Christmas Catch-up

Well Claire and Nate both made it in safely. We enjoyed a few days on the Puerta Plata beach front, unfortunately the weather was rainy but we still managed to enjoy our time together and enjoy a little ocean waves.

When we got back to campus we started to get the Christmas cheer started with some Christmas music and planting our little christmas tree (it is reusable :)- small carbon footprint- dad Isaia would be proud)

Nate helped set up our Christmas table with the traditional Isaia Christmas story book, delivered by Claire. Nate even made us a few Christmas tree ornaments and we will now begin our Christmas decoration box for next year.

As Christmas approached we enjoyed a progressive dinner on campus complete with 6 different stops. The boy's house was in charge of chips and salsa and Josh did a great job of making a pico de gallo, similar to a recipe my dad likes to make (was also featured this plate at our wedding)

Then came Christmas Eve. The Christmas holiday was honestly a little hard at times but the campus was supportive of each other and I really enjoyed the holidays. Christmas Eve involved a good dinner, candle light service, some sparkling grape juice- which is typically a part of our Isaia Christmas Eve dinner, and the girls sharing their favorite christmas memory and tradition.

We then drug the beds out and the girls watched a movie and had a sleep over. I headed home before the movie around 10:30pm and Josh made us some hot chocolate (which my dad makes traditionally Christmas Eve) and started a new tradition of bollos (similar to a cornmeal dumpling)- which were very good dipped in the hot chocolate.

Christmas Day started with girls opening their presents and then we had a great breakfast prepared by one of the staff members. The girls took some time to paint and just chill with their new presents. Here is one of the painting our girls did. They all have such various talents.

The afternoon we went swimming in local lake that included kayaks and zip lining. Some of the students burned off steam playing basketball and tennis. In the evening we enjoyed a evening with Claire and Nate. We made a great pasta with homemade bread (recipe provided by mom Ramsier but definitely missed her strawberry jelly). It was very special and much appreciated to have some family here over the holidays. For dessert we went to a restaurant in the mountains and ordered some great desserts, flan, cheesecake, apple dumpling, and brownies.

It was for sure a different Christmas but special in its own way. I was challenged to continue to focus on the purpose of the holiday and birth of Christ. I was showered with blessings from having Claire and Nate, to thinking of the life growing inside of me. Josh made such an effort to selflessly give of himself during this time as I am a little more sentimental, to say the least. 

A Merry Christmas to All and to All a Good night!

Updates

And again it is almost a month since I updated last. We are enjoying our new home at the Larimar house. We have gotten a new little puppy to practice on. His name is Duke and he is a mastiff. He is a lot of fun. We have had him about a week and already he is growing.  He was very helpful in Christmas decorations... well maybe not. The girl's house has done a great job decorating. Here are some of the sights in the house.

Last weekend Josh and I enjoyed a Sunday off together! We decided to take a few of the boys to the beach about 2 and 1/2 hours away. It was a wonderful day and the waves were a bit bigger than usual so that was fun. We also have taken the youth to a place called Lagoona Dudu. It was beautiful water and most of the students enjoyed the day jumping off the cliff into the lagoon or zip-lining into the middle and then jumping.

Yesterday I spent my first birthday out of the country. It was a wonderful day. I got to sleep in due to my new schedule (working 4 days a week from 5-10:30 and then 2 weekends a month). Josh was able to get the morning off and we enjoyed a typical Dominican breakfast at a local restaurant here in town. smashed plantains (Mangu), salami, and fried cheese. MMM, and some fresh juice.

Enjoyed some phone calls homes, although calling still comes with complications due to service and me only being able to mainly make calls. I was graciously given a homemade carrot cake and cheesecake both wonderful. 

Baby and mom are doing well, and husband is treating me kindly! We are hoping to go tomorrow for another sonogram and possibly find out the gender. We will tell but not sure when. I am feeling very good and definitely starting to get the "baby bump" (maybe when my sister comes she will get some pregnancy pictures),

Josh's brother, Nate, and my sister, Claire are going to be coming Sunday morning and we look so forward to visitors over Christmas. We had a wonderful Thanksgiving but it is definitely hard realizing being away from family may become more frequent during holidays. We did have a big thanksgiving meal here on campus and were able to have a relaxing day. I think that is a good over view for now. God has been teaching and growing us both and look forward to sharing that also on here sometime.

December Newsletter

http://crosswindsyouth.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/RAMSIER-NEWSLETTER-DEC-2014.pdf