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I meant to blog again while still in Miami but there was so little time.  I wanted to savor every moment with my parents and family and by the time I would lay down in bed, my eyes would not cooperate with working on the computer.

We didn’t go on many more outings while there, for the rest of the week we just hunkered down at my parents house and enjoyed their company, their humor and of course their food.  As a teenager, I was quite turbulent.  More often than not, trying to find a way to spend less time with my parents and more time on things I felt important.  Oh how to get back some of that time I did not spend with them.  My heart truly is with them even when we are seperated by miles.  I am so very blessed to have parents that make me so proud of who I am.  So very blessed to have them in our lives and watch them pass on their love and knowledge to my own children.

Of course, keeping 10 children (remember that I have my niece and nephew with us) in a small condominium can make for very antsy children.  Every day, my mom and I would take the kids to the pool and let them splash, swim and play.  They would swim for hours and then come back inside to eat and nap.  Matthew has decided that my dad is the best napping partner.  They took a nap together every day we were there.

I did have one final job to accomplish while in Miami.  Our annual visit to our favorite childrens consignment store.  We have been shopping there since Alexandra was born, that is almost 21 years.  We have been lucky enough to become friends with the first owners and then the newest owners who purchased it a few years ago.  We go shopping there once a year and I usually buy enough clothes to last that long.  With the previous owners we would shop after the store was closed since there are so many of us.  With the new owners there are always lots of hugs and kisses and every one comes out to see how much our children have grown since the last time we were there.  Then, we find a comfy spot for everyone to sit and I take the kids one by one to find clothing for them.  The trying on phase is a bit trying with me flying around from dressing room to dressing room saying yes or no to what they are trying on and then we add it to our pile.  The pile got lots bigger than in this picture this time since I also got lots of clothing for my niece and nephew.  Four hours later, we were walking out with 6 huge bags of clothing.  Buying our clothing at a consignment store means we get very good quality (really the best) clothing, great prices and we are supporting a small, local (to Miami) business.  I have yet to find a better store anywhere close to our town so for now we will spend our dollars there plus its always great to go where everybody knows your name 🙂

Saying goodbye is always the hardest part of the trip.  At least this time I know my parents will visit us in about 6 to 7 weeks for the birth of their first great grandchild.  Exciting I tell ya.

For now, it is great to be home.  We came home to the grandest surprise.  While we were gone, not only did Lewis and Alexandra take care of the farm but they cleaned the house from top to bottom.  Imagine my surprise as I walked around the house to discover an immaculately clean home.   Bathrooms sparkling, cabinets cleaned out, the fridge fresh and organized.  They are amazing those two and we are so blessed to have such great kids.

Today I am a bit tired.  Matthew has not been sleeping more than an hour or two at night in between nursings.  We went everywhere yesterday and of course everywhere we went, there was food. Good food.  We went to Coral Gables,  the first city I lived alone in as an adult, where I purchased my first home (pre-Poppa) and worked in for many years.  We went to eat at Versailles, a Cuban restaurant which acts as a hub for all things Cuban.  We naturally gravitate there for the food, conversations and ambiance.  Yesterday was a day of visits, a chance to spend time with loved one.  The day started off with lunch and book shopping with my Mother in law, Grandma Yoli, followed by a rare visit to Ben and Jerry’s.  We loved the ice cream but it was a bit difficult keeping it away from Matthew since I am keeping to my resolve to keep him on mostly momma’s milk until a year and though we are giving him things such as avocado, banana, malanga, we are keeping grains, sugar and dairy completely away until the one year mark.

When we returned to my parents house, more visitors appeared.  My sister and niece as well as my oldest Uncle who came by to kiss all the kids and bring JP his own fishing pole.  My earliest memories of outings include all day fishing trips with my Uncle where I would get lost searching for shells.    Today I discovered after a lifetime of seeing him going fishing a few times a week that he does not eat fish…go figure!  I walked out to witness my uncle giving JP a fishing lesson out in the parking lot of my parents condominium.  It’s the only time I have ever seen him go fishing without a catch.

Today we go shopping at my favorite consignment store for all the things my kids really need that I am not great at making myself.  See you tomorrow.