Cinderella's helper is at it again!

Today's goal...wash the blinds in the kitchen!  Tomorrow...our bedroom blinds!  Yikes...the dust!  We were able to have windows open quite abit recently and the dust and pollen surely is not good for breathing.  "I am just helping my family's immune system...a little dirt doesn't hurt!"

 My friend and I were talking about being wives and moms.  It has been a busy couple months for the mom schedule.  We realized we needed to do something together to encourage each other.  We took time out to do something fun and be crafty!  It was a blessing to sit and talk about things of the Lord and make pretty cards.  I am thankful for people that God brings into our lives at certain times.  I put it into the perspective of discipleship that we have been challenged with in our church.  We all need encouragement and it looks different at different stages of life!  Bonus...a friend who had the same view "What?  We are supposed to wash walls?  Who does that?"  And then we laughed!

This summer's sleep schedule...

has been super wonky!  Both Ted and I are having issues!  Some nights the dogs have issues!  And it always, always, always catches up with us sooner or later!

**School is now just 54 days away!  However will I convince myself to get it together for that?!**
 

Time with my sis

Mari and I met up to have lunch and re-connect after each of our families went in opposite directions for our family vacations.  They went north and we went south...way south.  She asked to try this new market and bistro.  It was a fun place to explore!  We sat out in a big area with stained glass style windows...hence the yellow and green casts to our lovely selves.  We felt so healthy drinking their special purified water!

There was a Californian eclectic natural organic type vibe.  We tried one of the specials of the day and split it so we could have dessert!  Flatbread...with chicken, tomatoes, red onion, avocado, and balsamic drizzle.  Yum!

And tiramisu for dessert!  Double yum!  A fun place for us to go and enjoy sister time before her next infusion and procedure.  Praying Mari through each day....and remembering to be thankful that God gives exactly what we need for each day!

 

Dating while we can in the month of July

It was a night with everyone gone...which means...we grill salmon for our dinner date!  It was delicious!  It was so fun to go on vacation...but it is so comforting to come home and enjoy the time together here too.

We will be celebrating 23 years in August!  I have been very mindful lately of all that has happened over those years together!  And we are getting ready to face some new things this month...

I'm extra thankful for the love of a wonderful man!

I'm thankful for the freedom of this great country...and a church family to help pray for and encourage us as we help our children take the next steps.

My American loving big boy with big plans just might make this momma's heart explode with his goal.

And then there is this girlie who has a start date for her new job...July 28...in Tennessee! Life is changing in big ways for all of us again.  My heart is in my throat these days!

 

Soaking up all the memories we can

                                         A look out from the shore across the Bay of Banderas.

Monday's day trip was cancelled due to Hurricane Enrique!  On Sunday, the city marina (the main port for all excursions) closed the marina and cancelled all activity.  So we got a refund for that...had brunch at the resort with all the other people whose plans had changed...and spent the day at the pool!

We watched and listened to the waves crashing in the Bay of Banderas.  The clouds were interesting to watch...but no rain till late night.

We took Uber rides down to the Malecon for the evening.

Teddy and the girls went in one and we followed.  It is always fun to ride and see the sights!

Got the kids to try the special drink...tuba.  It is refreshing and I wish we could duplicate the flavor!

Waiting for Ted...he was visiting the pharmacia.  We watched the waves crash.  We had fun watching people too.

A neat Italian place on the Malecon for supper!  Wood-fire oven pizza 

Waiting for the uber drivers to take us back to the resort.  Teddy and Ted are pros at this!

Ice cream on the balcony...with two spoons!  The kiddos were on their balcony with their own ice cream choices.

Too much sun...we used the shade!  Ted listened to podcasts between swims.

I read and people watched.  The second time ordering this combination by the pool because it was so good...fish tacos!  Notice...no kids were around for these.  "We didn't want to share with them anyway!"

Vacation is complete....saw an iguana!

Vacation is complete.  Kari bartered for a lace cardigan and got it for 400 pesos rather than 550 pesos!

"I'll sit in the sand for you, baby, on our last night of vacation!"  We could see the sky and sunset better!

The resort next door had live music on the beach and then had fireworks!!!  What a fun and festive night!  We ended the day with a night swim and went back to the room to shower and pack...relaxed!

Flying home on June 30th...not as early of a flight!  Dad had coffee. Mom had cold caffeine and a real healthy treat...favorite cookie in Mexico!!!  Gamesa...caramel.

The girls and Starbucks drinks and paninis.

Teddy and his drink and breakfast sandwich.  Ready or not...time to head home...everyone had to be back for work...except Mom!

Riding the skyline to the other terminal...it is a whole highway system!  So glad we didn't have to walk that far! YIKES...Dallas airport is huge!

Chickfila for lunch/supper in Dallas on our 2 hour lay over.

                                                                The keeper of the sauce!

                                                 Really? You are taking my picture now?!  Yep!

We almost didn't get to get on the plane.  We stood in line to get our seat assignments and found out the plane was full.  They were asking for volunteers to wait till Thursday.  The guy was a scattered mess who started checking people in too late to have a plan...we think someone didn't show up for their shift.  An airline attendant was not checked in correctly and he was messing with that...and lecturing people to wait. American Airlines out of Dallas to Detroit did not impress us in the least!  Ted went ahead and boarded.  We learned last time with the airlines we do two reservations...Ted on one and Teddy on another so the airline doesn't cancel one of them...even though they have different passports and birthdays!  We (the 3 kids and I) were third in line to checkin...and the absolute last on the plane.  Unbelievable!  We are thankful for smoothness in travel up to that point! Uff da!

Coming in to Detroit at 10:30pm!  The lights are always neat up high.  Soon...home sweet home!

We took the shuttle to get our van and arrived home about 12:00am.  The puppies were glad to see us and we had to play for a little while before going to bed.  It is always fun to be gone on vacation and do special things...but it is always nice to come home with grateful hearts!