the season of cheer

december has arrived.

i felt him this morning as the chill touch of his embrace creeped in through my sheets.

it was surprising that his arrival would be this sweet and breezy and cool.

and like no other year december's cheer has captured my heart.



and now that december is here, i can't wait for lattes,

hot cocoa,

more family loving

(well i'll give it my best shot)

and gifts of love.

a year ago i was afraid of the end

desperate

almost sad at myself because i couldnt live the moment

i was struggling to end

but i remember today how the promise of a great 2011 came to me

and i was so ready to take on the new year that i forgot to enjoy last december

i couldnt have with all the doubt, insecurities and frustrations of 300+ days

that i had lived as a woman unlike my real self.

but there's truly something special about this year

and what it has meant to me

and there's something special about this december

because although it signals the ending of an amazing, difficult, rewarding year

it also brings with it an air, a feel of the new dawn that awaits me

the minute 2012 arrives

and im ready to meet the new year

with its new challenges, sunny and rainy days

i will walk it confidently with

all the lessons learned, my new sense of appreciation for the beauty within

 and an attitude of healing as i search my heart

and come to my true identity as a woman

a woman of high value because of the cross

there's no better way to begin the end

than with a new found love and acceptance

for this woman

that i've just discovered inside of me

and im ready to receive and give the cheer of the season around me

as well as the season in my heart.

are you excited this december?

my take on 11.11.11. and a video.

quito, ecuador. not my side of town, unfortunately.

its such a beautiful day on this side of town. and im a thrilled to enjoy the  weather and the great company. im driving north to spend time with my family and i cant wait to see my girls. my sisters. my dad. and stepmom. 

to celebrate the spectacle that is 11.11.11 i want to share 11 things that i love, am learning about or just cant live without.

1. family is really important. 

my sister rocio. the youngest one.

today, i know that family are those who are always there for you no matter what. friends have left me. friends have abandoned me. but my family, they still stick around. yes, they have failed me, they too have abandoned me, but no where else have i found the satisfaction when one of them feels proud. no where else have i seen people break their backs to make sure im fine. their love for me is special. 

2. friends are highly valuable and needed in ones life.

i've been blessed with many good friends that should all be honored for their love. but these girls right here know how to give a girl a good time and pick up a sister in prayer when she needs it. these women, one time or another, have held my heart in their hands and lifted me up to the lord and loved me during the awful times as well as the great ones.

3. break for that tea or coffee. 

i love coffee. and tea. and their warmth in my hand bring me inspiration, energy and joy that i just need throughout my day.

4. a great purse

i love bags. and i love the way a nice vintage, thrifted bag adds a unique touch to any look.

5. and a scarf

i have more scarves than i dare to count, but this h&m scarf is probably one of my favorites. and i love the sassy touch to it.

6. lovely meals.

these pictures say it all. yum!

7. books that reach deeper than mere humans can

excuse the bird droppings please. and yes, these shoes should have made this list too.

i really love to read and i have a large bookshelf to prove it. oh and a bag ready to go to goodwill with a good 30 of them that didn't fit anymore. and this 2011 i have been able to enhance my love for reading by participating in a book club and it has been an amazing blessing to read great books and share them with peers. god has blessed us and united us through our book study.

8. great blogger friends

i've met amazing women through blogging and i have felt so blessed to know an incredible amount of creative, god-loving girls. i met Ana (pictured here) from the recordologist in boston this summer and have begun a great relationship, from a far. but glad to know she is someone to call to. 

9. a nice camera

im really enjoying photographing everything around me. i need to better my skills but it's still fun to always have a camera handy.

10. desire to let go of the old and welcome the new

the lord has been molding me intensely this year. but i think, that finally i am getting closer and closer to letting him take out the old and pour in the new. there is no better feeling than knowing he cares so much for me to make me over.

11. recording random, awkward  videos while everyone is sleeping and trying to whisper through a song... enjoy!

a letter to november

dear november, welcome home.

with you here, im closer to the end, which means it's also the beginning.

with you i pledge to travel unceansingly trying to see how i fit every family member to one of all the holidays around the corner, not an easy task to accomplish when all of them are scattered, but nonetheless a welcomed experience.

with you here, i have no fear to dust-off my boots, wear the hoodies, and walk outside comfortably. this sunshine state of mine likes you too, the sun is bright enough, and the breeze is cool enough (well at least it is today!).

with you arriving, i plan, pack and head to our annual youth camp this weekend with my lovely church fam. i cant wait to see everyone laughing, playing, worshiping, embracing, eating uncontrollably and running to win.

and most of all i cant wait to celebrate my mommy's birthday on your last day. it's quite an event for her and one for me as i think this year of how to make her feel loved, appreciated and forgiven. our past hasn't made it easy.

and with you here, i am closer to another season. a december that will be one to remember. i just know it.

thank you again, for joining me yet again on this journey. i commit to enjoying you to the very last bit of dawn you own.