We have two wonderful children, ages 4 and 6.  They were adopted from here in the United States; both were born in Texas.  Their names are Gabbi (Abigail) Grace and Eduardo Fransisco (we call him "Eddie", or EF for short).  

Gabbi is healthy; meanwhile, EF is not.  He was born with special needs, but he is still a great kid.  EF has triplegic cerebral palsy (three limbs affected) and is just now learning to talk via sign language, to make his wants and needs known.  It has been an awfully long struggle for our boy, but he IS finally making progress!  We are so proud of how far he's come ...

We adopted Gabbi two  years ago when she was four and EF, when he was a little over a year old.  Gabbi is our newest child, even though she is older, and she and EF have hit it off beautifully!

Gabbi  is so accepting of her little brother: Gabbi would do anything in the world to help him.  I just wish the rest of the world were like her.  We both hate the stares, finger-pointing, or comments whenever we go out and people see EF in his wheelchair!  This is when we wish that our boy could walk, run, or play like any other four-year-old little boy ...

People seem to point out his disability before even getting to know him.  EF is NOT his disability: EF is a child WITH a disability!!

Somtimes the adults are worse than the kids.  Sad ...

Anyway, back to my story.  My name is Carlos, and I live in Peachtree, Georgia, with Tabbi and the kids.  I am a firefighter; as for Tabbi, she is a homemaker/homeschool teacher.  We have been married now for ten years.

We are Spanish, as you can probably guess from my first name.  My wife, she is Spanish, too.  We are both Mexican-American: born in Ameirca to Mexican parents.  We both speak English as fluently as we do our Spanish and we are teaching the kids Spanish as well.  

We like to do many things as a family: go camping, go on vacation, go to church (we go to a nondenominational [Assembly of God] church; we go every Sunday and Wednesday), take the kids to Six Flags Over Georgia, meet up with other parents who have children with special needs, and help the homeless Veterans every week by serving them meals.  We are a strong Christian family and nothing delights us more than to serve others, especially people like our Veterans!

I am a Veteran myself, so I know what some of these guys are facing.  Was in the US Air Force for four years; stationed in Texas, never left until we moved to Georgia after I got out.  We've been here now for five years and I went into firefightng and enjoy it.  Feels good helping the community and making a difference in saving lives and property!

Well, EF is crying; guess that means the kids are waking up.  I will write in here again; until later, this is Carlos Armando Florez signing out!  Take care and God bless; I hope you enjoyed reading about my little family!