Silent Night

My 12 year old nephew took these pictures. He thought he was being sneaky when he took Uncle Pete's camera. Little did he know he was blessing us with a gift of beauty. I found these on our camera one evening. These pictures are what I think of when I think of a silent night. Our dear Savior born in a humble stall. While it might not have looked like our traditional manager scenes. It was indeed, in a lowly place. How many of us are grasping to find simplicity in this season. I know I strive for it. Yet, it's easy to succumb to the rush and busy. Yet, as I think about these pictures, my nephew who took a few peaceful moments to himself and saw the beauty that we could easily miss because we are off being too busy. How about we take a few moments and stop and let God show us a silent night? Just maybe he wants to bless us in the stillness and quiet. In unexpected places. May he bless you with His Silent Night this Christmas.

November Happenings

Isn't she darling? Thank you Aunt Vonya!!

Hannah having brunch with her friends

My cousins are rubbing off on me!

Daddy's girl

Hello there,
I thought I'd post a few pictures of what we've been up too. Having lots of fun with family and friends. Enjoy!

It's been awhile...

It's been awhile so I think it's time for an update. Our summer flew by quickly as I'm sure yours did. Recap of the summer, we took a midwest trip, had fun doing some local events. Recently, we went to the Colorado State Fair where Hannah our 3 1/2 year old milked a cow for the first time. We got together with friends and neighbors for some bbqing. I had some fun girl outings. Now we are getting ready for pre-school. I will be working for Hannah's pre-school as their educational consultant. I am really excited about this and just recently provided some training for her teachers. It feels good to get back into social work again. Most recently, I had to renew my license and is that time consuming! It feels good to get it all done. Pete continues his work at Lockheed Martin and puts in some long hours I am just so thankful he has such a good job. I keep busy with taking Hannah to Music Linqua Spanish Class, Ballet Lessons and Swimming. It's such a fun season. We are really enjoying our church. We started attending Radiant Church and are really enjoying the fellowship there. We made some great friends and have gone to some fun events. To celebrate the ending of summer we are planning on going to Nickel Creek concert one of my favorites and make a trip to Leadville, CO to see some friends we haven't seen for a few years.
Other updates. My mom and sister traveled to Tanzania and had quite the fun adventures. My parents moved to PA and my dad is executive director of a Christian School. We hope to visit my side of the family sometime this Fall.  Mom and Dad Rios will be making a trip out here mid-Oct and we always look forward to their visits.
Other things.. God has been so good and brought in such wonderful friendships. I will be starting to attend a Community Bible Study tomorrow which I am thrilled about. I have also connected with another woman from church who has a similar heart and is on a similar journey with fertility. I know this is again hope for me as we hope for each other in the battle. Still no baby for us but each day I give it to the Lord. On a side note, I have tried to sell Hannah's clothes 4 times with little success. I know there is a reason for this. I just have to trust.  Where ever you may be in this journey of life I hope that God refreshes you with his joy.

Hope

Hope has been restored to us in believing for another child. Last week we were given good news that pregnancy may be possible. The Lord spoke to me several months ago that the egg would come from my left side. Funny I thought this is the weakest side. So, after 6 months and lots of acupuncture and watching what I am eating we were curious to see if there were any changes. We went back to the doctor again. Wouldn't you know that left side had produced a maturing follicle. The doctor was surprised, especially since this was the weaker side. We both came home filled with so much hope.  The doctor left us with pregnancy is possible where as before we heard  "highly unlikely"
We have had lots of prayer and anointing thru the week. God keeps giving me the song by Mandisa "You're An Overcomer" I believe that somehow we will overcome our obstacles. There is a part of the song that says to "hang onto his promises." That is what I plan to do.  Let me tell you another little story. Back in Dec. around the time we had received a report from the doctor that is was a low chance we would conceive a child I met this little boy named Santiago. He was about 2 years old swimming at the pool where we take our Hannah. He had dark hair and big brown eyes and came up to us a few times. I got to know his mother and we started chatting. I told Pete doesn't he look almost exactly like you did when you were little? He said yes, I said I think that's exactly what our son would look like. Well, we hadn't seen Santiago for awhile. Months went by and I still remembered that little guy. Then last week here is the little boy with his mom and dad and we see them shopping at the store and I introduced myself again. They remembered us  and I told Santiago when I see you, you are my little hope for a son someday. So my friends, whatever happens with this egg, or maybe it's another I believe this little one will come to pass. Thank you for believing with me. My heart swells with hope.

Good Friends

visit from good friends

playdates

Treasured Memories...

Riding my pony

Cousins

playing at Grandma Rios'

Little Travelers.. sister-in-laws

Family... One of Lifes Most Treasured Gifts

We just got back from a Midwest road trip. Beautiful scenic pastures in Nebraska. Horses stood still as the wind blew their manes. Cows wading in the water. Iowa brought a big round moon that we told Hannah we were chasing. She laughs wandering if Daddy can catch it. Quotes too funny we had to write them all down. Much needed time together as a family. Then onto the family reunions. Laughter playing games, story-telling, re-caps of lifes heart aches and joys. My heart was full. Hannah loving her cousins she calls "brothers" insert tears here.. My heart longs for her to have a brother. Here are a few captured moments of beautiful treasures we call Family.

My Little Valentine

2.14.14

I like the double digits. Double the love day! Here is my sweet girl making valentines with friends from our MOPS group. It was a lot of fun for her anyways, maybe a little stressful for mommy trying to make arts and crafts and then putting little valentines in each child's bag. All 20 of them. (insert smile) What a great way to teach little ones about giving to each other.  I love holidays because I like the spirit of giving that comes with it! And I am a gift giver in many ways. So here are a few sweet pictures of Hannah that I love sharing with you.  And hope today someone drops some love in your love bucket.

xxoo
Ramona

Scrapbooking

This weekend I am embarking on a cabin adventure with some fellow woman to spend some relaxation and use some creativity to create a book of pictures. My beautiful Hannah was born on Feb 27, 2011. I'd like to make this book of her birth through age 2 and add some blank pages for years beyond. Having a baby is such a special time and as everyone says they grow so fast. I want to have something to look at to remember each tender moment. From the day she was born when we discovered we had a beautiful red headed darling. Who would have thought? So many pictures from her first steps, her first poop in the potty! Yes we have to capture it all! The Lord laid it on my heart to do this also so that in the hard days of wanting a baby I have something to remember what I have had.
An update on my health issues, we are making progress with our acupuncturist. I go in twice a week for treatments and have been noticing a difference in my health. I have also started making my own bread and am using essential oils for my skin almost daily. Praying that I do not continue to have problems with skin cancer in the future. Many of these essential oils were used in the Bible. We really do have all our answers there. I hope the beginning of this New Year has been good to you so far. Blessing my friends!

Happy New Year 2014!

2014! It came so fast and I have to say was one of my favorite New Years so far.  My parents visited and we celebrated at a philharmonic symphony downtown with my parents. Amazing. Performance. It was so special to spend this New Year celebrating my dad's 68th birthday. He said that the number 68 was very significant. It was the year he graduated from college, married my mom, and now he will retire at 68 years old in August. We celebrated together watching the fireworks from our back porch from Pikes Peak. Doesn't get any better than this!

As far as New Year's resolutions go, I honestly didn't think about until I just read a friend's blog as she listed her resolutions from last year and this year. So hey why not write some new resolutions. These are mine:
Learn to cook a new recipe for supper something to really impress Peter.
Organize the office and my sewing room.
Enroll in a dance class. (maybe convince Pete to do this with me?)
Enjoy every moment with our daughter in her activities.
Keep the house more organized.
Spend time each day listing something I am grateful for.
Keep up the momentum of taking care of my health and fitness.


I think that's about it, I don't want to try to be an overachiever :-)