amigos.

"Each friend represents a world in us, a world possibly not born until they arrive, and it is only by this meeting that a new world is born."

-Anais Nin

I have been truly blessed with the most amazing friends. It is through friendships that have allowed for me to learn. Grow. Understand. Sympathize. Vent. Laugh. Cry. Nothing can replace the ones I consider my best friends for sure. I love these people. I miss these people. 

Coming to another country has provided a whole new experience. I have always enjoyed meeting new people and making new friends. I love learning about different people and their life. But learning all these things with a language barrier has been somewhat challenging. I have never been afraid to approach anyone...until I came here. But I learned fast that if I wanted to make friends, friends that were Mexican that is,  I was going to have to get over it. I joined the gym here and met my first friend, Paola. It was through her that I met some other people. I feel fortunate to have met these people. I enjoy them. I appreciate their patience with me and my inability to communicate efficiently. 

Also, there was another opportunity for me to meet people here that made it very easy for me. All the wives of the medical students are part of this club. And typically on Wednesdays, they all meet for lunch with the kids. It's difficult for me to attend these lunches, as they are somewhat far away from where I live and with the kids' school schedule, it's just unlikely that I can go. So I decided to host recently at my house. It was fun! It's great to be around these women. They understand exactly what I'm going through. I feel like I've been able to learn from them in different ways. 

What's hard is so many of them come and go. One of the friends I've made has made a huge impact on my short time here. She's shown me many things ranging from where to buy groceries, to where to buy jewelry, to where to get the best steak. She leaves in June. I will be sad to see her go. But I'm happy that she is done with this step and I look forward to the day that it will be me. And hopefully someone else will say that they will be sad to see me go, as I have been able to show them the ways as well. (Like where to get the best tacos and crepes :)) 

I really think as humans, we need friendships. Having any sort of companionship is uplifting. It's nice to have people really know you and love you anyway, right? Well, it is for me.

Wives lunch.

 

Me and Paola. I love this person. She is so happy. She speaks zero English but I love talking with her. Sometimes she'll just start dancing. She loves Beyonce..."Single Ladies."

This is Helena. She is beautiful. She is a children's dentist. I cannot tell you how much I love her. She speaks a little English too! She always dresses so cute at the gym and once I told her we need to go shopping and she said she buys most of her stuff in the United States and that she needs to go shopping with me!

Dinner for Paola.

All the boys. The guy second from the right is Pepe. He is like the manager at the gym and I am not exaggerating when I say that Lola LOVES him. She gives him kisses. And she reaches for him every time she sees him. And he totally reciprocates. He always tells me how beautiful her eyes are.

Stacie. Homegirl is leaving me for St. George in June. Don't know what I'm gonna do without her!

The blond girl next to Ava is Tessa. She is American, but Mexican. She's lived here most of her life. She speaks Spanish better than English. But her parents are Americans. Thank goodness for her because Ava clings to her at school.

American wives. It was Anjane's birthday so we went out to dinner. Sometimes...it's just nice to get away.. sin los ninos!! Left to right...Heather. Anjane. Verenice. me. Jen.

Friends.

My best friend. 

XO

felicidades mama.

Ava performed with her school to celebrate Mother's Day. She has been working on this for a while and has been very excited for me to go to her school and watch her do this. The last performance consisted of the whole class singing a song (in Spanish of course) to the moms. I couldn't believe it...she knew all the words! She is a smart girl and I felt very proud as I watched her.

As you can see, the theme was all 50s. The majority of the songs were taken from the movie, "Grease." I grew up watching this movie and remembering how much I loved it, I decided to pull up some of the songs on youtube to show Ava. She was so excited to hear the songs and watch them dance, etc. And mostly, I could not get over Olivia Newton-John and how freaking amazing she really looks. I mean, who can pull this off?!

 I love it.



A bit of randomness...I took these pictures of LoRo and decided she looks a lot healthier in recent weeks. Thanks to essential oils and all their goodness they can do. I am certain they are reason for Lola's turn for the better.

Bad: I must have special blood. I continue to get eaten alive by mosquitoes. J has not been bit once! Ok, I am exaggerating. It's not that bad. But I still hate them and I do get bit more than I can handle.
Good: The semester is coming closer to an end! I can't believe we have survived this long in Mexico. I can almost say...one semester down...7 more to go.

XO

Fraggle Rock.

My first daughter was born with a full head of hair. I put pig tails in her hair when she was just under a year old. When pregnant with number 2 girl, I thought for sure she'd be the same. Especially since I suffered the worst heart burn with her. (You know what they say...and there was actually a study and it has been proven true, in most cases :)) However, this was not the case. My sweet Lola has feathers for hair. It will not grow. And the little amount of hair that she does have, is so blonde. The lightest of my three. The other day we were laughing at the comparison...

It's a sad story, this girl's hair. Hopefully, someday, it will grow. Until then, ROCK ON. :)

XO

just because.

Bad: It's getting so hot here. No AC is killer. We open all the windows at night and it helps, but not really. It cools down around midnight or so. And the mornings are perfect. But around 1pm is when it starts to feel warm, then around 5 or 6 is when I want to be desnudo.
Good: I found another half marathon here! Turns out, Mexicans love running. Maybe I'll find my old friend again to keep me going.

surprise.

I have had spring fever. So very bad. I have grown so very tired of the daily, monotonous routine. I have been truly sick of J saying, "I have to study." Day in. Day out. I have been a complete beast of a wife and mom. It's true. I continued on thinking I would eventually snap out of it. Maybe I was just being nasty in the mornings and I'd feel better after I worked out? Maybe I was just having a bad day and tomorrow will be better? Nope. Just a beast. For a few weeks. The semester has just started to drag. I found myself desperately longing for the my hot summer in Arizona. Two months was feeling like two years.

One morning I was sitting at my computer and I received a new email. This email came from one of my best friend's husband. In this email he asked what I was going to be doing for the weekend... since it was going to be my best friend's birthday and all. He then proceeded to ask if he flew me up and surprised her, would J be willing to watch the kiddos. As I read, and reread the words, I completely freaked. I immediately got out of my chair and was jumping up and down and screaming. "WAS THIS FOR REAL?!?!?!?" I was going home and I was going to be there for 6 days. And J was completely supportive...he probably was thrilled even that his beasty wife was going to be gone for a few days. So the arrangements were made and I was going to return to Arizona, and the best part was...nobody knew!!!!! I didn't sleep for two nights.

I flew into Sky Harbor and the feeling of pure excitement totally came over me. Who knew I'd be so thrilled to see cactus, desert, and flat roads? When B picked me up from the airport and we drove to their house, I was overcome with so much happiness, it was obnoxious. Driving by ASU, seeing In and Out Burger, I mean, all of it was making me happy. I know B could understand my state of mind, as he served a mission in the Dominican Republic, so while I may have been ultra crazy with my happiness and excitement, he was probably remembering similar feelings himself.

The best part...the surprise. B goes inside to tell my dearest friend, Jenesey, her birthday present came a little early and it was in the garage. So she comes down and I couldn't help myself...I screamed when I saw her. And, of course, instant tears. And when I saw her kids, I had to squeeze them. It was the best. And I think I kept hugging Jenesey. The other wonderful part is that she just had a baby a week ago so I was able to see him. I was loving the feeling of her house, the smells (her house always smells so good, even her garage smells good!). I wanted to kill her for looking so amazing, being that she gave birth to a baby less than a week prior!
Then, my other best friend lives right next door! So of course we had to go surprise her as well. Again, instant tears. Her reaction was priceless. You know, I knew I missed my girls...but I didn't realize how much until I saw them. You spend time cultivating relationships and I had this small fear that my absence would make things different. Not at all.
Then... my sister, who lives down the street was next. I almost didn't bring Lola, but I knew my sister would kill me if I didn't so she came and surprised her too. We got to stay at her house and it was perfect that way. I got to spend time with my sweetest, fattest, most delicious nephew, Jack. And I completely enjoy my nieces. I love the ages they are in right now. So helpful. So sweet.
Then I surprised another beautiful friend of mine, who's reaction was sord of delayed. I think it took a whole minute for her to recognize that I was actually standing in front of her at her door. She and her husband are truly some of my favorite people in the whole world and to spend time with them both is something that really makes me happy.
I also got to see my mom and mother in law, and even though I have seen them more recently, it was still wonderful to see them again...in Arizona.

So here's what I realized during my time in Arizona:

• I love Trader Joe's. They have the best selection of yummy, yet somewhat healthy treats. 
• Food. Some of the places I went to: Costa Vida, The Coffee Shop, Pita Jungle, In and Out, The Tortilla Factory, Nielsen's, and Yogurt.
• Flat roads. Really. It's no joke. Driving in Mexico is such a nightmare. The roads are so bumpy and there are topes (speed bumps) everywhere. 
• Lifetime Fitness Gym. The machines worked so good. It has air conditioning! The people are amazing. The classes are awesome. Love this place.
• The radio. I never listen to the radio down here. It was so nice to turn it on. I especially enjoyed the jam sessions with my ghetto-sister. So glad she will still get down with me. Even though we are getting old.
• Carpet. Having this in your house really helps with a lot of things. Mainly, keeping the noise out when the baby is sleeping. With tile throughout, you can hear EVERYTHING. Thus, waking up sleeping baby. Not cool.
• Family. Friends. The time spent with the people I love was completely and totally what I needed. I didn't realize how homesick I was. I wanted to stay up every night to absorb as much as I could.

Before I left to Mexico, I remember asking B what he would miss the most about America if he had to move away. He laughed and said, "Um, AMERICA." I didn't fully understand what he meant until now. 

So has anyone ever done something so significant, that you're so overwhelmed with gratitude. And you don't know if there's any possible way you can express it that will make them understand? That is how I feel. All I can say is thank you. Thank you Jenesey for having a birthday. Thank you B for flying me home. You made it possible for me to see friends and family who made the time to see me and allowed me to interrupt their busy schedules. Thank you Jessica for being the sister that you are, and for loving Lola.

I feel rejuvenated. I feel like the beast is gone and I am once again ready to conquer this insanity. I feel like I can handle 6 more weeks here and it will go by a little faster now.

Here are some pics...sorry about my bad camera! 

LoRo on the plane...she has no idea :)

My girls.

Dinner at Tortilla Factory. Thanks Kris for always liking the same things I do so we can order and share our food. You are a beautiful person. I appreciate you. I love that you can always read my mind. I am glad we are friends.

When these two are around, it's a guarantee for some entertainment. Club 4 :)

Birthday girl. Love you. (One week postpartum..hate you) Jenesey, the only person I know who can do it all. She makes everything seem so effortless. She is an example. She is wonderwoman.

B and Jenesey at Tortilla Factory.

Yes I am totally the third wheel. It was totally fun anyways! And Jon Sarager...always make me laugh...

Ugly pic but really...Jon Sarager...always makes me laugh!!! In fact, I laughed this hard the whole night. Dallas...great idea with the youtube videos.

Sweetest, newest member of J's family. Baby girl Lucy. She was perfect.

Easters.

Can you believe we used to hate each other? We fought all the time. Who knew we'd ever become so close. I was so sad to leave her at the airport. I felt a little empty.

This little person is so fun to be around. I especially loved hearing her chain-smoker voice again.

This little man is my boyfriend. He wouldn't leave my side. He followed me to the bathroom. He sat on my lap. He kept hugging me and kissing me. He told me I was cute. I could have boxed him up and taken him home. He is seriously the cutest little man. He has little man muscles. He is tender. He is going to be a heart breaker. I love it.

Love love love for these ladies. (and little people)

Baby boy Bode. He was so good the whole time. I think I heard him cry once.

CHEESEBURGERS! Krew...smart, thoughtful little man. Cash...happy, silly little man. Loved having dinner with Kris and the kiddos. 

Again...THANK YOU.

XO

feliz.feliz.

Today is a happy day. Today is when Lupita...my mom :) will be turning one year older. 

I am glad my mom was born. 

I am glad for the many things she has taught me. 

I am glad that she is Mexican! 

I am glad that she knows how to have a good time.

I am glad she loves Zumba and wouldn't miss it for anything. 

I am glad she is brutally honest. 

I am glad that she is confident.

I am glad that she loves to eat good food.

I am glad she loves music.

I am glad that she has an unwavering testimony of the gospel.

I am glad that when I return home, she will be the first person I see. 

Feliz Cumpleanos. 

Mucho amor.

XO

Lupe y Lola

I have had quite a busy week. First, let me preface with some information about my most recent visitors:

• My mom and aunt are twins
• They are from Veracruz, Mexico and they didn't even live in the U.S. until their 20s
• When the two of them get together, watch out. It's a party. And practically nothing is going to get in their way.

This busy week included some amazing things while my mom and aunt stayed here with me in Guadalajara. Here are some of the many things we enjoyed :

• Lots and lots of food. We ate at some amazing restaurants, lots of tacos, churros, crepes, and icecream. 
• Movies at the VIP theatres. These theatres are amazing. You sit in lazy boy seats that recline all the way. There are mini tables in between seats where there are menus that you can order items such as: drinks, candy, popcorn, sushi, pizza, smoothies, etc.
• Shopping! We went to Tonala, Tlaquepaque, and San Juan. Tlaquepaque was my favorite. It's an artsy place. Beautiful architecture. Fun shops. Tonala is a good experience because they have so much and it's so cheap. 
• We went to the Teatro Degollado and saw a show. The theatre was beautiful. The show was kind of long but still a good experience.

Being that these women are true Mexicans, they reminded me of some of the things that are amazing here that I will miss when I leave someday:

• In the mornings, I drive by this little stand where this young girl squeezes oranges and drains the seeds and pulp. I get fresh squeezed orange juice with no added sugar or preservatives. I give this to my kids almost everyday. 
• The fruit and vegetables market is amazing. The produce is soooo good, and it lasts forever. The guy that works there is so nice. He loves to give me samples of everything, which is smart, because I almost always end up buying it. And it's also so very cheap! 
• I can actually afford a cleaning lady here! And it is worth every penny. It gets so dirty here.

I am grateful to be reminded of how fun it is here. Don't misunderstand, it is still Mexico. Bad roads. Lots of dirt. Lots of Spanish. An occasional drug bust. But I'm glad to live in this big city full of so much life and culture. I'm glad to have had these women absorb it all and enjoy themselves.

I will say one more thing...we all got sick by the end of their stay. Not a great way to end the week.

Good: We put grass in our front and back yards and it looks so pretty and it will help keep the dirt out.
Bad: I am so sick of my kids having permanent diarrhea. Their little stomachs just can't seem to get used to it here. Lola misses her 2nd mommy...still wants to be held all the time. Two more months...

XO