We were only gone one week!

Last weekend, we didn't go to church. It was the first Sunday we've missed since I've been here. I figured seeing Rodrigo march in the Independence Day parade was a once in a life time experience. This Sunday, Hugo and I were frantically trying to get ready for church (as always, we were running a bit behind). We had just sat down to inhale a quick breakfast when there was a knock at the door. Hugo went to answer it and found two little old ladies from the church standing on our doorstep. The pastor had sent them to check on us, seeing how we missed church last week. Hugo reassured them that yes, we would be there today. Apparetnly, they didn't believe him because they asked if I was home too. Hugo opened the door wider so they had a clear shot of me stuffing my face with pancakes. I gave a feeble wave as I turned 18 shades of red. Finally, they seemed satisfied and left. Hugo came back to the table just as surprised as I was.

"How did they know where we live?!" I asked.

"Eva (Nicole's mom) must have told them." Hugo replied.

"So, let me get this straight. The pastor called the ladies to come check on us. The ladies called Eva to get our address. All these people were that worried about us because we missed ONE week of church?!"

Hugo grinned, "I guess they really, really, like us and don't want us to leave the church!"

After our speed-racer breakfast, I rushed around the house getting ready. Hugo went to take out the trash and check the car (you know..make sure it would start...because it doesn't always). All of a sudden, I heard music...loud music. It sounded like a band. But, that didn't make sense. Independence Day had passed. All the marching bands should be resting today. I grabbed my purse and ran out the door. Hugo was standing in the parking lot. As I caught up with him, he siad, "Well, I guess we are going to be late for church." I looked out and there was a huge marching band standing in perfect formation in the street at the exit of our parking lot.

"What are they doing?" I asked.

"No idea," said Hugo, "but they are pretty good. Watch, they even have dancers."

"I don't want to watch!! I want to go to church!"

Almost fifteen minutes later, the band finally marched away from the parking lot exit. We zoomed out of the lot and in the opposite direction of the band. We raced around the neighborhood and just managed to get in front of the band. When we finally got to church, we were greeted by the same ladies who had come to our hosue. They had sugary sweet voices as they said, "So good to see you. We almost thought you weren't going to make it today." Hugo tried explaining about the band, but they just said, "MmmmmmHmmmm." Although they didn't acutally say it, I felt like the next words out of their mouth would be 'yeah right.' I mean, after all...who would belive that a single band was marching through the neighborhood at 10am on a Sunday morning and just happened to block us into our parking lot. If I hadn't been there myself, I might not have believed it either!