Tia Lola and Suzie

So, recently I came into contact with our cousin Al Ramirez. I found him by researching our family history. Turns out his grandfather was a very close cousin of my dad. I couldn't believe I found them. My mom use to babysit his mother, Cecelia, when she was young. Her dad, Rafael, was the person who introduced my dad to the Apostolic Church, and also had my dad set his sights on my mom becoming a future wife. I was so happy to find him. This post; however, is about my Tia Lola, Rafael's wife. The last time they visited the family was when mom was pregnant with Suzie. She took one look at my mom and said, "Vas a tener una nina." My dad said no that they were going to have another boy. They went back and forth. Tia Lola asked Dad if he wanted to make a wager. She wanted to bet him $100. Tio Rafael said, "Where are you going to get that money when you loose this bet?" Yet, Tia Lola was sure they were going to have a girl. She was right. At the hospital when Suzie was born. The nurses told my mom she had a girl. My mom said, "Let me see her." She took the blanket off to verify the baby was a girl. The nurses were offended that my mom did not believe them. Somehow my mom was able to tell them Suzie was the first girl after giving birth to five sons. Mom did not know any English at this time, and she can't even recall how she remembers how she was able to convey this message to them. They understood and were celebrating joyously at the knowledge Suzie was the first girl. When my dad found out. He didn't believe it. He was surprised. He was so sure Suzie was going to be a boy. He already had a name picked out for "him." Angel, was to be the name, which is very ironic since Suzie always loved the name Angelica. When the shock of having a daughter past, he asked, "How are we going to take her home?" My mom was wondering what the question meant. Then he said, "We do not have any girl clothes for her." The ironic thing about the girl's clothes was that when my Tia Lola found out Suzie came and she was right; she sent a box of girl's clothes.

Family History Work

It's been a while since I have been able to post on this blog. I had lost my password. Also, I have been doing a different route of family history work. I have been having a lot of "success," really, it's miracles in finding ancestors on my father's line. I even found relatives living in Utah that are Mormon like me, and one of these cousins does a lot of family history work. It's incredible! I found one line of grandfathers up to my Great-Great Grandfather on my father's line. It's amazing to me to think I went from thinking I didn't have grandparents (my dad actually told me this as a child) and believing I was a bit of an oddity. I was like a pod-person or something. It was strange how I did and didn't accept what he told me about my family tree. I ALWAYS dreaded that assignment at school. You know the one, "Okay, children tomorrow I want you to bring your family trees to class and we can discuss them." It was very upsetting. This is when I got the line, "No tenemos eso. Tu no tenes abuelos." I know better now. Just because they are dead, doesn't mean they are no longer my family. I now know that my family can be together forever. It was a promise I made for my dad when he passed away, and I honestly believe he is helping me from the other side of the veil. I will be trying to post more as I can, but I won't post many pictures here. I will post the remainder of my photos on familysearch.org as I trust this site will make sure these pictures will be available for many, many years to come. I want my children's children to know where they came from and the stories of their ancestors. I am hoping my siblings will want to add to these stories here, and will let me know if it's okay to make this blog public. I worry if something should ever happen to me this blog will be lost again, and no one in my family will be able to find it again. Also, I want to link this blog to familysearch.org for generations to come to find and read about their ancestor's lives.

Family History

I'm very excited to report I have more information on our family tree. I will be posting one of our Dad's tree.

Jovanni Trek

Baby Shower

On March 5, 2011...

Meghan is having a baby and today Jovanni, Tonie and Lucia (her Nana-soon to be Great-Nana) gave her a shower. Thanks to technology I was able to watch most of it (technical difficulties). Tonie made her some blankets, she got lots of clothes, wipes and laundry detergent. Her due date is April 25th, but they recently changed it to May 14. As always, a baby will come when he/she wants to come. It was a very nice shower with lots of games too.

Maria Flores Haro Fact Post 1

*Grandma Maria was a twin. She had a twin brother.
*She knew how to use a rifle and she liked to hunt.
*She ate pidgeon and knew how to cook it well.

Villanueva Family's Pets by Mia Lowry

When we were living in Yuma we had the normal pets other families have, but we also had our fair share of....

Chickens and I remember we once had a rooster. We had to put him in a box every night and cover it with a blanket. We would put this box into the shed. This was done to avoid him crowing before the break of day and the neighbors reporting us.

Dogs and Cats, of course.

We once had a turkey named Vanilla. I can't remember how long we had her or was it a him, not sure. It wasn't for very long because that creature was mean. We gave her away to the Stella Lowends (sp?) family who owned a farm. I remember hearing how this bird would fly and land on people's backs to peak at their heads. I think they eventually ate her/him.

Abel brought home a bat one day and put it in some huge barrel we had in the back yard. How he caught it and carried it home is a mystery to me. I hope he will comment below and tell his version of the tale. All I remember was Mom finding out and it was quickly removed from the premises.

We had rabbits. I think they were mostly Tonie's pets. She loved them so much. I remember how we each had one (the girls) then they started dying off. The last one got really sick and it's head was bent in such an awkward manner. It's eye was on the floor because of it and it got this film over it. It was really gross and sad. Dad said we had to put this poor creature out of it's misery. So, him, Ish and I can't remember who else went out to kill it. We followed, but Steve or was it Rodrigo...not sure, had us girls face the Gibbs' backyard and hid us behind the lime tree while they did her in. I turned to see what they were doing because the poor little rabbit was screaming and saw what they were doing to it. Dad was holding it and Ish, I think or maybe Ish was holding it and Dad was using the shovel. I can't really remember all I remember was this creature screaming the most horrible sound I ever heard as the shovel was beating it to death. I turned to see my sisters and we were all crying. I got scolded for turning to see, but I could not help it. Human nature or curiosity...maybe...all I know is this memory was seared into my mind forever.

Fishes...we had tons of them. The ones I recall the most were the ones we killed in the most unusual way. This is a lesson in lack of communication or how important it is for parent's to create a chore chart and have the children stick to it. From what I can guess (well, at least these fish were like this) Goldfish do not know when to stop eating. Mom fed them and most of the kids fed them on the same day. No one told anyone else they fed the fish and the pitiful fish just kept on eating. Well, I guess it was too much for them because their stomach's exploded. I would not believe it had I not seen it with my own eyes. There they were belly up with open bellies.

Birds...loud, noisy, messy creatures who like to bite children. Very cute to look at and at times when they sang it was nice. We once had a pigeon named Lenard. He was an injured bird brought home for mending. He was so tame after being with us, but Dad made us let him go. He would come back everyday to visit and eat. Sometimes you could get him to eat out of the palm of your hand.

I think that pretty much sums it up. I hope if I missed any someone will fill in the blanks for me.