Newer Mexico

I'm sad to say that Todd was feeling under the weather today and was unable to be photographed. Maybe it was catching since poor Olive was also really sick last night. Luckily she rebounded this morning and we were able to hit Old Town Albuquerque. We drove in and paid for 5 hours of parking thinking we'd actually be there an hour or so. Six hours later we were glad we didn't have a ticket!
A major part of the morning was Mass. I was really looking forward to seeing this church while we were here. Unfortunately the museum was closed today. Fortunately, it was Palm Sunday. It. was. amazing. Like, I cried amazing. I often have really conflicted feelings about church. Last night, as I was up with sick Olive, I prayed. I prayed for God to open my heart and hear his comforting words. To give me a sign that he loves me and listens to me. Today was this. There was a large congregation of people singing and waiting. Then all the children from the parish school were a part of a procession through old town with some Monks. In the heart of the city we were blessed and sang and prayed. I may have nagging questions and some cynicism, but today with my family, at this Mass, I felt loved and at peace and I thank God for that.

After that we hit the Albuquerque Museum of Art and History. The Goya exhibit? Really awesome. Plus, we only had one reprimand from security! Way to go Lindgrens!

Did I mention the cactus yet? I have a love/hate relationship. I used to love them when I was younger and my mom had a cactus garden. Then, I fell out of the window of my bedroom, from the top bunk, into the cactus garden and hated them. In the past year or so, I love them again. A lot. I want lots and lots of them in my yard at home. I want my kids to see some Saguaro someday, those make me think of my Grandma. For now, I am trying to talk Pete into letting me dig some up on the side of the road to travel back with us.

Hmmm, what else? Oscar and Hans have decided to bring back Baja jackets. Olive is collecting empty bottles. Pete wants a tortoise, possibly a rescue tortoise. I love New Mexico. The kids want to move here. AND, Pete said, " We can wreck a hotel like a touring band. Like, the maids see a band coming and say, at least it's not the Lindgren!" Guess I better go survey the damage. But I made it to three, can't wait to come back tomorrow for four! Hasta manana!