Weekend of Surprises!

We so enjoyed our quick trip to Illinois the weekend of October 3rd. 

We gave my mom the surprise of her life when we showed up to celebrate her 50th birthday.

This was Miguel's first time flying since he was a toddler.

(Excuse the photo bomber sitting behind us.)

We just couldn't get enough of this sweet boy!

Brunch with the ladies. So glad my mentor, Bonnie, could come along. 

We enjoyed attending Peoria church together for the first time.

Sunday night, we had a family dinner with all my siblings and celebrated Mom's birthday and Tim's 14th birthday.

That's when we shared our second surprise of the weekend!

Baby Aviña is on the way!

I haven't had much nausea (some here and there), but plenty of food aversions esp. meat. I have to eat small portions, but need to eat more often which I'm trying to do better at doing. A few foods that I have been enjoying consistently are cornflakes and soup esp. chicken noodle soup!

So far the only thing strange that I've craved has been tomatoes, just plain tomato, but only when I'm cutting them up or happen to see one.

I continue to enjoy being a part of Hilos, the new after-school program. 

Here are a couple of snapshots from the art room where I am the assistant.

Also here is a picture of the pictures we took with the kids to make a dictionary of emotions. They are making the face of the emotion they received on their slip of paper.

Please continue to pray for the Hilos program and we would also appreciate your prayers for a safe, healthy pregnancy and baby!

A little poem from January 2013 to brighten your day!

Hope

When I have hope my spirit soars

And all my heart in love outpours

And even when the sky is gray 

I feel the sunlight’s beaming rays.

And even if the wind is chill

My heart is warm in Thy blest will.

And shouldn’t I, oh God above,

Be always filled with hope and love

When I have turned and sought Thy face

And Thou has saved me by Thy grace?

O blessed hope, the sun outshine

To know that Jesus Christ is mine!

CVE Rodeo

On Saturday, September 25th, Casa Vida y Esperanza and the cowboys from Agua Viva Ranch co-hosted a fun roping and barrel racing day. There was even a sheep tying competition for the kids. 

So many cowboys and cowgirls came. It was hot and sunny, but there were popsicles, soda, horchata, lemonade, and snow cones for sale as well as burritos, cinnamon rolls, and fritos with salsa.

sheep tying

The event had been planned to be a part of Expo in August, but was postponed.

Miguel ran the music and sound system

In the evening we were blessed to attend the marriage celebration of Bertha's daughter, Carolina, and her husband, Giovanni. I especially enjoyed listening to the mariachis pictured above. This group had two violins and four young ladies participating which I hadn't seen before. You could tell they were having a lot of fun. Mariachi music is a traditional Mexican style of music.

Hope you enjoy this small taste of Mariachi.

Stay tuned for an update on our flash (and surprise!) trip to Illinois for my mom's 50th last weekend!