HAPPY BIRTHDAY GRANDPA!

Well...on December 1st is is my father's birthday! I don't really call him Dad anymore...somehow he has taken on the name "Grandpa" and that is what and who he is. When I call him up I say "hey Grandpa, how ya' doing?".  He is Grandpa to all of us.
This post is dedicated to him. He will be 80 yrs old! Wow!! That is a great accomplishment these days! But I for one am having a hard time believing that he is really that old, or should I say young?
He has been around for a while and sure has seen this world change a lot from when he was a boy. And he has done pretty well to keep up too.
He does pretty good on the computer and loves to do geneology work. He can email, search, etc...
Now the TV is something else. I think that TiVo confused him for a while, but now he has caught on and does pretty good. He even bought and iPhone....who would have thought...now he just needs to figure out all the cool things he can do with it!!!
It would take me a long time to write 80 things about Grandpa...but here are a few that stick out in my mind...memories, etc....
1. Loves to joke around
2. Hard worker
3. Inventor
4. Integrity
5. Loves to hike
6. Loves his bike
7. Likes to travel
8. Loyal
9. Spiritual
10. Dedicated
11. Accepting
12. Gives encouragement
13 Caring
14. Service oriented
15. Loved/Loves my mother
16. Took care of mom until the end serving her every day
16. Helped my boys with LOTS of scout projects
17. Would always tease Jeni the dog...
18. Would always tease us
19. Supportive
20. Loves Mexican and Greek food (Italian too!)
21. Loves each one of us
etc, etc, etc.....

I know that everyone always says they have the best father in the world...but I really do believe that I do.



WE LOVE YOU GRANDPA!

HAPPY 80TH BIRTHDAY!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY FROM ITALY

Today I received the most wonderful gift that a mother could ask for.
I got a letter from Robert in the mail..a real letter...a handwritten letter!
And I loved reading it..over and over and over.
Also there was his SD card for his camera with 100+ pictures.
I put a few up on his blog for you to see...
However if you are his or my friend on facebook you can go to our pages and see a lot more.
I will post his letter on his blog this week when we get his email.
It is transfer week..so we shall see.
Hopefully he will stay in Alessandria and with Anziano Weller until the new year....

THANKSGIVING

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving! So I figured that I would take the time to list a few things that I'm thankful for.

Home
Jobs
Cars
Flowers
Sunshine
Rain
Snow
Mountains
Oceans
Rivers and Streams
Warm Showers
Swimming pools
Shoes
Acrylic nails
Pedicures
Movies
Popcorn
Nieces and Nephews
Brothers
In Laws
Fathers and Mothers
Grandparents
Gospel
Testimony
Warm bed
Electricity
Heating and Air conditioning
Music
Airplanes
Telephones
Computers and Internet
My life
Giovanni
Robert
Brian
even Tibi the cat.....sometimes  :)
Scriptures
The Holy Ghost
Temples
Missionaries
Jesus Christ
A phone call that we will receive in one month from Robert!

and so many other things that I could keep writing for days....

What are you Thankful for this year?

A WONDERFUL WEEKEND

Turning 45 was a small shock to my system I must admit. I realized that I'm now on the down slide to 50! I keep telling myself I'm like cheese and wine...I get better with age! I hope that really is the truth!

This past weekend I went with my friend Natalee to Time Out For Women up in SLC. We stayed at the Little America and had a fantastic weekend! Natalee and I are mission companions. She is the one who was with me when I had to have emergency surgery and have my appendix taken out! It was a wonderful weekend! I feel like my spiritual bucket was refilled.

At TOFW they spoke about not comparing ourselves to others and to realize that the challenges we have are made specifically for us, how we can get over all things with the Lords help and through the atonement. How true that is. If I had the choice between my problems and someone else's I would take mine. It least I know how to deal with them!

Another thing that I realized this weekend is that we can all fall. The person that you might think is the strongest. The one with the testimony so strong that they can never falter. The one who every one looks up to and wants to be like...well, that person is just like "the rest of us". We all have struggles that we go through and yes, we do have trials in our life, but we are the one who makes the choice how we let those situations affect our lives. Also, when someone attacks what we believe, we have the right and obligation to stand up for what we believe in. Yes, we can love our friends and care about them...but they need to love us and care about us too. Such a fine line to walk sometimes. I am so thankful for my testimony in the gospel of Jesus Christ. I am thankful for a loving Father in Heaven who is there for me, always! He has never left me. If there was ever a time when I thought he wasn't there, it is because I shut him out. And I am so thankful that He has never given up on me.

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Another amazing thing happened this weekend. Something that I didn't really think would happen for a long time.
As I wrote in an earlier post my brother and I saw each other at the hospital when my SIL was having surgery. I wasn't sure of how the outcome would be....well....it actually turned out better than I thought!
I had been thinking a lot about him lately.
I don't want to be judged by others for the things I do in my life and the choices that I make, so why would I do the same thing to someone else. People haven't walked in my shoes, and I haven't walked in theirs.
I'm not saying that things are or ever will be perfect between us. No, we probably won't be the best of friends. But we can be friends. It will take work on both of our parts...we have both been through a lot, however....we are family! And in the end that is what counts the most. To have some sort of communication.
Anyway...he and his future wife came over last night. They stayed for about 2 1/2 hrs. And it was nice. Yes, nice! She is a nice lady and you can tell they care about one another and love each other.
They brought a reception invitation...so I am invited. And I will go...because that is what you do!
I don't know what the future holds for us, and I don't have these amazing expectations...but we'll see where it goes.

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This will be our first holiday without Robert being home. I think it will be a hard one...but I wouldn't want him anywhere else doing anything else! I am so proud of that boy! And he is a great example to Brian.

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Speaking of Brian...he had his first basketball game on Saturday. His team won 30 something to 12...and Brian made about 12-5 points. He did a great job!That's my little (or not so little) guy!!

WOW

We got an email from Robert! It was great. Every time I read his letters I think WOW! That kid is changing and growing so much. I'm so proud of him! Can't wait until Christmas to talk to him!
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Yesterday my SIL had to have emergency surgery to have her gallbladder taken out. She had been in a lot of pain for several weeks.  I think she will feel much better now! The surgery went well and she should come home today. Man...when she is high on pain meds and just comes out of  surgery...wow! If you want a good laugh, hang out with her! I won't reveal to much..but I knew she liked to have parties and have fun...and whatever she was on last night...I want some too!
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Saw my brother and his future wife for the first time since July. Did I mention that we became FB friends a few days ago. Just a feeling that I had. That seemed to be going okay, but when I heard they were at the hospital I was a bit nervous. It went much better than I thought it would. WOW! I'm glad too. I may not agree with him, and he may not agree with me...but in the end, we are family, right? It was the first time in years that I didn't feel overly stressed about being around him. Maybe we both are finally changing and growing up some. Who knows, who cares. It was good! And that is the main thing! He invited us to the reception...I was surprised, but glad.
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One thing I learned last night...again! Follow the promptings of the spirit. Act when you are impressed to do something. It may seem dumb, but in the end, it is always the right thing to do. The spirit will never lead you astray. Glad I listened, for a change.

LITTLE DID I KNOW

Today I celebrated my birthday early by going to the doctor and having a physical. Oh what joy! I think I would rather sit in the dentist chair (and I can tell you that I don't love the dentist either!!!). A physical is just something that we as women aren't to fond of, but it is something necessary. So..I went. And it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be...however, I don't want to do it again for a while.
I got a pretty good bill of health I suppose...I've lost about 15 lbs and that is a good thing! I've shrunk 1/2 an inch...not a good thing! No wonder Brian seems taller. My eyesight is 20/20 with my glasses...don't ask what it is without them, I couldn't read the board! Blood pressure is good, cholesterol is good, I'm a bit anemic, so I'm on iron pills for a while, yuck! They have a terrible after-taste!! And I have to have a mole removed off my shoulder that the Dr didn't like. I have to wear compression hose around the house (when I work)...and I have to go take some echo-stress test, and some blood work. And he told me that I'll probably need surgery on my knee. I have a meniscus problem that won't go away...so after the holidays off to the specialist I go! My mom was right! It is heck to get old! But my goal for the end of the summer is to hike Y mountain, and go to Timp Caves! So I better get training! If this bum knee will let me. Pool walking he suggests! Does anyone have a water proof iPod????
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The other fun/exciting thing...We got a phone call today and Brian has been asked to play on a competition basketball team! He was way excited. We had just signed him up for Jr Jazz, and he is going to try and do both, but I think it will be a busy 3 months again!! For this new team he has practice on Tues and Thur nights, and games on Saturday's and maybe a few tournaments. For Jr Jazz there will be one practice a week and games on Saturday as well. Hopefully they won't conflict to much one with another! We shall see!!!
And can I just tell you that basketball shoes aren't cheep! Little did I know that I would be going out today to spend $$$ for shoes, for Brian! That kid wears a size 12 in shoes and he is only 12 yrs old!!! He is going to bankrupt me if his feet get to much bigger! Even Robert only wears and 11 and Gio a 10! Oh well....what can I do about it? Nothing, so I just live with it!
I remember when Robert was in 7-8 grade he played on 2/3 teams for basketball, and it seems that we are on round two! Oh little did I know this would be coming! But it is okay! It keeps us on our toes! And Brian LOVES basketball, and so do we, so it will be a fun season.
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No emails today from Robert! First week in 8 1/2 months to not get one! But we knew that he had some trainings going on, so I'm not to worried about him. I just miss him more...but it's okay. I know that he has training next week too...so, I hope that we will hear from him then! He has been gone 260 days/37 weeks!
The time has gone by so fast, I really can't believe it! We will get to talk to him in about a month! On Christmas day! I can't wait! He is doing so well, and seems so happy! I am so proud of him!

CRAZY BUSY LIFE

For only having one kid at home we sure do have a crazy busy life.
The past three months have been full of football practices 3 times a week and games once a week. Parties and activities at school and church. Homework, sleepovers, birthday parties, campouts. work, church callings and meetings, car problems, emails, sending Christmas to Italy for Robert, computer problems, holidays, and what ever else life throws at us.
I really did think things would slow down some only having one kid at home but that is not the case. If anything it seems busier than before. I think that is because Robert isn't around to help be the taxi or go to some of these activites with Brian and so it is just us. Not that I mind in anyway...I'm just surprised how much time one kid can take. What do families that have 5 kids do??? I also think I just forgot how busy a "TWEEN" can be. But I love it and I'm so glad that Brian is around!
Last week the PHS Bulldogs 6tyh graders won the Championship game! 19-2! We slaughtered Timponogos. It was a great game, but FREEZNG cold. I am so thankful that football is done! Now we have a break until January when basketball starts!

This past week at school was D.A.R.E. graduation. It is a program that teaches the kids about drugs and alcohol and decision making, etc. It is a great program and I'm glad they have 6th graders participate. It is something that they will come into contact with pretty soon if they already haven't.

Also this past week Giovanni bought me an early B-day/Christmas/Anniversary present. That man sure does spoil me! I have been wanting a KitchenAid mixer for a long time...but they are so gosh darn expensive and between the two of us loosing jobs over the past two year, surgery for Robert's finger, mission expenses, and other things for Brian and Robert the money just hasn't been there for something like a mixer. Well...I found a killer deal on one, and it was way to good to pass up....so we didn't. It is more like a car than anything else. It is a KitchenAid HD 550 Professional lift mixer, and red....I will have to take a picture to post. He also bought me a pizza stone and paddle. So this weekend I did some baking/cooking and loved it!! I made some greek cookies that mom use to make along with a sour cream pound cake that was delicious! But my biggest and best achievement was bread. And not just any bread, but Italian bread that has the crunchy outside and soft inside. I will have to tweek the recipe just a bit...Gio wants more salt in it...and the cooking temperature. But I'm getting there! One day this week I'm going to attempt pizza and see how that goes.

Also I am so excited because this weekend for my actual birthday I'm going to "Time Out For Women". It is a conference for women put on by Deseret Book. What is even more exciting is I'm going with a missionary companion from 22 yrs ago, Natalee. We are going to stay up in SLC over night. (Thanks to great discounts with Jet Blue.) I'm so looking forward to it!

And another exciting thing that has happened....we got tickets to THIS. I am so excited. We usually try to do something special and fun for Christmas and this year it is going to be great! I love American Idol and loved this guy so it will be a fun night!

So...this is just a sample of our crazy busy life....along with the normal things like housework, laundry, cooking meals, paying bills,  etc.

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Totally off subject:

I saw one of my friends posts where she talked about ignoring her mother's advice for almost 11 years about picking up your house at night before you go to bed, so that when you wake up in the morning you can get a head start on the day.
Oh how true this is! When I leave everything a mess and go to bed I am such a cranky person in the morning because I have to start out by picking things up before I can get started on the day. I have learned that it is so much easier and quicker if I do it the night before.  Then I'm happy when I get up and I can get into the day and what needs to be done.
I suppose it helps with the crazy busy life a bit.

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Also...tomorrow is p-day for Robert...so we get email a day early this week. They have some training thing or something. What ever the reason, I'm just happy to not have to wait until Wednesday! I sure do miss that boy. It is especially hard around the holiday's because I would love for him to be here with us. This is the first Christmas that we won't be together as a family. I guess I better get use to it because he will grow up and have his own family someday, and the same with Brian. I guess we just want to keep our children little as long as possible. But someday there will be the grandkids! Can't wait for that! And oh....if there are grand daughters....watchout! That is Gio's dream!!!!

Well....time to get back to my busy crazy life.

Consider The Lilies - Mormon Tabernacle Choir

Sharing the Light of Christ

"DOG JACKS"

                     This is the boys after they won the semi-finals!

                                Do you think they were happy?

FALL 2010

It has been a busy month. I

 have not been blogging as much as usual because there hasn't been time.

Between work, school, church callings, football, etc... life has been crazy.

We also had some major computer problems at home that took us about a week or so to figure out and fix.

When you work from home and have a work computer and that gets messed up...

it can turn your world upside down.

For about a week I had to drive to work instead of being here at home in pj's.

You don't know how spoiled you are until you have to do that!

But now we are up and running again...thanks to Gio

and his perseverance and dedication and patience most of all!

Thanks honey for getting everything up and running again.

Well....

Robert got his "greenie" (new companion that he is training).

From his letters it seems like all is going well.

He never ceases to entertain us with his letters and stories.

It is hard to believe that he was gone 8 months on Nov 3, and that tomorrow it will be 250 days!

But who is counting!!! Not me!

We have a sticker chart and it does all the counting for me!!!

Giovanni was called as the Sunday School 1st counselor last week.

It is a calling that I think he will enjoy!

There is a bit of stress with it right now because of some changes and such that are going on,

 however, he works with some great men and I'm sure they will do a super job together!

Halloween has come and gone.

But we did have a lot of fun!

In the afternoon we went with Dana to lunch at Terra Mia and to Costco.

(She is my missionary companion, Susan's daughter).

We had a fun afternoon with her!

 She is a really cute girl and I'm glad that we had the chance to spend some time with her!

Even though it was a wet and rainy day we still managed to have some fun together!

On Friday I went to the school to help with Brian's Halloween Party in his class.

I figured this was the last year that there would actually be a party at school

where parents were invited to come and help out and watch the parade...so off I went.

Thinking that it would be an hour or so....

I ended up being there for about 3 hrs...but had a blast!

Here are a some of my favorites!

When did the 80's become a Halloween Costume?

Am I that old????

I remember wearing some of this stuff...Scary!

Ms Gibbs, the principal!

She is awesome! We sure love her

and all she does for the kids and the school!

This was one of our favorite costumes!

I need to remember this one for next year!

So cool! The picture doesn't do it justice!

That is the kids "real head" in his hands!

Brian and Kache!!!

What silly boys!

Sure do love them both!

The whole class!

These last few weeks have been the playoffs for Brian's football team.

They placed number 4 in their division...

They should have been number 2, but something about points, etc

when there are tied games or something...oh well...

The best part is...in the playoffs they have done super!!

They won their semi-final game last Wednesday!

The beat the division champions who were undefeated!

After the game with the coaches.

A great bunch of boys!

Now onto the championship game this Wednesday!

Wish us luck!!!