It has been good to be back home and back in the US…but I also miss being with family. I traveled to Paraguay and was there for 10 days. I went with my mom for my great-grandmother’s (my mom’s grandmother) 90th birthday. We planned a big party for April 12 (her birthday is April 13th), and it was great. About 50-60 people showed up to celebrate with her! Here I am with her, my aunt, grandma and mom:
I spent half the time at my aunt’s house, and half the time at my other grandma’s house. I tried to run most days, but I’ll get into that in another post.
So what did I do there? I went shopping at their malls, went to a soccer game, went out to eat, had family parties/reunions, and more.
Although being back in the US is great, it is hard (especially for my parents) to have all of our family back in Paraguay. If you have your family here in the US and are able to see them regularly, don’t take it for granted!
But I am so glad my parents took the leap 26 years ago and moved to New Jersey. I can’t imagine my life any other way, and traveling to other countries really does make you see how lucky you are and the simple things you might be taking for granted.
Saying goodbye is always hard. My uncle, aunt, grandma and cousins came to the airport to see us off.
Overall an amazing trip. We are planning on heading back in June 2016 and doing what we did last summer for the World Cup…heading to Paraguay, flying to Rio for some Olympics action, heading back to Paraguay, flying back to the US. I really hope that all works out! I want to see some track and field live!
We’ll see how things work out in the future.
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How awesome! So great that you got to see family and have such an awesome time!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine recently posted…Friday Finisher 4/17/15
I only get to have big get togethers when visit David’s family, my side has become so small at gatherings and I miss it!! Glad you had an amazing chance to reconnect
Amanda – RunToTheFinish recently posted…What’s SUPplments do you take? Do runners need them?
What a fun trip! While my family is in the US (my husband’s in Canada), it’s tiny! So I’m actually jealous of all the family you have!
Alisa @ Go Dairy Free recently posted…One-Pan Steamed Fish with Lemon White Wine Sauce
That time with your family must have been so lovely. I love how they saw you off at the airport.
I hope you get to return soon, and I will be SUPER jealous of your olympic attendance. That’s one of my dreams!
Amanda | Chasing My Sunshine recently posted…Did You Find Your Niche?
We’ll see what happens! Fingers crossed we can make that trip next summer
Live Olympics, how fun! Glad you had a great family trip.
Jen @ Pretty Little Grub recently posted…FYI Friday – 5 most common weight loss mistakes
So cool that you got to be there for your great-grandma’s party! Your family is beautiful!!
Kate @KateMovingForward recently posted…How I earned $500 from Blogging during March
wow! I need a vacation so bad it is not even funny. Your photos make me want to run away from NYC and never come back! Glad you had fun!
Margo recently posted…The “Ting Ting’s Playlist” Featuring Rihanna, Foos, Alabama Shakes, P!nk & More
What a fun trip to take. Glad you got to reconnect with your family!
Maureen recently posted…Whole30 Days 11-20 {The New Normal}
Oh man I’m sure it was so hard for your parents to leave when they did. It’s great that you still get a chance to go home and visit thought, I’m sure there is so much for you to catch up on and people to see!!
Sam @ PancakeWarriors recently posted…10 Tips for a Bikini Body
Looks like you had a fabulous trip and what a beautiful family. Love that photo at the airport!
How fun!! Happy bday to your gg! My grandma’s 80th is next month, and we’re having a big party too

Nicole @ Fitful Focus recently posted…Fabletics April Collection
Looks like a really cool trip. I am lucky to have my parents and family so close by. It’s really great (except when it isn’t LOL)
Deborah @ Confessions of a Mother Runner recently posted…Firmoo Fashionable Eyewear
What an amazing time to make memories!! Love it! And… your next visit in 2016 sounds EPIC!

Rachel recently posted…Final Run Before Boston and Race Day Goals
Sounds like a great trip! It’s a country I’ve always wanted to visited – hopefully one day

Alyssa @ Simply Quinoa recently posted…5 Desserts You Didn’t Know You Could Make with Quinoa
Gosh, how fun to travel to Paraguay! And to have family there to visit! Lucky you.
Wendy@Taking the Long Way Home recently posted…Nice guys finish last
My entire family lives in another country as well. I understand the dilemma very well.
GinaB @ Mirror Watching recently posted…Meet The Brown’s – The Get Fit Fam
Sounds like you had a great time! And you are right, I often take the people close to me for granted!
Sarah (Shh Fit Happens) recently posted…3 reasons to add isometrics to your workouts
I would LOVE to see the Olympics live. What a wonderful experience Patty.
jill conyers recently posted…Workout Recap and Menu Plan
Sounds like a great trip to see family! Its always so hard when family isn’t close by.
Kathryn @ Dancing to Running recently posted…Friday Five – April 17th – Five Brands I’m Currently Loving
I can’t imagine how hard it must be to have your family in another country. All of my family lives within 6 hours of me and I sometimes complain that it is too far. Thank you for putting distance and travel into perspective!
I seriously know how your parents feel. I’ve been living in Canada for the last 5 years for school, and although I get back home to Trinidad at least once a year, it’s still hard to be so far from all my family!
GiselleR @ Diary of an ExSloth recently posted…9 Ways to have the most Productive Morning Ever
It must be so tough to be away from family. My husbands parents have that same heartache. Their family is mostly in Germany and Russia and my heart hurts that my husband has only seen his grandparents a handful of times since he was a teenager. I definitely value having my family so close to me.
Stephanie (@FitMomTraining) recently posted…Mayhem Monday: Battling the ‘Mill
Yes that is the hardest part…not being able to see your grandparents. That’s why I want to make more of an effort to go at least every year now because we are all only getting older and older =/