Mexico parte uno

Recently we packed up our car, as Andrew stood tall at his accomplishment, “Take my picture babe,”

That was a first.

He straightened up next to the metal and wheels, some still spinning of all the bikes on the bike rack behind the now very closed car door, precarious and secure all at once.  We echoed, “Are you sure we should take all these,” a couple needed times before putting the rubber tires on the freeway and heading down.  By now, the kids can point out when we are about to cross the border, “There it is, we see it!  There’s Mexico!  See the hills!”

We cross the border and we get a finger flip to pull over, they want to check out our car, they always do.  Andrew speaks to them in Spanish and they let us go.  We are driving to the house we always stay at, but the directions are still never easy.  “At 1/4 of a mile, you will see a small sign…”

“Did we see it?  Was that it?”  Many things are changing along all those roads constantly, and for the better.

That night Andrew is cooking, he puts his all into it.  I am more free spirited with cooking, while he is exact.  He is the ruler to my paint brush.  The measuring cup to my generous sprinkle.  The fish is fresh caught by a friend, and the tacos are incredible as we settle in for the night, everyone cozy and happy to be here.  We lay on the couch, the older children pull out games because they know how to follow rules.

Elijah is throwing gang signs, don’t be alarmed, but enticed.

100% everything

There’s something about being away that draws everyone in.  Finley speaks the most Spanish, but all the kids are still learning, and they rely on each other.

I always forget how much people here love children, a family oriented culture.  When we got to a restaurant, the wait staff and even owners will all come one by one and look into the children’s eyes to say hello, their faces filled with delight to be able to see them.  If they are met with shy glances away, they just laugh kindly and wave over their shoulder, still trying to get a smile.  People are much less in a hurry here, children are not a burden.

   

 

Here is a little preview to part two:  A little girl that has always been afraid of all animals, including baby chicks and kind cats–probably even a baby kitten would cause her to recoil…but… then…

 

Until then xo