Nancy is Pregnant with #2!

And it IS "oh so happy" - maybe just "oh so unexpected."

She is due in early June so you do the math. I am happy to be an Tia again and happy that Andy & Vincent will have a playmate [I predict a BOY!]! And because you want to know - my parents were NOT upset. They are just sad because when Nancy moves out so will Natalie [their 4th child].

This was Nancy's business and did not feel a need to announce it to the world, just those of us that are close to her, so no one was hiding anything. She just figured everyone would eventually find out without a formal announcement. But guess this is now the formal announcement.

Less is More

I've been thinking a lot about the holidays this year and I am really excited for the first time in a long time because we have Andy to share it all with. But at the same time I became sort of sad at the thought of all the gifts we had to buy and the not so great financial situation we are currently in. And I realized we are not alone. We are all taking a hit during these tough financial times. Some more than others. For some it may be a matter of "Will I be able to afford that daily latte?" and for others it's more like "Will we be able to afford our next mortgage payment." It's the reality of our times. This is when I began to think of the motto "less-is-more."

Our family has always been BIG on a huge family Christmas, and I love it. I love getting together and eating and singing and opening presents. But I do believe that amongst all the material items we have lost the true meaning of the holidays. It seems that Christmas has became a competition of who will get the most or biggest or best present. The tradition of waiting until midnight is no longer upheld.

With so many families struggling this holiday season I suggest we take a less-is-more approach. Let's remember why we get together and celebrate in the first place. In a year full of ups and downs within our family it is even more reason to be thankful for what we already have. Most importantly - our health. Thankful that our grandparents continue to be fight on and continue to be with us.

I have heard people say they don't want to get together this year. And no one has said it, but I know it's because it's just to expensive to compete. Sad but true that it does work this way. The younger generation has gotten so use to this that they EXPECT great gifts so everyone else could "oh" and "ah". So I propose we get together, eat and enjoy each others company without the stress of material gifts. Maybe leave the gifts for Christmas morning or once you return home. Maybe call it an early night this year. I mean, it's not like anyone waits till midnight anymore anyway.

Just an idea and solely my opinion. But we should all definitely take a step back and figure out what it is that we love to do during the holidays and what it is that we hate about the holidays and be happy. For example:

I love:
- to decorate my home
- drink holiday coffee drinks
- giving presents to my immediate family
- midnight mass

I hate:
- Christmas cards [what do I do with them afterwards?]
- Long shopping lists
- feeling stressed out during a happy time

No one should feel obligated to do anything. We should all take a less-is-more approach to the holidays. Be happy. Go out and do what you enjoy with your family. Make new traditions, but please don't let our old family tradition of celebrating on Christmas Eve be ruined by material woes. It would be so sad for this gathering to disappear because of this.

Think about.

GRANDPA: UPDATE

Papa Lupe lays in a hospital bed in pain as we speak. The hospital has dragged their feet in getting his Medicaid papers filed so that he may be transported to another clinic in West Covina where Dr. Carlos Lugo can operate on him. He has a severely broken hip which, in turn, has caused his leg to come out of place. This hospital he is at in El Monte (i think?) took him off pain meds and his IV because they "thought" he would be transported soon. Except they're the ones who haven't filed the appropriate paper work. At least he still has some antibiotics running thru him. Tia Silvia and Tio Mario should be there trying to sort things out as we speak. Poor Papa Lupe.

Grandma is being told today by Tia Cuca about Papa Lupe. Let's hope she doesnt stress herself out with this new information.

Keep them both in your prayers.

GRANDPA

Papa Lupe & Tia Cuca were on their way to see Abuelita via bus. Papa Lupe injured his leg stepping off the bus at the Chichuahua stop. Injured as in broke. We think. Cuca helped him through the 5 hour journey to La Puente. They didn't even notify the bus driver of his injury until they arrived in El Paso and boarder patrol asked them to step off the bus. Thank God Elena Lugo happend upon my mom's house and mentioned she knew the bus driver. He took care of Cuca and Papa Lupe. Cuca think it might even be his hip. If it is he will need surgery.

Upon arrival in La Puente he was transported to a hospital via ambulance. He was gonna be taken by Tio Mario but couldnt move (I won't mention that money whore). Carlos Lugo (Bone Specialist) is taking care of him at the hospital. We are currently waiting to hear the extent of his injury. Will update asap. My mom & Silvia are on their way to the ER.

Update on Abuelita:
She had a bad night. was too tired all night to get up. Still today she keeps saying she is too tired. It's not looking good guys. My mom was bawling this morning and I could barely keep it together. If you haven't seen Abuelita in a while, I suggest you make a visit now. Serio. She's had a pace maker for 11 years! Her heart is very tired. We need to be realistic and it effing sucks.

That's all for now.

The Mystery Of.....

Who is this expecting new mother? In the last posts comments some one wrote this

expecting new mother said...
i'll have to show you mine....CONGRATS christinita!!

This person didn't write there name just the words " Expecting New Mother". Who is this pregnant mother? And why don't they identify themself?

I think a family search is called for. We need to ask everyone who is pregnant in the family other then Christy?

??????

Hmmm.........

Its been a little Strange that I haven't heard any gossip about anyone lately?!?! A little too strange. Ever Since this blog was made people have been getting real quite about there gossip. Which isn't like the Gonzalez family. It use to be all out there. Or could it possibly be that no one has done anything crazy or hasn't gone anywhere or done anything?!?!?!

COME ON PEOPLE!!!

Share your stories, your vacation plans, your big purchases, your goals for the next week, your crazy incounter with the law, your amazing day at work, your new hobby. Lots of you have kids anything they have done that was funny or made you mad or was just out of the blue.

I know you guys have it in you. Share your Stories. and if you are not sure how to post blogs send me your stories. I'll post them up for you (bobsbigboy12@yahoo.com)

Even if you think its a waste of time or its stupid to post or you think its to short for a post. I'll make a post with family updates.

Or maybe........no one even checks this blog no more?

SAD!!!!