The Gonzalez Family

Well, I had my latest check up at the doctor's yesterday. I technically have 9 days to go until my due date and I am 90-100% effaced and the baby's head is at a zero station. However, I am only dilated to 1 & 1/2 centimeters. Apparently, that is the only thing keeping me from labor right now. Dr. Parker really freaked me out last Tuesday (Dec. 23rd) when he told me I was 90% effaced and that the baby had dropped. He told me I should go right to the hospital and get pre-registered and that the baby could come any day. I told him, "Doctor, I can't have this baby early!" He simply said "Well, I suggest you adjust your expectations." (I was really freaked out because I had progressed so quickly from being a zero with 0% effaced on Friday, 12/12 to 90% and 1 & 1/2 centimeters on Tues, 12/23). (The reason I can't go early is because I am waiting on two sales to close at work before I go out on leave, and if I don't get the POs before the baby ...

I love to check out the list of banished words for the year. Here's this year's list: "It's that time of year again!" Lake Superior State University "maverick" word-watchers, fresh from the holiday "staycation" but without an economic "bailout" even after a "desperate search," have issued their 34th annual List of Words to Be Banished from the Queen's English for Mis-use, Over-use and General Uselessness. This year's list may be more "green" than any of the previous lists and includes words and phrases that people from "Wall Street to Main Street" say they love "not so much" and wish to have erased from their "carbon footprint." Environmental buzzwords are getting the axe this year. "Green" and "going green" received the most nominations. GREEN – The ubiquitous 'Green' and all of its variables, such as 'going green,' 'building green,...

We just want to wish all of our friends and family a very Merry Christmas! Unfortunately, with our very busy December schedule and a baby due in a week and a half, we didn't get to send out Christmas cards this year, but I figure I have a good excuse. We spent the holidays with my family in Orem and had a great time. On Christmas Eve we went out to dinner to celebrate my mom's birthday (December 25th). We went to Mi Ranchito and our waiter's name was Jesus. We thought that was very fitting. Then we went back to my parents' house and had a Christmas eve program with stories, music and even a life nativity. Then we had Israel's family over for the traditional latin Christmas celebration at midnight. We had a big turkey dinner and opened presents at midnight. Then we had Peruvian hot chocolate and panettonne (an Italian Christmas bread, traditional in Peru). We were happy that Israel's uncle Juan was able to spend Christmas with us (he was visiting from Maryl...

I found this video on a link from my igoogle home page today and just had to post it on my blog. This is a clip from the award-winning documentary, "Playing for Change: Peace Through Music." It is a version of Ben E. King's classic song "Stand By Me." Musicians from around the world add their part to the song as it travelled the globe. (This and other songs from the film will be released as digital downloads soon; followed by the soundtrack and DVD early next year. For more info, see: www.playingforchange.com). This has always been one of my favorite songs, and I think that it contains a beautiful message reminding us about what is good in this world...and what always will be no matter how bad things get...people coming together in a spirit of good will, serving one another and lifting one another up in their trials. This is what we celebrate at Christmas time. It is the heart of Christ's gospel message which gives us hope and the desire to help others alo...