The Squeakquel

I took the kids to Opry Mills to see Alvin and the Chipmunks the Squeakquel. I was a little intimidated at the thought of going it alone, as David was helping out Santa at our house. So I was joined by an old friend (who is in denial about being old :) Anyway, as you can see by the pics, the kids had as much fun climbing as they did actually watching the movie.

Merry Christmas

We pray your holiday is full of joy, peace, hope and love.

Merry Chistmas!

My Mom

Someone said to me today..." you need your mother". She knew I had a sick child and was not really sure what to do. When I told her my mom had been gone for 3 years, in fact three years today, she prayed for me and made the sweetest offer. She offered to boss me around like a real Italian mom :) Sweet, sweet, sweet. I am blessed with so many wonderful women in my life.

It was three years ago today that David's cell phone rang in the early morning. Thus began a long day of packing then driving to a hospital where my mom was being kept alive long enough for me to see her one more time. It was a terrible day.

Now, I choose to not dwell on that day but on all the days before that. The days when Mom was being a funny, loving mom and grandmother. She battled cancer three times and rarely missed a day of work. She was strong and devoted to those around her. She spoiled grandkids with Mt. Dew and bbq chips for breakfast. She made the best cheeseburgers ever (just ask David). She was the youngest of twelve brothers and sisters. She always felt like she wasn't as tough as her brothers, but she was. They will tell you that. There is a bit of a twisted sense of humor that runs in my family, mom was one the ring leaders. She and her sister Marie were known for their grocery store trips that no one else would join them in. If they were together, someone was going to be embarrassed. I loved that about her. She could make anyone laugh. Her life was rarely "easy" but she worked hard. She made the most of life not matter how difficult things were at the time. There are still days that I pick up the phone to call her and ask her what I should do about something. When my babies were all really small, I cried a lot and told God I wasn't supposed to raise all these kids without my mom. He would remind that all my kids were really His children. It was His job to lead me and He knew what He was doing. I know if Mom were here she would most likely tell me she had no idea what to do so I should pray about it.

It has been three years since I said goodbye. I won't forget all that my mom was to so many people. I love you, mom!

All Bowed Up

As you can tell by my last post...I love little girls in hair bows. As a way of making a little extra money for Christmas I am making lots of bows. I thought you might like to see them.

These grosgrain bows are on barrettes. I am selling them for $5

I also have tulle bows on clips for $3. I have them in red or green.

If you are interested in purchasing any bows, leave me a comment as to what you want. I will contact you privately about delivery and/or shipping.

Random Pics

It has been a crazy few weeks. I had surgery on my elbow and you know...when mom is down for the count, chaos is the status quo. So I thought I might post of few pics of some random events from the last few weeks.

As you can see... I love big bows on sweet little girls!!

Just because I could... love this flower.

Anyone want to take a guess as to why I took this pic?? Hint...an OCD cousin...

Living Room adventure....David and the little kids take fort building to the next level.

The boys loved climbing instead of watching Alex play football.

Olivia went on her first field trip in October.

Always ready to strike a pose...

I included this pic because I loved watching Olivia and her teacher. This is truly an answered prayer. Olivia loves her and she loves Olivia.

A farm girl?? Well maybe not...

Did I mention I like bows??

After a week of all sunshines, Olivia got to go on a date with her Daddy. This is the two of them before they headed to Olive Garden and Gigi's Cupcakes.

Alex had his first "how to tie a tie" lesson. He was getting ready for his sports banquet.

Alex has settled in to his new school and is loving it. He played football and had a great season, making new friends and learning the game.

Halloween came along before we knew it. Olivia wanted to be "Gabriella" big surprise, right! The boys wanted to be Batman and Robin. That seemed easy at first but turned into an ordeal that spanned the globe, literally. "Robin" arrived from Hong Kong only days before which sent everyone in here and in the "holy land" searching for a size 4 Batman. Becky and Poppy came through and the Dynamic Duo made their appearance.

That's it for now. Enjoy the beautiful fall that the Lord is giving us.

Happy Adoption Day

On this day 5 years ago a judge in Oregon signed the official decree making Olivia our daughter. We like to say that on August 15 (her birthday) God gave her to the world. On October 26, He gave her to us.

I have come to recognize "daughter" as one of the most beautiful words in the English language. Olivia brings a life and laughter to our family that could only come from a little girly girl. Pink just happens when she is around...high heels, bows, mismatched garbs of skirts, leggings, dresses, belts and purses. There is a fresh breeze of life out loud with Olivia. At times I don't remember her energy and abundant personality are blessings. Sadly, I get frustrated and try to contain her. It is a challenge to teach her personal restraint while still allowing her to grow in the spirit that God gifted in her. I am confident in His plan for her. I can only imagine what He is going to do in, with and through her. It could very well be that Olivia will set the world on its knees as she proclaims Jesus.

Happy Adoption Day my sweet Olivia! I love you oodles and streudles and bunches of noodles!!!

Cameras, football and birthdays

Our old Canon Point and Shoot camera died what was apparently a very quick painful death. Not being digital camera doctors , we didn't know it was dead. We thought is was a mere digital coma. But alas, after 3 weeks in the camera ICU the news came... no hope of repair, dead. An autopsy revealed cause of death to be blunt force trauma (meaning it was dropped, unbeknownst to us).

We borrowed a camera from a sweet neighbor for a couple of weeks in order to have pics of some important events. You know you have to have a camera for the first day of school, first football games and other milestone moments.

After some research, we bought a new camera. It has more buttons than I can count so my photo genius friend KC came over for an inservice. I am afraid her pupil was more camera challenged than she originally thought. I am learning so bear with me, especially if I post a pic and I have to describe it because the image cannot be seen :)

The first pics are from the little kids playing outside. No real significant moment, just sweet blessings playing at a friends house. As I look at these pics, I am reminded that every day is a blessing if you just take time to realize it.

Next we have Alex's football game. This was a picture-taking test that well, as you can see I didn't exactly pass with flying colors.

Cute boys at their brother's football game.

Cheerleader in training

Instructions from the CoachIs it wrong to call a football player a cutie??I told you my skills were limited....

if you could really see this pic you would witness Alex making an incredible catch.

This is my son burried under a pile as he recovered a fumble.

Finally, Alex had a birthday party with some friends from school and church. We are so thankful for this group of young people (I almost put "kids"). We pray they continue to make good choices and hold each other accountable to God's standards.

I hope my posts will be more frequent now but I have to tell you...it took me 1 1/2 hours to download the pics and put them in the right folders. It was another 1 1/2 to upload everything to the blog. I do not have that kind of time so I may have to have a techno savvy friend come over for another inservice :)