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

Preparing for the New Year

2011 is coming in 3 days.

2010 has been a roller coaster to say the least but I wouldn't change it for the world. In 2010 I fell in love all over again with the most handsome little boys who instantaneously stole my heart.........

I have said this over and over but I truly am blessed for being able to have our girls in the same town and am able to watch our grandsons grow up. I am cherishing and soaking all this in.

We are going to be able to have Elias and Gabriel for New Years Eve and they are going to spend the night. How perfect is this I can be with the three men that I adore and love.. We are going to celebrate 2011 and ring in the New Years together........

We spent the day with Barb and Ron and went window shopping in Granbury Texas.
















Eddy found these t shirts and I had to get them.
Look at our pictures from Christmas..







I am really excited for 2011 because so many things continue to change(this is good)and I am embracing all of them..

I am a creature of habit, I am comfortable with the mundane day to day routines so God put me with a man that does not like routine he is spontaneous and thrives on change......Needless to say this is a challenge from time to time but after 22 plus years I am looking forward to it all!!!!!! I love what he brings to our relationship. What is so wonderful to say is after 22 plus years I can still say I am totally head over heals in love with my Husband!!!! We struggle like anyone else but we are committed to our relationship and we love each other.
So...................2011 is OUR YEAR !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I pray that all of you HAVE A CHRIST FILLED HAPPY NEW YEAR.........
God Bless You, Maureen

Merry Christmas

As usual I have very good intentions with sending my Christmas Cards and now our new Christmas Letter. I am the queen of procrastination, This is my sincere apology for not sending them out. I was able to send 15 or so but the rest of them are just waiting to be sent. Well, this 2011 will be different. We are going to go through some changes so I am forced to be more organized and that
is what I need.This is my letter that I was supposed to send.
I miss all you guys in Rhode Island and Miami. I hope we will see you all soon. Lots of love....



Merry Christmas Family and Friends,
I have been wanting to do a Christmas letter for a long time now. We haven't been able to visit all our family and friends so this is a perfect way to fill everyone in on our ever growing family and the latest breaking news from the Espinosa Family and company.

I'll start with our youngest Natasha:


Natasha, Daniel and Gabriel Isaiah Castillo,
as you all know we have expanded our little family with Daniel and Gabriel.


Gabriel is our first grandson. He is almost eleven months old and he is on his way to walking already., Of course as you can see he is one of two of the cutest little boys in this world.!!!!!!!!! He is high energy and has a zest for life. He has a warm and contagious personality. When he smiles at you his face just lights up. He is the life of the party.
Daniel is working as a security guard and is pursuing a career in law enforcement. Gabriel takes after his daddy in looks and in personality. He is kind, loving and has a heart for people. He is a wonderful daddy and Gabriel just adores him.
Natasha is a Hair stylist and has her own salon with another woman. She is doing an amazing job. She is a go getter , and has a knack for business . I am so proud of the mom and woman she has become.
Nicole, Anthony and Elias Anthony Guadamuz- and we continue to grow...........

Elias Anthony is our second and youngest grandchild. When we found out Natasha was pregnant we were excited and then three months later Nicole announced her upcoming event. Of course we had to joke about it and said it was the twin thing but after the shock wore off we were delighted.

Elias has a sweet disposition and loving smile. He has the brightest blue eyes and when he looks at me and smiles it just melts my heart.

Anthony - is also working as a security guard but is working hard at pursuing his dream to be a professional football player. Elias has taken on his daddy's personality very laid back and things just roll off his back.

Nicole- is an assistant to a real estate broker and may pursue getting her license to sell real estate soon. She loves what she does and is very good. Nicole could and probably would sell you the lamp post if you let her . She has always been the one that is not afraid of anyone or anything and is our social butterfly. .......I never thought Nikki wanted children but Elias has stolen her heart and she is a wonderful mom.



I am so proud of both of our girls. As I have watched both of them go through their pregnancy and watched my babies have their own babies It was both emotional and such a joy to see because our family was growing right in front of our eyes . We had the blessing of being able to be apart of this miracle. Now I will be honest and tell you it wasn't all sugar and spice but I wouldn't change any of it. We were there for both our grandsons birth. We were one of the first to see them and we are proud to be a big part of their lives. The most important thing is our girls and now grandsons ......They will always know they are loved and we would do anything for them.



Eddy- Well I could tell you how wonderful, handsome and kind he is but you already know that...........Eddy is on his fourth year at Prestonwood. H e started out as the Food Service Director and now he is Ministry Support Director. He has many hats and serves them well. He is over Food Service and part of Facilities which includes Set up, House Keeping and Print Shop . Needless to say he keeps extremely busy. With all his duties I think I could speak for him in saying his most important role is being a good husband, father and now grandfather.



Maureen- I work at Prestonwood with Eddy. I am on my third year and I love it. Eddy and I have worked together almost our whole married life ,married 22 years , worked together 18 years .I have several responsibilities but the one I am passionate about is Wedding Reception Coordinator. My other duties are Administrative and what ever Eddy wants me to do. I would say I have the best of both worlds, to be able to do something that you love and get paid for it........Priceless!!!!!!!!!!!



We moved to Texas four years ago and it hasn't always been easy. I will have to say this was one of our biggest tests but I am pleased to say God has brought us through and we are on the other side. I like Texas(like not love) now , I do love the weather(I know people who live here probably think I am strange for saying this)It gets cold and even snows . I lived in Florida where we had hot or hotter weather. One thing I will have to admit is I never knew how much I would miss the water until we moved here. Now when we go on vacation we try to go somewhere where there is water.

When we moved here it broke my heart because I had to say goodbye to our girls but I am happy to say they moved here and now we are all together.





I hope you have enjoyed reading this as much as I have had writing it. I know that I am not good at writing or talking on the phone but please do know all of you are thought about and loved. I am blessed and I thank God for all of you......



Have a wonderful Christ Filled Christmas!

Love you all,

Eddy and Maureen

For Women Only!!!

This was from my mom, I thought I would bless you as
well...................



Jeremiah 29:11
"for I know the plans I have for YOU, declares the LORD
"Never give the devil a ride, he will want to take over the driving."
Dear Woman of God
Be still for a while and praise God for His favor, His grace and His
awesomeness
God is able to do the impossible and is always near He loves us
unconditionally.
Together, let's get 1000's of ladies to praise Him with one voice in this
next hour.
Dear God: 
this is my friend, whom I love and this is my prayer
for her
help her live her life to the fullest. Please
promote her and cause her to excel above her expectations.
Help her to shine in the darkest places where it is impossible to love.
Protect her at all times, lift her up when she needs you the most, and
let her know when she walks with you, She will always be safe.
Love
you Girl!
But...........you have to tell other sisters you love them, including me.
Get  going  girl!!
Do not ask the Lord to guide your footsteps. if you are not willing to move your feet.

 

 

Christmas Story Meets facebook

Happy December,
Just a quick note please watch this. I got this from a friend of mine it will be worth your time I promise..
Thanks, Maureen

The Choices We Make

I haven't blogged for awhile but as I was reading this today I thought this was a perfect post for the day.....

The Choices We Make
I have chosen the way of truth; Your judgments I have laid before me.

Psalm 119:30, NKJV

From the time we make the choice to open our eyes and get out of bed in the morning until we make the choice to go back to bed and close our eyes in the evening, our days are filled with a series of choices. We choose

where we go,

what we do,

what we believe,

and how we behave.


Our own lives, reputations, relationships, careers, health, future, and values are shaped by the choices we make. The choice

to lie or to tell the truth,

to seek vengeance or to forgive,

to ignore God or to acknowledge God,

determines the type of person we are.

Without question, the most important choice you will ever make involves your attitude toward God and your relationship with Him.

Blessings,

Anne Graham Lotz

AnGeL Ministries Website
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Moving Day

So here we go again Eddy and I are empty nester's again............

We got home last night and watched the Rangers Game(I do have to say they just out right took it from the Yankees) and it was sooooo quiet. No baby crying or voices upstairs , just the noise from the TV. Both my girls are gone now but they still have a place here whenever they need it. It's nice to see how well they get along . They really have come in to their own and are starting a new season in their lives . I pray daily that God will put a safety net around both of them and their families. I will have to admit I miss seeing Elias's smiling face when I walk in the door. The great thing about this is they are not to far away and they need a babysitter from time to time.(lucky me)

Here are some recent pictures, enjoy!!!!

Somber

Somber
This comes to my mind in how I am feeling right now.
(Somb'ber a. 1. dark and gloomy 2. sad Webster's Dictionary)

I know usually I don't like writing sad and gloomy thoughts but right now I feel that way. Don't get me wrong I am thanking God for each and every feeling I have because it is him who gives me hope and I thank Him for loving me when sometimes I don't feel loved.....It is through our trials that we are strengthened in our FAITH...The only thing is to first get through whatever you are going through and then recognize this was a good thing.

Don't feel sorry for me I am not writing this for any one to say anything I am releasing this because I truly want to let it go.

I love you and I am sorry for my part!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Psalm 25

This last weekend I visited a church . I haven't been going to my church because I work there.
I try and justify the fact that I am there so I feel like I don't have to go when I am off ,that is an excuse and just plain selfish on my part. I think I spend so much time there that I don't want to spend my time off there as well. For that I am truely sorry and I have suffered because of that. This weekend showed me that.

The Pastor preached on Luke 7 :35- 50



Alabaster Box





There was this women that heard Jesus was going to be at Simon's house. Everyon made fun of her , she was as they called a prostitue. She knew how everyone felt about her but didn't care, she wanted to see Jesus so she showed up . When she saw Him she knelt at his feet ,her warm tears dropped one by one onto His feet. This public act was looked upon as disgraceful for a women of her day.Simon the host denounced Jesus and questioned the "Prophet's" integrity for allowing such a women of such a notorious reputation to touch and disgrace him. While the Pharisees looked outward to the woman's appearance Jesus looks at her heart ,as he does all of us. I know that I am grateful Jesus loves me even though I can be difficult, unlovable and just plain selfish......I am grateful for this weekend for so many reasons. He shows me that I am loved and that all I have to do is turn around and see He is right there for me. I knew all this but I guess I just had to be reminded. We have a loving God someone that in spite of us loves us anyway.











So now as I was listening to the radio Psalm 25 was mentioned. I came back to my room and read it over and over again and cried like a baby. The enemy wants to rob us of our joy but I won't let him. "To you O lord I lift up my soul in you I trust, O my God ...........





So through all of the trials in our lives and all those bumps in the road trust that God is right there for us. He will get us through all those tough times when we feel like there is no where to turn............











Show me your ways, O Lord teach me your paths......It's always through these tough times that that our Faith is strengthened





I thank God for all that He reveals and all that he allows us to go through to get us where He wants us.....


Thank You Lord for loving me and saving me over and over again !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!