HAPPY ANNIVERSARY

21 years ago today I married my BEST FRIEND,

and that hasn't changed.

He is still my best friend, and always will be.

I never thought that I would meet my husband while on my mission, but I did.

And I am oh so thankful!

The past 21 years have been the best of my life.

I can't wait to see what the next 21+ yrs will bring us.

Thank you Giovanni for always being by my side

for believing in me when I didn't believe in myself

Thank you for understanding me when know one else did

and for supporting me when no one else would.

Thank you for always treating me like a Queen.

You are my King.

I love you Sweetheart!

Happy Anniversary!

HAPPY 20TH BIRTHDAY ROBERT (ANZIANO BONA)

There will be no big birthday party this year. No cake, ice cream, candles, or presents to watch him open. No special breakfast, or favorite restaurant for dinner. No movie. No outward celebrations.
However, my heart is burning with pride, joy, and happiness. The tears are swelling in my eyes as I remember 20 yrs ago when I held that sweet precious little boy in my arms for the very first time. I counted every finger and toe to make sure they were all there. He was perfect, really. And beautiful! And he was my son.
I remember thinking to myself. What type of a world is he coming in to. The first Gulf War was just starting..the Americans were starting to bomb Iraq and I remember the nurses at the Clinica San Camelo where Robert was born asking me...."what have you done?"....I thought...."I just had a baby", and I smiled.
I was more concerned with the type of mother that I would be. Could I love this little baby enough. Could I take care of him. Could I give him everything that he needed. Would the Lord be there to help me. I was alone in a foreign country. Not really alone...I had Giovanni and his family...but I still felt alone those first few days..but slowly realized that even though I was far from my family, that we had a new family there in Italy that would take care of us, and watch over us.
There were so many people...the Cicco's, Amato, Fama', Nostro, Cuscina', and  Olivieri families, and Katia, Angelo, and so many others. They all taught me how to raise a little boy in Italy. Most of all though I had a wonderful husband, Giovanni..who was there with me every step of the way. We had been blessed with that little boy, that angel from heaven and we were going to do our very best with him.
Robert Louis Francesco Bona....he had a long name for such a tiny baby. But he has grown into that name. He is as big and great as that name. And he is worthy of his heritage.

A few things about Robert:
* beautiful eyes and lashes
* lovely smile
* kind heart
* friends with everyone
* wonderful big brother
* good example to those around him
* loves video games
* excellent texter (could hide the phone under the table at meal time and still text w/out looking)
* fast driver
* sincere
* honest
* reliable and dependable
* integrity
* LOVES ice cream
* double jointed arms (we could tell you stories!)
* loves the temple
* loves the Lord
* private
* emotional
* funny
* loves to laugh and have fun
* love popcorn
* loves movies...did i say LOVES movies!!!!

I hope that this 20th birthday that he will spend in Milan as a missionary will be one of his best yet. I hope that he will remember how much I love him and how proud of him I am. I only hope that I have lived up to his expectation of what a mother should be.

I don't have any baby pictures of Robert scanned so these are just a few that I thought I would share

auguri robertino!!!

ti vogliamo tanto bene!!!

PLAYING CATCH UP AND SOME RANDOM THOUGHTS

I haven't posted anything here for several weeks. Not that I haven't thought about it, but I just haven't had time. Work has been so crazy. There have been 3 huge winter storms since Christmas and so there has been mandatory and optional overtime. So needless to say I have been sitting at my desk working a lot, well....a lot more than I am use to working. But the paychecks have been good, so I won't complain to much. However, my house looks neglected...so this weekend I'm really going to start working on that! But first I felt like I needed to catch up on the blogs! Especially because there was still Christmas music playing and the background was all christmasy...so I chose one that will last for a while that I won't need to mess with too much!
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Still work, but a different topic....I was helping an old man the other day. His name was Murray. He and his wife had been married 63 years. He told me the greatest love story I've heard in a long time. I could do a post on just Murray and his wife. But I don't have the time. But after talking to Murray I realized that his marriage to his wife is a lot like my dad and mother had. Married young, husband off to war, not a lot of money, work hard to support the family and kids, do anything for the wife, still in love after all these years! Boy I really want to have that type of marriage. Giovanni and I will be married 21 years next week. I love him more than ever. He is my best friend. Thank you Murray, and Dad for the type of husbands you are. It gives us women some hope! Today some people take marriage so lightly...if it doesn't work, get a divorce. Marriage takes work..a lot of it. I have been thinking a lot about my marriage. There were times that were oh so hard. But I wouldn't trade the road we have walked down. It has made us stronger as individuals, a couple, a companionship, friends, parents. We are working towards eternity together. I am so glad and thankful that I can say "Gio is my best friend!"
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Brian is now on 3, did I say 3 basketball teams! Oh my. For now only two are going. Number 3 will start the end of February. But he loves it, and he's good at it. And it is fun to watch him play. It makes him happy, and that makes us happy. He is such a special boy. I am glad he is our son! He brings us joy! And he makes us laugh. For now Gio and he are working on his science project...my part will come soon with the display portion of it. All good. I did it with Robert, and I'll do it with Brian too!
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Why do people feel like they can't be honest and say the truth.  Isn't it better to hurt someone for a small moment, then for a long time by not being honest and up front about whatever the situation is? That's all I'm gonna say about that one....
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I need a vacation. Our whole family needs one! Soon...I hope! Even just for a few days!
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I need to make a to do list, and organize my house and life and do some painting, but I'm not too good at it. Thank goodness that Tami offered to help, and Wendy too!
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Did I mention that Robert was transferred to Milano? Go here to see a small tour of the city.
He is really happy to be there, but sad to leave Alessandria. He is doing great!
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It's late, and I need to go to bed but I will continue this and soon!

PLAYING CATCH UP!!

Things have been crazy and hectic around here since Christmas.
It is late and I don't really have time to write everything that needs to be written.]

However, I did get Robert's blog updated today, finally!
So go here and read the 3 posts that I did today!

I will write soon, promise..anad get rid of the Christmas background, and music....