A Mother's Love

We are going to Sunny Florida this Thursday. I saw the forecast and it will be just like this.........




Eddy and I are driving, first we are going to go to the baby shower.





Tasha is coming as well but she gets to take a plane because she is taking Gabriel It's going to be wonderful because the whole family is going to be together.









then right after that we are going to pack the car and Nicole up and bring her home.
I know the cycle goes on where we have our babies they grow up , get married , have children and move on but if I can have a while longer with my girls I'll take what I can get. I guess now they will understand how it feels to have a love soo strong for another human being. We fall in love with a man but it's not the same thing.That love is different. God has given this awesome experience to be able to give birth and then have that privilege to watch them grow up to be this person. I don't take that lightly.I never thought I was going to have a baby but when the girls came there was no hesitation, I was ready , and I didn't take that lightly..We were able to be there for Tasha through it all but not Nicole. At least we will be there for Nicole the latter part of her pregnancy. I am watching my girls grow up and become the beautiful young woman I knew they could be. We are blessed to have the two most beautiful young woman around( just a tad bit partial . I just know those little boys are going to be blessed to have mom's that love them and I know they will be awesome !!!!! So as you can see I am ready , willing and able to start our new adventure in grand parenting. All I ask for is that you pray for us, Eddy is going to drive a

VERY PREGNANT YOUNG WOMAN







18 HOURS IN A SMALL CAR FULL OF HER BELONGINGS. I will be driving the other car but I will be driving by myself so now you know why Eddy needs the prayers lol(sorry Nikki (-: It will all be good.I am truly blessed to have the love of my girls and a wonderful husband and father to my girls.I am sure I will give you updates from time to time until then, Blessings, GiGi....Oh I forgot we only have 5 weeks to go.....................................until our other bundle of joy comes.......God Bless You All!!!!!!!

Likes and Dislikes

1. What I like
2. What is your favorite color -any thing bright
3. What do you want to be when you grow up -I want to be the best at what ever I do
4. Who was your first best friend - Kathy Reed and Mary Graeber
5. Who did you "just know in your heart" at age twelve, that you were going to marry - Kevin
6. Where were you born- Newport R.I.
7. Shy or out going? What do you think?????
8. What am I passionate about? Right now my grand children. I want them to know they are loved no matter what and we are here for them.
9. I also work at a church and have several duties. The one I love the most is a reception coordinator. I have the best job(don't like that word because it's not a job to me) I am able to assist women planning their menu and coordinating their wedding reception , one of the happiest moments in their life.
10. Hobbies- Painting my home, gardening, baking and spending time with my ever growing family!!
11. Where do I want to live when I retire? Newport R.I. or somewhere near there
12. My Best friend in the Whole World??- EDDY ESPINOSA he is the love of my life
13. Do I believe in God- With all my heart and soul!!! I got saved when I was 24 but really developed a close relationship with him in 1993. I am not perfect and I do have my moments but I love the Lord with all my heart.

Dislikes

1. Oatmeal- hate it with a passion!!!!!! Bad experience at girl scout camp and never recovered )-:
2. I know this is the circle of life but when you get a puppy and fall in love than they get old and die. One thing I don't like is their liife is short so what's up with that??Why can't they live long like humans??
3. When snow gets dirty and turns to slush.
4. Smart Mouth People- Thinks they can say or do what ever with no consequences- They feel they are justified in cussing out or belittling people , makes others feel small so they will feel better about themselves, thinks their feelings are the only ones that matter. So they think!!!
5. People that whine about their life and tell you how bad they have it.
6. People that say one thing and do another.

I know one or two like this and I would just as soon stay away from them. They pull you down rather than build you up!!

But as we all know no one is perfect so.....all we can do is pray for you and hope that God can change your heart.

This is not being sarcastic or mean spirited this does come from the heart.............

The People We Meet

My mom sent this to me today and I thought I wanted to share this with you. We wonder so many times why people are put into to our lives and then all of a sudden they are whisked away.....This makes you really think....Or should I say this makes me really think.......................

I'm sending this to you to see what you really think.
Your response will be interesting.

Pay attention to what you read.

After you have finished reading it, you will know the reason it was
Sent to you.
Here goes:
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,

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.
Send this
To every friend that you have on-line,



All is well at the Espinosa house hold for now. Next week we will all go to Nicole's baby shower in Florida(even baby Gabriel) and we are going to bring her home. I am excited to have all my family under one roof again (only if it for a little while) Hope you really think about what you have read. Blessings, Maureen

Aunt Sally

In this picture is Aunt Emily (sisters) and Aunt Sally is on the right.







I was listening to this song on the radio and it reminded me of Aunt Sally so this is dedicated to her.



I grew up in Newport R.I. Almost all of my family on my mom's side still live there. My Aunt Sally is actually my great Aunt. She has eight children, Stephen her son died when I was young but seven of them live in R.I. We used to stay at their house when we were younger so we have been around them our whole lives.

This picture the sisters were just hanging out. My daddy had just died and this was the reception at mom's house. Aunt Sally was 95 years old. She is amazing. Aunt Sally still plays Bingo three times a week. Just a few years ago she gave up her car. Can you imagine 95 and still driving lol


We have a family Reunion every year and Aunt Sally is always the life of the party
She is the type of person you want to have around. She is happy and care free.....
A while back she had cancer in her mouth and had it operated on and when she woke up she wanted to listen to the baseball game on the radio. She was the only one who wasn't worried about it. She is a huge Red Sox Fan.


She has her own apt. which is in her daughter in laws house, she checks on Aunt Sally
and cooks for her. Her children drive her around and my mom takes her to Bingo. She has always done for herself but now (for obvious reasons)they look after her.You helped us out when we were younger and loved us and you have been a wonderful friend to mom. You are loved and adored by many so I want to take this time to say how Blessed I am to be a part of this wonderful family. Aunt Sally, I love you and I know we are better because of you.

God willing I'll see you in August. God Bless, Maureen

A Weekend To Remember

Eddy and I have just got finished a long busy week so we finally got a couple of days off together and went away.We decided to go to Austin Texas. As you can see here this is a gorgeous sunset. This place where we are is called the Oasis












This is a restaurant overlooking this gorgeous sunset. This has 4 stories of very unique furnishings and just like Texas its HUGE. It was cold so we couldn't eat outside but we were able to look outside and as you can see it over looks a lake.If this was the only thing we saw in Austin it would have been Worth the trip. The ambiance was exquisite!!!!!!!We had fajitas which were ok but like I said just to tour this place was an experience in itself. First off the drive was gorgeous. I felt like we were in Colorado. I did not know there were mountains in Texas. That shows you how much I know about the state in which I live in.........back to our trip the homes were bigger than I have seen in a while. We work in Plano Texas and we have some nice homes but these were defiantly estates. As you can see the view is gorgeous. Eddy and I talked about getting away and he searched the web to find the right place and boy didn't he find it!!!!!! You did great honey!!!!!



Eddy and I are going to be celebrating our 22nd year of marriage and right now I have got to say it's better now than it's been in a long time. Sure we have had some great times and NOT so great times but It's our love and strong commitment to God that see us through a lot of our issues.God is very important in our lives and it's because of Him that we have made it this far.













After we went back to the hotel we got some much needed rest woke up and got ready for some sightseeing. First we had to go for breakfast, get nourishment before we go out and see what Austin has to show us...........







As you can see we are at the State Capitol.The architecture is beautiful.
This is the ceiling cool huh???







This is where the Senate meets. Our Government at it's best.......

OK yes I am on Weight Watchers and this is not on my plan but.......... there was a HUGE sign on the side of the road that we just couldn't pass up. They have been in buissness for over 100 years and we just had to try it.I'll fast tomorrow lol. I have to cause we weigh in on Monday morning hahahaha















So we finally got home and how perfect is this we get to see this little angel and truely OUR GIFT FROM GOD!!!!!! We are so blessed to be able to have this precious little one in our lives. God is sooooo good!!!!

So, now it's time for bed , back to reality tomorrow. It's all good we had this weekend and more to come............Thank you God for allowing Eddy and I to have weekends like this. Goodnight and God Bless, GiGi

It's All About Families

My heading is so appropriate because "It Is All About Family" Sometimes my daughters would say can't you find something else to talk about well..............to answer that question no I can't!!!! I love talking about my family. As long as I don't talk about real private issues why not?? I understand they don't want their personal life to be made public and I will respect that but THEY ARE MY LIFE! I love God, my husband ,and my family so it's about 99% sure they will be included in almost every post.

So to go along with that my family (as you know) is growing faster than I can write(-: Nikki as you all know is now eight weeks to go until the big event. It's been 21 years since I have had a baby in the house so I have to have a refresher course. I am just learning according to doctors as of today I probably did everything wrong for my babies.Of course, they survived but nonetheless they say you can't do this and that. There are so many new gadgets around to make things so much more convent that I look around and wonder " HOW DID WE EVER SURVIVE without all this new stuff???? I love these people who haven't been a parent of newborns for years and they think they KNOW IT ALL. lol That's ok I don't and I'll admit it.All I do know is that I love our grandchild and that's it, oh and I am taking that refresher course, and by the way I am having a blast. I am volunteering at our church so I am getting a crash course. These babies in the nursery are so sweet and I love being there.

So......In three weeks Tasha is taking Gabriel on his first plane ride

This is going to be a baby shower for Nikki but we all know it's going to be about Gabriel.........How can it not be he is soooo adorable. Sorry Nikki but when Elias comes it will be all about him . lol
This is a before picture of Elias more pictures after the 20th of April to follow

So, after the shower we are taking Tasha to the airport then Nikki and I are driving to Texas. This is going to be an interesting trip. Nikki doesn't like road trips. I really don't know what happened here both my girls hate road trips but I adore them. I love to go and find new places. They are kind of little adventures for me. I would drive all the way and Nikki could sleep but I am driving and Nikki is taking her car. I am moving her so we need both cars. I'll try and make it fun.

It's getting late and I have been rambling. Hope you have a Blessed week and I'll talk to you real soon.........Blessings, Maureen GiGi

Anticipation

I know I know all I seem to talk about is our new baby and the one that will be here soon. Well, Isn't that what it's all about?

We have a little over eight weeks for Nikki to have her baby and..............three weeks before she moves home. This is an instant replay for us.......lol......I am very excited. You know little Gabriel looks just like Tasha, wouldn't that be cool if Elias looked like Nikki? They would look like brothers. Yea, cool. When I look at Gabriel I see soooo much of Tasha.

So, In three weeks Tasha and I are going to Nikki's shower and then Nikki and I are driving home. That will be fun. I know seventeen plus hours doesn't sound like a lot of fun but.......we take detours and make it fun lol.................We'll tell you how it goes along the way(-:



Now I am going to paint Nikki's room and make room for Elias. This is what I like to do. If I had enough money I would buy property and flip it and then sell it. I used to watch Flip That House. It's funny I like home improvement shows and Eddy like the food shows.....Opposites attract.............right????????



Lets get back to Nikki, poor girl , she is having such a hard time of it. She is eight months pregnant and she is getting sick all over again. I wish I could take it all away for her but the great thing about being pregnant is eventually( 9 months to be exact )it's over , all the pain, discomfort and sickness is forgotten when we see that precious little baby.So...........Nikki it won't be long sweetheart and you will have your bundle of joy in your arms and everything is forgotten.When you all pray please pray for my Nikki. Please pray for a safe and a great memorable delivery. When I say memorable I want her to look back on this and say it was all worth it.Our girls have brought us much joy and I want the girls to know and feel in their heart how God is blessings them with these babies. They will change their lives forever.I am thrilled ,excited and so proud that our family is expanding ....................Stay tuned ,I have sooooo much to share. Until next time...........lots of love GiGi

Grandparenting part 2

Isn't this face the cutest one you have ever seen???

Of course I think so and I am sure whoever has children and even grandchildren think the same way. I am blessed that this little one is living with us for a time. I get to wake up and kiss him before I leave and kiss him before I go to bed. I don't always do that but after last night I just might. I was blessed to be able to give him his night time bottle. I think the best part is after he has his bottle and he is a little sleepy and he just rests his head into my neck. I just want to breath him in. Feels like heaven!!!!!Now remember I am a first time grandmother so I am so proud and you can give me a little grace while I ramble(-:

The more I see him the more I fall in love with him. I just look at his perfect little face and just want to squeeze him. He smiles and I am naive enough to think he is smiling at me!

Just think I get to do this all over again in nine weeks!! Nicole is having her baby shower March 13Th and I am going to bring her home after that. I am excited because all of us will be able to go through this with her. The house will be a little crowded but who cares I'll have my family all together. Hopefully Tasha can help Nikki as she is adjusting to motherhood.

I am volunteering in our nursery at our church because it's been 21 years since I have had an infant in our home. I know how to take care of a baby but things have changed and maybe I can learn some things from these women that handle literally thousands of babies a week.I have newborns to three months old. It is a joy.Gabriel is a gift from God and Elias is our double blessing from God. I just pray Nicole and I will survive the trip home(-: lol

Nikki and I are going to be driving both of our cars home. She will not be moving back to Florida so we are loading up the cars with EVERYTHING and heading south.Please pray for first and foremost safety than you can pray for patience or what we call it is plenty of GRACE!!!!! Nikki doesn't like road trips and does not like to travel long distance in her car. Unfortunately we have to travel through four states before Texas and 18 hours plus travel time sooooo that's why I ask for GRACE AND PLENTY OF IT!!!! So as you can see the Espinosa's house is a little full but very very happy. I know that every good and perfect gift comes from above. I will never forget and will always thank my God for everything he has given us. Until next time I send you hugs and kisses from Gabriel, Gigi and Elias (soon to follow) Blessings, GiGi

Upcoming Event

Well, you have heard so much about Natasha and our newest addition to our family now it's Nicole and Anthony's turn. This is my other daughter Nicole.
Natasha and Nicole are twins. Yes they are twins and both of them were pregnant at the same time. After the shock wore off it is funny. Of course Nicole doesn't think so. Poor thing is still getting sick. I was telling her it will pass after 3 or 4 months. With me it lasted 5 months because the doctor said I had twins naturally it would last longer. Well, with Nikki it came back.

Nikki has gone through so much in her young life. God is truly sending out many guardian angels her way. She was meant to do great things. Almost two years ago this mothers day Nikki got into a horrendous motorcycle accident. She was very lucky she wasn't killed. She has a huge scar to remind her daily of this. now, she was 5 months pregnant she had a car accident and the car flipped over and someone had to pull her out of the car and mommy and baby came out good.I keep on telling her God has plans for her because she has escaped death too many times. I call her my miracle child. She takes too many chances. I am hoping this child will make her realize she can't keep on going like this. She has to be a little more careful now because she will have someone depending on her.When we have children it's not about us anymore.!!!!

Nikki's and Anthony's baby name is Elias Anthony and he is due April 20Th 2010. This will be my 2ND. grandchild in less than a year. As you can tell we do not do normal. We do things in multiples(-:

This is Nicole 7 months pregnant. Unfortunately I have not seen her since Christmas so this is the first time I have seen her with a stomach. WOW
She is a beautiful girl and this is going to be a beautiful no ,I will correct that a handsome baby boy.I am going to Florida March 13Th for a baby shower than a month later we are going to have a baby. I am excited of course, our family is growing by leaps and bounds...................I just want my girls to be happy and help them in any way I can, to be there when they need me and step away when they don't. Pray for me(-: By the looks of it with my first grandson I need it..................................Love to all M.E.

Grandparenting

This post is actually about what I have done and what I have to get better at..............As you know we have a beautiful baby boy who is 15 days old. He is the cutest and most handsome boy around....(until the next one comes, Nikki, her twin is due April 20 Th : ) so..............I get to be with that baby every day. It is kind of hard not to say anything because they live in our home. So..........you know what I am going to say? I try not to but I sometimes put my 2 cents in ......They have been parents for what all of 15 days. I think I have a little to share. Well of course grandpa thinks I am saying too much. He said that was half my problem.Of course you know I had a response to that. So help me out here, how am I going to not give advise or my opinion when you see them do stupid stuff ( I shouldn't of said that sorry) You want to show them or tell them differently. They of course know more than you. I think one of them said well mom It was 21 years ago things change. Oh really???How is it different ?Is It different the way they have babies?Do we change diapers differently or feed them differently??Please tell me how Is It so different???Maybe all the STUFF we use is different, excuse me we still used Pampers, had balmex cream for rashes, made formula, washed clothes. Maybe they think 21 years ago was the dark ages but like I said things were almost the same but a little more stuff. You see my dilemma. I know as my mother is reading this she is probably laughing. Sometimes I didn't want to hear what my mom had to say but never right when they were born, I think I didn't want to hear her when they were around 10 or so. I think as mothers I know I do count it a privilege to be able to share as a mother my experiences that helped me out when I became a new mother. I remember when my girls were a week old my mom came over and stayed at my house for the whole weekend. Mom took the crib out of my bedroom ( it was a 1 bedroom apt.) and she took care of them all weekend. She tended to them in every way . She took one look at me and saw I needed it. I had the biggest darkest black circles under my eyes you ever saw. She wanted to give me a much needed break. I was the mother of twins who were waking up every two hours. One baby woke up it took me one to one and a half hours to feed put her down got to sleep for a half hour and then her sister would wake up. OMG kill me now!!!!!!!! So, my mom was a tremendous help to me when I needed it the most. Eddy was there to take the night shift but he needed to sleep considering he would work from 7 am to about 9 pm every day.



They are going to move out soon but while they are here it's hard for me. Now after Eddy said what he has I hesitate to even go see the baby in fear I am going to be one of those grand parents that are butting in on their territory. So I go to one extreme to another. I hate it that he has taken the joy of being a grand parent. I always said I wouldn't be that type of grand parent that would give unsolicited advice or is a know it all (we have too many of those in our home already) help me what to do???????????







On another note Nikki is having her bundle of joy in 11 weeks. Nikki is due April 20th. The daddy is going to school up in Orlando so Nikki is going to have her baby(boy) there. I am flying up there and I get to be in the room.I count myself blessed that I am going to be able to share this experience with her. After the baby is born we will wait a couple of weeks so he can get his shots then we will leave to come back to Texas. Yes, I did say that. I am going to drive her and a newborn in a car for 18 hours in the car. This will give the phrase ROAD TRIP a whole new meaning. Nikki is moving back home. So.................. as soon as baby one leaves baby two will get here.Now THAT IS EXCITING!!!!!!!!!







I love my girls and their babies. I want to be a resource not trouble. I want this to be an awesome experience and I want to enjoy every moment I can. We all know It can be taken away in a heart beat.I want to make my time count for something. I love the family God has blessed me with . I hope this didn't sound too negative???I am just venting...............Till next time.