Blessed

It's been 12 days and I am totally getting into the role of Grandmother. When I look at his perfect little face I am amazed at how wonderful God is that he would allow us to have this little one in our lives.How blessed am I that we or I get to be able to have this person to love and to be loved.

I met this woman who just recently lost her baby while having an emergency c-section. I am amazed at her ability to be able to reach out to those that are in need. I know that when we are tested or when we are challenged we can either accept it and go on or we can wallow in it and feel sorry for ourselves.I admire her and am amazed at her ability to think of others while she has lost so much. I am praying for her that one day she will have that family she longs for.

I count my blessings daily for what God has given us. I don't take it for granted,not for one moment.

Tomorrow I am going to volunteer in the baby room at our church.I did it with our girls so now I will do it with my grandchildren. I am excited because I can't wait till I can take Gabriel to church. I just hope that we will be able to see our boys grow up. Now I understand how my mom feels, she has grandchildren she only sees once a year if that. I know that we have to move on and go where our job takes us but I sure hope it's going to be here. I hope we will be able to be with them.

February is a buy month for us. We have three birthdays and each one is as important as the other. Wendy's birthday the 2ND. and Nikki and Tasha is the 3rd.I wish there was enough of me to be with all three but unfortunately there is not. Wendy ,I love you and I count myself blessed that we are in touch with each other.You are loved and thought about more than you know.

Proverbs 3:5&6 is my life verse Trust in the Lord with all your heart lean not on your own understandings in all your ways acknowledge him and he will make your paths straight.

I haven't always made the best decisions but through my faith in God he has helped me through it all. I rely on God to help me and guide me and with his help I will see it through!!!!!

I know this was all random but "It Is What It Is" Love to you all and God's Blessings on you, M

Identical

Almost Identical

First picture is Son Gabriel Dainiel Castillo

born 1-19-2020

7:47 pm 7 lb. 4 oz

20 1/2 inches long

Second picture is Mom

Natasha Espinosa

born 2-03-1989

6lb. 8 oz.

As you can see Gabriel has arrived. I kept on looking at him and I kept on thinking he looked like Natasha when she was a baby . I got her baby picture here she is a few hours old , here Gabriel is only one hour old. It's amazing the resemblance. Now all we need is for his eyes not to turn brown. Boy, he is going to be a handsome boy!!!!

Yes, I am a proud grandmother. He is precious..............Right now we are babysitting because mom and dad are at church right now. I will take care of this bundle of joy as much as they will let me.The first few days were a little rough for mom but she is coming into her own.I have given her space because she needs to be able to bond with him but I an close enough in case she needs help.I think when we give birth God gives us a six sense to be able to meet the needs of our babies. I remember when I brought the babies home ,Eddy was at the store and left me with both girls by myself. When he came home I had one on the floor and the other in my arm and I was crying. He thought something happened but......I was crying because I was scared, I wanted to be the best mom I could be.

21 years later Natasha has her own little boy and she feels almost the same. I think that is natural but as much as she loves him you know she is going to be the greatest mom. God has his little angel assigned to that little man and he will shape him and mold him in the man God intended.

I am now in the " CLUB " I am in the Grandparents Club . At first I wanted people to call me GiGi. Now, you can call me anything they want. I will answer to anything he wants me to..........It all about that little man.......................Sooooooo many people love him already and he is only eight days old.......................Here are some of the pictures we have so far..................enjoy God Bless until next time.......Maureen (GiGi

Gabriel has arrived

As you can see our new bundle of joy has come!!!This bottom picture he was looking at his mommy

Gabriel came to us Tuesday January 19Th, 2010

7 lbs. 4 ounces at around 8:10 pm

Mom was in labor for just a short time. She was blessed she had some discomforts but not any major concerns.It's a good thing we have a great blood line(-: We come from a strong Portuguese blood line and of course Eddy's side is Cuban. Natasha is blessed to be healthy and has taken care of her self because she was caring for someone else. I am really proud of her because she started out as a care free girl and has grown up in nine short months to this beautiful young mother. Children are the best of us. God has given this blessing and it our choice what we want to do with it.

As you all know I am the GiGi (grandmother) I don't want anyone to call me that but the first time Gabriel calls me granny, nana, memaw or any of the above(if any of you do I will murder each and everyone of you) I would come running(-: I will be anything he wants me to be. You see, God has given us this blessing , as parents we have made mistakes with our children but.......as grandparents we get the opportunity to DO OVER!!!!!So.... this is my do over.

This is my opportunity to shine lol I love my girls more than my life but this thing called grandparents is a whole other world. So...........When I tell you I am a tad bit excited, would you believe me????? I have been crying for days so you probably won't see a picture of me and my baby for awhile(at least until my eyes aren't puffy anymore).

All kidding aside I have been emotional since the baby has been born. I am very proud and I think way back the first time I got pregnant and when I held that little girl in my arms I wept. So, when I look at him I think of that time and it's soooo bittersweet. So much time has passed and sometimes (not alot) I wish I could go back. We can't soooooooo this is my do over.I didn't mean to get serious on you just a time to reflect. I love my girl more than my own life...I want to say I love you and I want to make sure you know how very proud I am of the woman you are and who God is molding you into the woman HE wants you to be!!!!

Lets get back to Gabriel........................He is a precious little one .I have some really awesome friends.I have gotten more than 100 people texting me and facebooking me and telling me how happy they are for me. If you only know how that feels. This is a time when you want to share in the blessings you have received and to be able to gives me such joy. I have a lot to be thankful for and I do thank Jesus every chance I get . I will post more pic. as soon as I get them. Many, Many, Blessings to you. GiGi

Gabriel is Coming

This is Tasha at her baby shower the 10th of January.







I started this post as a new beginning and now this new beginning is coming. Yes finally Gabriel Daniel Castillo will be here some time Tuesday January 19 Th 2010. Tasha went to the doctor today and she is 1 and a half cent. dilated and the doctor said she can be induced. I have all these overwhelming feelings of emotions that come and go and I just want to cry. This is a good cry not a bad one. This is a happy emotional cry. Sonita(sister -in- law)told me not to let her see me cause she will freak. I won't at the time but before and after I will. I am so proud of both my girls. They could have made so many other choices but they didn't they are embracing this with their heads held high and they are going forward.

After Gabriel is here I will do the grandmother thing and post the pictures and have a brag book and tell everyone how my grandson is the most handsome boy here.You will get to see him as soon as I do. So now, no more countdown just pictures and stories. God Bless and please pray for my Tasha. Pray that she will have a wonderful delivery and not to painful. Blessings, Gigi

This picture is of Eddy when he graduated from Seminary. Very proud day.

Today was a great day. I had the weekend off and today I went to my husbands bible study class. Eddy's spiritual gift is teaching and everyone loves him. God has given him a gift and he uses it every day. He has a sweet spirit and is a born leader. I made it one of my New Years resolutions to be a part of his class. You see, my husband is Cuban , his Bible Study Class is Spanish and I don't speak the language. We have been married 21 years and counting and it was never an issue. I have been saying for years that I would learn Spanish but never did anything about it. Now that we live in Texas we work at our church and 85 % our employees are Spanish speaking and it's more important now. He started teaching a spanish class about a year after he moved here . Now our church has started up a Spanish Church and he has taken it more seriously. Eddy and I work in the Food ministry together at Prestonwood but his passion is teaching God's word , If he can do that he is happy so I am going to try no I mean I will learn Spanish so I will understand what he is teaching. The people in his class are wonderful people and I am looking forward to being apart of it.

I bet you thought I wasn't going to mention it but.................you were wrong....lol Tasha is due in eight days. I can't believe she is probably going to go the full 40 weeks. She is sooo miserable but that little man is not coming out until he is ready. I told her this is a sign of what he is going to be like he will do things when he is ready and not until then tehetehetehe. I hope you have a wonderful Monday and we will talk soon. Blessings, Maureen(Gigi)

Eleven More Days

OK I am sure everyone is getting tired of me doing the countdown...............................................

Well I am sorry. Just you wait until you have your first grand child and see how you react. I do feel sorry for Tasha because I call when I am at work to see how she is doing and she says I am fine and the baby doesn't want to come out yet. I personally think he is loving where he is and he will come out when HE is darn good and ready. lol I was a little early so I can't say much. All I can do is sympathize with her and try and do what I can to make her more comfortable.

What I think is funny is she went to the doctors and last week she was dilated 2 cent. and when she went this week he said her cervix was closed. Please explain that one to me. i laughed and thought to my self " ARE YOU SERIOUS" Please tell me why he would even try and get away with that one. Needless to say that poor child was so depressed and wanted to scream.(rightly so) Tasha is being a trooper and all she can do is wait....wait....and wait...............................

Until next time. Blessings, Maureen(an impatient Gigi)

I just went on facebook and this is what Tasha posted

Dear Gabriel, I know you are extremely comfortable inside of me, however, mommy is going to have to evict you now. .. You are getting way to comfortable in there and Your not making mommy very comfortable so please come out already!!!!!!

Did I call it or what lol

Anxious

As of Today there are TWELVE MORE days to go..........we thought it was going to happen last Friday but no luck . Sunday we had Tasha's baby shower, had a great turn out about 60 people showed up. I just have to say I have some WONDERFUL FRIENDS!!!!!!! This was a diffent shower , we had men there . I know Eddy and the rest of them would have given their right arm not to go but they did and they made the best of it and I think they actually had a good time. It was for Tasha so it made it all worth it.There were some that couldn't make it, you were missed.Tasha had someone take pictures so hopefully I will get them soon so I will be able to share .




Every day we are a little closer but it seems like it will never happen.......I know I am impatient, can you imagine how Tasha feels???I know it will happen when it happens and it's all in God's hands but my selfish side wants to hold him and love him up close. You would think I would want it to take as long as possible because it's going to be noisy and crazy around here but I welcome all of it. We have lived in this house for almost three years and it's about time this house is being used as it was intended. For the longest time it was just Eddy and me and now we are filling the house with happy noise and a whole lot of love. I guess I just wasn't ready for the Empty Nest phase yet (-: I am ready for all of that and more( yes, I just said that)



Mom was able to come to Texas but unfortunately she had to leave three days later. Mom and I have always lived near each other whether it was down the street or just a few hours. Now, we are on the other side of the world (or so it feels ). I was sad yesterday when she left. Mom had to leave because she was sick with her asthma. When I saw her struggle I realized how bad it really was. She has been so blessed because she has had some close calls but still made it. Mom has good genes lol. She is always around and always there when we need her. Maybe, sometimes I take her for granted and I can't do that anymore. We all have a limited time on this earth and we need to take advantage of all that God has given us. For me ,He gave me a mom that is wonderful. We all have our issues but my mom has always let me know she loves me no matter what. Mom has shown me through her actions how she feels and to her ,her children are the most important thing in her life besides God and hopefully I can pass that on to my children.


I am off today so I guess I have to go do my housework ughhhh.............Until next time....................................................I want to share my life verse

Proverbs 3:5 &6

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.

love to all, Maureen (Gigi)

Almost Here............................................................

Happy New Year!!!!!!Thia is a new year and new beginnings.

(Eddy and Danny in San Antonio , Texas)

Wow, I can't believe Christmas has come and gone..........................Danny, my nephew , (Eddy's side of the family)was here from Miami. He is close to Nikki and Tasha and wanted

to be with Tasha and spend some time with her before her baby came.. He was here for a week and it seemed to just fly by.He has grown up to be a sweet and wonderful young man.

I just want Kiki (his father) to know Danny is welcomed to live here any time, I would welcome him here anytime he is a delight to be with.

We had a quite New Years but the most important part was we were all together (missing Nikki),. This past year we have gone through a lot of trials but I believe that because of all that happened that it is going to strengthen us as individuals and as a family.I know that God has got something special planned for this little guy. He is more loved by sooo many people and he's not even here yet....

Today, is my birthday. I want to tell all of my friends a BIG THANK YOU!!!!!!I have had so many people contact me and wish me a happy birthday, I feel soooo loved. I don't think I have ever received this many birthday wishes EVER in my life .I have some great friends. This is what it's all about, having friends and family. I feel sorry for those people that are alone. We need each other for just these times , to share our victories and our sorrows.Right now at this point and time I feel like God has blessed me (I know I don't deserve any of this) more than I could ever imagine. I feel like I am in such a wonderful place.

I talked to my mother- in- law and she was so right, she said being a parent was good but being a grandparent is a different kind of feeling that you have. The pride and love you have for that individual is like no other. My baby isn't born yet but I am already feeling that.

I was talking to my mom today and she said something to me that I want her to know ,as parents we all do what we can. Sure, we all could have done more but we honestly did what we thought was right and yes, we all have made mistakes. Mom, you have planted seeds in all of us that has allowed us to grow into the people we are now. You loved us more than yourself. You have done more for us and sacrificed to give us what you thought we needed. Most importantly you always made sure I knew I was loved and wanted.I was the lucky one to be born to a mom who loved and cared for me as much as you do. You are my mom and my friend and for that I am grateful. You are loved and adored by many and by ME!!!!!

I am having a baby shower for Tasha this Sunday and I am sooo excited.I feel like this is my shower not hers. I just hope she gets everything she wants and needs but most importantly I want her to know how much she is loved.

In about two months we do it all over again with Nikki. We are preparing for an unforgettable 2010 hahahhaha I always said "Be careful what you ask for because you might get it" I wanted a boy for Eddy well we are getting it and then some hahaha.

I really enjoy this blog. I started this because I wanted to journal this new experience of mine as a grandmother. I have been journal for years but no one has ever read them nor would I want them to. This is different, I want to share my experience and I hope you all would share yours as well. I welcome advice and input. Being a parent was awesome but also challenging. Now I feel like I am getting another chance and I am so looking forward to this(as if you couldn't' t tell).The one thing I pray for is that my grand baby will love me half as much as my girls love their Mimi and loved their Papa!!!!

So my friends, I want to say thank you ,I am honored that you would take the time to read this and I hope you enjoy reading this half as much as I am with writing it. Blessings, Gigi( I have to get used to my new name lol).

In nineteen more days (give or take a week or so) we should have the first of two additions to our family.Tasha's due date is January 25Th. Giving birth to our girls was a great experience but having grand children is better than I could explain. First off watching Tasha's baby growing inside of her is amazing but the closer she gets the more emotional I get.