Christmas 2011

I can't believe it has been this long since I have been on my blog. So many things have happened since last April ..
It is December and I am back.
I love Christmas, when the girls were small and even up until we moved to Texas we would put on Rockin Around the Christmas Tree and sing a long as we decorated the tree. I buy Hallmark Ornaments for the girls and Eddy every year since the girls were 3 years old. Every year we would look at the ornaments from years past and reminiss .We had some wonderful Christmases at our house. This year 2011 is not going to be like others. Natasha will be somewhere else, Eddy is in Miami. Our family is all over the place and I am here. I keep on thinking what is happening and where did I go wrong?? What could I have done differently. I think about all of that then I remember I have no control I have to give it all up to God. I can only pray and wait to see what He wants me to do next.. I am looking forward to next year 2012. I say this every year but this year I will make it mine.......... I am claiming it. So, I am looking forward with anticipation and encouragement that this year God is going to bring me through all of this and make me a better and stronger woman!!!!! I do have so much to be thankful for and this is what I chose to think about, gratefullness that God loves me and is right by my side holding me up and walking right by my side.. I feel his presence and I am encouraged that 2012 will bring me peace and joy in to my life. So who ever is reading this I pray that you to will have a Christ filled Christmas and please remember God is with you as well just ask Him and He will be there...........
...God Bless You and Merry Christmas...

Elias's First Birthday

Here he is our big boy and of course mommy.

and we can't forget daddy........ Gigi is not far away....... Proud Abuelo's This is my family........... We had so much fun but we were here to celebrate with Nikki and Anthony, God's gift to us all. I have a ton more pictures but I wanted to share one of our pride and joys , our grandson........We love you Elias Anthony Guadamuz!!!!!!!!

"It Is Finished"

He said, "It is finished!" And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit. John 19:30, NKJV After nine hours of standing on His feet, after being scourged, slapped, and manhandled, after six hours of hanging on the Cross, the average person would have barely had enough life and breath left to even whisper. But Jesus, the Lamb of God, with life still fully flowing through His body, shouted out in a clear, ringing, triumphant voice, "It is finished." The price for our redemption had been paid! The sacrifice for our sin had been made! Sin was forgiven! Guilt was atoned for! Eternal life was now offered! Heaven has been opened! It is finished! You don't have to do more good works than bad works. You don't have to go to church every time the door opens. You don't have to climb the stairs to some statue. You don't have to be religious. You don't even have to be good! It is finished! Sin is forgivable for everyone! The price has been paid! Blessings, Anne Graham Lotz Thought you would appreciate this................GiGi

Seasons in our lives................

People come into your life for a reason, a season or a lifetime.

When you know which one it is, you will know what to do for that
Person..
When someone is in your life for a REASON, it is usually to meet a need
You have expressed.
They have come to assist you through a difficulty, to provide you with
Guidance and support, or just ANSWERS
To aid you physically, emotionally or spiritually.
They may seem like a godsend and they are.

They are there for the reason you need them to be.
Then, without any wrongdoing on your part or at an inconvenient time,
This person will say or do something to bring the relationship to an
End.
Sometimes they die. Sometimes they walk
away.
Sometimes they act up and force you to take a stand.

What we must realize is that our need has been met, our desire
Fulfilled, their work is done. The prayer you sent up has been answered and now it is time to move on.


Some people come into your life for a SEASON, because your turn has
Come to share, grow or learn.
They bring you an experience of peace or make you laugh..
They may teach you something you have never done.
They usually give you an unbelievable amount of joy.
Believe it, it is real. But only for a season.
LIFETIME relationships teach you lifetime lessons,

Things you must build upon in order to have a solid emotional
Foundation.
Your job is to accept the lesson,
Love the person and put what you have learned to use in all other
Relationships and areas of your life.

It is said that love is blind but friendship is clairvoyant.

Thank you for being a part of my life,
Whether you were a reason, a season or a lifetime. Now it is time to LET GO!!!!!
We don't know why things don't work out but we just need to praise God we found each other and be happy with that.You are loved and thought about but from a distance and that's the way it will be. You don't have to wonder why just let it be!!





Proverbs 3:5&6

Another Celebration

Once again we are blessed by another one of our grand sons birthday. Elias Anthony Guatamuz is going to be one year old. We are going to have aunts, uncles, grandparents and great grandparents there. Elias has so many people that love him and we will celebrate him on his special day.

2010 has been a year of many BLESSINGS and surprises !!!!
I get this wonderful opportunity to be able to start all over again ,the mistakes I have made with my girls I have my second chance with my boys........

Both Gabriel and Elias are growing so fast and of course they are the most adorable little guys you have ever seen!!!!! Can you tell I am just a tad bit proud. I am blessed to have both grandsons here with us.


I look at my girls and can't believe that they are even old enough to have children.When I used to hear "they grow up so fast" I never thought it would just fly by like it did. I thought maybe if they were just just one or two years older and I blinked and they turned 22. Now, I wish I had those years back.
This time around I am cherishing the times I have with Gabriel and Elias . I will not waste any of the time wishing or even wanting them to hurry and get one year older. My girls and their sons are my world and I thank God He has given them to me.
I love you MY FAMILY!!!!!



Elias few hours old.
a
Our family, Elias a few months old.







My Family

Awakening 21

This past January I found this book The Awakening, I was looking for something and I stumbled onto to it. Sometimes in our walk with the Lord you get stale(for the lack of a better word) and I needed a kind of a revival of some sort.

I started to read this and WOW it was and continues to be an amazing tool to REVIVE, RENEW AND REFRESH your relationship with God. If you have lost your love, your passion, your "want to" attitude in your relationship with God, let's get those back.It is time to get your fight back, hit the reset button, and experience God in an incredibly fresh, new way. Stovall Weems is the author and is Pastor of Celebration Church in Jacksonville Florida.

He wants you to be successful in this journey so he is supplying resources to help you with this one being the book and the other this website www.awakening21.org It starts out with praise and worship then a small devotional and word of encouragement three times a day. What I haven't mentioned is this is a book about prayer and fasting. I didn't know that when I first saw it, the title grabbed my attention and after reading the first few sentences I was hooked. This was definitely what I was looking for. God allows us to go through things in our lives so that we are equipped to handle situations. It's not If it's when they happen. When I started this the first time it was amazing, so many wonderful things came out of it!!! Now, I am on my second time around and I have to admit this one is not so easy.I wanted to do this again to be an encouragement to someone but to my surprise that person stopped but I was compelled to continue. Now I know He was really preparing me for what's coming.
God is showing me so much this time around. I do appreciate everything that is happening good and bad because I am becoming more dependant on God and not myself.

I always want to take the control and try and work it out but I have no control over what happens HE does, and that is OK. So through this journey I will put on my BIG GIRL PANTIES and deal with it but with God right by my side.........

Maureen

Taking for granted!!

AM I A FIREMAN YET? In Phoenix , Arizona , a 26 year-old mother stared down at her 6 year-old son, who was dying of terminal leukemia. Although her heart was filled with sadness, She also had a strong feeling of determination. Like any parent, she wanted her son to grow up & Fulfill all his dreams. Now, that was no longer possible. The leukemia would see to that. But she still wanted her son's dream to come true. She took her son's hand and asked, 'Billy, did you ever think about what you wanted to be once you grew up? Did you ever dream and wish what you would do with your life?' Mommy, 'I always wanted to be a fireman when I grow up.' Mom smiled back and said, 'Let's see if we can make your wish come true.' Later that day she went to her local fire Department in Phoenix , Arizona , where she met Fireman Bob, who had a heart as big asPhoenix! She explained her son's final wish and asked if it might be possible to give her 6 year-old son a ride around the block on a fire engine. Fireman Bob said, 'Look, we can do better than that. If you'll have your son ready at seven o'clock Wednesday morning, we'll make him an honorary Fireman for the whole day. He can come down to the fire station, eat with us, go out on all the fire calls, the whole nine yards! And if you'll give us his sizes, we'll get a real fire uniform for him, with a real fire hat - not a toy -- one-with the emblem of the Phoenix Fire Department on it, a yellow slicker like we wear and rubber boots.' 'They're all manufactured right here in Phoenix , so we can get them fast.' Three days later Fireman Bob picked up Billy, dressed him in his uniform and escorted him from his hospital bed to the waiting hook and ladder truck. Billy got to sit on the back of the truck and help steer it back to the fire station. He was in heaven. There were three fire calls inPhoenix that day and Billy got to go out on all three calls. He rode in the different fire engines, the Paramedic's' van, And even the fire chief's car. He was also videotaped for the Local news program. Having his dream come true, With all the love and attention that was lavished upon him, so deeply touched Billy, that he lived three months longer than any doctor thought possible. One night all of his vital signs began to drop dramatically and the head nurse, who believed in the hospice concept - that no one should die alone - began to call the family members to the hospital. Then she remembered the day Billy had spent as a Fireman, so she called the Fire Chief and Asked if it would be possible to send a fireman in uniform to the hospital to be with Billy as he made his transition. The chief replied, 'We can do better than that. We'll be there in five minutes. Will you please do me a favor? When you hear the sirens screaming and see the lights flashing, will you announce over the PA system that there is not a fire?' 'It's the department coming to see one of its finest members one more time. And will you open the window to his room?' About five minutes later a hook and ladder truck arrived at the hospital and extended its ladder up to Billy's third floor open window-------- 16 fire-fighters climbed up the ladder into Billy's room. With his mother's permission, they hugged him and held him and told him how much they LOVED him. With his dying breath, Billy looked up at the fire chief and said, 'Chief, am I really a fireman now?' 'Billy, you are, and the Head Chief, Jesus, is holding your hand,' the chief said. With those words, Billy smiled and said, 'I know, He's been holding my hand all day, and The angels have been singing.' He closed his eyes one last time. My instructions were to send this to at least four people that I wanted God to bless and I picked you. Please pass this to at least four people you want to be blessed. This story is powerful and there is nothing attached. PLEASE do not break this pattern; uplifting stories are one of the best gifts we receive. There is no cost, but a lot of rewards, let's continue to uplift one another~ True Story

Daughters

I just want you to know Nikki and Tasha that I am very proud and so full of love for the both of you right now. I am excited for what we are about to do but I am more excited to see what God is going to do. Just open your hearts and let Him do His thing.




Both of you have had your trials but you trust that God is going to see you through it. You don't feel sorry for your self you rise above it. When I found out I was pregnant with the two of you I fell in love instantly.
You both have heard me say when I was younger I didn't think I wanted children but when you came around you totally changed my life. Actually, I don't know why I waited as long as I did to have you.


Now you have your boys, you have so much to look forward to, enjoy the time you do have because it goes by to fast. It gives me such joy to see how much your boys love the both of you. You are turning into such awesome moms.




I love to sit back and watch , you are friends as well sisters and that warms my soul. I didn't think I could love any one person as much as I did when the two of you were born but now we have Gabriel and Elias......... Sometimes when I look at them I am amazed at how perfect and precious they are. God has blessed us more than we deserve!!!!!!





God has brought us all to this place and I am looking forward to see what he is going to do next



. I love you my daughters, I am proud to be your mom!!!!!!!

Family

It's been awhile but I am back. This weekend was WE Women's Conference and all though I didn't get to go to all of it I was able to go to the beginning and was blessed by the worship. We defiantly have some talented women at our church. If I could only sing..What is funny is I was in the choir for awhile.I don't know what I was thinking when I joined. So now I am in the audience where I belong.........

My girls were able to go and I did Gigi duty. This weekend I had Elias.
I know I have said this before but I am so blessed by having two of the most beautiful and sweetest daughters , they are just as beautiful on the inside as well as the outside.






Nikki, Elias, Natasha and Gabriel. Aren't they adorable??Gabriel is 14 months old and Elias is 11 months..

Elias is going to have his birthday party soon and of course all of our family the grandmothers (two) grandfathers(2) great grandmothers (two) and aunts and uncles...A lot of friends and we are praying for nice weather.



What is absolutely wonderful is we all live in the same area. My poor mom has had her children live in some cases different countries . I am blessed because I can have the boys anytime I want and I am loving it. This of course is my dream come true.When we take them over night the girls see it as a break for them but I get to spend time with these perfect little creatures that God has blessed us with. I don't know what I did to deserve this life but I am not taking it for granted.This is my PERFECT!

My daddy loved all his grandchildren but the girls were special because he watched them grow up. I remember how his face used to light up when they would walk in the room. When they would come up to him and put their little arms around his neck he was putty in their hands..... Papa was their hero, they thought he was the best!!!!!! and, he was. I hope that we as grandparents can have that same relationship with our boys as our girls had with them.


As I am sitting here thinking about my girls I can't believe they are 22 years old and they have children of their own. To look back at my life I wouldn't change anything (well maybe one or two things but yet don't we all have them) because if things were different I wouldn't have my girls and our handsome , wonderful, amazing grandsons!!!!!!! If I knew it would be this great I would have had my grandchildren first(I know that sounds corny but I love saying it)
I am a work in progress, God continues to show me things that I need to work on but thank God my family loves me.

I saw this quote Nikki wrote on FB
"Because true love is unconditional"
So true.........



So I guess this is goodnight, thanks for visiting my little corner of the world, as my daddy used to say "Sleep tight and don't let the bed bugs bite"

Gigi

A Must Read......

God's cake....
This is about the best thing
I've ever read as an explanation.


Sometimes we wonder,
'What did I do to deserve this?' or
'Why did God have to do this to me?'
Here is a wonderful explanation!
A daughter is telling her Mother how everything
is going wrong, she's failing algebra, her boyfriend
broke up with her and her best friend is moving away.
Meanwhile, her Mother is baking a cake and
asks her daughter if she would like a snack, and the
daughter says, 'Absolutely Mom, I love your cake.'
'Here, have some cooking oil,' her Mother offers.
'Yuck' says her daughter.
'How about a couple raw eggs?' 'Gross, Mom!'
'Would you like some flour then?
Or maybe baking soda?'
'Mom, those are all yucky!'
To which the mother replies:
'Yes, all those things seem bad all by themselves.
But when they are put together in the
right way, they make a wonderfully delicious cake! '
God works the same way. Many times we wonder why
He would let us go through such bad and difficult
times. But God knows that when He puts these things
all in His order, they always work for good! We just
have to trust Him and, eventually, they will all
make something wonderful!
God is crazy about you.
He sends you flowers every spring and
a sunrise every morning.
Whenever you want to talk, He'll listen.
He can live anywhere in the universe,
and He chose your heart.
If you like this, send this on
to the people you really care about.
Life may not be the party we hoped for, but while we are
here we might as well dance!

Life is Good

My life as a grandmother gets better and better as the days go by.I was blessed by these last couple of days. My girls let me take our boys and they spent the night at our home. To some of you it may not seem like a big deal but for me it's paradise. I was blessed with two girls but after them I couldn't have any more children. I always thought it would have been nice to have a boy for Eddy and WOW my prayers were answered......We have two gorgeous little guys.


Since we are here at the church a lot we don't get to see the boys much. I am going to try and have them spend the night at least one night a week, it will give the girls a break and I will be able to have my Gigi fix.
Tuesday night I had Gabriel. Look at his eyes,

he looks like someone who wants to get into everything and is the life of the party(he is).He knows what the word no means but will test you every time just to see how far he can go. He has such a contagious smile and laugh.
This little one is gifted with a great set of lungs and will use them every time you want to put him to bed and he doesn't want to go. Gabriel wants to be a big boy and climb up the stairs, I of course won't let him go by himself so I helped him. After a couple of minutes he wants to go down the stairs. I thought this was cute so I went a long with it until it was maybe the sixth time and I finally had to say no. The great thing about being a grandparent is I don't have to say no, but this time I was worn out and lets face it at 2:00 in the morning my get up and go just got up and went!!!!He wore me out....... I finally got him to sleep and boy was I ready. My wonderful husband let me sleep in and he took him home. I stayed and took a long long nap just to do it again Wednesday evening.


Now look at Elias

when I look at him and when he smiles it just melts my heart. He is layed back and pretty much cool and calm. .Both boys have taken on their daddy's personality. So last night I picked him up after work. After I fed him we went up stairs to play. Elias can't walk yet so at least I didn't have to run after him like I do Gabriel, he crawls pretty fast but I can catch up to him.
When it was bedtime this one was a little easier to put to bed. I don't have a crib so he had to sleep with me. I so enjoyed both nights. It's been a while since I had a baby in the house it felt wonderful..

I know as time goes on we might not always live in the same town for whatever reason so I am cherishing each moment I have with our children. I appreciate the blessings that they are.So for now I am enjoying life as a grandmother!!!!!!

Got Joy????

I got this devotion from a friend, I thought I would share, everyone can benefit from this word................

Got Joy?

"Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus." - Philippians 3:13–14

It may be hard to accept this news but joy is a personal choice. I'd much rather think the opposite - to claim that people and circumstances steal my joy. Or to think that joy is accidental and I'm not accident prone! I hate the idea that the reason I don't have joy sometimes is because I'm simply not choosing it.

I don't know how full your joy meter is registering right now, but I can tell you on the authority of God's Word that if the reading is low or the arrow is on empty, you can find joy again in the person of Jesus Christ Himself. You can choose the joy found in following Jesus.

Sometimes people who have known the Lord for a while get bored. They think, "There's gotta be something more, something better, something different." Having Jesus in their life doesn't seem as exciting as it was. And off they go in search of some kind of unbiblical extravagance to satisfy that itch. To that, the apostle Paul posts a big warning sign in Philippians 3:13-14:

"(Forget) what lies behind and (strain) forward to what lies ahead... I press on!" Instead of longing for more or better or different, God calls us deeper and stronger. Philippians 3 continues, "hold true to what we have attained" (v.16).

Choosing joy every day involves holding fast to God. Keep depending on Christ. Do you still lean on Him as completely as when you first came to the Cross? Is every step with God one of dependence and faith? What uncertainty lies ahead? What obstacle are you being called to conquer right now? Do you want joy amidst those challenges? Say, "I can't do it, Lord; only You can do it in me."

What do you need to do today to regain lost joy? Stop trying so hard in your own strength to be what God wants you to be and move back into that dependent, Christ-centered approach to life. Remember that the same way you came to the Lord is also how you'll grow in Christ (Colossians 2:6–7).

Want more joy? Get back on the track of desperate dependence on God and abiding faith.
Walk in the Word with James MacDonald

Wait for the Lord

Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.

Psalm 27:14, NIV

Throughout the Bible, we are given examples of those who waited and were blessed, as well as those who refused to wait and suffered the consequences. For instance:

Abraham had to wait for the birth of Isaac; he grew so impatient, he tried to help God out and had Ishmael instead. His impatience delayed God's blessing for another fourteen years and produced turmoil that exists to this day.

Joshua had to wait seven days as he obediently marched around Jericho before God rewarded his patience and brought the walls down.

David, an anointed king, waited fourteen years in exile before God rewarded his patience by placing him on the throne as the greatest king of Israel. From personal experience he testified, "I am still confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord."

Blessings,



Anne Graham Lotz
I receive these devotions daily some I just read and go on then there are some I like to share. It is not my intent to judge or hurt anyones feelings. If I say YOU it is not intended to imply anything. Please don't read anything more into this than what it is, it is meant to bless WHOM EVER wants to read it and if you dont like it DON'T READ IT!!!! Please don't turn something that could be so good into bad.

Be Blessed and have a great week end..........Maureen

Snow Days and time with my guys....

Wednesday was another snow day and I thoruoghly enjoyed my time with Eddy, got some good reading done and ended up having dinner with our family.I have mentioned how blessed I am to live in the same town as my girls and my grandsons. Last night the girls came over for dinner with their families and I got to spend time with both Elias and Gabriel. Since I work a good 5 to 6 days a week I don't see them as much as I would like to.
Thursday is my day to take Elias to CLC and pick him up and spend some one on one but last night I thought I would have him spend the night.He was just sooo excited about being with Papa E and Gigi he wouldn't go to bed until 1:00 am. Mom called and suggested I just let him cry and he will eventually fall asleep well I halfway did that. I was upstairs anyway and we went into the guest room and I let him sleep in the big bed with me. I couldn't put him in the playpen and just let him cry so I kind of compromised and anyway I wanted him to be comfortable.....
He did fall asleep and I think we eventually woke up @ 7:00. All in all it was a great night. I will have to admit I am a little out of practice but this Sunday is going to be Gabriels turn so between the two of them I will catch on real fast,,,,

To be able to watch them grow up is totally amazing. When I had my girls it was so different. I was 30 when I first got pregnant with my girls so it wasn't like I was a young girl but I felt like one because I have never had to raise children so when they came and the fact they were twins it was all a fog. I had to learn so fast and it seems days ran into months and years. The next moment I realized they were
teenagers and then the fun really began hahahahahaha. With having the boys right here with us it is wonderful to be able to watch them and help out when needed. We can spend quality time with them and have our one on one. Don't get me wrong I wouldn't want to change having my girls, that was the best experience of my life but since there was two of them and only one of me it was challanging. Poor Eddy worked so much he did what he could.He was and is one of the best daddys around......

So needless to say I love my Gigi time and look forward to many more times like this. Ya know I think I have the best family around. We are far from PERFECT but this is MY PERFECT. I praise my God daily for blessing me with what he given me. I don't deserve any of this but I don't and won't ever take them for granted. We are not on this earth for long so I am making the most out of what I have.

Until next time.......Gigi

Burdens

This was the devotion for today, I thought you would appreciate it..........

Easing Your Burden
Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God.

1 John 4:7, NKJV


Most of us increase our pain by dwelling on it or by analyzing it. We throw a pity party and expect others to join us. We spiral downward into depression, withdrawing into self-preoccupation. But the way to overcome is not to focus on ourselves or on the pain, but to focus on the needs of others.

Would you get your eyes off yourself and your problems and your pressures and your pain and look around? Who do you know who is suffering or struggling in some way? What can you do for them? Ask God to bring to your attention those you can care for. Because as you do, you will find joy in easing their burden, and in the process, you will ease your own.

Blessings,
GiGi

A Mother's Love

I finally got my computer back. Thank God for the guys at work. I just know if I took this computer to a company they would have charged me an arm and a leg. Anyhow I am now able to work on my computer rather than my phone.

Getting to the title of my blog.......

Thia weekend I watched my all time favorite movie Steel Magnolias. This is defiantly a chick flick. If you want a good cry this is the movie to watch. I bought the DVD so I can watch it anytime but when I was watching it I was reading where this is based on a true story.

The description reads A close - knit circle of Southern women living in Louisiana they share the momentous and minute events that make up their lives as new romances, glorious weddings, births, illnesses and deaths take place over the years.

This description does not do it justice nor does mine but here goes.

This story revolves around these five women and their every day lives.

One of the women M`lynn , has a daughter Shelby who is getting married. They had a big wedding and months later she tells her mom she is pregnant and that's when the story really begins. Before the wedding her doctor advised her not to get pregnant so when she told her mom needless to say she wasn't happy . After Shelby"s son is born one year later her kidneys fail then M`lynn gives one of her kidneys to Shelby.

As the story goes that wasn't good enough it ends up where she is in a coma and then she dies. The love this mom has for her daughter is so intense. This is a good example of what a mothers love is, that she would do whatever it took to give her daughter what she needed to save her life. I am giving you a brief description and might I add not doing it justice ,you really need to see this. It is full of drama but a good kind. I would describe it as a Hallmark moment....

There are many parts of this story I liked but one in particular was when Shelby was begging her mom to understand why it was so important to have this baby she said "I would rather have three minutes of wonderful than a lifetime of nothing special". She risked her life to have this child and ultimately she lost her fight and died. Shelby's brother is the one that had a lot to do making this movie.

This has always been one of my favorite movies but when I found out it was based on a true story I liked it even more.

Have a great weekend, now I have to do the house work I put off doing to see this movie....oh well back to reality.......
Maureen

Happy Birthday

Happy Birthday to you , Happy Birthday to you , Happy Birthday , Happy Birthday , Happy Birthday , Happy Birthday I love you Nikki/ Tasha
I know it's not until Thursday but I could'nt wait. Ever since I can remember we always did a pre Nikki / Tasha birthday. You guys used to celebrate almost for a whole week. We had some great parties. Well, I wanted to wish you a Happy Birthday before it got crazy.....

I know you are all grown up and you both have a family of your own but I don't care what daddy says you are still my babies. The best times I remember are with the two of you.

Your Papa would be very proud of the women you have become. He loved you both so very much. I can still remember your Sweet Sixteen Birthday Party. He was so nervous to get up in front of everyone but he was touched by the fact you wanted him to speak I'n front of all your friends. Did you know he practiced for days? I miss him. I just know the boys will feel the same about your daddy as you did for Papa.

I love you both more than you know, I am blessed to have you both as my daughters!!!!!

Love you bunches, Mom

Words

Words are so powerful they can build you up or tear you down.....


"The mind Is everything; what you think, you become."- Gautama Buddha

"Remember that not getting what you want is sometimes a wonderful stroke of luck."- Dalai Lama

"Don't count the days, make the days count." Muhammad Ali

"Strive not to be a success rather to be of value."Albert Einstein

"The greatest greifs are those we cause ourselves." Sophocles

Don't complain about what you don't have focus on what or Who God has placed I'n your life.

Is your glass have empty or half full??



Are you going to cry about what has happened to you I'n the past or are you going to move forward and praise God for what he has blessed you with??? Get over it and move forward.....
I came across these quotes thought I'd share.
A very important date is coming up on February 3 rd........
One of the most important dates besides my anniversary , Nicole and Natasha are turning 22 .a day I will never forget.
Now that they are mothers they will see how children change your lives.I have made mistakes I'n my life but they are not one of them. I

appreciate where God has brought me. I am I'n a new season I'n my life and I cant wait to see what's next...... Much love, Gigi

Please read this could help you one day.....

A friend from work sent this to me. There are some Good ideas.

THIRTEEN THINGS YOUR BURGLAR WON'T TELL YOU:

I am particularly interested in the part about the wasp spray...

1. Of course I look familiar. I was here just last week cleaning your carpets, painting your shutters, or delivering your new refrigerator.

2. Hey, thanks for letting me use the bathroom when I was working in your yard last week. While I was in there, I unlatched the back window to make my return a little easier.

3. Love those flowers. That tells me you have taste... and taste means there are nice things inside. Those yard toys your kids leave out always make me wonder what type of gaming system they have.

4. Yes, I really do look for newspapers piled up on the driveway. And I might leave a pizza flyer in your front door to see how long it takes you to remove it..

5. If it snows while you're out of town, get a neighbor to create car and foot tracks into the house. Virgin drifts in the driveway are a dead giveaway.

6. If decorative glass is part of your front entrance, don't let your alarm company install the control pad where I can see if it's set. That makes it too easy.

7. A good security company alarms the window over the sink. And the windows on the second floor, which often access the master bedroom - and your jewelry. It's not a bad idea to put motion detectors up there too.

8. It's raining, you're fumbling with your umbrella, and you forget to lock your door - understandable. But understand this: I don't take a day off because of bad weather.

9. I always knock first. If you answer, I'll ask for directions somewhere or offer to clean your gutters. (Don't take me up on it.)

10. Do you really think I won't look in your sock drawer? I always check dresser drawers, the bedside table, and the medicine cabinet.

11. Here's a helpful hint: I almost never go into kids' rooms.

12. You're right: I won't have enough time to break into that safe where you keep your valuables. But if it's not bolted down, I'll take it with me.

13. A loud TV or radio can be a better deterrent than the best alarm system. If you're reluctant to leave your TV on while you're out of town, you can buy a $35 device that works on a timer and simulates the flickering glow of a real television. (Find it at http://www.faketv/.com/)

8 MORE THINGS A BURGLAR WON'T TELL YOU:

1. Sometimes, I carry a clipboard. Sometimes, I dress like a lawn guy and carry a rake. I do my best to never, ever look like a crook.

2. The two things I hate most: loud dogs and nosy neighbors.

3. I'll break a window to get in, even if it makes a little noise. If your neighbor hears one loud sound, he'll stop what he's doing and wait to hear it again. If he doesn't hear it again, he'll just go back to what he was doing. It's human nature.

4. I'm not complaining, but why would you pay all that money for a fancy alarm system and leave your house without setting it?

5. I love looking in your windows. I'm looking for signs that you're home, and for flat screen TVs or gaming systems I'd like. I'll drive or walk through your neighborhood at night, before you close the blinds, just to pick my targets.

6. Avoid announcing your vacation on your Facebook page. It's easier than you think to look up your address.

7. To you, leaving that window open just a crack during the day is a way to let in a little fresh air. To me, it's an invitation.

8. If you don't answer when I knock, I try the door. Occasionally, I hit the jackpot and walk right in.

Sources: Convicted burglars in North Carolina , Oregon , California , and Kentucky ; security consultant Chris McGoey, who runs http://www.crimedoctor.com// and Richard T. Wright, a criminology professor at the University of Missouri-St. Louis , who interviewed 105 burglars for his book Burglars on the Job.

Protection for you and your home:

If you don't have a gun, here's a more humane way to wreck someones evil plans for you. (I guess I can get rid of the baseball bat.):

WASP SPRAY

A friend who is a receptionist in a church in a high risk area was concerned about someone coming into the office on Monday to rob them when they were counting the collection. She asked the local police department about using pepper spray and they recommended to her that she get a can of wasp spray instead.

The wasp spray, they told her, can shoot up to twenty feet away and is a lot more accurate, while with the pepper spray, they have to get too close to you and could overpower you. The wasp spray temporarily blinds an attacker until they get to the hospital for an antidote. She keeps a can on her desk in the office and it doesn't attract attention from people like a can of pepper spray would. She also keeps one nearby at home for home protection. Thought this was interesting and might be of use.

FROM ANOTHER SOURCE...

On the heels of a break-in and beating that left an elderly woman in Toledo dead, self-defense experts have a tip that could save your life.

Val Glinka teaches self-defense to students at Sylvania South view High School . For decades, he's suggested putting a can of wasp and hornet spray near your door or bed.

He says, "This is better than anything I can teach them."

He considers it inexpensive, easy to find, and more effective than mace or pepper spray. The cans typically shoot 20 to 30 feet; so if someone tries to break into your home, he says, "spray the culprit in the eyes". It's a tip he's given to students for decades. It's also one he wants everyone to hear. If you're looking for protection, Glinka says look to the spray.

"That's going to give you a chance to call the police; maybe get out."

Maybe even save a life.

Put your car keys beside your bed at night.

Tell your spouse, your children, your neighbors, your parents, your Dr.'s office, the check-out girl at the market, everyone you run across. Put your car keys beside your bed at night.

If you hear a noise outside your home or someone trying to get in your house, just press the panic button for your car. The alarm will be set off, and the horn will continue to sound until either you turn it off or the car battery dies. This tip came from a neighborhood watch coordinator. Next time you come home for the night and you start to put your keys away, think of this: It's a security alarm system that you probably already have and requires no installation. Test it. It will go off from most everywhere inside your house and will keep honking until your battery runs down or until you reset it with the button on the key fob chain. It works if you park in your driveway or garage. If your car alarm goes off when someone is trying to break into your house, odds are the burglar/rapist won't stick around. After a few seconds all the neighbors will be looking out their windows to see who is out there and sure enough the criminal won't want that. And remember to carry your keys while walking to your car in a parking lot. The alarm can work the same way there. This is something that should really be shared with everyone. Maybe it could save a life or a sexual abuse crime.

P.S. I am sending this to everyone I know because I think it is fantastic. Would also be useful for any emergency, such as a heart attack, where you can't reach a phone. My Mom has suggested to my Dad that he carry his car keys with him in case he falls outside and she doesn't hear him. He can activate the car alarm and then she'll know there's a problem.

Please share this with all the people in your life.

Things to Ponder

I can't believe my babies are going to be 22 soon. I can remember when they were small and now they have babies of their own. When Tasha was going to have Gabriel I was looking through Tasha's baby book and I started to tear up because that time has slipped away from me. So many things I wanted to do or say but thought I had plenty of time. Now, I have these precious little boys and they are growing up so fast as well. I am not going to waste this time. As far as the girls are concerned this is all were getting as far as grandchildren goes so I guess I better make the best of it.............(so they say hahaha)

We just celebrated Gabriel's first birthday now we are getting ready for Elias's big day. So the moral of this story is appreciate what is in front of you because we don't have it for long. I know this but I definitely am doing it.......

I hope you all have a Blessed Weekend I'll talk to you soon..........GiGi

Gabriel's Birthday Party part two......

Well the big day has come and gone but there are some great memories to hold onto.


The turn out was wonderful.
Mimi( my mom who lives I'n my hometown I'n Rhode Island)
Sonia( Eddy's mom who lives I'n Miami Florida)


Alot of Daniel's family (that is Gabriel's daddy , some of my friends from church, and friends from work and Tasha's ( Gabriel's mommy)
salon. We ended up with about 40 people. That was one popular one year old.....
Eddy cooked Cuban food, black beans and rice, pork and chicken. Food was fabulous as always.....
Gabriel's Abuela got him a pinata and we had the best time watching him trying to break it.

Tasha and Daniel were truly blessed by everything and everyone that came.
Here are some pictures.


In three months we get to do this all over again Elias is going to be one
April 13th. I told you this is the best job ever I love being their GiGi!!!!!!!




I have said this before but I will never get tired of saying this... I am so proud of my girls and the mom' s they have become. . I know they are grown adults now but they are still my babies!!!! The best two choices I have made I'n my life one marrying Eddy and second giving birth to my girls. God has blessed me with those girls and our boys. I will not take that for granted.

There are so many uncertain things and people can change in an instant but this I will tell you I WILL be there for my grandchildren and I want them to know I love them and If they ever need anything I am here for them.

Until next time, love to all.
GiGi

Gabriels 1st birthday

I am so excited my first grandson is having his 1st birthday party tomorrow. Actually he was born on the 19th but we are going to have a big party for him "Espinosa Style". We had a cake and sang him happy birthday last Wednesday but tomorrow everybody is going to get together at my home and celebrate Gabriel and his special day......I am so blessed to be able to do this because I know one day they will probably move away and I will have to have plenty of time off so I can visit them where ever they are. lol I am so very proud of my girls they have become such wonderful mom's. They are putting the focus on their boys instead of themselves and concentrating on being what their children need.

So look for what's coming up next.....Needless to say we will have plenty of pictures and stories about our little boy.....
Bye for now, love GiGi