Life Is Good Magazine

May 2015 OH NO SHE DI’INT!43 REASONS I LOVE Funny Stories from LIZ Friends and FamilyINSIDE: Has it been a year already? Birthday Liz and Yekú celebrate Shout-outs their first wedding anniversary VIP baby! A “FLUFFY” Birthday Celebration





An AMAZING year 43REASONS to remember I LOVE LIZGreat advice for new parents fromsomeone who’s been there (often!)done that (twice!) Get the scoop about Liz from friends and family Wedding

Anyone who knows me, has come to realize the fact that I latch onto new projects like a rabid spider monkey. Whenever the good idea fairy hits me in the head, I am UNSTOPPABLE. This is especially true when I start one of my “labors of love” (I stayed up for 3 days working on a project for my daughter’s basketball team). I become consumed – well, actually OBSESSED with making the recipient feel special. I want to make them to feel the way I would if someone were to go out of theirway to do something nice (my therapist calls this “projecting”). Just ask my wife how I was when we wereplanning our Disney Weekend Wedding Celebration…Yikes!This magazine is no exception. For Liz’s birthday this year, I wanted all of her friends and family to have theopportunity to send birthday greetings and share their stories about Liz so that her day would be trulymemorable. I would like to say that I am overwhelmed by the genuine love and support that all of you haveshown to me and the kids as you welcomed us into your lives. You embraced us with open arms and made usall feel like a part of the family.To all of you who contributed to make this project a success, I would like to express my deep gratitude andappreciation. Thank you so much for sharing. With Metta,Yekú-YekúElizabeth Gonzalez, I will love you until I take my last breath on this earth and my heart no longer beats. Inyou I have found all that I could ever need in a partner, friend, lover...your smile alone sets my heart ablaze. Ihave never known any love like this. Every time I try to express my love for you in words it just never seemsright - it never seems like it's enough. If ever there was 'true love' that existed, this would most certainly beit. You just can't make this stuff up...I am truly committed and devoted to you...for as long as you allow me tobe. Thank you for loving me.Originally Sent via email on Aug 27, 2010 at 0155

What is my most memorable moment with AuntLiz? Gosh, where does one begin?Aunt Liz has an innate ability to make just aboutany situation fun. Aunt Liz has a special gift ofradiating a beautiful and genuine joy for family,friends and life that is simply contagious. Onecannot help but laugh to the point of almostpeeing their pants when hanging out withLiz. From late nights hanging out talkingaround Aunt Lupe's old round kitchen table, tofamily backyard parties, to great vacationtrips...I have so many fun and fond memorieswith Aunt Liz. I would say my most memorablewould be, taking it back to the old days, whenwe would get our party on in TJ. Our trips toSan Diego Gas Lamp District and Las Vegas arealso among some of my other favoritepicks. Fun times! Great memories!Thank you so much Aunt Liz for the person youare and the love and joy you bring to all thatknow you. I consider myself so lucky to haveyou in my life and for my children to have suchan amazing person to call their Aunt. You trulyare a gift that should be celebrated today, onyour special day, and always.We love you SO much Aunt Liz! Happy Birthday! With All Our Love, Israel, Paige, Avery and Joseph

Having a child is a stressful time for would-be parents, andonce the child is born, it’s easy to think that the hard part isover. However, if you ask any parent, they’ll tell you the hardpart is just beginning. Between changing diapers, helping thebaby learn to walk, feeding the baby, and getting woken upconstantly, it’s a really tough job, but well worth it.It's impossible not to envy those smooth, competent moms anddads we've all seen on the street or at the mall — the kind whocan simultaneously collapse a stroller, hold the baby, and carryfour shopping bags while looking as put-together as a covermodel.For those new parents who need some guidance, here are somefunny do’s and don'ts for new parents. Have a good laugh ortwo!





One normal, beautiful weekend day in Hawaii, Lizzie and I were Walking through the Ala Moana Mall. As we were going up the escalator she heard the song La Bamba come on. Per usually she got the clever notion to set me up for embarrassment. She said “Hey Tiff , listen to the song”. Lizzie knew I liked it and would instantly start to sing along. So there I am, innocently singing along to a song I love and thinking I am with my best friend. Next thing you know, the chorus of the song is upon me - and that is my favorite part. I jump into what I think is Lizzie's face with all my effort into the chorus and low and behold IT IS NOT LIZZIE'S face I jumped into. She had fallen behind me and this total stranger is now standing next to me. When I jumped into her face singing La Bamba she initially gives me a really dirty look until she realizes what happens and then sees Lizzie loose it because she is laughing so hard. I of course don't laugh but take off running cause I am so embarrassed. I had to finally go back and find Lizzie cause she was laughing so hard she couldn't walk. THANKS best friend!!!!!!!!!!!!!



Tuesday, May 9Your Page of History in Print Serving the Gonzalez Family for 43 YearsVOL MCMLXXII NO. 294 TUESDAY, MAY 9, 972PRESIDENT NIXON NOTES BIRTH OF ELIZABETH GONZALEZ NEWS OF ARRIVAL REACHES WHITE HOUSE WASHINGTON (AP) – The President of the United States, Richard M. Nixon, proclaimed that today be a day of national celebration, heralding the birth of Elizabeth Gonzalez on Tuesday, May 9, 1972. The White House sent a bouquet of lilies, the flower for the month of May, to the family. CELEBRITIES SHARE MAY 9 BIRTHDAY1918-2012 1936 19461949 1960-2014 1979





After watching The Secret, I came to understand that there are universal laws that govern ourlives, and apply equally to everyone. In my experience , the Law of Attraction is in fact auniversal truth. It’s as if there’s some sort of esoteric, metaphysical force that exists basedupon our conscious energy, our thoughts, and desires. If you want success you have to obeythe laws that dictate the delegation of success – so basically thoughts do in fact becomethings.With this knowledge, I set my intention offinding “The One” while I was deployed toAfghanistan in 2009. I sat down and wrote alist of the 10 most important characteristicsthat this person should have in order to becompatible with me. I was sure to exclude allphysical attributes - including gender;although the Universe knew what mypreference was . It sounds crazy to travelhalf-way across the world to find the perfectmate, but I knew deep down inside that itwould happen – without me even trying. AllI had to do was believe that I already had it,and thank the Universe.Ten days before I left Afghanistan, I metLiz – one of THE most beautiful creatures I have ever known. We’ve been together now foralmost 5 years , and my wife FAR exceeds anything I could have ever hoped for. So I guess Ican say the Law of Attraction DOES work!! THE LISTMUST LOVE GOD (WHATEVER YOU PERCEIVE IT TO BE)MUST LOVE AND ACCEPT MY CHILDREN AS THEIR OWNMUST HAVE RESPECT OUR FAMILY, SELF AND OTHER BEINGSMUST BE TRUSTWORTHY, LOYAL, AND COMMITTED IN ALL THINGSMUST BE PATIENT AND WILLING TO COMMUNICATE OPENLYMUST BE INTELLIGENT AND HAVE COMMON SENSEMUST BE OPEN-MINDED AND HAVE A SENSE OF HUMORMUST BE EMOTIONALLY AND FINANCIALLY STABLE (NO STALKERS PLEASE)MUST BE SPONTANEOUS AND LOVE TO EXPERIENCE NEW THINGSMUST BE AMBITIOUS AND GOAL-ORIENTED

Born to create drama

What a wonderful person Lizzie is. Andwhat an honor it is to be her \"bestie\" forover 13 years. I am truly a lucky personto be able to call her friend :)Funny stories about Lizzie... They areactually hard to come up with. Seems asthough when we hung out together, herme and Tiffani, all the funny thingshappened to myself or Tiffani. Not sure ifit was because we are more Naive or if wearen't afraid to put ourselves out there.Either way, we love Lizzie for balancingout our trio and keeping us out oftrouble. She was definitely the LowMaintenance one of the group.I do have a couple stories I would love toshare. I will warn you ahead of time, theyare not \"THAT\" funny, just wonderfulmemories.

WELCOME TO THE SOUTH By Lori Pokorny Nunez

Being a long time resident of Florida, it was We drove all that way to the coast only to have one drink and leave before the old guys started hitting ononly natural for me to stay true to my roots when I us. Jen and Willena were so embarrassed, all theymoved to different states. With that being said, I had could talk about on the way there was the hot guys into let everyone know in Hawaii that I was a Florida this band. We decided to go to a new happening spotGirl. That prompted some discussions between me on the other side of town, probably 20 miles away. Aand Lizzie as to which coast is the best coast. I had good 40 minute drive. Liz did not stop laughing thatnever been to California, so I stuck to my guns! whole trip to the new bar. The new establishmentFlorida is better than California. Oh how young and was happening for a Saturday night in Brooksville andNaive I was. California is much better than Florida we had an awesome time.in so many ways! But, back to the story. So, years I will never forget the look on Lizzy’s face when welater I get stationed in San Diego, California and Liz walked into that bar. PRICELESS!!!!gets stationed in Tampa, Florida. Well, this worksout. Anytime she comes home to see family, I seeher :) And every time I go home to see family, shesees me :) We were so lucky to have this luxury. Itmade keeping in touch so much easier.So, one day I am home on leave and I am anxious tointroduce Liz to my childhood friends Jen andWillena. It's a happening night in the town ofBrooksville and we are all going to go out on thetown. Keep in mind, this is not a big town and farfrom a California town or even Tampa which is 40miles south. Jen and Willena (the town locals) heardthat a band was in town called Rebel Pride that theyuse to follow and have crushes on back in their early20's. It was at Bayport Inn on the Gulf Coast outsideof Weeki Wachee. Sounded like fun, and a band fullof hotties. What could go wrong? Well, needless tosay, the band of hotties did not age verywell. According to Jen and Willena, they hadn't seenthese guys for at least 10 years. And they are hottiesNO MORE. These guys had big beer bellies, werebalding and had beards down to their table toptummy's. My groupie friends were speechless and Lizcould not stop laughing! It was the funniest thing, thelook on the girls' faces was priceless.

In fall of 2012 I received a call from a background investigator asking if I could be interviewed for Lizzie's top secret clearance. I said \"absolutely!\" So the lady started off with her list of questions and came to the question \"has Liz ever left the country?\" Well, Yes she has. She was stationed in Korea and went back for a visit. I could not answer the second question as to why or who she wentback to see (although I had my suspicions :)And of course there was our trip to anything BUT Spanish. SheMexico. \"Mexico?\", the lady asked. was talking to everyone at theWhy yes, we took a trip to Rosarita. bar in Spanish and I was MAD.It was me, Liz, and Tiff. The lady All these years she hid thatreplied \"Liz did not mention secret. And what makes theanywhere in her responses that she story even better is that fortraveled to Mexico. When was some reason Tiffani went backthis?\" Oh boy, let me get on to the hotel early and missedFacebook and see when it was. So, I the whole Spanish speakinggave her my best guesstimate of episode. I have never heard awhen we were there. Even though Spanish word come out of herour time there is somewhat of a blur. mouth since!I was so worried that I got Liz introuble. Why would she hideMexico, she is Mexican!!!!This brings me to the other funnypart of this story. We always teasedLiz about not speaking Spanish.Well, while in Mexico after a fewcervesas I could not get her to speak

I got to really know Liz when she had to By Terrence Keithimpersonate my wife to change the hotelreservation in Dana Point. It was the Sunday Now that she's growing MUCH older, I'm sureof her and Yeku's wedding and we were there will be long, carefree days of rollers andalready over an hour behind schedule.Everyone still had to do hair, makeup and terry cloth, Dr. Phil and Mimosas. I'm alsoget dressed for the ceremony. The guy at pretty certain the guns will be oiled, loaded,the front desk was giving Yekú a bunch ofgrief about the room being registered under and ready to go... just in case.my wife's name. He refused to change the Happy birthday, Liz.room to my name until he spoke with mywife to get her permission. So that's whenLiz came in and handled the situation- like aBOSS.I was really impressed how well she did. Ithink we even bonded a little. I was just sotaken aback by the amount of patience shehad. At the same time, she was also veryno-nonsense and down to Earth.From meltdowns to schedule changes, herexpression was pretty constant and herdemeanor very calm. A little TOO calm.I was convinced that she was Mafia, andthat the calmness was because she knewthat she could easily bury us all in abasement if she wanted to...and no onewould EVER know.

My Most Cherished Moments with Lizzy By Lupe RuckerEven though we don’t have the same last name,we are still full sisters. We were developed inthe same womb of our mom. My mother hadlost my biological father in the year 1969 andbecame very lonely. She soon met Lizzy’s father.They got married in 1971 and soon after, Lizzy was born on May 9, 1972. Unfortunately the marriage didnot last. When Lizzy was born, I had moved out already from home. I was sixteen and unaware of what actual life was.I got married at a very young age and knew I had to leave home. I would come by the house and see Lizzy , Loren andmom from time to time. She was soooooo cute and adorable. She would have a cute smile that was so precious.Lizzy learned to run fast before walking. We had a long hallway measuring 20 feet long in my mom’s house. I rememberholding her hands teaching her how to walk but Lizzy felt she had to run instead. She reminded me of a baby duck takingoff on a runway to fly. She loved it, when I would come home to visit. She would make this funny smirk on her facewhen she was a baby and give you a look when she thought something was up. The same look she gives you now.It was unfortunate that I did not see her grow up, she spent a lot of time growing up with Loren, our brother. He waspretty much the babysitter when my mom was at work. Loren did his best with Lizzy. Loren was tough on her, Lizzybecame a Tom Boy, which had some benefits I guess. Although I wish I had spent more time with her but I was goingthrough my own difficult times with life.Much later in life, Lizzy came to live with me. She was a tremendous help to my children and I. My Husband at the timewas in the hospital for four and half months. It was a very difficult time for my Kids as well as myself. Trying to be at myhusband side day and night. Lizzy took care of my children, while I was attending my husband at the hospital. She was adefinitely a Blessing to me and my children at that time. She asked if she could live with me and of course I said Yes!.Of course my children grew to love her so much, she was like a second Mom to my children and a Rock for me. I workedlate hours to support our family but I knew I could depend on Lizzy to watch the kids.I know my Lizzy went through a lot growing up and I truly wish I could have been there for her more. But I want her toknow, I am here for her now and I love her very much.Thank you Lizzy for being my sister and I’m so proud of you.Love ya, your sister always Lupe

From Friends and Family

Happy Birthday G. May God continue to richly bless you on your Special Day and on the birthdays to come May your days be filled with the desires of your heart and the people and things that mean the most to you. May you be blessed with many more Happy Birthdays…Enjoy your day… You Can Do It! Have a great Birthday that is! Hope it is a good one Liz Happy Birthday!!!!! SFC G Hope you have awonderful birthday!

Happy birthday Liz. Peace andBlessings to you Love Mom HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY BEAUTIFUL LIZZIE GIRL. LOVE YOU TO VENUS AND BACK Wishing my Happy Birthday awesome Aunt SFC Gonzalez. a very happy We hope you have a wonderful day!!! bday. We love you.Happy birthday Liz. Hope you have a blessed filled day.May GOD continue to bless youwith many more years to come. Love, Sarrah & James

Happy Birthday to my Lizzard. We love you!!!

When there is true beauty within it’ll only takemoments before anyone witnesses it. Your beautygenerates love, and I recognized that the momentYeku passed me the phone before we even met. Iam blessed to know you and your love for each otheris inspiring. Happiest of birthdays, beautiful soul.

Happy Birthday Liz! I hope to share “Oasis” time with you and yours when we retire Miss youHAPPY BIRTHDAY SUNSHINE! HOPE YOU HAVE AN AWESOME DAY! LOVE Y’ALL!!

Happy Birthday Liz!!!!















REASONS43 I LOVE LIZ

I love how you call me just to say you love me I love how You have an loyal you amazing sense We can trust are to of humor each other me You areI love spending time with you I love beautiful your smile Your compassion for others You are my best I love how I love the good friend we are way you a team look atI love the way you brighten up a room just by being in it me You care about what I feel You love the kids like they’re your own You accept me and love me for who I am – flaws and all

I love the fact you will never give up on me I love how you complete me We communicate You are willing well to try new things You never You bring out I love the annoying fact that you are right 90+% of the time judge me the best in meI love how I still get butterflies every time I see you.I love the way you kiss me You are You always forgiving smell good You make me feel secure I love how You are so thoughtful damn sexy you are You help me face my fears I love your You’re always intelligence there for me I love sleeping in your armsHow you are always patient with me even when I don’t deserve it



VIP baby! A “FLUFFY” Birthday Celebration For Liz’s birthday, I scored VIP tickets to see Gabriel Iglesias at the Casino Del Sol Resort in Tucson. We had a chance to meet “Fluffy” and take pictures before the show. The seats were AWESOME -we were in the third row center stage. He was HILARIOUS!!! Liz almost peed herself laughing!! It doesn’t get any better than that.