Monday, March 29, 2010

In Memory of...

Sr. Victor Ramirez-The head of a household.

No matter what experience or example, good or bad, the head of your household gives, you will miss them when they are gone.

The head of the household is defined as an adult household member with the largest long-term contribution to the household. Contributions can be income, spirituality, morality, respect, love, comprehension, support, etc...etc... In some cases that person is a Father or Father figure, in others it’s a hard working Mom or Grandmother, or any other who has taken on the responsibility of a household and more importantly of a Family.

In March 2007 after many weeks of weariness and pain, Ricardo’s grandfather passed away and this past Saturday with the heaviest of hearts we celebrated his life, all of us in our way but more importantly on this day we were together, happy and at peace. Family united, for the 3rd memorial Mass, of the head of the household.

Ricardo, my husband, has many memories of his Grandfather and at times regrets not making a trip with him in his last year, unfinished business if you will. The truth is we don’t know when we will die or when others will die, especially if they are ill and older. Ricardo believes that his Grandfather no matter what past he may have had or what kind of life he may have lived was a wonderful and meaningful person in his heart and soul. I think he rooted Ricardo’s old soul and love of music. A composer himself, Don Victor, left behind legacy, un-named tunes and broken hearts. In many ways he held the Ramirez family together, composed and at times apart for their own good.

One thing I personally regret is not having given him 3 years ago the opportunity to meet his Great-Grandson, but everything happens for a reason. Since Don Victor’s passing, Ricardo has only been back to his Grandfather’s grave twice, once in 2008 to tell him how Houston survived Hurricane Ike and then again March 9th, of this year. Not because he didn’t love him or respect him but because his loss is still not healed and the regret of not taking his Grandfather to visit his friend by the sea still weighs heavily on him. Ricardo, I think, has learned that you don’t leave for tomorrow what you can do today; his Grandfather meant the world to him, no matter how hard he was on him at times. With that in mind, Ricardo felt we should go to his Grandfathers’ resting place to introduce someone to him, his Great-Grandson, Santiago Isaias. Santiago is only going to be 7 months but he has already started hearing endless stories about his Great-Grandpa.

I pray that Santiago will know that no matter what a person’s past was about we are not here to judge but to honor and respect their lives in our hearts. Ricardo knows this and he does nothing but remember his Grandfathers light hearted laughter and “chistes de doble sentido” which often left Ricardo puzzled. Ricardo’s grandfather was old and stubborn but lively and wise. We hear others say “You’ll know when you get older!” or “Been there done that” and it doesn’t take on any meaning until you are older and know or have truly been there and done that! I only knew Don Victor for 8 years but that was more than enough time to know that he was a loving and caring person, who like all of us did what he could with what he had and often made mistakes but he brought his wife and children to the U.S., to thrive and accomplish. I think he was very proud of them but too proud to tell them, and in the end, wrong or not he loved us and in return was loved.

Ricardo loved his Grandfather and knows that one day we will be with him again, listening to his jokes and making him mad with redundant information. Ricardo and his Uncles have a very unique relationship, they tend to bust each other’s chops quite a bit, “burlones” if you will but that’s how they express their feelings sometimes good, sometimes bad, but that’s what it takes to be a part of this family, love it or leave it, is what I have learned. In the words of Mrs. Yolanda, one of the Tia's; “If you can’t beat’em, join’em!” Simple enough but so true! Ricardo had that same relationship, always with respect, with his Grandfather and I know that he misses making his Grandfather squirm and then listening to his laugh and seeing his toothless grin when he would get him back! He is truly missed.

I write this with so much love and out of respect for a family that has seen me grow up and not only welcomed me to be a part of them but have seen me give life to a new generation of this family…. I am more than happy to know that through the good and the bad we are family and we are here.

I hope that today you remember those who are no longer with us and pray that they rest in peace and that their family members live in peace.

"I am leaving you with a gift -- peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don't be troubled or afraid." John 14:27

This blog surged because on March 15th, I went to see Lady Antebellum with my sister in law and she mentioned how she had not gone to visit her Grandfathers tomb and we talked about how it’s on our way to and from work and neither of us had gone….. The conversation was spontaneous and out of the blue… God knows when…. is all I could think….


Love You RAMIREZ Family, no matter what….

Wednesday, March 24, 2010

Do I speak?

I try to be an open hearted and honest person. Always letting others know exactly how I feel. Being that I am human, that doesn’t always go the way I wish it would BUT I can’t find the way to stop running my mouth. More recently I have though learned to control what runs out of it.

I like to speak my mind and allow others the opportunity to speak theirs. I understand that I will not always agree with others and vice versa but I know that if I don’t express myself, I will lose who I know I should be. For years now, probably since I started my walk with Christ in 2004 after a very difficult turn in my life, I wanted to be involved and help others be involved in our Faith. I started really strong, joining a church, attending workshops and retreats; I was also Eucharistic minister and lector at church. I also volunteer a lot, everywhere not just as church along the way “collecting” special people in my life and attempting to relay what I was taught, that Jesus loves me and that NO matter what HE is here with me. But, since about 2009 when I learned I was pregnant, that energy and ability to be so involved died down. Now with my son being 6 months old I am starting to pick up speed and regain what I could have lost in that last year or so.

More importantly than attempting to bring others to Christ, I feel like I have a passion and a calling to bring young people to Christ, teenage girls or newly married young couples, but more specifically in the Hispanic community. My life has not always been about Christ and through my mistakes, even more recent ones, I have learned that the only, ONLY one I can rely on is Christ. For All my difficult problems as well as my uplifting joys! Jesus is my way of life and I can’t stop loving Him or telling the world about that love. But, I know that in order to help others and lead others, I myself need to gain guidance and leadership skills.

I have always wanted to attend a big conference where women share a common interest and where I wouldn’t have to be quiet or ashamed of my beliefs! For my regular Blog readers you may be thinking, I don’t understand. Well I am trying to win a scholarship for a Woman’s conference that takes place at the end of July. I think it will not only be a great opportunity to meet new women of Faith but also to gain valuable information that will allow me to start a new journey. The conference will help women further their skills in order to better serve for His purpose. I have included the links to where you can also get more information if you are interested.

http://lysaterkeurst.blogspot.com/2010/03/she-speaks-scholarship-contest.html

I am just a young woman of Christ seeking His word and His Love in every instance. I realize that at 28 I may be too young to try and really help others but I know that attending a conference like this will further motivate me. May this purpose be fulfilled now or 20 years from now I know that all that I do and experience will only further prepare me for what is to come.

I never know how much I impact or if I reach people when I "speak" but I know that this would be a great opportunity to SPEAK OUT AND BE HEARD!

I also realize that there are many others out there with stories great and far more difficult than mine and I in now way think I am better than them but I definitely think that I deserve this opportunity, but it's all in God's hands now.

http://www.shespeaksconference.com/index.htm

Tuesday, March 16, 2010

FATTY BOY TUESDAY ♥

Month 6 (March 16, 2010)


Emotions:

6 months ago today....
My husband and I, hit our knees and Thanked God! ♥

My husband and I, praised Him for the Blessings that He provides us EVERYDAY!

I gave the Lord his life and my ♥ heart as a Mother.

I fell in Love ♥ for the second time in my 28 years.

I discovered peace.

I began a new stage in my life.

I gave in to chaos.

I brought life into this world.

I became a Mother.

I gave my whole heart to those big brown eyes, round cheeks, stinky toes and fluffy lips.

I learned what taking a poop in a diaper REALLY meant.

A toothless grin took my breath away ♥.

I became the one who has to feed, diaper, and burp.

I took up a new hobby, Mommy hood.

I embraced the face of FAITH.

I was sliced and diced to form a family.

I learned a new kind of appreciation for my Mother.

I was Blessed with a new kind Love; unselfish, pure and unconditional.

I started to love the smell of powdered milk around the neck and dirty baby clothes.

I gave EVERYTHING up to God and know that life will be great from now on.

I further learned that this life is no longer about ME!

My biggest concern became Huggies or Pampers.

My budget no longer involved going to NY & Company or getting my hair and nails done.

“Me” time became non-existential and I no longer cared!

Life began to make so much sense.

And Life became so much sweeter!

I fulfilled a Godly purpose in my life.

I achieved one of my biggest goals.

I endured one of my biggest challenges.

I THANKED God for allowing me to experience such an awesome journey!

Highlights:

• He had his fist fall! Please refer to the previous post :

http://gomezfamily2009.blogspot.com/2010/03/update-and-catch-up-week.html 

• With the fall his FIRST visit to the ER.

• He took his first big boy bath!! In the tub with many toys!

• He was sick for the first time…not the best time for anyone. It’s so hard to see your happy baby be grumpy and sad all the time.

• He met his Great Grandpa Pascual from Reynosa and his Aunties!

• He visited his Great Grandpa’s tomb, Don Victor Ramirez (May he rest in Peace) .

• He attended his first lunch date at the Kemah Boardwalk.

• He went on his second road trip to a wedding in Dallas!

• He met Tia Raquel from Atlanta, Georgia.

• He stayed OVER night at his Granny’s house while Mommy and Daddy had a night out…

• Had his first play date with his Tia Yaya! :D

Discoveries:

• That he has mommy wrapped around his finger.

• That falls are scary….

• That he loves to see the water fall from the faucet.

• That he can undo his own diaper…YES!

Challenges:

Mommy-

• Organization

• Time management

• Leaving Santi to do Volunteer work

• Going to church with a 6 month old without there being chaos.

• Leaving Santi to go to work every day.

Baby-

• Teething still not sure if it’s painful or bothersome….but he still gets some Orajel and or his teether just in case.

• Being sick, fever and cough.

• Going to the hospital.

Height: (Until our next Dr’s visit)

Weight: 19 lbs— (Until our next Dr’s visit)

Next doctor’s visit: on March 25th for his 6 month check up.

What to look forward to:

• At this point just about everything and anything!

• We do have a Photo Shoot soon after Santiago turns 6 months so I can’t wait to compare photos from when he was 6 weeks to now at 6 months.

• Crawfish season and his “Crawfish” outfit.

• Maybe some crawling.

• Maybe some sitting completely unassisted.

Sunday, March 14, 2010

What A difference a year makes....

I have always said that EVERYTHING happens for a reason. And in the same way I feel like PEOPLE happen to us for a reason....and for every season..there is a reason...or a person. 

I have met MANY wonderful women in my life, some already gone and some that have just begun. Friendship amongst women goes further than a "Hi, how are you?", it's all about the "What did you wear to the concert?" And "Did you WATCH IDOL last night?!" Women are rare and specific creatures, but we rarely pick who we will befriend, usually it just happens and as I have been witness to MANY a times, when it happens wonderfully it's more than just a friendly reminder that there are other people out there like you, it's like finding a diamond amongst all the coals.

I have been VERY Blessed to have a sister, or as my much younger counterpart, Yaya, would say a "Sista' "! Said this way it gives the word; heart, soul and depth and I love it. But, I have ALSO been VERY Blessed to have friends, who I can and would call, my "Sista' ". One of these women happens to be my husband's aunt, Yolanda, and another one, her Sista' Raquel. I often seek words of advice, encouragement and peace from both of these great ladies. And looking back it's been a very purposeful journey, I have learned as a "young" wife and mother, that you can be bold, determined, ambitious, and a dreamer. Why am I going on and on about friends and how great they can be...because today I saw a friend who I don't see often as a matter of fact the last time I saw this woman, I was 5 months pregnant and as I was ready to embark on a very remarkable journey, she too set sail into a new life! Raquel I don't see you often and you are not my sista' (that way at least) but girl I love you and am glad to call you my "sista' " from another mother! 

Thank You for your smile and your heart. You and Yolanda have been awesome to me. 
Raquel and I; June 2009

Raquel and I; March 2010

Wednesday, March 10, 2010

Update and Catch up Week!

So, I started my week on a Wednesday, why? Well I have been out sick since last week, kinda.


It all started on Thursday, my son fell off of our bed and my husband frantically took him to the ER. I would have panicked, and did, cause worse things was... I was at work. For those of you who don't know me I usually get dropped off at work because parking in DT Houston is too expensive. So, I leave my truck at my moms and then she carpools me in… about 5 minutes from her house. But, on Thursday those 5 minutes seemed like hours. And, the 10 minute drive to the hospital was ETERNAL! I made it to the ER of Memorial Hermann Memorial City and found my son, still in deep sigh from his tears, and my husband distraught! Not sure what the feeling was but to make light of it…as Monica from "Friends" thought…. “I broke your baby!” My husband felt like that and worse! He is a wonderful person and even better father…and for this to have happened on his watch, well it was self disappointing to say the least…

After several hours in the ER,prayers, tears, and almost heart attacks, we made it out. Santiago Isaias, not even a scratch. Ricardo and I, both know he was lightly placed on the floor by Gods hands and that  his little Angel wings were flapping frantically… it was more of a scare, and an eye opener, for all of us! Of course like all new parents the next 4 days we would have killed someone had they said we had to leave him behind….

For the weekend we went to Dallas, to a family members wedding. It was fun and another eye opener… we can no longer pray at church, dance, or mingle without first meeting the needs of our little one. May that be to stare out the window at church or to see the rest of the kids run around the reception hall. No biggie we took turns and LOVED hearing how adorable he looked in his new outfit and how adorable he was in general, ha. We were back by Sunday night not without a pit stop at BUCEE'S, but survived the 4hours there and 4 hours back with a 6 month old and everything in between, a lot better than we expected. Santiago was great and all the while we continued to observe him per the doctors request, we checked his little soft spot and just his reactions as a whole; vomiting, uncontrollable crying and/or weird body movements. All was well and he survived a very scary fall. Our bed is about 3 feet off the ground, yes I know, my husband is tall and I use a step stool, no joke!

Monday I decided that I would stay home with Santiago all day and not only take him to his doctor’s visit but also continue to observe him. I was still worried, but knew that God was with him and that he would not leave my little Angels’ side. Well around 12:30pm, I got a horrible pain at the top of my stomach and couldn’t breathe much less move for about an hour. After the pain had subdued I went to the doctor myself and cancelled Santiago’s visit until the following day. I went to see the doctor and was told that my "red pepper" intake was not reasonable and that I should take some meds and lay off the spices for a couple of days. As a VERY Mexican woman, that’s nearly impossible….but have been doing ehhh with it. Still a little sore from my stomach and little achy I went back at work today.

Before that, I had so much going on…I finally went back to my Volunteer work and am hoping to expand on that as the year progresses. And, if Santiago allows it. I love to Volunteer but being away from Santiago is sooo “painful” right now. Didn’t know it would be this hard! So, I went back to Rodeo this year, I am a committee member of the HLSR. Which reminds me, the night Santi had his fall was Kenny Chesney’s night at the Rodeo, in a heartbeat I gave up my tickets for that night and NEVER thought back on it again until now, funny how your priorities, change had that been last year, I would have killed and cried all week! But Thank God, life is NO LONGER ABOUT ME!! Plus, I got to return a great favor for an old friend, Thank You Lola, for Alan Jackson and for taking my tickets to Kenny! So, before last Thursday, Rodeo was starting and I had been busy with meetings and information retention. Also on my plate, an Election. For those of you who don’t know me, I work in the Elections department of the Harris County Clerk’s Office. So, Elections, big or small, we are busy! Also, we got BIG news from my "little" brother which just drove me emotionally insane! But, now that it’s all out..I can talk..he is leaving Houston. Moving with his beautiful girlfriend to Florida, Destin, to be exact! Following a job offer and we are all VERY happy for them! My sis and I were initially saddened but happy at the same time. We love our brother and wish NOTHING BUT THE BEST! Goodness, so much. With all that happened, I didn’t Fast on Friday but resumed today and feel great!

Well with that note I started my week today…also about me….while at home I either don’t have time or don’t have energy to check ANY type of media/ socializing network, don't even talk on the phone...will txt if I know where my phone is. So, I really started my work and social week today, family week…that never ends! Well I usually log on to my email check all my devotionals, read and meditate. The very first title that I read was my Weekly Devotional by Dr. Tony Evans of Dallas the title…. “The Enemy is Under Your Feet!” This gave me so much HOPE and LIFE, assuring me that it was going to be a great week! It was VERY significant to me!!!! AND I LOVED IT!!!!

All of this happened…plus other things and situations…. but hey THAT’S LIFE!

Well I should be up to date on the last 2 weeks after this....haha.

Next week Santiago turns 6 MONTHS! OMG. Time. Time. Time. Where does it go?

Yesterday, Winter/Fall kinda sorta faded and Spring/Summer peeked through, so much that we put Santi in shorts and chanclas (sandals..hehehe) ! He looks sooo cute... I didn't have my camera charger so I had to do a Camera Phone pic! :(  But my Lil'Chunk looked adorable! :D