Flashback Friday 2002

This is my bestie, Jen and I right after we met in 2002. Miss you!

Gettin' Crafty

These are a couple cards that I just made. Using Stampin' Up products. My favorite thing is using the markers on the stamps (in the top card) so that it doesn't look so stamp-like.

TGoF .9

Precious and Gracious Lord, today and everyday I am thankful for/that...

#1 we are healthy.
#2 my Bible study groups, they have become great friends.
#3 Jason making a commitment to doing The Love Dare with me even though he is crazy busy.
#4 Proverbs.
#5 new paper from Stampin' Up. This may seem petty but this really helps me de-stress and use one of my gifts.
#6 comments on my blog. It really makes me feel good!
#7 books. What a great escape!
#8 cameras (especially my very nice one!), otherwise I'd forget so much.
#9 will be going home in December!
#10 my rockin' hubs!

Get Your Own! FREE!

You'll notice to the right that I have added that adorable "Contact Me" button. You can go see Jolanthe and get your own for free!

Snowballs!

Nope, no snowballs in Sicily. It is wayyy to warm for that. Joshua, for some reason, calls marbles snowballs. Some friends let us borrow this awesome marble tunnel thingy. We had so much fun building different tracks for the marbles. He had such a good time!

Joshua Gets Buzzed

Paper Strips

I cut some strips of paper and gave them to Nikolas. He picked them up and dropped them, he crinkled them, he put them on his head. So simple but it entertained him for a good twenty minutes.

This is about it...

We haven't done too much "pre-schooling" these last few weeks. I through out the schedule which may have been a mistake. I think I'll be getting back to that because my house is a bit chaotic. Joshua loves letters and he knows almost all of them. He loves magnets, too. He is working on his workbook which has been sitting on the shelf unless he asks for something to do.

Nikolas Workboxing/Wordless Wednesday

(My Version of) Mommy Break Day

I got this great idea from Mom's Marbles. These are my "idea", "fund" and "save/share" containers for Mommy Break Days. I added the "save/share" can for savings and donations. I already had enough to have cappo and a brioche filled with gelato (to die for!) with the girls on Monday! I color coordinated them with my clipboard that hangs next to my desk.

The Simple Woman's Daybook

For Today...

Outside my window... is clear blue skies and no breaaze which makes for a very warm afternoon.

I am thinking... that it would b great if the water would come back on so I can finish the dishes and do some laundry.

From the learning rooms... dust... not a lot of "schooling" going on.

I am thankful for... my husband's devotion.

From the kitchen... a pile of dishes with no water to clean them.

I am wearing... everything comfy.

I am reading... Captivating by John and Stasi Eldredge, The Love Dare book and study, Proverbs (the chapter that corresponds with the date)

I am hoping... to get some things done, maybe even a snooze in the chair.

I am creating... gosh, I'm in between projects. I need to work on some Father's Day cards though!

I am praying... for J&J trying to conceive, for C struggling with life and loneliness, for K to have strength and to feel God's love, for strength and wisdom in raising toddlers, for guidance, praise for my husband.

Around the house... is peace, Nikolas is sleeping and Joshua is watching a movie at a friend's house.

One of my favorite things... cappos (duh).

A few plans for the rest of the week... Father's Day crafts tomorrow with MOMS Club, small group study Friday night, chapel on Sunday

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you...
Chasing bubbles...

Backyard Fun & Painting PART ONE

I'm a little behind on my pictures. Hopefully I won't overload you with them in the next few days. This was on 5/22. It was a beautiful day so I took the boys out to paint and play in the dirt.
Nikolas' painting. He was more interested in playing than painting.


Joshua's beautiful artwork!
Joshua loved painting. The boys used some Crayola Sponge Painters in animals shapes and their hands, of course.

Backyard Fun & Painting PART TWO

Joshua loves to pose for pictures.

Riding the bike. I made that shirt for him on CafePress!

Nikolas really enjoyed painting.

CHEESE!

Nikolas kept leaning back and making car noises, I guess he was going really fast.

What would riding bikes be without crashing?

Joshua misplaced his hat and he wore mine. We are all part of the large noggin club.

Joshua figured out he could climb up the fence. yay.

Aren't they cute?

My Husband Rocks Monday!

My husband, Jason, is in the Navy. He works long hours. He is also going to University of Phoenix Online, which in case you don't know, is very intense five week courses. He makes a lot of sacrifices for us. He is working toward a Masters in Business Administration. Jason always thinks of us, his family, first. He knows that the small sacrifices now will more than make up for it later. He wants to finish his degree and return to the "real world" so that we can have a "normal life". He doesn't have time for his hobbies or much fun at all. He also recognizes how hard it is on me and the boys. He really tries to make time for each of us. For that, my husband rocks! For all his hard work, dedication and sacrifice, MY HUSBAND ROCKS!

Delicioso!

I tried this and loved it! It wasn't bitter at all. I used two packets of Splenda, too. You should try it, too!

TGoF .8

Precious Lord, This day I thank you for/that...
#1 Jason and I are able to do a Bible study together.
#2 the gorgeous weather.
#3 the blessing of starting my day with You, quietly and in peace.
#4 John 3:16. The sacrifice and the book by Nancy Moser.
#5 our healthy, energetic, loving boys.
#6 caffeine, mainly in cappuccino form.
#7 amazing Christian friends.
#8 family that loves us and thinks about us even though we are 10,000 miles away.
#9 Jason.
#10 You.
~AMEN!

Flashback Friday 1993

Update: It was 1993, I was a sophomore in high school.

Family & Respect: Part Five

5~Have you ever been respectful to someone who is disrespectful to you?

This is definitely something I have struggled with. I've worked in call-centers, retail and restaurants. All of these are places in which you must bite your tongue. It also helps that I am not easily offended by comments or actions from people. I have better things to be concerned about. But as I am deepening my relationship with Christ, I realize that loving one another is more important than winning a battle or being right.

John 13:34
A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.

Romans 12:10
Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves.

Hebrews 10:24
And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.

1 Peter 3:8
Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble.

My Husband Rocks Mondays

This will be a new regular post for you to enjoy! My Husband Rocks! I got this awesome idea here! I have a wonderful husband and I'd like you to get to know him a little better!

MHR Week #1
I'll tell you that it really is the little things that keep me going. Joshua, our three year old, is working on hard on making it to the potty. It doesn't always happen. It seems like I am washing underwear and shorts all the time. I mentioned (probably in a whiny tone) this to Jason. He said, "Let's go buy more." And we did. While some people might not find this all that great, it really helped my sanity. He simplifies things for me. He really does rock!

Ahhh, coffee...

I got a few hours for myself this morning(thanks hubby), so a friend and I went to a town nearby and had a wonderful cappuccino before a little shopping. Have I ever told you how much easier it is to shop and peruse without a double stroller that has four arms going in all directions?

Flashback Friday 2001

Scanned pictures just aren't the same as digital.
UPDATE: Everyone wants details... I am standing in front of my cubicle, when I worked at Delta Dental of California. It must have been someone's birthday but not mine because my cubicle wasn't decorated. And if you look at last Friday's picture you'll see how long and curly my hair was... I got sick of it and cut it ALL off!

TGoF .7

I'm posting this a bit early because I'm having some much deserved mom time and don't know when I'll be able to post!

Heavenly Father,
I am so thankful to You for/that...
#1 I have an ounce of motivation to actually want to lose weight for the right reasons and do it Your way.
#2 my handsome, healthy, lovey-dovey boys.
#3 my husband has had a much deserved week off.
#4 I get some mom time today (thanks honey!).
#5 music.
#6 cappuccinos.
#7 family.
#8 friends.
#9 books.
#10 the Bible.
...not necessarily in that order...

The Simple Woman's Daybook

For Today...


Outside my window... sun and gnats ('tis the season).

I am thinking... about my grocery list.

From the learning rooms... mom is a slacker.

I am thankful for... Jason having the week off!

From the kitchen... planning our Asian food night, maybe for Thursday!

I am wearing... old shorts and a t-shirt.

I am reading... The Weigh Down Diet- Gwen Shamblin (this is one of four, I think, but it is getting most of my focus).

I am hoping... I can sit down and read for a bit without falling asleep.

I am creating... just made a birthday card.

I am praying... for joy.

Around the house... Jason is napping, Joshua is fighting sleep, Nikolas is sleeping and I want to finish this so I can read.

One of my favorite things... the sound of a dry diaper when my little one is walking by.

A few plans for the rest of the week... BBQ at KK's on Saturday, lots of relaxation and movie watching.

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you... a year ago...

Will you?

I'm not going to rant but I wanted to share this and ask for prayers. Today I caught a bit of news (I normally try to ignore it) about horrible things going on in the US. The girls that made a video about how to kill one of their classmates, the eleven year old boy that committed suicide because he was being bullied and picked on, the mentally disabled adults that were made to fight by the staff trusted to care for them. This is sickening to me. I don't know what I can do, other than pray. So, pray I will. Will you?

-Proverbs 3:5-6-
Trust in the LORD with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;

in all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make your paths straight.

Family & Respect: Part Four

4~Who is someone in your family that you really respect? Why?
This may sound like a cop out but it would have to be my husband. He works hard and takes care of his family. He loves his boys and having fun with them. He takes great care of me. He cares about what I want, he listens to what I say. He is generous, caring and giving. He is genuine and always does the right thing. I have said it before, he is more of a Proverbs 31 woman than I am.

Family & Respect: Part Three

3~What is your perfect family experience?

My current family experience is pretty darn good. I have a wonderful, loving husband that is also a giving and devoted father to our boys. We have two healthy, energetic and sweet boys. I am able to stay at home with them. My husband has a good job with wonderful medical benefits. We have a home and everything we need. We are a Christian family and we attend church (almost) every week together. We are traveling the world together. The Lord has truly blessed us!

Family & Respect: Part Two

2~What do you do to stay in touch with your family who is far away?

We live in Sicily, Italy and have been here since December 2006. My parents were able to visit in March of 2008, Jason's mom and step-dad were here for Thanksgiving 2008. There is a lot of emails, boxes and Facebooking. I have been trying to write more notes to friends back home. Living here has been such a blessing but such a burden at the same time. My Papa passed away just before New Years after a long battle with Alzheimer's and I wasn't there for my mom. I feel so isolated and while the internet brings us closer, it can never be the same. I am really looking forward to a long visit in December when we return to the states.

-Jeremiah 31:13-
Then young women will dance and be glad,
young men and old as well.
I will turn their mourning into gladness;
I will give them comfort and joy instead of sorrow.

Family & Respect: Part One

1~What does family mean to you?

Family is so many things to me. Of course, it starts with my parents, sisters, aunts, uncles, cousins, my grandparents that have gone to be with the Lord. Now I have my very own family, Jason and Joshua and Nikolas. And my in-law family, which is wonderful.

But I am so blessed to have friends that I can also call family. Friends that I've had since preschool, middle school, highschool and well after that. I also have friends that are new, that live next door or down the street. In a military community, your friends become your family, the people you rely on when you are in need. I have some amazing friends here in Sicily that are my family.

Family is anyone you can rely on, trust, turn to, pray with, share with without being judged, cry with, love with, have tears-in-your-eyes fun with.

-Romans 12:10-
Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves.

-1 Thessalonians 5:11-
Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.

Here are a few of my newest friends...

Family & Respect

ABC & 123 is talking about family. There is a series of questions that she asked and I have decided to answer them one at a time in a series. I'd love to hear what you have to say, write about family on your blog and comment with your link! Please subscribe to my blog so you don't miss any posts about family!

Here are the questions I'll be answering in the days (maybe weeks) to come.

1~What does family mean to you?
2~What do you do to stay in touch with your family who is far away?
3~What is your perfect family experience?
4~Who is someone in your family that you really respect? Why?
5~Have you ever been respectful to someone who is disrespectful to you?
6~What does it mean to be respectful? disrespectful?
7~Give examples of being self-respectful.
8~Should you respect yourself as much as you respect others?

Flashback Friday 2000

TGoF .6

Lord God, You are an awesome and loving God, today I thank you and praise you for/that
#1 Jason has the next week off from work, we are in need of some rejuvenation and he deserves a break.
#2 I got a check from CafePress today!
#3 opening my eyes to a new way of eating. (Please Lord, help me to maintain it and treat my body as a gift from you!)
#4 this is our last (blazing hot) summer in Sicily.
#5 friends. Near and far, old and new.
#6 Bible studies, for helping me "get it".
#7 you are my rock and comforter.
#8 my husband is so patient and attentive to my needs.
#9 our healthy, smart and loving boys.
#10 our little chapel here in Mineo. Mineo Rocks!

A Little Fuzzy

Summer is upon us. It was 86 degrees out today. Soon it will be 115, but that is here in Sicily. This is our last summer here and I'm pretty happy to say that. Shaving my legs is low on my list of priorities, it is just something you need to know about me. I plan accordingly as to when I'll shave my legs. If I know I'm leaving the house, especially for the doctor or to see friends, I'll shave. My husband would rather me shave just before climbing into bed every night but he is dreamin'. I will tell you though that when I get around to shaving I use this and this in rose afterward. No nicks and so soft and smelling good. Happy shaving even to those that don't love it so...