Today was a very special day in Italy. It was the ground breaking for the Rome Italy Temple.
The temple was announced 2 yrs ago at general conference and it has taken two years and a lot of fasting, prayer, and hard work to finally get to this point!
We are so thrilled that Robert is in Italy for such a special occasion. True, he wasn't actually at the ground breaking...however...to just know that it was happening...what a specail feeling, I'm sure.
Tomorrow in church they will watch the video of the ceremony/celebration that took place today.
For now, here are a few links and pictures that you can go to...
Sorry that most of it is in Italian, but you can see the pictures if nothing else.
The english church website doesn't have much up yet, so Italian will have to do.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qvYmO-moHrs
http://tempiodiroma.chiesadigesucristo.it/index.html
http://www.chiesadigesucristo.it/news-e-media/visualizza-articolo/archive/2010/october/article/il-presidente-monson-presiede-la-cerimonia-del-primo-colpo-di-piccone-del-primo-tempio-in-italia.html
You can also use google translator to read it in English.
VIVA L'ITALIA E VIVA ROMA!!!
October 23, 2010
October 18, 2010
IS IT CHRISTMAS YET???
Yeah...I know I'm a Christmas geek. I really do hate it when people rush the seasons...but!
I feel so bad. I haven't even put out one Halloween decoration and don't know if I will. Not because I don't like Halloween, but I just don't want to decorate.
Then it will be Thanksgiving. I am not really sure what we will be doing that day.
I was able to get off work that day and the day after, and I don't work the day before...so I'll be off while Brian is on vacation from school, and that is a good thing. We don't know yet if Gio will have to work that day or not. So...we'll see. This might be the first year that he doesn't go to the annual "Turkey Bowl" and play football with all the men/boys in the ward. If he doesn't go I don't know if Brian will want to go without him. We'll have to wait and see as it gets closer.
Thank goodness for our "other family". They have already invited us to spend the day with them and said that Brian could go to their "Bowl" game. We feel so blessed to have them as friends. They know our family situation and are so kind to always let us know that we are welcome with them. However....Christmas...that is something else entirely...I can't wait.
Not for the presents, but the decorations, the music, the feeling that it brings. And also the phone call that will come with that special day!
It will be so good to actually talk to Robert on that day. We will have one wonderful hour to talk to him! That will be the best present of all. (And of course spending Christmas Eve with our "other family" has become a great tradition.)
As I sit here writing this post I'm actually listening to Christmas music. I know, I know, don't rush the season. The only reason that I am is because I'm sending him a few Cd's with music for the holiday's so...while I'm here I might as well get an "antipasto" (appetizer) of things to come.
The weather is slowly changing and feeling more fall/winterish....there is suppose to be rain, etc today and the leaves have turned orange/red/yellow and are slowly falling off the branches. So bring it on! I'm ready for it!
And I know that some people will think that I'm crazy, but I kinda like to shovel snow too. It is kind of relaxing g for me. No, I wouldn't want to do it for my "job", but every once in a while...it is kinda nice!
This weekend I actually went and bought Brian sweat pants, and a ski jacket. And it was 70 degrees outside. How wild is that...and it is the middle of October!!!
As a side note....I was on facebook yesterday and one of our 2/3 cousin's who lives in Alessandria where Robert is serving right now told us that she actually went to the church and met him yesterday. And once he is back in town they are going to get together! She said that he spoke really well and that she was surprised at how well he did, considering that 7 months ago he didn't speak at all. She said that the grammar needs a bit of improvement...but that will come with time...I still mess up after 23 years! But it was exciting to hear. That is another reason we are excited to talk to him. We want to speak to him in Italian...
Also, Brian was gone for the weekend. It was fall break and Gio and I had to work, but he went to Park City, with the Rhineer's and had a blast! It was so nice of them to invite him along. However...can I just say that the house was so very quiet! It was nice, but at the same time...we really missed him and it was so nice when he walked through the front door and was home. I'm not ready to be an empty nester just yet...
Some one told me this weekend that I'm a typical Italian "Mamma". I don't know if that is a compliment or not...but I'll take it. I love those two boys, any Giovanni. They are everything to me.
Happy October!
I feel so bad. I haven't even put out one Halloween decoration and don't know if I will. Not because I don't like Halloween, but I just don't want to decorate.
Then it will be Thanksgiving. I am not really sure what we will be doing that day.
I was able to get off work that day and the day after, and I don't work the day before...so I'll be off while Brian is on vacation from school, and that is a good thing. We don't know yet if Gio will have to work that day or not. So...we'll see. This might be the first year that he doesn't go to the annual "Turkey Bowl" and play football with all the men/boys in the ward. If he doesn't go I don't know if Brian will want to go without him. We'll have to wait and see as it gets closer.
Thank goodness for our "other family". They have already invited us to spend the day with them and said that Brian could go to their "Bowl" game. We feel so blessed to have them as friends. They know our family situation and are so kind to always let us know that we are welcome with them. However....Christmas...that is something else entirely...I can't wait.
It will be so good to actually talk to Robert on that day. We will have one wonderful hour to talk to him! That will be the best present of all. (And of course spending Christmas Eve with our "other family" has become a great tradition.)
As I sit here writing this post I'm actually listening to Christmas music. I know, I know, don't rush the season. The only reason that I am is because I'm sending him a few Cd's with music for the holiday's so...while I'm here I might as well get an "antipasto" (appetizer) of things to come.
The weather is slowly changing and feeling more fall/winterish....there is suppose to be rain, etc today and the leaves have turned orange/red/yellow and are slowly falling off the branches. So bring it on! I'm ready for it!
And I know that some people will think that I'm crazy, but I kinda like to shovel snow too. It is kind of relaxing g for me. No, I wouldn't want to do it for my "job", but every once in a while...it is kinda nice!
This weekend I actually went and bought Brian sweat pants, and a ski jacket. And it was 70 degrees outside. How wild is that...and it is the middle of October!!!
As a side note....I was on facebook yesterday and one of our 2/3 cousin's who lives in Alessandria where Robert is serving right now told us that she actually went to the church and met him yesterday. And once he is back in town they are going to get together! She said that he spoke really well and that she was surprised at how well he did, considering that 7 months ago he didn't speak at all. She said that the grammar needs a bit of improvement...but that will come with time...I still mess up after 23 years! But it was exciting to hear. That is another reason we are excited to talk to him. We want to speak to him in Italian...
Also, Brian was gone for the weekend. It was fall break and Gio and I had to work, but he went to Park City, with the Rhineer's and had a blast! It was so nice of them to invite him along. However...can I just say that the house was so very quiet! It was nice, but at the same time...we really missed him and it was so nice when he walked through the front door and was home. I'm not ready to be an empty nester just yet...
Some one told me this weekend that I'm a typical Italian "Mamma". I don't know if that is a compliment or not...but I'll take it. I love those two boys, any Giovanni. They are everything to me.
Happy October!
October 13, 2010
I LOVE WEDNESDAYS
I am sure that I have written on more than one occassion how much I love Wednesdays. Giovanni doesn't work on Wednsday so it is nice to have him home one day during the week...(true...he then works Saturday, but what can you do!)....
But the main reason that I love Wednesday is because it is Robert's P-day and we get email from him! And it is such a treat!
For those of you who are not LDS or maybe are not familiar with full-time missionary service and how it works...here is the Readers Digest version...
6 days a week are spent proselyting....looking and teaching people who want to know more about the LDS (Mormon) faith. This is done through members who refer names to you...theirs friends, neighbors, colleagues at work, etc...The other ways come through knocking on doors and meeting people wherever you go or whatever you do.
Young men, usually ages 19-21 whom are called Elders and young women, usually ages 21-22 are called to serve. The men go for two years, and the girls for 18 months. It is full-time missionary service and you can be called to serve anywhere in the world where the church is....Robert has friends in the US, Mexico, South America, Africa, Japan, Greece, etc...And, you are not paid for this service...in fact..you pay to go.
You go to a Missionary Training Center (MTC) for 3-12 weeks...depending on the language you learn....
Robert went to the one here in Provo by BYU and was there for 9 weeks to learn Italian.
Serving a mission is such an amazing experience. When else will you have the opportunity to dedicate your life full time to the service of God and others. It really is an amazing experience...I know because I did it...I served, in Italy...and love it! And now Robert is there...
Anyway...so for 6 days you "work", then one day during the week is your P-day...that is when you can write home to your family via email, you do your laundry, clean your apartment, sight see...play, etc...
Now you have to understand..while you are on a mission you have no contact except for letters. You only call home on mother's day and Christmas....no TV, music, facebook, etc...you live in the world, but you are not of the world...
It is a sacrifice, however....worth it...
So...today we got and email from Robert...He is so happy! And loves his mission!!
He has been called as a trainer...he will have a new missionary to teach...he is nervous...
But I know that he will do great!
I am so proud of him and what he is doing and also thankful for the experiences he is having and what he is learning while he is out there.
There is a saying about missionaries....
"They leave as boys and come back men"....I am slowly seeing that transformation take place.
I'm thankful for example...and because of him I feel like I am becoming a better person as well.....
Thank you Robert!
We love you and we are so proud of you!
But the main reason that I love Wednesday is because it is Robert's P-day and we get email from him! And it is such a treat!
For those of you who are not LDS or maybe are not familiar with full-time missionary service and how it works...here is the Readers Digest version...
6 days a week are spent proselyting....looking and teaching people who want to know more about the LDS (Mormon) faith. This is done through members who refer names to you...theirs friends, neighbors, colleagues at work, etc...The other ways come through knocking on doors and meeting people wherever you go or whatever you do.
Young men, usually ages 19-21 whom are called Elders and young women, usually ages 21-22 are called to serve. The men go for two years, and the girls for 18 months. It is full-time missionary service and you can be called to serve anywhere in the world where the church is....Robert has friends in the US, Mexico, South America, Africa, Japan, Greece, etc...And, you are not paid for this service...in fact..you pay to go.
You go to a Missionary Training Center (MTC) for 3-12 weeks...depending on the language you learn....
Robert went to the one here in Provo by BYU and was there for 9 weeks to learn Italian.
Serving a mission is such an amazing experience. When else will you have the opportunity to dedicate your life full time to the service of God and others. It really is an amazing experience...I know because I did it...I served, in Italy...and love it! And now Robert is there...
Anyway...so for 6 days you "work", then one day during the week is your P-day...that is when you can write home to your family via email, you do your laundry, clean your apartment, sight see...play, etc...
Now you have to understand..while you are on a mission you have no contact except for letters. You only call home on mother's day and Christmas....no TV, music, facebook, etc...you live in the world, but you are not of the world...
It is a sacrifice, however....worth it...
So...today we got and email from Robert...He is so happy! And loves his mission!!
He has been called as a trainer...he will have a new missionary to teach...he is nervous...
But I know that he will do great!
I am so proud of him and what he is doing and also thankful for the experiences he is having and what he is learning while he is out there.
There is a saying about missionaries....
"They leave as boys and come back men"....I am slowly seeing that transformation take place.
I'm thankful for example...and because of him I feel like I am becoming a better person as well.....
Thank you Robert!
We love you and we are so proud of you!
October 10, 2010
BRIAN'S BIRTHDAY PARTY!
Finally we had it! It was a long time waiting and Brian was so patient.
But I can tell you one thing.~ this party was so worth the wait.
First let me explain. If you all remember the YM/YW from our ward went on Trek this past summer, right!
Well....they had an acution to raise $$$ for Trek...and we purchase a b-day party for $50. And can I just tell you something...the money went to a great cause to help the YM/YW, but...oh how I got my money's worth on this one.
Klyss and her daughter Brittany did an amazing job! The boys had a blast!! The food was amazing! The decorations were unbelievable and most of all the time and energy that they put in to plan this thing in just overwhelming.
She did a type of tailgate party with nachos, hotdogs, water, gatorade, popcorn, teats, cupcakes, icecream and the works...There were football bloopers going on for the boys to watch...they played a couple of games, and then went outside and played football, came in and ate some more, then played even more.
Words aren't enough to tell Klyss and Brittany thank you! But "Thank you!!!" from the bottom of my heart for making this 12th b-day so special for Brian!!!!
I'm going to let the pictures tell the rest of the story....
But I can tell you one thing.~ this party was so worth the wait.
First let me explain. If you all remember the YM/YW from our ward went on Trek this past summer, right!
Well....they had an acution to raise $$$ for Trek...and we purchase a b-day party for $50. And can I just tell you something...the money went to a great cause to help the YM/YW, but...oh how I got my money's worth on this one.
Klyss and her daughter Brittany did an amazing job! The boys had a blast!! The food was amazing! The decorations were unbelievable and most of all the time and energy that they put in to plan this thing in just overwhelming.
She did a type of tailgate party with nachos, hotdogs, water, gatorade, popcorn, teats, cupcakes, icecream and the works...There were football bloopers going on for the boys to watch...they played a couple of games, and then went outside and played football, came in and ate some more, then played even more.
Words aren't enough to tell Klyss and Brittany thank you! But "Thank you!!!" from the bottom of my heart for making this 12th b-day so special for Brian!!!!
I'm going to let the pictures tell the rest of the story....
HAPPY BIRTHDAY
BRIAN!!!
We Love You!
A LOT HAS BEEN GOING ON!
I feel like such a SLACKER!
It has been such a long time since I've posted anything. And not for lack of things to write...but I just took a break and enjoyed the doing part, instead of writing about it all.
Brian was ordained a deacon two weeks ago. It was such a special experience and Giovanni gave him such a nice blessing. How lucky we are to have the restored gospel and the priesthood. I can tell that Brian will take his priesthood responsibilities seriously. This morning when he woke up he remembered that he had to be at the church early to do some things there and he hurried around and got himself prepared...then found out that it was cancelled what he had to do and he didn't complain. Then he had to be to church 30 minutes early to help prepare the chapel for our meeting and he was rushing everyone...It was nice for a change. I am glad to know that he realizes the importance of the priesthood he now holds.
Last Sunday was General Conference. I watched all four sessions and loved it. There were so many good talks. You can go here to listen. I really felt spiritually prepared for this conference and it was so amazing!
Then this past week Brian's friend, T came into town. He is touring with the Broadway play Mary Poppins and hasn't been around at all. It was such a nice treat for Brian, Kache, and T to hang out with each other.
One day we went bowling and to lunch at Carls Jr. Even though these boys are 12 they still love the kiddie play area and had a blast running around!
It has been such a long time since I've posted anything. And not for lack of things to write...but I just took a break and enjoyed the doing part, instead of writing about it all.
Brian was ordained a deacon two weeks ago. It was such a special experience and Giovanni gave him such a nice blessing. How lucky we are to have the restored gospel and the priesthood. I can tell that Brian will take his priesthood responsibilities seriously. This morning when he woke up he remembered that he had to be at the church early to do some things there and he hurried around and got himself prepared...then found out that it was cancelled what he had to do and he didn't complain. Then he had to be to church 30 minutes early to help prepare the chapel for our meeting and he was rushing everyone...It was nice for a change. I am glad to know that he realizes the importance of the priesthood he now holds.
Last Sunday was General Conference. I watched all four sessions and loved it. There were so many good talks. You can go here to listen. I really felt spiritually prepared for this conference and it was so amazing!
Then this past week Brian's friend, T came into town. He is touring with the Broadway play Mary Poppins and hasn't been around at all. It was such a nice treat for Brian, Kache, and T to hang out with each other.
One day we went bowling and to lunch at Carls Jr. Even though these boys are 12 they still love the kiddie play area and had a blast running around!
Then on Wednesday night there was a great football game. Provo Bulldogs against Timpview Thunderbirds.
If any of you know anything about a RIVALRYthis is it....these boys might only be in 6th grade...but it is in their blood...it is like UTAH vs BYU!
Needless to say from the look on everyone's face you can tell WE WON!!! 30-6!!! It was a great game!
Maybe a sign of things to come in the future for the Bulldogs! Let's hope so!!!
On Friday we had Brain's b-day party....(that will be it's own post!) and then T and Kache stayed and we went swimming in the pool. T ended up spending the night and then on Saturday we went to Liberty Land (Trafalga) and they did some laser tag, roller coaster, water bumper boats, mini golf, etc...and had a great time.
T will be leaving on Tuesday morning and we aren't sure when he will be back...Maybe when Mary Poppins is done, maybe not....he may have something else cooking, who knows. What we do know for sure is that we had a great few days with him and we are so glad he came into town....
The Tres Amigos were at it again for a few days and it was a blast!!!
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