Ramirez and Anderson Family: January 2011

Monday, January 3, 2011

Goodbye 2010 - Hello 2011

Hello and Happy New Year!

I am so looking forward to a new year because the end of 2010 was a challenge. Paul is doing great after his open heart surgery and is back to work full time as of today. He has been back part-time for the past two weeks. He looks and feels great. Paul's kidney function improved a bit after his surgery so we are praying it keeps going in the right direction. I had gallbladder surgery on December 23rd and got out of the hospital Christmas Eve. I tried to keep up with the festivities but I wasn't feeling very well. The kids took over making breakfast Christmas morning which was a treat for me. I am just now starting to feel like myself again. I still have some bad days but they are getting to be less and less (Thank God). My wish for 2011 is for health for all of us. If you don't have your health, nothing else matters. Charlie, Clint, and Cheri's grandfather was diagnosed with cancer. His wife died of it last spring. It has been a rough few years for the Anderson/Reyna/Combs family. Please keep them in your prayers.

Paul III came home for Christmas and it was wonderful to have him with us for such a long time. He was here almost a week. We will be going to New York for Spring Break so we will see him in April too. He is sporting a handlebar mustache that I just love. It gives him character (not that he didn't have character before).

Jon and Hannah couldn't make it for the holiday this year. They were very missed. Jon had to work Christmas Eve. That is one of the downfalls of working in a hospital, people get sick year round. I hope this isn't a regular thing. I want all my kids together at Christmas especially.

Charlie, Kortnie, Clint, Amanda, Cheri, and Alex were all home for the holidays. They made Christmas breakfast and were a big help during my down time after surgery, as was Paul. Clint and Amanda didn't stay very long since they had to spend time with Amanda's family. They have moved out of town so we both see less of the kids now that they split their time. I can't wait until Amanda graduates and then we can both see more of them.

We made 1000 tamales before Christmas, Paul went back and made more, then Dad Ramirez made even more for us for Christmas Eve. Dad has been selling them so we are his cheap labor, we work for food. I'm glad I ate some when we were making them because I couldn't eat them Christmas Eve - I was bummed too.

Anna enjoyed her American Christmas but she thinks Santa is kinda creepy. She liked the stockings and helped me decorate (and take it all down). We got a box from Austria with a bunch of goodies and Austrian traditions. Anna was a bit homesick during the holidays but I think she still had a good time with our gang. We will see her parents soon; we are meeting them in New York and we are excited for that trip.

The new kitty, Murphy, has been quite an entertainer. I have a picture of him and Romeo and it is so funny; talk about extremes! Jimmy Choo is doing well but is starting to get an attitude -Thank goodness for Parelli. Parelli is a horse training program that stresses natural horsemanship. I have worked with him some but with all of our health issues his training has taken a back seat. Time to get him in shape. Romeo and Cheyenne loved the holidays. They loved all the attention and commotion. There were lots of people and treats - their favorites! My cousins came in town to pick up my Aunt Linda and Kelly's little girls were not fans of the big horse dogs. The did like the little kitty though. Vader hates the holidays too. He is a crabby old man now. We bought him a Santa hat and beard and he hated it. It was too funny. I have a pic of that too. Mr. Missy and Angel (barn cats) were oblivious, as was Jimmy. They did like the extra treats Santa brought them.

Paul and I spent New Year's Eve with friends. We made a nice dinner and played euchre. Anna went to a party with her Young Life friends, and Cheri went to a party with Alex's family. On New Year's Day our family got together with Alex's family for a dinner at Sukura's, a Japanese restaurant that cooks the food in front of you. It was a good time with good food and company.

Here's to 2011...may it bring you peace, love, health, and happiness!
Love Ya,
Cindy