Our 2010

Merry Christmas!! Here it is December of 2010! I can hardly believe that we are closing out another year. Seriously, time just flies the older you get. Or at least the older I get. =)


It's been a good year for us. I thought that I would do a Christmas blog instead of Christmas cards. We haven't taken family pictures this year but I did include a smattering of pictures from our year. I tried to put them in order but blogger is too smart for me so I just gave up.

I have a twin sister. Some of my coworkers and friends don't realize this about me. We are identical. So I included this pic we took. Best friends...Shannon, Liz, and me. We are "trinkies."

This picture shows Rebekah with her two front teeth gone. She lost one in early December and the 2nd one got knocked out in PE when she smacked into someone. That's right...."all she wants for Christmas is her two front teeth." The tooth fairy did deliver. =)







This year, as usual, we tried to spend as much time as we could with family. We had game night at my house not too long ago. We were playing SCAT here. Dad was getting ready to deal. You can't see Shannon in this picture. But she was there. Needless to say, I did NOT win this game. But I had fun trying. =)

Something big we celebrated this year was Rebekah chose to be baptized at church. It was very special for us. She got a t-shirt to wear during the baptism..."I took the plunge." she was sooo excited.

This is our pug Bella. I had to include her in the blog. She brings a lot of fun (and trouble) to the family. She's a year old now and we love her. You may wonder where her name comes from....well, in case you didn't know...and I would be shocked if you didn't...I'm a HUGE Twilight fan. Bella is the heroine in the series...now you know how our Bella got her name. (Go Team Edward!)

This was our Halloween. Leyena and Noah our my niece and nephew...(that would be Tinkerbell and Peter Pan). Rebekah and Joshua were Cinderella and Boba Fett (Star Wars). Oh and of course Bella was Mrs. Claus.

This was a get together we had for the kids' birthday I think. Kaylin, Jadyn, Noah, Rebekah, Makenna, Leyena, Joshua and a not-so-happy Benny. =) This was in August. Now that I'm looking at Rebekah a little closer, she's wearing her birthday ribbon...so it was for her birthday. This year, her birthday fell on the first day of school. 6 years old in 1st grade.

This year, for the first time I can really remember, we got snow (in January I believe---although I cold be wrong). And LOTS of it. I believe somewhere around 12 inches fell that day. I tried to catch the flakes on my tongue.

We built a snowman. Can you see how it is STILL snowing?! It was great!

In July, we took a 17 day trip and headed west with my in-laws. One of our many stops was Disneyland in CA. It was great! I don't know who had more fun...me or the kids as we tried to get autographs with the many characters at the park.

While on this trip, we stopped at the ocean. I must say I was terribly disappointed to discover that it was COOOLLLLLDDD at the ocean. I pictured sunny, CA beaches and bikinis. When we got there it was cloudy, cold, and there wasn't one single bikini to be found on that beach!! (can't say I blame them!) But we didn't let that stop us from playing for a few minutes at the water's edge.

Ahhh, LA. What a place! I loved it! I spared you, my readers, the tons of pictures I took of all the stars with the celebrity names. I took a LOT of them. For my blog, I settled on this one of us by a statue. I loved walking the streets of Hollywood, shopping, and seeing celebrity names. I even tried some boba tea...but that's a story for another time.

Another thing that I tried to do this year was take as many pictures with as many people as I could. This is one of me and my grandmother in Phoenix. I love Phoenix. I wish I could include all the pictures of everyone I took...but then you may never finish this blog...

This is my brother, John. Many of you know him. Technically he's my "little" brother, but as you can tell...I'm the little one. He turned 30 in October. He's a cop and occasionally, I get to do ride alongs with him....which are lots of fun. That's also a story for another time. =) His name is John. He doesn't like to take pictures. I do though.....

If you catch Joshua in just the right mood, he will strike some really cute poses. What can I say? I have cute, talented kids.

This is Fidel and I. I likethis picture. We've really had a blessed year. God has brought us sooo far. I'm amazed by it. Sometimes more than others. ;) We find more and more time to just laugh together. Our marriage continues to grow and our relationship continues to strengthen and deepen...we celebrated 10 years of marriage in July.

In January, my dad and I and the kids took a trip to Phoenix. It was a fun road trip. I believe we were on our way home and we were in New Mexico here.

This is a picture of Fidel on his 30th birthday in March. He wanted a Payton Manning jersey. Bekah wanted to blow the candle out. =) Does that mean she got to make his wish?

This was Easter morning. I thought it was sweet....that this was the 5th picture I took and had to tell them to hold hands and act like they loved each other. So finally they did....and look how cute it turned out!

Rebekah decided to play softball this year. And by saying she liked playing softball, I mean she liked playing with the dirt while in outfield. But hey, "Go Angels"!

Her daddy, who also coached the team, told her to quit playing with the dirt and to watch the ball .....this is her interpretation of watching for the ball. What ball? Where did it go?

Okay, that's all the pictures I have for now. As I said, I have soooooo many pictures. But I want you to finish reading my blog so I had to tell myself to limit them. It's been a good year. I am thankful for God's blessings. I am still working at Acton Elem teaching 2nd grade bilingual. I have only 19 students this year and it is GREAT! They are my best class ever. Joshua is in 3rd grade and making so many 100s. Rebekah is doing well in 1st grade also...although spelling is not her favorite subject. Fidel resigned from Dallas ISD at the end of October. Although he continues to look for other job opportunities, he has taken the time to build his own computer company....The Computer Guy. Times are a little lean but God always provides.

I can't think of much more to say...it is past my bedtime. 3 more days of school before we are out for break. Woooo hooo! I wish I could say that I will blog again soon...but time will tell for sure on that one. When school is in session, blogging, as well as many other things get put on the back burner. Such is life. I will return though...I am quite sure I will have more pictures to show off....

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. May your family be blessed this holiday season and next year as well.

love,

Fidel, Sara, Joshua, Rebekah, and Bella Ramirez

Summer is here!!!

Summer is here and I am loving it!! Sleeping in, going to the library, hitting up the pool, going to the museum. We have got plans and we plan to have fun!!

I thought I would throw some pics in here. I wanted to see how much Joshua and Rebekah have grown in a year's time. This picture below was from June 2009 when they were meeting their cousin Eli for the first time. Joshua is going into 2nd grade and Rebekah into kindergarten. Weren't they all just so adorable?? okay, of course I think so...I'm their mama and aunty. =)

These pictures were taken on Easter. Notice how much bigger they look?? It's unbelieveable to me!! Rebekah is now, at this time, a first grader and my son is a 3rd grader. Yeah, I know. It chokes me up too.

I put in an extra Easter pic. Rebekah LOVES this pose. If you tell her you're gonna take a picture, she almost always strikes this pose.

I'm so proud of them. Rebekah is reading. Joshua is in the Gifted and Talented program. They love to go swimming. =) I am looking forward to soaking up the sun with the both of them.

Next month, Fidel and I will celebrate 10 years of marriage. I can say celebrate...cause, well, there was a time that I didn't believe for one minute we would celebrate it and also because it is something to celebrate now. I was listening to a song the other day. Taylor Swift singing "Love Story". I began to reflect on the concept of love stories. I thought, "do we really have a love story? REally? Yeah, it's a world better now. Things have turned around for almost a year now. But love? If anything, our path together has reflected some really ugly turns where love was not involved. It was quite the opposite." But as I began to think about it some more, I was reflecting that any good that has come of our relationship is not because we were in love or not in love with each other. Truly, it was a Greater Love that was involved. You see, on my own, I cannot comprehend or fathom how our relationship survived. And that's because we, he and I, didn't make it work. I believe, fully, that it was God. Only He can do miracles. And let me tell you, Fidel and I both agree that it's a miracle we are still together. (Or should I say it's a miracle I didn't kill him? hhmmm) It doesn't make sense. But I know that the true love story in our relationship is the one we have with the true Lover of my Heart...Jesus. As I walked this journey, especially the last 3 years or so, I was stripped down to my barest in my soul. And it was the Love my Jesus had for me that restored me, built me up, and renewed me. And Fidel. Each on our own at first. Then slowly, His love brought us together again, healing wounds, mending broken places....that's a Love Story. and the greatest thing of all, perhaps, is that even though our marriage has been restored, had it not...I still would have my Love Story in Jesus. Cause no one can love me like He can. I am grateful that my marriage is restored. It's by no means perfect...but that doesn't exist here on this earth.

So, Fidel and I have walked a bumpy path in life. But as I look back at the last 10 years, I am grateful that a friendship has been restored. I am grateful that I've learned to not look to man for who I am and what I need....we are human and we falter. But I've learned that True Love is found in Jesus. And it's nice to walk that path with Fidel once again. We'll see what the next 10 years holds....

Okay, enough mushiness. You know, the good thing about blogging, I can be me. I am not eloquent. I am not well-versed. But I like to ramble at times...I believe I get that from my dad. =) So, if you enjoy reading my ramblings, I'm glad. If not, then delete them. Either way, it's just a little glimpse inside the mind of a 32 year old mother and wife. Me. Sara. =)

love and God bless,

I have missed you...

Ah, my blog. How I have missed you!!! Here it is May and it has been so long. With school, and life...I have neglected you. But it was not on purpose!!! It's just that life gets so busy!!!

I am wrapping up my first year at Acton Elem. in Duncanville. It has been a good year overall. When I was desperate for a job, God provided this one just in time. It's proven to be one of my best years, if not THE best year that I have had as a teacher. My principal and Assistant Principal have been wonderful. I am sad that my principal did get sick halfway thru the year and has bee out since Jan. She came back about 2 weeks ago to say she was moving to work in administration. Wherever she works, they are lucky to have her!! Guess I will have to go to admin to see her now! She's a very sweet lady.
With her leaving, that means we get a new principal and possibly AP next year. That makes me nervous. It's been so good to work for good people, and I've had my share of crappy leaders in the past....well, I don't want another one! But even as I type those, I know that no matter who is administration and what their leadership qualities, I know that it will never be as bad as it once was. Because I'm different. No longer can a person have the power to define who I am as a professional. At one time in my career, I gave that power to a former principal of mine. It almost crushed me. Thankfully, gratefully, God has shown me differently since then. So...I know that next year at Acton Elem should be a good year too. As long as I remember who I am and where I've come from.

On another school note, we have 15 teaching days left. That's right....15. I am counting!!! And so are the students! Joshua and Bekah are ready for summer and I am too! We can go to the library, sleep late, go to the pool, sleep late, go to the pool, sleep late. Well, you get the idea! =) Speaking of my angels, Joshua is finishing up 2nd grade which means he is going to be in 3rd grade. Yes, you read that right. 3rd grade. He's going to be 8 in August. And Bekah, she's finishing up kindergarten which means she will be a 1st grader. I'm still in shock too....and denial. Where did my babies go? ????? sigh. Time. Time has turned my babies into children. And they are wonderful children too!! I'm so proud of them. They are enjoying their gymnastics class. Getting better at it too. Josh has been working on his front hand springs and backflips. It's fun for me to watch him during his class. Rebekah is working on her cartwheels. they've been in it about 9 months now.

Well, just wanted to touch base. I am still here. =)

God bless!

Life keeps going....

So life continues on for the Ramirez family. We stay busy...like every other family we know. Who doesn't stay busy? I have just decided that that is the season we are in. It will pass. Hopefully...=)

Rebekah and Joshua are doing very well in school. Academically that is. ha ha. Rebekah's teacher told me that she may be GATE (gifted and talented) material. Wow! So cool. They will test her to see if she qualifies for the program. Joshua was accepted into the program last year. Initially, I was exited because someone besides myself recognized how gifted and smart my children were. (ahem, doesn't every mother think their child is acceptionally gifted?) Until I saw the project Joshua has to do for his Spring GATE project. Ugh! research, presentation, yadda yadda yadda. Translation--he's gonna need some help at home. Bleh! If you know JOshua you know that he DOES NOT like homework. Sometimes it's like pulling teeth to get him to do it. Anyways, I'm hoping the teacher does most of the work in school. Anyway, we'll see what happens with Bekah.

Speaking of Rebekah, you may remember the blog I did about getting her shots for school. Well, since the law changed, she had to get a Hep A shot for school. This requires 2 doses. She's due for the 2nd shot. I made her appt for this Wed after school. Needless to say, I think I will save that information and not let her know until we pull up in front of the dr office. She's not gonna be happy when she finds out we are there for her. And that we are there so she can get another shot. maybe she won't cry this time.....maybe. ha ha. We'll see. =)

There's a lot to say, yet it's all rolling around in my head, I don't know which to say. What's babble and what's not? Guess it doesn't matter....that's what blogs are for anyways---babbling. =) Well, my blog is anyway.
As I said, life is busy. With family time, bible studies, group meetings, work, church, gymnastics for the kids. Life is life. We were able to hire someone to clean the house. We've had one cleaning. It was nice to not have to clean the bathrooms for a change. We have to pick up before she comes, but she does the scrubbing. It has saved some time on the weekends for other things---like playing with the kids (Wii Mario is very popular with us) or bday parties or showers or whatever else happens on the weekends.) That just leaves the laundry. We average about 6 loads of laundry. That's a lot. I just folded the laundry last week that had been sitting in the baskets for 2 weeks. Yes, it took me 2 weeks to fold the laundry. Now I am starting all over again. I wonder if it will take 2 weeks to fold this batch? ha ha. Then there's couponing. I used to cut coupons and use that for grocery shopping. I don't have time to cut coupons anymore. Which means that I am not saving money. Paying full price for groceries bums me out. I need to start cutting coupons again. But when? ha maybe the same day that I go to the gym. (I don't go to the gym...I don't have time.)

You might be asking...why are you so busy? What do you do other than work that keeps life running so fast for you? Well, lets' see...church on Sundays and small group Sunday night (small group meets for 8 weeks, takes 8 weeks off, on for 8 weeks, etc), Monday night is family night with the Ramirez, Tuesday nights are open, Wed nights is a bible study with a friend (this will end in a few months), Thurs night I go to a group meeting for people like me who tend to be OCD (ha ha), and that takes us into the weekend. Friday night is whatever may be planned for that night, SAt. are laundry, errands, showers, parties, etc, and that takes us back to Sunday. Oh yeah, and I forgot the kids have gymnastics on Wed at 4;30. Whew, I'm tired! I can say that I have learned to start saying no and turning some things down. I've never been a big fan of turnign down bday party invites or shower invites...but I seem to have a full plate now. I look forward to Spring break...when I can do all the little projects I keep putting off.

Even though life is busy, I am still content. I will be glad to slow down a bit, but it's good. Bella, our puppy continues to grow. She loves to chase my feet. She is 15 weeks now. We will soon be taking her for shots. (Josh and Bekah protested this when I mentioned it at the dinner table the other day! ha ha...they didn't want her to to get shots.) She is doing better on house training, but if we let her run around the house...she will use the bathroom whereever she wants to...the carpet, the floor, whereever. So we have to watch her close or put her in the bathroom so she doesn't make any more messes on the floor. She's learning though. I hope. =)

Jadyn and Eli, my niece and nephew spent the night with us last night. They are cute. Jadyn says, "Come on, SAra" in her little voice. I love it! And she repeats everything!! Bekah likes to try and pick her up. Eli is so chunky, it's hard to pick him up! lol, His cheeks are so fluffy, I couldn't help but squeeze them many times. Fidel rocked him to sleep last night and early in the morning when he woke up. I told him to get his baby fix in. lol =) Both kids are so layed back. We get to keep them again at the end of Feb. It will be great. =)

Well, thats it for now. Tomorrow is my sis in law's bday and my nephew Noah's bday. It will be fun partying it up with both. =)

A prayer answered...

Okay, so most of you know that Fidel and I have been doing pretty well for awhile now. And for the most part, he's been staying at the house with us rather than his apartment. So the prayer has already been answered, per se. (Some of you may remember the blog where I mentioned the kids prayed every night for daddy...)
Anywho, Del and I agreed that he no longer needed the apartment. Okay, Del thought that months ago..but I agreed this week. So as of Friday, all of the Ramirez will live under one household.

Thanks for your prayers. No relationship is perfect, but this one has been through the wringer and back. I definitely need God's guidance and continued healing in my heart. There has been some real damage done....but I trust and and have found that my God is big. And where there were tears and sorrow and despair, He has replaced with peace, joy, and contentment. And I know that that joy and contentment comes from Him, and not any man. That is a hard lesson learned, and not one I will easily forget. Fidel and I have learned some tools and we continue to use those tools as we continue forward in our relationship and our walk with God. Sometimes, I can only take it a day at a time...and either way...I choose to trust God with my future. =)

Well, this is just a quick blog....

God bless!

more than a month has past...

More than a month has past since I last wrote a blog. It's not what I intended, it's just that life is busy. It seems that sitting at a computer long enough to pay the bills is about all I have time for. Anything longer is a luxury. =) But I know that life moves in phases, and I have some time on my hands right now...so I thought I would put some thoughts on paper, err or the internet.

Christmas has come and gone. It was a wonderful experience this year. Santa brought the kids what the asked for...legos and a skateboard for Josh, and a big Barbie and drawing stuff for Bekah. There were so many presents this year...it's unbelievable. Truthfully, my kids are spoiled. Well, I guess I should say that we are all spoiled! We were showered with so many presents that there are too many to name. Santa even brought me a gift this year...a Wii Fit! ;) I had told Santa that I was a very good girl this year and he must have agreed cause Christmas morning..there it was! =)
We enjoyed a Christmas Eve dinner with my father-in-law, or dad, and the family. After dinner, we opened presents. I think that we have started a new tradition with that side of the family. Instead of Christmas Day, we open gifts on Christmas Eve. I kind of like it. I know the kids did! Next year, we will have a 5th child at Christmas time. Ben and Kathy are expecting their first...a little boy. I am so excited for them and can't wait to meet my newest nephew sometime in May.
After we left dad's, we headed to my parents' house...where the family had gathered. We decorated cookies and laughed. My parents have a cottage in the back, so we crashed there and enjoyed our traditional Christmas breakfast with them and opened presents. It was fun! Josh and Bekah left a cookie for Santa and a couple of small carrots for Rudolph. They were excited to see them eaten on Christmas morning. =)
Early on the 26th, my dad, myself, and the kids hit the open road for Phoenix, AZ. Which is where I am right now. We've spent time with aunts, uncles, grandparents. We've played with pets (Rebekah is especially fond of my grandma's 2 shih tzus. Pandie, one of her dogs, loves to lick and lick Bekah's face. And Bekah loves to receive the licks. She licks her so much Bekah's cheeks get chapped. I have to tell her no more and she says, "but, Mommy, I like it." lol We have eaten, eaten, and eaten so many home baked goodies that I won't even tell you what the scale told me the other day at Grandma's. (That's what New Year's Resolutions are for, right?)

For Christmas, Joshua and Rebekah received money from various people. Josh chose to buy legos. What else would he buy? I can't begin to tell you how many lego kits he has. Well, now he has 3 more. He will sit for hours putting the kits together. He's really good at it too.

All which leads me to this morning. I was awakened at 5:30 am by my daughter....who was vomiting. yes, just how we want to spend some vacation time...holed up in our hotel room with a stomach bug. poor thing....she threw up 2 more times within 45 min. before she fell asleep for awhile. As I write this blog, she has since gotten up to inform me that she is much better. That's good! I don't think we will take her out today though...just to be on the safe side. Wouldn't want to spread this Holiday Cheer around!!!! It will be a good day to rest, watch some movies, and play legos! Not to mention that I did just happen to bring the first 2 books of the Twilight Saga with me to AZ. =D It's a great day to finish book 1. yes, I have read all 4 books, and I've watched the 1st movie at least 15 times (I happened to bring the movie with me too!!!) and have already seen New Moon 3 times in the theater. But what can I say? Except..go Team Edward! =)

New Years is just days away. 2009 will soon be a memory. I am thankful for what God has done in my life in this past year. He has brought me and my family through so much and so far. And I continue to see His work in my life. I have a job which I like, my kids are doing well, we are on vacation in AZ, we got a new puppy...Bella, and Fidel and I are doing well. (of course these are in no order of importance). Life with Fidel is not perfect, but what relationship is? He is supportive, active, and involved in our lives. He is a changed man, I can definitley tell. But things like this take awhile. And it's taking awhile. And that's ok. I have learned from experience that when I rush things, well, they don't necessarily work out so well. Sometimes, I have my doubts...but I just remind myself that hey, God is in control. No matter what happens, He's got me and my family in His hands. And His Hands are so much more capable than mine. Too many times I try to take the reins and tell God where we are gonna go. Sometimes it works out...sometimes not so much.

Well, I think that this is a good stopping point. I need to go put some clothes in the laundry here at the laundry mat.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

It's that time again..

School is out for a week so that can only mean one thing....I have some time to blog now. =)
When I am working, life stays busy, so it's hard to sit down and actually blog. I hardly get on Facebook either. But I will endeavor to correct both of these things this week while I am off. =)

I had started a to-do list for this week that I am off. Things like: touch-up paint through-out the house, paint the bathroom, paint the loft, finish knitting Eli's stocking, put up Christmas decorations, re-organize loft closet, re-organize bedroom closet, organize pantry....and well, the list goes on. However, I had to take another look at my list and get a little more realistic. It is not going to happen. I am keeping my niece and nephew Monday and Tuesday, an appt on Monday, movies on Wednesday (because I simply must see Twilight: New Moon for the 2nd time =) ), Thanksgiving on Thursday, and the annual tradition of Black Friday (woo hoo). So, as you see, I have already booked my week. NOt to say that maybe I wont' get to some things on my list, but in reality, most of them WON'T happen. That's okay....there's always the week before Christmas. =)

Joshua and Rebekah continue to grow by leaps and bounds. Rebekah is now reading and spelling. She LOVES to spell things...even if it's not a real word. "Mommy, what does B-A-B spell?" "Mommy, what does D-A-N spell?" "Rebekah, would you like to take a shower?" "uuuuhh, N-O, Mommy." yes, she's quite the speller these days. I get a little delighted to hear her read though. She can read simple words and stories and it's so cute. She writes "the" and can read it well too. Sigh, she's growing up. She gave her daddy a hard time the other day. Last weekend, I went to the Women of Faith conference in Houston, so Daddy kept the kids. He picked them up from school on Friday and took them to the park. While driving there, Rebekah piped up from the backseat. The conversation went something like this.
"Daddy, I'm not going to marry Joshua when I grow up." (they have often said that when they grow up they are going to marry each other. We have often responded with you can't marry your brother or your sister....we don't live in Arkansas. To which they would reply that they love each other. To which we replied that that was great...but you don't marry your siblings....well, they just didn't seem to get it)
"Oh really, why is that?"
"Cause he's my brother, DAddy."
"Yes, that's right, Joshua is your brother."
"I'm not going to marry Joshua. I'm going to marry someone else, Daddy."
'You are? Who are you going to marry?"
"I'm going to marry Jesse." (Jesse is a boy in her class.)
"Why Jesse, Rebekah?"
"Cause he says nice things to me."
It was about there that I received a phone call in Houston from my husband telling me that he did not sign up for this part of the parenting. That he couldn't handle it....lol! I started laughing as he told me the story and said we should pray now for her future spouse. Lord help me! She's gonna marry Jesse cause he says nice things to her!!!??? Man, I've got my work cut out for me. Needless to say, we later told Bekah that she didn't need to think about marriage cause you had to be 34 before you got married so she had plenty of time! I wonder how long that will work with her....................................

well, I was hoping to post some pics on here, but as I write this I am trying to load pics onto my computer from my camera. It's being so slow. I don't think it's gonna happen. =( I have some cute ones to. My niece turned 2. I have some adorable pics from that. I went to Houston. Got some fun pics there. Josh sang at school in a PTA meeting. (He did so good!) But I guess I will have to post them later. =)

Good night! God bless!