Focus on the Family March 2, 2008

My sweet sister in law has been through hell. A few short years ago, she was living what appeared to be the “American Dream” including two beautiful children, a husband who worked hard and a house they could call theirs. Their focus was God and He was pleased. However, all of that fell apart due to various things, and there are days I know she is barely hanging onto the cross by a thread.

She turned 28 on Saturday and I really wanted her to know even though we have had our disagreements, I love her to the moon and back. I took some pictures of her kids to let her know I think she is a great mom, and to remind her to stay focused on them – especially when it feels like the world is crashing down.

Elbowing Out the In-Laws February 26, 2008

We are the stereotypical Italian family.

I am loud when I tell stories, and I have been known to wave my hands around like a mad woman in order to get my point across. Travis has an insatiable belly laugh that makes the entire room smile. We love fun and fellowship. We love having friends over and sharing a bottle of wine. A night playing cards something I can never get enough of. And the food! Oh the food! We love pasta, cheese, meats and all other things that taste so good on my lips, and look so horrible on my hips.

I was at my mother in laws house last weekend and she has perfected that adorable ‘pleasantly plump’ grandmother look. She has a beautiful smile and a cute high pitched voice when she gets excited and really I could just eat her up she’s so darn cute.

Tag, You’re it! February 2, 2008

One of my new friends in the blogosphere, Velvia at It Could Fill Books (which by the way I think that is a great blog name) tagged me for 7 random things about me. So here goes…

1. In my previous life (before I became a stay at home mom) I managed apartments. Specifically I handled evictions, and really felt okay with it. During that time, I also saw a dead person and handled a woman whose children were taken away from her because of the condition of her apartment. At one point my company had to put Travis and I in a hotel because of how crazy a resident was treating me, yet I loved the job.
2. My husband Travis and I met 8 years ago through a mutual friend in a karaoke bar called The Main Event. That night he sang “Safety Dance” by Men Without Hats. That song made our wedding CD, two years later.
3. I had a newspaper article written about me when I was in High School because I was involved in so many things. Some of those things included Cheerleading, Marching Band, FBLA, winterguard and competitive speech. Today I can barely handle Monkey and more than one appointment on any given day. LOL
4. As I mentioned in a previous post, I was a victim of domestic violence. Not through one boyfriend, but two. The first time I was pregnant it was with one of the abusers child. I didn’t know it at the time, but the miscarriage I suffered was Gods protective hands wrapped around my heart.
5. I became a Christian about four years ago. I feel although I am a baby in my walk with the Lord, I have loved every minute of our time together and I can physically feel Him drawing me in every day.
6. Our Mini English Bulldog snores louder than my dear husband. At least once a night Travis or I ask if the other person said something because the noise is so easily mistaken as a voice.
7. Last, but not least, I love, love, LOVE photography. I love to take pictures of people when they don’t even realize I am there and I am anti-portrait. (too stiff!!) I love to capture emotional moments in my cameras eye and I love the reaction I get when people see my work. I love pretty much everything about it.

So… V’Dubs, you are up… 7 random things about you. I know you can do it, and I can’t wait until you do.

Silas the Cat: One down, eight to go November 19, 2007

Last Tuesday in my rush to get to MOPS I accidentally let our cat “Silas” out. I couldn’t find him right away, so I left for the day. When I returned, still no Silas. The following day – still no sign of him. Our other cat meowed for him out the windows and doors but still he did not return.

For those of you who don’t know we live in a new neighborhood. We love it here, but the coyotes are not as pleased. I often hear them howling at night, and coincidentally there is not a loose pet in the neighborhood. I tell you this only to explain why at this point we had no choice but to believe our precious Silas had gone to meet the maker.

Tonight we were coming home at about 8:30 and low and behold, Silas ran across our driveway! I CANNOT believe he made it almost a week out and about. He is dirty and was very hungry. He clearly had lost weight…but the good thing is he’s young and prior to this little adventure, he had all nine lives to work with.

Thanks to all of you who knew we had been struggling in the pet department and thank you all for your prayers. But most of all, thanks be to God – you’ve given me the perfect birthday present and another reason to be thankful during the holiday season.

Dog Days of Fall November 19, 2007

For those of you who don’t know, about a month ago we made the tough decision to give our dog Duke back to the German Shorthaired pointer rescue. It was a very hard decision, but based on his health needs, we felt we were doing the right thing for the dog. We all made the drive down and said our goodbyes with the understanding the rescue had a relationship with the vets in the area and he would have the investigative surgery he needed.

After a lot of tough questions from Monkey about where Duke went, time went on and our hearts were starting to heal.

On Saturday I received a phone call from the new owner! I was shocked he had already been adopted out, especially after I found out they adopted him the DAY AFTER WE DROPPED HIM OFF. He asked me why we gave Duke up and when I explained he was a great dog behaviorally, however due to his health issues we could no longer care for him. Then he was shocked!! The owner of the Rocky Mountain GSP rescue had told him we were having our first baby and didn’t want to deal with the dog anymore. WHAT?! As angry as I was, I was more hurt than mad. He and I talked for about a half hour and I explained the cycle of his illness and he explained that he was already going to the bathroom about 12 times a day, which is what prompted him to call… thanks to the dog tag we had placed on Duke’s collar he was able to obtain our phone number (Thank you God!)

Family Dinner November 16, 2007

Our MOPS group discussed the importance of eating family meals together recently so I did some searching online and most research (including the National Center for Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University) indicates families that don’t share meals 5-7 times a week, are one and half more times likely to drink, smoke, or use illegal substances during the teenage years.

Could that be right? Could it be something as simple as cooking a meal (or picking one up) and sitting down together could completely change the outcome of our childs life? Then it dawned on me… it’s not so much the meal, but the details surrounding it. What I mean is in the time it takes to boil some water and heat up some sauce, your teenager might actually crack a smile or divulge a detail about her day. Once the meal finally hits the table, perhaps the whole family will be talking… Who knows what can happen by the time dessert and dishes roll around…

Because of this (and the fact that I love to cook and eat) we eat most meals at home around our table. I have to admit, even though Monkey is only 2, some of her funniest moments have been when she is pushed up against the table… and who can stay mad at hubbie when he prays over you and compliments your cooking?? For me and our little family, we are hooked!

Weekend at Breckenridge November 12, 2007

We decided to start a new tradition of going to Breckenridge in the beginning of November to get a jump start on our Christmas shopping. We went this past weekend and had so much fun! Monkey stayed with Aunt Sarah and Uncle Taylor and had a blast. In fact I am quite certain we missed her a lot more than she missed us!

We walked around Silverthorne and Breckenridge on Saturday and ate at The Mint that night. We had never eaten there before and we will definitely return. It is a steak house with a huge grill in which you cook your own steak, grill your own garlic bread and can grill your own veggies. There is an all you can eat salad bar, but the best thing was the service. Out waiter was fantastic and ensured we will be going back.

On Sunday we went to a small church right across the street from our Bed and Breakfast (Fireside Inn). The service was a real bore, but it was neat to read about the history of the church and to see how differently people worship and pray.

After that, we were hurrying home to see the monkey. On the way we got a call from Jay that he and Erica (and Will of course) are coming out for Thanksgiving week, and might stay with us for some or all of the week. That would be a blessing since our Thanksgiving plans are falling apart due to the family situations going on right now. More to come on that!

Be blessed!