HB2Y Adrian

Happy Birthday Adrian!!!! WOW, The big 7!

Adrian I am as proud of you as any father could be with his son. I know things aren’t always easy but you truly are one of heaven’s troopers!

Did you know that you are the answer to one of my prayers? I am so thankful to have you in my life!! I love the way you help take care of Mommy and Jade, it’s so sweet.

I hope you had fun at your party yesterday! I saw the photos Mommy put up on her blog; I esp. liked your cake. That was awesome!!

Since I wasn’t able to be there we are going to be celebrating your birthday here later today so check back in a bit for the video of that.

I love you so, so much. No arguing with me now as to who loves each other more, we both know who wins…LOL! I hope to see you soon!

HB2Y Joy

Danny (16) and Joy (of Andrew)

Today was Joy’s birthday! There are only a few of us home at the moment but we had a small party. The gifts were original, from candles and chocolates to table cloths and gifts wrapped in table cloths. (Hmmm……no comment!)

The birthday dinner was:

Happy Birthday Joy, I hope and pray that this New Year is a good one for you. I am thankful for your friendship and am glad for the privilege of being able to work with you on a daily basis!

Rest Day Brunch

Clowning Around

Today we had an event to which our home sent 4 clowns. Here are some photos from the day!

10 Years Back...

These two pics are from my 1997!

The top one was my wallpaper and avitar pic.

And yes, the photo below is me!

Carnaval (Feb 13th-21st)

About a month ago I started seeing bleachers being set up along the sides of the road for a 5 mile stretch from Downtown Veracruz along the coast towards Boca Del Rio; those were the first signs of Carnaval. I was to find out that Carnaval Veracruz has become the 3rd largest in the World, following Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) and New Orleans (USA). The paid seating on the bleachers accommodates over 750,000 people turning Veracruz into the largest paid auditorium in the world for that week.

Having been to many parades in the States I had a certain idea of what to expect. An orderly precession with fascinating floats, flag waving spectators behind guard rails along the parade route, a feeling of “Oh, that’s nice!” in the air. I should have left my expectations checked at the door.

CARNAVAL IS WILD!!!!!

I mean they do have cool floats and decent shows but the whole “let’s party” feel seeps into your soul! Okay so the best part was being able to get right into the parade and walk/dance/run/party with the precession, dancing with perfect strangers and running into friends.

Make sure you check out the video clip!! Running time, 3:08.

HB2 John – the Champ

Yes John this post is for you! I know you thought I was going to forget your birthday….but I didn’t. So you’re probably sitting there reading this laughing at me that I got it on the wrong day and because it’s late, well there are three reasons.

1.) I believe that belated birthday wishes can be some of the best and most remembered ones and can make the recipient feel like they are still having their birthday.

2.) My laptop is in the shop for repairs so my internet time and access has been somewhat limited lately. (I know that sounds more like an excuse than a reason.)

3.) I was out at Carnaval last night dancing in the streets with strangers celebrating the day of your birth! (Hehe…too bad you weren’t here, so many girls here dig bald heads. I did drink an extra beer for you. You know me, looking out for my buddy!)

So I am wishing you the best in your New Year and in the moves that you and your family are in the process of making. I will be praying for everything to work out and for the Lord to supply all your needs.

Thanks for the friendship you have showed me over the years and always making me feel like an equal, you have no idea how much it helped! GBY!

Happy Birthday!

I just want to tell you how much that I love you,

You are the reason I'm living today

Again and again the Lord and you saved me,

My Family, my Family, I need you always

My Family, my Family, I know it's right my Family

My Family, my Family, I need you today

My Family, my Family, I know it's right my Family,

My Family, my Family, I'll love you always

I'm sorry I hurt you when going without you,

Thinking that my way was the only way,

Again and again the Lord and you saved me,
My Family, my Family, I need you always

Mini Bar Additions

My brother Jason gave me $20 bucks this past week for an addition to my mini bar. Thanks Jason!!

I had to get the Smirnoff Vodka and the Conti is almond liqueur. I tried that on vanilla ice cream the other night, very nice!

I am thinking of throwing a party, would anyone like to come? We have an empty house at the moment so there's plenty of room.

Just For YOU!!

Today’s Goal…

…was to have each person that looked at me smile. Did I reach my goal? NO! But hey let’s look on the bright side, I have the same goal for tomorrow…and maybe I will succeed.

The highlight of my day…was talking to a good friend that I don’t normally have the opportunity to communicate with. Thanks J.M. our conversation was a great one, just like in times gone by!

The-Glitch

A few months ago I checked out the radio site called The-Glitch, a site dedicate to playing all Family music. I thought it was cool and knew I would be back. Somehow I totally forgot about it and only last week rediscovered it.

I still think it’s great so with the help of The-Glitch team (thanks Tino) I have added a link to the radio on their site. By clicking on the “Launch Radio” link above my profile you will be able to listen to the radio just like from their site.

If you haven’t yet had the chance to check out their site I hope you find that chance soon.

Happy Listening!

Bananas 4TL

BBQ

Yesterday ended our Feast we had a relaxing day and the parents had family day. With a large BBQ in the afternoon. There was so much food and some of the best we have had in the home for as long as I can remember. I really wish I had taken so photos of the fun and the dinner spread, (sorry BabyLove) I guess I will next year!

No Bibles?....

You know the World is bad when they took bibles out of schools…

…What is it when they take them out of Church conventions?

HB2Y Vixy

Well Vixy, I just wanted to say sorry I missed posting on your birthday but I do have a good reason...I was feasting. Thanks for letting me share this lovely pic of you with the World! ;) Wow, the big 2-0. I remember my 20th birthday was fun and crazy all at the same time.

Am praying for you and hoping that this year is one of your best.

In other news, Ali (of Nathan) Has started a blog. Check it out!

Food and Feasting

There is always a debate in homes as to what meal of the day is the most important. Many say Breakfast is and eat huge obscene amounts of food, while others say its not good to eat breakfast at all unless it’s something like “Wheaties- the Breakfast of champions,” and still others prefer the “Fit For Life” way of just fruits before noon.

Now, I am not trying to start a debate here, I am just going to tell you about me…LOL! I am not so much of a breakfast eater in general or if I do I try to stick to just fruit, something light. However if I feel like eating I do, I often am just not hungry yet. But if you put me anywhere near a Golden Corral breakfast buffet I can do some serious damage.

I am talking about food as today I was the cook for all three meals. This is unusual since I am not a cook, however I do try.

This is a photo of the “Breakfast of Champions” that I served this morning. Simple, yet with something for everyone. It was scrambled eggs, croissants, papaya (the only thing I ate) and homemade apple pie. Thanks Joy, for making the pies.

Lunch was hotdogs…no need to talk about those.

Dinner was Mojarras, a fish that we eat quite a bit here. The funny thing is that the mojarras that are caught here in Veracruz are exported to the States so the ones we eat are imported from China where they are grown in fish farms. Go Figure.

Chinese Fish Farm Village

Well it’s quite the job since we get the fish whole they need to be cleaned and gutted, their heads removed then frozen until we use them. Once they are thawed I marinated them for about six hours before deep frying them whole. This went along with mashed potatoes and a side salad.

Everyone ate so I guess the home will live another day.

Sunday we begin our Feasting days thru Thursday. I am so looking forward to it since I missed the last two being I wasn’t in the Fam. for them. So this will be my last post till Friday at the earliest. Hope you enjoy the links and they keep you busy. Feel free to comment even though I won’t be getting back to you till later next week.

Cheers!!

No Man Is An Island…..

I have heard that saying all my life and although I know it to be true sometimes life feels like no matter what you’re doing it’s not having an effect. This has been an unshakable feeling that I have had for about a week and I was really starting to get desperate with the Lord about it cuz I don’t like thinking that way.

The Lord is always so faithful to answer and this time He sent His answer in the form of an email that I received a couple days ago from someone that I met while visiting another home not too long ago. They were also a visitor in that home. Here is an excerpt of that email.

“Thank you for being there during that time I was there, you made me feel a lot more comfortable then I ever could've been had you not been there.”

All I can say is: “It’s only Jesus!”