Happy Birthday Matthew

6 years ago my biggest prayer was answered. The Lord graciously and mercifully gave Ed and I a son to love, and care for. A son to train up to be a Godly man who serves the Lord with his entire heart. After almost 7 years of infertility I began to give up thinking that having a son was only a dream. I can't even begin to tell you how I felt the day I found out I was pregnant. I was excited, nervous, yet calm all at the same time. I felt my heavenly father's love just wash over me like rain. Matthew was due on April 9th, section scheduled for April 2nd. On the morning of March 28th Ed and I went to Best Buy to look for a digital camera to use during delivery. Later that day we had lunch and went to my doctor's appt. At the appt the doctor saw that there was a little trace of protein in my urine and that my BP was begining to rise. She said that it would probably be best to deliver him tonight as she was going out of town that weekend and didn't think I would make it to my April 2nd section date. Since I had just eaten she told me to get things ready and get to the hospital by 7pm. Ed & I scrambled and ran telling our parents, making sure Mariah was picked up and had everything she would need while I was away. We got to the hospital at 7 pm and while they prepped me Ed went to get himself dinner. He had the dinner of champions.... A WHOPPER MEAL from BK. He was kind enough not to eat in front of my but did bring his huge drink in the room which made ridiculously thirsty once I saw it. I was prepped for the OR and taken back. They gave me a spinal this time instead of the epidural I had with Mariah because it wears off quicker and is more localized. I lay there looking into my husbands eyes awaiting the little screams of my handsome baby boy. Before we knew it the doctor said "get ready daddy its time" Ed assumed his position and took pictures as Matthew was lifted out of my womb. He was sooooooooooo cute. He looked like an old man with a receeding hairline and all. He was wiped up and brought to me for cuddles. I remember just thanking the Lord for taking us through this journey so far safely. Matthew Mark Espinosa was born, a healthy 8lbs 12ozs full head of hair. 10 fingers, 10 toes. I couldn't even in my best dream imagine this moment. I hope to hold on to this memory forever. Matthew will forever be a reminder to me that the Lord DOES answer your prayers. It may not be when you ask or how you ask but he answers each and every one. My son makes my heart smile and my soul glad.... he truly is a blessing beyond measure. HAPPY 6th Birthday Matthew xoxo

Where do I begin...

It all started on Thursday September 22nd, I went prospecting with a friend from work and while out and about I heard Gabby coughing. It was like a barking like a seal type of cough, So, I thought GREAT croup. Made a mental note to taker her to see the ped the next day. The day continued normally and the kids went to bed. Around 11pm/11:30pm Gabby came to our bed, I felt her forehead and it was warm I got up and gave her some motrin; then tucked her in our bed.  Around 2am Ed woke me up and said "Lin, Gabby is burning up" I got up and her skin was the hottest I have ever felt another human being. I jumped up and ran to get a wash cloth. As I am wiping her down with a wash cloth she is shivering and Ed & I make the decision to take her to the ER. I quickly load her in the car and speed over to the ER. When we get there they immediately send her back. When they take her temp it 105! The nurse said that is borderline for a febrile seizure. They immediately give her a suppository. They also decide to send us for an X-Ray and bloodwork. The X-ray shows that she has some fluid in her lungs. they give her some iv antibiotics and steroids and send us home with a script for more antibiotics and to follow up with our pediatrician later that day. Later that morning we head over to the peds and concurs with the ER docs recommendations and sends us on our way. She takes the meds all weekend as directed and isn't getting better. Monday morning I take her to the peds office and they give her a shot of Rosefrin. Took Matthew to the allergist and while there she asks for juice. I give her juice and she throws it all up in the waiting room. I take her to the bathroom and wipe her down and change her (thankfully I had a change of clothes with me) it is then that I realized she hasn't peed for the day. I call the ped and tell them about the vomitting and the not peeing and he says I need to take her to the ER. When we (Matthew, Gabby & I) get to the ER they start her on IV fluids. She is super lethargic and has a fever. They give her another suppository and sends us for another x-ray. The pneumonia is still there and hasn't gotten better. Immediately the decision is to admit her. She is admitted and given meds around the clock. What an amazing pediatric staff west boca has. They have been so kind and so patient with her. Here we are on Friday and the pediatrician just came in and gave Gabby the once over, he said that she looks great and can go home. She is on strict orders to take it easy and we are to go into the office tomorrow for a follow up. FINALLY life can return to normal. Thank God that this hasn't been worse than it was and that we see the light at the end of the tunnel. Please continue to keep us in your prayers!

Life as a Working Wife/Mother

Well it looks like life is really about to get interesting. I recently started working for a company called Primerica Financial Services. What a blessing this has been. Honestly, when I started I was very pesimistic and unsure but as I stick around and learn and make money I am begining to realize that what we do isn't just a job, we are helping families...! We are helping family's get out of debt and make money. We are making sure that family's are properly protected with life insurance so that God forbid the worst happens the family will be able to financially survive! What I think I love the most about my job is the people. I work with a good team, and as I am there I am begining to notice that we just aren't work mates.... we are like a little family. People stop by my desk and ask me how am I doing? The ask if there is anything they can do to help me. EVEN the owner of the company sat down with me and talked to me about how good I have been doing and let me know I can go to him ANYTIME!!! They let me bring Gabby in and enjoy seeing her in the office. But honestly what amazes me the most is the heart of my new co-workers, they are Godly men and women. The entire company is based on God first, Family, then Work. I honestly feel so blessed to be given this previelge and look forward to allowing God to use me to help people. I hope to keep him always at the center of my life and look only to him for guidance and direction! I also pray that he gives me the boldness and the kindness to approach people I know and people I don't and not allow any type of fear to hinder me from helping those I can!

Luke 11:9
So I say to you, ask and it will be given to you;
Seek and you will find;
Knock and the door will be opened to you.

July 16th 2011

Today was my birthday and what an AMAZING day it was. It started promptly at midnight from a phone call from my parents singing me "HAPPY BIRTHDAY" in unison. I am sooooooo blessed; 32yrs later they still love me and do all they can to make me happy!! (May I ALWAYS remember that!!) Then I woke up to sweet little people snickering and poking me... singing me HAPPY BIRTHDAY! The kids were soooo excited it was my birthday it just makes it all that much better. I then woke up to a feast of eggs, pastrami and bagels. Ed and the kids did such a great job and it was soooooo delicious (if this printing thing doesn't work out he may have just found his calling!!) After breakfast we all hung out (Edmar did the dishes and COMPLETELY cleaned the kitchen) and played super mario, and other randomness while waiting for my present to be delivered. The time finally came when my present arrived a beautiful glass top black stove from Ed, the kids and my parents!!! My parents then came over and we had a wonderful lunch. Edmar and my dad went to my parents home to do some home improvements while my mom cooked a FEAST for a king!! She made pumpkin, curry chicken, curry crab (MY FAVORITE) dhal, rice and roti. Ed then came home we all ate, sang happy birthday then had this amazing strawberry shortcake YUMMY IN MY TUMMY. During the day I got countless calls and texts from family and friends. So many people writing on my facebook wall wishing me well. I am OVERWHELMED with gratitude and sooooo humbled by their love for me. This was definitely a very special birthday and one I hope to never soon forget!! 

Tomorrow's the big day...!

I can't believe that tomorrow my little baby boy will be graduating from Pre-K; I am so excited and so proud of him. He has worked so hard this year and come so far. It seems like just yesterday that I found out I was pregnant.... I blinked and he was in my arms, before I know it he started walkng and talking, and now here he is a strong, independent little man that is ALWAYS testing the limits of the world. I just can't believe it.

Mariah has exams this week so please pray for her.... She is so smart and so conident it BLOWS my mind. I love her attitude and her "go get em" attitude. She is the girl I always wanted to be growing up.

Little miss Gabby will be 3 on Saturday I am so happy and proud of  her too. She started pottytraining about 1wk ago is doing great. She is really becoming the little independent person I know she is.

I LOVE my family and I am so happy and blessed that I have the life I do!!

Matthew-ism

Yesterday when I took Matthew to school he had a really hard time letting me go. For the first time he CRIED and didn't want me to leave. I felt so sad seeing him so upset and couldn't understand why. I tried everything to help calm his fears and then I told him I needed to go and would be back. I stepped outside and listened as my baby cried his little eyes out for me. I just REFUSED to leave while he was so upset but wanted to give his teacher a chance to calm him down. Eventually he did calm down and I was able to leave. When I went to pick him up they told me not only did he mellow out but that he won a treasure from the treasure chest because he knew the entire day of the week!!! I was so proud of my little man.

Anyhow, later that evening as Edmar was giving him a shower and getting him ready for bed I overheard this conversation

Daddy: So Mateo, how was school today? Did you learn a lot?
Matthew: NO! I cried, I don't like school.
Daddy: Why don't you like school? Don't you want to get a good education so you can be smart and get a good job and make lots of money and buy fast cars?!?!
Matthew: I don't need to go to school and get an education to make lots of money; I will just stand on the side of the road and wait for the cars to stop and give me MONEY :-)

I didn't hear much after this because I was laughing at the thought that my son thinks pan-handling is a CAREER!!! Aye Caramba!!

5 Years OLD

Yesterday was Matthew's 5th Birthday, I honestly can't believe its been 5yrs already.... It seems like just a minute ago we found out we were pregnant after 6.5 YEARS of infertility, then had a micarriage and thought all our hopes and dreams were gone of having another child; only to get pregnant and deliver a happy and healthy baby boy. What a blessing Matthew is in our lives. I remember when he was born and looking into his little face and thinking how lucky I was. Matthew from the get go was a high maintenance baby, he CONSTANTLY wanted to nurse or be held; I didn't mind it one bit, after 6.5yrs of infertility I myself wanted to hold him close all day and night. I remember waking up multiple times a night and my family making comments like "ugh that is the worst part of parenting" but for me it was the BEST.... it was a BLESSING and a PRIVILEGE, for so many years I WANTED someone to wake me in the middle of the night, someone to hold. My heart was full and my heart was happy.   Matthew makes life worth living, his zest for life and the way that he just NEVER stops makes me awe at how great and wonderful my God is, and how he has given me the desire of my heart to be a wife and a mother. That the children he chose to bless us with were perfect and hand picked just for us.  

Yesterday was his 5th Birthday, we got cupcakes and he celebrated with his class. He was so happy to be back at school with his friends. (this was his first day back since his surgery) Later that night my mom came by to say happy birthday and give him some lovin' then we went out to dinner and had them sing him "Happy Birthday", it was such a nice and lovely day despite the rain off and on ALL DAY LONG!!!

I honestly want to enjoy these years with my kids as I see them FLYING by, I want my kids to come and snuggle with me in my bed, lay and my lap and watch TV or just ask if I can rock them in the rocking chair. One day the will slowly start pulling away and doing there own things and for right now, when they want to be with me, I will drop everything and be with them..... It is my prayer that my all my kids ALWAYS feel loved and wanted.