Happy 4th of July

Happy 4th of July! I hope everyone had a nice and safe holiday. We've had a great day. Even in the hospital. The hospital had a nice "cookout" for all of us. And as it began to get dark, we were able to head outside to watch the fireworks. Sarita loved it! And we were just so happy to see her smiling and enjoying herself. You know, she was just being a kid. The best thing ever!

We do miss our family and friends. And we miss the traditions we were so used to. Like Juan and the guys playing for the holiday. Having a big cookout with all of our friends and family. It's crazy! Our life has changed so much.

But it was nice to just sit here and enjoy the holiday. Our daughter is very much into holidays. And loved learning about the holiday. She can't wait to talk to her Tio Jose about it too! Being that he was in the Army for so many years. Today, we're just happy to be Americans. ~C

Memorial Day

It's such a wonderful day! It's Memorial Day. A day to remember our military and all our country's fallen soldiers. For almost my entire life, I lived in a military city. One with a large Army base. There are 3 large military bases around our hometown.

So I've really come to have lots of respect for our military. I've had family members and friends who were in the military. And to be honest, we've lost some. As they were fighting for our freedom.

Today is a day to remember all those people that have fought for our freedom. What amazing men and women they are! So selfless to fight for our freedoms and security. I for one, am very grateful. And I'm very honored to be an American. ~C

Happy Cinco de Mayo!

I just had to post this picture. It reminds me so much of Juan! :) But I just wanted to wish everyone a Happy Cinco de Mayo.

This is when we really miss home. And our family and friends. Because Cinco de Mayo is a big deal back home. And my husband usually has days and days packed with gigs. And we managed to have a Matanza at someone's house. Generally, it's just a good excuse to hangout with family and friends. Eat lots of good food! And listen to lots of good music.

Instead, Juan made a big dish of enchiladas, guacamole, and beans. He brought it all to the hospital for the doctors. And even brought his guitar to play and sing a little. See we're still enjoying our culture! ~C

Happy Easter!

What a great day today is! It's the day that Jesus rose. He gave his life for us. And today, we celebrate Jesus.

Sarita saw this picture. And she begged me to post it. If I haven't mentioned it, my daughter LOVES pigs! We're all sending you our love! I hope everyone has a fun day! And don't forget the real meaning of the holiday. I know sometimes we get a little sidetracked with all the candy, bunnies, and pretty Easter dresses. ~C

Happy Valentine's Day!

It's the day of love! And Juan and I's favorite little lovebug is 1000s of miles away. We called her first thing to wish her a Happy Love Day! And guess what? She already has her Godparents hard at work. Making her a wonderful breakfast! We're so lucky to have such amazing people in our lives. :)

Today, Juan and I have no real plans. Just to hangout. Maybe a trip to the beach. Honestly, we have no plans. Just to relax and enjoy Hawaii. To all of our friends that made this possible, we love you more than words can say!

And to the love of my life, I love you too! More than you'll ever know. I'm going to spend my life trying to show you just how important you are to me. Juan, every day, you make me a better woman, wife, and mother. Just by being you. I love you! And I Thank God every day for you. I'm a very lucky lady. Now let's go enjoy the beach! ~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

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

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

Happy Halloween

Honestly, this is one of my favorite times of year. And Sarita's I just love it! I wish we could dress her up and take her trick or treating. It just not in the cards this year. But I love the hospital we're at. We're dressing up our little princesa, and she gets to trick or treat here. They do such amazing things for the kids! We are really blessed to be here. :)

But I do miss all the decorating. And handing out candy. Since Juan and I got married, he usually has had to work on Halloween. That just happens when you marry a musician. They work on a lot of holidays. But I would still decorate our home and get dressed up. I just loved to hand out candy!

One day, I know we'll get there again. Our little girl will be healthy. And I can decorate our home. Until then, I hope everyone has a safe and fun Halloween! Yum, I can't wait to eat a few mini candy bars! ~C