she she carried a globe around the sun for each year. Afterwards, the children were given the opportunity to give her birthday wishes. Their wishes were things like "I wish you a happy birthday" or "I wish you lots of presents" or, my favorite, "I wish you would come to my house."

It was a really peaceful, calm, and sweet experience.

Happy Birthday, Mangala Sadhu Sangeet Singh!

On this day the Lord gave you life
May you use it to serve Him (Her...It)
All our loving prayers will be with you
May you never forget Him (Her...It)

May the long time sun shine upon you
All love surround you
And the pure light within you
Guide your way on

Sat Nam