Nieve por Navidad 2010 (parte 1)

Anoche (Dic.25) empezo a nevar en nuestro condado. Frank, dice que esto es algo inusual por que nunca nieva en Navidad aqui en esta ciudad (Raleigh) de Carolina del Norte. La ultima vez que nevo aqui por Navidad fue en 1947, se imaginan! hace muchos anios atras. Sin embargo, en invierno siempre nieva pero en el mes de Enero no en Diciembre, en fin Dios lo quiso asi este anio. A los chiquitos aca les encanta jugar en la nieve, y mis hijas no son una excepcion. Salieron ayer con su papa a caminar como a las 8pm., cuando empezo a caer la nieve. Hoy Domingo, al salir afuera todo amanecio cubierto de nieve, es una vista preciosa todo en color blanco. La profundidad de la nieve en el suelo es de 8 inches (21 centimetros), es decir cuando caminas en la nieve tus zapatos se hunden completamente. Yo solo sali para tomar unas fotos con mi familia, salen muy bien con la nieve de fondo. Buenos amigos, espero que disfruten y vean como es Navidad en esta parte del globo. Feliz Navidad y bendecido Anio Nuevo. La familia Ellington-Cabrera.

Nieve por Navidad 2010 en NC

Anoche (Dic.25) empezo a nevar en nuestro condado. Frank, dice que esto es algo inusual por que nunca nieva en Navidad aqui en esta ciudad (Raleigh) de Carolina del Norte. La ultima vez que nevo aqui por Navidad fue en 1947, se imaginan! hace muchos anios atras. Sin embargo, en invierno siempre nieva pero en el mes de Enero no en Diciembre, en fin Dios lo quiso asi este anio. A los chiquitos aca les encanta jugar en la nieve, y mis hijas no son una excepcion. Salieron ayer con su papa a caminar como a las 8pm., cuando empezo a caer la nieve. Hoy Domingo, al salir afuera todo amanecio cubierto de nieve, es una vista preciosa todo en color blanco. La profundidad de la nieve en el suelo es de 8 inches (21 centimetros), es decir cuando caminas en la nieve tus zapatos se hunden completamente. Yo solo sali para tomar unas fotos con mi familia, salen muy bien con la nieve de fondo. Buenos amigos, espero que disfruten y vean como es Navidad en esta parte del globo. Feliz Navidad y bendecido Anio Nuevo. La familia Ellington-Cabrera.

More Christmas 2010 pics

Our Christmas / Nuestra Navidad 2010 (II)

Praise God for Jesus, who is the real reason for Christmas. Our girls have learned that it is Jesus' birthday today but they haven't got it yet why they got all the gifts in His day. We started our Christmas eve with a service at Vaugham Baptist Church, where Frank is the interim pastor. It was a nice service, we had communion and sang carols. Then, we went to Frank's aunt Mary Frances, where all his aunts and uncles were gathering together. We had supper there and were able to catch up with some of them. When we came home it was our time to wrap the girls presents for the next morning. We woke up around 7am, I couldn't sleep all night because I have a bad cold and horrible sinus congestion, it gets worse when you are pregnant. Anyway, the girls woke up around 7am., Sara went straight to the living room, something unsual because she always goes to our bedroom first. Sara got a pony and Ingrid a bike, these were their main gifts and they really enjoyed them. I got the cutest sleepers and some stuff for baby Isaac. Frank got some warm slippers (something we both really needed). Later, Papa and Nana came with their presents for the girls. What a busy morning, now we are getting ready to have a turkey meal. Enjoy our pics and God bless you!

Our Christmas / Nuestra Navidad 2010

Christmas at Grandma Marie's

This past weekend Dec 18th and 19th, we had our first Christmas reunion at Frank's mom in Charlotte. She gave both of her sons a nice gift for Christmas, a night at the Embassy Suites Hotel where she works with breakfast included. It was a nice getaway for us with not kids for one night. However,since it was my first night away from the girls I couldn't sleep all night, isn't that bad?. Marie, had her house decorated everywhere, from top (roof) to bottom, not kidding? She put a lot of work and thought into that. It was nice to have a Christmas together for the first time ever since I have been married to her son. My girls were so excited with her cat, called Bj, they had a sleep over that Saturday night with their cousins. Also, I had the opportunity to see Charlotte downtown, there were so many places I wanted to visit but everything was closed on Sunday except the malls. I had the great opportunity to visit the biggest mall outlet that I ever been "Concord Mills", I walked the 3 miles that this mall is about and found good deals. However, it was too much walk for a pregnant woman, I had to stop every mile. I met a nice peruvian lady Carmen, who works with my mother in law, she, her daughter, and me went to this mall, we had a good time. By the way, I had lunch at the best peruvian restaurant that I have visited so far here in NC, called "Machupichu". They have the best seafood and pollo a la brasa (rostisseri chicken peruvian style)that I have ever eaten here in the States. Now, I know where to go to eat everytime I go to Charlotte. I know Marie had a good time with my girls while me and Frank went out, we enjoyed, thank you Marie.

Lets Dance

Merry Christmas

Baby Ellington # 3

"O Lord Almighty, if you only look upon your servant's misery and remember me, and not forget your servant but give her a son, then I will give him to the Lord for all the days of his life,..." 1 Samuel1:11

Hannah's prayer has been my prayer everytime I would get pregnant. The first time, because I wanted to get pregnant and I couldn't, I tried for almost two years and the Lord gave us Sara Giovanna. The second time we didn't find out the gender, it was a surprise and we really wanted a son and God gave us Ingrid Ruth. I really love my girls and thanks the Lord for them. This third time it was my heart's desire to have a son and Hannah's prayer was my own prayer to the Lord, I really identified with her so much and the Lord granted me my heart's desire. Yes, we are expecting Isaac, my awaiting son.
I know some of you wonder how is that I have a blanket with his name on it. Well, the second time that I got pregnant, it was a surprised, we decided not to find out the gender so I chose a name for a girl and for a boy, a lady from Frank's homechurch embroidered both blankets for Ingrid and Isaac. Since, we had Ingrid I couldn't get to use Isaac's blanket but it has been waiting to be used when he is born in a few more months.
When I heard the news today, I was so happy, excited and thankful to God, our God is Awesome!!!!!, He would never let you down, He hears our prayers but sometimes He doesn't answer at the moment because it is not the right time but He answers in His time. Thank you Lord with all my heart.

Our Thanksgiving Day with the Watts

This year we had our new friends coming over for our Thanksgiving Sara and Herbert Watts with their 3 children: Hannah, Ella and Daniel. We met them at the Missions Expo at Southeastern last September. We really have many things in common Sarah speaks Spanish just like me. Herbert and Frank are interim pastors at a church and they both are in process with the IMB, isn't that so interesting? We had a wonderful time chatting and our kids playing around the house. My dear husband cooked the turkey and stuffing (it was delicious, btw). I made sweet potato casserole with marshmellows on top, and macaroni and cheese. Sarah made cranberries salad (it was good!), baked green beans, pumpkin pie and pecan pie, very delicious too. Yes, we finished very full. It is nice that I won't have to cook for a day or two. We ended up our day putting our Christmas tree up, our girls have been so excited about Thanksgiving and Christmas, they really have the Christmas spirit this year. Sara's favorite song is "Let it snow". Thank you Lord for these holidays that we can spend in family and with friends.

Our Thanksgiving Day part II

As a family we decided to have our first tradition: to put our Christmas tree on Thanksgiving Day, the girls were so excited. They helped out to put the ornaments. Sara had the privilege to put the start on the top of the tree. Also, thanks to the wonderful ministry of the Sharing Shop I got some decorations to make my own wreaths, they turned out looking good. Enjoy our photos!

Visita de mi mama a NC\ My mom's visit (2nd.part)

My mom came to visit us after 3 years of her first trip to NC. This time the weather was perfect for her, not too cold or not too hot. She stayed 5 weeks with us. I really enjoyed it because I didn’t have to cook, she preferred to do it herself. Besides, she wanted to give me a break. She really spoiled me, she cooked my favorite dishes and desserts, thank you mom, I love you!!! She has always been a good cook, some people just have it in their blood like her. In this second visit, I was glad that she was able to hear the Word of God in her own language. Open Door Baptist Church has a service in Spanish (for those who didn’t know it) this time she didn’t have to struggle with the language barrier, bless her heart!. She was able to make new friends from Puerto Rico, Cuba, Nicaragua, Brasil, Colombia and Mexico, yes we have a variety of races, Praise God!. I know this was a treat for her!!! I took her to several places. We took the girls to the park, library, mall, playdates with other friends. We went to the English Tea Room, were we tried hats and was so much fun, she enjoyed the hot tea, something that is common in Peru. I took her to different restaurants but for her nobody can’t cook like her or like in Peru. I know is difficult to change your taste when you are in your late 60’s. Mom we love you and we are going to miss you: Sara, Ingrid, Frank and Giovanna.

Visita de mi mama a NC\ My mom's visit

Fue un regalo tener a mi mama de visita despues de 3 anios que nos visito por primera vez cuando nacio Sara. Yo lo disfrute mucho, ya que me preparo mi comida favorita y postres y yo podia dedicarme hacer otras cosas. Muchas gracias mama por esmerarte siempre en tus comidas. Fue realmente un lujo tenerte aqui. La lleve a varios lugares a probar diferentes platos pero para ella la mejor comida es la que prepara ella misma o en Peru. Visitamos un lugar llamado "English Tea Room" y como sirven te caliente con todo pense que seria el sitio perfecto para ella, este lugar tiene un toque ingles, los comensales pueden ponerse sombreros y tomarse fotos, como si estuvieran en Inglaterra, fue muy divertido. El clima fue perfecto para ella, ni mucho frio ni mucho calor. Pudo conocer a varias amistades de otros paises y probar de sus platos tipicos y sobre todo hablar el mismo idioma. Aqui hay gente de Colombia, Cuba, Puerto Rico, Mexico, Nicaragua Y Brasil. En mi Iglesia hay un servicio hispano y ella pudo asistir y hacer nuevos amigos. Pasamos un tiempo bonito. Dios te bendiga mucho y te conserve con mucha salud. Te queremos Sara, Ingrid, Giovanna & Frank.