To Dream is To Fly

Paintings

2012-02-08T18:31:00.004+01:00

Angelo got me paints and canvas for Christmas. Here is the outcome:

My first painting....
This one is really big and it took me a week to complete...

Harumi

2011-11-15T20:15:00.004+01:00

Taken last month.
She is getting so big and so cute!!!

I miss you guys!Taken on 11.11.11

Sakura

2011-11-15T20:06:00.005+01:00

These pics were taken a month ago, but Crystal only managed to send them to me recently.
She has grown since these pics.

Lake Iseo

2011-09-22T12:11:00.005+02:00

I spent a lovely 2 weeks with Gabe, Crys and kids.
I enjoyed being with Harumi and it just feels strange not being around her.
I miss you Crys, thanks for making my visit fun and special! I love you!

Crys and I by the lake....

We managed to get Lorenzo to stay still for a moment to take this pic with us...

Harumi sleeping...

The new addition to Gabe and Crystal's family.....Sakura!
They got the puppy the day I left so I missed seeing it but Crys sent me this pic. She is 57 days old and is an American Staffordshire Terrier.
Good luck in house training Sakura!

My adorable little niece

2011-09-14T22:29:00.001+02:00

I'm visiting Crystal, Gabe and my little nephew and baby niece.
I traveled by train from Perugia to Firenze, then from Firenze to Pisa, and then from Pisa to Rovato (Brescia). I was traveling for close to 12 hrs. It's the only route I can take to avoid taking the expensive trains. But the long trip was worth it and I have been enjoying being with Crys and the kids.
I've been having so much fun taking care of Harumi. She is so cute and so active. Here are a few pics of her in the pool. She just loves being in the water!

Harumi with her adorable new teeth showing...

Good byes...

2011-09-06T18:24:00.002+02:00

I drove 8 hours yesterday from Perugia to Rome and then back to Perugia. The trip over all was much longer. We left the house at 1:30 pm and I got home after midnight.
This is the first long trip I've done, and on the way home I was alone.
I drove my boys to the airport in Rome so they could catch their flight back to England. It was difficult to say good bye and I miss them already.

We had a great summer together...only Chloe was missing.

They are starting school now and I hope and pray they enjoy their new school year.

I love you and miss you! Chloe, Derrion and Ethan, you are always in my thoughts and prayers!

the sea...

2011-08-26T13:16:00.003+02:00

We were able to make a 2 days trip to the sea. The boys are nearing the end of their summer holidays here and so it was special that we were able to go to the sea.
The water was clear and we had so much fun snorkeling around the rocks and seeing all the fish. There was a lot of jellyfish as well but they were small and harmless. It took the first day to get used to touching them while we swam. Feeling their jelly-ness on your hands was a bit freaky at first. But by the second day we hardly noticed them.

Sadly we didn't take many pictures but these are a few of the boys enjoying the beautiful Mediterranean Sea.

Derrion snorkeling...

Ethan Diving....

We found a cliff that we could climb and jump or dive off of (no pics because we all swam there). Ethan was really brave and dove off of the high rocks as well Angelo. I wasn't so brave and only did a couple of jumps...heh.

On our way back home we stopped to admire the beautiful vineyards of Tuscany. It is said that these vineyards produced some of the best wine in the world. They are all surrounded by electric fences, so no tasting for us...

Perugia

2011-08-22T11:43:00.014+02:00

Angelo needed to take care of some business in the city center, so we took the opportunity to see Perugia. It was very very hot that morning but we enjoyed it nonetheless.

One of the many underground passageways up into the city of Perugia.

Enjoying the view...

The side entrance to the Cathedral of San Lorenzo

Fontana Maggiore

Palazzo dei Priori

The Dam

2011-08-19T17:00:00.002+02:00

There is a dam on the north side of Lake Fiastra.
This was the first time I've been on a dam. Looking down the huge cement wall confining all that water was quite an experience.
This ended our wonderful day at this wonderful place...a little piece of heaven on earth.

With my handsome boys...

Fishing by on on the dam is prohibited so there were many fish visible. I suppose this is their hang out place...

The magnificent dam...in all its man-made glory...

The mountains beyond the dam

Ferragosto, August 15th

2011-08-19T16:01:00.002+02:00

On Ferragosto (Summer holiday here in Italy) we went to Lake Fiastra again.
We got sun in the morning but it slowly disappeared behind clouds near noon. (It was good though because on Sunday, the day before, we got too much sun.)
Our previous spot by the lake was taken by other people so we found another nice place. It was a small peninsula coming out of lake.
It's such an amazing and beautiful place. I can't wait to go back there again.

The water is blue-turquoise when the sun shines on it...

Ethan building a diving platform for himself with rocks...

Ethan using the "machine gun" on Derrion....

Derrion getting hit by the "machine gun"....

Boys playing...

ducks...

On lake Trasimeno

2011-08-19T15:10:00.001+02:00

Last Sunday, a friend of ours here in Perugia, took us out on the lake with his boat.
We got up fairly early, packed a lunch and was off. We got to the lake around 10 am and we all climbed in his rubber boat.
He took us around the whole lake and brought us around all 3 of the islands. We stopped at one to fish for a bit and then went to the bigger island to eat lunch. He then took us around to where we could swim and we spent the rest of afternoon there.
There is nothing like being out on water on a little motor boat. You can feel the wind in your face, feel the speed, it's just so much fun! Even the lake and islands take on a different perspective when on a boat (not a slow ferry).

We all came home tired and full of sun but very grateful for such a fun day!

Stefano (our friend) driving his boat, and us enjoying the ride and view.
The boys at the bow of the boat

Enjoying the boat ride.

Angelo driving the boat...

Derrion having a go at the wheel...

Derrion fishing at Maggiore Island. We briefly stopped at the island to fish, but it was already too hot and late morning to catch anything...

Ethan wearing my sunglasses....trying to put on his "model look"...

Seagulls flying (Angelo's photography)

Maggiore Island

Polvese Island. We stopped here and had our picnic lunch.

House of cards...

2011-08-13T22:01:00.002+02:00

Derrion's creation...
I watched him as he built it up and he is pretty fast and is quite good at it.

Yesterday, Angelo took him to the barber and he got a hair cut...

Sunday afteroon by the lake...

2011-08-08T15:24:00.009+02:00

My handsome boys!

Ethan's jump...

Derrion jumping...

taking a swim...the lake is not that deep so the water is very warm....almost too warm...

Diving pics...

2011-08-04T16:15:00.011+02:00

Ethan and I had so much fun diving....
I'm not so good, though, and I always bend my legs when i hit the water.
Angelo took these pics.

My dive...

Ethan's dive...

Derrion's 12 Birthday!

2011-08-04T15:45:00.012+02:00

To celebrate Derrion's birthday, Angelo and I took the boys to Lake Fiastra.
A friend told us that it is one of the cleanest lakes in the area so we looked it up on the internet and decided to go. It was a long 2 hr drive getting there (with amazing scenery, of course) but seeing the lake in the distance made the trip totally worth it. The first place we stopped we found the perfect spot and later found out (by an old man in a canoe) that it is indeed best spot on the lake and the place with the best view.
This is definitely the most beautiful lake I have ever been to.
There is something about nature that you can't explain or describe. You can take pictures of it but it doesn't do it justice. It's a part of God you see and it just fills you up and makes you feel wonderful! We all had a beautiful day together and enjoyed our time there to the full!

Ethan & Derrion...

Derrion standing by the lake in all its beauty and perfection...

Ethan diving...

Climbing up the embankment...

Angelo and I...

Ethan collecting rocks...

The view from where we had our picnic...

Ethan and Derrion exploring...

Ethan posing...

Polvese Island on Lake Trasimeno

2011-08-01T14:44:00.024+02:00

Yesterday, we packed a lunch and drove to Lake Trasimeno (a big lake near Perugia) and we took the ferry to Polvese Island (one of the 3 islands on the lake). We had a great afternoon exploring the island and ended it with a nice picnic and swim in the lake.

Isola Polvese...picture taken while on the ferry...
On the ferry...

On the Island...on our way to the castle...

the castle tower...
Entries to the castle were all closed, we were only able to walk around it.
A little church by the

Castle ruins...

Walking around the island...

Scary olive tree...
a BIG tree!
"Lion" on the prowl

Sailboats...

Leaving the island...going back to the mainland...

Seagulls by the shore...

Summer fun!

2011-07-28T23:09:00.003+02:00

My boys arrived from England last week to spend their summer holidays here with us.
They arrived in Rome, so the trip there and back was quite long and adventurous but we made it home (to Perugia) safely.
It has been raining the past few days but we are praying and hoping it clears up. We are far from the sea here but there is a lake nearby and lots of mountains to explore.

I will try to get the boys to be more camera friendly so I can post some pics.

Cinque Terre - 5 lands

2011-07-05T22:37:00.001+02:00

Friends of Angelo (Emanuele and his wife Elena), who live in Massa, invited us to visit over the weekend. On Sat. they took us to Cinque Terre. We went to one of the 5 places called Monterosso al Mare. It's such an amazing place, and the sea is so beautiful and clean. I would love to go back there again one day and see all the 5 places.

Emanuele and Angelo...
Elena and I...

By the beach, where we were sitting, in a window on the wall, there was this cute little dog just sitting there observing all masses. She was so cute I just had to take a few pics of her.
The little dog ignoring Angelo kisses...heh..

In the town, Emanuele treated us to an amazing bottle of wine. We sat at this artistically rustic enoteca (wine bar) and enjoyed the company, the wine and the delicious olives and capers (I never ate such big and good tasting capers before this).
the wines...decorating the wall...

The town of Monterosso al Mare

The beautiful sea...
The water was amazingly clean and clear. A bit cold but it was wonderful swimming in it. I just love being at the sea so much!

They had these beautiful purple flower bushes everywhere.

Spello

2011-06-27T16:16:00.014+02:00

Every year in Spello (Spello is an ancient, medieval, hill-top town, in the province of Perugia, in east central Umbria, Italy.) they have a festival called "Infiorata di Spello" where they create beautiful mosaics out of flower pedals. They work through the night to have them ready for the people to see in the morning.

Some of the beautiful alley ways of the town.

Some of the amazing, intricate mosaics made out of flower pedals.

Noah's ark

Disciples fishing
The last supper

La Luminara

2011-06-17T11:39:00.002+02:00

La Luminara is a “festival of lights” organized in Pisa every year on June 16th to celebrate the Patron Saint, Saint Ranieri. The center of the city and the Lungarni are lit with 140,000 candles placed in white wooden frames called “la biancheria” (literally, the linens). La biancheria is hung on the façades of the Palazzi of the Lungarno, on the bridges, on the river banks. The effect is simply magical.
(copied off the internet)

It's quite spectacular and it's amazing how much work they put into putting all those candles up. These are the pics Angelo took. There was so many ppl, it was a miracle that we even found a parking place for our car. We didn't stay for the fireworks since we didn't want to be stuck in traffic afterwards.

Back in Italy...

2011-06-16T15:22:00.003+02:00

...in time to celebrate my 30th birthday with Angelo.

Picture was taken up on the roof while we were getting a better view of the Lunar eclipse.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAD!!!

2011-06-08T10:08:00.003+02:00

Wishing I could send you a crate of good German beer!
Have a wonderful day and enjoy your beer!
love you! xxxx

At the sandy beach...

2011-05-25T22:08:00.000+02:00

Spent the day at the Sandy beach with Angelo, Jenny, Cristina and Travis.

Travis having a moment with 'Uncle'

The water was still quite cold, but Travis was loving every bit of it, and so was I....

My handsome!

The sun behind some clouds...

At the sea...

2011-05-22T14:43:00.000+02:00

The weather has been wonderful and we have had some amazingly hot days.
Angelo took these pictures.

Loving every bit of it...

You can see Angelo's reflection in the glasses.

Lajatico, Toscana

2011-05-19T14:14:00.007+02:00

Angelo took these pictures.

Teatro del Silenzo (Theater of Silence)

Andrea Bocelli is from Lajatico and every year around July he performs at the 'Theater of Silence.'
Andrea Bocelli's horses grazing on his hills.

Angelo took me on a bike ride around Lajatico. It's such a beautiful place!

Happy Birthday Mama!

2011-05-17T15:27:00.002+02:00

There are times when only a Mother's love

Can understand our tears,
And soothe our disappointments
And calm away our fears.

There are times when only a Mother's love
Can share the joy we feel
When something we have dreamed about
Suddenly is real.

There are times when only a Mother's love
Can help us on life's way
And inspire in us, the confidence
We need from day to day.

Mother, thank you for your heart, faith and hope
And all your steadfast love
You were fashioned by the Angels
And sent from God above...

Happy Birthday Mom

2 weeks...

2011-05-14T23:23:00.000+02:00

I'm in Italy for 2 weeks with my baby!

back to Italy

2011-04-27T17:40:00.003+02:00

Angelo flew back to Italy today. I saw him off at the bus station and when I left to go back home, I missed him already. He will be flying to the Ukraine tomorrow and will be there for a project at an orphanage for 2 weeks.

Baby, I love you and miss you soooo much! Thanks for your surprise visit. I had a wonderful time with you! I'm praying for you always!

Schlomo

2011-04-26T21:15:00.009+02:00

In Palmengarten with Schlomo.
He is getting so big and quite smart. He has a lot of personality and at times he lets his strong character come out. But we had a lot of fun together and enjoyed the early afternoon together with him.

Angelo took these pics.

This is a 1 ton marble ball and it is held up by the pressure of the water.

Feeding the very friendly duck...
Schlomo didn't want to get too close to the duck.

At the playground...

Out in Frankfurt

2011-04-26T21:05:00.008+02:00

On top of one of the buildings in the city center of Frankfurt.
Behind are a few of the many sky-scrapers in Frankfurt and below is the walking street.

I love Angelo's half smile...

taken with the phone...

The Cathedral in Frankfurt.

SUSHI!!!!
We went to an all you can eat Sushi restaurant. We ate a lot!
My very very favorite....
Yummy!

Climbing Park

2011-04-25T17:46:00.015+02:00

Yesterday we had the funnest day!
We all went to a climbing park outside of Frankfurt (Thanks, Mom, for organizing this!) and had a day we will always remember! Angelo and I were actually thinking of staying home but once we got there we were so happy that we decided to come along.
I was sooo excited and I couldn't wait to get into my gear and start climbing up in the trees. It was the funnest and most exciting thing I've done in a long time. I only wish that my kids was there to enjoy it with me....next time.

Here are the pics taken with Angelo's phone:

All geared up and ready!

Up in the tree...
Climbing up the highest one to go on the cable...
Down below....
Up high, on the platform on the tree waiting for his turn...
This is supposedly the longest cable ride in these kind of parks in all of Europe...
It was exhilarating! We went on it 3 times!
Going...
and coming back...
us...

Being silly...

Lady with her new hair cut....

bbq

2011-04-22T22:33:00.000+02:00

Angelo relaxing before making the bbq...
Nicolas, Schlomo and Basti

Lady looking cute as ever...

Palmengarten

2011-04-21T21:56:00.000+02:00

Pics taken by Angelo and I

In the green houses....

the camera on timer...

By the lake...my baby and I...

My embarrassed smile...

The cutest little squirrel

Biggest Surprise EVER!

2011-04-20T16:22:00.005+02:00

Yesterday, I had the biggest surprise of my life!
I arrived in Frankfurt Hahn airport to find Angelo waiting for me!!
I was on the phone and felt like there was someone close behind me and when I turned around he was there. I was speechless. I didn't know what to say and just turned back around and finished my conversation on the phone. For a moment I thought I was dreaming but when I turned around again he was still there grinning from ear to ear. He had flown in from Pisa the night before and had spent then night at the airport.
I can't describe how happy I was to see him and have him surprise me like that. I felt so loved and still feel so loved by him. He's going to stay with me for a week!

On the bus and feeling soooo special!

Both tired from traveling and not sleeping the night before....but oh so happy!

Praying for Japan

2011-03-28T13:03:00.004+02:00

Ume and Sakura trees that remind me of beautiful Japan....

Sping in MK

2011-03-28T12:32:00.004+02:00

I'm visiting my kids for a month.
They just moved into a beautiful house, much larger than their old one. They are also right next to a nice lake with a walk-way all around it. These are pics from yesterday when we went to the lake for a picnic.

Chloe's art

2011-03-25T21:56:00.003+01:00

Chloe drew this in paint. She made it for Jeanette's (her step sister) birthday.
It's a bit "emo" but I think its cute...

Ten Thoughts to Ponder

2011-03-23T22:54:00.001+01:00

Number 10
Life is sexually transmitted.

Number 9
Good health is merely the slowest possible rate at which
one can die.

Number 8
Men have two emotions: Hungry and Horny. If you see him without
an erection, make him a sandwich ..

Number 7
Give a person a fish and you feed them for a day, teach a
person to use the Internet and they won't bother you for weeks.

Number 6
Some people are like a Slinky ...not really good for anything,
but you still can't help but smile when you shove them down
the stairs.

Number 5
Health nuts are going to feel stupid someday, lying in hospitals,
dying of nothing.

Number 4
All of us could take a lesson from the weather. It pays no
attention to criticism.

Number 3
Why does a slight tax increase cost you $200.00, and a substantial
tax cut saves you $30.00?

Number 2
In the 60's, people took acid to make the world weird. Now
the world is weird and people take Prozac to make it normal.

And The Number 1 Thought
Life is like a jar of Jalapeno peppers; what you do today,
might burn your ass tomorrow.

- - - and as someone recently
said to me: "Don't worry about old age; it doesn't last long."

A day in February...

2011-02-03T22:06:00.000+01:00

We went out to see some nature and we found a river nearby so we took a walk...

It looked like the other side of the river was easier to walk on so we decided to cross....well...I got in the water and Angelo was supposed to follow but the water was TOO COLD! He had me stand still for a couple of seconds to take a pic....

I got out of the freezing water as fast as I could....

Angelo and I...

new hair cut....

2011-01-30T17:23:00.005+01:00

I got tired of my longish hair. I got it cut yesterday....what do you think? :D

Last day with my kids....

2011-01-18T12:59:00.002+01:00

I had a really nice visit with my kids. They are growing up so fast and being away from them I notice it more. Ethan wasn't in the mood for pics but I managed to get Derrion and Chloe to take a few with me.
I would very much like to move here to be close to them. I just need to work out my visa and paper work and I need a lot of miracles too. Pls pray for me.

Derrion and I...

Beautiful Chloe

2011-01-15T22:20:00.001+01:00

She decided to cut her hair shorter after having it very long for many years.
My daughter is growing up so fast, I'm wondering if I can keep up with the fast pace. I hope and pray I can.

Not sure if we have any similarities besides the color of our eyes...oh and the freckles...:D

Visiting my kids

2011-01-14T12:59:00.000+01:00

I had to take Ethan into London to renew his passport a couple of days ago. It didn't go as expected and we will have to make another trip there soon but we made the best of a bad day (Thank God it wasn't raining).
We found our way to the National History Museum and enjoyed ourselves there.

a few pics....

In the Human Biology section they had these distorted mirrors...had lots of fun making ourselves look weird.

a real life size whale

a whale brain and a human brain....

Olive picking

2010-11-14T21:19:00.008+01:00

Last week for a few days we went and helped Peter pick olives since he has over 20 olive trees in his garden. It was a lot of work but it was fun as well (I think the last time I climbed a tree was when I was a kid). While I was climbing up higher in the tree to get more olives, a leaf poked my eye. It hurt so much I couldn't even scream. All I could do was hold on to the tree so I wouldn't fall. I was in a lot of pain the whole afternoon and evening. The next morning it was hurting so bad that Angelo almost took me to the hospital but before we left he took a look and thankfully he saw that the leaf poked me in the white part right above the retina so I decided not to go and just keep a cotton patch on my eye to keep it closed. My eye was tearing all day but thankfully it healed quickly and by the next day my eye was a bit swollen but I could keep it open without any pain. I'm sure it was my angels protecting me and I'm so thankful to have the use of both my eyes. Just one day without the use of one eye makes you realize how important your eyes are.

Peter gave us some of the oil from his olives and it tastes heavenly. There is no better tasting olive oil then freshly squeezed olive oil. Angelo and I are also making a big bucket of olives ourselves and hopefully they will turn out tasting wonderful too :).

My very good looking bf.
He didn't know I was taking a picture of him.

Peter and Rachel's adorable little boys.
Flavio 11 months old....

Francis 2 yrs old...

1st Halloween

2010-11-04T18:44:00.000+01:00

I found these pics of Nicole and Chloe on facebook. At first glance I didn't recognize Chloe, I had to look at the pics closely to tell she was behind that mask.

Lucca Comics

2010-11-02T20:26:00.001+01:00

Every Year in Lucca (a castle town in Toscana) they host a Comic fair and people come from all over and parade the streets in costumes of every kind of comic, manga, computer games that you can imagine.

Angelo took loads of pics and these are just a few...

For all the Tetris lovers....

He had such a cool costume I had to take a pic with him. Apparently he is from the Manga "Knights of the Zodiac." The girl behind him was protecting his wings from the throngs of people.

Cati and I face painting..

Pics for Chloe

2010-11-01T20:01:00.000+01:00

Kuma is getting so big and fat at our new place. The neighbor lady always makes sure they have plenty of food in their bowls.

Garfield looks like he is smiling...

Angelo took these pics

Happy Birthday Ethan!

2010-10-29T19:07:00.003+02:00

Ethan, I love you SOOOOO much and miss you as well!
It was wonderful to see you again and I'm sorry that my trip was so short. I hope you had a wonderful birthday and that you will enjoy your 10th year to the fullest. You are growing up so fast and I am praying that you enjoy your school and learn a lot this year.
You are always in my thoughts and prayers.
-Mom

1 day with my kids...

2010-10-28T18:34:00.001+02:00

We watched this in the Cinema for Ethan's birthday. The graphics were pretty good...

Went out and ate at....Ethan's choice....guess where

Chloe, I know you will be upset that I posted this but its the only pic that I have of you from our trip.

I only had one day with my kids and was busy unpacking their winter clothes that I didn't even manage to take any pics. I didn't even get a pic of Ethan, my birthday boy. Angelo took these pics.

We ended our day with a sushi dinner which Pal and I made and lots of carrot cake. I made enough for breakfast the next day.

Was difficult to leave the kids after such a short visit but had to catch the bus at 2:00am that night. I miss my kids already.

I love you Chloe, Derrion, and Ethan and I'm praying for you.

Trip to England

2010-10-28T18:08:00.000+02:00

Angelo took these pics while we were waiting to leave.
I like how the camera captured the reflections in the droplets of rain.

God's painting

2010-10-23T19:57:00.000+02:00

The view from "our" mountain

God's wonders

2010-10-23T14:48:00.000+02:00

Angelo's photography
Not sure why this spider only has 6 legs...

Luna Park

2010-10-22T15:34:00.001+02:00

The best ride I've been on so far!

Bumper cars...yay!

I believe...

2010-10-21T20:55:00.001+02:00

I believe that laughing cures a multitude of ills. I believe in kissing, kissing a lot. I believe in being strong when everything seems to be going wrong. I believe that happy girls are the prettiest girls. I believe that tomorrow is another day, and I believe in miracles. –Audrey Hepburn

the bedrooms

2010-10-05T17:33:00.002+02:00

We ate dinner and slept in our new house for the first time last night. It's very beautiful up here and besides the annoying neighbor dog, its pretty peaceful as well.
The house is very very small compared to the house we are moving from but I'm enjoying the small coziness of this place and my cleaning jobs have definitely become very very easy :).

Our bedroom.
The second bedroom.
(DV next month we will have some other young ppl stay with us for a few months.)

Our cute little house

2010-10-02T21:29:00.010+02:00

Got the keys on the 1st of October. There are 2 bedrooms and I will post pics of them soon. We only have a small car and so we are slowly moving in and have not physically moved in yet. It's in this tiny little town high up on a hill called Montecchita above the town of Forcoli (you can google it if you want). On a clear day you can see all the towns and cities in the valley and on the surrounding hills. This is the first time I'm actually renting my own place (well we, Angelo and I are renting it) so I'm pretty excited about it but scared at the same time. Not really sure how we will manage everything but we are stepping out by faith and the Lord will have to meet us halfway and keep us and take care of us.

The kitchen....the first thing you see when you walk inside the house.

The living room. The arch separates the kitchen with the living room

The view from the kitchen window.

Our door and the front of the house.
The entrance to our part of the house.

The terrace over looking the valley. The Landlord takes care of it but we can use it when we like.
The view from here is amazing.

Sunset and Storm

2010-09-26T21:02:00.004+02:00

Angelo took these pics yesterday evening. It was a nice sunny day but toward late afternoon it started clouding up and by the time the sun was setting the storm was coming in full sway.

There were these huge bolts of lighting and Angelo was trying to capture them in the photo but only got the light instead of the actual bolt.

Without lightning....you can even see the rain coming down on the left.

For Chloe

2010-09-22T20:42:00.001+02:00

Angelo and I took these pics of the cats for you, Chloe. They are fine but I think they miss you a lot esp. Kuma. Whenever I go outside they come and just love it when I sit and pet them even if it's just for a moment.

I miss you Chloe, Derrion and Ethan. It's not the same being here without you. I hope you are well and that you are adjusting to school and life in England.
You are all in my thoughts and prayers.
-Mommy

Guardian angels

2010-09-04T21:37:00.003+02:00

Ryan will always have big brothers and sisters looking after him.

Sunday fun

2010-09-03T21:45:00.003+02:00

A week before I left we had a beautiful Sunday and all went to the lake. There were a few rides so the kids got to enjoy that as well.

I miss my kids too much and its only been 3 days that I have been away. It's great being back in Italy, the weather is wonderful and so is the food, but it's not the same being here without my kids.
But they will start school soon and are in a good situation so I don't worry about them so much.

Ryan and Jodie, 2 peas in a pod. I enjoyed taking care of them and I will miss them.

Kevin went a bought this candy without asking....and Ryan saw it so Paloma let him have a few licks. He was so cute with it and enjoyed the few licks he had immensely.

Ryan

2010-08-21T23:06:00.001+02:00

Such a little gentleman, so polite and courteous.

Before...

....and after
He had a little "toothbrush" (it was candy) and was showing me how he brushes his teeth.

Jodie

2010-08-21T22:27:00.000+02:00

The little princess...but can be tough like a little tom boy. She rarely cries when she falls and will immediately get up and try again. She is very smart and very quick.

Eleven

2010-08-03T22:48:00.002+02:00

Happy Birthday Derrion!
I'm praying that you will settle in your new home and school and that this year will be one to remember. I love you so much!
Mom

A-team brothers

2010-07-26T17:01:00.004+02:00

Sony was doing a promotion....they had all the "gear" and took the photo's and printed it and framed it even.

Derrion and Ethan with little Ryan in the middle

Love is...

2010-07-18T23:58:00.000+02:00

My little Munchkins....

2010-07-12T21:52:00.001+02:00

The 2 little rascals I am taking care of this summer.
I've done 2 weeks already and I'm enjoying it....
Jodie and Ryan

Chloe's party!

2010-07-03T22:38:00.003+02:00

We celebrated Chloe's birthday here (in England, MK) since we were still in Germany on her birthday. Michelle made DELICIOUS cupcakes (Thanks soooo much, Michelle!). They were the best cupcakes I have ever eaten. YUMMY!

For my Beautiful....

2010-06-28T23:21:00.002+02:00

Happy Birthday Chloe!
I know this year will come with loads of changes in every area of your life. It will definitely be a year to remember for most of us.
I pray that with the changes this year you will have love, joy, happiness, fulfillment and stability in your new home, family, and school. I will always be there for you no matter what.
-Mom

Happy Birthday DAD!

2010-06-08T19:20:00.004+02:00

God took the strength of a mountain,
The majesty of a tree,
The warmth of the summer sun,
The calm of the quiet sea,
The generous soul of nature,
The comforting arm of night,
The wisdom of the ages,
The power of the eagle's flight,
The joy of the morning in spring,
The faith of a mustard seed,
The patience of eternity,
The depth of the family need,
Then God combined these qualities,
When there was nothing more to add,
He knew His masterpiece was complete,
And so, He called it......DAD.

Chloe's performance

2010-05-30T13:20:00.002+02:00

I wasn't able to take pics of their performance but this is a shot taken by Angelo of the end of their show. They did well considering it was just the 2 of them.

Chloe and Veronica came in 5th place.

Happy Birthday Mom!

2010-05-17T13:13:00.000+02:00

Chloe took this pic for you.

Much much love and prayers from all of us!

Happy Mother's Day

2010-05-10T23:11:00.002+02:00

"God could not be everywhere and therefore he made mothers." - Jewish Proverb

"My mom is a never ending song in my heart of comfort, happiness, and being. I may sometimes forget the words but I always remember the tune." - Graycie Harmon, Writer

"Mother love is the fuel that enables a normal human being to do the impossible." - Marion C. Garretty

(I found Chloe on my comp and reprimanded her for not asking me if she could use it and then she looks at me and shows me this pic and these quotes. I didn't know what to say, I just gave her a big hug.)

Happy Birthday Baby!

2010-05-04T15:50:00.004+02:00

When you smile my world fills with color
When you laugh the cherubs sing
When you hold me I feel safe

My life is wonderful because you are in it.

Aug 2009

Chloe's Photography

2010-05-02T13:21:00.006+02:00

She told me today that she knows what she wants to be when she gets older....
I guess we shall see...

This first one is my very favorite...

Chloe

2010-05-02T13:14:00.004+02:00

She is becoming more beautiful every day...

Ethan posing

2010-05-02T13:05:00.006+02:00

May 1st

2010-05-02T12:46:00.008+02:00

It's a national holiday (Labor Day) here, so, since the kids weren't in school and it was a beautiful day we went out. We went to a nearby hilltop town and enjoyed the view and scenery. Toscana is truly a beautiful place. It will be missed...

By the big tree...

Thanks for your prayers

2010-04-28T11:53:00.004+02:00

Angelo is recovering well from the transplant and so is Joy, thanks to all of your prayers.
His new kidney is functioning well he is slowly getting his strength back. (Though it will take about 6 months to a year until he will be recovered completely.)

We all have had bad colds and coughs and had the flu but TG Angelo has managed to stay healthy and has not gotten sick so far. Pls pray for his continued protection against any and all sickness and that his and Joy's recovery will be steady and continuous.

something random...

2010-04-22T21:51:00.003+02:00

I went out to this fair in Massarosa (a town near the sea) last weekend. We had a little place to put our table with our kids books and balloons but we weren't able to put up our gazebo. We were in the sun for 2 days straight and by Sunday afternoon I realized that my face was completely sun burnt. By the time I got home my face was red like a tomato and it was burning. Someone gave me this special oil that helps sunburns and preserves the skin so I used that and I only peeled a bit, though I was embarrassed to go out a couple of days after that.
Who would of thought of getting a sunburn in April?? I suppose there is always a first time for everything, even for silly things.

Moral: I will always bring a hat.

Colors of spring

2010-04-06T22:10:00.004+02:00

My favorite green
Don't mind the funny looking person on the side...

Happy Birthday Jace!

2010-03-27T10:55:00.002+01:00

Chloe made this for you...

Have a wonderful day and 29th year!

Happy Birthday Ivan!

2010-03-24T20:21:00.002+01:00

I don't really know what to say since its been so long since we've seen each other or even talked but....with these meager words I want to say that I really love you and you are in my thoughts and prayers esp today. You'll always be my little bro though with the far distance between us, sadly I'm not much of a big sis.

I wish you a wonderful new year and I hope and pray that your life will be filled with lots of love, joy, happiness, and fulfillment.

Happy Birthday!

Answer to Prayer and update on Angelo

2010-03-24T15:25:00.003+01:00

Thank you for all your prayers for Angelo and Joy. I'm sure your prayers played a huge part in the operation being successful and their fast recovery in the last week and a half. They are both well and Joy is already home. Angelo's new kidney is working well and the doctors are positive. The healing process will take some time so your continued prayers are appreciated.

Angelo's blood pressure is still quite high and has not stabilized yet. Due to having done dialysis for 2 1/2 years and having a lot liquid in his blood, his heart has enlarged and his veins too, causing high blood pressure. Now his heart and body need to get used to having a kidney that is functioning properly. Please pray for his blood pressure to stabilize and go down to a normal rate.

Angelo was supposed to be coming home today but last night he fainted and so they are keeping him another day to monitor his blood pressure etc.

-Please pray for both Angelo and Joy's strength and over all health and recovery.

-Also that when Angelo is able to come home that the Lord will protect him from getting any sickness and that we as a home can keep things clean and hygienic for him. That my kids that are attending public school will not pick any sickness or get sick and then put him in risk of getting sick.

-Against the bad side affects of the medicine that he is taking and will have to be taking for the rest of his life.

Thank you so much for your continued prayers.
WLY!

Update on Angelo

2010-03-14T22:53:00.000+01:00

A huge thank you to all those who prayed for Angelo and Joy's operation.

The transplant was a success and both Angelo and Joy are ok. Angelo's new kidney is functioning well so far and the doctors are positive. They are still in a lot of pain so they would need your prayers for their full recovery.

Please continue to pray:

-That their stitches will heal properly without infection of any kind and that they will not feel so much pain.
-That Angelo’s body will accept and not reject the kidney from his mom and that there will be no bad side affects from all the medicine that he will need to take from now on.
-For their recovery to be fast and complete and that the Lord will give them good health and protect them from getting sick. Angelo’s immune system will be completely down so he can’t afford to get sick at all.

Prayer is not the least we can do but it's the most we can do.

Thank you so much for your continued prayers.

Chloe's Art

2010-03-14T12:42:00.003+01:00

For Daddy:

Chloe made these pictures in her art class. They were graded and she got 10's for both of them which is the highest grade you can get.
She was very excited when she got home and wanted to show them to you.

Urgent prayer request for Angelo

2010-03-12T22:07:00.002+01:00

Dear Family,

We would like to ask you to intercede with us in prayer for Angelo and his mom Joy who are in the hospital now and are scheduled for a transplant tomorrow morning.

2 ½ years ago Angelo had kidney failure and since then has been doing dialysis. He has been going to the hospital 3 times a week and his life has been dependant on this. It’s been over a year now that the hospital has been saying that they will do the transplant (Joy is giving Angelo one of her kidneys) and we have been praying consistently and waiting patiently since then for it to happen.

We all believe that prayer moves the hand of God and that He is the greatest doctor in the universe so we need you to pray with us for them.

Here are the specific prayer requests:
-For complete faith and trust in the Lord, for peace of mind and against any fears.
-For the Lord’s supernatural anointing for all surgeons and doctors involved in the operation.
-That there will be no complications before, during and after the operation and that it will be successful.
-That Angelo’s body will accept and not reject the kidney from his mom and that there will be no bad side affects from all the medicine that he will need to take after the operation.
-For the recovery process after the operation to be fast and complete for both Angelo and Joy and that the Lord will give them good health and protect them from getting sick. Angelo’s immune system will be completely down so he can’t afford to get sick at all.

The keys of skill and wisdom will be with the doctor. Claim them as he does his procedure, for the keys can be activated for anyone, even unbeknownst to them, and I will honor the request for the keys to help My children.

The keys of healing, relief, and rejuvenation wait for your command. At the call of your prayers, I will activate these keys on your behalf. They will bring strength, comfort, and physical renewal to your bodies. They will restore health to your flesh. They will work healing miracles for you.

Thank you for praying, We love you!

happy moments...

2010-01-24T21:30:00.005+01:00

Sophie took these pics on her last night with us.

Angelo and I. (Pls continue to pray for him. DV his transplant should be happening in the next couple of weeks.)

Finally got a pic with him smiling....
I am pleased.

For Sophie

2010-01-21T22:00:00.009+01:00

We love and miss you!

Sophie's last day with us.
At the round-about near our house.

Our last evening with Sophie....we went out for Pizza...

...and Sophie had a beer

I hope you're adjusting well with the time change etc. Praying for you. Lots of love.

Happy New Year 2010!

2010-01-01T23:37:00.003+01:00

May Jesus give you the best year yet!

New Years Eve, right before the countdown...

Nicole and Chloe
(wearing her hair extensions she got for Cmas)
My handsome Ethan...

Mary, Lisa and I...

Late into the night....

All of us girls...

Thinking of you....

2009-12-30T23:24:00.000+01:00

I wanted to call you but I was traveling today and wasn't able to.
But I want you to know that though we don't talk much I still think of you and pray for you daily. The kids and I love you and miss you.
You were a wonderful part of our lives and you will always be their favorite aunty.
Though you may be going through a rough patch right now, I pray that the Lord does something special for you this new year. I pray that you will feel and receive all the love and happiness that He has for you, you deserve it.

I love you, Crys! HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Sushi

2009-12-30T23:16:00.001+01:00

On one of our last evenings in England Paloma and I made sushi. I showed her how to do it and she made all the norimaki's. It was delicious!
If you can't be in Japan then you must make Japan come to you...heh...

Jace took me to the asian shop while I was there and I bought nato. I ate it for the first time in nearly 8 years. Oh, it tasted good!

at the park...

2009-12-30T22:58:00.000+01:00

It was sunny but it was cold...

Adorable Ry-Ry

Christmas Morning...

2009-12-30T22:47:00.003+01:00

Merry Christmas!

I wasn't able to post on Christmas because we went to England for Christmas and I left my computer adapter at home so I wasn't able to use it....sniff.

We were there for 8 wonderful days and we all had lots and lots of fun! Thanks Jace and Paloma, Dan and Shell for making this Christmas a memorable one.

The kids opening their stockings.

Ryan happy with his cars.

Snow!

2009-12-19T23:23:00.005+01:00

It snowed so much last night! We haven't seen snow fall here since we moved here 3 winters ago. And apparently it hasn't snowed like this in this area for over 20 years.
We were in Florence yesterday evening when it started snowing and what normally is an hour drive home turned into 5 hours. We got home around 3 am. I don't think I was ever so thankful to be home.
Here are some pics that the girls (Chloe and Nicole) and I took of our yard.
It was truly wonderful to wake up to everything covered in a blanket of snow. It made me feel like a kid again.

The yard in front of the house.
Our drive way. The view from one of the upstairs windows.

We had a warm spell right before the snow came so we had a pot of roses in bloom.

Kumino in the snow.
Jesus sent him to us a couple of months ago to take Kuma's place.

For my big brother...

2009-11-30T22:13:00.002+01:00

Happy Birthday!

Not sure if you will read this but I want you to know that you are in my thoughts and prayers today. I wish you all the wonder life has for you and pray you have a great and awesome new year.

your sis

What doesn't kill you....

2009-11-29T22:00:00.001+01:00

...only makes you stronger

out with Daddy....

2009-10-31T22:35:00.011+01:00

It has become a tradition to go out and have pizza whenever Jace visits and since it was Ethan's birthday, Ethan very much insisted that we do so.

Pizza! They all like ruccola (rocket salad) on their pizza. I love it myself.

cake for the birthday boy...
and Chloe too...

Daddy enjoying a bite...

my birthday boy

2009-10-31T21:24:00.000+01:00

My sunshine...

Enjoying the October sun...

2009-10-23T14:58:00.005+02:00

We were out and we ended up at the "Luna Park." We didn't go on any of the rides that day but a friend of ours gave us a bunch of tickets so hopefully we will be able to use them before the Luna Park moves to the next town. The kids will have loads of fun and so will us "big kids"....:D!

Try...

2009-10-16T23:17:00.002+02:00

Chloe took this pic of Ethan while we were in Germany in August and she put it through photo shop and this is the result.