tassja's 'lil tales

Well I haven't posted much about my pregnancy because I didn't want to bore you all too much :-) Plus it has been such a smooth pregnancy so far (Thank you so much Jesus!) that I haven't had any real drama to post about. I am now 6ms and a week. The baby is starting to move around. It is a very odd experience. All of a sudden something just moves inside of you. Last night I put my hand next to my belly and felt for the first time him kick or punch....whatever he's doing in there LOL. I cried. My husband thought I was crazy. I am. Well My parents have bought me my bassinet and it arrived last Friday. I am starting to move things around so this little guy can have is own space. Mom is flying in next Tuesday. Finally somebody to go baby shopping with! I can't wait. My poor hubby is just going to have an overload of giggling female hormones!
As for our babys name. We have finally agreed on what to name him. Jose wanted to give him a bible name. I thought that was easy until I started listing the names and each one I liked he didn't! So I was amazed when he said he like this name....I did to put just threw it into the list thinking he wouldn't!  Our babys name will be "Nathaniel David Ramirez". Nathaniel means "God gives" and David "beloved". Of course the David is after my dad! Well He will be here soon. Three more months!

 It was an extremely rushed weekend. We left our house at 4:30 am for sfo Friday morning. From then on everything was a whirlwind of activity. Not only being pregnant , I was sick with a nasty cold also. When we flew back that Sunday afternoon I went straight to bed and didn't get up till the next morning.  I am so glad I was there though. It was great to see my family and laugh as only we can together. Paul and Sherry had a pretty wedding and I think everything ended up going smoothly. Well our crazy little family has grown with one more and as my husband put it in his speech "It takes a special kind to be able to put up with the Turley's and become one of the family" 

Here is a link to their pictures, enjoy!

On March 7th my baby brother is getting married! It has been a lot of planning, a little drama, and a ton of organization but they are pulling it off! We will be flying out for just two days. The Friday before and the Saturday off. Coming home on Sunday. I m a little concerned flying pregnant. Not so much as flying but making sure to get up and walk during the flight. I don't want to swell up, yet I don't want to be annoying to other passengers. Oh well....baby first! 
My poor new sis-in-law! We had a hard time finally finding an outfit for a pregnant lady! But with many hours on the internet and creative thinking I put together a pretty cute little outfit. Its a black dress with a red sweater bolero.

I can't wait to see them get married. I really see how happy they are together. I m so happy for my brother and so proud of him.

Here are a few of their engagement pic's. Paul is an amateur photographer and took them himself.

....a BOY!

another male Ramirez will be added to our home coming this June. I am happy and everything is going well.

Well this is how I feel. They say life is busy but i feel like I have been on fast forward the last two months! It has gone something like this.....

Starting November, the company  I work for seemed to double in out going orders. Most weeks I would pick up my stepson and head right back to work. Some days we had up to 300 orders to get processed out. We had some temporary help come in to give us a hand. I don't think I could have made it with out them. I am so grateful for their help as I was dealing with queasiness and tiredness during this time. On the bright side our company did fairly well for end of year sales and I got big checks with the extra time! Thank you Jesus!

Also starting in November our church began its move. We had been praying for a new building and seeking God's wisdom. A building opened up right next to where we were! It was an old theater with an upstairs and downstairs. Plus by the miracle of God, we were able to rent it much cheaper than its going rate. Basically a steal for the bay area! Then our pastor got sick and was hospitalized! The new building need a lot of work. As we had to remove walls, paint, carpet, etc. Then again God worked and moved on Home Missions board. They had men from all over come down every weekend to help us redo the building. Praise God! As most of the men in our church are more computer mined than labor handy this was an awesome blessing. We had our first service two weeks ago. There is still much more to do but it has been so wonderful to see God work things out yet again!

My belly is starting to grow. I am still realizing that I am pregnant. There are so many things to think of and the reality of needing to get my house in order! I am not trying to feel the pressure but must admit I had a major melt down the week of Thanksgiving. My biggest worry is finding help or the right care for the baby when I'm back at work. I keep reminding myself that Its just another miracle for God and that he loves this baby more than I ever will. I go in three weeks for my first sonogram. I am hoping they get a clear enough picture so that I can see what I am having! Please keep me in your prayers.

There is so much going on...I feel like I'm spinning. I am going to have to just start saying " I can't I'm pregnant!" I need to keep healthy! Oh and Paul's wedding is in a month and a half! Wow so much is happening this year!!! LOL

Well I hope you all had a happy New Year and I pray the Lord keeps his hand on you through 2009!

Last Monday I went in for another visit. Since I wasn't as far along as they had thought for the first visit this one was to get a better idea of my due date. Now I haven't felt pregnant all this time so in the back of my head I kept telling myself , your crazy! While laying there the doctor told me to look at the screen and I could actually see its tiny heart beat. For the first time I felt pregnant and tears started to form! I held them in as best as I could and tried not to get all hormonal if  front of my doc! LOL Luckily my mom called as I was leaving the hospital and I could cry with her on the phone!

So my due date is June 29th 2009. I am excited because I would be so happy if the baby is born in my birthday month! I am going for a belly ultrasound in January and am hoping that by that time I will be able to know what I am having. I haven't started to "show" yet but am experiencing  the queasiness and smell issues. Sometimes I even turn away from the food I am eating....and you know I LOVE food! I am just so grateful that it isn't worse!

With a pink bow tied around her neck,
   I begged my dad for her.
I carried her around like a baby,
 even when she got big she still wanted me to hold her,
Half chow, half lab, curly tail,
 people crossed the street when I would walk her,
She would lick you to death,
 thus her middle name "Odie",
When I would runaway and cry in the back yard,
  needing comfort, she was right by me to put my arms around,
She was a hunter, She was fierce,
  She hated planes and would chase them when the flew over.
 She was my childhood memories,
   my faithful friend.

Good bye Coobie

Cougar "odie" Turley

Feb 14th 1991-Oct 29th 2008

I having been Craving some of the sweets I enjoyed while I was in England this last time. Some where new things and some where my old favorites. Here in the States I have had the good luck of finding some things at Cost Plus and Draeger's in San Mateo. I also have a few web site's I frequent that I can buy at also. However, the items I have been craving have never shown up at any of these places. I started a search a couple of days ago and happened across a new British food web site. I was so excited to see that had so much to offer and most of all the two items I have been craving! I am making a list and checking it twice. I am going to place an order soon and I can't wait to get them!

The two top items are Rocky's (a chocolate bar. English chocolate is so delicious!) and Mini Victorian Sponge cakes! (even though I learned how to make them while over there I just can't wait to taste a store bought one....pathetic I know!)

I'm very excited!

         

Yes, Its been five months of continuous motion, moments of holding my breath, and hours of prayer. It has gone like this:
A) surprised trip to mother for a week. Almost missed plane due to airways buying each other out.
B) flying to England, Barely seeing my grandfather before he passed, two weeks of rushing around the midlands getting funeral plans finalized, Appeasing the ministry so that they could give him a huge and wonderful goodbye ceremony, rushing to see family and friends while making sure my grandmother would be taken care of and her house safe before we left. Dealing with personal pain.
C) a total of approx 36 hours in flight......(both trips included)
D) during this time my husband was layed off....three weeks off of work (God supplied all our needs and surprised us with a big bonus from the government. We never missed a bill!) getting hired by another company, worked three weeks before they let him go,  (both contracts had said they didn't need him to work the full time because they had under estimated the work and time they would need him) He has been off another three weeks (again God has supplied) And will start back to work this coming monday with the first company that let him go LOL. It seems another group there needs an analyst. Thank you Jesus!
E) during all that...we have been adjusting to back to school and my stepson living with us. Early mornings, breakfast, lunches, school clothes, school supplies, laundry, pickups, drop offs, and no more excuses I am a mother now.
F) and during that, celebrating my boys birthdays and planning a birthday party. My stepson turned 11...he his getting so big :( and my husband 40 aaaaaaahhhhhhh I'm married to an old man! LOL but to me he is the most wonderful "old" man and I am so happy that God has blessed us with almost 4yrs of marriage. I would pick him all over again ;-)

Well as you can see I have been very busy. There are other things still going on and Praise God His hand is covering it. Yes, I have not wanted all this in my life but I can honestly say God has been so close to me during it. Everybody has seasons :-) This has been one in my life. I am sure there are going to be many more.

I'm sorry its been awhile. To be honest I've just been lazy and haven't felt like blogging LOL!
I will do updates later. I thought you would be interested in seeing my brother and Sherry's blog. It has all their things they are doing before the wedding. 

paulandsherry

For those who have been wondering....

My brothers wedding is next June. So mark your calender 06/13/09. The day my baby brother gets hitched!

Sunday I turned thirty. Yep I am no longer a twenties child. I am a woman (hear me roar? Don't worry I didn't either!). Since my birthday fell on a Sunday I couldn't neglect service. We were having a Friends and Family day. I was designated dessert lady. I made victorian sponge "cake" cupcakes. They are absolutley delicious with real whip cream.  I had my Grandma Jean teach me how to make them while in England. She had made them for me often as a child.  There was none left when it was time to clean up. It was a great service with many guests. Have I mentioned before that I love my church? (sorry if I have. Its "old" age LOL)
I had previously told my husband I wanted to go to my favorite pizza place, Pizza Antica. So after a change of clothes we headed to Santana Row in San jose. Two pizzas, appetizer'ss, and a yummy sparkling lemonade later, we were walking up and down the Row. They have many great stores there. My stepson and I splurged on waffle cones at Ben and Jerry's.
On our way home we decided to go to Half Moon bay. Then we headed along the coast just enjoying the different views of the ocean. We found a state beach, parked, and walked along the ocean. It was awesome. I had dressed nice for my day out and had on strappy sandals that kept sinking in the sand. I finally took them off and hung them over my shoulder. I love walking barefoot at the beach anyway! Then my husband walked beside me and we held arms....yes, I know, not hands....but I told him I finally had a girl dream come true. Walking along the beach with my hunny holding my hand...ok arm LOL. It was a wonderful evening. 
I don't feel old, to those of you who keep asking. I don't have any sudden aches or pains. I look forward to what God has in store for me this year.
Thank you God for another birthday!

I left the USA  May the 24th and arrived in the UK May 25th. It was a 10 hour flight. Once landing in London Heathrow airport I was whisked right away to the hospital. This was a two hour drive on the motorway (freeway) to Wolverhampton. This is the city where my family lives and also spent some of my childhood. I made it there about 6pm and we ran upstairs to see my grandad. I was warned of the drastic change but there is really nothing that can truly prepare you for the change. Unfortuantly the nurses had given him a sedative and he was barely lucid while I was there. I held his hand and talked to him. Trying to not cry. It all seemed so unreal. Much later we left after kissing him and tucking him into bed for the night. 
The next morning my grandmother and father felt to go visit him earlier than usual. Normal visiting time has been from 2:30pm to 8pm. So they left at 9am and my mother and I started to clean up the kitchen. About 30min later my father calls and tells me my grandad had passed away. They said it was the most peaceful thing they had ever witnessed. 
Let me just say that this trip was the hardest but extremely blessed trip I have ever been on. Gods hand was in it all. He worked miracles so wonderfuly. He got my parents there before me so that they could spend a week with my grandad. They were able to just talk and laugh with him because he was very alert still. Then God gave me one last night to see my grandad before he took him. 
Normally it takes up to three weeks to bury someone in England. We were Shocked! There is an extreme amount of red tape and several autopies that they have to go through. Recently the country had a doctor basicaly kill 45 people once he had had them sign over their wills to him. Thus the extra red tape. Plus the UPCI of the UK wanted to give my grandad a wonderful memorial service. You see my grandad is one of the pioneers of this faith in that country.  He pastored the first UPC church in England. He also held the postion of general secratery for near to 40yrs. He influanced and led many of the men of God there today. Let me tell you how humbling this was.
As tradition the hearse comes to your home with the limo for the family. My grandad only wanted his bible on his casket. Once the car picks you up then the funeral director (not sure of there official title) walks in front of the cars as we left the street. This is a sign of respect to the dead and family. We then drove through town. It was beautiful to see my grandad travel one last time through the country he loved with his word of God. Then a half a block from the church the man gets out and walks in front of the cars leading us to the church. It is a very moving cermony. Complete English tradition. When we arrived the family walked be hand the casket. We walked in between about 90 ministers holding thier bibles in tribute to my Grandad. I couldn't help but cry. But keeping the true Turley spirit, tried to not show it much! There was about 500 people present. Many who could not come. The church was beautiful. My father and I spoke. Later there was a reception.

I can not tell you how moved I was. I humbled to know that my grandad had fought to find this truth. I feel so blessed.  I can't belive he is gone. England has always meant my grandad. It hurts knowing he isn't there anymore. Yet I have this blessed peace knowing he his finally with Jesus Christ. His Saviour who he had served for so many years. I m not sure if your churches still get the Pentecostal Heraldd but a few months ago....not knowing he was going to die....they asked my grandad to right an article on the Oness. I hope you get to read it.

Thank you for all the prayers


the church where the funeral was


the cieling was beautiful. this was the dome above the casket


a side view looking to the back of the church


Me and my grandma 


the outside


the car coming


closer. See the bible?


our ride


the guy getting out to walk help us in and walk us down the street. He acutally wore a coat with tails and would put  a top hat under his arm as he walked. It was to hard to get these picks.


It was really nice to see my cousins. I think Paul looks like them!

 It was a longer trip than planned with unexpected emotion and tears. I am so glad to be back on American soil! Even though a certain airports immigration officer treated me like dirt as I came back into this wonderful country. 

Well I will try to post soon of all that has happened. I am tired and need to get used to my normal life again. Hope all of you have been well.

Its good to be home

Well first...
I flew out to my parents for Mothers Day. My mom had no idea. It was the best surprise ever! My brother and Sherry picked me up from the airport then drove me to my parents. (my dad and brother where in on the secret) I rang the door bell and my mom opened the door. The look on her face even Master Card couldn't purchase! She was so happy and we cried and hugged. Then I told her I was there for the week. I have been waiting to do that and have to say it was the best present ever! Plus it was nice to get to be with my parents during this time and be a support.
Then secondly....
It is official My brother proposed to Sherry while I was there. Yep my baby brother is engaged!!! He even video tapped it. It was so cute. Sherry had no clue at all. He had told her to take friday off so they could spend it with me. After picking her up, he said that we would meet up with them later. He then told her "lets have a quick picnic!" There he gave her the ring tied to a champagne glass. Like I said it was realy cute. They probably will have the video on myspace if you want to see it. I am so happy for them. I really love her and am excited to have a sister!
Thirdly....
My stepson will be baptized this thursday!!! Praise the Lord! He is also coming to live with us starting the new school year. Everything has been finalized. God is so good!
And fourthly...
My grandad has been diagnosed with terminal cancer. My parents are flying out this tuseday. I will be flying out Sunday night. Please continue to pray for us during this time. 


Sorry for a short and brief message. I will keep you all updated and try to write more when I can



 

I am going to England. I wish I could say it was for a random holiday or anniversary. My Grandad was diagnosed with cancer this past friday. I will be flying there with my parents within the next few weeks. We are still uncertain of the dates. I am partly excited and can't wait to see the country I spent five years of my life in again. Its been 11yrs since I have been back. (I wish my husband could go too!) Yet I am also saddened at the thought of seeing my grandfather so sick. He is a pioneer of UPC in the British Isle's. I have always looked up to him and felt so honored that he listened to God those many years ago and passed the truth on down to me.  So just pray for my family and I. 

I will keep you posted! 
 

 It has been a whirlwind here the last month and hasn't completely stopped yet. First we have been extremely busy with church. Either my husband has been there for men's prayer or multimedia. Myself worship practice or planning the church outing to Half Moon Bay. Then last weekend our section organized a mass outreach for our church in San Mateo. It was amazing to have 40 to 50 young people come fully charged and ready to worship! It also reminded me of the good 'ole days back in Rodeo and the time we did it in Benicia. Jason West was in charge of it. I have to admit it that it is weird to see "us" all grown or (in my case!) growing up.

Well between all that my brother and Sherry arrived. Yes, I was nervous. Yes, I was scared. Yes, I was afraid. BUT it did turn out great. For the most part they went site seeing a lot. It was Sherry's first time in California so she wanted to see as much as she could. Then that weekend we took them to Dave and Busters. While guys went crazy over their games, Sherry and I shopped and talked. It was nice to get to know her more. That Sunday the Spirit of the Lord fell so heavy in our church. We had tongues interpretation and just a wonderful time of praise and worship. I have to say that it was like Sherry and I got even closer that morning. We prayed with each other and I felt such a strong bond with her. Then Monday with my crazy little boy in tow we went looking for good english grub. Cost plus carries some and also Draegers. We laughed so much that day. Jose Lorenzo is such a clown! He and my brother would dress up and do crazy things in the store. One time Jose L put on a scarf, grabbed a flute, and charmed a snake (which was my brothers arm) out of a wicker basket. We all had a great time and miss them so much already.

Well that's about it in a nutshell. Still busy....still doing good!
Praise the Lord!




 

It seems as if health has been a issue for my family these last two weeks. First my piggy, then a scare from across the ocean, and then myself. Yes piggy has been sick again. I have always prayed over my pets but I have to say this one has had the most prayer so far! He is doing better but still on the road to recovery. My Grandad was rushed into emergency surgery a week ago. That was scary for all of us. Its not like we can jump in a car and be there in two days. I called him while in the hospital and it was such a shock to hear him sound so weak. I think I need to start planning a trip to go visit him soon! Then myself...I have been having female issues. Its been touch and go but I seem to be on the mend also.  Oh, and my stepson got a bad cold but is doing better also! So lots of prayer through our house lately. Im glad He is a healer!

And some sad news....Im sorry for those of you who wanted to get to see my brother. He and Sherry have pretty much filled up their schedule out here. Lets say I even had to a lot time to be seen ;-) So Im really sorry that I can't make plans for everyone to see them. I will post and send pictures. Maybe eventually I can plan a party when my family comes out. It is really hard to cooridnate when they visit!


my poor piggy :-(

 This week Jose and I celebrated our third Anniversary. I can't believe Ive been married that long! We've been together for a total of six years now. Every Anniversary I just stop and think back at all we have been through. Most women would not have even given this relationship a chance. There where and in some ways still obstacles we have to face as a couple. But I really have to say I am so happy I did it. No relationship is perfect but there is perfect love.  
I wasn't feeling well this Anniversary ,so my husband coddled me. He kept me home and cooked me a delicious dinner. My Anniversary present hasn't arrived yet. He wont tell me what it is. Of course! But I am very anxious and can't wait! LOL 

 My brother had plans to come visit me this month, but he lost his job before Christmas. So the first time he called to say that he was pushing his trip back  a couple of months. Then about three weeks ago he calls me again. It took him about thirty minutes to get to the point. He excitedly told me that he and Sherry are coming out for a week in April. At first I admit a bit of shock. I started teasing him about being secretly engaged. He just laughs and said " Im really happy Sis, I really like her." So those of  you  who know my brother Im sure have never actually seen him gush. To be truthfully I have only seen it once before and just barely. But now its actually very cute to hear him talk about Sherry on the phone. My baby brother is in love.
Im looking forward to them coming out. I will tease them relentlessly but over all I am very happy for Paul. As far as if  "this is the one"? He doesn't deny that he see's a long term relationship.....but he still says he isn't ready for marriage! 

Aren't they cute?