Overland Park Arboretum

Instead of just walking in the neighborhood on Tuesday, we drove to south Johnson County to visit the Overland Park Arboretum.  It wasn't too hot when we got there, but by the time we left it was almost 90!  

They had a special exhibit of "moving sculptures" which were amazing and the Monet Garden flowers were beautiful.  There were 20+ gardeners working to add even more flowers--we were told that a group of master gardeners works every Tuesday morning taking care of the plants all around the special gardens.

Mother's Day 2014

Spending Mother's Day with my children is something that happens very rarely.  In fact, the last two dates were May 10, 2004, when we were all together for Jon's college graduation, and last year, May 12, 2013, when we were all at Daniel and Shannon's together.  Yes, I'd say every 9 years qualifies as "rarely."

Yesterday it was back to a normal Mother's Day with a Skype call from Daniel and the kids and a phone call from Jon.  So grateful for technology.

Nevertheless, it was a great day which started off at Iglesia Bautista Vida Nueva, Crowne Plaza.

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Stephen plays the piano for the 9:00 am and 11:30 am service.  In between the services, I usually go for a walk (always trying to get my 10,000 steps in.)  Yesterday, I snapped some pictures of the cloud covered volcano and beautiful flowers around the hotel.

We finished off our our morning at church with this photo.  As I posted on Facebook, Stephen almost always has on running shirts and running shirts have reflective logos.  Therefore, it looks like his heart is emitting a bright light!  I just haven't figured out a way to block it without looking silly!  

We started a new Mother's Day tradition by having friends over for dinner and a movie.  We love spending time with David and Maritza Aguilar and

they had never seen "Nacho Libre."

Of course, we had Mexican food--chicken tortilla soup, guacamole and pineapple/mango salsa.  Perfect ending to a great Mother's Day.   

Changing and Rearranging

I like change! In my old house, it was pretty common for me to rearrange the furniture (where possible and within reason) all by myself.  Due to space limitations, lack of access to power and other practical reasons, for the most part, I've had to hold my desire to change in check here in El Salvador.  However, I made a break through in the living room last night when I realized I could switch the cable connection running to the TV with the cable connection running to the modem and all would be well.  

So, presenting the new look in our living room!  

While I was at it, I changed the direction of the dining room table, too.  

Couldn't resist posting the pictures of the roses and other flowers blooming in my back yard (garden) right now.  The first two pictures make the roses look big, but actually they're no more than an inch across.