Sabino Canyon

Today was unseasonably cool, with the temperature at noon just over 70.  I suggested to Papa that we go to Sabino Canyon for a hike.  We were on our way by 1, under partly cloudy skies.  As we rode the shuttle up the canyon, rain started falling and just poured.  The temperature dropped and we were cold, not dressed for rain.  By the time we got to the turnaround, only sprinkles were falling, so we got out and walked the 3.7 miles back to the parking lot.  Sabino Creek was running.  The air was crisp.  We enjoyed the afternoon in Sabino Canyon!

Confirmation

Rudy invited us to his cousin, Vannessa's confirmation on Mother's Day.  We went to St. Joseph's Catholic Church for the 11 AM service and watched as 60 were confirmed.  Each of the confirmands went through two years of weekly confirmation classes with their Dads.  We enjoyed joining a packed sanctuary with a congregation of mostly immigrants from all over the world.  Vannessa was beautiful, dressed in white.  We joined her family and friends at McCormick Park for a picnic later in the afternoon.  The meal was delicious and topped off with chocolate and strawberry tres leche cakes. We had a great time!  We were honored to be part of such a special day for Vannessa.

Happy Mother's Day

The journey of being a mother is like no other.  Having adult children with their own children is the gift that keeps on giving.  Receiving their phone calls to tell me of their day and what they've done with their children (my grandchildren) is the best part of my day.  I love the memories we make spending time together at our house or meeting to spend a few days in a foreign place.  I work at learning and staying current to try and keep up with them as adults.  Being mother to Audrey, Claire, Whitney, and Brian is the continuing experience in my life that I am blessed to have and am most proud.  

Thank you, Brian, for the beautiful bouquet.  Thank you, Audrey, Claire and Whitney, for the Red Door Spa experience.  I love each of you. 

Happy Mother's Day!

Come and Take It Party

As we packed for the move to our Tucson house, we edited all our things and continued to edit after we moved in.  We packed box after box of items that we could no longer use.  We took a load to Dallas in February.  Brian took a load two weekends ago, when he drove the truck back to Texas.  We gave some things to the Boys & Girls Clubs, and we invited "our Boys & Girls Club kids" to a Come and Take It Party today.  Meybelyn, Gabi, Alex, Tati, Sergio, Rudy, and Alan arrived at 11.  Their charge was to "take it all!"  They chose what they wanted.  We packed a box for David to send with Alan.  Within an hour, they had their piles ready to pack their cars.  Voila!  They came and took it!

After all the work of choosing things to take home, we had a four course lunch on the porch, with salad, pizza, fruit, and gelato.  Everyone talked about their college/high school experiences and told us of their summer plans.  Alan will study for a month in Australia, Gabi and Alex will intern in Maryland, Tati is spending a few weeks shadowing a doctor and visiting family in Cameroon, Rudy will go to Mexico to help his family work on their second home, Meybelyn will be working, and Sergio is taking a summer college course and working.  They're all doing interesting things!  We are so proud of them!

Mountains Out Every Window

We have enjoyed mountain views from our home every day since September 2003.  We love our mountain views from our Tucson home, with the Santa Catalina range so close to our north, and the Tucson and Santa Rita ranges to our south. The highest point in the Santa Catalinas, is 9,157'.  They are tall mountains!  We love seeing them as we wake up in the morning, walk through our house, or have breakfast.  And we can't leave our driveway without seeing the Tucson mountains!

Brian's Visit

One of the last vestiges of the ranch to find a home for, was Papa's truck.  He offered it to Brian, so Brian flew from Dallas to take possession and drive it home.  Brian arrived on Thursday morning.  After lunch we drove to a pizza place near the University of Arizona campus, to meet with several students that are recipients of scholarships from CDH Foundation.  Papa serves on the CDH Foundation Board.  Four students took time to meet with us, during their Finals Week.  They are a busy bunch and we are proud of each of them.  Brian took this photo of us with the students.

Papa and Brian went to the Pima Air and Space Museum this morning.  We met for lunch at The Hub, in downtown Tucson, and they couldn't stop talking about how much they enjoyed seeing all the aircraft at the Museum.  We talked much of the afternoon.  After dinner, Papa rode with Brian to fill up the truck with gas.  He will leave tomorrow morning, to drive back to Dallas.  Its been a whirlwind trip for Brian and we have enjoyed every moment!

Guitar Orchestra

We went to the Tucson Guitar Society Orchestra's Spring Concert yesterday afternoon, at Grace St. Paul's Church.  Misael Barraza-Diaz was a solo guest.  Hearing him play is always a treat.  We enjoyed the whole concert.  The messages around the church were inspiring too, a reminder to love those around us.