Sunday, June 17

FATHER'S DAY IN MEXICO

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY
COZUMEL MEXICO STYLE

A very blessed Family Vacation
I finally got Jeremy and the kids all to myself
HAPPY FATHERS DAY......... 
to MY and OUR 5 CHILDREN'S first love, first hero, and the man leading us all back home to Jesus. We love you Daddy💗
#fathersdayinmexico
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 FATHERS DAY IN MEXICO
We got Jeremy a picture of the five kids on canvas to hang in our house!
We sadly do not have any professional photos with Gracie Ann with us......only candids.
It will be a suffering that we missed out on that opportunity.....BUT my Lord Jesus will take all of my sorrow and store it away and exchange it for the Grace that we need to move on with life without her....
Some...honestly most days........It is just really hard
below is the close up picture that we got for our daddy

THE TRAVEL TO COZUMEL
 We ran into some nuns at the airport.....not a bad start to this vacation.....What a blessing
Thank You,  Jesus for always showing Your most Precious Face to me, when i am not even expecting it.....assuring me that You are always there with me wherever i go
(i love how You know just how to surprise Your kerry ann)
 More Airport Waiting
Wasting time at DFW as we wait for our plane
Mommy is ALWAYS trying to be silly and Madison just plays along 
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The many faces of Isaac 




 Oh he makes me laugh and just melts my heart with every look


FINALLY ON THE AIRPLANE AND ON OUR WAY TO MEXICO 



Yay......We arrived in beautiful Cozumel

 Driving into our resort......i am SUPER EXCITED to start making family memories
Rented a jeep to ride to our resort and to explore the island
Finally arrived to check out this beautiful resort


 An absolutely beautiful welcoming entrance into our resort
We could not get over all of the luscious vegetation  painted with  the most beautiful green that i have ever seen
We are definitely NOT in Texas anymore

One of the first things they gave us as we checked in......was this super yummy Guava/Zucchini juice....Isaac loved the teeny tiny cups

FIRST THINGS FIRST💗WE MUST EAT


 LOOKING AROUND THE RESORT




LOTS TO DO RIGHT HERE
The kids got to try SCUBA diving.....a Lusitg family favorite (it's in their genes) 
SUNSET


EXPLORING THE ISLAND

Driving around this beautiful island, we came upon this sweet little shrine devoted to the Divine Mercy of Jesus
It was so precious and lovely......i could have stayed there all day
" Jesus yo Confito en Ti"
Jesus, I trust in You

Inside the Shrine....hung a most beautiful crucifix adorned with pine garland and lovely red flowers
In the other nitch inside of the Shrine wall....set a gorgeous image of Our Lade of Guadalupe ...i wanted to just kneel and take in this most amazing space, as i stood in awe of Her beauty, just like Juan Diego
This is the ceiling of the Shrine, painted with an image of our Most Holy Trinity
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THE BOB MARLEY BAR

 Beautiful Beach
 Years upon years ago......Jeremy and i used to frequent Cozumel and we would ALWAYS drive around the island (on a motorized scooter) and we always visited the Bob Marley Bar
 Oops.....i made a peace sign
Okay.......correct gesture
 It was like we were first married again....the memories are so blessed

NOW.........BACKING UP TWO DAYS REMEMBERING OUR EXPERIENCE IN CUSTOMS AS WE ENTERED MEXICO......

 The border police asked Madison how old she was .....realizing that Madison was 18, he told her that she could legally drink in Cozumel because the drinking age in Mexico is 18
Needless to say.....that man became Madison's best friend and she was so antsy to try a beer at the bar
 Holding a beer and anxiously waiting to take a sip
Okay mom and dad......no more pics.....lets chug this beer down

Madison's FIRST beer
Madison's LAST beer
MADISON:  "And people LIKE to drink this.....really?!?!"

EVERYONE WHO VISITS SIGNS THE WALL AND WE HAVE ALWAYS SIGNED IT, EACH AND EVERY TIME WE HAVE COME.....BUT WE COULD NOT FIND OUR NAMES FROM OUR LAST VISIT

THE WRITTEN WORDS FADE AWAY PRETTY FAST.....
SO WE HAD TO SIGN THE WALL AGAIN
Our names signed on the wall forever.....well, until it fades or the bar repaints it
Our Family around our special place on the wall
It was very important, but saddening, as i wrote Gracie Ann's name in our inscription.....Boy, i wish that she was with us
I just miss her so much that there is always a part of my heart in constant pain......
but my Lord Jesus is always right next to me....holding my hand inside of His strong and protective Hand
HE HELPS ME TO GO ON
It is ALL You, Jesus......ThankYou, my most Loving and Faithful Father
Nicholas could not but help to add his name on a different wall
Had to stop and pose with Bob, himself..... i was very starstruck and extremely nervous, i must say
He was so nice though.....he didn't really say anything
MORE EXPLORING THE ISLAND



SO MUCH GOOD FOOD AND FUN

HAIR BRAIDING ON THE STREET
3 CORN ROWS PLEASE
This amazing lady braided Madison's hair SO SUPER fast!
A tiny car that Isaac really liked....it was THAT time of day when Isaac was NOT going to smile.....time for a nap before dinner

DINNER

Little baby boy kissses are the best
Lobster every night!!

SCUBA DIVING
with their Drive Master Gabriel
 They went SCUBA diving again....they had a REALLY great time
A perfect activity for a rainy day


Isaac played around the resort while the older 3 Scuba'd

HANGING OUT

 Putting off nap time
 Just eating some Snacks
 Isaac has this AMAZING talent of eating chips out of his toes
They are some pretty cute and tasty toes
After a quick nap.....back to swimming

 SENIOR FROGS FOR LUNCH
 Having bracelets made.....this talented young man made each bracelet in under 5 minutes.....Personalized with each child's name



MASS AT SAN MIGUEL IN COZUMEL
We were so very blessed with the privilege of attending Mass at this precious little church (The church that we have attended each and every visit to Cozumel

And just because Jesus can......He allowed all 6 of us to receive Confession before Mass (In Spanish of course)

Then after, we got to visit the Adoration Chapel, where we said our penance   It was so meet and humble, but VERY powerful!  I have never been able to be so close to our Lord in Adoration
The magnificent little Adoration Chapel
 I was within an arms reach of the Monstrance.....not that I dare touch it, but being so close to our Dear Lord Jesus Christ, Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity was something unexpected and a most beautifully intimate gift that Jesus gave to me
 The statue of San Miguel (St. Michael) next to the kneeler
 Of course near by, hung a beautiful painting of our Lord on the Cross....as a powerful reminder of the ransom that He paid for me and for Jeremy and for our children and for each and every one of the precious souls that He created in His Own Beautiful Image
 "Our Lady of Guadalupe"
I have such a special devotion to this Image. to think of all of the miracles that surround this Image......Who could deny Her.  Mary is so very beautiful...She is my example of what it means to be a wife, mother, and most importantly, a faithful servant of our Lord Jesus.
Mary's example ALWAYS leads us strait to Jesus, as her entire heart reflects His greatness.  She is transparent if her children truly look into her soul.....You only see God
My Dearest Lord,
Help me to be a reflection of You....help me to be meek and humble of heart, like Mary.  I want to be just like her, glorifying only You, God in all that I do.

WE WAITED FOR MASS TO BEGIN
And guess what......yet another surprise from our Loving Father in Heaven...
 A WEDDING FOR US TO WITNESS
It was a beautiful and humble Sacrament of love, celebrated within a regular Mass.  How can He show us yet again.....in a most unexpected way, so much delight!
The love in the eyes of the bride and her groom made my heart flutter with joy!
At one point during the Sacrament, a bridesmaid and a groomsman placed an enormous Rosary, made of silk flowers around both the bride and groom to show their unity in Christ forever
How powerful indeed
I didn't want to ever leave....I wanted it to last forever

DINNER AFTER MASS
MORE YUMMY SEAFOOD
 Look at my children's faces in this picture.....the menu was literally "back-lit" so that we could see the choices of cuisine better in the fancily dimmed room 
Here is a picture of my menu...The food was so so so good

YAY.....OUR FIRST DAY WITH PERFECT WEATHER FOR THE BEACH
 He loving made us wait (as I envisioned our entire 5 day beach trip to be sunny)...but only to be doubly delighted on that partly sunny (rain free) afternoon
 Me and my love...my sweet boy
 My other two sweet boys
 while snorkeling, Nicholas found a starfish.....still living!
I took a quick picture to remember it, but then Nicholas rushed it back into the water
 Madison looking just like a mermaid 
 Savannah enjoying the Chaise Lounge
 Isaac, you are such a cutie
 I love seeing my babies play together......that is what this trip was all about.....the beach was only a vehicle for family time
 Savannah and Isaac.......MORE sibling time

My heart is officially melting at the site
 Just me sitting and enjoying my children playing
The cliche...."beach pic with your sandy feet showing and the ocean and the horizon off in the distance"
I have waited a lot of years for this pic
God is good
 Mommy's turn in the water
I ran up and down the beach like a little girl....Jeremy was laughing pretty hard at the site.....it was quite stupid, but filled with pure joy!
I haven't really been able to run (full-out) for a long time
It was absolutely exhilarating!
God.....You are amazing and wonderful to give me such a surprise.....
The site of MY children happily playing totally  elates my soul, so I can only imagine the elation You must feel when You see YOUR beloved children so happily playing in all that You created for them.....out of Your complete and perfect Love
You ARE love!
Savannah found this teeny tiny frog.....she was instantly in love
Teeny Tiny Froggy
 Madison and Nicholas snorkeling and Isaac just being Isaac
 All of my boys (big and little)....building a sand castle......it is just so magical at any age
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The sand, the salty air, the ocean waves
The ocean is one of the first things that our Lord created....of course it's amazing 
 Coming up with a design plan
 back and forth gathering water to put into the dry sand.....pat pat pat...then out for more water
 Jeremy had the best time with his sons
THE BROTHERS
Nicholas and Isaac proudly presenting their castle with mote and tunnel 
OUR FAMILY
Six of us out of a party of seven
 💗It’s just not complete without our little Gracie Ann💗
I’ve always wanted to try this family picture pose (all holding hands)
💗We are just missing our precious Gracie Ann💗
The kind man who took the pic for us said how awesome it was to have our entire family in this picture....
“It is so hard to find time together these days”, he said.
I remained quiet as I thanked him, but it stung my heart.......I know for a fact that I wouldn’t want Gracie Ann anywhere else but with Jesus. I just miss her so much, though
💗more than i can bear sometimes💗 
BUT
It was a good day. 
I choose joy for our family and joy for my Gracie Ann in Heaven

HEADING HOME TO TEXAS
At the Aeropuerto
There was the most Adoration chapel inside the airport.......I mean I have yet to come across an Adoration Chapel that is anything less than beautiful!
Why was it there.....
The answer is yes...He IS THAT important!  He should be everywhere and He IS everywhere
See the candle signifying that Jesus is truly present Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity

I loved it so much!  I sat in there for awhile with Nicholas...just praying and listening and just felt so close to home in the Arms of my Savior.

What a perfect ending to this most special family vacation
My Dearest Jesus,
Wherever i am....You are! You are my everything and everywhere You are, is exactly where i want to be!
There is no place that You do not have total command over.  Thank You for showing Your most Beautiful Self to me wherever I might be!  
Boy do I love You so much!
I am because of You.....You are my Creator, my Protector, the Owner of my soul....You are all that i am, all that i want to be and all that i will ever be.
Thank You for the gifts that You have showered my family with.  Thank You especially for the beautiful cross that we are so blessed to carry and thank You for carrying this cross for  us when we loose our footing under it's extemely heavy weight!
This vacation was not how I had envisioned it (warm and sunny everyday) BUT this vacation was just as You desired it, and that pleases me to no end.
i love You Jesus
love, kerry ann