Viva Mexico!

Airport snackin'!
Turner and her Mexican Amiga, Lucia

Sweet Boys!
Within MINUTES of arriving at our Casa, Parker had put this hose in his mouth and had a nice, long drink. I was honestly terrified that would be IT for him, as I am pretty sure sucking the garden hose in Mexico is not on the list of "things to do to ensure a happy stomach." Thankfully, his tummy must be made of steel, because he did not get sick!

More playing...

Can you spell T-R-O-U-B-L-E?

Ahhhh....the fountain. Also a favorite for Parker. Much to Turner's dismay, he gave several of her Barbies baths in this very fountain. Later, he would give himself a bath in it!

Silly boy!

The contents of our Mexico Mission bags (more on that later)

Turner outside of her favorite "blue door" bakery. We came here each morning and bought a huge assortment of sugary, bad-for-you items to take home for breakfast! This would definitely make her highlights list of the best things to do in San Miguel.

The Paroccia -- a beautiful church in the center of town.

Another shot...

One of the side streets. Notice all the decorations hanging to commemorate the bicentennial of Mexican independence! All the streets were full of flags, streamers, lights, etc.

Daddy and the kids in the square at night.

The crowning of Miss San Miguel -- Turner was in heaven watching all the fancy gowns, etc.!

Turner and Pops and Gammy watching the reenactment of the Mexican Revolution in the square.

Daddy -- The transportation of choice! He got good workouts on the cobblestone streets, with a backpack weighing over 30 lbs. and a girl who wanted an occasional ride, too!

A typical San Miguel wedding, complete with Mariachis, Burros and shot glasses of tequila...

Happy Boy!

My girl!

Sweet Chicka!

This is hilarious! I was trying to get a shot of both kids, but Parker ended up IN the fountain shortly after I pressed the button for this one! :) I think he realized how un-fun Barbie felt when she was dunked!

Ready for supper

Ole, Ole -- one of our favorite restaurants, where there is a huge collection of bullfighting memorabilia.

Ole, Ole!

Mmmmmm...care for some salad? Here is how lettuce arrives at the Mercado. Fun to look at, but not fun to eat for the Gringos!

Turner and me in the square

We had the huge privilege of taking the kids -- once again -- to San Miguel de Allende, Mexico. They did so well and are becoming quite the world travelers! I think all those long car trips to South Carolina have really paid off, because Turner and Parker could not have behaved any better or been any more flexible!

Parker was completely taken by the planes, trains and automobiles...not to mention all the TRUCKS that work on the planes. Turner was just excited to be "going and doing."

This trip is so special to us on so many levels.

First, it is great family time -- and what an awesome privilege to be with family and have the opportunity to share in such a rich cultural experience. I started traveling to San Miguel the summer before Thomas and I were married, and this was my sixth year, so it holds quite a special place in my heart!

Second, it is such a wonderful chance to teach our children that everyone doesn't drive around on a golf cart and live the way we do. It is our deep desire and prayer for Turner and Parker to understand how truly blessed they are, to learn that there are many different (equally valuable) ways of doing things and to see the world/have compassion for the people of the world, who may be suffering, hungry, cold, weary, etc. And, praise God, San Miguel is a perfect "classroom" for them. There were several conversations we had with Turner that warmed our hearts...just knowing she is "getting" it.

One such conversation started like this: "Mom, have you noticed that the people here have dark brown skin? That no one has skin like ours?" Yes, child. God created us all differently -- using all the colors of the world! We are ALL "fearfully and wonderfully made!"

Another: "Mom, did you see that lady? We have to give her some Pesos! She might need them. She might be hungry." (One such incident weighed so heavily on her, that we turned around and walked a full block back to give one of the street women some extra Pesos.) Praise God, because when we do it for the "least of these," we do it for HIM!

We also did our "Mexico Mission" again this year. Turner planned it out and decided to give away crosses, fruit snacks, lollipops, silly bands, peanut butter crackers, lemonade, granola bars, soap, wipes and mints to the widows, women and children begging on the streets. We gave away 25 bags during our week there. It was awesome. One widow literally chased Turner down in the artisans market (long after receiving her bag) to bless Turner and give her a rag doll she had sewn together as a thank you. It brought tears to our eyes to see. "Feed my lambs..."

Another highlight, was that Turner got to play with her Mexican friend, Lucia. We met Lucia last year, and we managed to find her phone number and have her over to play two different times. It was precious to see the two girls. They didn't say much, but they didn't really need words -- they just played together and smiled at each other. At the end of the day, we humans all want to connect, don't we? And most of the time, our children know how to do it better than we do.

One funny story I don't want to forget: We were in the town square one night (the Jardin), and I was holding Turner. She looked up at me with HUGE saucer eyes and said, "MOM! You HAVE to see this." She turned my head around with both hands and showed me a street woman with her baby suckling her breast. It was not at all discrete, and my Dr. Brown's bottle fed child could not believe it. "Do you SEE what that baby is sucking on, Mom?! Do you see that???!!" Guess she and I need to have a discussion! :)

Finally, September of this year is particularly special, because it marks the bicentennial of Mexico's independence. San Miguel de Allende sits at the heart of the Mexican Revolution which led to Mexico's independence from the Spaniards in 1810. The town is named after Ignacio Allende, one of the two key leaders of this movement. So...needless to say, in a country that knows how to throw a Fiesta, there were lots of fireworks, light shows, reenactments, flags and fun!

Thank you, Gammy and Pops, for allowing us to visit you in such an amazing and beautiful place! We are blessed beyond any words and we just pray that we will continue to pour out our blessings on others and that they might see Christ in us.