Por Mujeres Como Tu

Just thinking about this song today. Maybe because my husband kept singing it to me. I just love it! And I always love when he sings it to me. No matter if he's on a stage performing, or we're in our bedroom in our pjs. I'm really blessed to have the husband I have. I love him with all my heart. He is the beginning and end of my life. And I'm such a lucky woman to have this man love me so much! I just wish I was half as talented as he is. So I could sing him an amazing song like this. ~C

We're Going to Paradise

Our friends are AMAZING! They are sending us to Hawaii for a MONTH! Just me and Juan. For a MONTH! Oh my. We're so excited. Sarita, Nono, Nana, and Papa Memo had our bags packed for us this morning. With our tickets. I can't believe it. We're going to be here in a few hours!



I don't know how we got so lucky with our friends. We really are lucky. Nana, Nono, and Papa Memo are going to take turns watching Sarita. All the guys in the mariachi pitched in money for our trip. And literally, everything is paid for! I feel so blessed!

Our friends know how much Juan and I need this vacation. Since I got pregnant, we haven't been on a trip. And we could never imagine leaving our daughter when she was sick. But right now, she is in the middle of treatments. During one of her 6 week breaks. It's still going to be tough to be apart from her. But Juan and I really need this.

The last 4 years have been tough. We've endured our little girl's illness. And a few miscarriages. A major flood. And almost losing everything. Believe me, we're going to enjoy this trip. Thanks again to ALL of our FRIENDS! We'll see you when we get back from PARADISE! ~C

Cari Bear's Blog

How did I not know that our little "Cari Bear" has a blog? It's really cute. And so far, she's posted about her holidays, traveling, her daddy, some crafts, and school. She is a super special girl to us. Cari is Papa Memo's daughter. And honestly, she is the most amazing young lady that I know! So go take a look at her blog! She even wrote a post about Sarita yesterday. :) ~C

Journaling

I got this amazing gift for Christmas. From the very thoughtful Chiquitita. She happens to have so many great ideas! And she's my Comadre. And one of my very best friends. You know the kind. When you life is falling apart, you call them. La Chiquitita is that friend for me. She inspired me and encouraged me to start my blog. Yup, she has been blogging for almost 10 years now. Her private blog...it's AMAZING!

And she's been journal-ing even longer. I remember the very first trip we ever took together, La Chiquitita had her journal. And she was peacefully lost in her words. Writing away. It always amazed me. But she just loves to write.

Before Christmas, we were talking about journal-ing. And a few of us were wanting to start on this little project. My Comadre had a good idea. And got all of us these amazing journals and pens. A very thoughtful gift. The first few pages, she wrote a nice letter and added a few quotes. I will cherish this forever!

Over the last few weeks, I've been writing every day in my journal. I like to blog. And I really like to read blogs. Like no bodies business! Especially the more personalized, family blogs. :) But journal-ing, I feel like I can write about anything and everything on my mind. All those scary thoughts, and happy things. And I never feel like I'm going to be judged. It's a nice little hobby to get into. And I enjoy setting 10 minutes aside every day to just be alone with my thoughts. ~C

Feliz Ano Nuevo

Feliz Ano Nuevo! From our familia to yours! There is so much that we have to be grateful for this year. Juan and I have so many hopes and dreams for the coming year. Including the health of our baby girl. I just pray that God helps us to get her healthy again. Familia C is wishing you all the amazing things that life has to offer. For happiness, love, and health! Enjoy the New Year! ~C

Glow Worms

Do you remember Glow Worms? I do! I had one when I was a kid. And it was one my favorite toys! Recently, I had noticed lots of kids with Glow Worms. And I put it on my list to buy for Sarita. I wanted to buy it for Christmas.

But when Juan and I went shopping, we couldn't find one anywhere! We even searched online. They were all sold out. Are they that "Hot" of a toy this year? Apparently so!

Then Nono came to the rescue. And Sarita got her Glow Worm for Christmas. She has been sleeping with her new buddy every night! It just makes me smile. I'm glad that Sarita is getting to play with some of the same toys that I played with. :) ~C

Feliz Navidad

Feliz Navidad! It's such a special day! And we are so lucky to have such amazing friends and family to share this day with. It's the day that Jesus was born. A day that we celebrate and cherish! And of course, spend with the people we love most! Familia C hopes that you have a very blessed day! ~C

La Virgen de Guadalupe

Today, we celebrate La Virgen de Guadalupe. On this day in 1531, La Virgen de Guadalupe appeared to Juan Diego. This happened on Tepeyac, near Mexico City. La Virgen has a special place in our culture. And of course, in our religion.

As a child, we would always make a sacrifice on this day. For our Blessed Mother. Every year, 1000s of people make the pilgrimage to Tepeyac. I would LOVE to go make the pilgrimage for Sarita. What a special thing to do for my little girl. But until the time comes when I can go, I will instead pray to my Blessed Mother. That she give us strength. And guides us. And that she watched over my little girl.

If you want to know more about this very special day, go here. And that is only the beginning of all the interesting information to learn. Honestly, I don't know a single Hispanic home that does not have a statue of La Virgen de Guadalupe. She is just that special to us. ~C

Happy Thanksgiving

We have so much to be Thankful for this year. Mainly, our daughter's health. Even if she has Cancer, she is still fighting. And is stronger than many other kids going through the same thing.

Familia C is also very Thankful for our friends and family. Honestly, we couldn't do all of this without their support. When we are down, they lift us up. We are so blessed in that!

Today is not all about parades, football games, and food. Although, we enjoy all of that very much! It's about family, friends, and all of our blessings. Thank you for our great support team that we have! And I want to Thank all of my readers. Who would have thought that I would start a blog and stick with it? I didn't! That's for sure. But Thank you for keeping me motivated to stick this out!

Happy Thanksgiving! Now it's time for me to go get another piece of pumpkin pie with whipped cream. Maybe even a turkey sandwich. :) ~C

Happy Dia de los Muertos

Dia de los Muertos or Day of the Dead happens to be Sarita's favorite holiday. In case you missed it, we're Hispanic. We're Americans, but our families did come from Mexico. My husband is a 2nd generation American, I'm a 3rd generation American.

We lived near the border until we lost our home in a flood in August 2006. And then our daughter got sick, and we moved east for her treatments. But we've never forgotten our heritage. My husband is a musician, and it's a big part of our culture.

We noticed that our daughter had a HUGE fascination will skulls and skeletons. When she was very young! Very, very young! We thought, maybe it was because we were always in the hospital. I don't know. Then maybe it was because her Nana is studied to be a doctor. And she's always with some medical book or journal. Still, I don't know. But Sarita likes her skeletons. A lot!

And Dia de los Muertos is her favorite holiday. She counts down to it like it was Christmas! Last year, we got to be home for the big day. And we went to see some friends perform in a local town. It was so much fun! And Sarita soaked everything up! She got to decorate a few Sugar Skulls. They were loaded with colorful frosting, lots of candy, and they were simply pieces of art! She colored pictures, made necklaces, etc. It was a super fun day!

Juan got to play the music for the event. And Sarita danced and danced. It also helps that everyone we know is a musician. And we knew everyone at this event. But our girl had a blast! All dressed up and part of the parade. :)

This year, we're stuck in the hospital. And Sarita was already feeling pretty down about it 2 or 3 weeks ago. She wanted to be part of the big show again. And honestly, I think she just wanted to enjoy the day. Could you imagine being 4 and not being able to celebrate Christmas, your birthday, or Easter? That's what it was like for Sarita.

Juan called La Chiquitita. And they talked it over. La Chiquitita sewed a cute "Muerto Bride" costume for Sarita. and Juan went and bought a "Skeleton Makeup Kit." We're going to dress up our little girl today. And she is so excited! The doctors can't wait to see what she is going to look like!

In case you're wondering, Dia de los Muertos is a Latin American holiday. You are celebrating the lives of your loved ones who have died. It's kind of like All Saints' Day and All Souls' Day. You are supposed to build an alter and place sugar skulls, marigolds, and your loved ones favorite foods and drinks on the alter.

Since I can remember, our family has done this. It's a day to celebrate the lives of your loved ones. When I was really little, my abuelitos (grandparents) would take us to Mexico with them. And we'd visit the graves of family and friends. Leaving food, sugar skulls, marigolds, other flowers, drinks, etc. Musicians would sit in the graveyard and sing and play. Everyone would sing along and dance. And it would go one for hours and hours. Usually until the early morning of November 3rd.

The celebrate can be as long as 3 days! Starting on October 31st. But the big day is November 2nd! People sit around telling stories about the dead. The entire celebration is to offer things to your loved ones. Hoping they can hear you. And your prayers. It's about honoring the lives of the people you love.

A lot goes into this day. You bake lots of yummy things. And cook tons of food! Toys are left at the graves of children, and alcohol is usually left for adults. You can find people leaving blankets and pillows. Those are for the souls to rest on. :)

Pan de Muerto and Sugar Skulls are the most common thing you'll see on this day. It's like eggs on Easter or turkey on Thanksgiving. Matachines and Mariachis are very common too! But in all, it's a fun celebration. Maybe you can see why Sarita likes it so much! Now, I've got to go dress up my little "Muerto Bride." ~C