Spring break part 1

Josh and I found incredibly cheap plane tickets to Mexico City last year to visit our dear friends.  We surprised the kids with the trip at Christmas. We had bought them backpacks and bathing suits, and put a bunch of clues in there so they had to guess where we were going. I loved every minute of revealing the surprise and their reaction. And then Josh died, and all our plans and dreams died in an instant. I wasn't sure if I should still go on the trip, but I was blessed with having the perfect person join us on our adventures. While the trip has had a few hiccups (4 hour delay at the airport thus having kids up until 2 am and just get 4 hours of sleep before another long day of travel, and a bit of car sickness for the girls), overall it has been great. Even with all those travel challenges, my children have been incredible!! They had minimal complaining, bickering and arguing. They have listened so well. 

We had a delightfully relaxing day on Saturday with Ana's family at the pool at their home. The kids had a blast swimming, hot tubbing, and playing in a ball pit! I have loved seeing the kids try new foods.  They have been quite open overall to trying new things and have liked almost everything. We've had fun days of visiting the aquarium, as well as children's museum.  We had a dance party watching Trolls with all the kids. Love the songs!  Ana, Lois and I even managed to squeeze in a girl's night out of good food, great conversation and coconut beer &  margaritas!

My favorite thing thus far was our visit to Chapultepec. A Mexican castle built by King Maximillio, it is huge and expansive and gorgeous! The kids and I LOVED seeing all the different rooms, so ornately displayed.  They were cracking up that they even had a chandelier in the bathroom! :)  It was a wonderful day. I am so grateful and filled with joy that the kids enjoy visiting historic sites just as much as I do.  

I was very nervous about the trip, but thus far it has been a wonderful respite for our hearts and souls. We needed to escape for a few days from work, school, bills, and all the pressures that pull on us at home.  I thank God he had planned this respite for us, knowing we would desperately need it at this time. 

Shout for joy to the lord, all the earth. Worship the Lord with gladness, come before him with joyful songs. Know that the Lord is God. It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture. Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations. Psalm 100

Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one that takes refuse in him. Psalm 34:8