I started my planning while still in Australia. This was an occasion I wanted to be a part of. My first born, the child who made me a mother, was turning 40. This milestone called for a celebration and the element of surprise. I was hoping he thought enough fuss...
Cousins are both Family and Friends. They are the best of both worlds.
The title isn’t completely accurate. I have two homes. As confusing as it can be living in two countries, two continents even, one thing is clear – one of the homes is where I grew up, where I was raised by adoring parents, where my children live, and where my...
After going to the Taughannock Lookout, it was time to hike to the waterfall. I have to admit that when Laura and I came here the first time, this was the place I thought the children would enjoy most and have longed to be here with them. A perfect family...
After our long day at Letchworth State Park the day before, Taughannock State Park in the Fingers Lake Region, seemed like a fun rest day for our family. We started as we had the two summers before, looking from the lookout down to the falls. There was more water in...
While we drove to Letchworth State Park and were admiring the upper falls, part of our family were attempting a 14 mile run, which they managed to run 7 miles straight, for a total of 15 miles hiking and running combined.
I love our family Christmas Eve – charged with Christmas spirit, love for one another, and anticipation for the surprises that are ahead. Christmas Eve at our house are sweet, and intimate (not that we haven’t opened our door to others on a few occasions), and one of our big...
Right after Mom’s funeral, Miquel announced to us all that CVS would be honoring Mom with their contribution to Relay for Life. I was impressed and honored that they would do that. Thank you CVS for this opportunity.
Rubí turns 5 and wanted a skating party. Naturally since Pop Pop couldn’t be there, he asked me to make a movie! He didn’t have to ask me twice. 🙂 Back at home… Rubí seemed to LOVE her birthday party. I know I sure did!
It’s not yet her birthday. It’s easy to remember, Miranda’s birthday is the same as Tax Day, April 15th. But today is her birthday party day. It was decided. The family then watches the Lego Movie.
We knew it was going to be a different kind of Easter. With Mom gone, the center of all holidays, we would have to cope with missing her and making new memories. Even though in some past Easters I have been in Australia, the internet and phone calls didn’t make...
Even though we were told it would happen, it happened way too fast. The next day we gathered again. (You can hear the message HERE ) Mom really disliked winter, she loved spring, and the hope in beginnings it represented. It made me so sad at first to think that...
Been going through a lot of Mom’s papers, photos, and items she has stashed away. Today, we found this gem. “Cousin George” according to the back of the picture. My son, who enjoys doing different things with facial hair, exclaimed upon seeing this, “My hero! That takes commitment!” True. I...
Our Christmas is always on Christmas Eve. This year, from even the preparations for the holidays, it was looking to be different. Mom wasn’t well with her back, I got very sick, and a lot of the family weren’t well. There was a lot of people helping the other. Miquel...
We had a different Thanksgiving this year. Enric and family were away. Petra was here. Mom wasn’t feeling well enough to travel. Poor Linda and George had to take their usual lovely and warm Thanksgiving and become severely and instantly MOBILE. Here at home, we had to quickly switch gears...
It didn’t seem possible. The little girl I rocked and danced to sleep singing Stones and Steve Miller band to, the little girl that did a turn around from my boys and read ME bedtime stories, the sweet precious that asked to see “dot coms” as she climbed up on...
John rejoined Facebook and on her birthday, told Miranda, “Nappy Birthday.” Not sure if that was a typo or a comment that she is having her birthday shortly after giving birth to Ezra.
PERTH It was the day I was dreading since I arrived. The day that I have experienced a few times now since John and I got married. It’s like an out of body experience. you’re watching yourself pack and leave your husband. It doesn’t seem real, and each time, it...
The children already having opened their presents, now it was our turn. It was another Christmas to treasure with my children and grandchildren. Even though we changed the day, it didn’t matter, it was as wonderful as always.
Thanksgiving as usual was at Linda and George’s house. This year was a little different, Enric and family were not in Wisconsin and could be with us, and George had commitments in Florida, so he and Linda were getting a little taste of what John and I suffer through too...
After us thanking the Lord for sparing Laura’s life in a car accident, Miranda said, “Way to turn 20!” Indeed. So the birthday began in a sweet way… I am so thankful for these times with my family. I cherish them.
Besides seeing my precious family, another reason to come back to Maryland was my favorite time of year. I came back at the peak of autumn colors! My apologies and thanks to my son Miquel, who did all the driving and put up with me! 🙂
While in Australia, I missed three birthdays. (I might have been tempted to make it four, but Laura threatened me). I missed in order, Silas, Miquel’s, and Enric’s. So even in my jet lag stupor, it was up to me to make their promised dinner, Moroccan Lamb, which I learned...
… and I am half the world away. It’s painful and heartbreaking not to be with him, making him fideus, and being together as a family. I will hope to make it extra special on my return. For now, I hope he knows he is loved, missed, and thought of...
Jenny and Miquel took Alejandra and Synara to Ocean City, Maryland. Jenny was the photographer for the day. She did another wonderful job!
Last night, Jenny, Miquel, Alejandra, and Synara went to a movie then to Sakura. Alejandra was most excited to go to the Japanese restaurant. Jenny did me the honor of taking the photos! And now two movies, one of an onion train, the other everyone trying to catch the shrimp...
Someone once told me that I’ve been way too many times to our National Aquarium, but besides the price, I really do like it there. This outing was a bit disappointing, since they are making changes and we missed the dolphins, but there is always something wonderful to see.
In spite of the rain and drizzle, we headed to Washington D.C. to see the Air and Space Museum.
Alejandra’s father mentioned that he wanted his daughter to have the “full” American experience, like, what could be more American than a baseball game? Better than that, the Orioles were playing the Yankees this weekend! So Miquel, Jenny, and Laura took Alejandra and Synara to an Oriole baseball game. In...
Last year when Alejandra was here we did not go to the Washington D.C. Zoo, so this year it was the first big thing we did. It ended up being a good plan as Synara loves animals and Rubà let us know she didn’t have any memory of going to...
When you’re far from the ones you love, sometimes you just do what you have to do to be with them, especially on important occasions. Enric set it up so that we would Skype when they would celebrate Miranda’s actual date of birth, as it seems she already had a...
Some failed ideas of how simple it would be to take Jenny to New York City for her birthday, we ended up going to Washington D.C. Since I LOVE going to D.C. , it seemed like a good second choice. We selected the American History Museum, since it had been...
After many days of preparations, early celebrations, Christmas Day with the family was finally here.
After going to church and tucking Rubi to bed, it was time for the “Grown Ups” to open their presents.
and...
