7.22.2009

Mexico

As if you all haven't heard about it enough, but my hubby was away a couple a weeks ago to take a team of 63 people to Victoria, Mexico. He got to go a few times to one of our favorite places to visit and sometimes stay, the orphanage of El Rancho de Louisiana. My husband has been able to go numerous times the past 12 years and I only three, but it holds many dear memories for us both. On our last trip together, almost 5 years ago, I found out I was pregnant with our first. I haven't been back since, but hope to do so again when our kiddos are a few years older. These are some of the images my husband caught on his visit...








Seeing these sweet little faces and remembering some of their horrid stories, but all the while still having contagious laughs, made me have to recheck my priorities. I am trying not blog while my children are up just so they know they are number one and I am making sure my husband is top priority and that he feels it. I never want to take for granted where God has put me in life. I am thankful I can cloth my children, eat well, have a home that I love, and a family that I can love on. Oh, and because of Mexican laws these sweet little children can not be adopted.

A few of these are doubled, but if you like to see more you can go here and scroll down a bit.

39 comments:

LobotoME said...

beautiful images...i so wish they could be adopted because i would bring one home with me! xo, jenny

Dallas Shaw said...

so beautiful

dallas
http://dillydallas.blogspot.com

Monika said...

Dear Paula,
this a really moving post. As for the priorities I feel the same. I love blogging, but it takes a lot of time and I do not want to miss anything with my kids... It is good sometimes to sit back and think about what is really important. Thanks for sharing, Monika

nelya said...

These images speak volumes. Such beautiful, precious children. I echo your words and sentiments, they spoke directly to my heart. Sometimes it is so easy to see where one's priorities lie. A no-brainer, huh?

emily said...

Great Post, Paula. Sean and I have been re-evaluating life as well. We never set out to have a sweet perfect little middle American life but it has started to creep up on us. Especially in blogland it is so easy to lose sight of what matters. Thank you for the outward focus today. xo

Anonymous said...

thank you for the reminder.

KM said...

Your post really spoke to me. Thank you so much for sharing that. I am new to your blog but am really enjoying it. I am getting to the point where I only want to read the ones that truly enhance my life, otherwise, it's easy to get carried away with nonsense.
xx
Kara

Jennie Bee said...

He is so talented, this pictures are gorgeous. I bet u'r happy to have him home:)

frenchie said...

Thanks for sharing that!xxx

KM said...

I hope it's ok, I linked back to your post on my post today. Just wanted to let you know. :)
Kara

ragamuffinbeauties said...

Thank you for the simple reminder to live more simply and at a pace that encourages time with those that matter most!

Jennifer said...

beautiful! always nice to have a little reminder of our priorities.

zack and amanda jones said...

love this.

Aartee said...

GOrgeous images...that last one is amazing...

Char said...

powerful images

Heather said...

That's great your husband has been able to visit and help out. Those kids are adorable. It makes me sad to think they can't be adopted into loving homes. Great post!

FEDERICA said...

So beautiful, thanks for sharing.

Olivia said...

A group from our church just went on a missions trip to Victoria, Mexico last week!! They had wonderful stories to share with us.

Smitten Design said...

Great post. If you whip out a few less posts we won't hold it against you for giving your undivided attention to your husband and kiddos. Awesome pics as well. Thanks for sharing.

bluehydrangea said...

I can't decide if I should laugh or cry!! the pictures are beautiful....some so happy some so sad.

alison giese Interiors said...

Yes, sometimes all of us need a little "alignment hygiene" of our priorities. What a wonderful opportunity this is for your family to give back.
Thank you for sharing.

Estelle Hayes said...

Beautiful children. Their faces say so much.

Brooke @ Blueprint Bliss said...

Paula- What a great post. I need to be better about letting Michael know that he is my number one priority while we are at home together (which is for small amounts of time at night due to his work schedule). I spend too much time blogging and on my hobbies and I need to spend more time in prayer and with the ppl I love. Thanks!

casey said...

wow, what an experience...
as for the cribs, yes, I have seen the walmart ones, but something about them... not what i am looking for, but oh so close! thanks!

Karen said...

Paula, Thank you for your sweet comment on my blog. I am honored that you have become a reader. This post is right on track with my life right now. I've been telling myself this so many times lately to just enjoy and appreciate where I am right now; God has me here for a reason. And it's also why some things have to be let go for awhile. I get tired of telling my daughter to hold on for one more minute :)
Thank you for the post. I love coming here to read what you have to say!

Shayla said...

Your husband is an excellent photographer and those kids are just precious :) thank you for sharing

Rachel Follett said...

Great post! I often wonder how blogging will change when I have children. Beautiful photos and thank you for sharing this information with everyone.

her said...

i love mexico. last summer i went to patzcuaro for two weeks and worked with kids and the elderly. it was one of the best trips of my life and i hope and hope and hope to go back!

High-Heeled Foot in the door said...

Amazing post and totally something I've been trying to do as well. It's so hard to step away from the computer, but it must be done.

Aline said...

your husband is so talented...it must feel amazing to help them:)

LindsB said...

Those photos are just amazing. I can totally feel the emotion and hear the laughing just by looking at the pictures, they really do tell a story and I love them!

Suzanne : : S.HOPtalk said...

Gorgeous photos and a beautiful reminder of what is truly important in life--thank you for that.

Haven and Home said...

Paula,

What a truly beautiful post. I am so sad they cannot be adopted. Well said about being thankful and keeping your priorities in check.

Hope you had a great day!

Gracie said...

Those are such beautiful images! It's sad that they can't be adopted because there are so many people who would love to adopt.
Sometimes we do have to stop and take everything in and realise how blessed we are. This is such a heartfelt inspiring post!

PS~Erin said...

Those faces + your last paragraph are so powerful. Thank you for the reality check.

Kristine said...

Thank you for this post. These pictures are just beautiful! And my heart just breaks that these children cannot be adopted!

Melanie said...

Thank you, Paula!

Kasey said...

When I went to ciudad victoria we went to this girls orphanage called "La Casa Ampara de la Mujer" The girls there and their stories broke my heart. There was a little girl that I help write a list of things she wanted most since she didnt know how to write. Her name was Isabel. She was only 6 years old. She said to me (in spanish) "I want a mommy, and a big sister, and a bed to sleep in, and a pair of shoes..tennis shoes." I found out that she had converted to christianity from being catholic, and her dad shaved her head and dropped her off at the orphanage. I was so broken. I wanted to take her in my arms and give her a home, but sadly, like you said...mexican children cannot be adopted. Its a horrible truth. There are 10 million orphans in mexico alone.

Katy @ Eat Drink & Decorate said...

I went to Honduras this year for the first time on a mission trip to work with an orphanage in Jalaca, Honduras. Those sweet children are so heavy in my heart. God bless your husband for going and for you for posting. It was a blessing that I was able to take the trip and look forward to going back soon!