Cat's Quinceañera

If you wonder where I have been...

We have been getting the farm ready for my daughter's

Quinceañera.

My daughter and her Abuela have been planning this for months.

Coming up with a guest list, menu, ceremony...working on

it as a "Grandma/Granddaughter" team..a special time to share just

Cat and her Abuela.

It was decided that it would not be a big formal affair but a simple,

meaningful event more like how it would be in my mother in law's village

in the South of Mexico.

We decided early on that the rich Oaxacan culture of my mother in law would be purposefully imparted to our children.

  This was a learning curve for this midwestern girl who was raised on tuna noodle cassorole,white bread,

and in a sea of suburban homogeneity.

This meant I had to learn to speak Spanish, how to

make salsa, guacamole, tortillas, tamales...even pozolé

How can you teach it if you don't know it?

in the spirit of Ruth..."your people shall be my people"

and this journey of learning keeps growing.

The Quince was a success and I would love to share the day with you...

This is the Quinceañera chair

My dad walked her down the aisle, as David and I waited for her

There were 15 coral roses given out to our relatives, dear family friends and her best friends.

Each one would present her with a rose and give her a blessing and share some advice on her

transition from a girl to womanhood.  This was such a blessing to me as a mom to be able to

listen to the precious, encouraging words of friends towards our daughter and it reminded me

that it does take a village and I am so thankful for the community that we have been given.

her aunt Marlene and her Abuelita

Our dear friend Charity, who has known Catherine for her whole life gave her the sweetest

blessing, full of wisdom, I scarce could hold it in.

we prayed for her and her future

David put on her high heel shoes,

which symbolizes her transition from a girl to a woman.

then he presented Catherine

she gave a beautiful speech...

Our little girl is growing up.

The Mariachi's played

we ate and ate

drank

danced

and danced

hung out

had cake

 

took pictures

It was a beautiful day where memories were made. 

 Memories our daughter will remember for her whole life.

She has crossed over the bridge from a girl to a lady.

We love you Catherine Grace and are so proud of the women you are becoming

and sharing in your bright future, as we send you out to be a blessing to the world!

Love,

Mom and Dad

Thank you to Karina from Capturing Delight Photography for taking all these lovely photos.