Christmas...let me tell you why I love it!

I'll have to be honest, I never was a real big fan of Christmas. I have always appreciated the meaning of the season, however, the extreme commercialism was just a big turn off. Nothing bad happened to me as a child or anything. No sad Christmas', I don't have some traumatic story or anything, I just grew tired of the shopping, shopping, shopping (PS..I'm not a big fan of shopping either) and the asking, asking, asking for everything. The commercials were also a little much, everything on TV is a must have item, I mean really how many toys does a kid need. So, of course, I marry Mr. "I love Christmas". Soon after we were married I had to break it to my husband that I am not a fan of Christmas, he was shocked and appalled, how can anyone not be a fan of Christmas?! Let me tell you the greatest thing about my husband, he grew up in a humble home, not poor but humble, so he didn't love Christmas because that's when you got great gifts and everything you wanted. He loved Christmas truly because of the meaning and the spirit that Christmas represented, Christmas day he loves to read the story of the birth of Christ from the bible; the humble beginnings of our Savior. And caroling, he loves Christmas music. In my whole life I have not had better Christmas' then I have had these last two years with my husband. This year there were no gifts, we didn't open any presents on Christmas morning but it was the best Christmas ever! Ah...please don't play any sad songs for us, I am serious it was the best Christmas ever, PRESENTS DO NOT MAKE A CHRISTMAS!! We unpacked boxes and cooked up a storm we played holiday music and Skyped with family. No,I'm not delusional, I know I'm a mother and I know that someday we will have money and we won't always be this poor and seeing the joy in my child's eyes will make me melt but these last two years and the next few poor years that follow I guess I want to learn how to instill in our children that Christmas is about family, good friends, making things like food or treats to give away, love and especially time together remembering the birth of our Savior! Traditions, like tamales, pozole, bunuelos are also pretty good!! I really want those gifts to be secondary, Santa to be a wonderful story but not someone to really believe in, kind of like Mickey Mouse or the Princesses. I know don't shoot me because I said no Santa. I didn't grow up with the whole Santa story, actually I believe most Latin children didn't.

So, can someone change you? Yes! I have come to love this holiday and the true spirit that surrounds it, I have also come to learn to stay away from the mall and if there are going to be gifts, getting them slowly through out the year is best...holiday shoppers are crazy...LOL!

Merry CHRISTmas Everyone!! We hope your holiday was filled with love, family, friends and traditions!!

Los Pena

"...go forth, multiply and replenish the earth..."

So Jose and I are trying to do our part and obey the Lord's commandment to multiply and replenish...lol! So here we are just shy of our two year wedding anniversary and baby #2 will be joining us next year, our due date is June 23rd. Its funny to think that last year I found myself pregnant at Christmastime and here at Christmastime again I find myself pregnant. I thought I would share with you a picture of our newest little miracle. Without a doubt we know that Eva will be the best big sister EVER!

There are times I find myself thinking, "are you crazy, Eva has special needs, its just plain crazy to have another child at this time!" or "You guys are struggling to get by and Jose still has so much school left" But they are just moments of madness, the real madness would be to deny what Jose and I already prayed about, a family. We have received constant reassurance from our Heavenly Father that this is the right time to have our family. We are so excited and anxious about what lies ahead for our little family.

So a little Eva update, she has been strong for the most part and has had some off days. This last year Eva has dealt with 3 colds, like a champ (as my oldest brother likes to call her). Eva's seizures continue on a daily basis, at this point, if she is awake she is seizing. Last year, when Eva was born, she had a problem regulating her temperature, she would get so hot. This winter Eva is having the other problem of regulating her temperature so she gets so cold. Our wonderful hospice nurse, and one of the most important people in our lives, Margaret suggested a heating pad for Eva to sleep on to help bring up her core temp. It has worked beautifully, we only have to keep it on for an hour or so. Her eating is still not the best, she is eating about the same total amount of food for the last 9 months. We have tried to increase her intake but she can't tolerate it. We have considered meeting with a general surgeon for a consultation on Eva's G-tube, however, we keep pushing back the date, it just doesn't seem like the right time yet. Eva is as gorgeous as ever and we are enjoying our time with her. This picture is of Eva wearing her BYU onsie.

As for Jose and I update. Well Jose continues to work on school and all the preparations for applying to medical school. It seemed like we waited forever for this point but now that we are just about here, it seems it came too suddenly. The end of the year signifies a lot of upcoming changes for us. At the end of this week we move into our second marital home, new neighbors, new landlord...YaY!! A baby to prepare for this summer! Jose applying, interviewing and (keep him in your prayers) getting an acceptance letter into medical school! And finally our little girl turning a year! Regretfully, I have not been the best blogger but I am grateful for this little bit of writing I have gotten to do this past year. I believe blogging has helped me far more than it may help anyone that may come across our page.

I have to say that every time I write and reflect on this page, as well as in my journal, I am able to recognize all the blessing in mine and my family's lives. Jose and I are very lucky to have each other, we are a unit and work together yet we can depend on the other to do his/her part in this unit independently. We are blessed to have an angel on earth, in the form of a daughter, who teaches everyday what is truly important. We are so blessed to have family and friends that continue to love and support us every single step along this very long journey. As far away from our family as we are, Jose and I do not feel alone...except for those emotional days (due to pregnancy) that I want to be held by my mom, we know that we will never be left alone, neither by our families or by our Father in Heaven or our Savior Jesus Christ!

We hope you all have a very Merry Christmas!!!!

Los Peña