Laura's Story

I don't know why it took me SO long to carve out the time to listen to Laura's story?!   Powerful words of ENCOURAGEMENT and TRUTH!    


 The story
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tDiTuSLSJB8&feature=related

The song
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1CSVqHcdhXQ&feature=related

The HOORAYde!

 This past Friday we headed downtown for the Battle of Flowers "Hooraaaaay-de" as Audrey would say.  :)

   When I was a little girl, my parents would take Sandy and I to see the princesses, beautifully decorated floats... I wanted my kids to experience Fiesta in San Antonio at least once.  Because, well Tevye (Fiddler on the Roof) said it best,  it's "Tradition!  Tradition!!"

 God Bless America!

 "We'll live in fame or go down in flame.  Hey!!  Nothing'll stop the US Air Force!"

 A gorgeous day + a couple of raspas = :)  :)  :) :)

Mya's and Audrey's favorite part of the parade, of course. 

 It is tradition for the crowd to yell, "Show me your shoes!!"  This year, most of the princesses were wearing boots.  This pair of received the loudest applause.  Go Spurs Go!!!!!!

 And this is the train - ABSOLUTELY GORGEOUS!

 After the parade, Mya asked me if she could be a princess one day and I didn't quite know what to say.  Is "honesty the best policy", even if it means crushing her dream?  Or, should I just bust out in song, " A dream is a wish your heart makes..."  Being a parent isn't easy. ( loooooong sigh)   

 Due to the large number of school districts and growth within the last 10 yrs, only some of the highschools are chosen participate in the parade.  Those granted permission by the SA Fiesta Commission, bring their HS band; however, very few bring their cheer squads and dance team.     

 The "Charreada Charros" of SA

The "Pooper Scoopers" always get a pretty good round of applause.  :) 

Viva Fiesta!!

Ay Ay Ay! "Livin' la vida loca!"

                       Lets get this party started! 

Maybe I should have come up with a name for my blog like "PARTYANIMALS.blogspot"  or something hahaaaaa  But c'mon!  Do you really want me to write about things of a serious nature?  I think there are enough opinionated voices out there ready to share their thoughts with you.  Sure, I like to get a little deep every once in a while and share what's on my heart.  However, I just don't feel "led" :)  to be one of those women that writes about deep controversial issues or a 100000000000 reasons why I am thankful.  Please don't misunderstand, I DO appreciate and follow some very interesting, thought provoking blogs.  I enjoy, take that back, LOVE talking (bet you never would have guessed that huh.  haaaaaa), "discussing" with passion, and late night table talk with a cup of coffee in my hand.  :)   I am thankful for women like Ann Voskamp http://www.aholyexperience.com/ann-voskamp/ and the reminders to be thankful and joyful in ALL circumstances!  I hope you do see, in my posts, that I am thankful for all the blessings God has so graciously bestowed on me and my family!  All the photos you see on my blog of of us having fun, partying...  are pictures of us celebrating the life God has given us.  We rejoice, find peace, and happiness (yes happiness, not just the spiritual joy we as Christians so often speak of) in where He has placed us because we are in His will.
Life is tough and often throws a curve or 2 in our path.
This world is crazy.
Life is crazy.
And anyone who doesn't hold firm to the Truth is bound to go LOCO.
The past couple years have been full of changes, something my first born personality doesn't easily embrace.  There were times, many MANY times, I thought I would lose my sanity.  God has not only shown me mucho :)  grace during those moments, but made clear that each one of those heart-breaking, tear-filled moments are chapters I can add to my life story, my testimony.  I do record them in my journal.  I want to remember God's faithfulness.  Maybe one day they will make it to my blog...  For now, I primarily will post pictures of us enjoying the simple pleasures of life.  Know that every smile you see, every laugh you can almost hear, every sparkle of joy in our eyes caught on film; is not a merely the result of our external circumstances, but the reflection of our very existence, our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.  
 
Back to the party. :)

A couple weeks ago, as I chowed down on lunch and chatted with my sis at our kitchen table, I found myself itching to throw a "Spring Fling"; our very own Fiesta flambeau!

One thing led to the next and this is what we ended up with:
Only bummer was that I TOTALLY forgot to bring out the cascarones (confetti eggs)!!   How I forgot; I don't know.  Ah well...  

 Painting ceramics

 Easter egg hunt

 Water balloon fight

 Slip'n'slide  It took every ounce of self control to not steal one of the inflatable boogie boards from the kids... ;)

 Sweet treats

Thank you friends for making this day so fun for my kids!!