photos of our civil ceremony on June 14 at 11:30am

---

Well, it's official. I am half Nicaraguan. I don't feel too different, except that I feel I have more clout with the family and in Nicaragua. Okay, with no further ado, photos....

The judge preached for a few minutes before the actual signing, also reading from the Nican constitution, and then preaching more. Key points include.... relationships need communication, respect, honesty, and fidelity. Men who hit women have a psychological problem and, really, a husband should not hit a wife because he is not her father, he is her husband. Same goes for the wife. She cannot beat her husband because she is not his mother, but his wife.... (it's okay for parents to hit their kids...). Fidelity was a big point, since so many Nican men have queridas. Also, she preached about how she never wants to see us again for a divorce because, as we all know, divorce hurts the kids. And after all of this, the court reporter read the document that explains who I am, daughter of SBaade and SMercer, born in Camden, MO...and who Lenin is.... and then we signed and then our testigos, witnesses, signed... Gloria and Victor, mayor's office workers and coworkers of Lenin.

Then we went back to Moropoto for lunch! Roasted beef, salad of cabbage, tomatoes, and cucumbers, and rice.. There was also chicken for those who didn't like beef.

Yup. So, here we are. Now for the celebration in the church with all my people and Lenin's family and the volunteers and holycrap that's only a month away!

---

Photos

yes, my eyes are closed, but behind me is a project house
the mayor's office has built a great number of project houses in san lucas.

6 months pregnant 16 year old karen and her sister in law, laybin
karen took the photos for us

lenin and me and our 2 witnesses
lenin torrez, molly baade, dona gloria and don victor

with lenin's aunt luisa, my "host mom"
in front of the alcaldia, mayor's office, in san lucas

back at mamita's eating our celebratory lunch
although we had already finished....

at my house with luisa and the kids
my room is directly ahead, the small room of cement blocks

lenin and mamita in her kitchen
cement floor!

Comments

[Sarah T]

Felicidades!
Congratulations Molly and Lenin!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You two are SO adorable together....and Molly you are beautiful!! Congratulations y mucho buena suerte amiga! Te extrano mucho :) Love SJT

[vicki]

Well.....
Well, I guess it is most certainly official now, congrad's to the both of you for many, many, many,.......happy years together!!

[Mom]

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!!!!!!
CONGRATULATIONS and love to BOTH of you!! You both look so very happy and so snazzy (pardon the 'old' word! Ha!). So,....you are officially now: Molly Beth Baade Mercer de Torrez,...right?? As, in Nicaragua, I would be Sylvia Laraine Mercer Miller de Baade, right? Molly, the earrings that Lenin gave to you look SOOOO pretty on you! and just perfect for the dress and the day! Please pass this on to Lenin, OK? Love you, love you! Can hardly wait until Steve gets home so I can share these with him! XO XO XO

[Wendy Brownell]

felicidades!!!!
Q fotos tan lindas! les deseo la mayor felicidad!

[Barb Green]

Congratulations!!
What a sweet surprise!! I have been thinking of you a lot lately, Molly.... What a handsome husband you found. I guess you will be living in Nicaragua! Are your parents and Ben planning to be there for the church celebration??? Is it a Catholic church?? I wish you all the happiness and blessings. Love and hugs, Barb and Bob PS.... I remember when you were born! That makes me feel really OLD.

[Joy]

Congratulations!
Molly! Congrat's! I wish I could have been there! You deserve all the best!

[Christina Huskey]

Congrats!!
Best Wishes and Congratulations!! Molly you look beautiful in your pictures and you both look so very happy!!