feliz aniversario

Today marked the 35th anniversary of the Hogar. Of course, celebrating included food, music, and dancing. We started off the morning in the church. Diana and Elise were baptized and seven others received their first communion. Again, I was designated the photographer and was asked to awkwardly go stand next to the priest so I get some good shots. Some of the parents of the girls were able to come...this put the biggest smiles on their faces. After mass, we all made our way outside to prepare for the danzas. The girls looked so beautiful. I snagged a seat between Melinda and Janet. I must say, it had to have been the funnest seat there. When the food portion of the program rolled around...we had some pork (not going to lie...it was a little funky), tamales (mhmmm), and something that looked like a potatoe but tasted slightly different. Each of the girls was even more excited when they each got their own bottle of soda...gotta love the sweet goodness of the many flavors of Kola Real. I stuck with regular soda while Melinda went for the Limon flavor. She is always full of fun information...like how my Kola Real flavor was really mostly milk.

I was getting pretty full and approaching the thick skin that was still on the pork when it was time to walk the girls to school...saved by the bell!

Throughout the celebration, I realized how close I have become to the Hogar and the girls here. When I look back and remember my first days at the end of August, I can see how much more comfortable I am here..."and its a good feeling to know."