For Hometown News
INDIAN RIVER COUNTY -- Noe and Virginia Gutierrez are excited about the coming holiday season. By Christmas, the young Habitat homebuyers will be in their very first, very own home in Habitat's Fellsmere neighborhood, Grace Meadows.
Ms. Gutierrez has lived in the north county community most of her life and her family is still there.
Mr. Gutierrez and his 5-year-old son, Noe Ezekiel , and Mrs. Gutierrez and her 10-year old daughter, Elizabeth Marron-Almanza, look forward to starting the New Year as a new, blended family. Adding to their joy will be the arrival of baby daughter, Galilea, due in January.
The Gutierrez's began their journey as Habitat homebuyers in February. They were familiar with Habitat through several of Mrs. Gutierrez's family members, who are Habitat homeowners living in Grace Grove.
Mrs. Gutierrez is eager for the chance to decorate her own place, choosing colors, furniture and décor.
"Elizabeth is so excited about having her own room," said Mrs. Gutierrez. "She has chosen posters already and has picked out her colors - fuchsia and black. It has been hard," she added. "We've been living with my mom, six of us sharing two rooms, for going on two years now."
Mr. Gutierrez works in the construction industry and looks forward to the start of his new life as a husband and dad in a place of their own. His parents, who live in Texas, will visit when Galilea is born.
By the time the dedication ceremony took place Dec. 15, the expectant mother found herself on doctor-instructed bed rest, as baby Galilea announced her eagerness to enter the world.
Accepting the key to their new home, and new life, Mr. Gutierrez and Elizabeth cut the ribbon and shared the day with friends, family and sponsors.
Primary sponsors are residents of John's Island, volunteer sponsor is John Carroll High School and business partner is John's Island Club.