I didn't really know this was post 300 until I logged in to write something! Wow...Do I write to much? Not enough? Actually, I write when I feel the need. I wish I were a better journal keeper, but I'm not...so this is as close as I get. Maybe I should start a private blog where I can write my deepest and darkest feelings...Nah....I'm on the PC to much as it is. It is kind of funny...I say I'm going to back off some and instead I go through withdraw and I seem to be on it even more.
The title of this post was really going to be "Nesting". No! I'm not pregnant! Nor will I ever be again. That is a sad and happy thought all rolled into one. But that is a story for another day.
Actually the reason for "nesting" is because of everything that I have been doing and the list that I have been working on. It all started with the carpet, the bedding, the new beds and some furniture, washing stored up clothes, organizing pictures in photo albums, updating facebook with pictures, forwarding emails, cleaning closets, organizing bathroom shelves, new shower accessories, finding out about classes and majors at the University, etc....the list could go on and on and on and on. There is still a bit of painting to do...that will happen in Feb. I think it will be Monday the 20th. Not the house...just some touch up things. There are still blinds and windows to be done..The 20th as well. I have a deadline. Everything and I mean everything needs to be done by Feb 27th...Because the guest will be here on March 2. No it's not the queen...It's Robert. And he really isn't a guest. He is a family member returning home.
I have thought a lot about my mother over the past few months. I remember when my brother went on his mission to Japan. Before he came home my mom had to reorganize everything. When I was 9 yrs old and spent 6 weeks in Greece when I returned home my mother had redone my room with new paint, curtains, bedding, furniture, etc...When I returned from my mission I had new bedding in my room and new towels in the bathroom...I couldn't figure it out. I use to think she was crazy. Who cared? I guess Mom's care! She told me then that it was just a feeling that mother's get that they want everything to be perfect for the "arrival". She said it was like having a baby almost. Your child is returning and you want everything to be extra special for them. It is like a new baby...the bedding, the clothes, and all the other things as well. I get it now. I understand completely!
I'm not to sure why it matters so much to me. Robert is 21. Is he really going to care if there is a new shower curtain? Will he care about new towels or new pj's on his bed waiting for him, or the new toothbrush? He'll notice the carpet and the bed because they are more obvious. But will he care if the blinds are clean and if we touched up with some paint here and there? I doubt it...but then again he might.
I think this "nesting" thing is actually for the mother. It is a way to pass time and to release some of the anxiousness that we feel inside. It makes sense to me. I have enough to keep me busy for the next few weeks so I am sure that it will help the time to pass.
Silly post I know...but I was taking a break from the bathroom....one down two more to go! Then on to the pantry! The dusting my room...vacuuming, laundry, etc...Gonna be a busy Saturday! But isn't that the day we get ready for Sunday?! And it's only 8 AM!
January 28, 2012
January 25, 2012
AM I SOMETIMES THE MEAN GIRL?
I was reading something a friend of mine wrote on Segullah. She is an amazing person, mother, photographer, and friend. I have never met Michelle in person. But I love her. We "met" through another friends blog.
As I was blog stalking one day I saw a link and clicked on Michelle's personal blog. I suppose the timing was right and it was meant to be. There were some pictures of her son who was leaving on his mission. He was going to serve in the Italy Milan Mission, the place that Robert is serving.
I ended up leaving Michelle a message, then we began to email, text, and talk on the phone. We have never met in person, even though she lives within an hour of me. Our lives are busy and it has been difficult to meet up. I am looking forward to Robert's homecoming because I know that she will be there for that and I will have the chance to hug my friend.
Anyway, back to what I was writing about. I read the small article that Michelle wrote about her daughter, and the mean girl, and turning the other cheek. It has made me think a lot over the past few days. Have I sometimes become "the mean girl" because I didn't turn the other cheek.
I can understand Michelle's pain. Her story is personal as is mine, however, we have both been hurt by family members. A hurt so deep that you don't know if you will ever get over it and survive. Michelle's pain and hurt seem fresh and close to the surface. Mine has been years in the making, and is now buried deep down inside somewhere and it only shows its ugly head occassionaly. However...it has affected me, and the type of person that I am and how I react and treat certain people.
I almost feel sometimes like I have taken it upon myself to be the judge and jury, and to also be the one to carry out the sentencing as well. It really did make me become the "mean girl". As I look back now I realize that in the end, the only person that I really hurt was myself. Yes, the other parties involved have suffered as well, but their suffering didn't help me nor hurt me. I was indifferent to it. I only know about my own suffering and what I have been through and how I let it affect my life growing up and into adulthood.
One of the comments that was left on Michelle's page was this: “And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold; but he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.” (Matthew 24:12-13) I have thought what it means to endure to the end. Several years ago I was taught an invaluable lesson by our Bishop. He told us that not only are we to endure, but to "bear it well". In otherwords, to endure it well. Enduring doesn't mean to suffer through life always complaining or being the mean girl. It means to have a positive attitude. To have faith in Christ and know that he knows us and will carry our burdens and make them lite.
In our lives we are all hurt in different ways, by different people. It sometimes is best to just walk away. To leave it alone and go on. I have done this on many occassions. My feelings might be hurt for a while, but then I get over it or try not to worry about it. I realize that I am to sensitive and take things to personally, and I shouldn't. However, like several other people who left comments to Michelle's message, there is a time to speak up. Each one of us has to make that decision for ourselves. Through prayer we can know when those times are. There are also times to shut doors and walk away, and then maybe even with time re-open the door and see what happens. We can forgive, but we don't have to let the ones who hurt us be in our lives.
I have chosen to leave the door partially open. I think of my mother and what she would want me to do and I think of her example. One of the people that hurt her the most became one of her best friends as years went by. There is always the possibility of repentance/forgivenss/mercy. I still have hurt and pain, but I also try to have compassion and love. It is an odd mixture and I am sometimes not even sure of my feelings. I try to keep the hurt buried deep down inside. It works better that way.
I hope that with time I can get rid of the mean girl inside of me. I strive to be more like Mary and her mother Michelle. To be able to walk away and befriend others and to give such solid and sound advice to my sons.
As I was blog stalking one day I saw a link and clicked on Michelle's personal blog. I suppose the timing was right and it was meant to be. There were some pictures of her son who was leaving on his mission. He was going to serve in the Italy Milan Mission, the place that Robert is serving.
I ended up leaving Michelle a message, then we began to email, text, and talk on the phone. We have never met in person, even though she lives within an hour of me. Our lives are busy and it has been difficult to meet up. I am looking forward to Robert's homecoming because I know that she will be there for that and I will have the chance to hug my friend.
Anyway, back to what I was writing about. I read the small article that Michelle wrote about her daughter, and the mean girl, and turning the other cheek. It has made me think a lot over the past few days. Have I sometimes become "the mean girl" because I didn't turn the other cheek.
I can understand Michelle's pain. Her story is personal as is mine, however, we have both been hurt by family members. A hurt so deep that you don't know if you will ever get over it and survive. Michelle's pain and hurt seem fresh and close to the surface. Mine has been years in the making, and is now buried deep down inside somewhere and it only shows its ugly head occassionaly. However...it has affected me, and the type of person that I am and how I react and treat certain people.
I almost feel sometimes like I have taken it upon myself to be the judge and jury, and to also be the one to carry out the sentencing as well. It really did make me become the "mean girl". As I look back now I realize that in the end, the only person that I really hurt was myself. Yes, the other parties involved have suffered as well, but their suffering didn't help me nor hurt me. I was indifferent to it. I only know about my own suffering and what I have been through and how I let it affect my life growing up and into adulthood.
One of the comments that was left on Michelle's page was this: “And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold; but he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.” (Matthew 24:12-13) I have thought what it means to endure to the end. Several years ago I was taught an invaluable lesson by our Bishop. He told us that not only are we to endure, but to "bear it well". In otherwords, to endure it well. Enduring doesn't mean to suffer through life always complaining or being the mean girl. It means to have a positive attitude. To have faith in Christ and know that he knows us and will carry our burdens and make them lite.
In our lives we are all hurt in different ways, by different people. It sometimes is best to just walk away. To leave it alone and go on. I have done this on many occassions. My feelings might be hurt for a while, but then I get over it or try not to worry about it. I realize that I am to sensitive and take things to personally, and I shouldn't. However, like several other people who left comments to Michelle's message, there is a time to speak up. Each one of us has to make that decision for ourselves. Through prayer we can know when those times are. There are also times to shut doors and walk away, and then maybe even with time re-open the door and see what happens. We can forgive, but we don't have to let the ones who hurt us be in our lives.
I have chosen to leave the door partially open. I think of my mother and what she would want me to do and I think of her example. One of the people that hurt her the most became one of her best friends as years went by. There is always the possibility of repentance/forgivenss/mercy. I still have hurt and pain, but I also try to have compassion and love. It is an odd mixture and I am sometimes not even sure of my feelings. I try to keep the hurt buried deep down inside. It works better that way.
I hope that with time I can get rid of the mean girl inside of me. I strive to be more like Mary and her mother Michelle. To be able to walk away and befriend others and to give such solid and sound advice to my sons.
January 24, 2012
Ramblings.....
I woke up this morning at 4 AM after going to bed at 11 PM last night. I thought that I had to work at 5 AM...ended up I was wrong. I didn't pick up that extra hour, but I am sure that I did...oh well...it gave me some time to work on my schedule to pick up more hours at work. I'm trying to do 40 hrs a week...And have it not interfere to much with my family life, and the things that I want and need to do.
I suppose I will need to organize my time better and start making a list of the things that I need to do, and want to do. I have 37 days left to get the need list done. And honestly, if it doesn't get done, is Robert really going to know the difference? Not really! I think he will just be glad to be home and we will be glad to have him here that the rest of the stuff really isn't going to matter that much...but right now it matters...to me!
We had a wonderful anniversary weekend. On Friday (our actual anniversary) we went to the temple with grandpa and Lorraine to do sealings. We sealed my mother to her aunt and uncle who raised her. It was such a special and emotional moment. I could really feel my mothers spirit there with us in the temple. I know that she was happy and thankful for what we had done. She was sealed to her parents a long time ago, but they both died when she was a small child, and she really didn't even know them, or remember them. We figure this way, the Lord will work it out.
After the temple we were going to go for a nice dinner, but the restaurant had a wait time of over an hour, and we were hungry...so, we went to Zupas instead, and it was delicious. I'm glad we ended up there. Afterwards we went to a movie, then home. It was a wonderful afternoon spent with the man I love.
On Saturday we went to Tucano's with Brian. It was a yummy lunch! We ran some errands. Came home and watched the snow fall, then off to Brian's ball game. We won! And it was a great game. Evenly matched and in the end we beat the other team by 6 pts. Brian played a great game! Then we went to the movie with Brian. We saw "Joyful Noise". It was so good. I would recommend it to anyone. Great story and music. Then off to Cold Stone for "dinner". It was a fun day! And it was nice to spend it with Brian. He usually wants to go and hang out with his friends so it was nice to have him with us.
Sunday Gio and I both went to the MTC to translate for an Italian sister missionary that is there. Then church. It was a really good meeting. Our bishopric spoke on the ward goal for the year...it is to read the Book of Mormon as a family, from cover to cover. We are going to follow their counsel...however, we first need to finish it...we are in Mormon, and only have about 60 or so pages left. We are reading about 2-3 pages a day...our goal is to finish before Robert comes home! It has taken us two years to do it...we started out slow...and have missed days along the way..some times we only read a few versus because that is all we had time for...but our goal was to read the BoM while Robert was gone, and we will have accomplished it, and that is what is important! It will be fun to start again and read it with Robert this time, and get some of his insight.
We usually read in the evenings after dinner. Gio gets up around 3:20 AM or so and leaves for work by 3:45 AM...we would have a revolt if we tried to do it in the mornings...however, Brian and I do our personal reading in the morning. He wakes up around 6:30 and crawls into my bed and we read for about 10-15 minutes. Then we say our morning prayer together. I really like the routine and I think it is a good way for us to start the day. We are both reading Doctrine and Covenants. It has been a while since I read it, and I am really enjoying it.
In other ramblings...we went to UVU yesterday for Robert to find out about classes for him and registration. We didn't realize how ahead of the game he is...He only needs two classes and he can apply for the nursing program. IF that is what he really wants to do. He needs to make a choice...what does he really want to do...Nurse, NPR, PA, Doctor? It will be interesting to see what he does and his choices...I just want him to be happy.
Enough of writing about nothing....Off to start my day! Ciao Ciao!
I suppose I will need to organize my time better and start making a list of the things that I need to do, and want to do. I have 37 days left to get the need list done. And honestly, if it doesn't get done, is Robert really going to know the difference? Not really! I think he will just be glad to be home and we will be glad to have him here that the rest of the stuff really isn't going to matter that much...but right now it matters...to me!
We had a wonderful anniversary weekend. On Friday (our actual anniversary) we went to the temple with grandpa and Lorraine to do sealings. We sealed my mother to her aunt and uncle who raised her. It was such a special and emotional moment. I could really feel my mothers spirit there with us in the temple. I know that she was happy and thankful for what we had done. She was sealed to her parents a long time ago, but they both died when she was a small child, and she really didn't even know them, or remember them. We figure this way, the Lord will work it out.
After the temple we were going to go for a nice dinner, but the restaurant had a wait time of over an hour, and we were hungry...so, we went to Zupas instead, and it was delicious. I'm glad we ended up there. Afterwards we went to a movie, then home. It was a wonderful afternoon spent with the man I love.
On Saturday we went to Tucano's with Brian. It was a yummy lunch! We ran some errands. Came home and watched the snow fall, then off to Brian's ball game. We won! And it was a great game. Evenly matched and in the end we beat the other team by 6 pts. Brian played a great game! Then we went to the movie with Brian. We saw "Joyful Noise". It was so good. I would recommend it to anyone. Great story and music. Then off to Cold Stone for "dinner". It was a fun day! And it was nice to spend it with Brian. He usually wants to go and hang out with his friends so it was nice to have him with us.
Sunday Gio and I both went to the MTC to translate for an Italian sister missionary that is there. Then church. It was a really good meeting. Our bishopric spoke on the ward goal for the year...it is to read the Book of Mormon as a family, from cover to cover. We are going to follow their counsel...however, we first need to finish it...we are in Mormon, and only have about 60 or so pages left. We are reading about 2-3 pages a day...our goal is to finish before Robert comes home! It has taken us two years to do it...we started out slow...and have missed days along the way..some times we only read a few versus because that is all we had time for...but our goal was to read the BoM while Robert was gone, and we will have accomplished it, and that is what is important! It will be fun to start again and read it with Robert this time, and get some of his insight.
We usually read in the evenings after dinner. Gio gets up around 3:20 AM or so and leaves for work by 3:45 AM...we would have a revolt if we tried to do it in the mornings...however, Brian and I do our personal reading in the morning. He wakes up around 6:30 and crawls into my bed and we read for about 10-15 minutes. Then we say our morning prayer together. I really like the routine and I think it is a good way for us to start the day. We are both reading Doctrine and Covenants. It has been a while since I read it, and I am really enjoying it.
In other ramblings...we went to UVU yesterday for Robert to find out about classes for him and registration. We didn't realize how ahead of the game he is...He only needs two classes and he can apply for the nursing program. IF that is what he really wants to do. He needs to make a choice...what does he really want to do...Nurse, NPR, PA, Doctor? It will be interesting to see what he does and his choices...I just want him to be happy.
Enough of writing about nothing....Off to start my day! Ciao Ciao!
January 19, 2012
22 YEARS AND COUNTING....TO ETERNITY
I remember so well what I was doing 22 years ago on January 19th. We were cooking Greek food in preparation for our wedding luncheon. I suppose I should explain how we got to that point though. It really is a pretty neat story.
April 1989 Catania Italy. There was a district conference and the members from Messina (where Giovanni lived and was serving as 1st counselor in the branch presidency) and the members from Reggio Calabria (where I was serving as a missionary) chartered a bus to go to the conference. On the way home Giovanni ended up sitting next to me. My companion was on the seat behind us laying down, she wasn't feeling well. My missionary tag was on my sweater, which I had taken off because it was so hot on the April day.
Giovanni and I started talking and after a few minutes he realized that I was a "sister missionary". We still continued to have a really nice chat for the 1 1/2 hrs bus ride back to Messina, where we would then catch the ferry boat to take us back to Reggio Calabria. I though Gio was a nice guy, but kinda different. We really did have a nice conversation though and ended it on friendly terms. He said if we ever needed anything in Messina to let him know and I gave him my address in America..like he would ever come to America, yeah, right!
I ended up being transferred a few days later to Siracusa. (Long story as to why...never the less, there I was.) I started having some health issues and didn't know what to do. The mission president said to talk to the members and find if there was a doctor that I could go see. I called Giovanni since he was going to the University in Messina. He gave me a few suggestions and names of people to contact. For the two months that I was there we talked on the phone a few times, but I really didn't think anything of it. After all, I was a sister missionary, and he knew it.
I was transferred to Palermo for the last 5 weeks of my mission. Deathly sick and not really knowing what to do. I was seeing different doctors and trying to medicate myself. I spoke with Giovanni several times and we would sometimes go off on another topic besides my health. But, I really didn't think to much about it.
When it was time for me to finish my mission, he actually came to the mission home to see me. He brought his cousin Carmen, 18 yr old member. We walked about Catania for a few hours. We went to a park, took a few pictures, talked...but that was all. I was so sad about leaving Italy and my mission. The next day we, the missionaries, boarded our plane to return home. I remember looking down at Sicily and thinking to myself, "who knows when I'll ever come back to this wonderful place?" There was a lump in my throat and tears in my eyes.
When I arrived home I had about 7-8 letters from Gio waiting for me. My mother had put them in my room. Before going to bed that first night I opened up the first letter and read about half of it. I couldn't read anymore. I felt sick to my stomach. I realized that he was hoping for something more than the friendship that we had established. After a month or so I called him and we began to talk on the phone...a lot! The phone bill was terrible. I'm sure my mother was going crazy every time the bill came. At one point Gio asked me to marry him, over the phone. I said okay...then realized what I had done, and called him back and said no, that I couldn't do that.
This went on from August until the end of October when he came to visit. I told him that he could stay with my family, but I had not intention of marrying him and moving back to Italy...yeah, right...my mom knew better. Gio arrived on Oct 23. He kissed me that night and that was it. Two days later he went to the temple for the first time. It was an incredible experience...and that night we decided that we were getting married. It was a glorious 6 weeks! By the time he left to return to Italy we had settled on a date. The following August. I was going to go to Italy in June and meet his family we would then return to Utah, get married and then go back to Italy to live. We had taken our engagement photos...Oh my....what was I thinking??
Gio went home on Dec 1, and within about 10 days we realized that we wouldn't make it until June or August. I called the temple and changed the date to January 20, 1990. It was a cold crisp winter day, but the sun was shinning and it was lovely outside. None of Gio's family came for the wedding. It was sad to not have them there for something so special and important. But they would not have been able to enter the temple and also, to be honest, they weren't thrilled with the idea. If you know the Italian culture then you will understand why...we went against every thing that is "normal and expected" in Italy.
We had a lovely reception and so many friends and family came. It was a fairytale and a mini mission reunion as well.
We were married on a Saturday and by Tuesday morning we were on an airplane back to Italy. Elders who were in my MTC group were finishing their missions and came to our home with their families for dinner and to visit. Six months after my mission I was married and living in Italy! Only crazy people do that!!
So many of my friends made comments and shared their opinions saying it wouldn't last. That I didn't know what I was getting myself into it. What if Gio and his family turned out to be freaks or mafioso...etc...what would I do? I really wasn't sure what I would do...but I did know that it was the right thing to do...I was suppose to marry him.
We have been blessed with two wonderful sons who are our pride and joy. As the years have past our love for one another has grown by leaps and bounds. We were young then...and with age and maturity we have grown to respect one another and we are best friends.
We have changed a lot over the years, and not just physically. Yes, we have put on pounds, lost some hair, have more grey hairs...but also our testimonies have grown. We understand so much better now what it means to be an eternal family. The sealing in the Provo Temple that day was just the beginning of something...every day we are working towards eternity.
Thank you Giovanni for 22 wonderful years. Thank you for laughing with me, and even at me sometimes. Thank you for your kindness, patience, and understanding. Thank you for loving me for better or worse, richer, poorer, sickness and in health...and for staying with me and loving me more and more every day. I am counting everyday...and feel blessed to spend eternity with you.
Ti amo amore mio. Grazie per tutto quello che fai e per la felicita' e gioai che mi porti ogni giorno. Non posso imaginare la vita senza di te!
April 1989 Catania Italy. There was a district conference and the members from Messina (where Giovanni lived and was serving as 1st counselor in the branch presidency) and the members from Reggio Calabria (where I was serving as a missionary) chartered a bus to go to the conference. On the way home Giovanni ended up sitting next to me. My companion was on the seat behind us laying down, she wasn't feeling well. My missionary tag was on my sweater, which I had taken off because it was so hot on the April day.
Giovanni and I started talking and after a few minutes he realized that I was a "sister missionary". We still continued to have a really nice chat for the 1 1/2 hrs bus ride back to Messina, where we would then catch the ferry boat to take us back to Reggio Calabria. I though Gio was a nice guy, but kinda different. We really did have a nice conversation though and ended it on friendly terms. He said if we ever needed anything in Messina to let him know and I gave him my address in America..like he would ever come to America, yeah, right!
I ended up being transferred a few days later to Siracusa. (Long story as to why...never the less, there I was.) I started having some health issues and didn't know what to do. The mission president said to talk to the members and find if there was a doctor that I could go see. I called Giovanni since he was going to the University in Messina. He gave me a few suggestions and names of people to contact. For the two months that I was there we talked on the phone a few times, but I really didn't think anything of it. After all, I was a sister missionary, and he knew it.
I was transferred to Palermo for the last 5 weeks of my mission. Deathly sick and not really knowing what to do. I was seeing different doctors and trying to medicate myself. I spoke with Giovanni several times and we would sometimes go off on another topic besides my health. But, I really didn't think to much about it.
When it was time for me to finish my mission, he actually came to the mission home to see me. He brought his cousin Carmen, 18 yr old member. We walked about Catania for a few hours. We went to a park, took a few pictures, talked...but that was all. I was so sad about leaving Italy and my mission. The next day we, the missionaries, boarded our plane to return home. I remember looking down at Sicily and thinking to myself, "who knows when I'll ever come back to this wonderful place?" There was a lump in my throat and tears in my eyes.
When I arrived home I had about 7-8 letters from Gio waiting for me. My mother had put them in my room. Before going to bed that first night I opened up the first letter and read about half of it. I couldn't read anymore. I felt sick to my stomach. I realized that he was hoping for something more than the friendship that we had established. After a month or so I called him and we began to talk on the phone...a lot! The phone bill was terrible. I'm sure my mother was going crazy every time the bill came. At one point Gio asked me to marry him, over the phone. I said okay...then realized what I had done, and called him back and said no, that I couldn't do that.
This went on from August until the end of October when he came to visit. I told him that he could stay with my family, but I had not intention of marrying him and moving back to Italy...yeah, right...my mom knew better. Gio arrived on Oct 23. He kissed me that night and that was it. Two days later he went to the temple for the first time. It was an incredible experience...and that night we decided that we were getting married. It was a glorious 6 weeks! By the time he left to return to Italy we had settled on a date. The following August. I was going to go to Italy in June and meet his family we would then return to Utah, get married and then go back to Italy to live. We had taken our engagement photos...Oh my....what was I thinking??
Gio went home on Dec 1, and within about 10 days we realized that we wouldn't make it until June or August. I called the temple and changed the date to January 20, 1990. It was a cold crisp winter day, but the sun was shinning and it was lovely outside. None of Gio's family came for the wedding. It was sad to not have them there for something so special and important. But they would not have been able to enter the temple and also, to be honest, they weren't thrilled with the idea. If you know the Italian culture then you will understand why...we went against every thing that is "normal and expected" in Italy.
We had a lovely reception and so many friends and family came. It was a fairytale and a mini mission reunion as well.
We were married on a Saturday and by Tuesday morning we were on an airplane back to Italy. Elders who were in my MTC group were finishing their missions and came to our home with their families for dinner and to visit. Six months after my mission I was married and living in Italy! Only crazy people do that!!
So many of my friends made comments and shared their opinions saying it wouldn't last. That I didn't know what I was getting myself into it. What if Gio and his family turned out to be freaks or mafioso...etc...what would I do? I really wasn't sure what I would do...but I did know that it was the right thing to do...I was suppose to marry him.
We have been blessed with two wonderful sons who are our pride and joy. As the years have past our love for one another has grown by leaps and bounds. We were young then...and with age and maturity we have grown to respect one another and we are best friends.
We have changed a lot over the years, and not just physically. Yes, we have put on pounds, lost some hair, have more grey hairs...but also our testimonies have grown. We understand so much better now what it means to be an eternal family. The sealing in the Provo Temple that day was just the beginning of something...every day we are working towards eternity.
Thank you Giovanni for 22 wonderful years. Thank you for laughing with me, and even at me sometimes. Thank you for your kindness, patience, and understanding. Thank you for loving me for better or worse, richer, poorer, sickness and in health...and for staying with me and loving me more and more every day. I am counting everyday...and feel blessed to spend eternity with you.
Ti amo amore mio. Grazie per tutto quello che fai e per la felicita' e gioai che mi porti ogni giorno. Non posso imaginare la vita senza di te!
January 13, 2012
HAPPY BIRTHDAY ROBERT ~ THIS IS YOUR LIFE!
We wanted to give you something special for your birthday.
ROBERT LOUIS FRANCESCO BONA
born: January 15, 1991
Messina, Italy
born: January 15, 1991
Messina, Italy
THIS IS YOUR LIFE!
Here you were only 10 days old.
You brought so much joy and happiness into our lives.
When you were 5 weeks old we took you to Palermo for you to get your first passport.
The Gulf War had started and with me being a US Citizen we wanted to make sure that if I had to leave the country, that you could come with me.
You were so cute the day your were blessed. Grandma Martha had sent us a little tuxedo for you to be blessed in. Your father gave you a beautiful blessing that day.
That small branch in Messina Italy was the beginning for you.
When you were about 2 yrs old we bought you a little bike to ride.
We would go for walks and people on the street would stop you to say hello.
Don Pippino loved you....we would go and see him almost everyday!
You would even ride that bike around in the house.
We knew from the start that you would love just about any sport that involved a ball.
You and your father playing doctor while he studied....you wanted to be just like Papa'!
How did we even know that you were going to be "Harry Potter"...and always
with headphones, listening to music...not much has changed!
Oh how you loved Giacomo. We were so lucky to have him live with us!
He was your #1 fan!
He love you! You would play his guitar and he would let you play with "Jimmy".
This photo was taken a few days before we left Italy.
You had just turned 3 yrs old.
I think this is one of my favorite pictures of you and I.
The love that I had for you that day has multiplied by thousands!
Moving to Utah was a big adjustment for you.
You had to learn English and a whole new way of life.
You went to Ms. Shelly's Red Apple Preschool....
and loved it!
You're 5th bday!
Your Preschool Graduation!
I remember thinking....
how is it possible that he will be starting kindergarten....
We were so proud of you and your accomplishments!
(and we still are!)
July 4th 2002...we went to Stadium of Fire that year...
and we all had to match.
Halloween 2002. You were in 5th grade....
We had so much fun with the costume and the makeup...you were a perfect clown,
and still are! :)
This was and Easter at grandma and grandpa's house
with the cousins.....
see, you really did like the Y at one time!
Our trip to Italy in 2005.
This was in Sicily.
We were so happy to finally make it to the beach that day!
We couldn't wait to put our feet in the water!
That smile of yours was a killer....
What a fun trip to Italy!
(kind of blurry picture)
My mission reunion.
You and Bran had the opportunity to meet my mission president,
Presidente Conforte.
Do you remember what he asked you?
He asked what you were going to do when you were 19?
You told him you would be going on a mission.
He made you promise him.
That was such a happy day!
(quanto voglio bene a Presidente Conforte!)
We went to General Conference in the conference center.
Brian was almost 10 yrs it.
It was the first time we went as a family!
Park City on the ski lift.
You and your home boy Anthony, along with Brian.
You all had so much fun teasing me on the way up!
Lagoon Day....
you were such a good sport with Brian!
It was fun to Lauren along!
I think this is one my favorite pictures of you, ever!
Your smile and eyes...you just glow.
This was after the green and white game at the start of the PHS season.
It was your senior year and we had so much fun going to the games!
Gotta laugh at this one...
your first flat tire ever....
and you needed some instruction how to change it...
Oh my, that was soooo funny!!
Our quick weekend trip to Las Vegas....
That was so much fun...
we just go in the car and went...
had fun at a few shows and did lots of shopping!
Happy 18th Bday!
Not the most favorite of pictures at all...but it is part of your senior year...
State basketball playoffs....
why would you want to do this to your head,
and why on earth did we let you.... oh my!
Discovery Park in Pleasant Grove...
It was so cold that Sunday afternoon....
A week or so after April General Conference 2009
We went to the temple after church for a quick walk around.
It was so nice to be there with all my boys!!!
The Aquarium in SLC
Robert and Anthony
Senior Prom
enough said!
The best part of the night was when Robert came home to change his pants
because he had ripped them while the boys were on the dance floor!
Graduation dinner with the family...
there was this waiter who started singing to Robert
right about the time that I took this picture.
You can tell from the faces that they are all
about to bust up laughing!
Graduation 2009
The whole gang!
To think all these boys except for 2 are on missions.
And a few of the girls are already married...
A wonderful group of kids with so much potential
and the best of friends!
I was the typical mother and Robert hated this picture!
His first day of college!
I think I cried the whole time he was gone to class.
"Elder Bona"
The day that you were ordained to be and Elder.
What a great example you were to us,
and you still are!
Elder Bona and Bishop Chipman
December 3, 2009
"You are hearby called to serve in the Italy Milan Mission"
Robert and Scott K.
Feb 28, 2010
Mission Farewell....
Our last family picture before Robert left
March 3, 2010
Anziano Robert Bona
leaving for the MTC
Arriving in Milan Italy
Pres and Sis Dunaway and Anziano Mosley
October 15, 2011
Victor's baptism.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY ROBERT!
WE ARE SO PROUD OF YOU
AND SO THANKFUL THAT YOU ARE OUR SON.
WE HAVE LOVED THESE PAST 21 YRS WITH YOU
AND ARE SO PROUD OF THE MAN YOU ARE BECOMING!
Ti vogliamo bene!
Siamo cosi grati che sei il nostro figlio.
Grazie per la gioia e felicita' che hai portato nelle nostre vita.
BUON COMPLEANNO!!!
AUGURUI!!!
January 12, 2012
Bring Him Home - Dallyn Bayles with AH Lyceum Philharmonic, Best of Stat...
I love this song....Just wanted to share!
January 10, 2012
SOCIAL NETWORKING
I love facebook. Really. It has been such a great way to keep up with family and friends and also to meet new people. I have been found by old friends...some whom I keep in contact with, and others who I don't. I have the choice to accept their friendships or not...or to delete them at some later time. Like I have done with several.
Some people I choose not be associated with because I am not the person that I was in high school, thank goodness, but they still are....or their lifestyle and mine don't mix well, for various different reasons.
It is nice to read and see what people are doing in their lives....their work, education, family, children, etc. I have made friends from work that I would have never met and actually still haven't. We are web friends...due to the fact that we all work from home. But I have shared a lot of wonderful experiences and had some great laughs with them.
If someone deletes me from their friend list I'm not offended. We all have different reasons why we do some "cleaning" every once in a while. If someone doesn't accept me as a friend I'm not offended either. I figure that is what is so great about social networking.
There are some posts that must be shared. A friend will make a comment or write something that I really like and want to share it with the people I know. I figure if you post it, it is fair game. Of course..never divulging anything private or personal. It is usually a quote, joke, or something similar. My son has a friend that gets so mad and upset if he "steals" her status update...however....her being 13 yrs old I am sure half of what she writes she has "found" somewhere else....I told her to take it as a compliment. I would! I do!
However...there are those moments when someone will write something...someone else makes a comment and all of a sudden you feel your blood pressure rising. Usually because of the subject matter. I try to not ruffle any feathers on facebook. There are a wide variety of people with different beliefs and feelings about a lot of different topics...but every once in a while there is one that just gets to me. I usually bite my tongue and don't write a response. Giovanni tells me to leave it alone and not to worry about it.
I suppose that is what I should have done yesterday, but I just couldn't. It was stronger than me. And I was so upset about the situation. It was something dumb and didn't really matter in the big picture...but at the moment it was something that mattered to me...so I spoke up, but only after someone else "started the conversation"...a lot of other people jumped in and made comments as well. Some agreed with me, others didn't. It upset me for the whole day. Really. I know, how stupid. Something about America, Italians, happiness, Utah, Hispanic/Latin people, work, etc....oh my....you really don't want to know.
But the thing is...I got upset and offended by something so trivial. Yes...there is an issue...but at the same time it is impossible to "change" the way that people feel and think. When you are living the experience that you're writing/talking about it is hard to see the other persons opinion. I know that. I still have my own thoughts on the subject. I guess because I was the only native born American who was sharing their feelings.....and so my perspective is different. And I get that...but just the same....oh well. People and feelings aren't easily changed.
I did learn one thing..that I already knew...my husband is a smart guy! And I love him!
And I again have realized that happiness is relative. We all make our own happiness. We need to embrace what we have and be thankful for it. I can be "happy" anywhere...as long as I have my family with me. I know the difference between sadness, happiness, and being content. I've lived through them all, and still do. As long as I have my family I am fine. That is all that really matters.
However, I still love facebook, and I will continue to use it...but I'm going to unplug myself a bit and get away from it some...I will still use it for work....and to keep in touch with the people that I care about...but I am going to be a lot more careful about the comments that I make and not take so personal the comments that I read. I don't like feeling the way I did yesterday. It isn't worth it...I would rather find joy and happiness with my husband and sons and not through a pc monitor.
Some people I choose not be associated with because I am not the person that I was in high school, thank goodness, but they still are....or their lifestyle and mine don't mix well, for various different reasons.
It is nice to read and see what people are doing in their lives....their work, education, family, children, etc. I have made friends from work that I would have never met and actually still haven't. We are web friends...due to the fact that we all work from home. But I have shared a lot of wonderful experiences and had some great laughs with them.
If someone deletes me from their friend list I'm not offended. We all have different reasons why we do some "cleaning" every once in a while. If someone doesn't accept me as a friend I'm not offended either. I figure that is what is so great about social networking.
There are some posts that must be shared. A friend will make a comment or write something that I really like and want to share it with the people I know. I figure if you post it, it is fair game. Of course..never divulging anything private or personal. It is usually a quote, joke, or something similar. My son has a friend that gets so mad and upset if he "steals" her status update...however....her being 13 yrs old I am sure half of what she writes she has "found" somewhere else....I told her to take it as a compliment. I would! I do!
However...there are those moments when someone will write something...someone else makes a comment and all of a sudden you feel your blood pressure rising. Usually because of the subject matter. I try to not ruffle any feathers on facebook. There are a wide variety of people with different beliefs and feelings about a lot of different topics...but every once in a while there is one that just gets to me. I usually bite my tongue and don't write a response. Giovanni tells me to leave it alone and not to worry about it.
I suppose that is what I should have done yesterday, but I just couldn't. It was stronger than me. And I was so upset about the situation. It was something dumb and didn't really matter in the big picture...but at the moment it was something that mattered to me...so I spoke up, but only after someone else "started the conversation"...a lot of other people jumped in and made comments as well. Some agreed with me, others didn't. It upset me for the whole day. Really. I know, how stupid. Something about America, Italians, happiness, Utah, Hispanic/Latin people, work, etc....oh my....you really don't want to know.
But the thing is...I got upset and offended by something so trivial. Yes...there is an issue...but at the same time it is impossible to "change" the way that people feel and think. When you are living the experience that you're writing/talking about it is hard to see the other persons opinion. I know that. I still have my own thoughts on the subject. I guess because I was the only native born American who was sharing their feelings.....and so my perspective is different. And I get that...but just the same....oh well. People and feelings aren't easily changed.
I did learn one thing..that I already knew...my husband is a smart guy! And I love him!
And I again have realized that happiness is relative. We all make our own happiness. We need to embrace what we have and be thankful for it. I can be "happy" anywhere...as long as I have my family with me. I know the difference between sadness, happiness, and being content. I've lived through them all, and still do. As long as I have my family I am fine. That is all that really matters.
However, I still love facebook, and I will continue to use it...but I'm going to unplug myself a bit and get away from it some...I will still use it for work....and to keep in touch with the people that I care about...but I am going to be a lot more careful about the comments that I make and not take so personal the comments that I read. I don't like feeling the way I did yesterday. It isn't worth it...I would rather find joy and happiness with my husband and sons and not through a pc monitor.
January 7, 2012
I'M TIRED
I warn you now, before you even start to read....this post is going to be a lament! So if you don't want to read a bunch of complaining, then stop now and go do something more productive.
I'm tired. Yes, that's right...tired. I haven't work since Dec 16th so how is that possible...well, here is my list.
tired of being tired
tired of not sleeping well
tired of not working
tired of a hand that doesn't work the way I want it to
tired of forgetting that I have a hand that doesn't work right yet and doing something to hurt it
tired of said hand itching where my scar is
tired of putting lotion on said hand constantly throughout the day so that said hand won't itch
tired of complaining about said hand
tired of asking for help because I can't do something, due to said hand
tired of a not to clean house because I can't do what needs to be done
tired of everyone being sick (poor Gio has had it bad this week)
tired of procrastinating
tired of my cell phone having problems
tired of jr high and all the stress it causes my kid
tired of being tired of everything
tired of Satan always getting in my way!!!
tired of not being good enough
tired of laundry
tired of a dirty kitchen
tired of not being able to ring out the sponge while cleaning said kitchen, due to said hand....
tired of not being able to mop the floor as good as I want/can due to said hand
etc. etc. etc.
and the list could go on and on and on and on and on....but I'll stop here. You get the idea...
It least I didn't write tired of there being no snow..because today there is a dusting of snow outside...and it looks lovely! I can't take a picture though because the camera is dead, and my phone isn't working, remember. But trust me, it looks great outside...I love it. It least one thing put a smile on my face today, :)
Okay, I'll stop now. I need to go shower and get dressed so that I can go find out what is wrong with my phone...also, I need to somehow get the address out of my phone where Brian is at. He spent the night at a freinds home and I don''t know the address or where he lives...just that it is up on the hill. Thank goodness I know the family and feel okay about him being there, or I would really be stressing out about now.
And you know what else is funny..it is snowing, so I have to clean the snow off my van before I drive, and said hand isn't strong enough, so it will really be fun to try and do it with my left hand!!! aaarrrrggghhhh!!!
Happy Saturday everyone! Hope your day is going to be as great as mine. Yes! Mine will be great! Now that I've complained I'm going to enjoy it. Brian has a game this afternoon and that will be fun and then a nice movie and nap in my chair tonight. Remember Gio and I are sick and I'm tired!
I'm tired. Yes, that's right...tired. I haven't work since Dec 16th so how is that possible...well, here is my list.
tired of being tired
tired of not sleeping well
tired of not working
tired of a hand that doesn't work the way I want it to
tired of forgetting that I have a hand that doesn't work right yet and doing something to hurt it
tired of said hand itching where my scar is
tired of putting lotion on said hand constantly throughout the day so that said hand won't itch
tired of complaining about said hand
tired of asking for help because I can't do something, due to said hand
tired of a not to clean house because I can't do what needs to be done
tired of everyone being sick (poor Gio has had it bad this week)
tired of procrastinating
tired of my cell phone having problems
tired of jr high and all the stress it causes my kid
tired of being tired of everything
tired of Satan always getting in my way!!!
tired of not being good enough
tired of laundry
tired of a dirty kitchen
tired of not being able to ring out the sponge while cleaning said kitchen, due to said hand....
tired of not being able to mop the floor as good as I want/can due to said hand
etc. etc. etc.
and the list could go on and on and on and on and on....but I'll stop here. You get the idea...
It least I didn't write tired of there being no snow..because today there is a dusting of snow outside...and it looks lovely! I can't take a picture though because the camera is dead, and my phone isn't working, remember. But trust me, it looks great outside...I love it. It least one thing put a smile on my face today, :)
Okay, I'll stop now. I need to go shower and get dressed so that I can go find out what is wrong with my phone...also, I need to somehow get the address out of my phone where Brian is at. He spent the night at a freinds home and I don''t know the address or where he lives...just that it is up on the hill. Thank goodness I know the family and feel okay about him being there, or I would really be stressing out about now.
And you know what else is funny..it is snowing, so I have to clean the snow off my van before I drive, and said hand isn't strong enough, so it will really be fun to try and do it with my left hand!!! aaarrrrggghhhh!!!
Happy Saturday everyone! Hope your day is going to be as great as mine. Yes! Mine will be great! Now that I've complained I'm going to enjoy it. Brian has a game this afternoon and that will be fun and then a nice movie and nap in my chair tonight. Remember Gio and I are sick and I'm tired!
January 4, 2012
ALWAYS LEARNING
I have been humbled once again. I think that I know all the answers and that what I'm thinking and feeling are right. I have all the right answers because I'm the mother. Ummmm...wrong. In fact, super wrong.
I had a almost sleepless night. I know that I'm going to be tired today. I sometimes wish I could turn my brain off and not think so much and just have a few minutes of peace. A few minutes of my brain not trying to fix all the problems. But when you are a parent you always need to be alert and on your guard. Ready to answer the questions. Ready to help make the hurt go away. Ready to wipe a few tears, to give a hug, to give an encouraging word, advice.....most of all a hug, and to say, "I love you."
I forgot how hard jr high can be. Girl or Boy...it's tough. It is such a hard time in a child's life anyway. It is that awkward age where you are trying to find yourself and the type of person you are. You want to be popular and liked by everyone. You want to be the cheerleader or the sports star. The straight A student. The one that everyone knows....not because you're a geek, but because you are "cool". Oh how I am starting to really dislike the word "Cool". What does that really mean anyway? And who sets the standard for being cool.
Instead what I see is Satan tempting kids to do a lot of things that they shouldn't be doing. Things that aren't good or healthy for them. It starts with the music, the videos, the magazines, the clothes, etc, etc, etc....and just goes from there. Brian tells me of the things that he sees and hears at school. It is scary. I sometimes wonder, why do I send him there? I would much rather keep him home and protect him from all the garbage that is out there. But that isn't realistic. He has to go out in the world. However...I can make sure that what he is learning inside the home are things that can help him and make him stronger when he walks out the front door.
As parents we are always learning. I have realized again that I'm not doing enough. I need to do more to protect my home and family from things of the world. Children learn by example. I don't think that the example that I have set and the one I'm setting now are good enough. I need to do more. How can I ask my sons to read their scriptures (personal scripture study) if they don't see me do it. How can I ask them to get on their knees and pray if I do it behind a closed door and they don't see me do it. Yes, we read and pray as a family....but what am I doing personally to set an example for them. How can I ask Brian to not spend so much time on FB if he sees me on it. How can I tell him that the music that he listens to might not be the best for him and then I let him listen to it while driving in the car with me.
We have tried to so hard to change over the past few years. Robert being on a mission has helped us in so many ways and brought us so many blessings...but now it is time to crack down on some of the smaller things that I do, or should I say, don't do.
I'm sure that it will be hard on all of us...but it will be worth it. If I want to encourage Brian to reach the next level...than I need to reach it too, and do it together with him...next to him...no...I need to lead him, by my words and actions. And a lot of prayer.
I love that boy...I love both my boys. And I want to be a better mother and parent for them. And a better wife to Giovanni.
At the entrance to BYU it says..."the glory of God is intelligence"...I guess we are always learning something new. And I have a great manual. The scriptures are my text book. That is what I need to be following when raising my children. It is time to get back to basics.
Don't read more into this post then what it is...just a realization that as a parent I need to do more. These next few years for Brian are going to be hard. The world isn't getting easier...and he needs to be prepared. I need to make sure that he has the tools he needs. I need to do more. I need to learn more so that I can help him. When we talk I realize that I am praying more and more for guidance to know what to say, and do. I need to learn and be prepared.
There isn't anything that I wouldn't do for my sons. And the first thing is for me to be prepared so that I can help them reach their full potential.
I had a almost sleepless night. I know that I'm going to be tired today. I sometimes wish I could turn my brain off and not think so much and just have a few minutes of peace. A few minutes of my brain not trying to fix all the problems. But when you are a parent you always need to be alert and on your guard. Ready to answer the questions. Ready to help make the hurt go away. Ready to wipe a few tears, to give a hug, to give an encouraging word, advice.....most of all a hug, and to say, "I love you."
I forgot how hard jr high can be. Girl or Boy...it's tough. It is such a hard time in a child's life anyway. It is that awkward age where you are trying to find yourself and the type of person you are. You want to be popular and liked by everyone. You want to be the cheerleader or the sports star. The straight A student. The one that everyone knows....not because you're a geek, but because you are "cool". Oh how I am starting to really dislike the word "Cool". What does that really mean anyway? And who sets the standard for being cool.
Instead what I see is Satan tempting kids to do a lot of things that they shouldn't be doing. Things that aren't good or healthy for them. It starts with the music, the videos, the magazines, the clothes, etc, etc, etc....and just goes from there. Brian tells me of the things that he sees and hears at school. It is scary. I sometimes wonder, why do I send him there? I would much rather keep him home and protect him from all the garbage that is out there. But that isn't realistic. He has to go out in the world. However...I can make sure that what he is learning inside the home are things that can help him and make him stronger when he walks out the front door.
As parents we are always learning. I have realized again that I'm not doing enough. I need to do more to protect my home and family from things of the world. Children learn by example. I don't think that the example that I have set and the one I'm setting now are good enough. I need to do more. How can I ask my sons to read their scriptures (personal scripture study) if they don't see me do it. How can I ask them to get on their knees and pray if I do it behind a closed door and they don't see me do it. Yes, we read and pray as a family....but what am I doing personally to set an example for them. How can I ask Brian to not spend so much time on FB if he sees me on it. How can I tell him that the music that he listens to might not be the best for him and then I let him listen to it while driving in the car with me.
We have tried to so hard to change over the past few years. Robert being on a mission has helped us in so many ways and brought us so many blessings...but now it is time to crack down on some of the smaller things that I do, or should I say, don't do.
I'm sure that it will be hard on all of us...but it will be worth it. If I want to encourage Brian to reach the next level...than I need to reach it too, and do it together with him...next to him...no...I need to lead him, by my words and actions. And a lot of prayer.
I love that boy...I love both my boys. And I want to be a better mother and parent for them. And a better wife to Giovanni.
At the entrance to BYU it says..."the glory of God is intelligence"...I guess we are always learning something new. And I have a great manual. The scriptures are my text book. That is what I need to be following when raising my children. It is time to get back to basics.
Don't read more into this post then what it is...just a realization that as a parent I need to do more. These next few years for Brian are going to be hard. The world isn't getting easier...and he needs to be prepared. I need to make sure that he has the tools he needs. I need to do more. I need to learn more so that I can help him. When we talk I realize that I am praying more and more for guidance to know what to say, and do. I need to learn and be prepared.
There isn't anything that I wouldn't do for my sons. And the first thing is for me to be prepared so that I can help them reach their full potential.
January 1, 2012
WELCOME 2012!!!
WELCOME 2012!
I'VE BEEN WAITING FOR YOU!
I first need to say thank you to 2011! It really was a great year. We received so many blessings and did so many fun things. We learned a lot, and had some trials too. But the main thing is, we made it through all of it, together, as a family!
There have been several trips to Florida for Gio and Brian.
Trips to Las Vegas.
Summer days spent at Seven Peaks Water Park.
A lot of hanging out with friends (for Brian, especially!)
Many movies watched.
Updates to the house...new carpet, beds for the boys, etc.
Lots of emails written to and received from Robert.
Tibi our cat running away and lots of driving around looking for her (we still do, even 9 months later!)
Busy with church callings~Gio in the Sunday School, me in Relief Society, and Brian with the Deacons.
Time spent with family and friends.
Starting new family traditions (Sunday pizza for one!)
Surgery for Judi (carpal tunnel)
Reading the Book of Mormon as a family (trying to finish by Mar 2!)
Testimony bearing
Talks and lessons given at church
Basketball, Basketball, and MORE Basketball!
Mother's Day and Christmas day phone calls
School
Work
These are just a few of the things that have kept us busy during 2011! We have received many blessings from our Father in Heaven, through Him directly, or through the service of other people. We are thankful for all those people who have touched our lives and made the year as wonderful as it was.
NOW.....on to 2012!
Several things to look forward to! But the most important and best of all will happen in 61 days! Yup, that's right! Robert will be coming home! When he left it was 2010! That seems like such a long time ago. I guess it has been a while. And we have a few things to do to get ready for him! A few touch up things around the house, finish his photo albums and letter book. Hang up a few last things in his room. Inquire and register him for school. Yes, he wants to take a few classes this summer! Good boy! :) Once he gets home there will lots to do in the first weeks, and I'm sure we will get into a routine quickly. The noise level in the house will go up and there will be lots of laughter.
We will still have lots of Basketball games for Brian, and home work, and more hanging out with friends. Lazy summer days by the pool with friends. And I'm sure that there will be other things that will come...and I can't wait.
Family vacations, movie marathons, dinners out, late night talks, etc. I'm looking forward to all of it. Because, like I wrote at the start...we'll do it as a family! And that is all the really counts!
Happy New Year!
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