Hopeful Sunday

I guess I'd better start the year off on the right foot and get back to my Thankful Sunday Posts. I'm not so much of a resolution maker. I know I would never keep them. The first of the year never really prompted me to make goals or decide to quit or start a new routine. Instead the beginning of a New Year gives me Hope. Hope that God sees fit to let us go on a little longer. That His patience and mercy are still abundant. And for this I am truly thankful. So a little twist to my thankfuls, today they are my hopefuls.

As I begin this New Year I am hopeful that our finances will get better. That we can live without that constant worry.

I am hopeful that I will become a more patient mother. A more understanding wife, a more concerned daughter and a more attentive friend.

I am hopeful that I will learn to give it all to God. I cannot control everything nor do I have to.

I am hopeful that I will make more time for my own quiet time with Jesus. I miss out talks.

I am hopeful that our plans for adoption will stay alive. Whichever way God leads us. Whether it be our own adoption or educating others, we are ready and willing to follow God's lead.

And I am hopeful that through my blog and my prayers and all of your blogs we will be able to reach out to others this year and help them to embrace the gift God has given them. The gift of a very special child.

Have a very hopeful Sunday and New Year!!!!

Random Holiday Photos

I just realized that I never posted any pictures from Christmas. So here they are.The above two are Emilia very happy with the wrapping paper.


Cookies for Santa

Bella looking for some privacy at our dear friend Cindy's Christmas Eve Party

I love it!!!

Opening gifts on Christmas Eve

Christmas with Aniela

Celebrating Aniela's Birthday!!!

One Super Cool Dude

New Years Eve, at our friends Ron and Karen's Party, Bella's Godparents.

Are you Santa? No, it's Uncle Richard, Sophia's Godfather

Happy New Year!!!

We had a toast to the New Year last night. We bought "kids champagne" the kids love it,they get so excited about it. We got home from a friends party just in time to see the ball drop.

So what will 2010 bring?
Good health and happiness to all of you. Lots of fun and good fortune, Here's to healthy pregnancy's and beautiful quilts. Good doctors appointments. Here's to all the kids who will sit up this year and take their first step and say there first word. Here's to all the new forever homes that will welcome their new son or daughter this year. Here's to all the parents expecting a child with Ds or any special need, Congratulations this will be the best year of your life! Here's to all of my friends in blogland, I look forward to another year with all of you.
That is my New Year wish.

Adios 2009...

Image via Wikipedia

Don't let the door hit you in the A** on the way out!
No I won't be missing this year, not sorry to see it go at all. It was a tough year with more downs(no pun intended) than ups. It was a year of struggles and stress and fear. It pushed us to our limits and at times just kicked the crap out of us!

But mixed in to all the difficulties of this year were some beautiful moments, respite... a gift from God. So that is what I will try to remember about this year and that is what I will leave you with.
God Bless you all this New Years Eve! May we all rejoice in a new year, may it bring with it hope, healing, and faith renewed.


Our last Christmas together.This was Dec 2008 but I had to include it in this year. It was such a great day. My Aunt died this year,on July 25th. I miss her every day.


A tiny Emmie

Father Daughter dance


Emmie's Baptism
Culmination
States!
Accomplishments
Spring
Beach Days

Camping
Storyland


Tennis
Apple pickingFirld Trips
Perfect Pictures
First Birthdays




Wishes
Family

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My Blue Eyed Baby

Aniela took this picture. I had Em over my shoulder and Aniela thought she looked so cute. We almost died when we saw the photo, look at her eyes! This is one of my most favorite photos of Em. It really doesn't even look like her, it's just a totally different expression on her face. Just very peaceful, but those blue eyes really took my breath away.

Emmie's First Timeout

Yes it's true, Miss Emilia had her first timeout today. What in the world could this sweet baby do wrong you may be asking? Well just take a look at the photo below. It's a picture of the shelf to my entertainment center, which just happens to be the perfect height for Miss Em to chew on!


It is now decorated with her lovely teeth marks! The whole length of the shelf. She is sneaky about it too! This is the first time I have actually caught her chomping on it. But from the look of the shelf she has been up to it for a while.


OK, she didn't actually sit in the corner for more than a couple of seconds and her timeout ended with a lot of hugs and kisses. And she didn't know it was a timeout, just a new spot in the kitchen.
But she better keep her teeth off my furniture! And yes! yes! she has every type of chew toy in her little toy box, but I guess there's nothing like a good piece of treated wood to sink your teeth into!

Disney On Ice....

I love the turtles, they were my favorite part


for the goose egg!!!!!!! Thanks to a miracle working and very generous friend all eight of us went to see Nemo on Ice yesterday. And the seats were so good! We were in the seventh row. There's no way we could buy tickets to that this year. There is a big billboard on the highway I pass just about every day. Every time I went buy I would think "I'd really like to take the kids this year". But I would quickly dismiss the thought. I think sometimes God answers prayers that you didn't even think you were praying. Almost like a sign that He knows it wasn't a necessity but He hears every thing, even the silent wish of a mom. Thanks Pat, you really are a miracle worker!!!!

A New Tradition

Emilia, all ready to eat


This was an absolute first for my family. We went out to eat on Christmas Eve. Never in the history of my family have we ever strayed from the traditional Italian Christmas Eve Dinner. But this year my mom was just not up to it. She suggested we go out for Lunch. LUNCH! No Way Mom!!! ( the reason we have to go out for lunch is , because we go to church at 5:00pm,and then we go to a friends Christmas Eve party) But the more I thought about it I started to think , this wasn't such a bad idea.
I called one of my favorite restaurants, Mediterraneo and made a reservation. Well we were seated upstairs in this gorgeous room which we had ALL TO OURSELVES!!!!!! We had our own server, it was wonderful!!! Downstairs was noisy and crowded. But we were in Heaven! I guess if you make reservations and mention that you are bringing Five children with you it works in your favor!



A family picture
Lovely Sophia
My girls making themselves comfortable

Cheers!!!

Silent Night, Holy Night ...

Silent night, holy night All is calm, all is bright Round yon Virgin Mother and Child Holy Infant so tender and mild Sleep in heavenly peace Sleep in heavenly peace Silent night, holy night Shepherds quake at the sight Glories stream from heaven afar Heavenly hosts sing Hallelujah Christ, the Savior is born Christ, the Savior is born Silent night, holy night Son of God, love's pure light Radiant beams from Thy holy face With the dawn of redeeming grace Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth Silent night, holy night All is calm, all is bright Round yon Virgin Mother and Child Holy Infant so tender and mild Sleep in heavenly peace From our family to yours, have a happy and blessed Christmas!

Never Again

Has any one seen the cat? Or the baby for that matter! We did the switch and I will never do it AGAIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! We worked like dogs from 11:00 am to 10:00pm. The kids too, they were great. I just had one mutiny... Olivia she flat out refused to work any longer without food, by three she stopped to eat. My plan was to keep them hungry until we were done. A fat, content belly tends to become lazy. Peter pulled something in his back almost immediately.... oh joy!!! Between the two of us you couldn't build a complete person.

But I have to admit it looks good. The closets are not done and some things still need tending to but it will all get done in due time. Everyone slept well their first night in their new rooms. And I have to admit I love being in the same room with Emilia.I lay in bed and listen to her breath or coo in her sleep, it's great. I seriously had to restrain myself last night from scooping her up and putting her in bed with me.



My living room
Somewhere in there is a tiny kitchen
Just plain scary. But in was all in it's place by 10:30! Amazing! Good job Team Family!!!!!

Snowed In /Thankful Sunday

Finally some real New England weather! We are completely snowed in! Bella wanted a white Christmas and now she's got it! Just glad it did this now and not Tuesday when Aniela is coming home. Now we are praying for one more storm to come when she is leaving us! it would be a shame if she had to spend an extra day or two, hehe.

Today I'm thankful for this storm because now we get to finish the stinkin' room switch!!!!
I can't have two girls sleeping on the living room floor when Santa comes!

I am thankful for good friends who make tough times easier!

I am so thankful for all of you. I know I've said it before but you all have become like family. I'm loving all the cards. Every time I get one in the mail it just confirms that you really do exists.
I sound like that commercial when the M&M meets Santa and they both say "he does exists" and faint.

And I am thankful for a slower and more simple Christmas.

And one more huge announcement! Not to be out done by her sisters performance in the Nutcracker , Emilia Faith has been putting on her own show!


Ta DAAAAA no leaning and no hands! She just picked herself up the other day and decided to stand.

*please ignore the mess in my house and the bed head Emmie is sporting.