High Up in the Clouds...

On a beautiful, clear morning our little band journeyed high up into the mountains of the Sierra Gordas. As we climbed the mountains we realized that the clouds were getting closer and closer - then, when we rounded a curve and ascended the mountain we found ourselves IN the clouds!

My cute husband pulled over because all of the children wanted to touch the clouds and walk in them! (Little did we know that we would be in the clouds for the rest of the day!)

After driving through muddy, rocky terrain on a narrow stretch of mountain we finally came to Toluquilla - another city of ruins. Here we hummed the tune to 'Indiana Jones' as we looked through the fog to discover a lost city! Seriously, we really felt like we were in a movie! It was great fun... and we have some of the cutest little movie stars - oh, and one really mangy dog that the kids named "Noodles" - the kids were NOT allowed to touch him! You could smell this poor animal about 50 feet away!

Las Ruinas - Ranas

As promised I am posting some of our weekend journeys! The roads in Mexico are generally safe and of sound structure - yet, every once in a while you will see a road that is NOT safe and is obviously beginning to erode. We took a picture of one such road on our drive. Please note, when looking at this picture that traffic has NOT been stopped for repairs and to the right of the road is a drop of probably a mile or more into a mountain ravine - noone would survive...

But, nevertheless, our little band of explorers took off to hazard the unknown and visit some less known ruins in the Sierra Gorda mountains. These ruins consisted of about 150 various structures, including 2 ball courts (which you'll see in the pictures). The city is very impressive and we enjoyed spending time exploring together. Our children noticed that every 'house' (what we assumed to be homes) had a stone structure inside and we surmised that this structure must have been where the fires was placed in the home.

We had a great time and we hope that you will enjoy looking at these pictures! (Note: we were playing with our new camera... so, you'll be privy to some pictures of our children. How did you ever get SO lucky?)

5 mile mark

I have finally reached a goal - I swam 5 miles (8 kilometros) last week and I am on course to continue that goal weekly! Just thought I would share the joy!

America - "We, the People..."

Teotihuacan, the Mexican Riviera, the Missions of the Sierra Gorda mountains, the ruins of ancient cities and beautiful, romantic historical, Mexican towns – for nearly two years our young family has had the privilege of living in and learning about the country of Mexico. We have been touched by the simple sincerity of these people, the beauty of the countryside and the unique history of this culture.

Yet, when our family visits home and sees once again the Star Spangled Banner of the United States of America soaring on our border – I shed tears. These tears are tears of gratitude; gratitude for our freedoms which are not shared by many in our world. I shed tears of joy; joy to be once again in my land – the land of my birth. As the tears fall and my words are choked back I realize that I have come to love America more because I have been blessed to live beyond her borders and to see what our dear country offers us, her citizens.

I love that we have the right to bear arms. I love that we have the freedom of speech. I love that our religions are not mandated. I love that our government works to provide programs to help the downtrodden in our own country and around the world. I love that we can serve our country if we have the desire to serve. I love the collective goodness of our people. I love that our citizens are traveling around the world to help others in need – whether it be through churches, foundations or government. I love meeting Americans in foreign countries and hearing of their efforts to serve and make a difference in our world. I love that I belong in America and I love that America is a part of me – no matter where I am in our world.

As I have encountered the world I have come to respect the values, views and voices of wonderful people – I found that we have common interests and similar hopes. I have found that people view America as friendly and at times frightening; hopeful, helpful and at times hurtful. America’s arm of fellowship is often stretched out to welcome, to assist and to aid others. Yet, I know we can do better. America’s hope for democracy and free people throughout our world is a true and just cause – it is worth fighting for. America is full of hope and our land symbolizes that hope for so many in our world. We must live up to that expectation.

America is a country; America is a symbol; America is a beacon; but above all America is a people.

It is my hope that with all the division that we feel as Americans – whatever the root cause of our division – I hope that we, individually, can see past our disagreements and realize that ultimately we are Americans. We must learn that our disagreements can be civil. An argument can be stated and left in the hands of our fellow citizens for deciding. We must trust and respect one another sufficiently to realize that the “voice of the people” will either speak for us or against us individually; yet, that voice is the voice of America collectively. We must respect not only the voices of those who agree with us – but respect the voices of those who do not agree The ability to declare our stance on issues, listen to the views of others and then vote according to the mandates of our conscience is at the heart of our democracy. We are “the people” and we are the voice of America. .

We are a country; we are a symbol; we are a beacon; we are “the people”. We can stand as a hope to the world.

A night on the Town... Phantom Theater

While we were in Las Vegas for Christmas we saw "The Phantom of the Opera" in the Phantom Theatre at The Venetian! It was spectacular, of course. It was my husband's first time to see the musical and so I dutifully held back all my remarks until the end of the performance! (That took some work!)

This theatre was designed and the show directed by Hal Prince specifically for this musical. The theatre itself plays a role in the musical and it is just spectacular. I don't want to write any spoilers... but sufficed to say, if you are in the Las Vegas area - it is worth your time to see this classic!

The hotel itself was lovely to walk around in and listen to the gondoliers sing as they floated on the water. The artwork was breathtaking and the ambiance was enjoyable.

Inauguration Day!

On January 20, 2008 I woke up to a morning of business as usual, scriptures, waking children, making breakfast and lunches, warming up uniforms in the dryer, dressing our cold, little children (because there is NO heat in homes in Mexico), getting my swim gear ready and driving the kids to school.

When I got home I checked email and CNN - Inauguration Day! I turned on the television and finally found a CNN channel that was in English. As I began watching the crowds gathering for this historical day I decided I would go and dismiss the children from school so that they could watch history unfold in their own country - even though we are living abroad.

I picked up the children and my sweet husband surprised us by coming home to view the Inauguration. So, there we all sat, in Mexico, a little family from America watching history take place back in our home country! I have to confess, at that moment I wanted to be home, in America, to celebrate freedom and democracy! I have found that living outside of her borders engenders a greater love for all that we have inside our great country!

Although opinions differ, factions can divide and political parties spar it seemed to me that our nation was celebrating together - not solely to welcome in a new president - but to usher in a moment in the history of our country that will change our children's history books! Together, as Americans, we portrayed to the world that we have risen above the mistakes of the past. Now, it is my hope, that together, as Americans - not Democrats or Republicans, Believers or Non-believers, Black, Brown or White - but together, we can form a "more perfect union". I sincerely pray for our new President - he has been blessed with this privelege "by the people" and now it is our turn as 'the people' to make our voices heard and hope that he truly does govern "for the people".

Our anniversary!

Each 'wish list' of mine has as one of the desired items 'a memory' - every year at Christmas or my birthday or our anniversary my cute husband sees this item on my wish list and I think it vexes him a bit... but, this year he bought me a fabulous gift that will capture and preserve all of our memories! I am SO excited to begin playing with it that I can hardly wait!



Yes, you can feel my excitement! The Nikon D90! Seriously, I haven't had it in its carrying case too much! I now have pictures of my children sleeping - just because I wanted to take a picture of something! Now, I just have to find the time to read all of the manuals!