Redemption Part 1: Margaritas and Grace

In December of 2010, Micah and I went out for Margaritas.

Last weekend, almost three years later, we went out for Margaritas again.  Micah even wore the same shirt (on purpose!).

 

It is SO amazing to both of us how God has woven our story together, and that He has allowed us to be drinking Margaritas together again three years, and A LOT of "stuff", later.

It's pure grace.  I am so thankful this Easter that Jesus rose from the dead so that our messed-up stories can be redeemed.  Death and sin are not the end; He is writing stories of redemption!  I'm thankful that He gives us glimpses of complete redemption here on Earth through His good gifts and grace.

Micah's Visit

Micah came down last weekend for a quick trip and we had a GREAT time!  Our weekend was very low-key.  We saw family and just spent time hanging-out just the three of us.  We also threw in some cooking, so meals out, some wedding dancing practice, a bridal shower, and a gun show ;)

She LOVES Chips and Salsa!

 

And, just so everyone knows exactly how much FUN Juliet was having, I thought I would throw in this picture:

Thank you, Aunt Anita, for our blocks!

Bridal Shower's

I have been so blessed to be given two wonderful bridal showers in the last month.  Both included wonderful fellowship, food, advice, prayer time, and games.  Here are a few pictures...

My wonderful shower hostesses: Cecilia and Leah!

This shower was called "Frosting on the Cookie" since that is what we are serving at the wedding!  So, Cecilia divided the guests into three groups and they were each assigned a phase of my life to represent in cookies, frosting, and toppings.  The phases were past, present, and future.  The teams came up with AWESOME cookie representations!

My Future: Me pregnant, Juliet surrounded by all her army brothers (because I want a bunch of girls!), and lastly, me driving my mini-van with all my kids' heads out the window.  haha

My Titus 2 group from Trinity hosted a shower at Dottie's house!

 The game at this shower was so fun too!  Dottie had talked to Micah prior to the shower and got his answers to ten questions.  She then asked me the questions and I had to try and correctly guess Micah's answers.  I think I only missed two ;)

Grandmother and Aunt Becky were able to come!

Swinging and Sliding

My dad made Juliet her very own little "playground".  She loves it!  It is customized just for her :)

18 Months

Dear Juliet Isabel,

You are a year and a half!  You are spunky, opinionated, determined, losing your shyness, and very active.  You love to give kisses to everyone, especially before going to bed.  You are very much into imitating, so much so it's rather convicting when you smell clothes that are lying around (to determine if they are dirty, of course). Sigh.

 You love, love to play.  So much so, in fact, that you love to go the the nursery on Sundays for church and on Wednesdays for Bible Study.  Who doesn't love new toys?  You are such a helper too.  You will do anything that is asked of you, as long as you think it is "fun" to help.  You are really good at taking care of others and cleaning-up! That being said, you seem to understand EVERYTHING that is said to you and around you, in two languages.  ...We can't get much past you!

You are becoming more and more vocal with a growing vocabulary.  Some of your most common words are: mama, this, agua, cheese, please, gracias, up, abre, bye-bye, bebe, off, galleta, chocolate, Elmo, Wal-mart, Abue, granddaddy, papa, dada, Kaka, uno, dos, and uh-oh.

You really like your schedule and don't sleep well when things get "off".  So, when things are "on", you sleep about 12.5 hours at night and take one 2 hour nap in the afternoon.  THANK YOU!  You weigh 23 lbs (50%) and are 32 inches tall (75%).

Your main obsessions are baby-dolls, purses, being outside, and cottage cheese.  You would eat your weight in protein at every meal if I'd let you. (I am NOT exaggerating. Promise.)  You can't stand to NOT have a bow in your hair (my girl!), and anytime you see me paint my nails or brush my teeth you insist on doing the same.  You are fascinated by your bellybutton and your feet and by pointing out everybody's eyes and nose.  You love to say the blessing before meals, and while you are great at folding your hands you totally peak!  You are ticklish and clever and never still.  Your energy and the amount of life that you posses amaze me.  I'm so thankful that your little life is part of mine.

Juliet Isabel, you are oh so loved!

Love you forever,
Mom

Mexico City and Acapulco

Here is my brief overview of the trip:

Micah and I arrived last Friday, went to RUF and played ultimate Frisbee with the RUF group at the University of Mexico. Then we went Salsa dancing with friends that evening.  Saturday morning we went to Acapulco.  Spent the day at the beach and pool. Sunday we played in the pool in the morning and then did a 6 hour boat ride with two stops on two different islands where we swam and ate fresh seafood. Sunday night we headed back to Mexico City.  Monday we went to the Teotiuacan pyramids and then had dinner at Karina's house with her very lovely family.  Tuesday we went to visit friends at the Seminary where I use to live, then shopping in some downtown markets, then to RUF, and then to Plaza Coyoacan with friends.  Wednesday we went downtown to the Zocalo, a few musems, and some more market shopping. In the evening we went out to a rotating fancy restaurant to celebrate Micah's 3 years cancer free!, and then we finished off the evening out with friends for a birthday celebration and s'mores in the microwave. :)  Thursday, Micah and I had a quick breakfast in Coyoacan and then flew our separate ways home. 

I'll let the pictures tell some of the details...