Heading West!

Well friends, it's been a very fun week so far! The Grand Canyon, I have to say, was GRAND. No one can prepare you for that first glimpse...it is, indeed, incredible. I am so glad we made this journey!

Everyone says we vacation a lot, and it's true. If you know how we love to travel - very CHEAP - you know that's why it's possible to take a lot of trips. But this trip was special, even more than some others we've taken. We came to Arizona to take my dad to the Grand Canyon. Sure, we want to see it too, but my dad REALLY has been wanting to come here.

I'm always optimistic, and it's something I never dare say out loud....but my parents are getting older. My dad is turning 72, and with his breathing the way it is, I can't help but wonder how many more trips like this he will be able to take. I hope for many, many more, but I'm also realistic. I wanted so much to bring him here, and his face was worth the trip. My girls may not remember it, but I WILL! I know it means so much to him, and that makes me so happy!

Here are some pics we took on the big day...I have so many to post, but these will get you started. It was so incredible!

Me & Gonzalo at the south rim

Me, Gonzalo, & the girls

Wow is all I can say!


I love this pic!

Mom & Dad

So beautiful!

Tomorrow we're heading to the Navajo Nation. My dad's other passion is Native Americans. We are of Cherokee descent, so he loves learning about Native American tribes. This will be another fun day!

I'm so thankful to God that I still have my parents around to enjoy them...and this beautiful Earth He created. Good night, friends!

Rayven's Prayer

I'm not sure if I'll stay awake long enough tonight to upload more photos from the journey, but I have to say that we're loving Arizona! Beautiful scenery, pretty blue skies - what's not to love? :)

I'll post pics tomorrow, but tonight I wanted to share the prayer Rayven prayed today...before I forget everything she said! LOL.

Last night before bed, I showed her a picture of Cayden from his mom's FB page. Cayden is her boyfriend from Tennessee that now lives in South Carolina. He has just turned 7, and the picture showed that he's lost his 2 front teeth (this will be important later, lol). We're driving back to the condo from eating our dinner tonight, and Rayven saw the moon. And she said, I'm making a wish on the moon!! Then here was her "prayer":

Dear God,

Thank you for these beautiful trees. And for everything you made.
And thank you for US. (lol)
Please keep us safe and don't let us get killed or anything.
And God, please help Cayden. Don't let him get sick.
And PLEASE make his teeth come back soon.
Thank you God. And I love Jesus.

Amen.

I just almost cracked up out loud right in the car! It was so sweet that she prayed for Cayden's teeth, and it just shows how thoughtful my little girl can be (when she wants to be!). She sounded so cute and so grown-up all at the same time. I loved it!! Hope you enjoyed it too....

Blast from the Past!

So....I've been a little busy, as you can see from my blog. And someday I'm really going to catch you up with all that I've been doing! But today was a GREAT day. You only have a few days a year like today.

Awhile back, I reconnected with a friend from long ago on Facebook. Her name is Annie, and we went to grade school together, up to the sixth grade. We were great friends, Girl Scout buddies, and always in the same room at school. After she moved, we lost touch - but I never forgot her! She was just a girl who is unforgettable, and that is the truth. We had so much fun!

My parents are visiting now, and we're on a little road trip. We'll eventually end up in Arizona, but we're making a few stops along the way. Last night we stayed in Carlsbad, NM which is such a small town! Reminds me of old westerns and cowboy days. Too cute! Today we toured Carlsbad Caverns National Park which was amazing. I am constantly amazed at the scenery God made for us to look at. Lovely in every way, and so many different things to see! Here are a few pics from that:

Big sis helping little sis through the big cave

The whole gang outside

Notice our windblown hair and Rayven's new bat!

This amazing cavern...can't even describe it!

Tonight was the best part! We came through Las Cruces, and I was able to have dinner with Annie! We haven't seen each other in 20 years, and we could have visited and talked all night I'm sure. I'm so excited to see her, and I'm glad we found each other again after so long.

Here is our picture, with Rayven of course! Can't even believe that we were her age when we met.

As you can see, it was a GREAT day. A day that began with new sites I had never seen and ended with an old friend that I hadn't seen in too many years. We won't let that happen again, right Annie? :) More to come from the Torres Travels tomorrow...if I'm not too tired!

Good night lovely friends!