Misa y una fiesta

Today was a big day for us both. I realized how much kindness there can be in human hearts.

We headed out a bit earlier than usual because I wanted to make 9 a.m. mass. However, breakfast and the walk didn't take nearly as long as I thought because (a) there was no one else in the restaurant and (b) there was no traffic -- meaning no long waits trying to cross the streets.

So, we arrived at the Inmaculada Concepcion like 40 minutes early! Luckily it was a nice morning, so we just hung out in the plaza outside and kept ourselves busy with drawing on L's Doodle Pro and playing with her babydoll.

I know L is used to going to mass, because she was really good. Also, she knows the names of Maria ("adía") and Jesús ("etús") -- my Mom will be happy about that!

We made it until Communion, but she needed to go "pi pi" again & the bathrooms at this church are really bad! So we left -- I hope I will be forgiven.

So we went to a pastilleria/restaurant called Los Alpines - mostly to use the bathroom, but hey nothing wrong with a little treat after mass.

I ordered an apfelstrudel and what I thought was going to be a pear Danish. But the latter was more like a pear torte. L. ate the entire torte herself!

Maybe that explains why she was having nothing of naptime when we got back. I tried, but I guess there was just too much sugar. But it was OK. I think I'm getting used to the fussiness and, at the same time, her boughts of sadness seem to be getting shorter.

I knew my friend from work, Miriam, was going to come pick us up around 2. So by 1:30 we were getting dressed and Miriam called. Her cousin, Jessica, was coming to get us.

So we finished dressing and headed downstairs to wait (and to get out of the cleaning staff's way -- the place did need a good clean).

Outside on the usually traffic-choked Avenida Reforma was a much different scene. On Sundays, they shut down this main thoroughfare so people can bike, walk their dogs, or just stroll. It was very pleasant to pass the time watching families go by. Well, we did have to take two turns around the very small lobby to break up the wait.

Jessica and her husband drove us to the house of Miriam's sister, Dora. The family was so, so nice to us. The greeted us as one of their own. There were lots of cousins, a few children, and two adorable babies.

L was pretty quiet at first, even slow to start eating. But once she started it was hard to stop her. She loved the tortillas, the grilled meat, and especially the "ensalada Rusa" -- basically a potato salad with mayo, ham, peas, and carrots. I loved the homemade guacamole and this sort of fried empanada-type food.

L really started to warm up when one of the family invited her to play with another girl about L's age and an older girl of about 10. There was play-doh (which L really liked), a Mr. Potato Head, and a coloring book. L did not want to share the crayons, but there were no fights thank goodness.

The party ended with some tres leches cake. I decided to share a piece with L since she had eaten a lot already. It was so yummy, I wished I had my own piece. But it was probably best for the both of us.

Miriam's husband, Benedicio, and another relative drove me back. Three different family members gave me their contact information and told me not to hesistate to call if I needed anything.

I just can't express how thankful I am to this family. I hope I can return the kindess to them, or to some one else in need like me, someday.

When we got back in there were lots of tears. Again, coming "home" is always a bit difficult. But the tears really didn't last that long. I have to admit, I used TV again.

"Jorge el Curioso" and "Backyardigans" really helped me out. Especially Jorge because L and I have been practicing our monkey imitations. She's getting really good!

I turned of the TV promptly after "Backyardigans," and we read and sang songs til she finally drifted off to sleep. Pretty painless I have to say.

This has been the best day yet. Pray for us tomorrow as the Solicitor General's office (aka PGN) is supposed to release our corrected adoption opinion tomorrow that can be taken to Central Records (aka RENAP) on Tuesday to complete the request for L's new birth certificate. If all goes well, the certificate will be out by end of this week. But I'm bracing myself for another delay.

Tomorrow will probably be just a routine day, but hey I'll take that over drama.