Niagara pt 2

It was hard to decide if Niagara was THE most spectacular & beautiful sight I have seen. Europe holds a very, very special place in my heart. Never had I seen such wonderous sights, and behold such overwhelming beauty. The French Alps jump out as slightly comparable (eventhough they are sooooo different) but I remember feeling small, and overwhelmed by beauty and God's awesome creation...well Niagara Falls falls into the same category....stunning, spectacular, and ahhhh-maaaa-zing.

Our second day started out with a wonderful breakfast buffet at our hotel....yummmy breakfast + buffet....yes that is my idea of heaven!!!!

(Hazel Rei took this pic of me, she is really into "taking pictures". I have a sleepy eye and crumbs on my face....)

We decided to take advantage of the hotel pool & jacuzzi and spent some time hanging out. We then took the behind the falls tour...it was an amazing adventure. You are able to walk through tunnels behind the falls and it was amazing. We packed up our things & kids and I was under the impression that we would be heading home but my adventurous "spur of the moment" kinda guy husband decided to "take a drive"...."ok" I thought. So we drove a bit and ended up at the most beautiful & enchanted area of the world that I have visited to date. Niagara on the Lake is where I decided I wouldn't mind being a Canadian and living there in peace, tranquility and beauty. The road leading to Niagara on the Lake was lined with beautiful homes, and small wineries...it was BEAUTIFUL!!!!!! While walking to the lake I saw a couple sharing a picnic lunch by the beautiful lake, I saw families spending precious time together and I thought, "now this is meant for me".....We cannot wait to go back!

(skippin' rocks with Dad)

It was beautiful...the whole trip. Now we have so few minutes together so while less than 2 days sounds insane to drive 6+ hours for what literally translates to an extended day trip...we took full advantage of every second and can chalk Niagara Falls as a precious adventure....and we subsided the travelling "itch" we Montgomerys possess.

Thank you so much for the birthday wishes for Hazel Rei. I did read all of them to her and she said, "Mom alot of people love me".......so thank you very very much.....

Love,

MON

Niagara Falls!!! 1

For our anniversary, we decide to take a quick family trip to Niagara Falls. Neither of us had been there, and it had been on our to-do list, so we decided this was the time. We drove up after I got off work on Saturday night. It was about a 7 hour drive, not too bad. We got to the American side of the falls at like 6 in the am. We walked along the river rapids for a bit, and peeked at the falls. It was nice, moist, and refreshing. Hazel discovered earthworm city while we were walking around. Then we drove over the border to see if we could check in early to our hotel to no avail. We grabbed a cheesy breakfast buffet in Niagara and then hit up a outlet mall. Hazel and Dad slept in the car while Moni and Jade went shopping. We headed back to town and got to our room which had a beautiful view of the falls. The falls are truly amazing. God's creation is something wonderful. After a quick break of unpacking, starbucks and resting on our beds, we cruised down this cool little tram to the falls. We rode the Maid of the Mist right up to the falls. It was so fun! And we got blessed with beautiful weather too! The forecast said it was gonna be like 50 degrees, but it was like 75-80 and all sun!! The feeling of being so close to falls was exhilirating!! Moni said it best,"You jus feel like screaming, 'I'm alive!'" Definitely a must do, at least once in your life. After that, we climbed back into town and grabbed some Pizza pizza,

ice cream. We sauntered back to our room and took a nap. We ate a nice dinner at the hotel restaurant. Then we called it a night. What a great beginning to our anniversary trip!!

Violet

I think my favorite thing about Violet was her laugh!!! It was more of a cute chuckle...she smiled with her whole face, and laughed with sweetness and innocence. She was so cute and tiny, as if you could just pick her up and put her in your pocket. She was quiet, but very, very sweet. Violet is Nadia's cousin and we all grew very close. I recall my early twenties with fondness, it was a very awesome, simple time...and Violet was indeed a part of those days. We would hang out often after church and I loved the time spend with Nadia & Violet.

The past few weeks have been very hard for Nadia, Violet, and their family. Violet was fighting for her life and it was hard for Nadia to see someone she loved so dearly in so much pain. I have been suffering along with them, and would speak often about how Violet was doing with Nadia, we have been praying fervently for healing, but yesterday Violet was taken home to be with her Lord and Savior. I recall receiving the txt yesterday morning, that Violet would soon be passing, my heart dropped...I felt heartbroken, hopeless, sad, and immediately fell to my knees and began to pray. I wanted so badly for Violet to leave that hospital healthy! She was so amazing, so sweet, she loved her job, she loved her family, she was just such a special girl. I still find myself asking why. Sometimes it's hard to understand God's plan, especially when it couldn't be further from what you want. I loved Violet she was my friend. I will always remember her and her smile, her laugh, and just was an amazing person she was. I am heartbroken and grieving along with Nadia but will never know the sadness she feels. I ask you to please pray for the Barraza/Aldaco family that God would comfort them at this time.

Jeremiah 31:13 I will turn their mourning into gladness. I will give them comfort and joy instead of sorrow.

I love you more than...

...the moon and the stars in the sky.

That is what I tell Hazel, every night before she goes to bed. She usually replies, "no, I love yoooouuuuu more than the moon and the stars in the sky!" Yup, there is no doubt, Hazel Rei rocks our world. She is the most amazing little girl to ever be born on April 29th 2006. She is fabulous! She is funny, creative, CRAZY, sweet, loving, a dancing machine, a goof-ball, hilarious, and so many other really amazing qualities all rolled up into one blue-eyed, curly haired, beautiful little girl. She is a gift from the Lord...she is our Hazel Rei Montgomery.

(Hazel enjoying her princess breakfast of banana and chocolate chip pancakes)

Hazel loves to hear about how Joe & I were married (BTW Happy Anniversary JOE my love!!). She loves our LOVE story...loves to hear about the flowers, the dresses, etc. She also loves to hear about her birth. I often cuddle up with her, and tell her about how excited we were that she was going to be born. How I could feel her wiggling in my tummy. How we couldn't stop thinking, and talking about her...how we just couldn't wait to meet her and see her beautiful face! She claims she would say (while in my tummy) "LET ME OUT, LET ME OUT, I WANNA SEE MY DADDY!" She cracks up every time we tell her how she peed on her daddy when he was holding her for the first time, or how we were amazed at how long her tongue was. These stories never get old to her...and they never will for Joe or I.

There are few moments that I can remember so vividly in my mind and recollect with 100% clarity the emotions I felt. One was when I married Joe and how happy and excited I was to be his wife and spend my life with him. The second was the moment I saw Hazel Rei, the moment I held her....let's just say spontaneous tears flowed from my eyes, and I could not stop repeating, "oh my God, oh my God!!"....and it was pretty much the same for Joe.

I was overwhelmed with love when I met you Hazel. I was in love with you from the moment I saw you. I adore you my love. I am so excited to see what amazing things God has in store for you. Love the Lord with all of your heart, trust Him, know that he created you special. You are so special in so many ways. You never cease to put a smile on my face, and you are and always will be my best friend and daughter. I love you more than the moon and the stars in the sky!

The pics were taking just moments ago, as Hazel started her extra special day with pancakes (her fav), and opening her presents from Abuelita which included an American Girl birthday outfit for her and Karen (her American girl doll), and a new princess bed set. Her reply to these gifts was, "Ohhhh gosh! Ohhh gosh!"

More pics to come!

Happy Birthday ALLY!!!!!!!!

She is my baby sister but she has always been stronger than me. Two instances jump out of my memory. First is, when we would need to get shots at the Dr, I would cry and run, while she just sat down and plopped out her arm. Second, when we would need to get spankings, I would run around the house screaming, while she would just bend over and get it over with. I really respect her, she is strong, smart, level-headed, responsible, talented, sweet, thoughtful, just so many qualities that I, as her big sister, aspire to have.

Ally, today as you celebrate your 29Th birthday, know that you are loved and we wish so much to be a part of your day!!!! Eat lots, and lots of cake for us!! We love you so much sweet sister. Oh MY what amazing things God has in store for you this year. How you trust HIM, and know that his plan for you is beautiful and wonderful in the proper time, is amazing to me. I WOULD GIVE YOU THE WORLD if I COULD!!!! Now you must settle for my less than perfect homemade goods ;(

You have my heart.



Happy Birthday!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!



LOVE

Monica (and JOE, HAZEL, and JADE!)